Sun Qiyan stood with her friend, Chu Ting, watching as the couple left. They watched how President Shen took hold of Lu Xinyi’s hand, the two chatting animatedly; and envy flashed across Chu Ting’s eyes.

“I really can’t understand what President Shen saw in a slut like Lu Xinyi,” Chu Ting muttered with annoyance. She had fallen in love at first sight with Shen Yi and had tried all means to get his attention.

It had been years since he broke up with Li Qiao, and Chu Ting thought that once Li Qiao was out of the scene, Shen Yi would finally notice her. However, that didn’t happen. She’d managed to convince her father to set her up with Shen Yi on a blind date, but the man stood her up.

“Who knows how they met?” Sun Qiyan downed her drink in one go. “She probably seduced him or made a deal with President Shen. I wouldn’t be surprised if she agreed to whatever condition the Shen family offered her as long as she could spite our family.”

Seeing how affectionate Shen Yi to Lu Xinyi, Chu Ting couldn’t help the jealousy and hatred that sprouted in her heart. The more she watched the couple, the more irritated she became.

Why did he choose Lu Xinyi over her? Didn’t he know that in terms of wealth and status, she’d surpassed Lu Xinyi?

“Qiyan, you must teach her a lesson! Remind her of her place!” She gritted her teeth in frustration. Who cares if Lu Xinyi was Sun Meixiu’s daughter? She was still a Lu and not a Sun! A commoner’s daughter!-.

“I would if I could,” Sun Qiyan said dejectedly. Now that Chairman Sun named Lu Xinyi as his successor, she was bound to respect and listen to what Lu Xinyi say now.

“My poor Qiyan, did Lu Xinyi bully you?” Chu Ting gave Sun Qiyan a once-over, her curly hair bouncing over her shoulder, black fitting gown hugging her curves. “Don’t worry, dear. Tonight, I’ll make sure Lu Xinyi will lose face that she’ll regret stepping back to your home.”

Sun Qiyan’s lips twitched but hide her amusement behind her wine glass. It seemed like she didn’t need to exert any effort to destroy Lu Xinyi when Chu Ting was willing to do the job.

“Don’t be so reckless, Chu Ting! That wouldn’t be easy. Lu Xinyi has our grandfather’s backing and also President Shen’s. How could you ruin her reputation without harming the ties between our families?”

“You worry too much, Qiyan.” Chu Ting scoffed. “Why are you so afraid of Lu Xinyi? She’s just a commoner dressed up as a princess. Even how much makeup and expensive dresses she wore, she couldn’t hide the fact that she’s nothing but a cheap woman!”

“But what should we do?” Sun Qiyan was excited to see how Chu Ting would deal with Lu Xinyi.

“Just wait and see, Qiyan. She could only blame herself after this.” The evil smile that crossed Chu Ting’s face made Sun Qiyan satisfied with the plan.

—

Lu Xinyi led her husband out of the Sun Estate and took a trail towards a private garden where she and Qiushan used to hide. Shen Yi was about to ask where she was taking him when they turned the corner, and Lu Xinyi pushed a set of double doors, quickly shutting it close once they were inside.

They kept walking until they reached the center of the garden and found a fountain. Lu Xinyi sat on one of the benches and was followed by her husband.

“This is Qiushan’s favorite hiding place,” she told him.

Shen Yi’s eyes softened as he watched as Lu Xinyi’s face bathed in the moonlight.

“I don’t blame her. It’s quiet and peaceful in here.”

“I try not to cry when I think of her,”—her eyes welled up with tears again—”but I know I cannot change what happened in the past. Blaming myself wouldn’t help me get justice for her.”

“You shouldn’t blame yourself. No one wanted it to happen.”

How would she know what Sun Qiyan was planning?

“Her sister believed otherwise.” Lu Xinyi scoffed. It was as if Sun Qiyan wouldn’t bother to know where Qiushan was and only cared about the advantages she could get from her.

“Are you going to stay with the Sun family now?” he asked with displeasure. He hoped not. Her time on the academy was already putting a strain on their relationship. If she was to move back with the Sun family, he wouldn’t be able to protect her.

“No,” she answered back, “Anything but that. I could feel my brain cells dying one by one as I continue to talk to them. Isn’t it a wonder how one has seven trillion nerves, and some people manage to get on every single one of them?”

“What about your grandfather? You wouldn’t tell him what happened to Sun Qiushan?”

Lu Xinyi rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.

“What for? He couldn’t give his only son and my mother the justice they deserve. He started this problem anyway. I doubt he’ll believe whatever I say. It’s better to slap them with irrefutable evidence later.”

Evidence that she needed to compile soon. It might have been too long since her mother’s death, but if she could send her aunts or Sun Qiyan behind the jail, it would lessen the pain in her heart.

“They keep assuming that I care. Weird isn’t it?” She chuckled. “From this point onward, I’m going to treat people how they treat me. I should pull myself together. I’ve got bitches to battle and men to destroy. They should be glad that I’m finally giving them the attention they always wanted.”

It was too bad though that Sun Qiushan had died. She wouldn’t be able to witness the pain and revenge that would hit her sister anytime soon.

“Xinxin…” Shen Yi called out her name with such tenderness that was enough for Lu Xinyi’s heart to skip a beat, making her momentarily forget her hatred. With half-lidded eyes, he cupped her cheek and caressed it with his thumb.

Lu Xinyi’s mouth dried up and swallowed the lump on her throat. No other man had looked at her with such love and tenderness except him. She nuzzled on his palm, sighing softly. She knew she wouldn’t be strong like this if it wasn’t for his love and support.

“Let’s go back. They are probably looking for you.” He reminded her. “Chairman Sun will surely have a heart attack if you suddenly went missing after introducing you to the public.”

“They can wait. I can’t,” she replied as she scooted closer to his warmth.

Shen Yi drew her closer, moving his hand at her nape and holding her close as he pressed his lips against hers for a sweet, passionate kiss under the moonlit night.

Lu Xinyi brought her hands into his chest, her fingers holding the side of his coat as she lost herself to their kiss. When they broke their kiss at the same time, they were breathing heavily, with her cheeks tinged with a blush.

“You got what you wanted so now let’s go back before they send someone to look after you.” Shen Yi gave a quick peck on her lips before standing up and offered a hand for her.

Lu Xinyi took his hand and let him led her away from the garden and back towards the party within the Sun Mansion.