…

Bang!

The frozen birds outside sprang to life, chirping frantically as if theyd only just remembered how.

The wind crept back through the Paulownia (Empress tree) branches, rattling their bare skeletons, though oddly, fresh lavender blossoms fluttered loose, as if spring had jumped the queue.

On the bed, Wenxi plopped face-first into the sheets, already asleep, body twitching faintly like a kitten that had been wrung dry. Wang Xiaos lips curved in silent amusement. Three days of torture in frozen time had reduced her to this. He, on the other hand, felt refreshed.

His gaze briefly on the open window, when…

Swoosh!

A figure slipped through, a little graceful, a little clumsy. Golden hair spilled around her shoulders, catching the morning light so perfectly it looked like the sun itself had been forged into strands.

Standing framed against the sky, she resembled a goddess.

Wang Xiao raised a brow, half-laughing. Wow… one of the last people I thought would crawl through my window.

… Her brows knitted tight. I didnt want to come either. But

But what? He leaned against the bedpost, his voice tinged with casual mockery.

Her teeth clenched. What did you do to Vel?

That earned him a chuckle. Vel, huh?

Ning Xues fists balled at her sides. Her lips trembled with restrained anger, cheeks puffing slightly. With the sun haloing her hair and that pout on her face, she looked less like a goddess and more like a grown woman mid-tantrum.

She hadnt slept in days. Velkhara had changed since meeting him, too much, too suddenly. It irked her, twisted her thoughts until she couldnt hold it in anymore. So she came here, righteous and trembling, demanding answers.

What trick did you use on her? she snapped. What wickedness did you do, that my teacher cant even pull herself away from your thoughts?

Wang Xiao tilted his head, eyes narrowing with interest. He didnt answer, not directly. His gaze dipped down, on the gap between her breasts, the smooth, milky white skin of her cleavage making her squirm uncomfortably under his stare.

Careful, he finally said, You look like a little lamb trying to accuse the butcher. Do you know how funny that is?

Her face burned. I-Im serious!

She bit her lip, trembling, golden hair spilling forward as her indignation warred with something she couldnt name.

To him, though, she wasnt even a threat.

Just another cub trying to bare her fangs.

If she knew I thought that, shed cry, he thought, already deciding he wouldnt resist the urge to make her.

But first…

Wang Xiaos eyes flicked past her shoulder. Why did you bloom the trees outside?

Behind her, the Empress tree shed a flurry of lavender blossoms, petals scattering into the wind like it was spring. Except… it was January. Definitely not April. By now, every woman and stray eye in the house wouldve noticed the abnormality. Why the hell was she making more work for him?

Huh?

Ning Xue froze, head snapping around. She stared out the window, confusion etched on her face.

Because she hadnt done anything at all.

Down by the poolside, the crisp blue water glittered under the sun, stretching twenty meters long, ten wide, already crowded with laughter and voices…

Chairs lounged idle nearby, the morning sun painting their surfaces gold, broken by the splashes of a little girl kicking happily in the shallow end.

Zhenxi-ahh, slow down! Fu Yuxins voice rang helplessly, black hair sticking to her cheeks as she struggled to chase the child.

Chen Meili, solemn, dove in to help, but even together the two couldnt keep up with the slippery little devil.

Watching the chaos, three women on the far edge, enjoying their corner of privacy, burst into smiles.

I swear, Im never having kids, Wang Xueying announced, throwing her arms up in surrender.

Her sleek frame stretched in a black swimsuit, her dark wavy hair curling at the ends like shed just walked off a magazine cover.

It doesnt look that bad. Shes cute… Qian Ruixin murmured, faint smile tugging her lips. Her toned, model-like body glistened with water droplets, elegance in every movement.

Wang Xueying snorted. Cute? That thing looks like a demon spawn. You want one? Go ask brother. Im not ruining my body for it.

…! Qian Ruixin nearly choked, face heating up instantly. Y-You… shut up! She darted a glance toward the other side, where her mother and aunt chatted quietly, praying they hadnt overheard.

But Wang Xueying wasnt done. She leaned in, grinning wickedly. Why so shy, sister Rui? Youve already been under him, havent you?

… Qian Ruixin froze, lips parting, no excuse forming fast enough.

Wang Xueying just stuck out her tongue in victory, smirking. Whatre you so scared of? See, Mei here, she goes to his room every night. Doesnt look scared at all.

Wang Mei, soft and quiet as always, had been minding her own business until suddenly dragged in.

She frowned slightly, then spoke in her usual calm tone….Its not up to you two.

Both of them blinked at her. …Huh?

Wang Meis gaze didnt waver. If he wants it, youll do it. If he doesnt, you wont. Simple.

The meaning landed, and both Xueying and Ruixin flushed red, suddenly all too aware of the truth.

Tch, youre no fun, Xueying muttered, folding her arms.

Anyway, look! she suddenly diverted, smiling wide. The star of the party finally arrived!

On the far side, a tall figure stepped into the light. A white bikini tightly wrapped around her every curve, her slim waistline glowing under the sun, dark hair brushing over her shoulders.

Wang Jiarong froze mid-step, three gazes stabbing into her all at once.

Her cheeks went scarlet. …Dont stare at me like that. She tried to enter casually, but her movements were stiff, too self-conscious.

Qian Ruixin arched a brow, lips curling. You walk out in that provocative bikini, and you expect us not to stare?

Wang Xueying leaned forward on her elbows, grin sharpening. Our big sister finally grew up, huh?… Look at those breasts, no wonder you couldnt hid it from him.

Her eyes deliberately dropped to Wang Jiarongs chest, where two soft mounds strained against the bikini top.

Wha?! Wang Jiarong coughed, flustered, nearly slipping into the pool. Y-You three… honestly…!

She knew exactly what they were implying, and hated that they had any right to. Qian Ruixin had already hooked up with her brother. Wang Mei had outright declared herself married to the Eighth Prince. And now Xueying

Her eyes narrowed on Wang Xueying, who was smirking far too smugly. …Do you want me to reveal your relationship to mother?

…What?

The smirk died instantly. Wang Xueying sat bolt upright. …What the hell? How do you know?!

Wang Jiarong slapped a hand over her mouth. Shut up, idiot! Dont scream it here!

But Wang Xueying clawed her way free, eyes wide. No, seriously, how the hell do you know?! Did he tell you?! That bastard promised

Wang Jiarong exhaled slowly, glaring at Xueying. I dont need anyone to tell me. Youre too obvious.

I Xueying stammered, face red and pale all at once.

I read your diary… mother too, Wang Jiarong said suddenly, her tone calm but her eyes glinting as she flicked a glance toward Xinyue Zhilan, who was still chatting idly with Xin Meifang a few chairs away.

…

For a heartbeat, silence crushed the corner of the pool.

Wang Xueying froze, her whole body stiffening, lips parting as if to retort, but no words came. Color drained from her face, only to rush back twice as hot. …You…what?!

She never told her. Wang Xiao hadnt told her either. She knew that, she had confirmed that much with him. In fact, she had been saving that secret, planning to use her image as the only one not sleeping with him as leverage against her elder sister.

And now Jiarong just blown her with one line. Worse, shed dragged their mother into it.

Qian Ruixin raised a brow, leaning back. …Wait. Aunt knows?

Wang Meis calm face didnt change, but her fingers paused in the water.

Wang Xueying whipped around, panic flashing in her eyes as she stared at their mother across the pool. No way…no way…

Wang Jiarong sighed, lifting her hand like she was waving off the mess shed caused. Relax… It was a year after he left. You were sixteen. You used to write those silly little diaries, remember? You left one open on your desk. Mother and I saw it while cleaning.

…

The heat in Xueyings face only grew worse, shifting from panic to mortification. Y-You read that?!

It wasnt exactly hard to miss. Wang Jiarongs lips twitched, trying not to smile. Half the pages were just Brother this, Brother that… and some very explicit lines no girl your age shouldve been writing… about wanting to do… weird things with him if he ever came back. Mother laughed, I laughed. We didnt take it seriously.

…

Wang Xueying slapped both hands over her face, letting out a muffled shriek. Kill me now. Just drown me. Right here. Im not living past today…