Chapter 4

“I suspect your information is wrong. Are you sure he lives in this kind of ghostly place?”

“I don’t believe it. Look.”

“Don’t tell me he lives in a historic site.”

Yi Siling sent several more pictures and a short video.

On a whim, she wanted to see the house where the Xie family lived (with absolutely no intention of inspecting their future marital residence). She asked Yi Leling for the address.

She had expected Xie Xunzhi to live in an enormous, large villa far from the city, nestled among mountains and waters. Who would have thought that when the car entered, it almost scraped against a breakfast cart selling fried pancakes and fritters at the alley entrance?

Such a situation would never happen on Hong Kong Island. Only a mad tycoon would place a private residence in a bustling urban area with bustling crowds.

Indeed, it was very large. Yi Siling squinted her eyes, privately estimating the length of the surrounding wall to be at least two hundred meters. For someone accustomed to luxurious estate villas, it felt exaggerated, especially since it was near the city center.

The Xie family was quite interesting. Flaunting their wealth (the house occupied a vast area), yet they managed to maintain a discreet and low-key exterior (the outer walls were drab gray), giving off an air of mystery, like a lion resting lazily in the forest.

Yi Siling had reservations about such a family. Throughout, she kept her lips pursed, unable to resist her curiosity as she walked up to the side door to take a closer look.

Such buildings were rare on Hong Kong Island, but she knew they were a characteristic feature of the ancient capital of Beijing.

The bronze animal head ornaments, lotus-patterned door pins, and white jade drums all exuded the dignity of a wealthy and influential family, intimidating anyone who dared to challenge them. On the right side, there was a plaque nailed to the wall. She leaned closer to read it—

It was a protective plaque.

Issued by the Beijing Cultural Relics Management Bureau, it was engraved with the declaration of an outstanding historical building, a key cultural heritage protection unit announced in 1984.

Hiss.

It was a historical Relic, a trace of disappointment flickered in Yi Siling’s eyes.

These people lived in a historical relic!

Suddenly, she understood. It was perfectly normal for such a family to raise a perfect heir who was mature and reliable, following the rules.

No wonder Yi Kunshan had vigorously endorsed Xie Xunzhi. He likes such conforming young men, giving them the euphemism of being “stable.”

Yi Kunshan had once tried to groom her as the perfect heir, setting numerous rules for her.

Her sisters could play outside with friends until dark, make various friends, plan their vacations, and let the porcelain cups and saucers clink during afternoon tea. She couldn’t. She had countless home tutoring classes, Pilipino, English, French, Art, various etiquette classes, and business management. Her childhood was like a carefully planned schedule, filled with tick marks.

But one day, she rebelled and became stubborn. Yi Kunshan lamented this, saying she became more unruly as she grew older.

But Yi Siling had had enough—enough of not being able to make a sound when stirring bubble tea, enough of only being able to touch the same spot on the teacup lips when drinking tea, enough of having to carefully consider everything and not act on impulse.

It wasn’t just these superficial rules. Inheriting the family business meant endless rules, like willingly entering a golden cage, sacrificing oneself to the conglomerate, and no longer belonging to oneself.

In her view, this was more terrifying than marriage.

At least after marriage, her husband wouldn’t and couldn’t set any rules for her. With her wealth, she could kick him out.

She understood well that families with power and wealth had strict rules. Ordinary people shouldn’t even entertain the thought. Once married, they would become a jewel-encrusted punching bag, experiencing the bitterness of being unable to share equally, and only she knew that.

Even if she didn’t have the personality to endure such treatment or be manipulated like a soft persimmon, she couldn’t stand having unhappy people around her.

If her husband was still a rigid, workaholic, and unromantic old man, life wouldn’t be worth living.

In broad daylight, Yi Siling stood still in front of someone else’s door, lost in thought.

Unaware, the tightly closed door quietly opened.

Xie Wenning hadn’t stayed in the dormitory last night and had been at Xie Garden for the weekend. After staying home for two days, feeling bored and constantly drinking Chinese medicine, she went out to buy Zhenji’s lemon hawthorn cake. She sneaked out and only dared to go through the side door. When she opened the door, she saw a beautiful and glamorous woman standing on the steps in a daze, her face hidden behind oversized sunglasses.

Xie Wenning was stunned, her face blushing slightly.

This young lady is so beautiful, she thought silently.

“May I ask who you’re looking for?”

The gentle voice snapped Yi Siling out of her jumbled thoughts. She looked up, blankly meeting the gentle and lovely young girl before her.

“…”

Was she from the Xie family?

Or… Xie Xunzhi’s well-hidden little lover?

Yi Siling remained composed, taking a deep breath behind her oversized sunglasses, her eyes fixed firmly ahead.

Excellent.

Yi Siling hadn’t expected things to progress so smoothly; right away, she had dug up some explosive information. Unwilling to stir up trouble, she merely hummed disdainfully under her breath, now knowing Xie Xunzhi wasn’t such a good person after all.

She muttered something about taking the wrong path and turned to leave.

Xie Wenning watched the woman in confusion as she got into her sports car. In the blink of an eye, only a red blur remained, leaving her with a lingering sense of foreboding.

The neighborhood was full of traditional courtyard houses, with alleys twisting and turning in all directions. Without local knowledge, it was hard to find one’s way out. The Ferrari, without a destination, wandered aimlessly like a headless fly, much to Yi Siling’s growing annoyance.

She didn’t know which alley she had entered, but several children rode their bicycles past her Ferrari. The crisp sound of their bells resonated in the cool, crisp air.

“It’s a Ferrari! So cool!”

“The driver is a beautiful big sister!”

“Even more beautiful than my mom!”

One compliment after another, as if afraid she wouldn’t hear them.

Yi Siling, frustrated, forced a slight smile upon hearing the children’s innocent and sincere voices. “Just a bunch of little brats, but they do have good taste.”

There were many breakfast stalls on both sides, scattered plastic chairs and stools serving as makeshift dining tables along the roadside, with many people queuing up.

An old man swiftly fried pieces of dough in a listening pan until they turned golden brown. He cracked a few eggs into them, and sprinkled in pickled beans, shredded potatoes, and chopped scallions before rolling them into a ball. Nearby, a woman lifted the lid off a large steamer, releasing billowing white steam as piles of fluffy buns and rolls emitted a tantalizing aroma.

Even on Hong Kong Island, she rarely found herself in such down-to-earth places. Usually, she sat comfortably in the back of a luxurious Bentley. Occasionally, she would lift her head, glimpsing the other side of the metropolis—

Plain, simple, bustling, a touch of warmth, all elements people called ” Life.”

It was a world away from her own.

She was the most beautiful flower in a world of extravagance and wealth, never meant for plainness or simplicity.

At that moment, her phone vibrated with a message.

Yi Leling: [The address couldn’t be wrong. It’s exactly there, in some bird alley.]

Yi Leling: [Come on, Miss, did you just circle around his house walls from the outside? Why don’t you go in? You want me to admire the walls?]

Yi Siling grabbed an egg-filled pancake handed over by the boss. It wasn’t until she got into the car that she opened the plastic bag, delicately tearing off a small piece and blowing on it gently.

Typing wasn’t convenient, so she sent a voice message: “I suspect if I go in, I might never come out again in this lifetime. Besides, I sneaked over here. If Xie Xunzhi finds out, what then?”

She sent a picture of the egg-filled pancake. “This pancake tastes good. Want one? I’ll air Lift it back to you.”

Yi Leling: [No thanks.]

Yi Leling: [Focus on the point. How do you plan to find an opportunity to meet him?]

Yi Siling ate half of the pancake, setting it down on the passenger seat. “I’m not sure yet. But I’ve figured out the basics. He’s not my type. I’ll just wander around these days. I’ll talk to Lao San the day after tomorrow.”

For the next two days, Yi family and his friends had arranged a self-driving tour to nearby scenic spots, returning to Beijing the night after tomorrow.

“Oh, by the way, I just saw a woman at his house. Could she be his kept girlfriend? I’m planning to look into it. It’s a good sign!” Yi Siling quickly shared this good news.

Yi Leling, utterly helpless: [Princess, can you please use your magnificent brain for a moment? If Xie Xunzhi were keeping a woman, would he do it at his family home where his parents can keep an eye on him? The location I gave you is the Xie family’s old mansion, not his private residence.]

Yi Siling deflated instantly. “Oh.”

Yi Leling still had work to do and didn’t elaborate further: [Just stick to the point, don’t get sidetracked. Send my regards to the Third Brother for me.]

As their conversation was about to end, Yi Siling suddenly thought of something else: [Can you check his car?]

Half an hour later, the versatile and diligent Yi Leling sent the  License plate information to her phone.

[Black S680 Pullman, Jing AXXXX8]

[That’s all I could find.]

Yi Siling was stunned. Wasn’t that the car she had just seen in the alley?

In the following days, Yi Siling drifted far from the main topic, aimlessly wandering around Beijing.

She bought a large pile of clothes, shoes, porcelain, small items, and local specialties. Everything from Zhenji Palace cakes, tea, sour plum soup, and roast duck, to several hundred-yuan bracelets and bangles shouted out by the old men at the antique market, was all a chaotic mess. She couldn’t even remember it all; she bought things absentmindedly and then forgot about them.

By Tuesday morning, Yi Siling was already on the high-speed train back to Beijing. When she knocked on the hotel room door, the person inside was sound asleep.

Her dream was disturbed by the noise, and Yi Siling opened the door with droopy eyelids and a yawn. The irritation from being woken up made her face full of complaints as she glanced at Yi Siling and said, “Didn’t you just arrive last night?”

Yi Siling chuckled, dusty and carrying a large hiking backpack. Without even resting in her dormitory, she had come straight from the high-speed railway station by taxi, not expecting to be complained about.

Entering the room, she threw her backpack on the floor and took a breath, “Is it wrong to want you to see me earlier? Do you find me annoying?”

Yi Siling gave her a glance, emitting a furry sigh from her nostrils, “You disturbed my sleep…”

Still not fully awake, her voice was naive and somewhat affected, which made Yi Siling uncomfortable. Who could endure this woman’s coquettishness?

“My bad, my bad. Next time I’ll knock on your door after eleven, okay?” Yi Siling was at a loss dealing with her, but being the older sister, she had to indulge her.

Their three sisters’ common goal: is to become Yi Siling’s most loyal attendants.

“Not okay… I hate you.” Yi Siling pursed her lips and turned to walk to the bathroom. She was not presentable right now, disheveled and not wanting to say much; she needed to tidy herself up.

Yi Siling wiped her face silently and followed. Yi Siling acted as if no one else was around, starting to wash her face, do skin care, use a beauty device to reduce puffiness and apply makeup.

“Just going out with me, and you’re doing such elaborate makeup. Isn’t it unnecessary?” Yi Siling leaned against the door frame, looking incredulous.

After curling her eyelashes, Yi Siling didn’t even turn her head, “I suggest you change out of your Adidas before going out with me.”

Yi Siling retorted, “These are Adidas Originals!! Collaborated with Gucci!”

“That’s still Adidas.”

“I just like Adidas! You don’t understand fashion. This style is really popular. I waited two weeks to get them!”

“A bunch of celebrity-endorsed hot items. So basic.”

“…”

Yi Siling would never wear sportswear out, considering it akin to a needle in her skin. In her dressing room, streetwear, fast fashion brands, and influencer brands were all sidelined. Even her favorite brands, if they pandered for popularity with a particular season’s collection, would mercilessly be listed, losing her as a super VIP customer.

She preferred elegant, expensive, classic items that didn’t go out of style for years. Hong Kong media once praised her as the most stylish and tasteful heiress on Hong Kong Island, which was not wrong. She indeed had a strong personal style, never following trends blindly. She hated wearing the same outfit as someone else, despised trends, and disliked making herself comfortable at the expense of casualness.

In her view, even at home in pajamas, she had to wear jewelry, wear beautiful shoes, and carry herself with grace down to every hair strand.

Many ladies privately mocked her pretentiousness, complaining that she had to spend three hours just to walk the cat. Yi Siling scoffed at them, considering them nouveau riche for wearing haute couture.

Yi Siling had no choice but to take off that trendy outfit, opting for a s Lightly looser fit beige tweed suit jacket, paired with flare jeans, and changing her sneakers to refined sheepskin low heels—this was her bottom line.

Her appearance leaned towards energetic, with healthy rosy skin that lacked Yi Siling’s fair complexion.

Going out with Yi Siling was always about meticulous details. If not following her rules, Yi Siling would throw a tantrum.

Yi Siling sighed and silently touched up her lipstick. Normally at school, she wouldn’t bother with dressing up like this, preferring to wear pajamas to the cafeteria for steamed buns, then return to her dorm to catch up on sleep.

When Yi Siling finished changing, the dazzling beauty walked out, leaving Yi Siling unable to look away.

Yi Siling praised her, briefed her on the morning’s schedule, then went to the living room to call the hotel line, instructing the housekeeper to bring up two breakfasts.

Yi Siling was dumbfounded, “You’re just eating hotel breakfast?”

“The Hong Kong-style dim sum here isn’t bad.” Yi Siling had been eating hotel breakfast for two days, planning to sleep in the morning and too lazy to go out to eat.

“You’re in Beijing now, and you’re eating Hong Kong-style dim sum? Can’t you wait until you’re back home?” Yi Siling quickly called the hotel manager, canceling the breakfast and hustled Yi Siling out like they were at a market.

“Let’s go, let’s take our princess to eat local specialties!”

In Shaner Hutong, there were several century-old shops, with Batonglou being the most famous, supposedly established during the Guangxu era, and the founder even invited into the palace to serve tea to the old buddha.

The restaurant had traditional Chinese decor, grand and elegant. In the lobby, actors in grey cloth robes were playing drums and singing, accompanied by the huqin and yangqin, creating a robust yet melodious atmosphere.

Yi Siling was immediately drawn in upon entering, her eyes lit up as she stopped to watch the spectacle, “What are they singing?”

The waiter guiding them explained that this was a local drum music art called Qinshu, with a thick Beijing flavor in its singing style. They were currently performing “Huilong chuan.”

“The singing is really interesting.”

“I told you this place is interesting, and the food is good too.” Yi Siling couldn’t resist mocking her for coming to Beijing as if she were clueless.

“We should go to the second floor, it’s more spacious.”

It was now after ten o’clock—not quite breakfast time anymore, but too early for lunch. Because it was off-peak hours, there weren’t many customers in the restaurant. The private rooms on the second floor, with a minimum spending requirement, were even quieter. At this moment, there was only one table of guests.

Xie Xunzhi was here today accompanying a retired senior leader to Batonglou for breakfast.

Although the old leader had left his position two or three years ago, his prestige remained high. With numerous prestigious titles, he was invited frequently to socialite events, and many people sought to treat him to meals.

“Troubling you every day with your busy schedule just to have breakfast with an old man  Like me.” Old Qi smiled and glanced at the young man sitting opposite him.

Outside the window, ivy limbed the corners, green and shiny, and many leaves had fallen from the ginkgo trees, scattering golden hues. The man placed his teacup down slowly. “What are you saying, Teacher?”

“I heard from your mother that your marriage has been arranged.”

Xie Xunzhi nodded. “That’s right.”

“What does ‘that’s right’ mean?” Old Qi laughed heartily. As people grew older, they enjoyed watching the younger generations settle down one by one—it was quite interesting.

“I don’t like hearing you say that.”

“Your mother has been busy arranging this marriage for you. Now that you’re indifferent, once you have a beautiful wife, you should appreciate your mother’s efforts.”

Xie Xunzhi mother, Yang Shuhua, was a favorite student of Old Qi when she studied at Huazhong University. At that time, Old Qi was a professor and served as the deputy secretary of the school with ministerial treatment. Yang Shuhua was his prized pupil. Later, when he entered politics, he became even busier but still found time to mentor Xie Xunzhi for a year or two. In his eyes, Xie Xunzhi was a junior, a student, and also a nephew.

Xie Xunzhi replied, “She’s from the Yi family in Gangcheng. Mr. Yi Kunshan’s daughter.”

Old Qi pondered for a moment and nodded. “That’s a good match. Your mother has always been clever, finding in-laws to keep you out of factional struggles and ensure your family’s stability. No one will dare to interfere.”

He continued, “When I was in Bincheng, I had dealings with your future father-in-law. He’s straightforward and sincere, not someone who indulges in fancy things. I imagine his children are also sincere, not delicate. You two are well-matched. Your mother has a keen eye.”

Not fancy, not delicate, sincere.

Yi Siling?

Xie Xunzhi raised an eyebrow, exchanged chopsticks, and calmly picked up a piece of crispy pickled bamboo shoots for Old Qi, as if to respond to this exaggerated praise, “Yes, everything you said is true.”

The heels of Yi Siling shoes making a clacking sound on the wooden stairs. She was a frequent visitor and knew her way around here, heading straight to a secluded corner booth.

The design of this private booth was very comfortable, separated by screens from each other, like independent small rooms but not too enclosed.

“Let’s sit here.” Yi Siling preferred to sit in the corner for more peace, away from disturbances during the conversation.

But Yi Siling insisted on not sitting in the corner.

“Eating a meal, why sit in a corner? If we’re sitting, let’s sit right in the middle.”

“I want to sit over there, by the floral window.” Yi Siling pointed from afar. “From there, I can see the ginkgo trees and ivy. This site only has a wall.”

Yi Siling sighed inwardly. She could only go along with Yi Siling’s preferences but couldn’t help but complain, “Yi Zhaozhao, you’re really troublesome.”

The age gap between them was only five years, and they spoke to each other without much regard for seniority or juniority.

Yi Siling glanced at her disapprovingly. “Please call me Yi Siling.”

“Yi Zhaozhao sounds like a fleeting supporting character in a Jin Yong novel.”

As the sound of high heels grew closer and the girl’s voice drew nearer, Xie Xunzhi fingers around his teacup tightened slightly upon hearing “Yi Siling.”

Is Beijing this small? How is it that I keep running into her everywhere?

“I won’t call you ‘older sister.'”

A full-bodied, normal female voice followed.

“Whether you call me that or not, I am your older sister. You have to listen to me.”

The voice that followed…

It was sweet, coquettish, and affected.

Can’t she just talk normally?

Xie Xunzhi couldn’t help but frown. He even wanted to press his ear to ease the pressure, but the thought passed in an instant, and he simply lowered his eyes, blowing on the hot tea in his cup.