Nothing more than a woman born from a troupe, only able to rise after the main wife fell, Helian Yu had always looked down on that old hag from the bottom of her heart.
The opera house sang grand plays for three days straight, and now that she was on top, she feared no one would know her origins. Even though she climbed her way up, she still couldn’t change the pettiness ingrained in her very bones.
And yet, with such a lowly background, she managed to take control of the Yu family’s core and trample upon the heads of Jingzhou’s entire upper echelon.
Helian Yu deeply understood the truth that fortune and misfortune alternate in turns. Therefore, she had to make preparations. She’d had enough of Qingzhou and must seize this opportunity to orchestrate her plans well...
Helian Yu’s gaze shifted, landing on the young boy.
Her lips curved slightly, her eyes carrying a trace of arrogance.
"Xixi, staring at screens too long is bad for your eyes. Take a break and chat with Mom for a while."
Liu Runxi remained unmoved, not even lifting his head. "The day after tomorrow is the physics competition."
"Mom believes, with your ability, there won’t be any problems at all."
"That eldest young lady of the Yu family, do you still remember her? Use this chance..."
"Smack." The boy put down the tablet and raised his head, quietly looking at her.
Those pitch-black eyes stared at her with tranquility, without a ripple, like a bottomless, shadowy pond, as if seeing through all her thoughts.
The faintly curved corners of his lips seemed like a silent mockery, cold and indifferent to the extreme.
Helian Yu felt her heart jolt.
Since when had her son become so unfamiliar to her?
"One day, you’ll understand that everything Mother does is for your own good."
The boy lowered his gaze again, his entire being exuding an aura of unapproachable detachment, ignoring Helian Yu’s incessant remarks.
Just then, the assistant respectfully handed Helian Yu a phone: "Madam, it’s your call."
Helian Yu glanced at the caller ID, answered, and held the phone to her ear.
Whatever the person on the other end said, it caused Helian Yu’s willow-like eyebrows to furrow, and her face to sink into a deep seriousness.
"Keep digging. That man called Shen Li—I must know everything about him."
The silent boy’s ear twitched ever so slightly.
There was a knock at the door, followed by the respectful voice of a staff member.
"Madam, it’s time to board the plane."
Helian Yu ended the call, adjusted the shawl draped over her shoulders, and elegantly rose to her feet.
The assistant followed closely behind her.
When she saw the boy take the initiative to stand up and place his tablet into his backpack, Helian Yu’s lips curled in satisfaction.
Xixi still listened to her.
Perhaps he was going through some so-called rebellious phase, but one day, he’d come to realize her well-meaning intentions.
Liu Runxi followed behind Helian Yu, boarding the plane through a private passageway under the guidance of the staff, entering first-class.
Their seats were adjacent. After sitting down, the boy immediately retrieved his tablet and began working on problems as if no one else were present.
Helian Yu felt gratified by his diligence, but her heart ached for him as well.
In the end, her emotions condensed into a sigh as she placed a cup of hot tea on the table at his side.
Outside the window, passengers from the economy cabin could be seen beginning to board.
The divide between the two cabins was like heaven and earth—a stark chasm of class.
Helian Yu calmly withdrew her gaze, frowning again as she pondered the information from her earlier phone call.
Unexpectedly, Liu Runxi frowned, set his stylus down, and stopped what he was doing.
Helian Yu noticed his movement and immediately asked with concern, "Xixi, are you feeling unwell?"
Liu Runxi shook his head. "I’m fine. Just a little stomachache, probably from eating something bad."
With that, he slid back the divider and stood up. "I’m heading to the restroom."
He left with hurried steps.
Helian Yu frowned and glanced at the phone and tablet on the table, then relaxed slightly, closing her eyes to rest.
Twenty minutes later, a sweet female voice came over the intercom, announcing the pre-flight safety procedures.
Helian Yu suddenly opened her eyes and glanced at the seat beside her.
Liu Runxi hadn’t returned.
Realizing something, Helian Yu abruptly stood. "This plane cannot take off."
Flight attendants rushed over. "Madam, the plane is preparing for takeoff. Please sit down and fasten your seatbelt..."
"Take off for what? My son hasn’t returned yet."
The flight attendants stared at her, momentarily stunned, recognizing her extraordinary status and not daring to respond casually.
"Madam, twenty minutes ago, the young gentleman felt unwell and disembarked. Did he not inform you?"
Helian Yu’s first reaction was that something had happened to Liu Runxi, and she was about to demand the plane delay takeoff. Just then, her phone rang abruptly.
Seeing the caller ID, Helian Yu quickly picked up the call. "Xixi..."
Six short words, spoken with sheer indifference.
There was no extra explanation, nor any wasted breath, as the call ended decisively.
Helian Yu’s expression turned stormy, her piercing gaze scanning the phone, tablet, and his ever-present backpack on the table beside her.
Suddenly, she let out a cold laugh, startling the flight attendant next to her.
"Madam, the plane is preparing to take off. Please return to your seat and fasten your seatbelt..." Read full story at N0v3l.Fiɾe.net
Gritting her teeth, the refined and elegant exterior of Helian Yu reemerged, and she sat down.
But her hands gripping the armrests, whitening her knuckles, betrayed the fury brewing inside her.