This morning was colder than usual. Yanyue shivered and wanted to pull the blanket in closer. She pulled and pulled, but the blanket was stuck.
She tried one more time, but what surprised her was the raspy murmur beside her. Goosebumps spread over her body, and her eyes opened wide in fear.
Of course, she wasn't alone in this bed because she gave her first time to Beichen last night. Her heart was beating like a drum.
At first, the pleasure overcame the guilt, but now that she was fully awake, guilt was all she could feel. She wanted to cry and sink into despair.
She gently removed Beichen's arm, which was holding onto her stomach, and successfully sat up. She was relieved that he didn't wake up.
When she saw the messy clothes on the floor, her face flushed a bright pink. This display made her realize that last night was not a dream. She grimaced in discomfort and almost fell when she tried to get up, as the pain from below was also proof of a wild night, but could not and gave up.
Her mind was in a jumble as she looked at the person next to her. She woke up next to him like they were married, and the thought made her a little happy. She once had a dream of becoming his bride, but he had someone else by his side now, and he would never spare her a look.
The man was sleeping deeply. His eyelashes were long, suddenly making her want to touch his face.
She traced his dark eyebrows, then moved along his prominent nose to his thin lips. Everything about him amazed her.
He frowned. It was like he knew that she was the one touching him and was unconsciously showing his displeasure. He had a way to pierce her heart.
She pulled her fingers away and was going to get up. She didn't want to face him. It was better to leave quietly. She knew he would want that as well.
But she didn't even get to do that. The next thing she knew, the door flung open like someone had violently kicked it. A regular door would be broken into pieces by now.
"Yanyue, how could you sleep with my fiance?!"
A loud, heartbroken cry filled the luxurious room. It was from Wanyue, Beichen's fiancee, and her older sister.
The disturbance woke the man on the bed up completely. He saw his fiancee standing in front of the bed with tears streaming down her two watery eyes.
Then, he saw the woman he hated most next to him, snuggling into the blanket as if embarrassed. He immediately knew what happened even without words, and a burst of anger overcame him.
"I hate you, Beichen!"
Wanyue covered her mouth as if in despair and ran out the door, bumping into the reporters filing into the room to scoop the latest gossip.
"Miss Shen, did you drug President Lu so that you can sleep with him to break up your sister's engagement?"
"President Lu, will you cancel the engagement?"
"Who do you love more?"
Questions came one after another nonstop. Beichen still had a headache, so he was not in the brightest mood. The reporters were making his headache worse.
"Get out!"
His voice was loud and clear, but no one would be stupid enough to get out when hot front-page news was happening right before their eyes. Everyone was vying for a promotion, and this was a great opportunity. After all, the parties involved were the big families in Yilongua.
"President Lu, please answer our questions, will you cancel your engagement date and be with the older Shen lady?"
"I said get out!"
The reporters were adamant. Their cameras flashed ceaselessly at the two people on the bed. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and they could not possibly miss it.
"Everyone, please get out, or we will file a lawsuit against your publishing company!"
Assistant Wen pushed through the crowds with some guards. They managed to disperse the reporters after a few scuffles.
"President Lu," Assistant Wen greeted and bowed.
He was a little scared because right now, the President looked like he could kill anyone with just a glance.
Beichen was already fuming at this point. He looked at the frightened Yanyue with a sneer. He grabbed onto her chin.
"You dared to drug me?"
She was still shaken by the chaos, but Beichen's harsh words woke her up. Tears threatened to fall from her beady eyes.
"It wasn't me who drugged you."
Although her voice was shaky, she made the important points. Given the escalated situation, she did not know if he believed her.
"Don't spread your wings too far just because grandma favors you."
He flicked her chin away with his finger, leaving pain all over her neck. He could break her neck if he wanted to with his strength.
Assistant Wen had the housekeeper bring in a rack full of highly expensive tailored suits and then went out with the guards.
After everyone left, the room was very quiet. The only sounds were the steady yet awkward breathing of the two people still on the bed and the sound of blankets ruffling.
Beichen got up from the bed. He did not care that he was still naked at all. He picked an outfit and put it on in front of Yanyue, who did not dare to raise her head and was quite frankly still shocked by the previous experience.
"If something happens to Wanyue, I will make you pay."
With that, the door slammed shut, and he left. It was most likely that he went to chase after his fiancee.
After he left, she lay on the bed, defeated. She closed her eyes because she was tired. She could not decide if it was from the chaotic night she had had or the rough morning just now, but she felt suffocated from both events.
The ensuing days were hectic for her. Being from a rich family did not stop the news from spreading far and wide. Soon, everyone on the internet was calling her a mistress and a home-wrecker.
Grandma Lu arrived at the Shen residence the next day and, regally and firmly, announced that Beichen would be engaged to Yanyue. Their wedding would be held in the Central Palace on the next lunar moon, only a month away. This formally annulled the unofficial engagement between him and Wanyue.
The news shocked the whole world.
Everyone knew that Beichen had dated Wanyue since high school, so it was natural that the pair would end up together.
However, the events that occurred were not as they had imagined. It was shocking that they would see the end to the two national lovebirds because of an unwanted third party, who was no other than the sister-in-law!
*
On this fine day, she was heading to an auction event. No reporters were blocking her way, so she could finally breathe a sigh of relief. After the whole fiasco, people went on about their own lives. She wished that every day would be like today.
The room was almost full when she arrived at the auction.
"Yueyue, over here!" a handsome young man said as he waved his hand towards Yanyue.
Her face brightened, and she waved back at the man.
"Jason, you're already here," she said, sitting down in the chair next to his.
"You didn't need to come," the young man said, his tone a little caring.
"This is for my mom; I must ensure we can get the land."
The man saw her determination. He understood her temperament well.
If she wanted something, she would do everything she could to get it. She was that headstrong.
Even when they were little, no matter how shy she was, she had always protected him from bullies. But now that they were older, he wished she could rely on him more.
"Alright, alright. You never change. My little knight is still stubborn," he said, teasing her.
She smiled. "Of course, I'm the only one who can protect myself."
He was a little sad. "Well, always remember that I'm here too. What are best friends for if not to help each other?"
She laughed and nodded her head in agreement. "Aren't you here now? Thank you, Jason."
The auction began, and they stopped their conversation.
The first few items were pieces of jewelry from some rich families. They were pretty, but this wasn't Yanyue's goal.
Her goal was the piece of land in the lakeside area, which was also the real purpose of this auction.
Her mother founded a design company named after the Moirai goddess Klotho, who spin the thread of life. She wanted to design clothes that would accentuate a person's hidden charm; thus, fate brought them and that piece of clothing together.
However, the company went bankrupt after her mother's death. She was young at that time, so she could not save it. However, after years of savings and investment, she now had enough to revive Klotho
All she needed was the land's right.
If the land were in someone else's hands, she would not dare imagine what they would do to her mother's company. Worst, they could demolish it.
So, she needed that land desperately.
"Now, we have arrived at the final item," the host announced enthusiastically against the microphone.
The screen behind him showed the blueprint of the land.
"This land on the lakeside belonged to the late Mrs. Shen. Later, it fell to the hands of the Yang Enterprise. Now, they have opened the land for sale. The starting value is 50 million!"
As soon as the host announced the original price, the audience began raising their cards.
"55 million!" a loud voice echoed from behind Yanyue.
The host repeated, "The gentleman holding card number 3 offered 50 million."
Then, another voice revoked the offer. This happened one by one, and the value soon increased.
"60 million!"
"70 million!"
"75 million!"
The numbers continued to rise. She knew that the competition was fierce, but she came prepared.
She waited until the room died down before raising her card.
"90 million!" Her voice echoed the room loudly.
She had done her research. No one was going to bid this high, so she felt confident.
"The lady with the card number 9 offered 90 million!"
The host announced once and then twice, looking around for any opposition. When he saw that everyone else sat back in their chairs in defeat, he finalized the result after opening the floor one last time.
"Congratulations to the lady in-"
"200 million!"
The audience went wild. This was beyond everyone's expectations. Although the land was in a nice location — by the lakeside, where people usually frequent — everyone knew it was not worth that much, as it had been deserted for years. They were curious and eager to see who the buyer was.
"200 million!" the host said excitedly. He knew no one else could beat this value, so he closed the auction. "Congratulations, Mr. Lu of Lu Group!"
Yanyue was stunned, hearing what she thought was impossible.
She did not know who else would be interested in the barren land, which had no high profit margin. However, she thought that even if she could not get the land now, she would at least convince the person who bought it to sell it to her.
But that person had to be him. He hated her so much that he did not even want to look at her, so there was less of a chance that he would sell the land to her.
She gazed at him on the balcony. He stared back, but unlike her, who was surprised and lost, he was calm and collected, as if everything were under his control.
She saw the invitation list; his name was not listed on it, but he suddenly showed up. What was he planning? Was it to take revenge on her?
He had so much money that he could waste it on land that would not generate much profit for him or the Lu Group. So, this was certainly done to spite her.
"Beichen, that bastard!" Jason said angrily as he looked at the familiar man on the balcony. "Yueyue, don't worry. I'll help you get the land back from my brother."
She was still lost in her thoughts but snapped out of it and said, "Let's wait."
She would never give up on this matter. She grabbed her things. "It's noon, so let's go grab lunch."
They left the auction with a heavy heart.
After lunch, she hopped on a taxi. Soon, she arrived at Lu's headquarters.
Three high-rise buildings stood side by side. They all belonged to the Lu Group.
The Lu Group was undoubtedly rich beyond words. Not only was it big domestically, but its markets also extended overseas.
If someone like this wanted to wipe her out, then all she could do was watch her hard work shatter to the ground.
She sighed and gathered her courage. She must meet Beichen no matter what.
"I'm here to meet President Lu," she told the receptionist.
"Do you have an appointment?" the girl asked kindly.
Yanyue hesitated but finally said, "No, but you can tell him I'm Shen Yanyue."
The girl on the other end looked at Yanyue again.
She was new to the company, but there was no way that she did not know the name Shen Yanyue. This person broke the President's good relationship with his longtime girlfriend.
She was the mistress that dominated the recent news!
"Miss Shen, you can't meet the President without an appointment."
"Can you call to tell him it's really important?"
"Miss Shen, please understand that this is our policy. Our President is busy, so he can't just meet anyone, especially someone of lowly teaching like you."
The receptionist became angry at being bossed around by Yanyue whom she viewed as a mistress. She did not want to be good to a home-wrecker.
She had an idea that if she embarrassed this third party, she would impress the President's girlfriend. Who did not want to curry up to their future Madam?
So, she rejected Yanyue's request once again.
However, Yanyue did not want to give up. She could not just leave without trying.
Soon, there was an uproar in the reception area, drawing the attention of everyone on the floor.
"This lady, how many times do I have to tell you that you must make an appointment first!" The receptionist raised her voice out of anger.
"What is going on here?"
The voice belonged to Assistant Wen.
"Sir, this lady insists on seeing President Lu without an appointment."
Assistant Wen looked at the determined face on the side. "Miss Shen," he said, respectfully lowering his head towards Yanyue.
"It's okay, she'll go with me."
The receptionist's face turned blue at his words.
She felt a wave of extreme anger that Yanyue could easily go with Assistant Wen. No one had embarrassed her before except for this mistress! But she was only a low receptionist, so she could only nod and agree with the result.
However, as soon as the party ended, she took out her phone and dialed a number.
"Thank you, Assistant Wen," Yanyue said politely, her face brimmed with hope.
She breathed a sigh of relief and followed Assistant Wen. The people working at Lu's Group were definitely headstrong and stingy.