On the other end of the phone, Bai Yan put her phone aside and casually said while organizing a report on her computer, "I got home last night. What, weren't you home yesterday?"

That multi-story house by the river was bought by the original owner with a loan of five million, but it was still cramped for Yan Qi, a young master born with a silver spoon in his mouth.

He was so frustrated by being forced to live in a cramped attic on the third floor that he was on the verge of exploding.

For Yan Qi, that was just a research lab where he observed Bai Yan, not a home.

With Bai Yan gone and no need to act, why would he continue living in that cramped room?

"I've been busy at the hospital these past few days, having been in surgery, so I haven't been home," Yan Qi said, half-jokingly, then added, "The friend who's coming to my house today is very important. She's the daughter of a family I've known for a long time, and she's my childhood sweetheart. We went to school and grew up together."

"She's coming over for dinner tonight, so you can start preparing now."

Marrying Bai Yan wasn't without its advantages; at least her cooking skills were pretty good, and she took good care of him. Yan Qi instructed, "She likes sweets, but her metabolism can't handle sugar, so remember to use sugar substitutes."

After giving his instructions, Yan Qi hung up the phone.

He didn't think Bai Yan would reject him at all.

He knew she longed for the approval of those around him.

Yan Qi held his phone in his hand, then looked up and gazed in the direction of Si Nian's ward.

To him, Bai Yan was an object he could use. When she was no longer of any use, he would smash her without hesitation, but she was his beloved.

If she hadn't overheard him by accident, he wouldn't have hurt her like this... After thinking it over, he realized he had to get rid of Bai Yan as soon as possible.

At that time, Si Nian spent a long time choosing a haute couture gown, and her mother also found the family stylist to design her hairstyle and match her makeup and jewelry with her clothes.

"Mom, am I pretty?" Si Nian looked at herself in the mirror and asked hesitantly, "Have you seen Bai Yan? Is she as pretty as me?"

Mrs. Si pressed her face against her daughter's and chuckled softly, "How can that poor wretch compare to you?"

"She was an orphan and had to pick up trash to make a living before she got into university."

"People living at the bottom are the best at managing and climbing upwards. She put in all her effort to get into the top university in the country, but got her marriage certificate before graduating. Wasn't it all to grab Yan Qi, this rich and powerful husband?"

As she said this, a sinister look flashed across Mrs. Si's face, and she said in a low voice, "It's all their own fault..." Just like her mother.

"Mom, what did you say?" Si Nian asked curiously.

Si's mother's expression softened instantly as she looked at her beloved daughter. "I can't tell you much right now, but I know that Yan Qi was forced to marry her."

“Yan Qi has never even slept with her since they got married, yet she doesn’t even dare to mention divorce. Do you know why? Because she’s not worthy of him in terms of social status.”

Madam Si said, "Niannian, comparing yourself to her is an insult to yourself."

As Si's mother recounted her story, Bai Yan's image came to life in Si Nian's mind: she must be a self-conscious yet strong-willed woman, a typical small-town exam-taker who would always be wearing thick glasses and seemingly oblivious to romance.

Indeed, there was no comparison between them and himself, and Si Nian felt slightly relieved.

"Niannian, are you alright?" Yan Qi gently knocked on the door from outside.

Si Nian glanced at herself in the mirror and said, "I'm all better." She quickly opened the door with her mother's help.

She rarely dressed up so carefully after becoming seriously ill, and Yan Qi was stunned by her beauty.

Si Nian lowered her eyes, a hint of shyness on her face.

...

The car was parked in the parking space, and Yan Qi led Si Nian toward the house by the river.

The moonlight climbed onto the rooftops, and its gentle glow flowed quietly across the river. A cluster of beautiful flowers had been planted around the house, a testament to the care the lady of the house had taken for it.

Si Nian really liked the view outside the house, but unfortunately it was Yan Qi's wedding room with someone else.

Yan Qi quickly opened the door with his key, but his brows furrowed as soon as he entered.

The living room on the first floor was empty, completely bare. Hadn't he already told Bai Yan that guests would be coming that evening?

Where is she?

"Bai Yan?" Yan Qi called her name.

"Bai Yan, are you home?" After receiving no response, Yan Qi called out again.

Then a voice rang out: "Sorry, I was busy with a report in my room and didn't hear you come back."

The voice wasn't as humble and ingratiating as Si Nian had imagined. Her voice was clear and melodious, like flowing water, and extremely pleasant to hear.

Si Nian gently bit her lip, then looked up at the second floor. The sound of footsteps echoed, followed by a slender figure walking to the corner of the stairs.

The woman wore a simple shirt and jeans, with frameless glasses perched on her nose. Her long hair was casually held in place with a pen, making her appear even more relaxed and natural.

She is beautiful, of course. Her beauty is so natural, so effortless. The simplest outfit she wears accentuates her perfect waistline, yet cannot conceal her unique and extraordinary aura.

Si Nian couldn't quite describe the feeling, especially because of the height difference. She was downstairs and he was upstairs, yet she felt like she was looking up at him.

Bai Yan's gaze swept over Si Nian, over her exquisite makeup, the stylist's elaborate hairstyle, and the expensive dress...

This was supposed to be Si Nian's battle robe, but being stared at like this made her feel embarrassed. She clutched at her gorgeous skirt, her casualness making her elaborate attire look like that of a clown.

She was completely different from what she had imagined; she was not humble at all, but rather confident like a queen.

Will Yan Qi be attracted to her beauty?

She turned to look at Yan Qi again.

Her beauty is undeniable, especially after a month apart, when it becomes even more apparent.

Yan Qi had never paid attention to Bai Yan's face, but that didn't mean he couldn't notice her change. Her eyes had changed; she was no longer insecure and sensitive.

"This must be your childhood friend, right?" Bai Yan's gaze fell on Si Nian, and she smiled gently: "Hello, I'm Bai Yan."

"My friend..." Si Nian bit her lip and forced a smile: "I am Si Nian."

"Didn't I tell you to prepare dinner for Nian Nian?" Yan Qi looked up: "Why haven't you done anything?"

Bai Yan took off her glasses and gently massaged the contours of her eyes: "I don't remember promising you that."

There was a similar scene in the original storyline where Si Nian, unwilling to accept that the person he loved had married someone else, also entered the house, just like today.

The original owner was unaware of the private relationship between the two and prepared a large meal to please her husband's friend.