Chapter 16: Just a Vixen
Shen Xi’s eyes started to mist over. The kind and gentle demeanor of the elderly woman in front of her reminded her so much of the grandmother she had relied on in her past life, living together in the mountains. The flood of memories made her throat tighten, and her eyes stung even more.
Gu Hanling, standing beside her, raised an eyebrow. He was a little puzzled. Since when had this woman’s acting skills become so good? It seemed like genuine emotion, not just a show.
But the next thing the elderly woman did made his eyes widen slightly.
“This is our first meeting, and according to Gu family traditions, I should give you a gift. But this old lady doesn’t have anything particularly valuable.”
Grandma patted Shen Xi’s small hand, her eyes filled with affection. Then, she removed the antique and intricately carved jade bracelet from her own wrist and held it out to Shen Xi.
“The jade pieces you’re wearing may be expensive, but they lack warmth. Jade needs to be nurtured by its owner. This bracelet was passed down to me by the matriarch of the Gu family when I got married. Now, it belongs to you.”
Shen Xi’s mouth fell open slightly in shock. She looked up at Gu Hanling for help, only to see a rare flicker of surprise in his usually calm eyes. But it disappeared just as quickly, and he shook his head slightly, regaining his usual cold composure.
This jade bracelet had always been worn by the Gu family’s main wife. Even his biological mother had never received it, let alone his current stepmother, Wu Xiaoman.
And yet, after just one meeting, Grandma was giving it to Shen Xi.
The problem was… they weren’t actually husband and wife. In two years, when their contract ended, they would divorce. By then, how were they supposed to explain this to Grandma?
Seeing Shen Xi hesitate and glance at him for approval instead of taking the bracelet, Grandma pretended to be displeased. She gently pulled Shen Xi’s hand over and slipped the bracelet onto her fair wrist.
“Silly child, why are you looking at him? Does he bully you all the time? Tell Grandma, I’ll stand up for you.”
Feeling the cool, smooth jade against her skin, Shen Xi was overwhelmed with both gratitude and nervousness. She quickly shook her head.
“No, no, Big Br… Hanling treats me very well.”
Well, my foot! He’s a heartless capitalist! He pressures her with money every day! Grandma, hurry up and scold him!
She shot a quick glance at Gu Hanling and saw that he was frowning slightly, deep in thought.
Grandma sighed softly.
“I know… Xiao Han has a difficult temper. If it weren’t for that incident back then, he wouldn’t have turned out this way.”
She held Shen Xi’s hand again, a hint of guilt in her eyes.
“You’re a good girl. In the days to come, I hope you can be patient with him. The Gu family doesn’t lack wealth and status, but what we do lack is warmth and love. Grandma hopes that one day, you and Xiao Han can bring a little joy to this family… and maybe even a child.”
Hearing this, Shen Xi forced a smile and nodded lightly.
“I’ll… do my best.”
But the more Grandma expected from her, the worse Shen Xi felt inside.
Grandma, I’m sorry… I could never fall in love with a man, let alone have a child with him…
Shen Xi lightly bit her lip, her heart filled with mixed feelings. She hesitated, wondering if she should tell Grandma the truth. The longer she kept it a secret, the more painful it would be later. She opened her mouth, about to say something—
But before she could speak, Gu Hanling cut in.
“Grandma, Xixi is still young. She wants to enjoy life for a few more years.”
With that, he took a step forward and, in one swift motion, wrapped an arm around Shen Xi’s slender waist.
The sudden warmth against her waist made her body stiffen. She turned to glare at him in warning, but Gu Hanling remained as calm as ever. Instead of letting go, he held her even tighter.
Grandma was taken aback for a moment, then broke into a wide smile.
“Well, well, I never thought you’d actually learn to care about someone.”
She nodded approvingly.
“That’s good. A woman should be cherished. Xiao Han, if you want her true heart, you need to put in the effort.”
There was something meaningful in Grandma’s words as she advised Gu Hanling.
She chatted with them for a while longer, clearly pleased, before finally letting them leave.
The two of them walked out of the courtyard, hand in hand.
As soon as they stepped outside, Shen Xi quickly pulled her hand back and let out a sigh of relief. The most important "task" of this visit to the Gu family was finally done.
Then, remembering something, she frowned and glared at Gu Hanling beside her.
"Why did you suddenly hug me just now? Don’t you know men and women shouldn’t casually touch each other? That’ll cost extra."
Gu Hanling raised an eyebrow and replied calmly.
"Were you just about to do something unnecessary?"
"You're just guessing, and there's no proof."
Shen Xi was taken aback, gave a light snort, and murmured.
"Fine, we’ll call it even this time."
After all, it was just a hug, nothing major. In her past life, she often had casual physical contact with male classmates and colleagues. But now, for some reason, this body seemed to be getting more sensitive.
That brief moment when Gu Hanling held her just now. The warmth of his touch felt like an imprint on her skin, lingering far too long before fading. She found it annoying and despised her own weak reaction.
Shen Xi glanced at the antique jade bracelet on her wrist, wondering if she should take it off. After all, her marriage to Gu Hanling was just a contract.
Wearing this bracelet didn’t feel right, it didn’t belong to her. Sooner or later, she would have to return it. It would be better to give it back now before anything happened to it.
Just as she turned to speak, Gu Hanling’s phone rang.
"It’s me," he answered, waving a hand to signal her to go back to her room first.
Shen Xi rolled her eyes, shrugged indifferently, and walked off without hesitation.
The afternoon sun was bright and pleasant.
She strolled along the stone-paved path, casually admiring the garden scenery. But soon, she heard footsteps behind her. Thinking it was Gu Hanling catching up, she didn’t turn around. As the steps drew closer, she finally noticed the distinct clicking sound, heels.
"So it’s you, you vixen! What are you doing here? Are you trying to seduce another Gu family member?"
Shen Xi turned around at the voice and saw Feng Weiwei standing behind her, looking at her with disdain.
Shen Xi sighed inwardly. She had thought staying away from the male and female leads would bring her some peace, but trouble still found its way to her.
Lifting her chin slightly, she studied the beautiful woman in front of her. However, hearing such an accusation made her lose any interest in admiring her looks.
"Miss Feng, please don’t falsely accuse me."
Shen Xi knew Feng Weiwei wouldn’t pick a fight for no reason. There had to be something behind it. Her gaze shifted past Feng Weiwei to a tall figure in the distance, and her lips curved up slightly.
Heh… Calling me a vixen? Fine, let’s see how the female lead’s charm works in action… Lin Yueyue mode, activate…
From the moment she saw Feng Weiwei, Shen Xi hadn’t blinked once. Her dry eyes soon welled up, shimmering with unshed tears.
"What? Trying to act pitiful in front of me?" Feng Weiwei sneered. "That trick might work on men, but not on me!"
Seeing Shen Xi’s delicate, tearful expression, Feng Weiwei assumed she was just a weak pushover, easy to bully with just a few words.
But the next second, Shen Xi suddenly bolted straight toward her.
Feng Weiwei froze. Was Shen Xi going to fight her? Excitement flickered in her eyes. This was exactly what she wanted. If Shen Xi lost her temper and acted out, the Gu family would see her true colors and realize she wasn’t worthy of her beloved Xiao Han.
However, before Feng Weiwei could react, a large hand pushed her aside.
Shen Xi, like a frightened little rabbit, threw herself into the arms of the man in front of her.
Tears finally spilled over, streaming down her face as she sobbed pitifully, her voice trembling,
"Husband, Miss Feng called me a vixen… She even said I was trying to seduce other men!"
Feng Weiwei’s jaw nearly dropped to the ground.
This… this speed of switching faces was insane!
On the outside, she looked like an innocent white lotus, but inside, she was the real vixen!