The morning after the gala, Qingxue woke to a quiet knock on her door. Still groggy, she opened it to find one of the household staff holding a silver tray with a note.
"Good morning, Miss Qingxue. This was left for you."
Qingxue thanked her and took the note. It was written on expensive paper, the handwriting elegant and deliberate:
"Meet me in the garden at noon. We need to talk. - Tianhao"
She frowned, unsure whether to be annoyed or intrigued. The memory of their brief interaction last night replayed in her mind. He had been blunt, even cocky, but there was something about him she couldn't quite place-a mixture of charm and challenge that made her uneasy.
At noon, Qingxue made her way to the garden. The air was crisp, and the sunlight streamed through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the stone pathway. She found Tianhao waiting near the fountain, leaning casually against a marble bench.
"You came," he said, his signature smirk already in place.
"I was curious," Qingxue replied, keeping her tone neutral. "What do you want to talk about?"
He straightened, his expression growing serious. "I wanted to warn you. Last night was just a taste of what you're walking into. The business world—and this family—is full of politics and hidden agendas. If you're not careful, you'll get eaten alive."
Qingxue crossed her arms. "And why do you care? Isn't this world your playground?"
He chuckled, the sound low and amused. "True. But I've seen what happens to people who don't play the game well. You're new to this, and whether you like it or not, people are watching you. Some are waiting for you to fail."
"Are you one of them?"
Tianhao's smirk softened into something almost genuine. "No. But I can't say the same for everyone else."
Qingxue studied him, trying to decipher his intentions. "Why are you telling me this? What's in it for you?"
"Let's just say I find you… intriguing," he said, his tone teasing again. "And I don't like Yanran as much as she thinks I do. Watching her squirm could be entertaining."
Qingxue raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "So this is a ploy to stir the pot between Yanran and me?"
Tianhao shook his head, his smirk fading entirely. "Not quite. Yanran is good at playing the innocent victim, but I know what she's capable of. She's not happy about you being here, Qingxue. If you're not careful, she'll make sure you pay for it."
Qingxue's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
Tianhao leaned closer, his voice dropping slightly. "She's spent years building her perfect reputation as the Xu family's daughter. You showing up threatens all of that. Yanran won't lose easily, and she's not above playing dirty to keep her position secure."
Qingxue hesitated, her mind racing. She had felt the tension with Yanran from the start, but hearing it laid out like this made it all the more real. Still, she wasn't sure if she could trust Tianhao's motives.
"And what do you expect me to do about it?" she asked, meeting his gaze evenly.
"Simple," Tianhao replied, straightening. "Don't let her walk all over you. You're the real daughter of the Xu family—act like it. If you don't stand your ground now, you'll never be able to."
His words struck a nerve. Qingxue hated to admit it, but he was right. She had been trying to quietly adjust to this new world, but Yanran's subtle attacks and the judgmental stares of others were beginning to take their toll.
"Thanks for the advice," Qingxue said, her voice steady. "But I don't need your help to deal with Yanran—or anyone else."
Tianhao smiled faintly, as if her defiance amused him. "Good. I'll be watching, Qingxue. Don't disappoint me."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Qingxue alone by the fountain.
That evening, Qingxue joined the family for dinner. The atmosphere at the table was as polished and formal as always, with Yanran effortlessly carrying the conversation.
"I was thinking," Yanran said, her tone light and thoughtful, "that it might be a good idea for Qingxue to shadow me for a while. I could teach her about the business, help her understand our family's role in the industry."
Xu Meilin smiled warmly. "That's a wonderful idea, Yanran. You've always been such a good mentor."
Yanran glanced at Qingxue, her smile sweet but her eyes sharp. "What do you think, Qingxue? Would you like me to help you?"
Qingxue set her chopsticks down, her expression calm. "Thank you for the offer, Yanran, but I think I'd prefer to learn on my own. I wouldn't want to burden you with the responsibility."
Yanran's smile stiffened, though she quickly recovered. "Oh, it wouldn't be a burden at all. I'm happy to help you navigate things. After all, this is such a drastic change for you."
Qingxue met Yanran's gaze evenly, her tone polite but firm. "I'm sure it is, but I'd like the chance to explore and learn independently. It'll help me adjust more naturally."
Xu Zhaoyang, who had been silent until now, looked up from his plate. "If Qingxue wants to handle things on her own, let her. Independence is a valuable trait in this family."
Yanran's expression faltered for a brief moment before she smiled graciously. "Of course, Father. I only wanted to support her."
Xu Meilin, sensing the subtle tension, quickly changed the subject. "Speaking of adjustments, Qingxue, I was thinking we could plan a small luncheon next week. Some of the prominent ladies in the social circle are eager to meet you."
Qingxue forced a smile. "That sounds lovely."
As the conversation moved on, Qingxue couldn't help but feel Yanran's eyes on her, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavy in the air.
After dinner, Qingxue returned to her room, relieved to be alone. She sat on the edge of her bed, replaying the dinner conversation in her mind. Yanran's facade of kindness was starting to crack, and Qingxue could sense the growing hostility beneath it.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock at the door. She opened it to find one of the household staff holding a small box.
"This was delivered for you, Miss Qingxue," the maid said.
"Thank you," Qingxue replied, taking the box.
Once alone, she opened it carefully. Inside was a velvet pouch and a note. She unfolded the paper, her heart skipping a beat as she read the words:
"A reminder of who you are. Don't let anyone take it from you."
The pouch contained a simple jade pendant, the kind often gifted to children as a symbol of protection and good fortune. Qingxue held it in her hand, her fingers brushing over the smooth surface.
She had no idea who had sent it, but something about the gesture filled her with a quiet resolve.
Whatever challenges lay ahead, she would face them head-on.