Contractual Love

Chapter 4

Ai Yan's POV

Pain...

She awoke to find herself in a strange hospital blinded by the bright lights with a man beside her that she had never met. Widening her eyes, she used one hand to support her as she sat upward, trying to recall what happened last night. I remember starting my night routine, sitting to drink my tea, and that is it. I do not even recall brushing my teeth or crawling into bed, let alone leaving the house completely. What agreement did Shu think she was even making? There is no way she would allow me to marry into the Ying family above Daiyu. The conditions seem beyond reasonable and to save face for my father, I would give it all. I will live in one of the villas he owns with a full staff, while he will reamain in his main estate. I will be allowed to decorate or change any and everything within the villa. Most likely to give me something to do so that I dont get overly bored, since it also stated I would have to have security each time I leave the villa. Not to mention, have the outing preapproved by him through Assistant Wei Lin. All of my medical needs will be expressly provided through his private wing of the hospital. I will take his name and occasionally attend public outings, meetings, and other events by his side. My wardrobe will be hand picked by him, including event attire and pajamas. If I need to contact him directly in the case of an emergency, I am to do so by text messaging otherwise it will go through Assistant Wei. The staff will do any and all shopping for me. If I wish to go shopping, highend stores only as to not cause him to lose face. Realization hit me, my mother's dress. I was wearing it when I sat to drink the tea. I pressed the nurse call button and impatiently waited.

"Do you know where my dress is? It is extremely important to me.", I blurted, nearly in tears as the doctor entered the room personally.

"I believe the Young Master asked that it be thrown away. However, I believe it may still be in the hamper."

"It is my mother's. My father gave it to her on their first New Year as a married couple. Please can you find it.", tears clouding my vision as I spoke.

"I cannot make any promises, but I will try my best and contact the Young Master."

I lost my voice, so I had no choice but to nod repeatedly. He gave me a small, understanding smile as he left the room. In doing so, I was once again left alone with my own thoughts. Before, I at least had Xue. Oh, Xue. I hope they are treating you okay. I am sure you had quite the fright when I did not join you in the kitchen to start the day this morning. I wonder what father will do when he hears of my being gone. I didn't see any clause that I cannot contact my family once I leave here. Thankfully.

There was a sudden knock on the door.

"Yes?"

"Young Mistress, May I enter?"

"Of course."

The door opened, and in walked Assistant Wei Lin. He gave me a small smile as he sat in the chair to the right of the bed.

"I was told the dress was important to you?"

"Yes very.", I barely choked out as tears threatened to fall once more.

"Then, I will have it dry cleaned and sent to the villa today. Are you prepared to go home?"

"Thank you, yes. Of course."

He held his hand out to me to help me to my feet from the bed and steady myself. After whatever it was they had given me, I was having faint dizzy spells when I move to quickly from a sitting stance to a standing one. We walked silently to the elevator, and the silence continued even during the car ride to the villa. I stared out the window as the mountains came into view. The Ying family owned all of the land surrounding them as well as the mountains themselves. It was beyond gorgeous here. I am surprised he would prepare an entire villa for me, I am sure he has more properties like hotels or apartments.

"The main estate is just around the curve there toward the seaside.", Assistant Wei stated as if he could read my thoughts.

"That is why I am living here?"

He nodded, not taking his eyes from the road as we continued up a stoned drive. It was gorgeous, flowers and plants were everywhere. Then I spotted freshly planted tiger lillies. Was this a coincidence or did he somehow know my affinity for them? Following my line of sight Assistant Wei smiled.

"Yes, they were planted specially for you per the Young Master's request."

"How?... How did he know?"

"When we heard of Shu Yan searching to auction off a pure, innocent daughter we did our research. The Young Master would not accept just any bride."

"Auction me off? Daughter?"

"Yes, although we were aware that she was your step-mother after the investigation. We also know that about your character. You graduated the top of your class, you are selfless, kind, determined, and pure."

I blushed at how nonchalanthe my "purity" was included as a character trait. I saved myself for marriage to carry the honor of my family. Not many respectable men would accept someone that did not hold off to marriage. In our culture, it not only sully's the woman herself, but her family. I took everything reguarding keeping Ba happy extremely serious, as to not become more of a burden. Finally, the villa. A villa? This thing is a mansion! There were even more tiger lillies surrounding the area at the front of the house. It looked like something out of a fairy tale. If this is what he considers a reasonable villa, the main estate must be a castle.