Helian Cheng's words "Watch carefully" were like a curse with poison, weighing heavily on Su Wan's heart and solidifying every inch of air in the tea room. Teacher Wu's face was pale, and he stood stiffly by the side, not daring to breathe. The old atlas spread out on the tray was like a red-hot iron, exuding a dangerous breath that made people's heart palpitate.
Helian Cheng didn't say anything else. He just used his deep and calm eyes, looking down at Su Wan's stiff back, as if examining a work of art waiting to be sold, and finally fixed on her tightly clenched hands with white knuckles. The eyes were cold and sticky, with a kind of indifference that saw through everything, as if they had penetrated her skin and saw the silent wail of her soul because of the trampling of her dreams.
A few seconds of dead silence were so long that it was suffocating.
Finally, Helian Cheng looked away, as if he had lost interest. He turned around, walked steadily and silently, and walked straight to the large rosewood desk deep in the tea room. The place had been cleared long ago, with several spread-out documents and an ultra-thin laptop.
"Continue." He pulled out a chair and sat down, with his back to Su Wan and Teacher Wu. His voice was low and gentle, without any emotion, but it was like an invisible command, unfreezing the room.
Teacher Wu was as if she had been pardoned, but she did not dare to relax at all. She took a deep breath and tried to keep her voice steady, but there was already a subtle tremor in her rigidity: "Mrs. He, let's... continue. Please look at this Cartier's 'Cheetah' series brooch, the essence of its design is..."
Su Wan's body was still as stiff as a stone. Helian Cheng's presence did not weaken in the slightest because he turned his back to her. Instead, it was like an invisible lead block, weighing heavily on every nerve in her body. Teacher Wu's voice rang out again. Those expensive details about top-level jewelry and the cold genealogy of celebrity families were like countless fine needles, continuously piercing her numb senses. She forced herself to turn her eyes and look in the direction indicated by Teacher Wu, looking at those dazzling but cold and soulless stones, trying to divert her attention from the figure behind her that exuded absolute pressure.
However, the old atlas was like a huge magnet, constantly pulling her eyes and mind back. On the page that was spread out, the smooth and free curve on the first draft of the "Liuguang Island" bracelet was like a thorn, deeply piercing her eyes. It was the totem of her independent soul, but now it was casually discarded under Helian Cheng's scrutiny and became his tool to tame her.
She looked at the line, her fingertips curled unconsciously on her knees, and her nails sank deeply into her palms again, leaving crescent-shaped red marks. The dull pain in her body strangely brought a hint of clarity. She couldn't collapse, couldn't fall down. Lin Xiao was still outside, and her safety was hanging by a thread. Helian Cheng just wanted to see her collapse and surrender completely. She couldn't let him have his way!
This thought was like a glimmer of light in the darkness, giving her a little strength to hold on. She straightened her back that wanted to curl up because of fear, forced herself to raise her chin, and faced the scrutinizing eyes of Teacher Wu, and tried to ignore the cold eyes behind her. Her eyes were still empty, but the determination to burn her boats made her posture fragile but not to be ignored.
The class continued in an extremely weird atmosphere. Teacher Wu's voice was still stereotyped, Su Wan's response was mechanical and alienated, and Helian Cheng focused on the screen and documents in front of him, occasionally tapping the keyboard with his fingertips, making a crisp and regular sound, as if beating the beat for this silent domestication. Time passed by, and every second was torture.
After an unknown amount of time, when Teacher Wu finally talked about the complicated marriage relationship of an ancient European family, a low buzzing sound came from the internal telephone in front of Helian Cheng. He casually pressed the hands-free button.
Chen Mo's flat and calm voice rang clearly in the quiet tea room: "Sir, Miss Bai Weiwei is visiting and is waiting in the living room. She said she has "important things" to discuss with your wife."
The three words "Bai Weiwei" were like stones thrown into a calm lake, instantly causing ripples in Su Wan's numb heart. She remembered this name, which was specifically pointed out in Teacher Wu's lengthy "Celebrity Genealogy" course just now - "The Bai family has its roots overseas, and Miss Bai Weiwei seems to be... quite concerned about you, so you need to pay attention."
An inexplicable chill climbed up her spine. She subconsciously looked at Helian Cheng's back.
Helian Cheng's fingers on the keyboard paused. He did not respond to Chen Mo immediately, nor did he look back at Su Wan. In the brief silence, only the faint sound of electricity from the internal phone sizzled. A few seconds later, his low voice sounded, with an indifference of control over everything: "Please wait, Miss Bai."
He cut off the call and slowly stood up. The tall figure cast a long shadow under the soft light of the tea room. He did not look at Teacher Wu, his eyes were like a precise searchlight, directly locking onto Su Wan's pale and slightly vigilant face.
"Mrs. He," he said, his voice was not loud, but with an unquestionable command, "Go change your clothes. Meet the guests."
The two words "meet the guests" were deliberately emphasized by him. This was obviously not an ordinary social visit, but more like the next scene in his script. Su Wan's heart sank suddenly. Bai Weiwei... the name itself represents trouble and unknown danger.
She was surrounded by maids and returned to the cold master bedroom. Xiaoling brought out a new dress. It was not the noble and conservative champagne suit she wore before, but a black velvet suspender dress with an extremely simple design and a nearly harsh cut. The skirt was knee-length and had no extra decorations. The only highlight was the very thin platinum chain inlaid with a few broken diamonds at the neckline, which reflected a cold and fine light under the light.
This skirt showed Su Wan's slender collarbone and graceful shoulder and neck lines, but it was very tight at the waist and abdomen, outlining her waist that could be grasped in one hand, with a calm and controlling sexiness. Wearing it, Su Wan felt like a carefully packaged commodity ready for display.
When she was led to the living room again, she heard a soft and gentle female voice with a smile from afar.
"Uncle Fu, you are getting more and more energetic. This 'Suguan Heding' is well taken care of. Brother Liancheng has a unique vision..."
A woman stood in front of the huge French window in the living room.
Bai Weiwei. She was wearing the latest Chanel tweed suit of the season, with a slim figure and impeccable makeup. Her long chestnut curly hair was meticulously groomed, and two huge teardrop-shaped diamond earrings were adorned on her earlobes, which swayed gently as she spoke, shining with dazzling light. She was leaning slightly to admire a pot of valuable orchids by the window. Her profile was beautiful, and the corners of her mouth were filled with a just right, gentle and decent smile.
Hearing the footsteps, Bai Weiwei turned around gracefully.
When her eyes fell on Su Wan, who was led by the maid, the gentle smile instantly solidified on her face, like a crack in the carefully painted mask. Her eyes were like a scanner, with an undisguised, superior scrutiny, quickly scanning Su Wan from head to toe.
Her eyes swept across Su Wan's simple but figure-flattering black velvet dress, across her smooth neck (without any jewelry on it), and finally fixed on the huge pigeon egg diamond ring on her left ring finger that was too big to ignore. A trace of incredible shock quickly flashed through Bai Weiwei's eyes, and was immediately replaced by a deeper, poisonous jealousy and contempt.
Although the strange color was quickly covered up by her and replaced with an impeccable social smile, Su Wan still caught it clearly. That look was like looking at a cheap fake that was extremely annoying but inexplicably appeared in the Treasure Pavilion.
"This must be... Miss Su?" Bai Weiwei's voice was still gentle, with a hint of deliberate prolongation, but her eyes were sharp as a knife, "Oh, no, now it should be... Mrs. He?" She tilted her head slightly, smiling sweetly, but her eyes were cold, "Congratulations, you really... have risen to prominence."
The phrase "risen to prominence" was said by her in an extremely gentle tone, but with a strong sense of irony and undisguised contempt. She walked forward, extended her hand gracefully, seemingly friendly, but her eyes were full of condescension and scrutiny, as if waiting for Su Wan to accept her "gift" in fear.
Su Wan's heart was beating fast. Bai Weiwei's undisguised hostility was like a cold needle, piercing her pretended calmness. She subconsciously wanted to retreat, but remembered Helian Cheng's cold order and Lin Xiao's safety. She couldn't retreat.
Just as Su Wan's fingertips were cold and she was hesitating whether to reach out her hand to respond to this false "friendliness", a low voice with absolute control sounded behind her, instantly suppressing all the invisible undercurrents in the living room like a rock.
"She doesn't need to thank you, Weiwei."
Helian Cheng had come to the living room without knowing when. He walked straight to Su Wan with steady steps. The tall figure, with an invisible sense of oppression, instantly enveloped Su Wan in his breath.
He did not look at Bai Weiwei's outstretched hand, or even look at her. His eyes fell on Su Wan, with a sense of possession and scrutiny as a matter of course. Then, he stretched out his arm very naturally, and in an irresistible gesture, he strongly embraced Su Wan's slender waist and brought her into his arms.
Su Wan's body stiffened instantly. His arms were strong and powerful, like iron hoops, with scorching temperature, imprinted on her skin through the thin velvet cloth. This sudden, possessive and intimate action caught her off guard, and a shudder of humiliation and discomfort instantly spread throughout her body. She was forced to cling to his solid body, and could clearly feel his steady heartbeat and the clear cold fragrance on his body, which made her feel a suffocating confinement.
Bai Weiwei's outstretched hand froze in mid-air, and the perfect smile on her face finally shattered, revealing incredible astonishment and a trace of embarrassment of being humiliated in public. She watched Helian Cheng imprison Su Wan in his arms in a gesture that was almost a declaration of sovereignty, watching Su Wan's forced cuddling posture and the paleness and discomfort that instantly passed across her face, and the jealousy and anger in her eyes almost burst out.
Helian Cheng then slowly raised his eyes and looked at Bai Weiwei. His eyes were deep and calm, without any emotional fluctuations, as if he was just looking at an insignificant stranger.
"What's the matter?" He spoke in a low voice, with a cold and distant voice that kept people away from him.
Bai Weiwei's face turned red and white. She quickly withdrew her hand, suppressed her turbulent emotions, and forced a smile again: "Brother Liancheng, look at what you said. I heard that you got married, so I came here to congratulate you and... see your new sister-in-law." Her eyes once again swept to Su Wan, who was firmly held in Helian Cheng's arms, and her eyes were like ice spikes with poison, "Sister-in-law is really... lucky."
The last three words were bitten very hard by her, with a strong sense of sarcasm.
Helian Cheng seemed to have completely failed to hear the sharpness in her words, or rather, he didn't care at all. His arm around Su Wan's waist did not relax at all, but tightened a little, making Su Wan almost unable to breathe. He tilted his head slightly, put his thin lips close to Su Wan's ear, and ordered in a low voice that only the two of them could hear:
"Speak."
The warm breath brushed the sensitive earlobe with unquestionable coercion. Su Wan shuddered and was forced to raise her head to meet Bai Weiwei's unfriendly eyes full of jealousy and scrutiny. The huge pressure made her mind go blank, and the "decent and calm" social etiquette instilled by Teacher Wu was instantly thrown out of the window.
She opened her mouth, her throat was dry and tight, and the voice she spoke was trembling and empty with a subtle tremor: "Thank... Thank you, Miss Bai."
This dry and unconfident response formed a sharp contrast with Bai Weiwei's deliberate provocation, making her look like a puppet that was forced onto the stage and trembling under the spotlight.
The contempt and disdain in Bai Weiwei's eyes almost overflowed. She pulled the corners of her mouth, revealing a victorious, sympathetic fake smile: "Sister-in-law is so... polite." She turned her eyes to Helian Cheng, and her tone became gentle again, "Brother Liancheng, I came here this time for another small matter. I need a suitable male companion for the charity dinner at Uncle Gu's house next week. You know, I just returned to China not long ago, and I don't know many people..." Her words were filled with just the right amount of coquettishness and expectation, and her eyes looked straight at Helian Cheng.
This was almost a naked invitation and temptation. In the upper circles of Jingjiang City, who didn't know Bai Weiwei's thoughts about Helian Cheng? She made this request in front of the new "Mrs. He" at this moment, which was full of provocation.
Helian Cheng's face was still calm. He didn't even look at Bai Weiwei's expectant eyes, and his eyes still stayed on Su Wan's eyelashes that were slightly trembling because of nervousness. He held his hand around her waist, his fingertips through the thin velvet fabric, and slowly caressed the sensitive skin on her waist with a sense of intimate control.
Su Wan's body instantly tensed up, like a fully drawn bowstring, and a strong sense of humiliation swept through her body along with the trembling of being violated. She bit her lower lip tightly to suppress the urge to scream and break free.
"I'm busy." Helian Cheng finally spoke, his voice as cold as ice, without any room for maneuver, "That day, I have to accompany my wife."
His answer was crisp and even a little impatient. After that, he no longer gave Bai Weiwei any chance to speak, and the arm holding Su Wan's waist slightly exerted force, took her around, and said to Chen Mo, who was standing beside him, in an unquestionable tone: "Chen Mo, send the guests away."
Throughout the process, he didn't even give Bai Weiwei an extra glance, whose face suddenly became extremely ugly and whose carefully manicured nails almost pinched into his palms. He embraced Su Wan, who was stiff and pale, as if carrying a possession that no one else could covet, and walked straight towards the spiral staircase leading to the second floor.
Bai Weiwei stood there, watching the two people hugging and leaving, especially Helian Cheng's possessive hand clasped on Su Wan's waist, and Su Wan's passive and fragile posture. The elegant mask she carefully maintained was completely shattered, leaving only twisted jealousy and resentment burning wildly in her eyes.
Helian Cheng half-embraced and half-carried Su Wan to the second floor. His steps were steady and powerful, and the strength of his arms did not slacken at all. Su Wan was forced to lean on his arms, and her breath was full of the clear and cold fragrance of his body. The place on her waist that was touched by his fingers felt like it was burned by an iron, and the burning humiliation burned her nerves. Her body was stiff like a piece of wood, and every step was like stepping on the tip of a knife.
Back to the huge and cold master bedroom, Helian Cheng finally let go of his arms. Su Wan staggered suddenly, holding onto the cold wall to stand. She lowered her head, panting rapidly, her chest heaving violently, as if she had just struggled out of the suffocating deep water.
Helian Cheng stood in front of her, his tall figure bringing a strong sense of oppression. He looked at her silently, looking at her pale face, trembling shoulders, and her drooping eyes that had lost all their spirit. He seemed to be appreciating her embarrassment at the moment, and seemed to be evaluating the degree of damage to an item.
"The performance just now," he broke the silence in a low voice, with a hint of coldness, like an evaluation report, "barely passed."
Su Wan raised her head suddenly, and the anger of being humiliated instantly ignited in her red eyes. Barely passed? What did he think of her? A clown performing on stage to please him?
"Remember your current identity, Mrs. He." Helian Cheng ignored the anger in her eyes and took a step forward. The strong sense of oppression approached again. "Your emotions, your reactions, including your... body language," his eyes swept across her still clenched fists, "all represent my face."
He stretched out his hand, and his cold fingertips lifted her chin again, forcing her to look directly into his bottomless eyes. There was no warmth in that look, only absolute control and a hint of... amusement of seeing the prey struggling in the trap.
"Next time," his fingertips slowly rubbed her cold jaw skin, his voice low and dangerous, "I hope to see real 'calmness', not... this kind of clumsy disguise that can be seen through at a glance." He paused, admiring the flame of humiliation in her eyes, "especially, in front of those... people who 'pay attention' to you."
His words were meaningful. Bai Weiwei's provocation, as well as more covetousness or temptations that may appear in the future, will all be part of this "game". And she, Su Wan, must play the role of "Mrs. He" perfectly under his control and become his impeccable accessory and shield.
After saying that, he let go of her chin, as if he had lost interest in continuing to "teach". He turned and walked towards the cloakroom, unbuttoning his suit jacket as he walked, his movements elegant and casual.
"Change this outfit." He ordered without looking back, his voice returning to its usual coldness, "It's an eyesore."
The door was closed, and a subtle sound came from the cloakroom.
Su Wan still leaned stiffly against the cold wall, as if all her strength had been drained away. Helian Cheng's last sentence "It's an eyesore" was like a cold whip, lashing her remaining self-esteem. She looked down at the well-cut and expensive black velvet dress on her body. The few tiny diamonds on the collar flashed cold light under the light, just like the decorations on the chain.
This dress, this identity, this cage, and everything that the man had imposed on her, made her feel boundlessly humiliated and suffocated.
A wave of nausea suddenly surged up in her stomach, instantly overwhelmed all her strength.
"Ugh!"
She could no longer control herself, suddenly bent down, covered her mouth with both hands, and began to retch. The violent physiological reaction made her whole body spasm, and tears were forced out instantly, mixed with the sour and bitter taste of gastric juice, and dripped awkwardly on the cold and smooth marble floor.
Nothing was vomited out, only endless acid water and bitter bile burning her throat.
She slid down to the ground, her back against the cold wall, her body trembling constantly due to the violent retching, her face as pale as paper. Tears mixed with humiliating sweat covered her entire face. She looked at her miserable reflection on the floor, and the black velvet dress that symbolized imprisonment. A huge despair, like a cold tide, completely overwhelmed her.
This was her life as "Mrs. He". Under the bright and beautiful appearance, there was a rotten cage and the torture of the spirit being lingering. And for her, even the freedom to vomit seemed so luxurious and... an eyesore.