Chapter 4: The Scoundrel and the Faithless Concubine
“Go back.”
Ling Siyue turned his head toward the direction of the villa, his gaze flickering like a firefly in the dark night, leaving behind a fleeting glow.
He strode forward with long legs and got into the black Maybach.
The car soon arrived at the Ling family’s old residence.
As Ling Siyue got out of the car, he saw his mother, Jiang Xinyue, standing at the door.
Seeing her son, whom she hadn’t seen for two years, Jiang Xinyue smiled broadly, her eyes nearly disappearing in her grin.
She patted Ling Siyue’s shoulder and said, “Son, you finally came back. Your mother missed you so much.”
A faint smile appeared on Ling Siyue’s lips. “Mom, this time I’m planning to stay.”
Jiang Xinyue was momentarily stunned. He had refused to return despite numerous calls before; now he was willing to stay on his own accord?
Her sharp eyes caught something. Looking at the red mark on Ling Siyue’s neck, she lowered her voice and asked, “Son, you landed at nine last night. Be honest with your mother—who were you with last night?”
Ling Siyue cleared his throat uneasily. “Mom, don’t say things without evidence.”
Jiang Xinyue narrowed her eyes. “I’m not just making things up. Siyue, you’re not young anymore. It’s time to have a partner. If there’s a girl you like, be sure to bring her home for Mom to meet.”
“All right.” Ling Siyue gave a helpless smile.
Jiang Xinyue hooked her arm through his and whispered, “Also, son, you should know, during these two years when you were away, your brother has been extending his reach. Many of Ling Corporation’s businesses now pass through his hands. You need to pay attention; don’t let that bastard take away the family fortune.”
Ling Siyue’s expression darkened slightly, but he said nothing.
Ling Sihuai was Ling Siyue’s half-brother, born out of their father Ling Aoting’s affair behind Jiang Xinyue’s back.
What made it worse was that Ling Sihuai was only three months younger than Ling Siyue, clearly meaning Ling Aoting had been unfaithful while Jiang Xinyue was pregnant.
After Ling Sihuai’s biological mother died of a terminal illness, he was raised under Jiang Xinyue’s name.
Just then, as mother and son entered the living room, Ling Aoting, sitting on the sofa smoking, stubbed out his cigarette and said in a low voice, “Since you’re back, go help at the company. Don’t just do nothing all day.”
Before Ling Siyue could reply, Jiang Xinyue shot back, “Who said Siyue does nothing? My son started his own company at a young age. He’s been thriving overseas these past two years—not worse than your lousy company. How dare you criticize him?”
Ling Aoting flicked the cigarette butt into the ashtray and frowned. “Your grandfather’s seventieth birthday is coming up. Prepare yourself and come with me.”
Ling Siyue responded with a faint “hmm.” It was only right to attend his grandfather’s birthday.
...
Shi Yi returned to the living room, picking up an apple from the dining table and biting into it thoughtfully.
In the original owner’s memories, it was now the year 2020. She recalled that the Great Qin Kingdom was founded in 856 AD, she was born in 870, and in 887 she went to the battlefield, at the age of seventeen, escaping conscription through the draft.
Her era and this one were more than a thousand years apart.
Shi Yi murmured, “How strange, how strange... why have I come to this place?”
Though everything felt incredible and unbelievable, she had no choice but to accept reality. The pressing issue was to quickly divorce that scoundrel and live well in this era.
Finally, she comforted herself quietly: “Shi Yi, you are from a noble and refined family, descendants of generals who fought on the battlefield, and you are one too. Nothing can defeat you.”
Ding ding ding—
The phone alarm rang, startling Shi Yi so much that she threw the apple a yard away.
“What is this thing? Amazing, truly amazing!”
She picked up the phone from the table. Though she had the original owner’s memories, touching the screen still shocked her.
“These youngsters have truly become spirits, inventing such advanced devices?”
She fumbled with the phone, tapping around wildly—TikTok, WeChat, Weibo—trying everything.
Unconsciously, an hour passed before she finally put the phone down, adding a complaint: “This thing is fun, but too addictive. A real waste of time.”
After tidying the messy living room, she went upstairs.
After washing up, she opened the wardrobe. The clothes of this era were truly shameful—either exposing the arms or the thighs.
She finally found a long-sleeved, high-necked qipao and put it on.
But why were the clothes of this era so strange!?
Even the forms of address were particularly odd, and she really had trouble adapting.
She took a deep breath and found an orchid hairpin from the dressing table to gently pin up her hair.
Looking at the delicate, peach-blossom-like face in the mirror, she sighed deeply.
Suddenly, a commotion came from downstairs.
She peeked downstairs and saw a man and a woman standing there, instantly furious.
Her scoundrel husband had brought home a concubine!?
...
Shi Yi descended the stairs gracefully, the qipao outlining her alluring figure.
Beneath her gentle demeanor lay a resolute spirit; her enchanting beauty carried a proud and unyielding air.
“Husband,” she greeted politely.
New to this world, she thought it best not to make too many enemies and decided to keep a low profile and temper her temper.
Chu Yifan was unexpectedly stunned. For the first time, he realized this woman was quite beautiful—more so than Qin Wan’er.
After a moment’s daze, Chu Yifan replied coldly, “Shi Yi, have you been watching too many TV dramas? Don’t call me that.”
Shi Yi had called him twice the previous night but hadn’t sent a single message on WeChat all night, which infuriated Chu Yifan.
“Then what should I call you, husband?” Shi Yi smiled brightly, showing no anger.
She could remain unshaken in the face of an enemy army; what was there to fear from a mere youth?
Chu Yifan’s expression was awkward as he glanced sideways at the woman beside him.
Qin Wan’er wore a loose, off-white long dress. Her eyes curved, her brows slightly furrowed, and her delicate nose and small nostrils gave her a fragile appearance.
One arm was hooked around Chu Yifan’s, and the other gently caressed her slightly swollen belly.
Shi Yi glanced at her lightly, smiling at Chu Yifan, “Is she pregnant?”
In the original owner’s memories, Qin Wan’er had been her closest friend, from a poor family. Throughout university, she had essentially supported Qin Wan’er—a wolf in sheep’s clothing who never repaid kindness.
Before Chu Yifan could speak, Qin Wan’er hurriedly explained, “Sister Yi Yi, I heard you were upset. I begged Yifan to bring me here to see you. Please don’t misunderstand.”
Shi Yi’s brows darkened. “I’m talking to my husband. What business does a concubine have butting in? Don’t you know your place?”
Concubine!?
How could this scoundrel speak so harshly? Qin Wan’er’s eyes clouded with a shadow which she quickly suppressed.
Their eyes met, and Qin Wan’er feigned weakness, saying, “Sister Yi Yi, this child was an accident. If you don’t want it, I can go to the hospital and have it removed.”
Shi Yi sneered. Pretentious—that scheming white lotus was a master of acting!