Chapter 18: One Must Have Perceptiveness

Xiao Zhiyun suffered from congenital heart disease. The reason their whole family had moved to the Imperial City in the first place was her father, Xiao Zheng, wishing to cure her illness.

For the past two years, her condition had been well managed with medication, and Nangong Ao had also been making every effort to find a suitable heart donor for her.

So why had they suddenly decided to go to Country A?

The Nangong family’s medical technology, while perhaps not the very best in the world, was certainly among the most advanced. What exactly were the Xiao family plotting?

Xiao Zhiyun hesitated, clearly understanding her parents’ intentions. All the young ladies from noble families coveted the position of the Nangong family’s matriarch, yet she herself had never managed to win the lady of the house’s favor. That was why her parents were so eager for her to undergo surgery as soon as possible—only when her health was restored could she hope to marry into the Nangong family.

In truth, Xiao Zhiyun had never dared to hope for so much. She had little confidence in her own body. Although she appeared well now, it was all thanks to medication; without a heart donor, her life could end at any moment.

Nangong Ao was well aware of her concerns. His gaze was resolute as he said, “Don’t worry—leave everything to me.”

———

Xianyu Jing had never been fond of shopping malls and knew nothing about fashion; she didn’t recognize a single brand on the list.

Fortunately, Bai Luomei had already spoken with the mall manager, who had prepared everything in advance and even arranged for a top sales assistant to help her.

Staring at the piles of items filling most of the lounge, Xianyu Jing was dumbfounded. “You want me to try all of these on?”

How long would that even take!

The sales assistant beamed. “These are all selected according to the brands and styles on the list. Miss, you can try on whichever ones you prefer.”

Xianyu Jing looked a little dazed. “That’s not necessary, is it? I’ll just pick a few.”

Su Cha stepped forward, saying, “Miss Bai said that everything on the list is for the lady’s daily needs. It all needs to be purchased.”

Hearing this, the sales assistant smiled even more warmly. “There’s no need to worry. Please try on a few, and I’ll select the rest for you in your size.”

Left with no other choice, Xianyu Jing reluctantly tried on several outfits. Afterwards, the sales assistant, judging by her figure and temperament, chose the most suitable items and had them packed up.

Finally, with utmost courtesy, she escorted Xianyu Jing to the parking lot, bowing as she said, “Thank you for coming, Miss. Our delivery staff will bring all your purchases to your home shortly. We look forward to seeing you again!”

Xianyu Jing managed a strained smile. “Alright, thank you.”

After such a large shopping trip, she probably wouldn’t need to come again for years.

Su Cha, on the other hand, was quite used to this.

If it had been the third young lady, she would have turned her nose up at anything not custom-made. In fact, every year, regardless of whether the clothes in the dressing room had been worn, they would all be replaced with a new batch.

Lady Nangong, taking into account Xianyu Jing’s former lifestyle, had not gone to the trouble of commissioning custom-made items for her.

By the time Xianyu Jing and the others returned to the Nangong estate, dusk was already falling.

As the car pulled into the courtyard, Xianyu Jing got out first, carrying a small wooden box she had brought from home, while Su Cha drove the car to the garage.

She hadn’t even entered the house when a voice called out, “Jingjing, you’re back!”

That slightly flamboyant tone was unmistakable—who else could it be but the Nangong family’s second young master!

As Xianyu Jing stepped through the door, she saw Nangong Lü reclining lazily on a plush sofa, his fox-like eyes smiling. “Jingjing, you’re moving into the Nangong estate and didn’t even tell me. Do you know how hard it was for me to find you?”

Nangong Lü’s voice was naturally alluring, and with his deliberate languor, it sounded even more seductive.

Suppressing a shiver, Xianyu Jing asked coolly, “Do you need something from me?”

Nangong Lü stood up, his gaze playful. “Can’t I look for you just because I want to?”

“We’re not that close,” Xianyu Jing replied, not caring for his peacock-like ways.

Nangong Lü looked wounded. “Jingjing, that really hurts! Why are you so close to my brother but so cold to me?”

She ignored his protest. Aunt Rong stepped forward to ask, “Second Young Master, will you be dining here tonight?”

Nangong Lü was used to doing as he pleased at home and cared little for the Nangong family’s rules about silence at meals. He was about to refuse, but then reconsidered. “Is my brother coming home tonight?”

Aunt Rong answered, “The young master has a dinner engagement.”

Nangong Lü brightened. “Then I’ll eat here. It’s been a while since I tasted your cooking, Aunt Rong.”

Then, flashing a charming smile at Xianyu Jing, he added, “And I can take the opportunity to get to know my dear cousin a little better.”

Who wants to get to know you!

Xianyu Jing, not wanting to deal with him, carried her box upstairs to her room.

Nangong Lü tried to follow, but a strong arm suddenly blocked his way. “Please stop here, Second Young Master.”

Turning, Nangong Lü found himself face to face with Jiang Mohe’s stern, unyielding expression. He scoffed, “And what makes you, a mere guard, think you can stop me? Are you looking to lose your job? Move aside!”

Jiang Mohe remained impassive. “I obey only the young master’s orders.”

Nangong Lü’s eyes narrowed, but Aunt Rong quickly intervened. “Second Young Master, Jiang is just very straightforward. Please don’t take it to heart—he’s captain of the security team and simply doing his job. Besides, the lady is probably tired and may want to rest.”

Realizing it would be inappropriate to barge into a young lady’s room, Nangong Lü relented and returned to the sofa.

Still, being treated so dismissively by a guard left him displeased. He sneered at Jiang Mohe, “If you want to keep your place in the Nangong family, you’d better learn to be more perceptive!”

With that, he sat back down.

Aunt Rong signaled to Jiang Mohe that she would keep an eye on things and urged him to leave, lest he truly anger the second young master. But Jiang Mohe simply stood guard by the staircase. Seeing this, Aunt Rong gave up and went to prepare dinner.

Soon after, Su Cha arrived. Having parked the car, she directed the mall’s delivery staff as they brought the purchases upstairs.

Watching this, Nangong Lü smirked to himself. Ah, his brother certainly doted on this cousin!

It wasn’t just about buying things for her; what truly surprised him was letting her move in under the same roof.

Others might not realize it, but he knew his brother to be cold and aloof. Even with Xiao Zhiying, whom he favored, there had never been talk of living together.

Besides, this cousin was merely a distant relative. No matter how well you cared for someone, it shouldn’t require keeping them right under your nose.

Clearly, as his mother had said, the cousin their grandmother had brought back was no ordinary girl.

Nangong Lü’s gaze shifted to Jiang Mohe and Su Cha. Yes, even the security arrangements were thorough!

As expected, Nangong Ao did not return for dinner.

Nangong Lü behaved himself, quietly finishing the meal with Xianyu Jing, though his eyes continued to linger on her, watching her intently.

This cousin, who had gone from an ordinary background to an heiress overnight, possessed a clean and innocent air that was oddly captivating. But what intrigued him most was the other side she hid beneath that obedient facade.

After finally making it through dinner, Xianyu Jing intended to go straight upstairs, but Su Cha was still organizing the newly purchased clothes and shoes in the dressing room. With no other option, Xianyu Jing went for a walk in the garden.

Naturally, Nangong Lü followed.

This time, he shed his usual frivolity and put on the airs of a gentleman, brushing fallen leaves off the rocking chair and flashing an enchanting smile.

“Jingjing, I hear you’ll be enrolling at Liyang Academy tomorrow. I’ve come especially to give you a gift!”