The Beauty Is Seducing Me Again Chapter 11
byChapter 11: Chen Xiaonuan’s Teary Eyes
The next morning, sunlight streamed through a gap in the heavy curtains, casting a long shadow across the carpet in Shen Qing’an’s bedroom.
Shen Qing’an’s internal clock was always precise.
By this time every day, Shen Qing’an would have already finished washing up or would be in the gym completing her morning workout. This routine had been maintained for years without deviation.
However, today, the bedroom was silent.
It wasn’t until the wall clock pointed squarely at eight o’clock that a slight movement came from the bed.
Shen Qing’an frowned and opened her eyes, which were hazy with sleep. She instinctively reached for the digital clock on the bedside table.
When Shen Qing’an saw the time displayed, she was momentarily stunned.
Eight oh three.
She had woken up more than an hour later than usual.
The fragmented images from last night surged uncontrollably back into her mind. Shen Qing’an pressed her aching temples, got up, and stepped out of bed.
When Shen Qing’an arrived at the dining room, Yuan Yanyu was already seated, slowly enjoying her breakfast.
Seeing her daughter, Yuan Yanyu put down her milk cup in surprise: “Qing’an?”
“Why are you up so late today? Are you feeling unwell, or did you not sleep well last night?” she asked with some concern. “I’ll have Butler Xu call the family doctor to check if something is wrong with your health.”
After all, her daughter had been self-disciplined to the point of being demanding since childhood; waking up an hour late was unprecedented.
Shen Qing’an sat down across from her mother. A servant immediately set out cutlery for her and brought a cup of warm coffee.
As if to mask her supposed panic, she picked up the coffee and took a sip before speaking: “I’m fine. I handled some documents last night and didn’t notice the time, so I went to bed a little late.”
Shen Qing’an told a rare small lie.
The “documents” she claimed to be handling were the roar of a racing engine and someone’s excited screams.
“Oh, I see.” Yuan Yanyu was skeptical, but seeing Shen Qing’an’s normal expression, she didn’t press further. She only cautioned, “No matter how busy you are with work, you must take care of your health. Don’t stay up too late, or you’ll end up with a host of ailments while you’re still young.”
“I know many CEOs suffer from stomach problems; it’s all from overworking.”
Shen Qing’an: “Mom, you should stop reading those brainless CEO novels.”
Yuan Yanyu: “I’m only worried about you!”
“I know,” Shen Qing’an replied softly, focusing on her breakfast without saying more.
Silence fell over the dining table.
Shen’s mother looked at Shen Qing’an, feeling that her daughter seemed subtly different today, though she couldn’t pinpoint exactly how.
After finishing breakfast, Shen Qing’an stood up, ready to head to the company.
“Mom, I’m going to the office.”
Yuan Yanyu nodded: “Alright, be careful on the road.”
She watched Shen Qing’an’s retreating figure disappear into the courtyard, still pondering her daughter’s late start, finding it a bit suspicious.
After Shen Qing’an left, the villa returned to its usual quiet state.
Morning, 11:15 AM.
Yuan Yanyu looked toward the staircase, feeling a little strange. Usually by this time, Xiaonuan would have finished accompanying her at the hospital and would be on her way back to her rented room. Why was there no sign of her today?
Could she have overslept, just like Qing’an?
Just as she was thinking this, Yuan Yanyu heard a faint door opening sound from upstairs, followed by the ‘pat-pat’ sound of slippers.
A moment later, Chen Xiaonuan appeared at the top of the stairs, rubbing her eyes and yawning groggily.
She was still wearing Shen Qing’an’s slightly oversized silk nightgown, her hair was messy, and she looked completely unawake.
“Auntie, good morning…” Chen Xiaonuan mumbled a greeting, followed by another big yawn, with physiological tears welling up in the corners of her eyes.
Yuan Yanyu was amused by her appearance: “Morning? It’s almost lunchtime! When did Xiaonuan become a Little Sun? Did sleeping comfortably here make you want to sleep in?”
Chen Xiaonuan scratched her head sheepishly and walked over to sit beside Yuan Yanyu, her voice still husky from sleep.
“I went to bed too late last night.”
“Oh? What kept you up so late yesterday?” Yuan Yanyu asked casually, pouring Chen Xiaonuan a cup of warm water.
Chen Xiaonuan took the cup and answered honestly: “I was a little hungry last night and went to the kitchen to cook noodles. I ran into Miss Shen. We cooked and ate noodles together, and then went to the game room on the third floor to play games for a while.”
When she mentioned playing games, Chen Xiaonuan’s eyes brightened.
“We lost track of time a bit. I think I didn’t go to sleep until past one.”
“Playing games?” Yuan Yanyu was genuinely surprised, even shocked.
Qing’an? Her daughter, who only had eyes for work? She actually stayed up late playing games with Xiaonuan until one in the morning?
Yuan Yanyu looked at the pure and innocent expression on Chen Xiaonuan’s face, then recalled Shen Qing’an’s unprecedented late start this morning.
Everything made sense.
But why wouldn’t Qing’an tell her the truth? Could she be shy?
“Did you have fun?” Yuan Yanyu suppressed her excitement and asked kindly.
“Yes, I did!” Chen Xiaonuan immediately nodded, much of her sleepiness dispelled. “Miss Shen is really good at games, but I managed to win a few rounds too.”
She was completely unaware of the real reason she had won, only remembering the joy of the moment.
Seeing her smile, Yuan Yanyu’s heart melted even further.
It seemed Qing’an wasn’t completely opposed to Xiaonuan after all.
During lunchtime, Shen Qing’an was absent, leaving only Yuan Yanyu and Chen Xiaonuan to eat together.
The atmosphere was relaxed and pleasant. Chen Xiaonuan was fully awake now, restored to her usual liveliness, chattering away.
“Xiaonuan, I’ll have the driver take you back this afternoon. You’ve been out all day. Go back, tidy up, and get some good rest.”
Although a little reluctant, Chen Xiaonuan obediently nodded: “Okay, Auntie.”
“You should also rest well. If anything happens, call me anytime. I’ll pick up whenever I’m free.”
Yuan Yanyu smiled and nodded. Then, she had a servant bring over several exquisite shopping bags printed with designer logos.
Chen Xiaonuan looked at the row of shopping bags placed before her and asked in confusion: “Auntie, these are…”
“I was bored this morning, so I had a few boutiques send over some of the current season’s new arrivals. I saw a few pieces of clothing and shoes that suit you, and the sizes are similar to yours, so I kept them. Take them back and wear them.”
Chen Xiaonuan was startled and quickly waved her hands: “No, no, these things are too valuable. I can’t accept them. You’ve already given me so much.”
Although she didn’t recognize the brand logos, Chen Xiaonuan knew the prices were definitely not cheap.
Yuan Yanyu scolded her gently: “Why are you being so polite with me? They are just ordinary clothes and shoes for a girl. They’ve been paid for and can’t be returned. If you insist on not taking them, wouldn’t they just pile up and gather dust in my house, making it an even bigger waste?”
Her words blocked all of Chen Xiaonuan’s attempts to refuse.
Chen Xiaonuan looked at the shopping bags, her eyes welling up with tears, her heart bubbling and churning intensely.
She choked up slightly: “Auntie Shen, you are so kind to me. Thank you for spending so much.”
“It’s nothing. Oh, my Xiaonuan is a good child, and you deserve my kindness,” Yuan Yanyu said, stroking her head. “Come on, let’s take you back.”
The car drove smoothly toward the old district where Chen Xiaonuan rented her room. The closer they got to the destination, the more the scenery outside the window changed. Tall buildings were gradually replaced by low, old residential buildings, and the streets became narrow and noisy.
Finally, the car stopped at the familiar, narrow alley entrance cluttered with various items.
“I live right inside here. It’s just a few steps away. Thank you for driving me back.” Chen Xiaonuan got out of the car, carrying the luxurious shopping bags that looked completely out of place in the surroundings.
Yuan Yanyu looked through the car window at the scene before her, frowning slightly for the first time.
As far as she could see, there were peeling, mottled walls, exposed, messy electrical wires, rusted security bars faintly visible in the depths of the alley, and old clothes hung out everywhere to dry… The air was filled with the unique smell of an old community—a damp, crowded scent.
A sharp pang struck Yuan Yanyu’s chest. She knew Chen Xiaonuan was an orphan who grew up in the orphanage and had been renting a room since becoming an adult, but Yuan Yanyu had never imagined that Chen Xiaonuan’s living environment was this dilapidated.
This child, Xiaonuan, was working hard and studying diligently in a place like this?
Yuan Yanyu rolled down the window, her voice slightly strained: “Xiaonuan, you live here?”
“Yes,” Chen Xiaonuan seemed completely unfazed. She pointed to a window deep in the alley. “Auntie, look, the window with the wind chimes on the third floor is my room. It gets great ventilation.”
Her candid, even slightly proud demeanor made Yuan Yanyu’s heartache even more profound.
“Go on back quickly. Be careful on the way.” Yuan Yanyu suppressed the lump in her throat.
Chen Xiaonuan waved goodbye obediently: “Goodbye, Auntie.”
She carried the heavy shopping bags and walked briskly into the dim alley. Her figure was quickly swallowed by the intersecting old buildings.
The car slowly started and drove away from the alley entrance.
In the back seat, Yuan Yanyu unconsciously pressed her hand to her chest. Her heart was racing, and a strong sense of unease quickly wrapped around her like a vine, tightening its grip. She couldn’t explain why, but a powerful intuition drove her to go back and check.
The car had barely driven two blocks when Yuan Yanyu suddenly spoke: “Xiao Zhang, turn back.”
The driver was startled but immediately executed the order, finding a junction to turn around.
“Drive faster,” Yuan Yanyu urged. Her heart pounded faster and faster. The feeling of panic not only failed to subside but intensified. She couldn’t say why, but a strong instinct compelled her to go back and see.
The car returned to the dilapidated alley entrance. Before it had even fully stopped, Yuan Yanyu urgently pushed the car door open.
The driver followed closely behind.
The alley seemed no different than when she had left; it was still quiet.
It wasn’t until Yuan Yanyu walked further inside that she heard a faint cry, sounding like someone calling for help, coming from nearby. Yuan Yanyu’s heart trembled instantly—it was Xiaonuan’s voice.
Yuan Yanyu’s face turned instantly pale. She and the driver followed the sound to a fork in the path. When Yuan Yanyu saw the scene before her, immense anger rushed to her head, and she cried out in alarm.
“Xiaonuan!!!”