Chapter 32: A Restless Night

"What kind of jewelry and ornaments do you like?"

Xiang Zhihua’s sudden and inexplicable question left Lu Yao bewildered.

"Three days from now, there is an auction gala hosted by Mr. Liu. You will accompany me." Seeing the confusion in her eyes, Xiang Zhihua took the initiative to explain. "As my woman, you ought to have a few sets of clothing and jewelry of your own."

This was a prerequisite and a priority for every wife of a wealthy family.

"These are pictures of jewelry that Cheng Gang just brought over. Take a look and see what styles you prefer. As for clothing, I will have him take you to the Lido Mall tomorrow to make some purchases."

After all, even the household staff at the Xiang residence wore better clothes than she did. It was easy to see how little Lu Yao’s current wardrobe measured up to Xiang Zhihua’s standards.

Lu Yao came to her senses, her expression stiffening. "Anything is fine; you can decide."

She knew very little about jewelry or finery. Letting her choose would be far less efficient than letting Xiang Zhihua make the decisions for her.

"Then we shall have one set of each," Xiang Zhihua said. "On days when you have nothing to do, you can take them out and wear them whenever you like!"

The Xiang family had no shortage of anything, but their collection of gold, jewelry, and jade ornaments was countless—the finest in all of Hong Kong. This overbearing tone was truly, quintessentially Xiang Zhihua.

"Go and wash up."

Lu Yao’s heart tightened. "Do you need my help, Young Master Xiang?" Seeing the man lift the blanket covering his legs as if to get into bed, she asked with feigned concern.

She was stopped by a wave of his hand.

"I am not so crippled that I require help getting into bed." The man’s attractive, peach-blossom eyes squinted at her. "Go and tidy yourself up."

Given her current state, even if he truly wanted to do something to her, did she really think she could escape?

Lu Yao pursed her lips, a flicker of internal struggle passing through her eyes, but she ultimately obeyed his instruction and walked into the bathroom. Yet, as she washed up, she could not help but let her mind wander. What kind of "obligations" did he intend for her to fulfill?

Although she had agreed early on to be Xiang Zhihua’s woman, she felt nothing for him. Lu Yao was more aware of this than anyone. If Xiang Zhihua had not been blinded and injured, he would likely have had several children by his age. It would never have been her turn. She could understand the kind of life he might want, but... would his legs even be capable of it by then?

"Knock, knock, knock!"

Just as Lu Yao was lost in her wayward thoughts, a sound of knocking came from outside the bathroom.

"Miss Lu, are you finished? Young Master Xiang asked me to bring these clothes to you."

Lu Yao’s thoughts snapped back, and she looked nervously toward the bathroom door, only then realizing she had been inside for quite some time. She hurriedly grabbed a bath towel and stood up from the tub.

"Yes, I'm done!"

She hastily wrapped the towel around herself, then pattered barefoot to open the door. Standing outside was the maid who usually cooked and cleaned with Auntie Wu. She had been sent by Xiang Zhihua to deliver food, and the clothes were those he had instructed her to bring for Lu Yao. He was not in a convenient position to do it himself.

Only then did Lu Yao remember that she hadn't brought a change of clothes when she came in to wash. Her cheeks flushed a deep red.

"Thank you!" She politely took the bathrobe from the woman, her heart drumming incessantly against her ribs, and quickly shut the bathroom door.

A few minutes later, when Lu Yao emerged from the bathroom with her hair dried and wearing the pajamas, Xiang Zhihua was already reclined in bed. He looked more unrestrained and languid now. With his thick eyebrows, soulful eyes, and aquiline nose, his profile appeared both resolute and fair-skinned, which caused Lu Yao’s heart to skip a beat for a brief moment.

He was currently reading an unfamiliar document, and a steaming bowl of noodles sat nearby. Because she was standing too far away, she couldn't see clearly. She lingered at the bathroom door for a long time, unable to move forward, standing like a stone statue with her hands tightly gripping the sides of her pajamas.

"Come here!"

Hearing the door open but not hearing her footsteps approach, Xiang Zhihua frowned. Knowing she was still rooted at the doorway, he raised his gaze and urged her forward.

Lu Yao tightened her spine, finally biting the bullet and walking step by step to the bedside. Before she could relax, Xiang Zhihua handed her the document he had been holding.

A look of confusion crossed her eyes. "What is this?"

Xiang Zhihua glanced at her lightly. "This contains information about various wealthy socialites and their wives, as well as essential social etiquette. You can study it when you have time over the next two days," he said, wanting to avoid a situation where she would be completely ignorant of the rules.

A look of embarrassment flickered across Lu Yao’s face. "Is this the only reason you called me over, Young Master Xiang?" Not to go to bed with her?

"What did you think I was going to do to you?" Xiang Zhihua’s gaze, half-amused and half-mocking, landed on her. He could read exactly what she was thinking just by looking at her face. She was still too young; she couldn't hide anything. Everything she felt was written plainly on her face.

That was fine, he thought; it saved him the trouble of guessing.

"Aside from the fact that my body is like a piece of dead weight right now, do you think your little frame could handle it?" Besides having a bit of fluff on her cheeks, she was as thin as a rack of ribs. Even if he did want to do something, he wouldn't do it now.

Xiang Zhihua’s wanton gaze roamed over her body. At the very least, he had to fatten her up so that she wouldn't faint halfway through, wouldn't she?

Lu Yao’s face exploded into a deep crimson. Her body went rigid once more. Even without a mirror, she knew the temperature of her face was terrifying—enough to cook meat. She was so mortified she wanted to crawl into a hole in the ground.

"Eat the noodles." Not letting her dwell on her wild thoughts any longer, Xiang Zhihua gestured for her to pick up the bowl. "The maid just made them." He knew she hadn't eaten much while being put through the wringer at the Xu household. She should at least have a bowl of noodles to line her stomach.

"Thank you!" Lu Yao said, face still burning as she picked up the chopsticks. Every time she thought about what she had been contemplating in the bathroom, she wanted to disappear. As a result, she ate the noodles without even tasting them.

***

The next day.

"Miss Lu, did you not sleep well last night?" Auntie Wu asked, observing her haggard expression as she ladled out a bowl of millet porridge.

Auntie Wu knew better than anyone that Lu Yao’s stomach had always been delicate. That was why, back at the Xu residence, she had always prepared gentle millet porridge for her in the mornings. Even after moving here, Auntie Wu hadn't changed her habit of looking after her.

Lu Yao had always enjoyed it, but looking at the bowl in front of her now, she had no appetite. She took a couple of perfunctory bites and set the spoon down.

"Auntie Wu, are the dark circles under my eyes really that prominent?" Lu Yao touched her face. She hadn't looked closely in the mirror since waking up. If Auntie Wu hadn't pointed it out, she might not have even known.