Volume One, Chapter 16: Happy New Year... Embracing the Beauty's Return

For a moment, Shu Wan found herself at a loss for words to describe the feelings stirring within her heart. A sharp, bitter ache suddenly spread through her throat, so intense it nearly made her gag.

The heart that had been pounding wildly just half an hour ago in the second-floor corridor, and then fluttering like a startled fawn a few minutes earlier at the dining table, now seemed to crash back into her chest with a heavy, suffocating weight, making it hard for her to breathe.

Since when had their relationship advanced to discussing marriage?

How had the conversation so suddenly turned to engagement?

In that instant, Shu Wan realized a grave truth—this was no joyous occasion for her.

She could not bring herself to wish them well.

Nor did she want to.

After the meal, the younger generation gathered in the courtyard to set off fireworks. Shu Wan leaned against the swing’s ropes, staring blankly at the sky.

New year, new beginnings, cheers and laughter, the fireworks flickering brilliantly above—but she felt no happiness at all. Her large eyes were dim and lifeless, as though witnessing the end of the world.

“Why are you here all alone?” Meng Chuan nudged her swing gently, tossing her a large red envelope. “I didn’t give them as much. Yours is the biggest, but don’t tell anyone.”

Shu Wan pouted, tears threatening to fall.

“What’s wrong, Miss? Too moved? Hey, don’t cry—it’s just a bit of lucky money.”

Shu Wan shook her head, forcing a faint smile, and blankly asked, “Uncle Meng, is my uncle close to Miss Jiang?”

Surprised by the question, Meng Chuan thought for a moment and replied, “Let me put it this way: if Brother Jin hadn’t entered that top-secret base five years ago, by now their kids would probably be running errands for soy sauce.”

The girl’s breath caught; inside, it was like an earthquake and tidal wave pounding her chest in pain, yet she tried to appear normal. “What do you mean?”

“Matching families, political alliance. Though you are young, you come from such a family and should understand Brother Jin’s position and what he must do.”

“To put it simply, in terms of family background, there’s no one in Northern City more suitable than Jiang Jie for Brother Jin; as for rank, they’re in the same system—perfectly aligned.”

“To go deeper, it’s like the daughter of an imperial chancellor marrying a general of the escort banners in ancient times. The significance lies in the future direction of both families. Do you understand?”

“I don’t, Uncle Meng.” Shu Wan lowered her gaze, the tip of her nose trembling with sorrow, holding back tears. “I don’t understand any of this.”

Thinking she truly didn’t, Meng Chuan gently stroked her head. “You don’t need to understand. Your uncle won’t make you understand either. You just need to be happy and enjoy being a little princess. In any case, Jiang Jie will be Brother Jin’s lawful wife, your aunt. If not today, then tomorrow; if not tomorrow, then someday.”

Meng Chuan was soon dragged away by another child to set off fireworks. In the next moment, Shu Wan’s tears burst forth like a broken dam, flowing endlessly.

If it weren’t for tonight’s topic stirring such emotion, she wouldn’t have so clearly realized that the fact Meng Huai Jin was going to marry and have children was a catastrophe to her—a towering wave, a raging sandstorm, capable of destroying her reason, her happiness, and the fragile semblance of vitality she had left.

Somewhere along the way, he had completely occupied the place in her heart.

And now, that man was in the tea room, attending to New Year visitors. Holding a cigarette with one hand and a piece of silk in the other, he submerged the tea set in clear water to wash it, his every movement exuding a clean, decisive strength and elegance.

He spoke gently with the guests, occasionally flicking ash from his cigarette. The smoke exhaled through his nose blurred his finely sculpted face, stirring the hearts of those around him.

Shu Wan knew clearly that her feelings for him had crossed a boundary.

She didn’t want him to marry. She certainly didn’t want to see him have children with someone else—it was absolutely impossible.

As if sensing something, Meng Huai Jin glanced through the transparent glass at the lawn outside. Their eyes met briefly; Shu Wan quickly looked away and hurried upstairs to her room.

***

About two hours later, a steady set of footsteps approached Shu Wan’s door. The man first visited his own room, then returned and stood outside hers.

Meng Huai Jin knocked a few times, and the door soon opened.

Perhaps because she had just bathed, the girl’s eyes were slightly red at the corners, and she wore only a thin lace nightgown, most of her skin exposed under the light. Her wet hair still dripped, water tracing down her fair neck and the hollow of her collarbone, spreading deeper still.

“Uncle?” The girl seemed unaware, her clear eyes focused, pupils reflecting the colorful fireworks outside the window, sparkling brightly.

Meng Huai Jin looked away, his voice cold. “Put on some clothes and dry your hair.”

“All right, I’ll dry it right away. Did you need something?” she smiled innocently.

The man pulled a red envelope from his pocket and handed it to her. “The lucky money you’ve been hoping for.”

Shu Wan’s eyelashes fluttered; clutching the envelope, she smiled even sweeter. “Thank you, Uncle. Happy New Year. I wish you success in your work and all the best in the coming year… and to win the beauty’s heart.”

She said this while staring intently at him.

Meng Huai Jin’s hawk-like eyes narrowed slightly, unfathomable and cold. He gave her a faint, piercing glance, then turned and entered his room. “Dry your hair. Don’t make me say it again.”

***

The next day, Madam Meng indeed invited Madam Jiang to the Meng residence, accompanied by Jiang Jie.

Laughter and cheer filled the residence as Meng Huai Jin was surrounded by his aunts at the mahjong table. Jiang Jie sat to his left, her mother to his right, and his own mother opposite him.

The man played without emotion—neither joy nor sorrow on his face.

“Jie, how’s work? Everything going well?” Madam Meng made small talk.

Jiang Jie smiled. “It’s always the same, Auntie. Not bad, not great. Huai Jin’s much busier than me; he’s several ranks above.”

“Ranks don’t matter. At home, he still has to obey his wife.” Madam Meng feigned a slip of the tongue. “Oh dear, I shouldn’t say this before the wedding.”

The third branch chimed in, “Sister-in-law’s just eager to have a daughter-in-law. But sooner or later, we’ll all be family.”

Madam Meng seized the moment. “Since we’re at this point, Madam Jiang, with Huai Jin and Jie Jie both home for the New Year, why don’t we discuss finalizing their marriage? What do you think?”

Madam Jiang smiled lightly. “Her father and I have no objections. It depends on what the young people want.”

Jiang Jie’s cheeks flushed softly as she glanced at Meng Huai Jin.

He was looking down at his watch on the bowl—already past eleven—and the girl was still asleep.

At that moment, Meng Huai Jin received a message from Meng Chuan: “Bro, Shu Wan told me she feels dizzy. I’ve taken her to the hospital. Guess what her temperature is?”

“Over thirty-nine! The doctor said she probably started running a fever last night! But don’t worry, I’ve arranged for her to be admitted. You focus on your work; I’ll keep an eye on her and update you if anything happens.”

Putting the phone away silently, Meng Huai Jin easily found the winning tile, declared victory, pushed his chips onto the table, stood up, grabbed his coat, and said calmly, “We’ll discuss today’s matter another time. I have urgent business. I’m leaving now.”

***

In a hazy daze, Shu Wan felt her mouth dry and whispered, “Water.”

Then she sensed someone approaching, supporting her waist, letting her back lean against his chest, and bringing a cup of warm water to her parched lips.

Even in her fevered confusion, Shu Wan recognized the unique scent of the visitor—not Lu Chuan’s.

Opening her eyes with effort, she saw a pair of eyes that seemed to look down on the world.

In an instant, her once-dim eyes brightened visibly.

“Shu Wan, did you take a cold shower last night?” Meng Huai Jin asked coldly.

Her hand clenched beneath the blanket, palms sweating, too nervous to speak.

He was a professional at observation; she dared not meet his gaze and slowly looked away.

“I doubt you’re foolish enough not to distinguish between hot and cold water,” he added.

Her tension eased slightly, and she whispered hoarsely, “Uncle, weren’t you discussing the engagement with Miss Jiang? Why are you here?”

Meng Huai Jin laid her back on the pillow and slowed the flow of her IV drip. “You should focus on yourself first.”

The girl, still feverish, stared at him intently and softly asked, “So… have you set a date?”

“No,” he said calmly.

Her grip on the sheets loosened as she gazed at the clouds drifting outside, a faint smile touching her lips. She murmured, “Uncle, do you really like Miss Jiang?”