Chapter 11: The Fiancé

Ultimately, the Xia and Tan families decided to live separately. After Xia Rusheng had settled her luggage, she took a stroll around the villa specially prepared for her.

This villa was the only one in the entire resort equipped with an indoor natural hot spring pool. Without the need for heating, it exuded the warmth and freshness of spring. The villa was modest in size but exquisitely decorated, featuring just one double bedroom. The room offered a wide, open view; when the curtains were drawn aside, the floor-to-ceiling windows revealed a vast expanse of snowy landscape beyond.

“How do you find it, Miss Xia?” Miss Li, who was in charge of reception, asked.

Xia Rusheng nodded and replied, “It’s wonderful, but perhaps a bit too much.”

She spoke honestly. This villa was unparalleled within the resort, whether in design, decoration, or location. Judging by the pristine condition of the furniture and fixtures, it seemed rarely occupied.

Thus, she felt this place was unsuitable for her. She was not yet able to take control of her own fate and therefore could not frivolously accept the kindness of others—especially when she did not know if such “kindness” concealed ulterior motives or schemes.

Upon returning to her residence, Xia Rusheng was immediately stopped by the matriarch of the Xia family. Taking a box from her, she opened it to find an elaborate gown and a pair of blue crystal high heels.

“Change into this quickly. Soon, you’ll be attending Director Lin’s new film premiere with your father.”

“Director Lin?” Xia Rusheng was momentarily taken aback.

“That’s Lin Yichen, the youngest master of the Lin family. His film’s premiere is at six this evening, right here at the resort’s hotel.”

Xia Rusheng inhaled deeply. She had long expected the matriarch would arrange a meeting with her fiancé, but she hadn’t anticipated it would come so soon or so unexpectedly. It seemed Xia Rui had a reason for choosing this hotel for their vacation.

The new film premiere—Su Xi, the female lead, would presumably be there. Unexpectedly, they would meet again so soon...

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After changing, Xia Rusheng descended the stairs to find Xia Rui and his wife, along with Xia Yu, already waiting. Today, Xia Yu wore a simple, pale-colored dress, looking understated. Her makeup was also more subdued than usual. Xia Rusheng knew Xia Yu typically favored heavy makeup and glamorous, luxurious attire. This new appearance was so unlike her that it seemed deliberately intended to contrast with Xia Rusheng.

At the premiere venue, Xia Rusheng learned that Su Xi had not arrived due to a delayed flight. She couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. Truthfully, she was not yet ready to face Su Xi; this was, in some ways, good news. At least she wouldn’t have to unexpectedly confront two opposing parties at once.

Xia Rui and his family sat in the third row, but when Xia Rusheng was about to take her seat, someone invited her to the front row, right under the spotlight. She sensed something was amiss, but since all seating had been prearranged, it was too late to change. Resigned, she took the central seat in the first row.

Twenty minutes later, the premiere officially began. Lin Yichen and the cast appeared one by one. Xia Rusheng was well-acquainted with Lin Yichen from extensive research.

He wore a light gray casual shirt and white trousers, looking relaxed and radiant. With features almost feminine in their delicacy, he outshone the other actors as soon as he stepped on stage. Throughout the interview, he was affable and witty, exuding confidence and warmth, punctuating his remarks with humor that elicited laughter from the audience.

As the interview neared its end, Lin Yichen suddenly excused himself backstage. At the same time, Xia Yu left, claiming to go to the restroom.

Xia Rusheng found the timing suspicious. Taking advantage of Xia Rui and his wife’s distraction, she quietly slipped away. Before reaching the restroom, she overheard Xia Yu’s impatient voice near the stairwell.

“Yichen, what do you mean by this? Didn’t you say you’d focus on introducing your fiancée? We’ve been waiting so long with no sign. All my mother’s efforts to convince grandma seem wasted! Are you regretting it now?”

The man’s voice was calm, leisurely with a youthful laziness. Xia Rusheng recognized it immediately as Lin Yichen’s.

“I’m not anxious, why are you? The best scenes are usually saved for last.”

“I don’t believe you! If I hadn’t accidentally discovered you like men, I might be the one used as a scapegoat right now,” Xia Yu snapped, anger flaring.

“Believe it or not,” Lin Yichen replied with a hint of impatience, clearly unwilling to continue the conversation. He turned and entered the restroom.

Fuming, Xia Yu stomped her foot and marched back.

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Emerging from behind the wall, Xia Rusheng held a small voice recorder in her hand, her expression unreadable. She stood silently for a moment before Lin Yichen came out of the restroom. He immediately recognized her and noticed the device she held.

“Miss Xia, were you waiting for me?” he asked, deliberately approaching with a flirtatious tone.

At such close range, Xia Rusheng could see the fine fuzz on his face. She had to admit, this man’s face was a masterpiece of nature—proportioned perfectly, with clear, luminous eyes that made him appear both sunny and innocent. His features were not striking at first glance, but the longer one looked, the more captivating he became.

“Who else would I be waiting for?” Xia Rusheng said bluntly. “What exactly are you and Xia Yu trying to do?”

Lin Yichen’s gaze swept from her face down her pale neck to her chest, finally resting on the recorder. It was shaped like a pen, with a nearly invisible microphone, yet he spotted it. Swiftly, he snatched it from her hand and asked, “Miss Xia, I didn’t know you had this hobby.”

Xia Rusheng reached to reclaim the recorder, but Lin Yichen pressed the play button. Their earlier conversation played with some distortion.

“So soon Miss Xia has learned my secret—isn’t that being a bit too candid?” After the brief recording, Lin Yichen leaned close to her ear, his tone dripping with innuendo. “And are you planning to use this to threaten me?”

A cold smile flickered across Xia Rusheng’s lips. She lifted her knee sharply, striking Lin Yichen, then pushed him away and snatched back the recorder. “For a public figure, this may or may not be a threat. But for you, it certainly is. Otherwise, you wouldn’t need a woman to pose as your fiancée to cover things up. So, whatever you and Xia Yu have in mind today, you’d better think twice.”

With that, Xia Rusheng swiftly slipped the recorder into her bag and confidently returned to the event. Lin Yichen watched her retreating figure, stroking his chin.

This woman seemed different from before—truly fascinating.