Chapter 13: Unintentional Thoughtfulness

Ningwan came out this time, neither got the jade pendant nor saw Lin Yuyang and Ye Xuan fight, extremely disappointed! She sighed and regretfully said to Zhan Hanjue, "If there’s nothing else, I’ll leave first. You continue with your business." "There’s something, you’re going to a place with me," Zhan Hanjue commanded coldly. Ningwan frowned, "Where?" "You’ll know when we get there." Zhan Hanjue took her hand and led her downstairs. Usually at home watching Zhan Hanjue move around, Ningwan always doubted whether he was really blind. Now outside, in unfamiliar places, she could feel his eyes had problems. When going down the stairs, Zhan Hanjue held her hand tightly. Originally walking fast, but at the stairs, their pace slowed significantly. Ningwan pressed her lips together and had to slow her steps too. She let go of his hand and simply held his arm, almost supporting him down the stairs. Zhan Hanjue didn’t ask for her help, and Ningwan didn’t expose the matter either. To not embarrass him, Ningwan kept holding his arm while getting in the car. "Ah, I forgot to tell the driver to go home first, he’s still waiting in the car for me." Ningwan suddenly remembered after getting in the car and released Zhan Hanjue’s arm. Zhan Hanjue said, "I’d already informed him to go home." Ningwan sighed in relief, "That’s good, otherwise he would have waited for nothing." "You’re the Young Madam of the Zhan Family, even if he waits a day, it’s his job," said Zhan Hanjue. Ningwan didn’t speak, sneaking a glance at Zhan Hanjue, secretly pondering where he was taking her. The car drove for about an hour before finally stopping. Ningwan looked and saw it was a purely Western-style villa. Mainly in pure white, with creamy marble floors, fountains, and Western architecture all spelling luxury and grandiosity. The driver opened the car door for them. Zhan Hanjue got out first and then ordered her still inside, "Get down." Ningwan got down, looked around, and asked puzzled, "Where is this?" "What, afraid I’ll sell you?" Zhan Hanjue scoffed. "If you dare sell me, Granny won’t let you off lightly," Ningwan fearlessly retorted. Zhan Hanjue had a stern face; she’s quite good at handling him. The bodyguard handed over Zhan Hanjue’s cane. Zhan Hanjue took it and slowly walked forward with it. Ningwan saw him using a cane for the first time and immediately followed, walked beside him, and proactively linked his arm. "You don’t need to support me," Zhan Hanjue said coldly. Ningwan replied, "I’m not supporting you; it’s just that I’m unfamiliar with this place and scared, staying by your side gives me a sense of security." Zhan Hanjue felt a strange sensation and didn’t urge her away, taking her inside. "The Young Master is here, please sit, I’ll go inform the madam," the servant greeted them warmly when they saw them, letting Zhan Hanjue sit down first, then poured tea before going to report to the owner. Upon hearing the servant call Zhan Hanjue the Young Master, it seemed Zhan Hanjue had quite a close relationship with the owner. Otherwise, they wouldn’t call him so familiarly. The madam didn’t come, but a pretty young girl did, around eighteen or nineteen years old. With bright eyes and peachy cheeks, her charm was evident; she ran down and then demurely walked over to greet Zhan Hanjue. "Cousin, you’re here." Cousin? So this is Zhan Hanjue’s relative’s house? Zhan Hanjue nodded, expression indifferent. Ningwan thought, this doesn’t resemble a cousin’s attitude towards a cousin. Then again, she remembered Zhan Hanjue’s nature was cold and unpredictable, even cold to her. Being indifferent to a younger cousin seemed reasonable. But this little cousin’s behavior was somewhat abnormal. Her eyes were brimming with affection, like a pool of spring water, shyly and timidly looking at Zhan Hanjue. Eyes like that aren’t for looking at a cousin but a lover. Ningwan secretly chuckled, could this be Wang Yuyan and Murong Fu’s story? But now everyone knows close relatives can’t marry, could this cousin not have gone to school? "Hanjue is here." Meanwhile, a middle-aged woman came down from upstairs. She looked about thirty to forty years old, but Ningwan, having read many people, discerned from the fine lines at her eyes that the woman was at least over fifty. Zhan Hanjue stood up and courteously pulled Ningwan up too, greeted the woman respectfully, "Aunt." Aunt? Ningwan was surprised! She had investigated Zhan Hanjue’s background, it indeed mentioned that he had an aunt who seemingly married a cold-natured businessman. Her husband died early, leaving just one son, known as Lady Leng. It seems, this is Lady Leng. "Is this your newly-wedded wife?" Lady Leng looked at Ningwan quizzically. "Newly-wedded wife? Isn’t she an ugly duckling?" The little cousin’s face didn’t change, but she was greatly shocked. "Yes, she’s Ye Ningwan. Her appearance is ugly, but that’s just rumors," Zhan Hanjue explained. "I see, yet with such looks, and still those rumors. It seems this Miss Ye is quite something," Lady Leng mocked. The little cousin stomped in anger, heartbrokenly said, "Cousin, you’ve really married her?" "Linglong, be more dignified," Lady Leng reprimanded. Leng Linglong’s eyes flushed red, feeling quite embarrassed, she turned and ran off. Ningwan was baffled, what’s up with this family? However, she could still tell Lady Leng didn’t like her. Lady Leng let Zhan Hanjue sit down and then told Ningwan, "I have matters to discuss with Hanjue, Miss Ye can take a walk outside!" Ningwan chuckled and nodded; she didn’t want to sit here and suffer anyway. The scenery outside was nice, under the guidance of the servant, she went for a stroll in the garden. Unexpectedly, that Miss Leng was also in the garden, sitting on a swing. Ningwan stopped for a moment, thought briefly, and decided to walk over to Leng Linglong. "Miss Leng," Ningwan greeted with a smile. Leng Linglong stopped swinging, seeing it was her, angrily snorted, "What are you doing here? We’re not welcoming you." "I didn’t want to come either, it was Zhan Hanjue who brought me here, what can I do," Ningwan looked helpless. Hearing Zhan Hanjue’s name, Leng Linglong got more upset, resentfully said, "Don’t think marrying Cousin means he likes you, he just needs a woman to bear his child. Once you have a child, he’ll abandon you." "Miss Leng is so angry, does she like Zhan Hanjue? But, if he only wanted a woman to bear a child, why not Miss Leng? Oh, I just remembered, Miss Leng and he are cousins, can’t have children," Ningwan smirked. Leng Linglong immediately retorted, "You’re talking nonsense, I’m not blood-related to Cousin; Lady Leng is my aunt." "If that’s the case, why doesn’t he marry you?" Ningwan teased deliberately. Leng Linglong sneered, "That’s because Cousin’s fate is bad, a lone star, he’s protecting me by not marrying me." "Well, he treats you really well," Ningwan admired, "No wonder on the way here he warned me, if I ever meet a pretty and cute girl, I must be respectful and courteous, not upset her." "Really, did Cousin really say that?" Leng Linglong was thrilled, her little face flushing pink. Ningwan nodded solemnly, "Of course, why would I lie to you, there’s no benefit in it."