Sun Yian was a prodigal son, ruthless and relentless, yet he also fancied himself as above others, fixated on obtaining a lady’s willing affection.
In the past, he hadn’t refrained from kidnapping people, but he had never captured a beauty like Xie Zhinuan.
So dazzling in beauty, she seemed beyond worldly reach.
And she wasn’t like those other women, wailing and causing a ruckus, anxious and unsettled. She was composed, composed, nor did she cry or weep. Instead, she smiled like blooming flowers, as if everything was under her control.
"Please!" Sun Yian said softly, and then to the servant standing on the side, "Go to the Xie Residence and say that Miss Xie will be delayed. I will personally escort her home later!"
"Yes!" The servant promptly complied.
Upon entering the hall, a pretty maid brought in tea with utmost respect, inviting Xie Zhinuan to partake and stealing a careful glance at her before retreating.
Pretending not to notice, she picked up the teacup and took a gentle sip.
The tea was fragrant, this year’s new harvest, and made from the rare tender bud tips.
After tasting the tea, Xie Zhinuan looked towards Sun Yian, "Did Young Master Sun go through such trouble to invite me here for a medical examination?"
"..."
Sun Yian wanted to say no.
But under Xie Zhinuan’s earnest and gentle gaze, he changed his tune, "Yes, I have an illness. I wonder if it can be cured?"
"Of course, it can be cured. It’s just a bit troublesome, but as long as you take the medicine as I prescribe, you will surely be healed. I just want to ask Young Master Sun whether the servants in this estate should also be examined? And it might be best to have a check on your lady friends too since this foul disease is contagious!" Xie Zhinuan looked at Sun Yian.
Seeing his complexion turn pale and then flush red, his eyes conveying hope, and perhaps a trace of another emotion.
Xie Zhinuan added, "The elder and I will soon develop a medicine pill. When the time comes, male doctors will tend to the men, and I will see to the women!"
She raised her hand to smooth her hair by her ear, "Although I am a physician, I am also an unmarried woman; there are certain proprieties I must maintain. Wouldn’t you agree, Young Master Sun?"
Her voice was gentle.
As if she was oblivious to the fact that he was a villain of the worst sort. In her eyes, he was just a person, a person who had contracted a vile disease.
Without disgust, without fear, even her speech was light and faint.
Sun Yian suddenly stood up, "The flowers are in full bloom now. Would Xie Zhinuan care to take a look?"
"Sure, I was actually thinking of buying some plants to adorn my mansion!" Xie Zhinuan got up.
She followed Sun Yian out of the hall.
His mansion was exquisite throughout, and the decorations, by Xie Zhinuan’s standards, were collectibles of the finest order.
Even the flowers were meticulously cared for.
"Your mansion is nice!" Xie Zhinuan praised.
"If you like it, how about I give it to you as payment for your medical services?" Sun Yian suggested.
He was quite serious.
All the items in this mansion were treasures he had collected over the years. Each item might not be of inestimable value, but they were certainly the finest of their kind.
He aimed to shower her with wealth to win her over.
But Xie Zhinuan had been nonconventional from the start. His fierce nature, challenged by her mild and clear gaze, was forcefully suppressed.
"This mansion is too valuable. However, I would accept a few potted plants as a gift!" Xie Zhinuan smiled as she declined.
Watching those maids trailing behind, their elation at Sun Yian’s offer turning into disappointment when she refused, stirred something unpleasant in her heart.
These attendants longed to escape the pit that was Sun Yian, yet they were utterly powerless to do so.
"Feel free to take any plant you like. Actually, I would prefer to give you the entire mansion!"
"Including all the servants in the mansion?" Xie Zhinuan inquired.