The owner of the female voice sat down beside him. She was a beautiful middle-aged woman in a black bodycon skirt. Her long, elegant hair was tied into a ponytail that cascaded to her waist, revealing an elegant, oval face. Though her features were adorned with only light makeup, her skin was as fair and smooth as a young girl’s. Her beautifully long, silk-stockinged legs were so elongated they had to be stretched into the aisle beside them.
Chen Xuanqiu had no idea who she was. He could only huddle himself into a ball, bracing for the impending storm.
–You’re Chen Xuanzhu, aren’t you? If I’m not mistaken.–
The beautiful middle-aged woman didn’t expose Chen Xuanqiu’s identity as he had feared. Instead, she turned her head affectionately to ask.
‘Oh god, she thinks I’m my sister.’
Chen Xuanqiu let out a long, shaky breath. Just moments ago, his heart had nearly leaped out of his throat.
–Mhm…–
Chen Xuanqiu hummed softly, a lingering sense of dread still clinging to him. He was somewhat thankful now for this body’s slow development. Since he hadn’t gone through puberty, his voice was similar to a child’s. Coupled with the fact that he was a twin to his sister, it truly sounded alike at first listen.
–I remember our last meeting was a month ago. Why haven’t you come to Auntie’s house to visit? Your uncle really adores you.–
The beautiful woman chided him playfully. Her mature, beautiful face drew closer and closer. Her phoenix-like eyes, distinct in their black and white, were filled with doting affection, as if she were looking at her own daughter-in-law.
–Busy!–
Chen Xuanqiu uttered a single word, terrified that she would recognize his voice.
–Xiaozhu, what’s wrong with your voice?–
Against his hopes, the beautiful middle-aged woman almost instantly noticed the abnormality.
‘Holy crap, God, do you really want me dead?’
Chen Xuanqiu’s nerves, which had just begun to relax, tightened once more. He knew that if he were exposed, it would undoubtedly cause a sensation in this small Donghui City. Not only would he end up in the police station, but he’d likely make it into the newspapers too.
‘If that happens, my ‘bargain parents’ definitely won’t let me off the hook, right?’
The more Chen Xuanqiu thought about it, the more panicked he became, feeling immense pressure internally. Nonetheless, he mustered his courage and replied perfunctorily, –I caught a cold.–
As it turned out, Chen Xuanqiu’s luck held. By sheer coincidence, he had stumbled upon a perfect excuse. His current voice was slightly deeper and rougher than his campus belle sister’s, making it indeed sound like his sister had a cold.
–You must take care of your health. Why did you suddenly cut your hair short? You’ll easily catch a cold like that.–
The beautiful woman expressed her concern without a hint of suspicion.
–It was too much trouble.–
Chen Xuanqiu finally breathed a sigh of relief. He could only continue to cautiously spin his lie.
–And your father! How could he be so careless? Doesn’t he know how precious girls are these days? If I had a daughter, I’d cherish her like a treasure.–
The beautiful woman continued to prattle on.
Chen Xuanqiu shivered inwardly. What he feared most was overly possessive parents. Unfortunately, his mother in his previous life had been exactly like that. Hearing these words now sent a chill of dread down his spine.
–Today is my husband’s… oh… your uncle’s fiftieth birthday. So, we decided to have a small gathering at the Donghui Hotel. Your parents must have told you, right?–
Having finished her rambling, the beautiful woman finally changed the subject.
‘So, the birthday party my ‘bargain parents’ are attending is for this auntie’s husband.’
Chen Xuanqiu suddenly understood. On his lips, he quickly responded, –Yes, I was informed.–
–You’ll definitely come, won’t you?–
The beautiful woman’s phoenix-like eyes were filled with an inexplicable expectation.
–…–
Chen Xuanqiu was utterly dumbfounded. He was just an imposter; how was he supposed to answer in this situation? Should he simply refuse? Or claim he was being targeted by human traffickers? None of it seemed appropriate.
–You absolutely must come, okay? Your father already promised yesterday.–
The beautiful woman reminded him kindly.
‘Auntie, you don’t know, but he’s regretting it terribly right now.’
Chen Xuanqiu couldn’t help but inwardly grumble.
–You know, our Huawu Group has always been your father’s biggest business partner. We’ve been collaborating for decades. Even though we haven’t made much profit, we’ve maintained it until now, relying on the deep friendship between us.–
The beautiful woman suddenly shifted the conversation to business.
‘Huawu Group? That’s her family’s company?’
Chen Xuanqiu was utterly stunned. The Huawu Group was a famous large enterprise in Donghui City.
–But friendship, after all, can’t put food on the table. Our family isn’t blessed with both a son and a daughter like yours; we only have one son. Therefore, we must consider his future. Since our two families’ contract is expiring soon, your uncle intends to seek new partners.–
The beautiful woman first outlined the gravity of the situation.
‘This auntie seems to be warning me, doesn’t she?’
Chen Xuanqiu was somewhat speechless. His sister was only sixteen years old. Wasn’t this auntie worried her words were too profound for her?
–Do you understand what losing the Huawu Group means for your family’s company? It means a significant reduction in orders, followed by operational difficulties, and quite possibly, bankruptcy. It’s like a street-side shop: if no one buys anything, it naturally can’t stay open. All year round, utilities and rent are substantial expenses.–
The beautiful woman explained ‘considerately’.
A few dark lines appeared on Chen Xuanqiu’s forehead. He truly wanted to grit his teeth and say, ‘Thank you so much.’
–You’re not a child anymore; you’ll be an adult soon. You should learn to share your parents’ burdens, do you understand what I mean? If you come tonight, your uncle will be pleased, and perhaps there might still be a turning point for things. If you don’t come, well, it’s hard to say.–
The beautiful woman spoke plainly, her warm smile turning subtly sinister.
‘So, no more pretending, huh? Just how ugly is your son? Are you really that worried he won’t find a wife?’
Chen Xuanqiu was too exhausted to complain.
–My words are said; think it over carefully yourself. Oh, and these are all business secrets, so don’t tell outsiders, okay?–
The beautiful woman instructed him as if coaxing a child.
–Here’s my business card. Let’s keep in touch from now on.–
When they reached the station, the beautiful woman pulled a business card from her bag and slipped it to Chen Xuanqiu.
‘Jiang Yunmei.’
Chen Xuanqiu glanced at the business card, finally learning the name of this subtly sinister woman.
****
Having finally arrived at the Xincheng Villa District, Chen Xuanqiu practically fled from the car. He was drenched in cold sweat, the entire ride having left him terrified, as if he’d walked through the gates of hell.
Pulling out the access card, Chen Xuanqiu, under the scorching gazes of onlookers, returned to the Chen family villa. As soon as he reached the main gate, he spotted his sister’s three personal bodyguards.
The three men also looked over simultaneously. Since none of them had ever seen Chen Xuanqiu without makeup, they gaped in unison, their faces turning pale with shock.
–Miss, when did you go out? And why did you cut your hair short?–
Captain Bao, the leader, rushed over to ask frantically. The other two also hurried, their steps disoriented.
–I am not your Miss.–
Chen Xuanqiu didn’t know how to explain. He could only casually respond before entering the villa. ‘It seems the original owner of this body kept their secret well; few people appear to know their true appearance,’ he thought inwardly.
Upon entering the villa, Chen Xuanqiu discovered he was the last one to arrive. Seeing his family again, a sense of closeness welled up within him. Perhaps it was a lingering effect from the illusion during physical education class.
–Qiu, you’re finally back! I thought something had happened to you again.–
His ‘bargain mother,’ Melissa, rushed over and grasped her son’s hand.
Chen Xuanqiu felt the warmth of his ‘bargain mother’s’ palm. His mind replayed the illusion of her picking him up and cradling him after he fell. That feeling of a deep blood connection suddenly surged through his heart. In that moment, the blonde woman before him finally took on the semblance of a true mother.
–Mom, I’m fine.–
Qirong, striving to embody Chen Xuanqiu, called out ‘Mom’ for the very first time. Though it felt a little awkward, the word ultimately came out smoothly.
–But why aren’t you wearing any makeup?–
Melissa still looked worried as she stroked her son’s cheek.
–Because it smudged, I just washed it off outside.–
Chen Xuanqiu offered a well-rehearsed excuse.
–Alright, you two eat. Your mother and I still have to attend Manager Fu’s birthday party.–
Father Chen instructed from the side.
–I’m coming with you.–
Chen Xuanzhu, seated on the sofa, reiterated firmly, her emerald-like eyes gazing at her father without flinching.
–You cannot go.–
Father Chen remained unyielding.
Chen Xuanzhu bit her pearly teeth slightly, her delicate nose wrinkling in indignant anger.
Just then, the three bodyguards followed them in. Captain Bao, almost reflexively, said to Father Chen, –Mr. Chen, I apologize, it was our oversight. Chen…–
Mid-sentence, Captain Bao froze completely. He had just seen the real Chen Xuanzhu on the sofa.
–This, this, this…–
Captain Bao stammered, while the other two bodyguards also stood with mouths agape in shock.
–Stop with the ‘this, this, this’. This is my son, Chen Xuanqiu. The one on the sofa is the person you’re supposed to protect. Don’t get them confused, or don’t blame me for being impolite.–
Father Chen explained with some impatience.
The three bodyguards acknowledged his command, then walked out of the villa, looking back three times with each step.
Seeing this scene, Chen Xuanzhu on the sofa lifted the corners of her rosy lips slightly, like a mischievous little fox.