Chapter 5: and

Chu Lin, fearing Yuan Xi might feel embarrassed, said, "What fake or real? At the end of the day, it’s just a stone. If you really like it, there will be similar diamonds at the auction later; I’ll bid on one and give it to you."

Yuan Xi smiled faintly and didn't bother explaining the authenticity of the diamond ring.

Yang Ying patted Yuan Xi’s hand and said, "It’s still a while until dinner. Let Mom take you to see your room first."

Yuan Xi said, "No need, Mom. I don't plan on living here..."

"Why not live here?" Yang Ying asked. "You’ve finally come home."

Yuan Xi said softly, "It’s a bit far from my company. I want to live in my own place so it’s closer to work."

"Didn't you already resign?" Yang Ying asked.

Yuan Xi replied, "I’ve poured five years of my heart and soul into Michen. I think it’s best to part on good terms; I’m afraid the handover process will take about a month."

Chu Lin said, "You finally resigned. I’m impressed you managed to endure Gu Hanchen’s foul temper for five years."

Yuan Xi smiled. "Gu Hanchen pays way too well."

Chu Yan, listening from the side, tightened her grip on her skirt. "Yuan Xi, a person should have some bottom line. You shouldn't sell yourself out just because someone pays well."

Yuan Xi looked at Chu Yan. "I don't understand what you mean."

Chu Yan pursed her lips and looked at Yang Ying. "Mom, you know that Xiaoxiao and Hanchen started discussing marriage two months ago. Yet, for these past two months, Gu Hanchen has attended various banquets and social events with Yuan Xi as his partner. He even had Yuan Xi as his partner at my engagement party. Gu Hanchen is a married man in all but name; logically, Yuan Xi should try to avoid suspicion..."

Yang Ying asked, "Xin'er, do you like Gu Hanchen? The engagement between the Gu and Yu families is only verbal; nothing is set in stone yet. If you like Gu Hanchen..."

Yuan Xi shook her head repeatedly. "Mom, I haven't lost my mind. Even if Gu Hanchen were the only man left on earth, I could never like him."

Chu Lin laughed along, "Gu Hanchen would explode on the spot if he heard you say that."

Chu Yan watched the two siblings joking around, pouting slightly.

Even if Yuan Xi was the true daughter of the Chu family, it was also true that she had previously relied on her status as a secretary to try and climb the social ladder through Gu Hanchen.

Chu Yan still looked down on Yuan Xi. A secretary driving a Panamera, wearing a fake diamond ring, and refusing to admit she seduced Gu Hanchen—it just went to show how vain she was...

Chu Qing returned from outside and smiled when he saw Yuan Xi. "Xin'er is back."

Yuan Xi stood up and called out, "Dad."

Chu Qing responded with a smile, "Let’s go to the dining room. It’s not easy for our family to be reunited today; we must have a good meal together."

Yuan Xi followed them to the dining room. The solid wood French dining table was set with fresh flowers, exquisite porcelain plates, and a table full of fine dishes—a mix of meat and vegetables, looking quite appetizing.

After Yuan Xi took her seat, Chu Lin poured a glass of red wine from the decanter and handed it to her. "Congratulations on coming home. Have a drink."

Seeing the wine glass, Yuan Xi waved her hand. "My stomach isn't good; I can't drink alcohol."

"I heard from Gu Hanchen that your tolerance is quite good. They say you even drank Michen’s biggest shareholder under the table a month ago..."

Yuan Xi didn't want to bring up that drinking session from over a month ago at all; come to think of it, it was all trouble caused by Gu Hanchen.

Yang Ying asked with concern, "Is your stomach not well? You must take good care of it. I know a very good traditional Chinese medicine doctor; should I have him take a look at you?"

"No need, Mom. It’s just a minor issue. I’ll be fine as long as I don't drink."

Chu Yan took the wine glass from Chu Lin’s hand. "If Yuan Xi can't drink it, give it to me."

Chu Yan took a generous sip. "Brother, you’re really biased. Romanée-Conti? You usually aren't willing to let me drink this."

Chu Lin laughed, "What are you talking about? Half the wine in my cellar has been drunk by you. Since Xin'er is back today, I naturally had to bring out the good stuff. It’s a pity Xin'er can't drink it."

Yuan Xi smiled professionally, "Once my stomach condition improves, there will be opportunities to drink in the future."

Yang Ying served Yuan Xi some food. "I don't know what you like to eat. This Australian lobster is very fresh; try some."

Yuan Xi said, "Thank you, Mom."

There wasn't much conversation at the Chu family’s dinner table. Most of it came from Chu Yan, who was chatting about her wedding plans with Bo Fan.

Yang Ying and Chu Qing looked at Chu Yan with doting eyes. "Our Chu family’s daughter must be married off in grand style. As long as you’re happy with the wedding, Yan'er, that’s all that matters."

Yuan Xi looked at Chu Yan. She didn't seem affected by the fact that she wasn't the biological daughter; she was still as bright as ever, still the pampered and poised daughter of the richest family.

Chu Yan looked at Yuan Xi. "Dad, Mom, I want to ask Yuan Xi to be my bridesmaid, is that okay?"

Yuan Xi hadn't expected Chu Yan to ask her to be a bridesmaid. Just as she was about to refuse, a wave of raw, fishy scent hit her nose, and she felt an immediate sense of nausea. Yuan Xi stood up abruptly.

"Excuse me."

Fortunately, the Chu family’s dining room had a small door leading outside. Yuan Xi started vomiting as soon as she stepped out.

Seeing Yuan Xi vomiting, Chu Yan frowned slightly.

Yang Ying followed her out and asked, "What’s wrong, Xin'er?"

Yuan Xi said, "It’s just my stomach acting up, it’s nothing serious."

Yang Ying rubbed Yuan Xi’s back. "Have you seen a doctor?"

"Yes, I went today. It’s nothing major."

Chu Yan followed them out and looked at Yuan Xi, her hands gripping her white skirt tightly. "Yuan Xi, do you not like me? Is that why you..."

Yuan Xi took a glass of water from the Chu family’s nanny, rinsed her mouth, and gave a polite, faint smile. "It’s just a stomach ailment."

Chu Lin and Chu Qing also came out, looking at Yuan Xi with concern.

Chu Lin said, "Why don't I take you to see a doctor?"

"Really, there's no need. I just went to the hospital today."

Yuan Xi returned to the dining table, but fearing morning sickness, she didn't dare to eat anything else.

After Chu Qing and Yang Ying finished their meal, the family sat together to chat.

Yang Ying looked at Yuan Xi with eyes full of guilt. "Xin'er, your father and I plan to hold a homecoming banquet for you to welcome you back to the Chu family and to let our friends and relatives know that you’ve come home."

Yuan Xi said, "There’s no need for now, Mom. I haven't officially resigned yet, and I’ll be very busy with the handover. I’m afraid I won't have time for a banquet."

Chu Yan smiled and said, "Let me handle the banquet. I love organizing banquets the most."

Chu Qing said, "No, it must be done. I want everyone to know that our Chu family’s precious daughter has come home. We’ve been looking for you for too long; this banquet must be held."

Yang Ying asked, "Xin'er, you graduated from Jiangcheng University, right? Come to think of it, you and Yan'er might have been classmates?"

"I was one year ahead of her," Yuan Xi smiled faintly.

Chu Yan looked at Yuan Xi. "Then I’ll call you 'Sister' from now on. Sister, what kind of welcome banquet would you like? What color scheme do you prefer? Do you have any favorite gown brands? If it’s a haute couture gown, it takes at least three months. Should we just buy something off the rack for now?"

Yuan Xi glanced at the time and smiled faintly. "Then I’ll leave the welcome banquet to you. I’ll prepare my own gown."

"Dad, Mom, it’s getting late. I should head back."

Yang Ying still wanted to keep Yuan Xi. "Leaving so soon? Are you really not going to stay at home? I can have the driver take you to work in the morning."

Yuan Xi looked at Yang Ying. "Mom, a lot has happened today. I’d like to have some space to calm down and process everything."

"Alright," Yang Ying said. "Then come stay for a couple of days this weekend?"

Yuan Xi gave a bitter smile. "I don't get weekends off."

Yang Ying frowned. "What kind of lousy company is Gu Hanchen running? Why don't they even give weekends off? Chu Lin, you should have a word with him."

Yuan Xi got into the car and waved at Chu Qing and Yang Ying. "Dad, Mom, I’m leaving now."

"I’ll drive you," Chu Lin said, walking over to Yuan Xi.

Yuan Xi looked at Chu Lin and smiled faintly. "You’ve been drinking. I’ll head back on my own."

After Yuan Xi’s car drove away from the Chu estate, she sent a message to Huo Shiyan. After passing two traffic lights, she saw a Maybach parked on the side of the road.

Seeing the familiar license plate, Yuan Xi pulled over.

Huo Shiyan stepped out of the Maybach, walked to Yuan Xi’s car, and knocked on the window.

After Yuan Xi rolled down the window, she said, "Mr. Huo, didn't you say you’d have the driver pick me up?"

Huo Shiyan smiled lightly. "I’ve had my license for nine years; I drive better than the driver."

Yuan Xi got out of the car and walked to the passenger side. Sitting in the passenger seat, she glanced sideways at Huo Shiyan, who was driving. Compared to becoming the daughter of Jiangcheng’s richest man, she felt that becoming Mrs. Huo felt more like a dream.

Counting it up, she and Huo Shiyan had known each other for less than a year, and they had met only a handful of times.

Yet, they were actually married. Today was their wedding night.

Yuan Xi gripped her phone tightly, unable to hide her nervousness...