Chapter 7

Chapter 7

A summer cold is the hardest to endure. Because she was sick, Xia Wanzhi hadn’t turned on the air conditioning, leaving her drenched in sweat. By the next morning, she felt lightheaded and dizzy, so she decided to stay in bed and rest.

She didn’t leave her room all day. When she finally opened her door toward evening, Zhou’s Mother’s voice drifted up from downstairs.

“Does she really think this is her own home? She hasn’t even married into the family yet, and she already has no respect for her elders. Once she’s actually through the door, she’ll be completely out of control!”

“Can’t you just say a few words less?” Zhou’s Father pressed his temples, feeling deeply irritated.

“I can’t even speak now? What kind of daughter-in-law stays in her room all day without showing her face? Your son has been running himself ragged for the company these past few days, yet you don’t even know how to feel bad for him!” Zhou’s Mother paced in circles before sitting down, turning her back to Zhou’s Father in a huff.

“I don’t feel bad for my son?” Zhou’s Father lowered his voice, gesturing sharply as he argued. “Back when the Xia Family was in their prime, who was the one making our son find time to visit them every day? Now that they’re in trouble, look at your attitude! Old Xia entrusted his daughter to us; he didn’t send her here to be mistreated by the Zhou Family! If they ever come back, how am I supposed to face them…”

Zhou’s Mother slammed her hand on the table in anger. “If they could come back, they would have done so long ago! To even abandon their own daughter-the Xia Family probably won’t ever recover in this lifetime!”

“Right now, Xia Wanzhi is nothing but a burden, a weight dragging our son down!”

“…”

The bickering downstairs was endless, the conversation still revolving around Xia Wanzhi and the entire Xia Family.

Xia Wanzhi retreated into her room and softly pulled the door shut.

Her fingertips trembled slightly as she leaned powerlessly against the back of the door. The strength she had maintained for over a month finally shattered into pieces.

Silent tears fell, only to be quickly wiped away.

Enduring both physical and emotional pain, she curled up at the head of the bed and scrolled through her phone. After scanning her contacts, her finger finally stopped on the number labeled “Grandfather.”

For a brief moment, she wanted to give in.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a ringtone. Xia Wanzhi wiped her tears and composed herself before answering.

“My dear Miss Xia, our shop has just received a new batch of flowers. The Boss’s Wife has personally wrapped a bouquet of blue daisies for you-symbolizing freedom and happiness. Would you care to grace us with your presence and take a look?”

The voice on the other end was gentle with a hint of playfulness. Hearing it, Xia Wanzhi’s tears began to fall one by one. She struggled to stop them, sobbing even as she laughed. “You’re finally back.”

–

Jinzhi Flower Shop was located at a busy intersection. Business was booming, largely due to the Boss’s Wife’s breathtaking beauty and her gentle, sophisticated personality.

But at this moment, two tall, handsome men stood at the entrance of Jinzhi Flower Shop. One was nearly six-foot-three, while the other possessed an overwhelming aura.

One was noble and reserved; the other was indifferent and cool.

One had a hand in his pocket; the other was checking his watch.

“So handsome!”

Young girls passing by covered their mouths and giggled, unable to resist taking photos with their phones.

“Do you think they might be a couple?”

“Oh my god, I totally ship it…”

“…”

Both men had excellent hearing. They frowned at each other before immediately stepping two meters apart.

Xie Qiyan’s patience lasted exactly two more seconds. “Jiang Baichuan.”

Jiang Baichuan let out a silent sigh. “Let me mentally prepare myself.”

Xie Qiyan: “…”

“Don’t look so fierce, it leaves a bad impression,” Jiang Baichuan said, straightening his collar, looking both nervous and eager.

“If you’re so brave, don’t drag me out of the car next time.” Xie Qiyan’s expression darkened another shade.

“I’m not brave.” Jiang Baichuan took a deep breath, took one small step forward, and then immediately stepped back.

Xie Qiyan frowned. “You’re the president of Jiang Corporation. How can you be this pathetic when it comes to chasing a woman?”
Jiang Baichuan cleared his throat. “Then you haven’t experienced the power of anti-assault spray.”

Xie Qiyan: “…”

“Well, the first impression wasn’t exactly great.” Jiang Baichuan took another deep breath, stepped forward twice, and immediately retreated again.

Xie Qiyan reached the end of his patience. “You…”

“Isn’t that your Little Sister Xia?” Jiang Baichuan tilted his chin, gesturing for him to look over.

Xie Qiyan looked up, his gaze landing on the girl who had just stepped out of a car.

It was indeed Xia Wanzhi.

However, she looked even more haggard than she had yesterday.

Despite being nearly 170 centimeters tall, she looked incredibly fragile at this moment, as if a gust of wind could knock her over.

The sun was out today, and her figure moved through the play of light and shadow. A breeze blew past, ruffling the tips of her light-colored hair and lifting her bangs to reveal a fair, smooth forehead.

Perhaps she had just woken up, as a stray tuft of hair stood up playfully on the crown of her head, giving her a somewhat dorky and cute appearance.

Xie Qiyan gave a light scoff. “Isn’t she your Little Sister Xia too?”

Jiang Baichuan hummed. “Not as close as you two are.”

Xie Qiyan’s gaze was cold and his emotions were unreadable. Jiang Baichuan had no idea what he was thinking.

“Go in and check on her for me. While you’re at it, buy a bouquet of lychee roses to support the business,” Jiang Baichuan urged, pushing him.

“Check on what?” Xie Qiyan frowned.

“Check on the object of my love at first sight.” Jiang Baichuan peered toward the shop, having already ducked behind Xie Qiyan. “And check on your Little Sister Xia while you’re at it.”

Xie Qiyan’s face darkened.

He must have been crazy to get out of the car with him.

Inside the square little flower shop, the Boss’s Wife was looking down, focused on wrapping a bouquet of mixed pink and blue daisies. Xia Wanzhi didn’t make a sound when she walked in, standing to the side and watching quietly until the bouquet was finished.

The woman turned around holding the flowers and froze for a moment upon seeing Xia Wanzhi. Then, a warm, gentle smile spread across her face. “Who bullied our Xiao Wanzi?”

Xia Wanzhi couldn’t hold it in any longer. Her eyes fluttered as she threw herself into the woman’s arms. “Yun Li…”

She didn’t hold back her sobs at all. Xie Qiyan, who had almost reached the flower shop entrance, suddenly stopped in his tracks.

“Stop crying for a moment.” Yun Li’s voice was soft as she patted Xia Wanzhi’s back. She handed her the bouquet and wiped away her tears with an expression full of heartache. “See if you like it.”

She was close with Xia Wanzhi but didn’t belong to those illustrious family circles. Knowing the predicament Xia Wanzhi was in, she wanted to help but felt powerless to do so.

Xia Wanzhi’s eyelashes trembled. “Do you think my Unlucky Saint Physique is acting up again? Is that why the Xia Family…”

Yun Li quickly covered her mouth. “Pah, pah, pah! Don’t talk nonsense. Why don’t you say Zhou Yu is a jinx? Your family’s trouble started right after you two got engaged.”

With tears still clinging to her lashes, Xia Wanzhi’s eyes suddenly widened at those words. “You actually have a point.”

“Hello, I’d like a bouquet of lychee roses.” A deep, magnetic voice cut in abruptly. Xia Wanzhi stiffened, seemingly recognizing the owner of the voice, and remained still without turning to look at him.

Yun Li keenly noticed Xia Wanzhi’s reaction. She glanced at Xie Qiyan and replied, “One moment.”

The atmosphere was quiet while they waited. Xia Wanzhi didn’t leave, nor did she speak to Xie Qiyan; she simply watched Yun Li wrap the flowers.

Xie Qiyan lowered his eyes, asked for the price, and scanned the code to pay. The moment Yun Li handed the flowers over, he said unhurriedly, “These are for you.”

Xia Wanzhi turned around almost reflexively, her expression one of utter shock.

Yun Li was also stunned for a moment, nearly losing her grip on the flowers.

After a beat, she spoke up weakly, “Excuse me… am I a part of your PLAY?”