Zhao Yuexiu hurried out of the car and walked briskly inside.
Chi Gui followed behind Zhao Yuexiu, carrying a black backpack, as she walked into the villa's main entrance.
The Chi Family's decor leaned towards a European style, emanating an air of luxurious splendor at every turn.
Chi Gui didn't look around, showing no interest in any of it.
As soon as they entered the living room, Sister Zhang, the maid, approached them. "Madam, you're back?"
"Mhm," Zhao Yuexiu replied anxiously as she headed upstairs, "How long has Mingkun's birthday party been going on?"
"Just about half an hour. Sir and Miss Chi Yan are both here," Sister Zhang replied respectfully.
Zhao Yuexiu felt a little relieved. "That's good. If I, his mother, were late to Mingkun's birthday party, what would people think of him?"
Chi Gui tilted her head slightly.
She had heard about Chi Mingkun from her grandmother.
After sending Chi Gui back to the rural area, Zhao Yuexiu had twins: a son named Chi Mingkun and a daughter named Chi Yan. Together, their names formed the character 'good,' symbolizing a happy and fulfilling life.
*Chi Mingkun was the apple of the family's eye, doted upon to the point where "they feared he might break if they held him, or melt if they put him in their mouths."*
"Oh, by the way, Sister Zhang, take her to her room," Zhao Yuexiu ordered without even glancing at Chi Gui. "Chi Gui, stay in your room and don't wander around, understand?"
Before she finished her sentence, she had already disappeared into a room on the second floor.
*She was so afraid of being late and causing her younger son to be gossiped about, but she never considered whether her eldest daughter, who was arriving for the first time, would feel out of place.*
Moreover, she hadn't even thought to let Chi Gui attend the family's birthday party.
*Chi Gui gave a faint smile. Those glassy eyes of hers gazed towards Sister Zhang with little emotion.* "Where is my room?"
Sister Zhang was a bit taken aback.
She had expected that this girl, who had just arrived from the rural area, would be flustered, anxious... or saddened by Zhao Yuexiu's actions. But unexpectedly, Chi Gui was calm, almost to the point of indifference.
Thinking of why this young lady had grown up in the rural area, Sister Zhang felt a pang in her heart and her voice softened. "Please follow me."
"Thank you," Chi Gui responded politely.
The room on the third floor was a guest room, simply furnished.
No one in the Chi Family welcomed Chi Gui's arrival; naturally, they hadn't bothered to prepare a room for her with care.
Chi Gui didn't mind. She put down her backpack, turned toward Sister Zhang, and smiled. "Thank you for showing me the way. I'd like to rest for a while."
Sister Zhang was slightly dazzled by her smile.
The girl appeared aloof and detached, her exquisite, delicate face always exuding an air of distance. But with that smile, her eyes seemed to bloom like an ink painting, unexpectedly warm.
"Okay, okay..." Sister Zhang stammered. She had a granddaughter studying out of town, whom she rarely saw. At this moment, she felt something fill her heart. "I'll be downstairs. If you need anything, just call me. Don't be shy."
"Okay," Chi Gui replied, watching Sister Zhang leave before closing the door.
She took a shower, changed into loose and comfortable casual clothes, and then opened the door to go outside.
Zhao Yuexiu had already left, fearing even a minute's delay would lead to her precious son being mocked.
Just as Chi Gui reached the door, a servant's voice came from behind her, "Miss Chi, Madam instructed that you aren't allowed to go out!"
Chi Gui turned around, her glassy black eyes showing some confusion. "So?"
The servant was taken aback. "It's just that Madam said..."
Chi Gui calmly interrupted the servant. "What she said, what does it have to do with me?"
Servant: ??
*Chi Gui continued to reason calmly,* "You see, no matter what she said, I never agreed to it. So, there is no agreement between us. Since there is no agreement, do I still need to follow the conditions she set?"