His residence was still on Linglu Mountain. The villa where the party was held last time was halfway up the mountain, but this time it was closer to the summit.
It was also several times larger than the previous party villa, with six or seven floors and a very large courtyard, looking incredibly grand.
Xia Wanfu felt both nervous and delighted. Before getting out of the car, she cautiously asked, "Are your family members here?"
If the Jiang family were all present, she would feel utterly embarrassed.
"No, I live alone." Jiang Zexi glanced at her, then got out of the car.
Xia Wanfu hurried to follow.
Jiang Zexi walked very fast, and she had to trot to keep up.
She felt as if her waist was about to break, and her legs were so sore they trembled.
Upon entering the villa, Butler Cao greeted them respectfully, "Young Master is back. Would you like breakfast?"
It was an auntie, around forty years old, with impeccably neat hair and clean, tidy clothes.
"Yes, and prepare a few outfits for her."
Jiang Zexi glanced back, then headed directly for the living room.
Cao Yilin observed Xia Wanfu from head to toe. Her smile remained unchanged, but she was inwardly shocked.
Ever since the Young Master's fiancée died five years ago, no woman had been by his side.
"Miss, please come this way. I am Butler Cao Yilin. If you need anything, please tell me."
"Thank you, Auntie Cao."
Xia Wanfu nodded gratefully. Being in a new and unfamiliar environment, she felt quite restrained.
She looked directly towards where Jiang Zexi was and walked over to him.
Standing beside him, she whispered with a blush, "Can I... can I take a bath?"
She felt sticky all over and very uncomfortable.
Jiang Zexi instructed, "Butler Cao, take her to bathe."
Cao Yilin stepped forward and nodded, "Miss, please follow me."
Then, the two of them went upstairs together.
Jiang Zexi watched Xia Wanfu's retreating figure with a complex expression, his eyes filled with a frosty coldness, devoid of any warmth.
Since for a moment you resembled her, I hope you will always be like her.
He took out his phone and dialed a number, instructing them to arrange many women's items to be brought over.
—˄·͈༝·͈˄*₎◞̑̑
Xia Wan Tang woke up around ten o'clock.
She went downstairs and found Aunt Ou on the phone in the living room, smiling radiantly.
"Madam, please rest assured, I will take good care of the young madam."
"I know, okay, Madam."
"Okay."
Xia Wan Tang paused on the stairs, looking at the person on the phone downstairs with a sense of unease.
If she wasn't mistaken, the only person Aunt Ou would call "Madam" was Yu Chen's mother.
Her face flushed slightly, feeling a bit uneasy and nervous.
Could the Ling family accept her background and status? Her connection with Ling Yu Chen was growing stronger.
They were about to get their marriage certificate, and his parents knew about her existence.
She was even living in his house.
Aunt Ou's smile deepened after ending the call. She then saw Xia Wan Tang standing at the top of the stairs.
Her eyes immediately lit up, her voice filled with undisguised joy.
"Young… Wan Tang, you're awake. Are you hungry? Aunt Ou will make you something to eat. What would you like?"
Xia Wan Tang nervously scratched her head and asked, "Aunt Ou, were you just on the phone with Ling Yu Chen's mother?"
Aunt Ou's expression didn't change, and she smiled, "Yes, Madam was asking about your situation and told me to take good care of you. If the young master bullies you, let her know, and she'll discipline him for you."
Xia Wan Tang pursed her lips and asked again, "Did she ask about anything else?"
"Anything else?" Aunt Ou thought for a moment and said, "She didn't say much else, just that she regretted you couldn't attend the Old Master's birthday banquet today."
Seeing that Aunt Ou's expression was normal, Xia Wan Tang felt much more relieved.
It seemed that Ling Yu Chen's mother didn't have any prejudice against her yet, or perhaps she wasn't aware of her identity and background.
However, how did she know about her?
"Aunt Ou, how did Ling Yu Chen's mother know about me?"
Aunt Ou smiled and said, "The young master told her. It seems someone mentioned something about a trending topic at the Old Master's birthday banquet, and then the young master announced your existence."
Xia Wan Tang fell silent, her brow furrowed as she thought about something.
Seeing that her face lacked any smile, Aunt Ou's own smile faded, and a hint of worry appeared.
"Young Madam, what's wrong?"
"I'm fine, thank you, Aunt Ou."
Xia Wan Tang forced a smile and went downstairs.
Aunt Ou thought that perhaps it was because of the earlier phone call, so she comforted her, "Young Madam, please don't worry. Our Master and Madam are both very kind people."
Xia Wan Tang nodded slightly, not wanting to continue the topic.
"Aunt Ou, I'm hungry. I want to eat the noodles you cook."
She had eaten something spicy last night, and her throat felt like there was a lump of phlegm stuck in it.
She couldn't spit it out or swallow it, and it felt a little dry, itchy, and painful.
This always happened when she got a slight fever. She even gagged while brushing her teeth.
"Just a moment, just a moment. I'll go make noodles right away." Aunt Ou immediately went to the kitchen.
"Aunt Ou, no chili, please. Thank you, Aunt Ou."
After Aunt Ou went into the kitchen, Xia Wan Tang's head drooped as she sat on the sofa, lost in thought.
Now Ling Yu Chen's parents and grandparents all knew about her existence.
Would she have to leave Ling Yu Chen soon?
After all, given her status and family background, she truly wasn't worthy of Ling Yu Chen.
The wealthy families were like this, emphasizing matching backgrounds, or even arranged marriages.
Ding dong.
At this moment, her phone buzzed with a message.
She hadn't looked at her phone since she woke up.
Opening the screen, she saw many unread WeChat messages.
Most of them were from Wen Xuan Xuan, and a few were from Ling Yu Chen.
She clicked on the ones from Wen Xuan Xuan first.
Two hours ago.
Ahhhh, I'm at the Ling family attending Old Master Ling's 80th birthday!
Ling Yu Chen publicly announced you're his girlfriend (excited face).
Your husband is so handsome. (Jealous face).
...
An hour ago.
The internet is going crazy! Ahhhhh, I'm so excited! (Laughing hysterically).
Half an hour ago.
You haven't woken up yet, have you? (Speechless).
Why didn't you come to the banquet? (Question mark).
...
Xia Wan Tang replied: I didn't go. I feel like Ling Yu Chen and I have only been together for three days, and things are developing too fast.
After sending it, she suddenly felt a little happy. It seemed that when Ling Yu Chen was with her, he had always been very serious.
It was she herself who was always thinking about when she would leave.
But she could think of her family background, her own capabilities.
Her family background wasn't good enough, her connections weren't strong enough, and she herself wasn't outstanding.
She sighed and clicked into Ling Yu Chen's chat interface.
Five hours ago.
I've left. Ask Aunt Ou to make you whatever you want to eat. Let Qiao Xinyue keep you company.
Two hours ago.
I've arrived.
An hour ago.
I've publicly announced our relationship.
Xia Wan Tang's lips curved unconsciously. All the worries from before disappeared.
She replied: Just woke up. I know.
Putting down her phone, she suddenly felt a sense of clarity.
Everything would happen naturally!