Next morning just as Su Li(she consciously decided to remember that she would be addressed as Miss Yu Yue here since that was this body's given name) was passing by Yu Yan's room she saw the door to her room was wide open as if in wait or inviting someone in and she was standing there laughing with a guy who looked to be their age.
Su Li knew that Yu Yan had already noticed her so she couldn't escape without greeting this sister of hers before hooking her lips into a smile she greeted her and just as she was going to carry on, Yu Yan asked her innocently, "Oh! Yueyue you don't recognise this person?"
Su Li realised that today's play had already started. Even if she wasn't interested she had to atleast seemingly play the part the other party had intended for her and watch the ensuing drama unfold. Turning towards the guy she gave him a quick once over and replied in the negative.
From the original plot, she could surmise that this guy was the one intended as her close aide named Xun Zixi along with his twin sister Xun Mei. The upper echelons of society had a tradition: to raise two people from a young age who would be completely loyal to the next heir and would be handed over to their master a day after the said person turned eighteen.
Accordingly, they would have been called and introduced to her today at breakfast. They both had been loyal to the original Yu Yue but their contract had been terminated just after a few years of Yu Yan entering the residence.
Su Li hadn't received any information regarding the reason behind their dismissal from the system but she could definitely see Yu Yan's hands behind the ordeal. Since these two characters didn't play an important role in Yu Yue's life from what she knew, she didn't need to pay much attention to them.
Therefore, she just indicated a negative response with a slight shake of her head. Yu Yan then took it upon herself to make the introductions.
"He is Xun Zixi. Father told me that he was to be under your charge from today onwards but since am new here he lent him to me for a few months. I hope you wouldn't take to heart father's abrupt decision. Afterall he'll be under you in the future. If sister feels dissatisfied with the arrangement I could ask father not to do such things in the future "
The words outwardly introduced the guy as well as informing about all the twists and turns about how his duties came to be changed as well as not to place any blame on Yu Jian but they were full of provocation.
First of all, it was that the people raised as her confidants were now under someone else.
Secondly, her father regarded her younger sister as more important than her.
Thirdly, the words neatly withdrew Yu Yan from any conflict that might arise due to this decision since she was new here and all the responsibility for such a decision would fall on their father.
Last but not the least this would give rise to some resentment in her heart in regards to her father which could then be utilised by Yu Yan as an advantage for further tricks.
After listening to all that pre-prepared speech Su Li looked at the guy with a raised eyebrow. Conscious of the fact that the Eldest Miss was looking at him, Zixi gave a small smile to her and greeted her, "Good Morning Miss. Belated Happy Birthday."
Talking up to here he stopped and stood there with his eyes lowered. Looking at his appearance and behaviour it was apparent that he knew his bounds and had been trained properly.
A pity Su Li herself couldn't work with him since even if she asked for him from Yu Jian, Yu Yue would still stick her hands into her affairs and cause undue drama to have the brother-sister dismissed.
Therefore, Su Li just a gave a slight nod of her head then as if realising something she turned towards her sister and bid goodbye. Afterwards, she went on her way as if the two people had nothing to do with her.
Su Li spent the rest of the day at her college orienting herself with Yu Yue's teachers, friends, acquaintances all the while trying to make sure not to do anything suspicious. When she was in the Yu residence she hadn't felt it so keenly but now she realised that it was quite tiring trying to act like someone else.
One had to consciously suppress their own innate nature as well as their quirks. Su Li felt as if she was on pins and needles throughout the day. As soon as the college was over she rushed back to the residence. Going to her room she called a servant to tell them not to let anyone disturb her, the only exception being her father. In her room, she tried to relax.
A few hours later Su Li thought about the talk she had with Yu Yan in the morning. Since the director of that play had been Yu Yan she felt she too should try a self-directed play aimed at Yu Jian. Therefore, she inquired about him and being informed that he was back and in his study, she went to see him.
In the study, she greeted him and started having some idle chatter with him. Su Li could see Yu Jian wanting to say something but stopping himself at the last moment. She could discern that it must be regarding Zixi. Without giving him an opportunity she went straight to the heart of the matter.
Su Li informed him as amicably as she could that though she could understand his reason for taking such a decision, she was still somewhat at ill ease regarding this matter. After giving it much thought she had decided that since one half of the pair was already under her younger sister, she didn't want to separate the twins as that could lead to conflicting loyalties.
Therefore, she wasn't interested in having either of them and she still wouldn't accept even if Yu Jian forced her. Moreover, she was still in college and wouldn't take over the reins of the business until a few years later so she ll think about it and if she found someone suitable outside or if someone caught her eye at the office they'll revisit the topic at that time and a decision could be made accordingly.
Yu Jian was already unsettled at heart about his hasty decision the other day therefore, he didn't question his daughter's decision and just agreed to it in order to not leave any shadows in his daughter's heart. In the end, this was his precious princess and he had always readily acquiesced to all her requests.
Though he felt guilty towards Yu Yan and wanted to make it up to her in any way he could, it was also true that Yu Yue was blameless in all this. He had thought that he would have to harden his heart and bear her accusations but the way Yu Yue dealt with the news in a way that was far too mature for her age.
It was then that Yu Jian realised with a start, that his small kid had all grown up without his knowledge. Truthfully, if Yueyue. had questioned him about his thoughtless act back then or his reasons for bringing an illegitimate child into the family though it would have hurt him deeply at the same time, he would have been able to set down the heavy stone like a weight he felt.
Nonetheless, the way Yu Yue hadn't even made any fuss regarding the matter had reaffirmed his decision to give more leeway to her from then onwards.
The situation was too delicate right now. He had to make sure not to alienate her as well try to show his concern and care for Yu Yan. He came to a decision that for the next few years he would just observe both of them and any financial decisions could wait.
It wasn't as if he was new to the ugliness in a human's heart. If either of them tried to topple the other, they would have to answer to him.