“You’re still slacking off?” a stern voice snapped.
A short-haired maid yanked a younger one by the arm. “The housekeeper ordered the entire villa to be spotless, inside and out. Don’t you know? Master Mu Hang’s birthday banquet is next month. There’s less than a week left. Hurry up and get moving!”
The younger maid stuck out her tongue playfully. “Let me take a breather first. I was scrubbing the front gate all morning, sent there by the housekeeper herself,” she pouted, then leaned in with a whisper. “In the past, it was only Young Master Jiang Ci’s birthday that was celebrated with such grandeur. But this year? I heard it’s been canceled. All the attention’s now on Young Master Mu Hang. Invitations have gone out to every prominent family in City B.”
“Of course,” the older one scoffed. “What’s there to celebrate for Jiang Ci anymore? If he stepped outside now, he’d frighten people out of their wits. You think the Jiang family wants to become a laughingstock? Mu Hang is in control now. He’s set to inherit the family’s legacy. Naturally, his birthday deserves a grand celebration.”
The young maid sighed wistfully. “Still… it’s a little sad. Jiang Ci used to be so dazzling. People admired him, even feared him. Now look at him—abandoned in some shabby courtyard, as if he never mattered.”
“You feel sorry for him?” the older maid sneered. “Then why don’t you volunteer to take care of him? I heard no one’s been willing to become his nurse yet.”
The younger maid shuddered visibly, recalling the glimpse she had of Jiang Ci’s ruined face after the accident. It had been horrifying—too grotesque for her to bear.
“Hell no. Not me,” she muttered with a nervous laugh.
Just then, Su Yue walked past, and the two maids immediately fell silent. Though they didn’t hold much respect for this so-called young lady, they knew better than to be careless in front of her.
Su Yue heard every word. She wasn’t one to care much for the opinions of strangers—after all, she’d endured years of online hate during her time in the entertainment industry. But today, hearing those cold, dismissive words about Jiang Ci… she felt an unexpected ache in her chest.
In the living room, Song Xiaoqing and Jiang Xuan were seated on the sofa, chatting and laughing.
The moment Song Xiaoqing spotted Su Yue, the smile on her lips faded into her usual stiff composure. “You’re here. Sit.”
Su Yue obediently walked over and took a seat.
“I heard your bamboo grove is finished?” Song Xiaoqing asked in an offhand tone.
“Mother, I didn’t know those flowers belonged to you. I did ask Grandfather before removing them.” Her tone was calm, almost indifferent—what was done was done.
“You silly child, I’m not here to scold you,” Song Xiaoqing said, her tone softening slightly. “I actually came to talk about Jiang Ci’s birthday. You know he and Mu Hang share the same birth date. We used to celebrate them together, but now Jiang Ci wants to keep a low profile. I won’t force him to show up. You’re his wife—take care of him during the birthday party.”
Su Yue immediately understood the underlying meaning. Since Jiang Ci wasn’t attending, she wasn’t expected to attend either. They were to quietly stay tucked away in the small courtyard. If this had been the original Su Yue, she would’ve surely been heartbroken and begged to attend Mu Hang’s celebration.
But now? She didn’t care.
“Don’t worry, Mother,” she said calmly. “I’ll take good care of Jiang Ci.”
Song Xiaoqing was clearly surprised by how easily she agreed. For the first time in a long while, she offered Su Yue a rare, approving look. “You’re becoming more sensible.”
Then, glancing at Su Yue’s slimmed face, she frowned slightly. “Have you lost weight?”
Jiang Xuan looked over as well. Su Yue’s round, dark face from before was now noticeably thinner, her features clearer, more delicate. She hadn’t seen her for just a few days, yet the change was striking.
Jiang Xuan was reminded of her past life—how she had lived in Xiaoyanglou, watching Jiang Ci fade day by day. The weight of worry had made her lose weight too. Wasn’t Su Yue now reliving her own suffering?
A wave of guilt washed over Jiang Xuan.
“Yes, Mother, I’ve lost a bit recently,” Su Yue replied with a smile.
Song Xiaoqing nodded without further comment. “Take care of your health.”
“I will.”
After Jiang Ci had exploded in anger that day, Su Yue had lost another five kilograms. Now, she weighed around 125 pounds. While still not slender, she was significantly slimmer than before.
Jiang Xuan mistook Su Yue’s lighthearted smile for forced cheer. With a soft, dimpled smile of her own, she said gently, “Su Yue, if anything’s troubling you, you can talk to me. I mean it.”
Su Yue met her eyes. She could see the regret, the guilt, and perhaps a misguided attempt at redemption. In the novel, Jiang Xuan’s remorse had driven her to tolerate the female lead time and again. Clearly, those feelings were surfacing again.
But Su Yue didn’t buy it. If Jiang Xuan had schemed in the beginning, then there was no need to feel guilty now.
She offered a half-smile and replied simply, “Mm.”
After returning to the courtyard, Su Yue spotted Jiang Ci lying leisurely on a bench in the pavilion, his face tilted up to soak in the sun. Just days ago, he’d refused to even go downstairs. Now, he was relaxing like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Nearby, Jiang Haoyan was playing with Coriander. The moment he saw Su Yue, his little eyes lit up. He dropped the cat and sprinted toward her on his short legs.
“What is it?” Su Yue bent down, watching the little boy purse his lips like he had something important to say.
He glanced back at Jiang Ci, then tugged on Su Yue’s clothes and whispered, “Squat down.”
Su Yue raised an eyebrow but complied.
The little guy leaned in, cupped a chubby hand around her ear, and whispered with exaggerated secrecy, “Daddy’s birthday is coming. Hao Hao… Hao Hao wants to buy a present.”
His voice was soft, hesitant.
“You want to buy a gift for Jiang Ci?” Su Yue repeated in a hushed tone, blinking in surprise.
The boy nodded earnestly. “Is that okay?” His voice was hopeful, but his brows creased with worry. “Hao Hao has money. New Year’s money.” He patted the pocket of his little pants protectively. “All here.”
He raised his head, big eyes shining. “Can I?”
Su Yue’s heart melted. She gently stroked his soft head. “Of course you can.”
The boy’s eyes sparkled instantly. With his hair slightly tousled and joy dancing on his face, he looked adorable beyond words.
Taking his pudgy little hand in hers, Su Yue led him toward Jiang Ci. “Jiang Ci, I’m taking Xiao Haohao out for a while. Is that okay?”
Next to her, Jiang Haoyan stood nervously, hands at his sides.
“You want to go out?” Jiang Ci asked lazily, his dark, unfocused eyes slowly opening.
“Mm-hmm. Daddy, is it okay?” the little guy asked again.
“Go if you want,” Jiang Ci said indifferently, not bothering to ask for a reason.
Hao Hao grinned, turned to Su Yue, and exclaimed, “Daddy said yes!”
“Great, then go change your shoes,” she told him. He was still wearing indoor slippers with cartoon dinosaurs on them.
The boy nodded furiously and dashed off. Moments later, he returned, now wearing blue sneakers and looking like he was ready to conquer the world.
“Hao Hao’s ready!” he whispered, patting his pocket. “My money is safe.”
Su Yue stifled a laugh. “Okay, let’s go.”
“Bye Daddy, wait for me!” the boy called out, waving a tiny hand.
“Hold on.” Jiang Ci stood abruptly, voice steady. “I’m coming too.”
“What?” Su Yue’s eyes widened in shock.
“What? I can’t?” Jiang Ci turned toward her, that familiar mocking smirk on his lips. “Or… are you embarrassed to be seen with me?”
“Of course not!” she blurted.
This man was utterly unpredictable. Fortunately, she was learning to read the signs—especially when his anger was brewing.
“It’s sunny outside,” she said softly, her gaze falling on the scar on his face. “Can I get you a hat?”
【Anger Value +5】
“You think I’m ugly?” he asked, eyes narrowing dangerously.
Su Yue’s scalp tingled. If she wasn’t careful, she was going to shed another five pounds today.
“No! I just… don’t want others to see you,” she said hurriedly.
It was a terrible excuse, but somehow—
【Anger Value: 0】
—he didn’t seem to mind.
Su Yue exhaled in relief. She found a black fisherman’s hat and stood on her toes. “You’re too tall. Can you bend down?”
“Tch. What a hassle,” Jiang Ci grumbled, but he bent down.
She gently placed the hat on him, tugging the brim low enough to shade his scarred face. His jawline, sharp and defined, looked even more striking in contrast.
Her gaze fell on his lips. Thin, pale… beautiful.
“You look… really handsome,” she said softly.
Jiang Ci sniffed the faint scent of milk from her breath. “Trying to flatter me now?”
Su Yue blinked. “You’re my husband. Isn’t it normal to compliment you?”
Instead of taking his hand, she slipped her arm around his. Her voice was warm and teasing. “Just follow me obediently, okay? Don’t think I’m annoying. I’m afraid I’ll lose you.”
Though he couldn’t see her clearly, Jiang Ci could feel the softness of her grip, the warmth of her closeness.
Lately, he’d noticed—her words had started sounding more and more pleasing.