After using this flattery to stay with the Xu Family, what did they do in her past life?
Like parasitic rice weevils, they had hollowed out her family's assets.
Her second uncle's children continued to study abroad, becoming new heirs to the Xu Family's real estate and dressing as elegantly groomed scions of powerful families. Her third uncle was a bit luckier; with some capability, he undertook the dock's cargo handling projects, becoming the second nouveau riche comparable to the Xu Family.
Eventually, they rode on official policies, avoiding the overshadowing influence of the flourishing Triad Society. They became the luckiest among the powerful families of Hong Kong Island and even legally acquired the Xu Mansion they had coveted for so long.
In the courtyard of Xu Mansion stood two Phoenix Trees, each over a century old. In winter, they bore only withered branches, stark against the grey-white rain clouds, like the veins of the sky.
Xu Zhiqiang opened several accompanying portable camphorwood boxes, which contained various foreign trinkets. He took them out one by one and handed them to Butler Ge: a Gilded Gold Bottle of perfume, gold-foil lipstick, strawberry-shaped chocolates, commemorative coins, Christmas wreath butter cookies, and a box of expensive pens, claiming they were gifts for Xu Si. Returning from abroad, he hadn't brought back a single shirt for himself, yet he hadn't forgotten to try and please her.
He spoke with enthusiasm, but Xu Si listened with little interest, sipping her coffee and ignoring his empty flattery. She stared lazily towards the main door, pondering what attire would be appropriate for Pei Zhen's parent-teacher meeting.
She had no experience. But she couldn't embarrass him.
Xu Si offered no response, yet the atmosphere wasn't awkward. The accompanying journalist, brandishing his camera and beaming, acted as the life of the party. "This is fascinating! These are all novelties not found on Hong Kong Island. May I take a few pictures and publish them in the newspaper for the public to see?"
In those days, newspapers were still an important channel for disseminating information. Journalists who wielded their pens controlled public opinion and held a not insignificant status. Many celebrities had to curry favor with journalists to get by.
Xu Zhiqiang generously agreed. The journalist snapped pictures of those peculiar curiosities, the CLICK of the vintage camera pronounced.
Xu Zhiqiang's wife, He Li, found it novel. In her sheepskin high heels, she walked under a blooming Magnolia Flower tree, lips pursed in a smile.
"The flowers here are so beautiful and fragrant! Mr. Liu, could you also take a picture of me?"
"Of course, Madam." Mr. Liu lifted his camera. With Xu Mansion's vast garden behind her, he framed He Li in the viewfinder. CLICK went the shutter, followed by the sound of the film winding. He smiled. "Madam, after I develop them, I'll bring the photos to you."
A group of outsiders, amusing themselves within Xu Si's mansion, had even prearranged the delivery of photos.
Emboldened, Mr. Liu secretly took a few more photos of the Xu Family garden, capturing all the rare and precious plants.
As he snapped away, he inexplicably aimed his lens at Xu Si.
Sunlight pierced through the cumulus clouds, forming a vast pillar of light.
Xu Si wore a loose, plain dress with a velvet shawl draped over her shoulders. Her figure was delicately curved, and her long hair was pinned up, revealing a slender, pale neck. In the diffuse sunlight, her delicate wrist, holding a tan coffee cup, was exposed like morning frost. She exuded a cool elegance, every inch an aristocratic young lady, yet her temperament was anything but gentle—she was intensely proud and aloof.
He adjusted the angle, framing her against the White Magnolia tree in the background, a flash of awe in his eyes.
Suddenly, the young woman in his lens shifted her gaze to him. Through the camera, it seemed he could perceive an almost inaudible sigh in her eyes. No manners.
He froze for a moment.
The next second, his view was completely obscured by a pair of white-gloved hands. Butler Ge, bowing slightly, wore a perfectly composed smile and spoke in a tone that was impeccably official.
"Mr. Liu, unauthorized photography inside the Xu Mansion is not permitted. Our young miss is also in a mourning period and wishes to avoid excessive public attention. Therefore, no photographs may leave the premises. Please understand."
His tone was polite, as if negotiating, but the message was clear and indisputable.
Your photography is not welcome here.
Powerful families weren't celebrities; they didn't rely on public opinion for their livelihood, nor would they allow a journalist to breach their rules.
The air hung still for a long moment, every detail seemingly magnified.
Xu Si's dark, clear eyes watched in silence, yet she made no move to intervene.
Her Second Aunt, He Li, was stunned. Her complexion paled slightly, and her facial muscles twitched as she struggled to maintain composure, unsure how to position her hands to appear more dignified. She was only twenty-five, Xu Zhiqiang's second wife. Her family background couldn't truly be considered wealthy.
Xu Si's attitude now made He Li's earlier behavior seem particularly crass.
Servants bustled in and out of the villa.
Xu Zhiqiang and Xu Zhiwei, her paternal uncles, hadn't even been invited inside the main house, yet they remained patient, resolute in not making any move that would displease Xu Si.
Then, Butler Ge leaned in and whispered in Xu Si's ear.
"Miss, there's a telephone message from Miss Wen Jiaojiao."
At the sound of this familiar name, the corners of Xu Si's lips and eyes couldn't help but lift. Finally bringing an end to this farce, she rose to her feet.
Her first words were, "Uncles, I have some matters to attend to, so I must take my leave. Please take good care of our journalist friend. As for accommodations, due to improper pest control recently, the house has termites. Other rooms are currently being redecorated. Only my father's room and the two adjoining ones are available. I'm afraid I must trouble you to stay there temporarily. The rooms have been cleaned. Just speak to Butler Ge, and you can move in at any time."
Her second statement was, "If you happen to hear any noises during the night... well, never mind. Since you are guests, I hope you uncles won't stand on ceremony. Please, make yourselves at home and enjoy your stay."
Butler Ge straightened up and followed Xu Si into the villa.
He Li listened, her heart pounding. She clutched Xu Zhiqiang's arm, her body rigid, and noticed his muscles were trembling—most likely from anger. "Husband, what does our niece mean by this? Is the Xu Mansion... haunted?"
Journalist Liu raised an eyebrow and silently wrote a line in his notebook.
*Visited the wealthy Xu Mansion today. Business tycoon Mr. Xu apparently experienced a night of the returning dead.*
Tomorrow's newspapers... will surely sell well.
After seeing off Journalist Liu, Xu Zhiqiang and his companions entered the interior of Xu Mansion, only then realizing something was amiss.
The entire house was carpeted luxuriously. The intersecting corridors and rooms created a disorienting effect.
Living in such a place, someone with a poor memory could truly get lost.
Yet every room was opulent, showing no sign of the so-called renovations. Even using all their strength, they couldn't push open the heavy doors; they were clearly locked tight, revealing nothing.
Xu Si's father's room and Xu Si's own room were very far apart; their living areas didn't overlap at all. The only exception was a study used for receiving outside guests, which was relatively close to her father's room.
Placing them there clearly indicated her desire not to see much of them.
It was just like her earlier words about welcoming guests.
A stark, unadorned distancing.
Yet, this was particularly in keeping with the rumors about her.
Unapproachable.