Volume One, Chapter 15: Confinement

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Jiang Jinglan helping with changing clothes? Washing the body?

Bai Ruoxi froze in place, only confirming she hadn’t misheard when Qiu Yue repeated the words just spoken.

A sudden warmth seeped into her heart, yet it was not enough to melt the pain within.

The anguish born of disappointment, the fleeting sweetness... two utterly conflicting emotions tore fiercely at Bai Ruoxi’s soul.

The handsome yet indifferent face surfaced in her mind, along with those cutting words...

Doubt clouded Bai Ruoxi’s heart.

What exactly did she mean to Jiang Jinglan?

If it was merely for the sake of the Jiang family’s reputation, he wouldn’t have needed to put on a show at Nanyue Elegant Garden.

Jiang Jinglan had always carried an air of nobility. Except for the few days before their wedding, Bai Ruoxi had never seen him do any menial tasks for her.

Even the bags and jewelry he gave her after their intimacies were chosen by Qiu Yue on his behalf.

Why did Jiang Jinglan go to such lengths last night?

Did he still harbor feelings for her, or was he burdened by guilt over yesterday’s events?

She couldn’t think any further—it would drive her mad!

“Rewarding a dog with a treat after a beating” was a method used for training animals... She was a person! A living, breathing human being!

Bai Ruoxi took a shallow breath, her voice hoarse from crying as she struggled to say, “My phone is missing. Did Jiang Jinglan say where he put it? I need it.”

“Oh, you mean that,” Qiu Yue understood. “Your phone was broken. This morning, the master had someone take it for repair. It should be back by this evening.”

“Is that so?”

Bai Ruoxi pursed her lips.

It must have been damaged in the alley.

“I understand. Butler Qiu, please find me a spare phone. I need to go out.”

She turned, preparing to return to her bedroom to change clothes before heading out.

But she hadn’t taken two steps before Qiu Yue called after her.

“Madam, you can’t go out. The master said you mustn’t leave before your injuries heal.”

Qiu Yue sighed helplessly. “There are guards stationed at the door. You won’t be able to get out...”

“Guards?”

Bai Ruoxi exclaimed in disbelief.

Her breath grew heavier with each inhalation, and her hand hanging at her side gradually clenched into a fist.

She turned to Qiu Yue, her gaze cold as an icy blade.

“Butler Qiu, are you trying to detain me?”

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Qiu Yue had never seen Madam look at him with such a frigid glare. He knew she was furious this time.

Actually, when Jiang Jinglan forbade Bai Ruoxi from leaving, he had voiced his opposition.

Not for any other reason, but as an observer, he clearly understood this would wear down Madam’s affection for the master.

That was not the outcome the master desired, yet the master only said it was for Madam’s own good, without elaborating.

A competent butler naturally must consider the employer’s interests.

After a few moments of thought, Qiu Yue began to defend Jiang Jinglan.

“Madam, you’ve misunderstood the master. Your face is injured. If anyone took pictures, it wouldn’t be good for either you or the master.”

“You should stay home and rest for a while. I’ll have them prepare some of your favorite desserts and fruits to send to you.”

Though these words were not Jiang Jinglan’s original intention, they reminded Bai Ruoxi of some matters she had to take seriously.

If the injuries on her face were photographed, it was highly likely the news would turn unfavorable again.

Since marrying Jiang Jinglan, a few third-rate entertainment reporters seemed perpetually on standby, lurking wherever she liked to go.

Two years ago, Bai Ruoxi wore a dress from a certain brand’s collection released years earlier.

After the reporters snapped photos, she became a trending topic the next day.

They accused her of copying Qin Yu’s style to curry favor.

For heaven’s sake, she had never even met Qin Yu, let alone known what Qin Yu had worn, much less deliberately imitated her.

She didn’t deny wanting Jiang Jinglan’s favor, but she wasn’t so shameless as to mimic his first love.

How disgusting.

Bai Ruoxi raised her hand to touch the scab on her cheekbone.

The thumb-sized black scar stood out starkly against her fair skin.

If she went out today and those reporters snapped pictures again, what would they write?

“CEO of Jiang Group’s first love returns; Bai Ruoxi resorts to self-harm to threaten her wealthy husband?”

“CEO Jiang divorces for first love; Bai Ruoxi refuses to accept and a physical altercation ensues; the fake heiress loses her dignity as the legitimate wife...”

The more she thought about it, the more nauseating it became.

Regaining her composure, Bai Ruoxi cast a reluctant glance toward the door and sighed, “Prepare a phone for me.”

Looks like the meeting at Jin Zhi today would have to be cancelled.

Only after Bai Ruoxi went upstairs did Qiu Yue exhale deeply.

Madam was still as easy to deceive as before.

But for some reason, since last night, he vaguely felt that Madam was different.

As for exactly how, he couldn’t say.

Qiu Yue sighed quietly and sent Jiang Jinglan a message reporting Bai Ruoxi’s condition today.

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———

“Ding dong—”

A crisp ringtone sounded from the phone.

Jiang Jinglan glanced at the screen and waved to Qin Yu, who was reporting work.

Qin Yu promptly fell silent.

After checking the phone, Jiang Jinglan’s brow furrowed slightly.

Qiu Yue never exaggerated, so Bai Ruoxi must be quite upset.

“Jinglan, what’s wrong? Is something the matter?”

Without looking up, Jiang Jinglan replied, “Nothing. By the way, from now on, call me President Jiang at the company.”

“I don’t like the messy rumors going around recently. As HR Director, work with the Administration Department to take measures to handle them.”

Recently, baseless rumors had been circulating, claiming Qin Yu joined Jiang Group as HR Director to prepare for becoming Mrs. Jiang.

Utter nonsense...

Qin Yu’s expression stiffened briefly, then she smiled and said, “Sorry, it’s all my fault.”

“When we talked about the Jiade Plaza project before, I got used to calling you by your name directly.”

“Looks like I need to change that.”

“As for those rumors... President Jiang, I believe rumors end where the wise begin.”

With a sigh tinged with strong self-reproach, Qin Yu continued, “Recently, Dingsheng Investment has a new project in Jiang City.”

“It’s the upscale senior care facility project I told you about at the welcome banquet.”

“The project leader is a friend of mine. I’ve been busy liaising with him, focusing on getting the project for Jiang Group, so I neglected the rumors. It’s all my fault.”

“I even forgot that my primary job is personnel management.”

“President Jiang, I’m truly sorry. I’ll write an internal review immediately...”

Jiang Jinglan’s brow tightened.

Over the years, thanks to Qin Yu’s connections, Jiang Group had secured several projects from Dingsheng Investment, including the construction of Jiade Plaza, accelerating the company’s growth.

Though Qin Yu’s performance in company affairs was somewhat lacking, it didn’t warrant making a big fuss over this.

“No need. Just have someone deal with it and focus on following up the project.”