Dismantling the Heir

Chapter 4: The "Gege" Interruption

The electronic chime of the penthouse lock sounded at exactly 4:30 PM the following afternoon.

Xīngyán stepped into the dark foyer, her dark wool coat draped neatly over her arm. She had read Zhiyuan’s text the previous night, noted the demanding tone, and promptly put her phone face down to enjoy a peaceful evening. Now, as she swapped her boots for indoor slippers, her face was a picture of absolute, unbothered professionalism.

She walked into the living area, fully prepared to face whatever arbitrary "liability rules" Zhiyuan had spent his evening inventing.

What she did not expect, however, was the high-pitched, syrupy giggle echoing from the living room sofa.

"Zhiyuan-gege, look! I brought the limited-edition macarons from that French patisserie near the consulate. You used to love them when we were in middle school!"

Xīngyán paused in the archway, her dark eyes shifting toward the seating area.

Sitting uncomfortably close to Zhiyuan on the dark leather sofa was a girl dressed in a pastel pink Chanel tweed set. She had meticulously styled hair, wide doll-like eyes, and a pout that looked practically rehearsed.

Zhiyuan looked thoroughly trapped. His posture was even stiffer than usual, his jaw tight as he kept his eyes glued to his digital tablet, clearly trying to ignore the girl hovering in his personal space with a pink pastry box.

The moment Xīngyán entered the room, the girl’s high-pitched chatter ceased instantly. Her gaze swept down Xīngyán’s simple dark sweater, plain trousers, and charcoal apron, her expression shifting into a look of sugary condescension.

"Zhiyuan-gege," the girl piped up, her polished pink nails lightly tugging at his black sleeve. "Who is this? Is this the temporary caretaker Auntie hired while she's away? She... doesn't look like domestic staff."

Zhiyuan adjusted his glasses, his dark eyes flicking to Xīngyán. For a split second, something chaotic flashed across his usually cold gaze—almost like a silent, desperate plea for an excuse to move away—before his rigid, formal mask snapped back into place.

"Mu Xīngyán," Zhiyuan said flatly, his voice dry. "She manages the household duties."

"Ah, the caretaker!" The girl stood up, smoothing down her tweed skirt and stepping toward Xīngyán with a fake, blinding smile. "Hello. I am Tang Shanshan. My family and Zhiyuan’s family have been close business partners since we were children. We grew up together. I practically live here when his parents are in town, so you will be seeing a lot of me."

Xīngyán didn't blink. She matched Shanshan’s sugary stare with her trademark, invariant polite smile. "Good afternoon, Miss Tang."

"Shanshan," the girl corrected gently, her tone dripping with hidden passive-aggression. "Zhiyuan-gege is very particular about his environment, you know? He has a very sensitive constitution. Yesterday, he sent me a message saying he was so stressed because someone broke a rare heirloom. I came over immediately to make sure he was alright."

Shanshan turned back to Zhiyuan, her lower lip trembling slightly in a performative display of sympathy. "Gege, you shouldn't keep people around who are so careless with luxury items. Shanshan can easily ask her father’s secretary to assign a certified, high-end butler to your penthouse. Someone who actually knows how to treat rare antiques."

Xīngyán stood in place, her posture flawless. Inside, she was deeply amused by the spectacle. A whole theatrical production over a boy who won't even look her in the eye.

"The liability matter is currently under review according to standard procedures," Xīngyán said smoothly, her voice completely unbothered as she looked past Shanshan directly at Zhiyuan. "Young Master, you noted yesterday that we had updated rules regarding my shift. Should we discuss them now, or shall I begin my cleaning rotation in the west wing while you attend to your guest?"

Zhiyuan’s grip on his stylus tightened. He looked at Xīngyán’s serenely calm face, then at Shanshan, who was now leaning over his desk space and blocking his view. The childish "liability protocols" he had drafted late last night suddenly felt embarrassingly petty under Xīngyán’s mature, indifferent gaze. He felt strangely exposed.

"We will discuss it later," Zhiyuan muttered, turning his face toward his tablet screen. "Begin with the kitchen."

"Understood, Young Master," Xīngyán said smoothly.

She bowed slightly, turned on her heel, and walked into the sleek kitchen, the frosted glass door sliding shut behind her. The second she was out of sight, she pulled out her phone and opened the Beijing International Scholars chat.

Xīngyán: The situation at the penthouse has taken a bizarre turn today. An acquaintance of his in a pink tweed suit has arrived. She keeps calling him "gege" and offering to replace me with a certified butler because of the broken vase.

Chloe: Wait, "gege"? 💀 Is she performing a traditional drama in the middle of his living room?

Lin: Sounds like classic social posturing. Don't let her interfere with your hours, Xīngyán. As long as Zhiyuan hasn't signed a termination notice, her opinion means nothing.

Xīngyán: I am entirely unbothered. I am simply letting her perform while I handle my tasks in the kitchen.

Xīngyán slid her phone back into her apron, filled the sink with warm water, and began polishing the crystal glassware with practiced ease.

Outside in the living room, Shanshan watched the frosted glass door close, then turned back to Zhiyuan, her voice dropping into a sharp whisper.

"Gege, did you see how she looked at me? She didn't even greet me properly or offer tea! International students in these short-term programs have no sense of decorum. Why are you keeping her here? If Auntie and Uncle find out she caused damage in your private residence, they will have her agency contract revoked instantly."

Zhiyuan didn't answer immediately. His dark eyes remained fixed on the frosted glass door of the kitchen. He had wanted Xīngyán to be uneasy today. He had wanted her to feel the weight of his authority. But hearing Shanshan parrot those arrogant talking points didn't give him any satisfaction—it only made him deeply irritated.

"She handles her responsibilities efficiently," Zhiyuan said, his voice cold and clipped as he swiped to a new page on his reader. "Leave the matter alone, Shanshan."

Shanshan’s wide eyes flickered in shock, her manicured hands clenching into small fists at her sides.

Efficiently? Zhiyuan had never defended a worker in his life.

She stared at the kitchen door, her mind racing with sudden, sharp envy. If Zhiyuan refused to dismiss this girl himself, then she would simply have to create a situation where Mu Xīngyán had no choice but to leave the estate in disgrace.