For three full months, she had not stepped outside. Her movements were confined to this grand mansion and its garden. She hadn’t even expressed a desire to leave. However, she never seemed to feel bored, nor did she seem to need the outside world. Just sitting here was enough for her.
Wan Donglin had never seen such a quiet person. Her face was languid and tranquil, like a wandering soul. If one didn’t observe her closely, her presence might go entirely unnoticed.
He stared at her in perplexity for a long time before sitting down beside her.
From the window, one could look down and see the high ceiling extending to the spiral staircase below. A high, red velvet swing used to hang there. But after she fell down the staircase last time, he had it removed. He was so eager to be her first man! Driven by this shameless pleasure, and fearing she might have another accident, he had, for the first time, shown some kindness by making an exception and offering her this small privilege.
Even the duration of her stay was an exception. In the past, no woman he brought to this mansion had stayed for more than three months. Most of the time, he would grow bored before a month had passed. The longest stay he could recall was by a once-famous supermodel, and even she hadn’t lasted two months.
Now, Yan Xixi had been here for three months. However, he hadn’t grown tired of her yet—because he hadn’t possessed her yet!
So, he had no choice but to extend her stay. Six months? A year?
His gaze shifted to the luxurious items filling the room, and hers followed.
"Mr. Wan, I apologize. I took the liberty of choosing a handbag from the newest bags to give to Xu Xiaoya as a token of gratitude for her years of care. Her birthday is next month, and I truly have no way to give her any other gift."
He replied nonchalantly, "As you wish."
"Just this once. It won’t happen again."
He chuckled. This woman was indeed cleverer than he’d imagined.
With interest, he picked up a bag. This was the one Xu Xiaoya had initially chosen, but Xixi had stopped her and selected another one for her instead.
"Xixi, why didn’t you let Xiaoya take this one? It’s a Hermès Birkin bag, much more expensive than the one you picked for her."
She replied coolly, "This one is used! Someone else has used it."
"Oh? What makes you say it’s been used by someone else?"
"There are marks, see..."
The marks were incredibly faint; one would hardly notice them without close inspection. This proved the bag had only been used a few times and could still pass for new.
She looked around. "This room has seven or eight compartments, each storing items of a particular style." She pointed to a nearby one. "Only the items in this particular compartment are new."
So, she had chosen one for Xiaoya from here.
This woman had eyes like a hawk, noticing the smallest details!
Wan Donglin burst into laughter. "Yes, these items weren’t bought specifically for you! They belonged to several of my former mistresses. However, Yan Xixi, you’re the first to discover this secret."
Most women would swoon at the sight of so many luxury goods. Who would bother to inspect them one by one?
Yan Xixi said nothing.
"Yan Xixi, I’m a man who believes in fair trade—payment for goods received. While you’re here, you can use any of these things freely. If you serve me well, you can take them with you when you eventually leave. But if you displease me, don’t even think about taking a single item from this house when you go!"