Chapter 53: Special Provisions
The day the new “Gu Residence” sign was hung on number 10, the heads of the Qingnan Hutong families had discreetly begun inquiring.
Number 10 had been silent since its ownership changed eighteen years ago. They couldn’t or dared not use their influence to investigate.
After eighteen years of silence, a change had finally occurred, prompting them to probe indirectly.
That evening, Yu Yingying enthusiastically invited Gu Wanrong to stay the night. Gu Wanrong, not good at refusing friends, hesitated before eventually agreeing.
Staying at someone else’s house, Gu Wanrong woke up earlier than usual. She found that everyone in the Xie family except Yu Yingying, Xie Zhenjiang, and Xie Xian, were already up.
Xie Zhenjiang was practicing Wǔ Qín Xí (Five Animal Frolics) and Tai Chi Chuan in the courtyard, while Xie Xian was working out in the gym.
Xie Zhenjiang saw Gu Wanrong first. Without stopping his exercises, he greeted her warmly, “Little Gu, you’re up early. Is Yingying still asleep?”
“Yingying’s door is closed; she must still be sleeping,” Gu Wanrong replied respectfully from a corner of the courtyard.
Last night, she had tossed and turned, finally remembering why Xie Zhenjiang looked familiar.
A photo in her high school history textbook showed a man whose features strongly resembled Xie Zhenjiang. No wonder she found him familiar.
As they talked, Xie Xian emerged from the gym, greeting Gu Wanrong with a smile, “Good morning, Ms. Gu.”
“Mr. Xie,” Gu Wanrong replied politely.
Xie Zhenjiang stopped exercising, turning to look at them. He patted Xie Xian’s shoulder, “Xiao Xian, now that you’re done, take Little Gu to the dining room for breakfast. Don’t stay here watching me.”
He resumed his exercises, each movement slow and powerful.
Xie Xian nodded and said to Gu Wanrong, “Let’s go to the dining room.”
“Goodbye, Grandpa Xie, Mr. Xie,” Gu Wanrong bid farewell before following Xie Xian.
Xie Xian slowed his pace, considerate of Gu Wanrong.
Silence hung between them.
Suddenly, Xie Xian broke the silence, his voice low and strong, “Call me by my name from now on.”
Gu Wanrong was startled, but quickly nodded, “Okay.”
Another silence fell.
Gu Wanrong’s gaze was caught by a familiar figure – Aunt Wang, pushing a cart of fresh ingredients into the kitchen.
The top layer held colorful vegetables and fruits; the bottom held fresh meats and seafood.
Gu Wanrong was captivated, her steps slowing. How fresh! Did Aunt Wang go to the market that early?
Xie Xian noticed her slowing and walked beside her, following her gaze.
He softly explained, “This is when the farm delivers the ingredients.” His voice held a hint of amusement, as if he knew what she was thinking.
Farm?
Did the Xie family use only ingredients from their own farms?
Gu Wanrong asked this out loud.
“Yes, we have several farms that produce only what we need,” Xie Xian explained.
Gu Wanrong looked at Xie Xian and the Xie residence, realizing for the first time that some families had “special provisions.”
She remembered the Bai Xian Manor she’d won. Maybe she could have food delivered there when she wasn’t at school.
They reached the dining room in silence.
After breakfast, they waited another hour for Yu Yingying to wake up.
“Sorry, Yuanyuan. I woke up late,” Yu Yingying hugged Gu Wanrong apologetically.
“It’s fine. I do the same at home,” Gu Wanrong said, not at all bothered. She often slept in late too.
She then said goodbye, telling Yu Yingying she was going elsewhere.
“It’s hard to hail a cab in Qingnan Hutong. Let me have my driver take you,” Yu Yingying offered kindly.
“Thanks, but my hotel driver will be here soon,” Gu Wanrong declined politely.
“Okay.” Yu Yingying reminded her, “Don’t forget about the play at Beijing Film Academy.”
“Got it,” Gu Wanrong gave a thumbs-up before getting into the car. “Bye, Yingying.”
Gu Wanrong sighed. Despite Yu Yingying’s kindness, Xie Zhenjiang’s warm demeanor, and Xie Xian’s politeness, she felt pressure during her stay at the Xie residence.
The Xie family, one of the most prominent families in China.
They saw her as the mysterious owner of number 10, but only Gu Wanrong knew the truth.
She hadn’t revealed her true self to Yu Yingying when she told the story of number 10 and Qingnan Hutong, fearing exposure.
This morning, witnessing their “special provisions,” made her realize how different her life was.
Her newfound wealth only gave her a veneer of wealth. Her understanding of the Xie family’s lifestyle was superficial.
Their effortless composure was something she lacked.
Perhaps, by expanding her knowledge and horizons, she could face such prominent families calmly, without anxiety.
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Chapter 54: Violence
That morning, at a suburban manor, employees were busy despite it being a holiday.
Gu Wanrong, in a luxurious car from the hotel, noticed fewer cars on the road as she approached the manor.
The map showed the manor was close to the city, hidden behind a forest. Lush trees lined the road, creating a green barrier separating it from the outside world.
The closer she got, the farther she felt from the city’s noise and pollution.
The car stopped at the destination. A slender, white leg stepped out, followed by a graceful figure.
Before Gu Wanrong stood a large manor blending ancient and modern architectural styles, exuding an aura of solemnity and mystery.
A nearby employee approached, “Miss, we’re not accepting visitors today.”
All employees had received notice that the new owner was coming, so the manor was closed. They were preparing for the new owner’s arrival.
“I’m not a visitor. I’m the owner of Bai Xian Manor,” Gu Wanrong explained.
The employee looked at her skeptically. He thought she was a tourist, but her unwavering gaze made him hesitate.
“I’ll ask the manager. Please wait,” he ran towards the main building. Employees weren’t allowed phones; only team leaders had radios.
“I can just call,” Gu Wanrong said, but he was already gone.
The hotel driver waited with Gu Wanrong. A man who appeared to be the head of security approached.
“Get lost,” he said impatiently, shooing her away like a fly. “We don’t want your kind of gold-diggers here.”
He assumed she was one of the “social media influencers” who often loitered outside. He wanted to get rid of her before the new owner arrived.
“I’m the new owner. Someone already went to get your manager,” Gu Wanrong explained again.
“Don’t try to trick me. Get lost,” the security head sneered, disbelieving her. A pretty face, a rented car, and a hired driver—how could she be the owner?
Gu Wanrong frowned. She tried again, “I’m serious. Someone has already notified your manager.”
The security head remained unmoved. “I know your tricks. You pretend to be rich, trying to latch onto the wealthy. Now you’re pretending to be the owner. This place isn’t for just anyone.”
Frustrated, Gu Wanrong decided to wait in the car.
However, upon entering the car, she found the security head and other guards surrounding the vehicle.
Enraged by the “social media influencer,” he directed the guards to surround the car.
“Bang! Bang! Bang!” Two guards pounded on the windows.
Gu Wanrong was startled. She looked at the menacing guards, filled with fear.
“You think you can hide in the car? This is Bai Xian Manor. Even if your car is expensive, we’ll make you leave,” the security head yelled triumphantly.
Gu Wanrong felt helpless and wronged. She just wanted to see her manor, but encountered such trouble. The guards’ size intimidated her.
The driver was also terrified.
“Let’s not get out. The manager will be here soon,” Gu Wanrong said nervously, comforting both herself and the driver.
“Stop that! Stop your violence!” A voice interrupted. It was a man who had once competed with the security head for his position.
“Mind your business?” The security head sneered. “Keep hitting!”
“Your radio is flashing,” The man said again. The security head ignored him.
Inside the car, Gu Wanrong quickly called the manager, “Manager Shi, your security head is attacking my car!”
“Ms. Gu, I’m so sorry,” Manager Shi apologized profusely, probably cursing under his breath.
The guards continued pounding, and Gu Wanrong dared not lower the window to answer the phone.
“Stop it!”
A man, Manager Shi, got out of a golf cart and rushed to the car. Other employees restrained the guards.
“Manager Shi?!”
The security head exclaimed in shock as his uncle’s face paled.
Manager Shi was sweating profusely. He knocked on the window three times and said respectfully, “Ms. Gu.”
Gu Wanrong slowly lowered the window, her expression cold. “Excellent security you have.”
“I’m so sorry,” Manager Shi bowed repeatedly.
Gu Wanrong, though still angry, softened. She hated her own soft-heartedness.
She rolled up the window, and the driver drove into the manor. She didn’t wait for Manager Shi to accompany her; she would just take a quick look around.
“You’re fired,” Manager Shi said to the security head and his guards, then instructed an employee to follow Gu Wanrong’s car.
“Uncle, help me!” The security head pleaded.
His uncle glared, “I told you to control your temper! Now you’ve done it!” He hit his nephew, “You’re fired, and I might be too!”
“That girl, she looks like a gold-digger. You have to understand! I had a reason!” The security head argued.
He couldn’t believe Gu Wanrong was the owner. There’s no way a woman could own such a manor!
But the facts were undeniable.
The new guards watched the drama unfold with satisfaction, the old security head and his uncle were finally gone. He’d been bullying everyone. It was about time.