Chapter 3

Holding Xia Tian's hand, Wang Sihan walked slowly through the campus with a somewhat heavy pace, gradually heading towards the school's main gate. As the saying goes, spring rain is like a call of grace, summer rain is like a letter of majesty, and autumn rain is like a dirge.

It was unknown when the sky started to rain. The bright sunshine of noon had disappeared behind the clouds, and the gentle breeze had turned into a desolate wind. The leaves, which were slightly yellow but still carried a hint of green, trembled in the wind. They clung tightly to the branches, unwilling to leave their mother plant, swaying in the wind, always feeling a force that prevented them from settling. Another gust of strong wind came, and the leaves groaned in pain, helplessly and reluctantly floating into the air, rising and falling with the wind, wanting to return to their roots but ending up landing on the concrete ground. They tried to rise, but a speeding car crushed the leaf, shattering it instantly.

Looking up at the sky, bathed in the drizzle, Wang Sihan felt a pang of sorrow when she saw the fate of the leaves. Although she was born into a prominent family, it was precisely this prominent family that bound her, depriving her of freedom, much like the leaf that at least had a moment of soaring high, even if it didn't, it could still fall gracefully. A moment of freedom came at the cost of eternal life. Would she ever have such a day? She glanced back at Xia Tian, who was walking with his head down.

He would be her husband for life, a mix of reluctance and helplessness in his eyes, more resignation than disappointment. Holding his hand, she didn't know where the future road lay, pulling his hand, the future seemed bleak. If she had been born into an ordinary family, would she be happy now?

Wang Sihan stopped, and Xia Tian, who was following behind, couldn't stop in time and bumped into her. Her not very broad chest pressed against his fragrant back, and his face turned red instantly. Although he wanted to, Xia Tian knew they were not the same person. Although she would become his wife, they were not yet, and their understanding of each other was limited to a few brief words.

Wang Sihan was lost in thought, and so was Xia Tian. His heart was filled with her image, whether she was frowning or smiling, or with a faint sorrow, just like the desolate weather. At that moment, a long Lincoln slowly pulled up at the school gate. A man in a suit with white gloves got out of the car.

He had a thick mustache and walked with a strong step. He approached Wang Sihan, bowed, and said, "Miss, please get in the car. Mr. Xia, please get in the car." Wang Sihan didn't speak, just nodded slightly, and got into the car with Xia Tian. As Xia Tian passed the driver, he敏锐地 felt the driver's disdain and pity for Wang Sihan. He didn't know why he could read so much from the driver's eyes. Full of confusion, he said nothing and got into the car.

Sitting next to Wang Sihan, he smelled the faint scent of jasmine. Xia Tian slowly closed his eyes, looking very calm. Wang Sihan glanced at Xia Tian. Whenever this happened, he always seemed so distant. Was it because he didn't want to look at her, or was it his own issue? Did he not show any affection towards his fiancée? Was she not as good as the courtesans in the pleasure quarters? Was it really just a matter of pride?

Even without physical intimacy, there could still be a spiritual connection. Even if they didn't have children, they could still be a happy family of three. Why did he treat her like this? What had she done wrong? The desolate autumn made her heart even more melancholic.

Was she too mature? She was still in the bloom of youth, but was she thinking too much? Next year, she would be going to university, but the choice of school was not hers to make. It was his. Wherever he went, she had to follow. Was this what they called "the husband leads and the wife follows"? Another bitter smile appeared on her face. If Xia Tian had seen it, he would have been deeply hurt, because Wang Sihan's expression was exactly the same. Unfortunately, he didn't look up, still with his eyes closed.

The car started slowly, driving on the road. The license plate of the car caught the attention of the traffic police at the intersection. The driver loved driving here, and he always drove very slowly. The drivers of the cars behind him wanted to get out and kick the car, but they didn't dare because of the traffic police. They couldn't honk either, so they followed slowly, feeling frustrated.

The traffic police were also annoyed. They had to salute for a long time and follow the car with their eyes. The driver seemed to be enjoying himself, looking superior. It made people want to hit him.

Not much time had passed, but Xia Tian didn't know because he had already fallen asleep, very quietly. It wasn't that Xia Tian really wanted to sleep, but being with her always made him feel so peaceful and calm. He was very content. After years of longing, his wish had finally come true. Exhausted and relaxed, he fell asleep, a smile on his face. At some point, his lips slowly parted, and in a voice as weak as a mosquito's, he said, "Han Ke'er! Is it really you?"

Wang Sihan heard it clearly, as if a sharp knife had pierced her heart. The silent bleeding made her shiver, her whole body trembling. He had someone in his heart. Who was Han Ke'er? Was she one of the courtesans in the pleasure quarters? Why, why! Wang Sihan muttered to herself, tears streaming down her face.

Was she really inferior to a courtesan? She was a well-bred lady, yet she couldn't match a woman of the world. The pain in her heart was so intense, she didn't know why, and she didn't know what to do. Her eyes gradually lost their luster.

The car stopped abruptly, slowly coming to a halt in front of a luxurious villa. The gate was an ancient-style archway, the red-painted doors tightly closed, with thirty-six golden nails on each door, like the gates of ancient nobles. On either side were two stone lions, their eyes painted red, making people feel a sudden jolt. The golden characters on the sign read, "Xia Family Residence."

Wang Sihan woke Xia Tian up, telling him they had arrived at the Xia Family Residence. She could only take him to the gate, as the Xia Family had strict rules, and even though she was his fiancée, she couldn't enter without permission. Xia Tian slowly woke up, looked up, and then looked at Wang Sihan with some reluctance.

His heart stirred. This was his home, and it looked very majestic. Holding Wang Sihan's hand, he said, "Will you come in with me?" Wang Sihan shook her head and said calmly, "No, I can't enter without permission." "If I allow it, it should be fine, right?"

As soon as Xia Tian said this, he saw a hint of sadness on Wang Sihan's face. Had he said something wrong? He was the master of this residence, shouldn't he be able to invite someone in? Unfortunately, he didn't know his status in the Xia Family. To put it bluntly, he was even lower than some of the high-ranking servants. He was a waste, talentless, and even infertile. If he were fertile, the Xia Family might treat him better, at least as a breeding stock.

He was just a machine for eating and defecating, consuming food for nothing. If he had been ambitious, it would have been different, but he gave the impression of being very lazy, not even knowing basic etiquette, and unwilling to learn. He was like a pile of mud, impossible to shape. Seeing Wang Sihan shake her head, Xia Tian reluctantly got out of the car, waved to her, and the car sped away, gradually disappearing from his sight.

Entering through the side gate, Xia Tian had no idea where he lived. He had wanted to invite Wang Sihan in, but he only knew Wang Sihan and didn't recognize anyone in the Xia Family. Feeling a bit lost, he wanted to ask the gatekeeper, but the gatekeeper looked at him with his chin raised high, not even glancing at him.

With no choice, Xia Tian had to walk into the depths of the villa. The villa was very large, and from outside, only the gate was visible. Inside, it was a different world. A wide lawn could accommodate a helicopter, and there were small, elegant pavilions, a bridge over a stream, lush bamboo, and a medium-sized artificial lake with lotus flowers. Large lotus leaves supported a bud about to bloom. Dragonflies flew around, trying to enter the flower, but the flower was not yet open.

The walls around the courtyard were covered with vines, and even in the early autumn, the place was still lush and green. Tall trees were planted in an orderly manner, creating a natural and harmonious environment. Xia Tian began to like this place. He saw the hustle and bustle of the city, the crowds, but here, it was a place of quiet amidst the noise, a hidden retreat close to the world yet far from the clamor. Although there was no spiritual energy here, it was still a rare and precious place.

"You, the waste, what are you doing here? This is no place for you. Get to your room immediately." With a shout, Xia Tian looked around in confusion.