Chapter 45 Your Worries Are Unnecessary

Xu Anan glanced at Dr. Wang from the corner of her eye, amused by his flustered and helpless expression. Of course, she knew this was all orchestrated by Shen Ying. Today was the day payment was due—surely they were waiting for her to come begging and humbling herself. What a pity for them; mother and daughter were destined for disappointment.

Naturally, Xu Anan couldn’t openly fall out with Shen Ying just yet. After all, the medication Shen Ying had developed was effective for her mother's condition. So long as Shen Ying refused to speak directly, Xu Anan would feign ignorance.

Her eyes flashed as she deliberately said to Dr. Wang, “I still need to see Second Master later. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving now.”

“Second Master!” Dr. Wang exclaimed in alarm, even more anxious now.

Last night, Jiang Li had helped her out, so Xu Anan dared to invoke his name, trusting that Dr. Wang would soon relay her words to Shen Ying.

And just as Xu Anan predicted, Dr. Wang immediately turned and called Shen Ying.

When Shen Ying learned that Xu Anan had gone to see Jiang Li again, Xu Wanwan, who hadn’t slept a wink all night, flew into a frenzy, raging and screaming like a madwoman. In the end, Xu Wanwan was locked up for a week. Shen Ying begged and pleaded to no avail. All she could do was watch through tears as Xu Wanwan was taken away to solitary confinement—her behavior was seriously disturbing the others.

Although detained, the rest still had basic human rights. Shen Ying could no longer keep her company.

Exhausted, Shen Ying returned to the Xu household and immediately went to find Mr. Xu, only to see a youthful, beautiful woman in professional attire descending from the second floor.

She stared in shock, then hurried upstairs.

“Sir, who was that woman just now?” she asked as she entered.

At the very moment Shen Ying pushed open the door, Mr. Xu calmly wiped a lipstick mark from his face and answered unhurriedly, “What nonsense are you thinking? Second Master gave us a project and sent someone over for discussions!”

“Honestly, you let your imagination run wild all day.”

...

Assistant Wang stood aside, watching as the doctor changed Jiang Li’s dressing, and reported on the people they had sent: “President Xu fell for the beauty trap quite easily. I believe with Mrs. Xu’s troubles at home, she won’t have time to cause trouble for Miss Xu.”

Jiang Li gave a nonchalant hum in response.

He was feeling much better, but still lay in bed, unwilling to attend the beauty pageant his father had arranged.

Assistant Wang spoke timidly, “The old master just said that the pageant will wait until you’re recovered, but the ten debutantes have already been settled in at the hotel.”

Only you, Second Master, could have these wealthy heiresses waiting so willingly.

“Where’s Xu Anan?”

“Miss Xu is probably at work at the magazine. The issue with Writer Bai didn’t affect her much, and the editor who acted without permission has been dismissed.” Assistant Wang dutifully reported all the follow-up details.

He was inwardly moved—this was how one should pursue the girl they love! Clearing every obstacle for her on the path ahead!

Jiang Li cast him a cool glance. “If you’re free, go take a nap. Stop watching those melodramatic idol dramas—they’ll only ruin you.”

Assistant Wang, who’d had dozens of CEO romance novels confiscated, grinned sheepishly and even dared to recommend some to Jiang Li.

“Second Master, you must be bored convalescing at home. Why not read a few of these? You might even find inspiration for wooing girls. After all, those novels are a favorite among young women.”

He pulled a freshly purchased novel from his briefcase and set it on Jiang Li’s bedside table.

...

The next time Xu Anan saw Jiang Li was at the pageant banquet. She’d been summoned by the old master’s people, supposedly to help Jiang Li select a suitable young lady up close.

With no alternative, Xu Anan went.

Tonight’s event was a masquerade ball. The old master declared, “Appearance is not important—what matters is the feeling.”

Everyone had to pick up a mask at the entrance, and Xu Anan was no exception. Not wishing to make a fuss, she randomly chose a little white rabbit mask.

Just before entering, Xu Anan received a call from her eldest sister-in-law, chastising her for not securing a spot for Xu Qiqi with the Jiang family. Xu Anan brushed her off perfunctorily. Then her second aunt called, so she simply turned off her phone.

How lofty their ambitions!

Looking at the ten debutantes, dressed as exquisite dolls, Xu Anan couldn’t deny a twinge of envy. What girl hasn’t dreamed of being a princess—wearing the most splendid gown and the finest jewels, dancing with her beloved prince beneath the admiring gaze of the crowd?

Of course, that was all in the past for Xu Anan. She no longer dared to dream of such things.

All she wished for now was her mother’s speedy recovery. Then she would take her mother back to their hometown and live a quiet, simple life together.

Xu Anan found a quiet corner to wait.

Suddenly, the lights dimmed.

A single spotlight illuminated the spiral staircase. A tall figure, clad in a black bespoke suit, appeared before the crowd’s eyes.

The man, wearing a lion mask, strode down the stairs with grace and poise, drawing shrieks of excitement from the assembled women—especially the ten debutantes, who stared at Jiang Li like wolves eyeing their prey, barely restraining themselves from pouncing, yet still forced to maintain their genteel composure. Their eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Xu Anan, too, was curious: which young lady would Jiang Li choose for the opening dance?

“Welcome, everyone,” Assistant Wang announced from the stage. Glancing at his cue cards, he suddenly broke into a cold sweat but forced himself to continue. “Second Master wishes for a more novel event tonight, so the opening dance will not be a couples’ dance—instead, all ten ladies will dance together. Please, enjoy yourselves.”

Everyone was momentarily stunned. Though disappointed, the ten debutantes soon realized Jiang Li’s suggestion was even better—rather than watching someone else be chosen, all ten could participate! Everyone had a chance!

Xu Anan’s lips twitched. “That rotten man—wants everything his way. That’s you, isn’t it?”

“Careful what you wish for; a schemer’s end is never good.”

“Thanks for your concern, but you’re worrying for nothing.”

Suddenly, a figure approached, exuding a powerful presence. Startled, Xu Anan tried to flee, but the wall behind her left her nowhere to run.

She glared at the man in the wolf mask before her. He seemed strangely familiar. She glanced again at Jiang Li, already surrounded by the ten debutantes on the dance floor.

“You couldn’t possibly be—”

“I am.”

The man domineeringly wrapped an arm around Xu Anan’s slender waist, his large hand brazenly caressing her through the thin fabric. “If you’re hiding here, how will you help me choose a partner? Are you just humoring my father, or are you jealous?”

Flushing, Xu Anan pressed down on his wandering hand. “If the old master finds out you’re misbehaving like this, what will he say to the families of those ten ladies? Aren’t you being a bit too willful?”

At her words, Jiang Li leaned in, his voice low and provocative in her ear. “And? Are you going to expose me?”