บท 16: Sweet Poison
Some extravagant black car was waiting outside. Xu Xinya brought out her belongings. She greeted her Aunt Bao and Brother Jiang Ge with a smile and exchanged kind words. Only once she was outside, her smile dropped and her real expressions surfaced.
She wanted to talk to Xu Ying. But neither she had the time nor a heart. After listening to her words, Xu Xinya couldn't help but blame herself for bringing this to her family.
The driver seemed to be very gloomy and serious. He didn't whisper a word from the beginning to the end. Maybe he was not allowed to. Were all the people who worked in the Lu family's manor were so?
The whole way, pressing silence dominated the car. Xu Xinya silently leaned back against the car and contemplated what rested ahead.
As they approached their destination, Xu Xinya slightly opened her eyes and peeked outside through the glass window.
The roads became wider. Lush trees covered the roadsides and there were wide grounds either way. There wasn't any car visible anymore. No more traffic. The area was secluded and exclusive to the Lu family. The car paused once on the way. Xu Xinya was curious and glanced outside.
It was a security post. Armed officers in uniform stood on both sides of the road and only with the passkey did they let the car pass. Such a level of security pressurized her. She was sure that not even a bird could trespass into their territory.
"Xiao Yi, I don't think you will be able to visit me." She leaned back on her seat and thought with a smirk.
The whole area was under the Lu family and no outsider was allowed.
After passing through at least five levels of security, she could see a building closing in. It was small at first then it grew larger. The closer they went, the more splendid it looked. The gardens outside were well-managed with all sorts of exotic plants. Countless servants were walking here and there. All unformed.
Xu Xinya stepped out timidly and adjusted her clothes.
A group of servants was already waiting for her.
"You must be Miss. Xu Xinya." The man who was standing in front addressed her directly
"Yes."
"I'm Jianguo Zu. Mr. Lu's housekeeper" He introduced himself and bowed formally. "Ms. Lu informed us that you would arrive today. Miss Xu, the servants will take the luggage to your room." One of them moved forward and grabbed the bag after bowing in front of Xu Xinya.
Xu Xinya nodded and handed over a small bag of her personal belongings. She clutched her necklace in nervousness.
Xu Xinya's heart was beating faster than normal.
'I'll make you regret for the rest of your life' Those words kept on reverberating in her head.
She was alone in a strange territory and had no idea how she would be treated here. Although she had acted strong and determined in front of her family, inwardly she was also scared.
"Please follow me, Miss Xu." He guided her into the mansion. He was very formal.
Xu Xinya silently followed. The inside of the manor was also splendid. Everything was glittering and shining. It was so neat and tidy. Every minute detail was taken care of.
Xu Xinya could not count on her fingers how much it must cost to maintain such a big place.
"From now on, I will assign a group of personal maids to attend to your needs. If anyone of them dissatisfies you in any way, you can inform me." The butler continued to explain.
"There is no need really." Xu Xinya was used to doing her things on her own.
"I am only following the proper protocol." He didn't let go of his professionalism.
Xu Xinya fell silent and didn't interrupt him again as he explained the manor's rules to her.
"That's all. Miss. you must be tired from your journey. Take a rest in the guest room until servants place your luggage in your room. Later that night, your assigned personal maids will prepare you. You must be at Mr. Lu's room by nine pm. Make sure you are on time. Mr. Lu doesn't like when someone doesn't follow the right time."
Xu Xinya's heart stopped.
"Mr. Zu, this is my first day here. Is it really necessary?" She tried her best to sound calm yet her voice betrayed her.
Jianguo Zu paused for a second and glanced at Xu Xinya. "Mr. Lu has personally asked for your presence in his room at nine pm. Miss Xu, please don't do anything to offend Mr. Lu. Do not make things difficult for us." Butler Zu bowed again.
Xu Xinya bit her lip. Xu Xinya caught the meaning behind his words. If she declined, she would be forced to his room.
"Alright. I will be there." She acquiesced. There was no use of her defiance when it would only bring more harm to her than anyone else.
Lunch was presented to Xu Xinya in the room. Once a room was arranged for her, she entered it. The room was a medium size. She could tell the furniture was expensive and every single piece of it exceeded what she had spent till now.
The first thing she did was to bring out the picture of her family and place it on the table by the bed.
"You guys will always stay by my side." She smiled at the photo. That was the only thing that would give her strength from now on.
Next, she inspected the room. She was surprised to find a small-sized half-circular room attached to it. In awe, she walked in. The interior was clean and decorated. The one-third of the curved wall, in the center, was wall long mirrors.
The other two-third contained wooden cupboards. Xu Xinya walked forward and opened them one by one. She had expected them to be empty but once she opened them, she was surprised.
They were full of extravagant designer clothes. The clothes were divided into casual wear, formal wear and party wear to undergarments. There was a whole rack of expensive shoes neatly arranged in the other cupboard. The jewelry portion was shining and glittering with diamonds and stones of all prizes.
"What does he want to prove by this?"
If Xu Xinya was confused first then now she was bewildered.
Xu Xinya was not someone who paid much attention to worldly things. But she knew someone who was. Her lips curled up into a smile. "I bet Ying'er would have loved all this." Even though she had a fight with her cousin, Xu Xinya couldn't hate her.
"For my family." She took a deep breath and headed back to the bedroom.
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