LIGHTNOVELONLINE
Chapter 60
Unlike the picturesque gardens of the Qi family estate, the decoration style of the Yu family had more of a grand mansion look reminiscent of television dramas.
An ancient gate entwined with lush vines, beautifully trimmed shrubbery lining the grand boulevard, wide expanses of flower beds flanking the path, and a magnificent fountain in the center—this was the approach to the main chateau-style building.
Yi Qingju tried her best to keep her eyes from wandering.
"Mrs. Qi, our young lady is waiting for you in the back garden," said the butler in a crisp suit.
Shifting her gaze from what appeared to be a world-famous painting, Yi Qingju thanked him.
[Oh my, are those maids? They're even wearing maid outfits, how adorable!]
Yi Qingju walked excitedly past the rows of curtseying maids, not looking to either side.
[Look at them, it seems Qi Weiran, the global business tycoon, has shown quite a bit of restraint.]
[Qi Weiran, I have to admit, I'm starting to see you in a new light.]
A certain CEO sitting in the conference room sneezed while wearing a stern expression.
Everyone: "......" I didn't see a thing.
But why would someone sneeze expressionlessly?
"Mrs. Qi, please follow me," said a friendly-looking maid sister, leading the way for Yi Qingju.
Yi Qingju: [How blissful, though the aunties at the Qi family are nice too, but these are actual maids!]
Little Qi Qi poked her head out of the bag, then retreated back in upon realizing where she was: [You could just cosplay yourself, that would drive Qi Weiran crazy.]
Yi Qingju: [....Piss off.]
He would simply make me a vagrant without a second thought.
As she was chatting with Little Qi Qi, a familiar voice suddenly sounded nearby, filled with surprise: "It's you!?"
Yi Qingju curled her lips, don't be captivated by Sis, Sis is just a trans—mit? What!?
She opened her eyes wide in disbelief.
Unlike his usual casual hoodie look, today the young man wore a crisp suit, his broad shoulders, slim waist, and long legs making him a sight to behold, his very presence seeming to cast a glow on the surrounding scenery.
Yu Du!!?
The maid leading the way turned to look at him and respectfully curtseyed: "Young Master."
Yi Qingju was utterly perplexed.
What the heck!?
Little Qi Qi clicked her tongue and commented on the scene: [Welcome to the hit short drama—'The Hidden Identity of a Wealthy Young Master and His Love for a Widowed Lady Like Me', with me, your faithful narrator Little Qi Qi.]
Yi Qingju suppressed the urge to blurt out 'What the grass!' and calmly said, "Hello, who are you?"
Seeing her reaction, the approaching Yu Du flashed a momentary look of loss and faint hurt in his eyes.
But he quickly regained his smile, the dimples on his cheeks and the silver earrings on his ears giving him a gentlemanly yet slightly roguish air.
"Hello, I'm Yu Du, we've met before at the Qi family's place. Back then I was—"
"You little brat! What are you still doing here! Your father is waiting impatiently for you, do you want him to call your mother back to discipline you!" A booming shout suddenly erupted.
Cutting off what Yu Du was about to say.
Yi Qingju turned to see a young girl dressed in a lolita style, carrying a small parasol, her face painted with intricate makeup and wearing a stern expression.
Yu Du, standing in front of her, pursed his lips and turned to look at Yi Qingju, opening his mouth as if to say something, but before he could, a burly maid came over and dragged him away.
Yu Du kept turning back every few steps, not having had a chance to ask for her contact information!
"Young Master, you can play around all you want normally, but how did you end up signing a contract with the company? No wonder the old master is angry," the maid scolded gruffly.
But Yu Du was too preoccupied to care about such matters, his mind consumed by thoughts of his destined partner.
From a young age, he had seen all kinds of girls, but never before had he encountered one who could captivate his heart like this.
"Mann, do you know who that young lady was just now?" he asked.
Mann was taken aback for a moment, truthfully not having paid close attention, then hesitantly said, "The young lady invited Miss Zhou and Mrs. Qi today, so the young master must be referring to Miss Zhou Yi, right?"
"Her name is Zhou Yi?" Yu Du automatically settled on the former.
He repeated the name to himself: "Such a lovely name..."
...
Completely unaware that her name had been inexplicably changed, Yi Qingju was now smiling and greeting Yu Mu: "Hello, Miss Yu."
[Lolitas are so adorable!!]
Yu Mu stared at Yi Qingju's face for a while, then the young girl in an Alice collaboration dress let out a cry of amazement: "Oh my grass, you're so gorgeous!!"
This fair-skinned, stunning beauty with long legs and a perfect figure, yet with a delicate, fragile-looking face—is this the vicious woman Zhou Yi described as trampling all over her dress!?
Trample what dress, Sis could trample me!!
Yi Qingju: "......"
Her reaction perfectly summed up the contrast between Yi Qingju's outward appearance and inner self in just two words.
"Thank you..."
With that, she handed the bag she was carrying to Yu Mu, who received it joyfully and said, "This is a gift for me?"
Yi Qingju shook her head: "No, it's something my husband asked me to bring for you."
Yu Mu's delighted expression instantly vanished, and she said disinterestedly, "Oh."
Yi Qingju: ??
This development seemed slightly different from what she had imagined.
Seeing her disappointment, she added, "I've already given your gift to the butler."
Yu Mu's dejected look immediately brightened, and she smiled adorably as she came over and linked arms with Yi Qingju, even feeling her arm.
Hehe, so smooth and fragrant.
"Let's go, we've prepared tea and snacks, and later we can go watch the show together."
Yi Qingju didn't notice the key word 'together', but instead realized something else peculiar.
Isn't it supposed to be 'afternoon' tea?
How are they having it in the middle of the day with the sun high in the sky?
The massive greenhouse felt more like a secret garden than the one at the Qi family's estate that housed people, with its rich, fragrant aroma nearly causing Yi Qingju to get lost in it.
Yu Mu proudly showed it off: "What do you think, Sis? It's beautiful, isn't it? I tended to it all myself."
Yi Qingju nodded: "It's very nice, and warm too." Exposing her legs would have frozen her.
Yu Mu: ?
Upon seeing the elegant Zhou Yi sitting there sipping tea, the latter gave her a challenging look.
How about that, surprised to see me, your ladyship?
Yi Qingju smiled politely, then turned to Yu Mu: "Who is this young lady?"
Zhou Yi: !?
How dare you pretend not to know me, your ladyship!
This was truly an injustice to Yi Qingju.
While Zhou Yi had been wearing an elegant gown with natural makeup that day, the woman before them now wore a denim mini skirt, dramatic blue eye shadow, and winged eyeliner, giving her a sultry look that would be difficult to recognize at first glance unless one was familiar with her.
"This is Zhou Yi," Yu Mu introduced, a hint of embarrassment in her smile, not expecting Yi Qingju to not recognize her.
Yi Qingju was momentarily stunned, but after a few more glances, she realized it was indeed Zhou Yi.
"I was wondering why you invited me on a Monday, turns out Miss Zhou was here."