Volume 1, Chapter 19: If you want to play something more thrilling, your uncle here can certainly satisfy you.

After leaving the North Garden, Lin Fangfei headed straight for the East Garden. She had known all along that there was some unspeakable secret between Ning Yu and her uncle. But she never imagined it could be this kind of illicit relationship.

Lin Fangfei lacked concrete evidence, but her intuition told her that if her uncle really had a woman hidden in the old estate, that woman was most likely Ning Yu. Despite Ning Yu’s dull and uninteresting exterior, her lack of romantic flair, her background as the daughter of a nouveau riche family, and her conservative, unfeminine style of dress, Lin Fangfei’s gut feeling pointed directly at her.

When Lin Fangfei knocked on the gates of the East Garden, Lin Haoyu had only been back for a few minutes and had yet to head upstairs to check on Ning Yu. Seeing Lin Fangfei rush in, his attention was immediately drawn. "Fangfei? What’s wrong? Why are you here so early?"

"It’s like this, Big Brother. Yesterday, Uncle took Ning Yu’s pulse and said she wasn't in good health and that her eating habits were irregular. Even though I don't usually like her, since she’s the person you’ve chosen, I’ve decided to accept her as my sister-in-law." Lin Fangfei spoke with a smile that seemed almost sincere. "So, I thought I’d come over to have breakfast with her and help get her on a regular schedule."

"Fangfei, you are truly sensible. Our second young lady of the Lin family is the most reasonable and kindest of us all." Lin Haoyu smiled and checked the time. "It is indeed time for breakfast. Little Yu is usually up by now; why hasn't she come down yet?"

Hearing this, Lin Fangfei’s suspicions only deepened. "Shall we go and call her? Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and with her poor stomach, she really needs to be careful."

"Thank you for your concern for Little Yu, Fangfei." Lin Haoyu was touched, and having no reason to refuse, he went upstairs with her.

They knocked on the bedroom door, but there was no response. Lin Haoyu knocked twice more, still with no answer, so he placed his hand on the handle. "What’s going on today?"

The door was locked from the inside. Lin Haoyu was even more puzzled. "Little Yu didn't lock the door yesterday. Why did she lock it today?"

Lin Fangfei’s entire body tensed. She was already sixty percent convinced that the woman in her uncle’s bed was Ning Yu. With the addition of Ning Yu’s strange behavior today, that number climbed to eighty percent. All she needed was to burst in and find out the truth.

"Little Yu! Little Yu!" Lin Haoyu called out loudly.

Soon, the doorknob turned, and the door opened. Ning Yu, looking dazed and sleepy, stared at the two of them in confusion. "Haoyu, why are you and Miss Fangfei standing at my door?"

Ning Yu wore a nightdress, her hair was disheveled, and her appearance seemed entirely genuine, her eyes bleary as if she had only just woken up. Lin Fangfei looked at her suspiciously. This couldn't be right—how could she be so calm? And she looked completely normal. Was her intuition wrong? Lin Fangfei scrutinized her, but she couldn't find a single thing out of place.

"Fangfei and I wanted to ask you to join us for breakfast. Your stomach really isn't well, and you should be eating regularly," Lin Haoyu explained.

"I see. Thank you for your concern. But even so, Haoyu, you shouldn't keep Miss Fangfei standing here!" Ning Yu gave him a playful, reproving look. "You and Miss Fangfei go on downstairs first. I’ll change and be down in a moment."

Lin Haoyu nodded, and Lin Fangfei, unable to find any evidence, had to let it go and followed him to the main hall.

Inside the bedroom, Ning Yu looked at the mottled marks on her body in the mirror and cursed Li Shiyan to the heavens. Lin Fangfei’s gaze earlier had nearly broken her into a cold sweat. If even one of these marks had been seen, ten mouths wouldn't be enough to explain it away.

Her engagement to Lin Haoyu had to continue; no one could ruin it. Only by holding onto this engagement did she have the leverage to negotiate with the Ning family. She couldn't be under their thumb for the rest of her life; she had to find Yan-yan and reclaim her own freedom.

When Ning Yu went downstairs after changing, the servants had already prepared the meal, and there was an uninvited guest—Ning Yunyun. Ning Yunyun was clearly keeping her options open; she wouldn't let go of Lin Haoyu until she found someone with more potential and power.

Ning Yu took her seat as Ning Yunyun chatted with Lin Haoyu. The way they laughed and talked, anyone who didn't know better would think they were the ones engaged. Ning Yu met Lin Fangfei’s eyes across the table. "It’s my honor to have Miss Fangfei’s concern."

"It’s nothing. I just feel I have to look out for you," Lin Fangfei said, staring at her and examining her inch by inch. She was like a fly smelling decay; as long as there was the slightest crack in Ning Yu’s facade, she would pry it open to see what was underneath.

Ning Yu smiled and calmly popped a chive pocket into her mouth. Breakfast at the Lin estate was almost entirely Chinese, with a vast variety from soy milk and dough sticks to Cantonese dim sum. Ning Yu didn't actually like chive pockets; she hadn't eaten one twice in twenty-six years because they were filled with chives and eggs. She really had to thank Ning Yunyun for distracting Lin Haoyu, or he would have noticed her reaction before the food even touched her lips.

Ning Yu’s guess was correct; Lin Fangfei was indeed suspicious. She kept leaning in close, either suggesting she check her arms or trying to catch a glimpse of her neck. Unfortunately, Ning Yu had broken out in red hives, which made Lin Fangfei’s skin crawl, forcing her to temporarily abandon her suspicions and leave.

Just then, Lin Haoyu snapped out of his daze, seemingly realizing he had been neglecting Ning Yu. Seeing her allergic reaction, he immediately dragged her off to the North Garden. But they hadn't been sitting long before he was called away by a phone call from Ning Yunyun.

"It isn't quite right for my niece-in-law to be running over to my place every day, is it?" A man descended the stairs with a lazy stride, his voice mocking.

Seeing Li Shiyan, Ning Yu’s legs went weak, and her whole body seemed to ache. He was dressed in crisp, immaculate clothing, and though he radiated a wild and reckless aura, he looked like a man who kept his distance from women—at least, he looked like a decent person. His nonchalant demeanor made it seem as if the man from yesterday, who had acted as if he were drugged, hadn't been him at all.

Nothing she said or did mattered; he had nearly broken her apart. He had been satisfied, while she had been left in pieces. Yet, as soon as the sun rose, he had transformed back into a gentleman? She was furious.

The man raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "What’s the matter? Are you going to eat eggs and try to kill yourself again to prove your innocence and your loyalty to my nephew?"

Ning Yu laughed coldly, intentionally mirroring his tone. "Shouldn't I be thanking you, Uncle? If it weren't for your ‘gift,’ I wouldn't have had to make myself suffer!"

"You're welcome," he replied flippantly. "If you want to play something more exciting, your uncle is always happy to oblige."