The Billionaire's Debt-Bound Lover

018

"Mommy, I’m heading out for a bit. Yun’er asked me to join her for dinner!" Lanyou pushed open the door to the glass conservatory in the garden, greeted by a wave of jasmine fragrance.

​"Alright. Be sure to come home early. You’re getting engaged the day after tomorrow; you're an adult now, so try not to be so restless and tomboyish," her mother teased, tapping Lanyou's nose. She gently smoothed her daughter’s curly hair, a doting, happy smile lighting up her face as she stroked her head.

​"I know, I know. It’s stuffy in this greenhouse, so don't stay too long or you'll feel faint!" Lanyou snuggled affectionately in her mother’s arms for a moment before skipping out of the conservatory.

​Watching her daughter look so happy, the mother felt half the weight lift from her heart.

​She had expected a cold reception upon their return—bitter remarks from her in-laws and ridicule from her sister-in-law. Fortunately, the sister-in-law had married and emigrated to Australia, and Lanyou’s grandfather hadn't been overly harsh, merely a bit distant. Being able to live in such relative peace was more than she could have asked for.

​However, the fact that her daughter had gotten engaged just days after their return left her uneasy. It felt as though they had fallen into a trap, but with no evidence of anything amiss, she couldn't say much. She could only pray that her daughter wouldn't end up like she did twenty years ago—a mere pawn in someone else's emotional game.

​How will a daughter with no dating experience handle married life? She truly couldn't stop worrying.

​The Departure from the Estate

​"Miss, where are you headed? I’ll have the driver take you." Seeing Lanyou walking toward the main gate, Uncle Fu stopped her respectfully.

​"My friends asked me to hang out. Am I allowed to go out?" Lanyou asked. She understood that her status wasn't as noble as others perceived; in fact, she felt she held less sway than Uncle Fu himself.

​"Of course you may come and go as you please, Miss. I am simply worried about your safety. After all, you are now the successor of the Yi family. Tell me where you wish to go, and I will have a car prepared immediately." Uncle Fu stepped closer, his manner as polite as ever.

​"Alright then. I’m going to the Sifang Pavilion Hotel." Whether they were monitoring her or truly treating her like a young lady, Lanyou decided to follow their arrangements for her mother’s sake.

​"Miss, this is Xiao Li. If you need to go anywhere in the future, just tell him. He is your personal driver." Within moments, a black Mercedes-Benz pulled up in front of her.

​"Thank you, Uncle Fu," Lanyou said politely before getting into the car.

​Uncle Fu watched the car disappear into the distance and shook his head with a sigh of regret. He truly liked this pure-hearted girl, but he had to stand by and watch her walk straight into a cruel conspiracy.

​The Surprise at Sifang Pavilion

​What on earth is Yun’er up to, insisting on meeting today? Lanyou wondered. Yun’er had dubbed it the "Last Dinner for the Single Princess." She couldn't understand that eccentric girl; she was always coming up with bizarre ideas. One of these days, I’m going to have to crack open her head and see how it’s wired—it’s definitely not like a normal person's.

​Lanyou sat in the car, watching the scenery flash by until the world outside slowed to a halt.

​"Miss, we have arrived at the Sifang Pavilion Hotel."

​"Thank you. You can head back first; I’ll call you before I leave." The hotel valet had already opened her door, bowing slightly with one hand shielding the top of the doorframe and the other gesturing her inside.

​As Lanyou turned into the corridor leading to the private rooms, she spotted Di Yun’er lurking suspiciously by a door, peeking inside and winking!

​"Yun’er, what kind of mischief are you up to now?" Lanyou questioned as she walked toward her.

​"You'll see!" Yun’er rushed over and hooked her arm through Lanyou's.

​Bang! Bang! Bang!

​"Ah—!" Just as she stepped into the room, the sound of party poppers exploded in her ears, followed by a literal deluge of colorful confetti falling from above.