Chapter 22: The Lady of the Villa
Shi Jingyan stepped out of the elevator. Surprisingly, Lin Yueyue, who usually followed him like a shadow, was nowhere to be seen. When he saw Shen Xi, his eyes lit up.
Today, she was wearing a different style of cheongsam, and she was still stunningly beautiful.
"Xixi, where have you been lately? You haven’t been home."
"I was with my husband, visiting his family. Mr. Shi, you’re being a little nosy."
Shen Xi looked a little impatient, casually replied, brushed past Shi Jingyan, and walked straight into the elevator.
Hearing her words, Shi Jingyan’s expression darkened.
Something that had always belonged to him was now touched by someone else. It felt like he had been cheated on, and he couldn’t accept that.
Just as the elevator doors were about to close, a hand suddenly reached in, forcing them open again.
Shen Xi’s eyes widened slightly.
He wouldn’t dare do something inappropriate in public… would he?
She frowned and spoke in an even colder tone.
"Mr. Shi, what do you want?"
Shi Jingyan took a deep breath, suppressing his frustration.
"Tomorrow is my birthday, and you—"
Before he could finish, Shen Xi let out a short laugh and interrupted him.
"Then let me wish you a happy birthday in advance."
"I’m already married, and I don’t want to get too close to other men. Lin Yueyue probably wouldn’t welcome me either. Most importantly—"
"My husband would get jealous."
"Make way."
Shi Jingyan clenched his jaw and pulled his hand away from the elevator door, his face turning even darker.
"We were classmates. I was just inviting you out of courtesy, nothing more."
Shen Xi simply smiled without responding.
As the elevator doors finally closed, she let out a long sigh and her expression instantly collapsed.
"Ugh."
She shivered, and the smile on her face instantly collapsed.
Every time she meets the male and female leads, she has to say these insincere, nauseatingly sweet words of flattery to that man, which gives her chills and goosebumps all over.
After returning home, she changed into something more neutral, packed up a suitcase full of clothes, and left.
She had barely returned to Su City, and Shi Jingyan was already bothering her. Who knew what else would happen? It was best to go back to the villa and hide for a while.
When she arrived at the villa’s gated community, she got out of the taxi.
The driver peeked out curiously at the luxurious estate and whistled.
"Wow, miss, this villa must be worth at least hundreds of millions. With your looks and elegance, why are you riding in my cheap and old taxi?"
Shen Xi scanned the payment code, got out, and smiled.
"I work here."
"???"
The driver's eyes widened, watching the woman's slender figure as she walked away. He'd never seen a face more beautiful than a celebrity's in his entire life. And she was just here to work?
"Man, being rich must be nice. I wonder which wealthy old man hired such a stunning young lady to work for him."
The driver clicked his tongue, sighed, and drove away.
Shen Xi walked a short distance before Butler Wang came up to greet her, already waiting at the entrance. He quickly took her suitcase.
"Madam, you’re finally here. You’re much later than Mr. Gu expected."
Shen Xi smiled. "Thank you, Butler Wang. Has my husband come back yet?"
"Not yet."
Butler Wang hesitated for a moment before speaking again.
"Madam, I need to tell you something in advance. This villa is huge, but only a few servants work here. The ones who stay are all highly disciplined, and they never disturb Mr. Gu."
He spoke with a polite, warm smile, though deep down, he was still a little surprised.
Back then, among a pile of potential wives' profiles, Shen Xi was the most beautiful. That's why the woman before him had the title of 'vase.' But it still surprised him that this 'vase' could move into the villa.
Shen Xi nodded seriously, raising her hand as if making a solemn vow.
"Don’t worry, don’t worry. I would never disturb him."
She was already grateful Gu Hanling didn’t take an interest in her. The last thing she wanted was to go out of her way to cling to him.
"That’s good to hear. Please, Madam, this way."
Shen Xi chuckled. "You’re too polite, Butler Wang. We’re all just working for Mr. Gu. If I do anything wrong, feel free to correct me."
Shen Xi’s years in the workplace had taught her one thing, treating "senior colleagues" with humility often made them more willing to share their valuable "work experience."
Butler Wang couldn’t help but reflect.
The old Shen Xi had been an arrogant young lady, looking down on people like them.
But now, ever since that incident when she almost drowned, she had changed significantly. She was much more likable.
"Madam, don’t worry. You and Mr. Gu are legally married. That makes you the lady of this house. I will serve you with all my heart."
Shen Xi thought she would be assigned to a servant's room, but to her surprise, she was still given the same third-floor bedroom where she had once jumped into the pool.
As they reached the room, Butler Wang gave her a serious reminder.
"Mr. Gu’s bedroom is also on the third floor. If you’re sleeping at night, do not make any noise. He’s a very light sleeper."
"Mm..."
Shen Xi nodded but silently scoffed in her heart.
Back in the old mansion, when we used to share a bed, that bastard slept just fine!
"And one more thing, never make Mr. Gu angry. I mean this sincerely."
"Mm..."
Afterward, Butler Wang gave her a few more instructions. Shen Xi agreed to them one by one, but she was a little speechless, feeling like she was entering the palace to be selected as a concubine. There were so many rules…
Once Butler Wang left, Shen Xi took a look around the familiar room, admiring its simple yet elegant decor.
……………………………………
By midday, Gu Hanling still hadn't come home.
But even in his absence, Butler Wang didn’t neglect her, lunch was still prepared to five-star standards.
As she enjoyed the meal, a small thought crept into her mind.
This worry-free, luxurious lifestyle… she was starting to enjoy it a little too much.
And as the saying goes, it’s easy to go from frugal to extravagant, but the other way around… not so much.
Would she be able to adjust back to normal life after their divorce in two years?
As night fell, Gu Hanling still hadn’t returned.
Shen Xi wandered to the villa’s vast lawn, where the cool night breeze carried a refreshing chill.
She slowly crouched down and sat on the grass, tilting her head back to gaze at the starry sky.
Her mind drifted, bringing her back to her carefree student days in her past life.
Back then, the school radio always had static-filled broadcasts, and during lunch breaks, she’d sit under a tree alone, listening to music through her MP3 player.
At that moment, she suddenly felt like a scene from a popular music video in her previous life.
Back when that group was at their peak, every boy in school had adored them.
What a shame... after their plastic surgery and rebranding, they faded into obscurity.
Shen Xi had even covered their songs before in her past life, but she had always thought this one sounded best in a female voice.
Maybe she should try singing it again?
She had never personally experienced heartbreak, but she deeply related to the song’s emotions. Not for love, but for the regret of seeing an idol fade away.
Slowly, she parted her lips and began to sing.
"I never thought… I wouldn’t be able to hold your hand again."
"In my moments of sadness… you’re no longer there to share my pain."
Her clear, ethereal voice flowed like water, each note carrying a gentle, delicate emotion that blended seamlessly with the melody.
……………………………………
At the same time, two men entered the villa.
One was Gu Hanling.
The other was Fang Chen, the slightly overweight CEO of Stars Entertainment, one of Gu Corporation’s subsidiaries.
"President Gu, Feng Weiwei says she won’t attend unless you personally go see her."
Gu Hanling’s voice was cold. "Just find someone else."
Fang Chen hesitated. "But Wu Xiaoman—"
"She’s not a Gu."
Hearing that, Fang Chen wiped the sweat off his forehead and immediately stopped arguing.
But just as they were about to continue inside, Gu Hanling suddenly halted.
Fang Chen stopped too, following his gaze.
Under the silver moonlight, a slender silhouette sat on the grass, her soft, hauntingly beautiful melody drifting in the breeze.
For a moment, the coldness in Gu Hanling’s eyes faded, replaced by a complicated expression he had never shown before.
Then, as he listened to the lyrics, his aura darkened again. The air around him turned chillingly cold.
…Was this song meant for that man?