"Have you heard? The newly - married Second Young Mistress has a really good relationship with the Second Young Master! Yesterday, A Ju went in to deliver clothes and saw them taking a bath together in the bathroom!"
"Really? Oh my god, it seems they're in love."
"Then we have to be more careful in the future and not neglect them."
The housekeeper came downstairs with a straight face and glared at the gossiping maids. "Slacking off during working hours! Is this how I've taught you?"
"Sorry, Sister Qin..."
"We were wrong."
The maids all lowered their heads to apologize.
"Alright, hurry up and prepare breakfast and send it to each master's room. Pay special attention to the Second Young Mistress's portion."
After saying that, the housekeeper, Sister Qin, quickly went to give other instructions.
"It seems that the Second Young Mistress has some background. Even Sister Qin is speaking up for her. We'd better talk less about such topics in the future."
"Exactly."
The maids discussed for a few words and then quickly got back to work.
...
At the same time, on a different floor of the villa.
"What?" Bo Siming frowned in surprise.
"I heard from our spy over there that the Second Young Master's old illness seems to have improved a lot. He didn't have an episode yesterday." The black - clothed man reported the newly - obtained information.
"There's something fishy."
Bo Jingyu's old illness was a long - standing problem. They had even consulted authoritative professors, but nothing had worked. How could such a stubborn illness improve in just a few days?
"Keep an eye on them. Report any news immediately."
"Yes, First Young Master!"
Bo Siming rubbed his chin, getting more and more confused as he thought.
He simply got up and, under the pretext of visiting his younger brother, went over to observe carefully. He didn't believe he couldn't find out what was going on.
When he quickly reached the second floor, in an instant, Bo Siming seemed to lose his soul. He stood still as if his feet were rooted to the ground.
The side profile of Shen Ximan wearing a veil came into view. The morning sunlight filtered through the window glass and shone on her, adding a touch of innocence to her already charming self.
She really resembled his late first love.
Whether it was her eyebrows or the way she smiled and frowned when speaking, they were so similar, so familiar yet untouchable.
"Second Young Mistress, it's really an honor to receive your praise. If there's anything you'd like to eat, just tell me in advance. I'll give instructions to the others." Sister Qin still looked respectful.
"Thank you so much. You've all been very kind." Shen Ximan said with a smile.
Second Young Mistress?
Bo Siming's mind hadn't caught up yet, but his ears had heard the words. So this was the younger sister that Shen Shiyu had forced on them. But he clearly remembered that he hadn't seen such a person in her family.
"Good morning, First Young Master." Sister Qin was about to leave when she saw Bo Siming standing absent - mindedly on the stairs.
"...Yes."
Shen Ximan was quite familiar with him. If she didn't have to pretend not to know him, she would have gone back to the bedroom in disgust long ago.
"Good morning, First Young Master."
Bo Siming was once again in a daze for a few seconds when he saw her obsidian - like eyes. "Is my brother awake?"
He asked the polite question as a formality, but in fact, he was already suspicious in his heart.
"He's still sleeping. It'll probably be a while."
Shen Ximan smiled gracefully without any hint of affectation.
This made his expression turn a bit colder. "My younger brother has a rather strange personality. Please bear with him."
"Of course. He's my husband now, my pillar. I'll naturally fulfill my duty as a good wife. Thank you for your concern, First Young Master."
Bo Siming wasn't interested in such high - sounding words, nor did he have the time for such a conversation. He made up an excuse and quickly went downstairs to his own bedroom.
After thinking for a few minutes, he couldn't hold back his curiosity and made a phone call.
"I want all the information about the Second Young Mistress. Get it to me tonight."
It was as if he was bewitched. The scene from just now kept flashing through his mind. Although he knew his first love was gone, the restlessness in his heart was like a spark of hope that he didn't want to give up easily.
Shen Ximan returned to the bedroom and closed the door. As soon as she turned around, she was blocked by a domineering figure. It felt as if the air around them had solidified.
"Y - you're awake?" She stammered without daring to look up.
"So I'm such an excellent husband and pillar in your heart?" Bo Jingyu said mockingly with a fake smile.
"I was just acting for the outsiders!"
He really knew how to hit a sore spot. He had been awake but pretended to be asleep. She had even been considerate of his wound and brought the breakfast to the table. Now she thought it was all a waste of effort.
"Get dressed. We're going to the Shen family."
He turned around and walked straight into the cloakroom to pick out a suit.
Shen Ximan was stunned. "What are we going there for so early in the morning?"
"You've already declared your stance to the outsiders. Shouldn't I give you a little reward?" Bo Jingyu raised his eyebrows. "We're going to pick up your sister."
These words were more effective than any magic pill.
An Ruo was Shen Ximan's weak point. As long as it was beneficial to her sister, she could accept any kind of treatment and then digest it on her own without a trace.
"If you keep daydreaming, I might change my mind."
She immediately came to her senses and quickly changed into a new set of clothes. "Aren't you going to have breakfast? Sister Qin prepared a lot of delicious food."
Bo Jingyu was tying his tie in front of the mirror. He said coldly, "They're all insignificant people. Don't associate with them in the future."
"...Okay."
Shen Ximan turned her face and pouted. She thought to herself: If you don't want to eat, just say so. Why do you have to look so grumpy?
"Good morning, Second Young Master. Good morning, Second Young Mistress." As they came downstairs from the second floor, the maids along the way bowed and greeted them with smiles on their faces.
To play the role of the Second Young Mistress well, her face was almost frozen from smiling. She finally let down her guard after getting in the car.
"It's so difficult."
Bo Jingyu got in the car and started looking at documents without even raising his head. He said coldly, "Giving up before you even start. You're not that capable."
"Thank you for the compliment." Shen Ximan rolled her eyes after saying that.
This cooperative relationship based on an agreement was really uncomfortable.
If she really had to stay with him, she would probably lose half of her lifespan.
At the Shen family villa.
Ding - dong, ding - dong.
"Coming, coming. Who is it so early in the morning?" Aunt Liang frowned and picked up the intercom. Her face turned pale instantly.
"Oh, it's the Second Young Master. Please come in quickly."
After opening the door, she rushed into the living room shouting, "M - Madam! Miss! The Second Young Master has come back with the Second Young Mistress for a visit!"
As the saying goes, what goes around comes around.
The expressions of Shen Shiyu and her step - mother Yang Wan changed several times. They even looked at each other timidly and stood in a row.
"I'm so sorry, Second Young Master. It's all this girl's fault for not telling me in advance. I wasn't prepared at all." Yang Wan said nicely, but in fact, she glared at Shen Ximan several times.