The warm autumn sunlight poured into the lavishly decorated room, illuminating the large, comfortable bed where someone was still lost in his dreams. For Ye Wudao, who was still in an intimate rendezvous with the daughters of dreamland, anyone daring to disturb him at this moment would meet only one fate—*no mercy!*
"Wudao, time to wake up! Breakfast is ready! If you don't get up, Mom will scold you again—everyone's waiting!" A lively, melodic voice called from beside the bed. Such a heavenly voice—if only it were calling him "darling"—would be one of life's greatest pleasures.
The figure under the covers seemed reluctant to part with the lingering warmth of the night. He turned over and resumed his silent slumber, curled up like a shrimp—though, of course, a shrimp that loved to sleep in.
"Wudao, you really have to get up!" Seeing no response, the girl hesitated, her voice tinged with shyness. "If you get up, no matter what you want Xuehen to do, Xuehen will agree. Wudao~ won't you get up, please?"
Hearing this enticing hint, Ye Wudao shot up with excitement, springing to his feet like a wolf on the prowl. He wrapped the girl in his arms, burying his nose in her long hair and taking in a deep breath, an expression of pure contentment on his face. "Ah, so fragrant! Jia Baoyu in *Dream of the Red Chamber* had the scent of flowers surrounding him, but I, Ye Wudao, have Xuehen's lingering fragrance—not bad at all, hehe…"
The girl nestled quietly in Ye Wudao's embrace, captivated, relishing the peace of the moment. For her, far removed from the world beyond, everything Ye Wudao offered was her entire world.
From the very first time she stepped through the gates of the Ye family and saw Ye Wudao, he had already claimed her with his commanding presence. She hadn't had a choice, nor did she want one. They were both seven years old that day, born on the same day, in the same month, and in the same year—Ye Wudao and Murong Xuehen.
Anyone who holds even a glimmer of hope and wonder for love couldn't deny the notion that perhaps they were companions from a past life, bonded by fate on the Three-Life Stone.
Murong Xuehen's grandfather, Murong Qingfeng, shared a sworn brotherhood with Ye Zhengling, the two of them having faced life and death together for decades and becoming closer than blood brothers. Though Murong Qingfeng didn't achieve the same fame as Ye Zhengling, his business empire was nothing to scoff at. Unfortunately, Murong Qingfeng's only son was lost in a tragic car accident, and the heartbreak of burying his own child took a toll on him, causing him to fall gravely ill. On his deathbed, he entrusted his only surviving family member, his granddaughter Murong Xuehen, to Ye Zhengling. Upon reaching adulthood at eighteen, Murong Xuehen would naturally inherit the Murong family's nearly billion-dollar fortune.
At just fifteen, Murong Xuehen already shows signs of blossoming into a stunning beauty. Her delicate, flawless face, skin as soft as jade, and a clear, melodious voice, combined with her graceful figure, make her a natural beauty in the making. Her talent for music is nothing short of genius; at eleven, she performed one of her own compositions at the Metropolitan Opera, one of the world's most renowned opera houses, earning her the nickname of the "Female Mozart of the 21st Century."
More importantly, the cultural and musical upbringing, coupled with strict family discipline, has nurtured Murong Xuehen's gentle, graceful demeanor from a young age. Both the Ye and Yang families have already recognized her as the future wife of their "little emperor," Ye Wudao. Ye Zhengling has a deep, heartfelt affection for her, and he has made it clear that anyone who dares to mistreat his chosen future granddaughter-in-law would face severe consequences—even Ye Wudao himself wouldn't be spared!
Ye Wudao playfully pinched Murong Xuehen's nose and laughed, "If you ignore me, who else will you pay attention to? If you don't behave, I'll have you for breakfast!"
The two of them headed downstairs for breakfast, only to be met with Yang Ningbing's usual "morning lecture." "Wudao, I've told you time and again: the morning is the best part of the day. Getting up early for a run or some English practice would do you so much good. Look at Xuehen—she wakes up an hour earlier than you every day to practice piano without a single complaint, while you're always grumbling about getting up too early!"
Ye Wudao muttered under his breath, "A morning nap is twice as valuable as an evening rest. Such a waste to miss it!"
"What did you just say, Wudao?" Yang Ningbing's sharp hearing caught him in an instant. As one of the "Four Great Beauties of D Province," known as the "Ice Queen," even with her brows furrowed, she remained captivating. Her flawless, otherworldly face carried an inherent coolness, an almost glacial stillness reminiscent of the goddess of the moon.
As the Deputy Mayor managing the economic affairs of a major Chinese city, Yang Ningbing had inherited her father's dignified aura—a quiet strength that commanded respect without effort. At home, she rarely put on a strict face, but her natural presence still brought a subtle pressure to everyone, including Ye Wudao.
"Oh, what did I say just now?" Ye Wudao's eyes darted around as he thought quickly. He knew that without a satisfactory answer, he'd be in trouble. But as a true genius, he instantly came up with a response, confidently replying, "I was saying, Mom, you shouldn't stay up late anymore. They say late nights are a woman's greatest enemy when it comes to beauty! Although, of course, I believe your timeless beauty and elegance are as enduring as a diamond."
Ye Hetu once again nearly choked on his tea, spraying it in laughter. *This kid,* he thought. *To say something so over-the-top with such righteousness—definitely my son.* Nearby, two maids struggled to hold back their giggles, while Murong Xuehen discreetly released Ye Wudao's hand, letting him continue his subtle antics under the table.
"Enough with the sweet talk! Do you really think I didn't hear what you actually said?" Yang Ningbing cut him off, her tone playful but stern. "No allowance for you today!" Watching her son's adorably over-the-top, feigned innocence, a warm satisfaction filled her heart. *This is my son,* she thought, *growing up so fast and even learning to flatter his mom.* Although, as a high-ranking official, she was usually weary of others' flattery, she found herself quietly delighted by her own son's attempts.
Ye Wudao let out a sigh of frustration, attacking his breakfast as if venting his grievances on the food itself. *They say money flows like water, and I haven't even had a chance to spend it before it slips through my fingers!* He thought in dismay. *How am I supposed to charm the ladies without cash? These days, money talks for everything. Even breakups come with a "compensation fee" for wasted youth! What a world!*
"Eat slowly! Do you have a grudge against the food?" Yang Ningbing chided, barely able to hide her amusement at his sulking expression. "If you don't learn some manners, who's going to like you? Don't count on me to find you a wife if no one wants you when you grow up." Watching his handsome face scrunched up in frustration, she couldn't help but laugh inwardly, though her face remained stern.
*This little rascal without a wife?* Ye Hetu chuckled to himself. *If that happens, all the men in the world might as well stay single!* He muttered in amusement, thinking, *Just don't end up with too many women later on!*
Seeing Ye Wudao's obvious frustration, Murong Xuehen's heart softened. Leaning over, she whispered in his ear, "I'll give you my allowance later." But before Ye Wudao could brighten up, Yang Ningbing, still focused on her breakfast, calmly interjected, "Xuehen, you're not allowed to give your allowance to Wudao." This pronouncement felt like a final verdict from the highest court, sealing Ye Wudao's fate. With a dramatic groan, he slumped back in his chair, lamenting, *Why is my life so hard?*