She should be sleeping, but her mind wouldn’t leave her in peace on this ungodly hour of the night. Taking a glance on their bedside clock, she saw that it was four in the morning. Her husband was asleep, and she couldn’t burden him to talk to her this time.
Lu Xinyi stretched her arms—before taking her silk robe and donning it—and pinned her hair up with loose strands falling around her face. Wearing a light blue sleeping dress that beautifully framed her body, she couldn’t believe that she was able to experience such luxury like that.
Before marrying Shen Yi, she hadn’t thought of getting married. In truth, she admitted that she was also responsible for Gong Yijun’s betrayal.
Had she broken up with him and free herself from their relationship, he wouldn’t have sought Meng Jiao’s company. She had used him to save herself from being alone, and it wasn’t easy on her part to admit her guilt.
She left her husband sleeping peacefully within their room and wandered the hallway that led to twins’ bedroom. As she walked through the dimmed lit hallway, she couldn’t help but be struck by the interior design. It was obviously built by someone who gave great attention to details. Taking a peek inside the twins’ room, she was satisfied that both were already tucked in bed. She closed the door silently, not to disturb their slumber.
Rounding a corner while deep in her own thoughts, Lu Xinyi ran into the elderly woman carrying clean linens and curtains, surprising her. She hit Madam Jin with enough strength that the elder woman dropped the pile she was carrying, immediately apologizing once she realized what she had done.
“Young Madam, I’m so sorry. The linens were partially blocking my view. I should have seen you coming from the corner. Are you alright, miss?”
Struck by the old woman’s apology, Lu Xinyi shook her head and began helping Madam Jin with the load that fell into the floor.
“Don’t apologize, Madam Jin. It is I that should say sorry. I’m the one who wasn’t paying attention to where I’m going. You’re working early today. I’m sorry I couldn’t help you with the house chores these past weeks.”
Madam Jin gasped, clearly surprised that the young madam was apologizing for things that weren’t deemed to be done by someone with her status.
“No, no, please don’t apologize. Do not forget that you’re President Shen’s wife. You need not worry about such trivial things that servants like me should do.”
“Please don’t say that Madam Jin. You’ve been a great help to me and my husband, and I’m sure he appreciates your help. Looking after the kids, feeding our dogs, and keeping this house tidy and neat aren’t trivial things.” Lu Xinyi smiled and took half of the linens on Madam Jin’s pile. “Besides, before marrying Shen Yi, I’m used to these ‘trivial things’ you are saying. I wasn’t born with a silver spoon, Madam Jin.”
While it was true that she had a Sun blood on her, she was raised by her parents without following the strict and meticulous way Chairman Sun imposed on her cousins, Sun Feiyan and Sun Qiyan. Her early memories consisted of his father teaching her how to distinguish the taste of certain herbs and spices and her mother playing with her piano while Little Xinxin was slumped on the floor, doodling with a crayon in her chubby hand. ρꪖꪕᦔꪖꪕꪫꪣꫀꪶ
“But still… Madam Shen wouldn’t be pleased if she knew I’m letting you do my tasks. Young Master married you to become his wife, not a maid.”
“Oh, please. Let’s not inform her about it.” Lu Xinyi laughed. “As long as my husband approves how I run this household, there shouldn’t be any problems. Where are you taking these anyway?” She pointed at the fresh linens on Madam Jin’s arms.
Madam Jin’s eyes curved; her chest slightly jiggled as she laughed with her young madam.
“I’m going to freshen up the bed at the guestroom and the twins’ room once I’m done cleaning Master Yi’s study.”
“Then let me help you.”
Before Madam Jin could decline, Lu Xinyi headed towards Shen Yi’s study and opened the door for the elder woman. Madam Jin grudgingly followed her, unable to say no to her lady. Together, they cleaned Shen Yi’s study until it was spotless.
Madam Jin kept her thoughts to herself, trying not to offend her young madam. She remembered the drastic changes that happened since his Young Master Yi married this woman. Lu Xinyi’s mood seemed to affect not only Shen Yi but the entire household.
For some reason, she was relieved that her Young Master didn’t marry a socialite woman. It was something that bothered her. She didn’t want Shen Yi’s marriage to fail like what happened to his parents.
“Master Yi is a creature of immaculate habit. As you know, he’s already awake even before the sun rises. I have to do the cleaning before he starts his day and make sure his files are in proper order.”
Lu Xinyi felt accomplished as she looked around the pristine room. Running her fingers over the bookshelf, she gently touched the volumes of her husband’s book collection of first editions. Her fingers stopped at something pinned between the books on the left end of the shelf. Curious to see what it was, Lu Xinyi pulled out two envelopes out of the shelf.
‘Ah, a mix-up in his files. Did he forget to place this where it belongs?’
Lu Xinyi never dared to poke on Shen Yi’s business, but this time, she was curious to see what these envelopes had inside. Unwinding the coiled strings that kept it closed, she opened one of them.
Her eyes slightly widened as she read the contents. It was very detailed background research about her. From her parents’ marriage up to her grandma Lu’s passing, everything was there.
Why did her husband have something like this?
