Chapter Thirty-Three

The Drawing Room

"Please have a seat for a moment," the butler said before leaving. After a short while, he reappeared with two maids, each carrying a tray. They prepared refreshments for Yingyue and her companion, then stood respectfully to the side.

Yingyue and Xiahou Yu sat on the sofa, taking in their surroundings. The building's style was pure ancient Roman, and its décor was steeped in religious overtones. Various paintings adorned the walls—cherubs, heavenly scenes, and the like.

After a while, they realized their host still had not appeared, even after they had finished their tea—three times over.

Yingyue frowned and exchanged a glance with Xiahou Yu. In each other's eyes, they saw the same hint of confusion and dissatisfaction. Just as Yingyue was about to speak, the butler stepped forward and respectfully presented a document with both hands.

"This is from my master for you."

Xiahou Yu accepted the document, opened it, and a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes before he handed it to Yingyue. She glanced through it, her confusion deepening.

Was it really this easy to obtain the development contract for Silis Island?

Then, what was the purpose of summoning her here?

What a strange person, Yingyue thought, her face full of bewilderment. She looked up, intending to question the butler, when he stepped forward again with both hands, this time holding a box—an ordinary purple box.

"This is also from my master."

With curiosity and doubt, Yingyue gently opened the box. A shimmer of light flickered across her eyes.

Inside lay a crystal wreath, a garland crafted from multicolored crystals, a circlet of vibrant violets, each petal translucent and dazzlingly beautiful.

Yingyue concealed her delight and astonishment, then opened the card beside the box.

"My dearest, the time for us to meet has not yet come. I hope that the next time we meet, you will be wearing the wreath I have given you."

Yingyue stared at the card in a daze, confusion filling her eyes. Why did it feel as though he and she were so familiar? In her memory, their relationship had always been one of rivalry, now turned partnership—nothing more.

Yet here he was, sending her a gift?

How odd!

No, it was downright bizarre. Had he been watching her all along? Was every move she made under his gaze, nothing hidden from him?

A shiver ran through Yingyue.

But somehow, it didn’t seem quite like that. She sensed no malice from him; on the contrary, there was a hint of warmth and kindness in his gestures.

And thinking more carefully, ever since he began competing with her company, although they often faced difficulties, overcoming them always led to significant growth in their business—and in her own abilities as well.

In that case, perhaps she ought to be grateful to him after all.

Tilting her head in a daze, the thought dawned on her, belatedly but unmistakably. At this, she lifted her head and, unable to help herself, offered a faint smile in a certain direction.

In the third-floor study, the man who had been watching Yingyue all along was taken aback by her gentle smile—then broke into hearty laughter.

What an adorable child.

Leaving the "Waterlily Garden," Yingyue was in high spirits, a sly grin playing on her lips, like a little fox who had just stolen a hen.

Xiahou Yu, still puzzled, finally broke the mood, interrupting Yingyue’s good cheer with a frustrated sigh.

"Yingyue, we came here to sign a contract, yet we never even saw the man himself—and now we’ve been sent on our way. How can you still be smiling?"