Chapter 79

Xu Heran felt that in her entire life, there had never been a night as beautiful as tonight.

When Xin Nuo fell into a deep sleep beside her, she didn’t feel a trace of sleepiness. She wanted to roll around in bed with excitement, but was afraid of making noise that might disturb Xin Nuo’s sweet dreams. With closed eyes, her mind was filled with images of Xin Nuo.

From top to bottom.

From the tear-filled corners of her rosy eyes to the trembling fingers that could only tightly grip her own, from the slender waist that quivered to the delicate, more exquisite than artwork, snow-white ankles.

When moved, it seemed like there was no part of her that wasn’t trembling.

Her delicate skin seemed to turn into solidified milk, the damp surface oozed sweat, trickling down her taut skin.

Xu Heran had never heard Xin Nuo call her with such a tone, so gentle, so sweet, so… cloying, as if she wished to drown in this swaying world.

She wanted more.

She wanted to continue.

Didn’t want to stop.

Xu Heran looked at the dark air, her bright eyes shining like stars in the darkness. Her fingers moved slowly over the blanket. The room in the old mansion was cleaned by servants every day. She had lived here before, but because it was remote compared to the city, it could only serve as an occasional retreat.

The bedding she used was made from the world’s most comfortable fabric, and lying down on it felt like resting on clouds. When Xu Heran’s fingers gently traced the blanket, she suddenly curled up her lips.

So much better than nothing.

She had found the most beautiful person in the world and experienced the most wonderful feelings in the world.

Eighteen years old, how wonderful.

The girl with eyes that curved in the darkness gently got up and bent over, kissing Xin Nuo on the face, rubbing against her before lying down slowly, snuggling up to Xin Nuo and falling asleep.

Early in the morning, before the sun rose, the maids at the Aston Manor started to wake up.

Outside the manor, the convoy of the event planning team responsible for arranging the Aston family’s banquet arrived on time. The long line of vehicles parked beside the fountain, and the staff got off, carrying freshly dewed flowers, ribbons, balloons, and all sorts of exquisite and beautiful decorations.

The distant mountains were still a deep blue, and the forest appeared hazy as if awakening from slumber, but the entire Aston Manor was wide awake. An archway made of fresh flowers stretched from the manor’s gate to the castle entrance, and a long and wide red carpet lay smoothly.

The vast lawn between the garden and orchard seemed endless, with long tables set up. After the banquet began, there would be a sumptuous feast laid out.

This was the coming-of-age banquet for the two youngest members of the Aston family, and also an opportunity for the Aston family to socialize with the outside world.

Xu Heran’s bedroom faced the main gate. As the noise from outside grew louder, Xu Heran grumbled discontentedly when the black-haired girl in her arms buried herself under the covers. She wasn’t feeling well, shifted her body, and felt heavy and sore in her waist.

Her consciousness seemed slightly clearer, and a certain image from last night flashed through her mind—a moment when someone was pressed on top of her. The girl’s skin suddenly turned red.

…Is it true?

Did they really…?

Xin Nuo instantly became fully awake. She bit her lip tightly, her hand by her face, pressing against her own cheek.

How could… they have been so impulsive!

It must have been the alcohol!

The girl felt both embarrassed and annoyed, frowning, grabbing the covers to hide her head.

Xu Heran slowly opened her eyes, her gem-like eyes, awakened from slumber, swept over to the window and then withdrew. Her slender hand pressed against the blanket, gently patting Xin Nuo’s back.

“Not feeling well?”

“Sweetie, feeling stuffy?”

In the soft bed, the girl’s slightly hoarse voice, just waking up, carried a seductive tone that instantly deepened the pink shade around Xin Nuo’s ears.

It felt like… things had truly changed.

A little pearl of something.

Partially coerced and partially willingly, Xin Nuo lowered the covers, and her black eyes collided with Xu Heran’s gaze.

 Strangely, despite having shared the same bed many times before, they had never experienced such passionate intimacy.

Xu Heran curved her lips, her fingers touching the corner of Xin Nuo’s eyes where a trace of tears remained, faintly visible in the morning light.

“Xu Heran,” Xin Nuo murmured, lowering her gaze and not sounding particularly pleased, “I’m not feeling well.”

Xu Heran hurriedly asked, “Where? Is it here?”

Her hand pressed against Xin Nuo’s waist through the covers, “Here?”

Xin Nuo groaned in discomfort and was then slapped under the covers by Xu Heran.

Xu Heran: “…”

Xin Nuo: “…”

“Xu Heran!”

Xin Nuo angrily slapped the pillow.

Not only was her waist sore, certain areas that had experienced quite a bit of friction last night were even more painful now!

Her tender skin was against the soft bedsheet, but if it’s uncomfortable, it’s uncomfortable!

Xin Nuo was a bit angry, lying face down on the bed while hugging the pillow.

“Should I go get some medicine for you to apply? Is that okay?” Xu Heran asked softly. After getting Xin Nuo’s “mmm” in response, she skillfully hopped off the bed. After a quick wash-up and throwing on some clothes, she left the room.

Once she was gone, Xin Nuo, with her face red, got up. The moment she stepped down from the bed, her knees suddenly went weak. She almost knelt to the ground.

Xin Nuo: “…”

Once again, Xu Heran is really terrifying.

Can girls with girls… be this terrifying too?

Blushing and embarrassed without any experience, Xin Nuo carefully walked into the washroom.

“Plop.”

Last night was too chaotic; all she remembered was being taken by Xu Heran for a bath. She couldn’t recall anything else. As she entered the washroom, she found the surroundings unfamiliar.

Everything in the castle carried a classical aura and the extravagance of the Blue Country’s nobility.

Inside the washroom, there was a massive mirror with copper edges, resembling a magic mirror from a fairy tale. Xu Heran’s commonly used toiletries were scattered on the table, looking messy. It must have been someone’s recent effort.

Xin Nuo lowered her eyes and went to fill the large bathtub with water. The bathtub was also designed in a classical style, with floor-to-ceiling windows on both sides. Astonishingly, they used one-way visible glass. Blushing, Xin Nuo pulled the curtains closed and tightly clutched the towel around her body. After the water was ready, she turned around, washed her face and brushed her teeth, and tidied up the countertop in passing.

Once the water was ready, Xin Nuo comfortably sighed as she submerged herself. Leaning against the bathtub wall, she looked up to see the bright sky beyond the white window curtains.

With the arrival of sunlight, all things awoke, and delicate birds flitted through the azure sky, leaving no trace of their passage.

The sprawling mountains and forest trees spread out before her eyes. Xin Nuo suddenly submerged half her face into the water and playfully blew bubbles.

What Xu Heran shouldn’t know…

She was feeling a little happy too.

Well, just a bit.

Certainly only a bit!

With water-soaked eyelashes, her eyes were pitch-black and bright, a quiet flame blooming like a flower.

Xu Heran pushed the door open, finding the room empty. She heard the sound of water, so she placed the ointment on the table and lightly knocked on the door.

Xin Nuo’s voice came from behind the door, and Xu Heran pushed it open to enter.

“How did you get here?” Xu Heran smiled and asked Xin Nuo, “Aren’t you feeling unwell?”

Xin Nuo looked up at her, “I am unwell, but that doesn’t mean I can’t walk.”

Xu Heran lowered her head, raising an eyebrow.

“Uh, my mistake.”

Xin Nuo’s intended agreeable response suddenly stopped at the edge of her lips.

She just felt that Xu Heran’s mistaken words weren’t quite right…

The girl with black hair gave a light snort and turned her head away.

The bathtub was spacious, and on the platform next to the window were placed essential oil and aromatherapy bath products. The water in the tub was deep red. Xin Nuo intentionally chose a scent Xu Heran hadn’t used before.

When a certain girl began undressing, Xin Nuo’s eyes widened with a “swish,” glancing at Xu Heran.

“What are you doing?”

“Washing together,” Xu Heran said with a smile.

“I wanted to admire the scenery with you.”

As she finished speaking, she entered the room. Xin Nuo blushed and averted her gaze. Even though they had done everything, facing the exposed Little Pearl still made her feel quite embarrassed.

She cautiously watched Xu Heran until the girl came closer. Side by side, they looked out the window from within the warm water.

Xin Nuo’s heart gradually calmed.

Underwater, their legs occasionally brushed against each other. After looking at the sky for a while, Xu Heran turned her head and picked up the bath salts Xin Nuo used, examining them.

“Red wine scent, hmm?”

Xin Nuo’s expression remained neutral as she stared at Xu Heran. “Is it not okay?”

Xu Heran chuckled softly, “Of course it is.”

She lightly touched the delicate bottle of bath salts, quietly reading, “Herbal formulation, gentle and harmless, edible with no side effects.”

The girl with black hair behind her chuckled in exasperation. “I’ll just pour it into your mouth.”

“Sister, you’re ruthless.” Xu Heran swayed over leisurely. Their warm skin collided, and Xin Nuo felt her arm press against a certain someone’s soft area.

Her face immediately heated up.

Xu Heran locked her gaze onto Xin Nuo’s expression. Suddenly, she lifted her hand, knowingly asking, and lightly traced the red mark on Xin Nuo’s collarbone with her fingertip. Red droplets fell, descended, leaving behind faint watermarks.

The person’s blue-purple eyes deepened gradually. With a low and probing tone, she asked, “What is this, sister?”

“Did a bug bite you?”

Xin Nuo raised her hand, pushing away the head that was inching closer.

“Bitten by a pig!”

“That sounds terrifying.” Xu Heran said regretfully, “You’re too careless.”

“I’ll help treat it.”

“No need… Xu Heran!”

“It’s morning!” Xin Nuo raised her head, water droplets trailing from her arm. She embraced Xu Heran’s slender neck, and she heard the soft laughter of a certain troublemaker.

“It’s a good morning, the air is fresh, perfect for exercising.”

“The scenery is nice today,” Xu Heran whispered into Xin Nuo’s ear, “Do you like the mirrors in my room?”

…

Xu Heran had been chased out by Xin Nuo. She wore a satisfied smile as she went to find clothes for Xin Nuo. However, a certain person in the bathroom grew angrier the more she thought about it. She stared at the chaotic room and couldn’t stand it any longer after half an hour.

When Xu Heran had changed her clothes first and was getting ready to bring clothes for Xin Nuo, she saw the girl stepping out with slow but murderous steps.

Xu Heran: …Hmm.

Is it time to maintain silence now?

Xin Nuo gave a cold glance to Xu Heran and kept her distance.

The newly adult Pearl hid a heart full of impulsiveness, like an unfilled black hole.

Xu Heran shrugged, propped her arms behind her, and sat on the bed.

Xin Nuo was wrapped in a large bath towel, not tied conventionally. To guard against a certain Little Pearl, she held the two corners of the towel and looped it from the back to the neck, tying a knot that made it look like a sleeveless white dress.

The girl stood barefoot by the window, looking through the sheer curtains at the bustling scene below.

“Is this for your birthday party?” Xin Nuo exclaimed in surprise. “So grand?”

“On the surface, it’s a birthday party for me and Xu Junran, but in reality, it’s a social event for the elders,” Xu Heran said with a smile. “The real family dinner will be tonight in the city. Are you going to come?”

Xin Nuo had just done that kind of thing with Xu Heran. Now, she didn’t dare and didn’t want to meet Xu Heran’s family at all.

“I won’t go,” Xin Nuo said with a stern face.

“Okay,” Xu Heran sighed disappointedly.

Seeing the Little Pearl’s dejected appearance, Xin Nuo felt some regret. She wondered if she had been too harsh with her tone toward Xu Heran. She bit her lip, glanced downward, and looked for a topic.

“I saw someone setting up a huge teddy bear.”

“That’s for the kids,” Xu Heran said, lifting her eyes briefly. Her blue-purple eyes traced over Xin Nuo’s smooth shoulder line.

Xin Nuo’s back was slender, like a thin petal, straight and elegant.

Xu Heran’s throat bobbed, and she scooted forward, patting her thigh.

“Come here, sweetheart, I’ll give you the medicine.”

Xu Heran’s sudden endearment caused the girl by the window to freeze. Xin Nuo took two seconds to react and whispered, “I can do it myself.”

“No, there are places you can’t reach, come.” Xu Heran patted her thigh again and smiled, “It’s medicine, so stay still.”

“Really.”

Xin Nuo felt that avoiding Xu Heran would only make her scarier.

What was a tiny eighteen-year-old pearl to be afraid of?

So, with a cold face, the black-haired girl walked over.

Xu Heran opened her arms, allowing Xin Nuo to straddle her. The moment she sat down, Xin Nuo’s fingers trembled abruptly as she remembered she wasn’t wearing anything inside.

But Xu Heran’s fingers had already skillfully secured the towel she had draped over her, tracing her skin that carried the scent of red wine.

The Little Pearl’s eyes curved into a smile.

“Stay still with this medicine, but we’ll give you the medicine in a bit.”

Xin Nuo’s pupils instantly dilated as she took a deep breath.

“Xu Heran, you dare.”

“Please say: Thank you, sweetheart, I love you.”

“…”

…

Xin Nuo felt like she had cried all the tears she was reborn with today!

Xu Heran, Xu Heran was just too terrifying.

Couldn’t she calm down for a moment?

When she was eighteen, she wasn’t like this!

This was going too far!

Xu Heran helped Xin Nuo put on her clothes.

The girl wore a high-necked, long-sleeved shirt, a courtly style, with puff sleeves at the shoulders, lace patterns adorned with pearl buttons from the neckline down, silver embroidery in floral designs, and paired with a cream-colored high-waisted riding pants that clung tightly to her slender waist. She completed the look with a pair of Martin boots.

Xu Heran half-knelt on the ground, helping her put on the shoes. She looked up and smiled, “Do you need a hat and sunglasses, lady?”

Xin Nuo pulled her black hair into a bun at the back of her head and snorted at her words.

“Who’s to blame for this?”

The instigator chuckled without saying a word, raised her hand to touch Xin Nuo’s face, and was lightly tapped by Xin Nuo, who was still a bit angry.

Xin Nuo had no strength left, or it could even be said she was overstrained. Being wrapped up so tightly was just to prevent anyone from coming to find her. She had planned to not leave the room all day today, staying right here, not going anywhere!

“I’ll have someone bring you food. The front yard is under strict guard today. If Yue Yin and the others want to go out, they can only go from the back. Can I tell them in the group that you’re not feeling well and resting in your room?” The people from the Xu family began to call Xu Heran, urging her.

Xin Nuo nodded, “Go ahead.”

“I’m just a mascot, I won’t be gone for long. Wait for me.”

Xu Heran held Xin Nuo’s hand and lightly kissed the back of it.

Xin Nuo didn’t know if it was because she had come to the place where she had lived since childhood, but she felt that the Little Pearl’s every move now carried the scent of this castle.

Not long after Xu Heran left, a maid with a gentle smile brought food. Xu Grandfather’s roots were in China, so the estate naturally had Chinese chefs. Xin Nuo looked at the familiar dishes on the table and felt a bit better.

While eating to replenish her energy, she scrolled through her phone.

Everyone in the group was already awake and discussing going out to play.

“Just now, a gentle uncle who claimed to be the steward spoke to me in somewhat broken Chinese and said not to go to the front yard before ten o’clock tonight. But I really wanted to tell him, please speak English, I understand that!” Jiang Qiong said.

Laurel deliberately asked, “Why do you understand it as ‘dong’?”

“Dong, dong, dong. ‘Come’ is for when you’re arriving, ‘go’ is for when you’re leaving. Greeting when you meet, saying ‘hello.'” Jiang Qiong sent a voice message, “I’m moveable, I’m moveable!”

Laughter filled the group early in the morning.

“Today is the public birthday banquet for Little Pearl and her brother. They have a certain status in this country, you know. So many important figures will be there.” Jian Yueyin said.

“Betting on Xu’s family wealth, aren’t they acting a bit too ostentatiously?” Jiang Qiong continued playfully, “That’s a really significant status.”

“Enough…” Song Fenghua intervened to stop Jiang Qiong’s hysterical behavior.

Xin Nuo casually sent a “Little Pearl’s Daydreaming” emoji.

“Hey, Nuo Nuo~ Good morning~” Jiang Qiong noticed Xin Nuo and her eyes lit up. She immediately burst into a mischievous laugh.

“Some people aren’t even in their own guest rooms, tsk tsk tsk, how strange. Not sleeping at night, where did they go? Or maybe some people never returned to their own guest rooms. Where will they sleep at night? I’m not curious at all.”

Xin Nuo calmly replied, “Oh.”

Jiang Qiong: “…”

“Come on, tell me~” Jiang Qiong typed energetically, “Is Little Pearl’s bed soft or not?”

Or, is Little Pearl soft or not?

In order to ensure her own safety, to survive and return to China alive, the life-loving dog, Wan Wan, restrained her desire for self-destruction.

“Soft,” Xin Nuo answered.

“Oh…”

Everyone became excited; she admitted it!

Xin Nuo sent a photo in which her expression was calm, the outside scenery picturesque, a beautiful snapshot of Xin Nuo enjoying the view.

Looking at her composed expression, everyone tilted their heads in confusion.

So… did they misunderstand something?

Makes sense, after all, Xu Heran is only eighteen years old, she might not understand anything!

Jiang Qiong was skeptical; her gaze fell on Xin Nuo’s high-necked clothes.

“When did you buy this outfit?”

“All my belongings are in the guest room. I’m wearing Xu Heran’s clothes,” Xin Nuo said. “The temperature here is lower than at home. Everyone going out, make sure to stay warm. I think I caught a chill yesterday and wasn’t feeling well.”

Lin Weining, who didn’t think much, immediately said, “Then rest well. Don’t go out today. There will be plenty of opportunities to go out and play in the future.”

Xin Nuo: “Okay.”

Jiang Qiong became even more skeptical. With her extensive knowledge of books and comics, her broad and profound level of erudition, she immediately thought.

Under what circumstances would someone feel unwell?

Why would she not feel well… hehe.

So, the dog, Wan Wan, sneakily went to knock on Xin Nuo’s door.

“Doggy salute.jpg.”

“Hmm?”

Jiang Qiong stood on her tiptoes, smiling as she asked, “Nuo Nuo, I got a birthday present for Xu Zhuzhu. Do you like it or not?”

Xin Nuo: “…?”

“What present? Why would I like it?”

“Well, do you really not like it?”

Xin Nuo looked around, seeing her suitcase in the hallway. She took a picture of it and sent it over.

“I went to bed as soon as I got back last night, and Pearl didn’t unpack her suitcase. Do you need me to open it and take a look?”

Jiang Qiong: “……………………….”

“Oh, this…”

“Why would I need to like a present?” Xin Nuo asked with a chuckle.

Jiang Qiong immediately cursed her dog teammates in her heart. They were really unreliable. Drunk under the moonlight, the atmosphere was set, and what did they do? They just went to sleep! They should’ve stayed awake instead!

What a bunch of unreliable teammates! Get rid of them!

Not reliable at all!

Dog Wan Wan, who was resentful that even Pearl couldn’t be hardened into steel, sighed, and in the chat, she began to send heart emojis to Xin Nuo like crazy.

“No, no, just kidding! Rest well. We’ll bring you a gift when we come back.”

Xin Nuo smiled and said, “Sure, I just caught a slight cold. When I’m better, I’ll go out shopping by myself. No need to bring gifts.”

Jiang Qiong: “Dog Wan Wan nodded. Goodbye~”

“Goodbye.”

“It’s useless! Xu Zhuzhu!”

The dog, Wan Wan, who thought she had gathered information, threw her phone aside and loudly expressed her disdain for her dog teammates. She got up disappointedly to freshen up, preparing to go shopping.

Xu Heran and Xu Junran were held in place by Xu Menglan in front of the dressing table, surrounded by a group of people getting them ready.

“Your daughter is naturally beautiful. Could you please have some confidence in her?” Xu Heran yawned and lazily remarked.

Xu Junran’s expression was indifferent. “I’m a guy.”

“Guys should also look refined! Being beautiful has nothing to do with gender!” Xu Menglan, dressed in a qipao and draped with a snow-white shawl, made Xu Heran doubt the current season.

In her mother’s eyes, being beautiful probably didn’t need to be seasonal.

The Xu family had a team of makeup artists who continuously praised Xu’s mother’s two children in an exaggerated tone, making Xu’s mother laugh heartily.

“Tsk, social niceties,” Xu Heran said in Chinese, shaking her head.

Xu Junran glanced at her. “I heard your group is here?”

Xu Heran nodded, telling him about the program shooting and last night’s surprise, insisting that Xu Junran should go and see it.

“By the way, let me tell you something.” Xu Heran hugged her younger brother’s neck and whispered, “From now on, you can call her sister-in-law, you understand?”

Xu Junran raised an eyebrow in surprise, sizing up Xu Heran from head to toe and showing an expression that said, “You have this ability?”

Xu Heran extended her palm.

“Sure,” Xu Junran nodded, his gaze sweeping over Xu Menglan, who was chatting with the chief makeup artist, and then back to Xu Heran.

“Hush…” Xu Heran whispered, “I’m afraid she’ll rush me. I don’t want to put too much pressure on your sister-in-law.”

One “sister-in-law” after another…

Xu Junran asked her, “Are you really together?”

Xu Heran leaned back, looking surprised, as if the idea of it being otherwise was absurd.

“Did Nuo confess it herself?”

Xu Heran: “But… huh?”

Xu Heran thought back to that crazy night and morning, and it seemed like besides in-depth communication… there weren’t any other aspects.

Xu Heran: “Hmm.”

“Our souls are inseparable,” Xu Heran whispered.

Xu Menglan walked over, smiling, and asked, “What are you talking about? Mom wants to know too.”

“Nothing.”

Both of them said in unison.

Xu Menglan raised an eyebrow and pressed her hand against each of their heads. “Still trying to deceive Mom?”

“We’re not deceiving you. That’s why we’re not telling you,” Xu Heran said matter-of-factly. “When you find out, you’ll know.”

Xu Menglan: “…Just you wait!”

After getting their makeup done, the two changed into formal attire. Xu Menglan was called away to greet the guests, while Xu Heran and Xu Junran had to wait a bit longer.

It was only when the staff in formal wear smiled and ushered them outside that Xu Heran lifted her chin, smiled, and said to Xu Junran, “Let’s go, birthday boy.”

“Please, after you birthday girl.”

Aston City is a famous tourist attraction in the Blue Country. However, due to special reasons during this period, ticket sales at various attractions have been suspended. Most of the people on the streets are locals, moving at an unhurried pace.

This is a city with a slow rhythm.

Before heading out, Xu Heran had sent a string of numbers in the group chat, instructing them to use this card for spending and to directly mention her name if they encounter a shop with a certain pattern printed on it.

“I feel like I’m living in a novel,” Jiang Qiong couldn’t help but say, “The Overbearing CEO Falls in Love with Me?”

“Wake up, is the overbearing CEO really in love with you?” Laurel snapped Jiang Qiong back to reality.

Jiang Qiong immediately apologized to Xu Heran.

But today was Xu Heran’s birthday, and they had been working hard in the Blue Country, achieving remarkable results in music, constantly landing endorsements. They were capable of spending their own little wallets without batting an eye—except for Jiang Qiong.

She would blink her eyes diligently.

“Hey, is that Aston Manor? I think I saw Auntie?” Song Fenghua pointed at the screen in the small tavern, which was showing a local TV channel in Aston.

“Shall we go?”

Excited, they walked into the tavern. It wasn’t big, and there were no other customers. They practically occupied the entire place.

“Please, juice, one two three… thanks!” Jiang Qiong, actively taking orders for the members, counted the number of people.

“I’ll have lemon water, thank you.”

“What a wonderful plan.” Haya pointed her chin, saying, “Our Qiong Er’s English is good good.“

“That’s as expected.” Jiang Qiong put on an expression of “I’m quite remarkable.”

Everyone chuckled and turned their attention to the television.

It was a local television channel in Aston. A reporter was standing at a distance from Aston Manor, separated by safety lines and bodyguards, speaking excitedly and urgently about something.

A fleet of cars after another occasionally passed by the road, heading towards Aston Manor.

As everyone was still fixated on the screen, they saw a pair of eyes with a purple hue, despite the silver hair, still exuding a beauty akin to a dream—a gentle woman.

“Wow… no wonder Xu Heran looks so good looking. It really is genetics!”

“We’re living with the legendary granddaughter.”

“Even Grandfather looks so handsome. Well, the whole Xu family is really good-looking!”

The camera switched, and another car drove past.

“Did I see someone very special?” Jian Yueyin said.

Song Fenghua glanced at her, “Local specialty?”

Jian Yueyin nodded, “Yeah, the mascot.”

Song Fenghua said in surprise, “No wonder there’s martial law.”

“What do you mean?” Lin Weining asked in confusion.

Jian Yueyin then explained the joke she and Song Fenghua had shared earlier, and everyone showed expressions of “wow.”

“Could Xu Pearl possibly become a queen?” Jiang Qiong asked excitedly.

“You’re overthinking it. Pearl holds Chinese nationality, and besides, she comes from a prosperous family of local specialties. It’s a wealthy special produce family,” Laurel explained.

Jiang Qiong looked at Laurel in surprise, “Your Highness, you know all this?”

Laurel cleared her throat, “I took a current affairs exam this year and learned about it from the news.”

Everyone applauded.

Impressive, Your Highness.

The group of people sat in the tavern, chatting and ordering food from the neighboring restaurant. By noon, on the TV screen amidst applause, a tall and attractive young man and woman walked down the elegantly decorated staircase, waving to everyone with smiles.

Xu Heran was dressed in a specially designed white gown by Master Fan Ruite, a unique piece worldwide, named the “Eighteenth Birthday Gift.” She wore jewelry individually designed by top designer Hairette, her face adorned with a gentle smile, and she had her arm linked with Xu Junran’s as they descended the stairs.

The young man beside her wore a matching suit, handsome and stern. When the brother and sister stood together, aside from their eye color, their features were quite similar.

“Wow—”

The SGS group of six exclaimed along with the tavern owner sitting at the table next to them.

“Little Princess and Little Prince.” The tavern owner’s excited face turned red as they explained to everyone that these were the youngest two children of the Aston family, coming of age this year. They spoke about how much money the Aston family donated each year, how many benefits they provided, the history of the Aston family, who the important figures were at the banquet, how the local TV station was owned by the Aston family and only broadcasted locally, and they also spoke about how impressive the Universal Group was. They shared the story of how Xu Shennian went from being a twelve-year-old orphan wandering abroad to building a business empire…

Their enthusiasm made it seem as if they had witnessed it all firsthand.

The six girls who had danced the night away with Aston’s Little Princess just last night nodded along.

Jian Yueyin propped her chin up and smiled, “I wonder what Nuo Nuo would think when she sees Ran Ran making a grand appearance today.”

Aston Manor, in a cozy bedroom.

Xu Shennian stood by the window, watching the festivities bathed in sunlight.

Xu Heran greeted the guests one by one, moving through the crowd like a graceful white creature.

The girl she had been entwined with just a few hours ago suddenly felt so distant.

Xu Shennian’s gaze drifted into the distance. Leaning against the wall, her face pressed against the glass, she felt as if she had truly become Alice, falling into a dreamlike reverie where everything around her was enveloped in syrupy sweetness and honey, tempting her to stay asleep.

And she didn’t want to wake up…

“Xu Heran.”

Xu Shennian called out softly. Down by the castle, Xu Heran, who had been conversing with others with a smile, seemed to notice something. She suddenly looked up, her gaze shifting toward the direction of the window where Xu Shennian was.

It was uncertain whether she saw Xu Shennian, but the girl’s face lit up with a brilliant smile, and she continued on to the next person.

Xu Shennian let out a slow breath.

Xu Heran’s smile was sweet as she hugged Lucky Uncle’s little grandson.

“You’re so cute, little one~”

Holding the little grandson’s hand, the middle-aged man with a kind smile embraced Xu Heran.

“My dear girl, in a few more years, you can start considering this matter.”

Xu Heran shrugged, “Uncle, only other people’s children are fun.”

The local specialty uncle laughed heartily and embraced Mrs. Diana.

Xu Heran exchanged a glance with Diana, then sneakily escaped.

She found herself in a small courtyard and sent a text to Xin Nuo.

“Baby, mission accomplished. Come find me and let’s play~”

Xin Nuo: “?”

“The facade of socializing begins, but I don’t need to partake. I just need a bit of genuine warmth for this heart surrounded by pretense,” Xu Heran directed Xin Nuo, “Go to the back door, turn left, there’s a path into the garden, follow it in.”

Xin Nuo: “…”

“Don’t feel like moving.”

“Come on, baby, I miss you.”

Xin Nuo’s finger hesitated.

“Don’t you want to see how good I look right now?”

“Baby, have you seen 《The Secret Garden》? I have a secret garden too. I’ll take you there.”

A strange feeling stirred in Xin Nuo’s heart. Perhaps in this moment, as she escaped from the banquet like a little pearl and added a touch of the feeling from movies, she felt a bit excited for no apparent reason.

“Wait for me.”

She immediately headed toward the door, but her knees weakened as she took a step.

Xin Nuo: “…”

The girl who almost knelt down pondered.

Maybe she should just forget about it.

After ten minutes, Xu Heran heard footsteps. She smiled and turned her gaze toward the garden’s high green walls, colliding with a pair of jet-black eyes.

“Come.” Xu Heran reached out her hand.

Xin Nuo silently observed the beautiful girl before her. She was so good-looking, her eyes were bright, her complexion fair and rosy, and her lips at the corners of her mouth seemed as if they had been kissed by the goddess of flowers—no, she can’t think like that.

Compliments in the girl’s mind came to a halt.

She couldn’t let anyone else kiss those lips.

Xin Nuo placed her hand on Xu Heran’s, and she was led by her deeper into the garden.

It truly felt like a dream.

Xin Nuo sighed once again.

The girl’s pure white dress, the sparkling diamond bracelet on her wrist, the lush greenery all around, the fragrance of flowers in the air, the crisp chirping of birds… it all felt so much like a dream.

The girl who led her into this dreamland guided her through twists and turns. They stopped in front of an arched flower trellis. Xu Heran lowered her head and kissed Xin Nuo’s forehead before leading her through the archway.

The moment they stepped through, it felt as if they had truly entered a secret garden.

Blooming roses, rhododendrons, irises, geraniums, tulips, lilacs… clumps and clusters of flowers filled the garden. In the center, beneath the canopy of wisteria, there was a soft bed.

“Do you want to rest in my secret garden?” Xu Heran asked with a smile. She held Xin Nuo’s hand, leading her into the mysterious world like the Robin leading Mary, but their relationship was more intimate and passionate than that of the Robin and Mary.

Knowing each other well, when Xu Heran gently pushed Xin Nuo onto the plush bed, Xin Nuo didn’t want to resist, she just sighed.

Suddenly, the dream awakened.

“I knew it.”

“Isn’t this place beautiful?” Xu Heran asked with a smile.

Xin Nuo cast her a sidelong glance.

“Am I beautiful?”

Xin Nuo looked at the girl in the white dress, sitting on the edge of the bed, then looked at herself in the shirt and pants. She felt that she shouldn’t be suppressed by Xu Heran in this outfit.

Some of her resistance had been suppressed one after another, and her inner rebellious spirit surged up. She slowly sat up, took off the hairpin on her head, and as her black hair fell, Xin Nuo placed her hand on Xu Heran’s shoulder, giving her a gentle push, but it didn’t move her.

Xu Heran tilted her head and pulled Xin Nuo into her embrace with a smile.

“You, lie down.” Xin Nuo said in a cold voice.

Xu Heran curved her lips and obediently lay down. Xin Nuo, feeling a bit unfamiliar, crawled over and sat on Xu Heran’s thigh. Her fingers touched Xu Heran’s dress, tugged slightly, but didn’t actually pull.

Xin Nuo lowered her head, looking at her own fingertips and the fabric of Xu Heran’s dress, lost in thought.

She had walked a long way, and the energy she had accumulated over the past few hours was almost depleted.

The girl’s lips parted slightly as she fell onto the bed, a few petals carried by the wind landing on the bed, pressed under the girl’s arm as she fell, releasing a sweet fragrance.

Xin Nuo squinted, looking at the girl who blocked the sunlight.

The sunlight was lovely right now, and all she could see were the girl’s lips lifted in a smile.

“Since Sis is so enthusiastic, I won’t hold back,” Xu Heran said gently.

“Thanks, darling.”

Xin Nuo: “…”

Just you wait!

…

Xu Heran’s phone rang multiple times. When they finished, it was already quite some time later. Once again, Little Pearl helped Xin Nuo put on her clothes. She pulled open a drawer beneath the bed and placed a basket of snacks that had been hidden in the cabinet by the bedside.

She twisted open a bottle of water and fed it to Xin Nuo.

The person who had drunk the water was now curled up inside the sheets in a huff.

“Is resting here okay for you? I need to see off the guests,” Xu Heran said.

“Go ahead,” Xin Nuo’s tone was even, “You’ve been a bother.”

As if I believe that.

Xu Heran chuckled softly, but she didn’t dare to say anything.

She placed the snacks near Xin Nuo and thought of something.

“Darling, so are we… officially in a relationship now?”

“Am I your dear girlfriend?”

She asked softly, her eyes holding the determination of claiming that title.

However, Xin Nuo, who grew angrier as she thought in bed, suddenly sneered.

“Girlfriend?”

“You’re still far from that!”

“Get lost!”

Xu Heran blinked in surprise and wanted to reach for Xin Nuo’s hand. However, Xin Nuo hid her hand beneath the pillow, preventing her from holding it.

Xu Heran suddenly felt a bit regretful, as if… well, maybe, perhaps she had been a bit too forceful.

“Fine then.” Xu Heran, who was tidying up her clothes, stood up and sighed. “I’ll continue to work hard. Wait for me to come back.”

Hmph.

Xin Nuo stared intensely into the distance, at an iris swaying in the wind. Once the footsteps behind her disappeared, she turned around very slowly, gazing at the empty garden.

The girl’s lovely eyebrows furrowed as she thought of a question.

Hold on, work hard for what?

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Sinensis
Proofreader: Ruu

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