Contractual Love

Chapter 6

Zhong Ying's POV

I watched her from my computer screen in my personal home study. I watched her pace the room, pick up things just to place them in the exact place again, look out the balcony doors, but not step out, read books, and even lay on the bed just to sit up again moments later. I sat back in my chair as I listened to her make the first phone call since she arrived. Surprisingly, it was not her father. It appears Wei Lin did as told and did not inform her of the surveillance within the villa's walls. She is different than her step-mother put on and as promised, I have solved her father's struggles. Wei said she did not hesitate once in signing any of the documents placed before here when he went through the contract and informed her of her family's misgivings. She did not even show a glint of surprise or anger, even when confronted with the fact her own step-mother intended on selling her purity to the highest bidder as if she were just a play thing. She is beautiful, and her namesake suits her well. Although, who is this Xue that she seems to be missing rather greatly? She does seem rather bored but instead of leaving the room to roam, she just stays.

Zhong Ying: Wei, what can you tell me about a Xue? Did you give Ai my personal number as well?

Wei Lin: Yes, sir. She is the maid that cared for the Young Mistress as a child.

Zhong Ying: Fetch her immediately.

Wei Lin: Very well, Young Master.

When I looked from my phone to the computer screen, she was already sleeping soundly, surrounded by a mountain of pillows. Perhaps, tomorrow I will present myself to her and see how she is adjusting. Despite being a contractual marriage, I want her to be happy with the arrangement. Afterall a miserable wife can be spotted a million miles away, which would not paint me in the best light and make the entire arrangement a waste. She looks so content while she sleeps as if nothing can touch her. She looks so innocent, almost as if in need of protection. I was caught off guard when I heard someone stir on the other side of the study door. So, I quickly swapped the screen back to work.

Knock. Knock.

"Yes?"

"Young Master, Miss Xue is here."

"Very well. You may enter."

"Um, hello Young Master Ying. How may I assist you?", she asked as if she were confused with a slight bow.

"I wish for you to see to the Young Mistress of the Ying family from tonight forward."

"What about the Yan family? I have been dedicated to Master Yan for over twenty years, sir."

"Shu Yan has agreed to let you go. Considering, the alternative was I inform her husband of what she has done with his Ai."

"What is wrong with the Young Madame? She said she was okay."

"She is now. However, Shu attempted to auction her purity to the highest bidder. I intercepted and offered her a better alternative. Will you see to her?"

"Of course, thank you, Young Master Ying.", she thanked me as tears began to well in her eyes.

"Wei, take her over now and settle her into the room opposite of Ai's."

Suddenly, I was looking forward to seeing her face when she wakes to see Xue present. I shook my head, wait. I have yet to meet her and yet I am looking forward to her reaction? Something must definitely be wrong with me. I busied myself with work, occassionly checking that she was still asleep well into the night. When Wei returned, he took the seat across my desk just staring at me with condescending eyes.

"Why are you looking at me like that, Wei?"

"We have been friends since childhood, right?."

"Well, yes."

"So, unlike others, I may speak freely?"

"You are aware of this."

"I think you should make an effort. She is not like the women throwing themselves at you for status and money."

"I do not even know the girl. Besides, she was told after a few years we can absolve the marriage anyways."

"That gives you both a few years to change your minds. Afterall, who knows what the future may hold.", he teased with a large grin.

I shook my head at him, returning my attention back to work. He stood and nodded before leaving the study. I raked my left hand over my face as I threw myself back in my chair. I know he means well, but I do not know anything about her other than what our men learned from past friends, neighbors, and employees Shu terminated. No one, but Shu and her daughter had anything negative to say about the girl. Contrary, they actually all praised her. Her grades were the top in her class, and she had applied to a few top business schools. Including one in the States, which is nonetheless out of the question now completely. Here I am thinking about her once again. I have never been interested in a relationship, and this is merely to stave off the suitors interested soley for the position in life they gain from becoming my wife. Even though she did not care, once she heard her father would be cared for she dove in head first barely listening to anything Wei mentioned while going over the contract. I heard that he would be returning home tomorrow, so I anticipate that she will request to visit him and if that is the case, it is decided, I will join her. The staff Shu let go informed my men that Ai was rather badly mistreated while he was away. Even so far as being beaten by things placed into socks so that they would not leave bruises. This information infuriated me to no end and was what initially led me to place the massive bid for her. Anyone who could treat a child they were entrusted to care for that way, is not someone to be trusted. I went to the bar cart towards the window to grab a glass of bourbon before taking one last look at her sleeping form and then headed to take a shower. When I returned to turn everything off for bed, she had yet to move and still tucked away safely beneath the blankets. It is almost child-like in a sense the way she remains curled.