-002- The Adopted Daughter of the Xuan Family.
Commercials started playing on the big screen, and the taxi began moving again. A breeze stirred the hair at Xuan Yang's temples. She rolled up the window and leaned back against the seat. The driver was on the phone, on speaker. His daughter's sweet, lovely voice came through, saying she was making dumplings with her mom—full of sharing. The gruff-voiced driver beamed, his tone slightly softer when talking to his daughter: "Sweetie, you and your mom don't need to bother. It's Saturday—let's go out for a nice dinner tonight, a big feast, okay?" The daughter was delighted but also worried about her dad: "I'm craving dumplings, and besides, the dumplings Mom and I make by hand are way better than any fancy dinner out." "..." Xuan Yang listened to their family chat for a while without any expression, her mind drifting to her foster parents' cold, stern faces as they taught her when she was growing up. After a few seconds, she took out her Bluetooth earbuds from her bag, put them in, and listened to music. Outside the window, the clouds hung like a veil, making her mood sink as well.
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An hour later, the taxi stopped outside Yujing Bay Villa. Xuan Yang had finally arrived. When she tried to scan her face at the security booth, she was told her facial information was not in the system. The young, broad-shouldered guard asked gently, "Do you need me to call the homeowner for you?" Yujing Bay Villa used multiple advanced and strict visitor identity verification methods. Homeowners could submit visitor information through a dedicated app, and visitors could use facial recognition at registration so the booth staff could quickly verify. Alternatively, they could use the video intercom at the booth to call the homeowner, who could check the visitor's image via an indoor terminal or phone app. As a last resort, the booth could also phone the homeowner to confirm. Xuan Yang set her suitcase at her feet and took out her phone. "No need, I'll do it myself." She called the home landline. The housekeeper answered. Xuan Yang got straight to the point: "Aunt Wang, it's Xuan Yang. Please ask Uncle Lin to pick me up at the east gate security booth." Aunt Wang was startled, a bit surprised: "Miss, you're back?!" Xuan Yang: "Mm. I'll wait for Uncle Lin at the east gate booth." With that, she hung up, crossed her arms, and glanced at the guard who had been staring at her. Her gaze was cool and detached, carrying an inexplicable pressure. The young guard quickly averted his eyes.
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Although Xuan Yang's return to China was at the behest of the Xuan couple, they hadn't expected her to come back so suddenly without even a heads-up. So when the driver, Uncle Lin, picked her up and brought her to the villa, Mother Xuan's face showed displeasure: "You come back without even calling ahead—do you still have any regard for your father and me?" Father Xuan had the day off and was rarely home. Though he was surprised by Xuan Yang's sudden return, he didn't show it, only saying, "You've come back just in time. In a couple of days, the second son of the He family is having a birthday ball. You and Xingyue will attend together." Xuan Yang's luggage had already been taken upstairs by the housekeeper. She stood in the living room, travel-worn, listening to her foster parents' complaints and arrangements. Then Xuan Yao, dressed in a long white gown and with delicate makeup, came down from the second floor. "Dad, Mom, I'm going to accompany Second Aunt for a spa treatment. I might not be back for dinner tonight. You..." Her voice trailed off when she saw the figure standing alone in the living room. The smile on her lips froze, and her eyes were full of surprise. No one had told her Xuan Yang was coming back. She had once thought Xuan Yang would stay abroad forever. After a long moment, Xuan Yao found her voice: "Xuan Yang... you're back." Nine years apart, and she seemed even more beautiful. Just standing there, she exuded a lofty elegance and a touching charm. Her temperament was still as cool and remote as the moon, fitting the title of "goddess" from their school days. The pride and confidence Xuan Yao had built up since returning to the Xuan family nine years ago seemed to shatter easily at this reunion. Xuan Yang stood there quietly watching her. Her gaze was like an invisible hand, dragging Xuan Yao back to her teenage years when she was humble as dust and invisible. "Long time no see," Xuan Yang said with a slight smile.
Xuan Yang had always been friendly toward the Xuan family's true daughter. They had been high school classmates. Back then, Xuan Yao was still named Lin Yao—a poor student from a small town who had been admitted to Jingbei No. 1 High School. She studied fiercely, unwilling to lose when it came to scholarships, like a tough weed. But after every exam, Lin Yao's name was always below Xuan Yang's on the ranking list. Jingbei No. 1 High School awarded scholarships based on academic rankings, and the difference between first and second place was significant. Xuan Yang remembered that once, after the results were posted, she had run into Lin Yao crying alone on the school building's rooftop. Later, she heard from other classmates that Lin Yao's father had broken his leg at a construction site that semester, and her family was so short of money they could barely afford her tuition. So she desperately needed the first-place scholarship. But Lin Yao was also very proud. When the class organized a donation for her father, she refused. So the next semester, Xuan Yang came in second place. Lin Yao finally got the first-place scholarship. "..."
"Long time no see." Xuan Yao came down the stairs and walked up to Xuan Yang, finally forcing a smile. "Since you're back, don't leave again. Mom and Dad have been missing you." They were stepsisters after all, and their interactions lacked the natural familiarity of sisters who grew up together. Xuan Yang smiled, not calling her out on the white lie. "Sure." She had come back this time to repay the Xuan family's kindness. If she had to use marriage to settle that debt, then at least she wanted to choose a partner she liked. Xuan Yao was momentarily stunned, as if she hadn't expected Xuan Yang to actually agree. She was really not leaving? To stay in the Xuan family forever? While Xuan Yao was still in shock, Xuan Yang turned her attention to Father Xuan, who was reading the newspaper on the sofa, and got down to business. "Dad, I'd like to talk to you alone." Father Xuan looked up, his eyes sharp and deep behind his glasses. After a brief pause, he agreed. "Sure, come to my study." Xuan Yang greeted her foster mother and Xuan Yao before following her foster father upstairs to the study. Once they were gone, Xuan Yao couldn't help sitting down next to Mother Xuan in the lavishly decorated living room. "Mom, what's going on? Why did Xuan Yang suddenly come back?" Mother Xuan could see her discomfort and slight resistance and comforted her, "Don't worry. Even if she's back, she won't stay long. Your father and I have arranged a marriage for her. At the earliest, next month, she'll marry into the Chen family." Xuan Yao hadn't known about this beforehand. Though surprised, she felt a bit more at ease. She really didn't want to live under the same roof as Xuan Yang, afraid others would compare them. Mother Xuan, unaware of her thoughts, patted her hand. "Alright, don't worry about Xuan Yang. Weren't you going to see your second aunt? Go ahead." After a pause, she added, "The Zhou family has been arranging a marriage for Zhou Dang recently. Be smart about it. Use your connection with your second aunt to get close to him first, understand?" Xuan Yao nodded. Just the thought of the chance to run into Zhou Dang when visiting Second Aunt at the Zhou family home lifted her spirits. "I'm off, Mom."
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In the second-floor study, a tall, sturdy oak tree stood alone outside the floor-to-ceiling window. Father Xuan walked to the lounge area, sat down, and began fiddling with the tea set, preparing to brew tea. Xuan Yang stepped forward demurely and naturally took the teapot from his hands. She appeared as obedient and gentle as always, ready to listen to instruction. Father Xuan had always been satisfied with her obedience. He leaned back in the agarwood chair and spoke kindly, "Go on. What did you want to talk to Dad about?" Xuan Yang had learned tea ceremony, whose core principle was 'slow brewing, fine tasting' to emphasize the richness and aroma of the tea. Although she hadn't touched it since going abroad, the memory was ingrained. She skillfully prepared the utensils, chose the aged Pu'er her foster father liked, and first awakened the tea leaves. Meanwhile, she replied, "Two months ago, Mom called me about my marriage to Chen Xingyue." She added an appropriate amount of purified water to the tea brewer and naturally voiced her thoughts, "I wanted to ask you if there's any room to reconsider this match." She looked up at her foster father, her eyes full of respect and affection. "I know you and Mom raised me for so many years, and now it's time for me to repay your kindness. But Dad, Chen Xingyue and I have no emotional foundation. Given his personality, even if the marriage goes through, our life together won't be harmonious. I know you must have your considerations, but ultimately, the alliance between the Xuan and Chen families is for business mutual benefit. If Xingyue and I don't get along after marriage, it's bound to affect the relationship between our families." Father Xuan crossed his legs. His seemingly affable square face held a heavy seriousness. His deep, calm eyes rested on Xuan Yang, clearly seeing through her intentions. "You want to refuse this marriage?" Xuan Yang sat sideways, hands folded on her knees, her posture elegant and dignified. She didn't deny it. "Xingyue and I really aren't suited. Even if it's a marriage of alliance, I hope you'll consider our father-daughter bond and give me the chance to choose my own partner." She raised her chin, her white swan neck lifted, full of confidence. "If you give me this chance, I promise I'll find the Xuan family a son-in-law who is even better than Chen Xingyue." Father Xuan studied her, his contemplative gaze gradually replaced by approval. "I'm glad you said that." He believed Xuan Yang could marry into a high family, given her talent, beauty, virtue, and conduct—she was among the best in Jingbei's upper circles. If she were his biological daughter, or if his biological daughter hadn't returned to the Xuan family, Xuan Yinnian might have been willing to give her time to prove herself. But unfortunately, she was only an adopted daughter, a discarded child sent abroad nine years ago. Xuan Yinnian knew exactly where she should be placed. At the very least, as the Xuan family's adopted daughter, Xuan Yang must not marry better than their biological daughter, Xuan Yao. "But Yangyang, Dad still hopes you'll obediently marry Xingyue." His voice deepened. He uncrossed his legs, sat up straight, and his expression grew more severe, exuding an air of authority without anger. "You've said it yourself—the Xuan family has raised you. So you should accept the arrangement, not come to me with objections." The water in the tea brewer boiled, and the gurgling sound filled the silent study. Xuan Yang's frozen gaze gradually thawed, and she vaguely understood her foster father's meaning. Father Xuan slowly dropped the rested tea leaves into the clay pot, his expression softening. "Your marriage to Xingyue was decided by both families together. Your Uncle Chen has always admired you. He hopes that after you marry in, you'll help him properly discipline Xingyue. This match was personally arranged by your uncle, and your mother and I think it's excellent. So it's settled." He smiled kindly. "Since you're back early, it's perfect. Spend this time with your mother preparing for the wedding." The bubbling sound from the clay pot mirrored Xuan Yang's inner turmoil. She opened her mouth several times, but ultimately lowered her proud head and only replied, "I understand." If she wanted to call off this marriage, going through her foster parents was clearly a dead end. The Chen family was her foster mother's natal home, and Chen Xingyue's father, Chen Group Chairman Chen Yinhe, was Mother Xuan's cousin. The Xuan and Chen families already had ties by marriage. But as far as Xuan Yang knew, the two families had several recent business collaborations. Under those circumstances, Chairman Chen's proposal to let her marry his son Chen Xingyue was something the Xuan family couldn't refuse. So, she had been too naive. She had overestimated her importance in her foster parents' eyes. But that was okay. Xuan Yang had a backup plan. As long as Chen Xingyue didn't want to marry her, there was still room for negotiation.
Author's note:
Yangyang: Even if it's a marriage of alliance, I want to choose my own partner. [glasses]
CEO Zhou: I'm 190cm tall, eight-pack abs, big/enduring, handsome and rich, will spoil my wife! Consider me? [begging]