Chapter 4 — My Sister Stole My Fiancé

Upon returning home, my mother had already gone upstairs to catch up on sleep, while my father and Tong Chi Da had both departed for the corporate headquarters. My elder sister, Nguyen Minh Nha, was sitting in the living room sofa, seemingly waiting specifically for my arrival. Catching sight of the parcel of medicinal herbs clutched tightly in my hands, her expression shifted abruptly, and she lunged forward with the clear intent of snatching it away. Knowing her manipulative tricks all too well, I simply took a graceful step backward, effortlessly evading her grasp.

This medicine is definitely not meant for Tong Chi Da.

I spoke before she could utter a word. Between the two of us, there was never any need for her to open her mouth; I could already read her thoughts like an open book. She shot me a venomous glare.

Consider yourself fortunate that you still have the basic decency not to cross that line.

Reseating herself upon the sofa, she leaned back indolently against the upholstery, fixing me with a gaze laden with heavy warning.

Keep your distance from your brother-in-law. Surely, you would not want everyone in our social circle to realize that you are merely a shameless woman lusting after her own sister husband, would you?

As she spat out those words, her features twisted into an ugly, contorted grimace. Even though I had stared at that exact face countless times in the mirror, sharing the very same reflection, at this moment I still found it utterly repulsive. Ever since we were children, whenever there were no watchful eyes around, she had always behaved in precisely this manner. Without dignifying her with a response, I carried the medicine into the kitchen.

You really do not need to harbor such fear toward me. The two of you are already legally wed; I possess zero interest in a man who has already been through a marriage.

From behind me came the sharp, shattering crash of a ceramic vase striking the tiled floor. Accustomed to such childish tantrums, I merely ignored it, retrieved the earthenware medicinal pot from the counter, and set about brewing the decoction. With only three precious hours remaining before his arrival, I needed to manage my time efficiently. Since it was prescribed for a single person, I did not need to prepare an excessive quantity.

Before long, midday arrived, accompanied by the low, distinct rumble of an engine outside the gates. A sleek Rolls-Royce glided to a smooth halt. The first to emerge were a pair of exquisitely polished leather shoes, their thin soles shining with such pristine clarity that I suspected one could easily use them as a looking glass. The man who stepped out possessed legs that were remarkably long and straight. As he moved, his tailored trousers clung to the clean lines of his lower limbs, exuding an aura of controlled, measured strength. Such legs were arguably more striking than those of any professional runway model. Broad shoulders, a narrow waist, sharp brows that slanted steeply toward his temples, and deeply set eye sockets. His gaze carried an innate, effortless indifference that mirrored the boy I had known in our youth. Every single strand of his hair was styled with such precision that it must have required a considerable amount of hairspray.

My father immediately assumed a paternal, patriarchal posture to greet his prospective son-in-law. Politely, the younger man instructed his assistant to unload several beautifully wrapped gifts from the vehicle. Upon catching sight of them, my father grin broadly from ear to ear, his previously tight expression melting into one of profound satisfaction.

Come, step inside and let us converse. It happens that the midday meal has just been prepared.

He offered a polite nod and a faint smile. As he strode past me in the hallway, his footsteps suddenly faltered.

This belongs to you.

I cast my eyes downward toward the jewelry box he extended. The exterior looked somewhat aged and vintage. Upon lifting the lid, I discovered a magnificent imperial purple jade necklace resting upon the velvet lining.

My mother selected this especially for you. Years ago, it was a treasured wedding gift presented to her by my maternal grandmother. She mentioned that a young woman would undoubtedly appreciate this rich shade of purple far more.

A sudden wave of intense heat rushed to my palms, making the box feel scorching to the touch. Perceiving that I might have misunderstood his intentions, he swiftly produced yet another velvet case.

There is also a verdant green jade piece. My mother remarked that while it is undeniably lovely, true sincerity and thoughtfulness require both gestures to be shown.

Seeing that I remained hesitant to accept the items, he frowned slightly. Others might have found his demeanor aloof or bothersome, but for reasons unknown, I managed to detect a subtle undercurrent of tension and vulnerability hidden beneath his stoic exterior. With a quiet sigh, unwilling to cause him embarrassment in front of the gathered family, I finally extended my hands and took them. Holding the impeccably raw, vivid green jade that gleamed with a value far surpassing any ordinary trinket, I felt as though I were physically holding the deed to an entire luxury estate in my palms.

My father nodded approvingly, his expression radiant.

Purple jade genuinely suits a youthful maiden. Make sure to bring it out later so your elder sister may have a look at it as well.

My fingers tightened around the jewelry boxes until my knuckles turned white. Gu Tan Nien glanced coldly in my father direction. Standing notably tall, the mere downward sweep of his gaze sufficed to drop the ambient temperature by several degrees.

Respected elder, this is exceptionally precious jewelry. It was specifically bestowed by my mother upon her future daughter-in-law. As long as Qie Xia is genuinely pleased with them, that is all that matters. We certainly should not permit unrelated individuals to scratch them, or perhaps... misappropriate them.

His choice of words was remarkably harsh. He deliberately avoided terms like borrow or take, opting instead for the most stinging accusation possible: misappropriate. My father complexion instantly darkened to a thunderous shade of grey. Over recent years, the business empire belonging to the Gu family had expanded with astonishing velocity, catapulting them to the very zenith of their industry. Yet, cloaking himself in the presumptive privilege of a prospective father-in-law, he still attempted to smooth things over on Nguyen Minh Nha behalf.

Minh Nha has always been a gentle and sensible girl; how could she ever dream of seizing her younger sister belongings?

A sharp, cynical snort echoed near my ear.

Even a man can be stolen away under one nose; would one hesitate to purloin a mere trinket?

I lifted my gaze to meet his. As our eyes locked, I belatedly realized that his intense, unwavering stare had never once drifted away from me. For a fleeting moment, I found myself entirely at a loss for where to look. My father face settled into an expression of absolute, stony fury. Without uttering another syllable, he turned sharply on his heel and strode ahead. Gu Tan Nien maintained his perpetual, glacier-like expression. Side by side, we walked along the narrow garden path, our shadows occasionally brushing and merging against the cobblestones. I could subtly sense the quiet tension radiating from the man beside me. Recalling his sharp remarks just moments ago, I could not entirely suppress a gentle amusement.

By openly confronting him in such a manner, do you harbor no fear that he might ultimately forbid me from marrying you?

He turned his head to study me, his expression entirely serious and earnest.

As long as you remain willing to wed me, nothing else holds the slightest significance.

He pressed his lips together, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his handsome features.

I did not deliberately intend to provoke a scene, but his bias is not only glaring; his judgment is somewhat blinded. I merely wished to offer him a gentle reminder of reality. Are you displeased with my actions?

He tumbled into a flurry of hurried, messy explanations. Lowering my gaze, I found the corners of my lips curving upward in spite of myself.

Not in the least.

The broad shoulders encased in his tailored suit jacket visibly relaxed, and even his strides grew notably lighter as we continued toward the dining pavilion. At the table, my mother bustled about attentively, heaping food onto his plate, while my father maintained a glacial, forbidding silence throughout the entire meal.