Chapter 11: An Early Birthday Gift

Tang Qiao'er, at this moment, had her hair casually tied into a bun, adorned with a jade hairpin. Dressed in a sky-blue opera costume, her water sleeves danced like flowing clouds as she sang Kunqu opera's "The Peony Pavilion" for Tang Yue. Her almond eyes seemed on the verge of tears, exuding a captivating charm that was effortlessly alluring. When the song finished, Tang Yue couldn't help but applaud, his smiling eyes filled with doting affection. "Excellent, excellent. Third Aunt taught you well. If this were ancient times, you'd be directly appointed as a noble consort." "Who wants to be a concubine? If I'm going to be anything, I'll be a queen, shining with confidence." Tang Qiao'er broke character instantly, cracking her knuckles loudly. "What do you mean 'no'? If not, we wouldn't have three more stepmothers now." Tang Yue sighed helplessly, a bitter smile on his face. Tang Qiao'er lowered her gaze, folded her water sleeves, and sat beside her brother. Thinking of the three wives, her expression became somewhat clouded. "Qiaoqiao, in these past three years, they've missed you very much and cared about you. They often privately asked me about your situation." "Brother, what are you trying to say?" "Qiaoqiao, when you left home to become a Doctors Without Borders physician in a foreign land, I knew a large part of it was you acting out against Dad." Tang Yue gently put his arm around her shoulder, a hint of sorrow gathering between his handsome brows. "But our father is just that kind of person; we can't choose. Moreover, no one in this world is without flaws. Even Shen Jingjue, whom you loved for so many years, didn't you discover many of his faults after three years of marriage?" Tang Qiao'er's raven-wing lashes fluttered as she gripped the cool jade bracelet on her slender wrist. "The only difference is, you can choose to leave Shen Jingjue, but you can never sever the blood ties with your father. Since you can't break them, try to accept them. Besides, Dad loves you very much, and the three wives are also kind people. They've managed the household meticulously all these years, and none of them ever overstepped their bounds. I can vouch for them with my own character." In truth, Tang Yue didn't know. Because of one incident, Tang Qiao'er had already quietly accepted them two years ago. * Han Xian bandaged Shen Jingjue's wound and then left the room. Shen Jingjue's head ached at the thought of Jin Enrou crying, throwing tantrums, and smashing things. In his memory, his first love was gentle, docile, and demure; it was impossible for her to act so inappropriately. The man sighed. Perhaps people always change. But no matter what, Jin Enrou was his childhood sweetheart. She had accompanied him through his darkest, most despairing days; she was his obsession. He would marry her no matter what. Enduring the pain, he continued to review documents for a while. Shen Jingjue's gaze inadvertently fell upon the suit lying on the sofa. He got up, walked over, and picked up the suit, examining it closely. Although he and Tang Yue were similar in height, his shoulders were a bit broader, and his build was more substantial than Tang Yue's. It looked, in every way, like his size. "Ugly," he scoffed. A few minutes later. Shen Jingjue put on the suit. He stood in front of the full-length mirror, checking himself, then raised his arms. It fit perfectly! The craftsmanship was no less than that of high-end custom brands! That rustic, unsophisticated woman, how could she have such good taste? Just then, a knock sounded at the door. Aunt Wu came in to bring him hot milk. "Oh? Young Master, you're actually wearing the suit Young Madam gave you? Young Madam will be so happy when she finds out!" Aunt Wu's expression was filled with undisguised joy. In this Shen family, everyone treated Bai Xiaoxiao as insignificant, except for Aunt Wu, who had raised Shen Jingjue since he was young. "What did you say?" Shen Jingjue froze. "Aren't you wearing the one Young Madam gave you? Yes, it's this one... Young Madam asked me to pick it up from the tailor's a month ago. She even asked me to keep it a secret, saying it was her birthday gift for you." Birthday gift? Shen Jingjue stood dumbfounded. But his birthday was still some time away! "Aunt Wu, I know you and Bai Xiaoxiao have a good relationship, but she's already left. You don't need to side with her on everything anymore." Shen Jingjue's eyes were cold. "Young Master, I watched you grow up. If there's anyone in this Shen family I truly side with, it's only you!" Aunt Wu walked over, looking at the handsome man in the mirror, her gaze meaningful. "Young Madam said that making the suit takes a long time. Every stitch was sewn by her own hand, the fabric was personally selected and custom-ordered by her, and even the buttons were custom-made. She was busy with household chores, so she could only spare a little time each day to work at the tailor's. That's why she finished it a month early and kept it hidden in the wardrobe, afraid you'd find it." Shen Jingjue felt as if his chest had been punched, his eyes wide with disbelief. "If you don't believe me, you can check the label. Your name is embroidered there." Shen Jingjue quickly took off the suit and threw it on the sofa, as if the garment were burning him. "We're already divorced. I have no interest in knowing what she did for me. You can go rest." "Young Master, why did you divorce Young Madam? Young Madam is such a good girl, and she was so devoted to you..." "Devoted?" Shen Jingjue let out a cold laugh that tore at his lungs. "So devoted that she threw herself into another man's arms right after leaving me?" "How could Young Madam..." Aunt Wu was astonished. "They say you can't truly know a person in less than three years. That saying is truly accurate." Shen Jingjue fiercely crushed any lingering thoughts of Bai Xiaoxiao, his blood rushing to his head. "If she had no true feelings, why pretend to be indispensable to me? Did she think that would make me fall in love with her over time? Did she think I, Shen Jingjue, was so easily fooled and manipulated?!" "Young Master, I think there must be a misunderstanding. I saw clearly how deep Young Madam's feelings for you were." Aunt Wu shook her head regretfully, walking over to fold the suit. "Enough, Aunt Wu, don't say any more." "You will regret missing Young Madam, someday." * Tang Qiao'er had intended to sleep in, but her biological clock woke her up at five. Because normally at this time, she would be making breakfast for the Shen family. Now, she no longer had to be immersed in kitchen fumes, cooking for a large family, no longer had to endure the Shen family's scrutiny. It felt great! Divorce was exhilarating! After a simple wash-up, Tang Qiao'er changed into tight workout clothes and went to paddle her single stand-up paddleboard on the lake behind the villa. The lake shore was filled with the fragrance of flowers and the songs of birds. Tang Qiao'er moved her arms, her graceful and powerful figure gliding swiftly across the mirror-like surface of the lake, leaving circles of ripples. After her workout, she had breakfast and washed up, then Tang Qiao'er came downstairs, full of energy. Lin Su's eyes widened when he saw the young miss appear. Today, Tang Qiao'er had her long hair pinned up, still wearing exquisite and vibrant makeup. Her small, palm-sized face was like fine jade, her eyes sparkling. She wore a black long blazer over a red lace dress, her slender, shapely waist and long, toned legs captivating. "Hey, wipe your drool." Tang Qiao'er snapped her fingers in front of him. "Slurp—" Lin Su blushed crimson. "Young Miss, you... you're truly beautiful." "You're my brother's chief secretary, for goodness sake. Can you stop looking like a pervert every time you see a beautiful woman?" Tang Qiao'er shook her head, a wry smile on her face. The Rolls-Royce drove towards the KSWORLD Hotel. The beautiful female CEO appeared in the restaurant without anyone noticing. Despite being such a stunning top beauty, all the employees were like mice seeing a cat, not daring to breathe loudly, filled with trepidation. After yesterday's lesson, no one dared to slack off today. The hotel's marble floors were polished to a mirror shine, and all ingredients were the freshest. Tang Qiao'er inspected the area, gave a few pointers, and then returned to her office. "I don't have much for you to do here for now, A Su. You can go back to my brother." "I don't need to go back." Lin Su said with a smile. "Mr. Tang said I'm to follow you from now on. I'm your secretary." "What?!" Tang Qiao'er's beautiful eyes widened slightly. "My brother said he was going to give me a gift today. Could it be... you?!" Lin Su blinked his large eyes and nodded. What a prank! Her brother was really good at giving gifts—he gave her a living person! Seeing Tang Qiao'er speechless for a moment, Lin Su started to panic. "Young Miss, you wouldn't dislike me for being a 'second-hand' secretary and not take me, would you?" Tang Qiao'er's lips twitched. "Second-hand my ass... that's called having rich work experience!" "Hehe, then please guide me in the future! My demands aren't high, just a higher annual salary will do!" Lin Su joked. "Is money an issue? If you do well, I'll make you rich beyond your wildest dreams. If you don't, I'll make you a 'third-hand' secretary." Tang Qiao'er propped her chin on her hand, her beautiful red lips curving. Lin Su gasped, then quickly began to report on the current work progress. "As you arranged yesterday, all bedding from Aili Home Furnishings has been replaced, and all KS hotels nationwide have been notified that Aili bedding must be replaced within a week." Just then, an urgent knock came from outside the door.