The Real Daughter is Done Pretending - Chapter 3: The Real Daughter Must Not Speak – Day III

Chapter 3: The Real Daughter Must Not Speak – Day 3!

Ye Kong quickly averted her gaze.

Grandma Wen frowned, “Why doesn’t this child say a word? Is she that shy?”

It wasn’t until then that Mrs. Ye realized that they had not heard Ye Kong’s voice since her arrival.

Both Mrs. Ye and her daughter-in-law’s faces turned slightly grim. Sensing the tension, Ye Baozhu hastily explained, “My sister is just a bit introverted. She doesn’t like to talk.”

Just as the atmosphere was about to turn awkward, someone suddenly spoke up.

“Grandma, I’d like to speak with Miss Ye, alone.”

The voice was deep and melodious, like water droplets on green stones under the moonlight, causing a tingling sensation in one’s ears.

The speaker was none other than the eldest son of the Wen family, seated in his wheelchair.

His words stunned everyone. Even Grandma Wen, despite her earlier dissatisfaction, was now full of joy. “Of course, of course, go ahead! It’s rare for you to speak up!”

She then grabbed Grandma Ye’s hand and said, “In all these years, Acan has never shown any interest in Baozhu, but your third daughter caught his eye immediately. Seems like my grandson takes after me—he goes for looks!”

Ye Baozhu’s face twisted slightly, and her gaze towards Ye Kong was filled with jealousy and resentment.

By this time, Ye Kong had already started pushing Wen Can’s wheelchair out. A secretary-like figure followed them silently, closing the terrace door behind them once they were outside.

The glass door reflected the secretary’s silhouette, standing guard like a sentinel.

Ye Kong withdrew her gaze and looked at Wen Can.

In the dim light, Wen Can’s features were even more striking. Despite his cold and distant gaze, he exuded a noble aura.

—No wonder so many women had looked at her with both envy and fear as she walked by.

The envy was for admiration, the fear was for respect.

And perhaps, with a tinge of malicious pleasure, they pitied him for his legs.

Ye Kong’s eyes fell on his legs, covered by a thin blanket. Even while sitting, it was clear how extraordinarily long and well-proportioned they were. One could easily imagine how tall and elegant he must have been standing. It was truly a pity if such legs were truly crippled, but…

“A child adopted by the orphanage director in Huahua County, now suddenly turned into the daughter of the wealthy Ye family in Yuzhou. Miss Ye, can you tell me what game you’re playing?”

Ye Kong lifted her eyes at the sound of Wen Can’s cold and gloomy voice.

She glanced inside at the glamorous scene to ensure no one was nearby, then turned back to Wen Can with a slight smile.

“You transformed from a neighbor who could run and walk his dog to a crippled young master of a wealthy family in just one night. Believe me, Mr. Wen, my surprise is no less than yours.”

This was the first time Ye Kong had spoken since arriving in Huaichuan. Her voice was clear and sweet, reminiscent of a freshly bloomed rose, still dewy. Yet, her words were as prickly as rose thorns.

She looked at Wen Can and tilted her head, “Unless you tell me that the person I saw walking a dog last night in Huahua County was your twin brother?”

They stood on the terrace, one sitting and one standing, their gazes cold and confrontational.

After a long silence, Wen Can smiled.

The gloom disappeared, and his finely chiseled features lit up, even in the dim light, dazzling.

Ye Kong squinted slightly, hearing him say, “Looks like we both have secrets to keep.”

“I don’t,” Ye Kong said. “The ones hiding secrets are the Ye family, not me.”

“Are you not part of the Ye family?”

“Still under consideration.”

“Are you assessing them, or are they assessing you?”

“What do you think?”

…

Silence fell again.

Wen Can seemed to grasp something he wanted from their exchange, his smile growing even brighter. “I guess, no matter what, you need to stay with the Ye family,” he said, smiling like a different person. “In that case, perhaps we don’t need to be so adversarial.”

He extended his hand toward Ye Kong. “Miss Ye, you keep my secret, and I’ll help you stay with the Ye family. How about that?”

Ye Kong glanced at his outstretched hand, “How will you help me?”

“Simple, by fulfilling the engagement.”

“I don’t want to marry you.”

“Neither do I,” Wen Can said calmly. “So, we just need to cooperate and be an engaged couple in appearance only.”

“For how long?”

“One year.”

“Deal.”

A large hand shook a small one.

Wen Can keenly felt the calluses on her palm and fingertips, but Ye Kong quickly withdrew her hand without any hesitation.

The young girl in the simple dress turned and looked inside through the glass door at the bright lights and people. Without looking back, she asked, “Are you sure that by fulfilling the engagement, I can definitely stay with the Ye family?”

“Of course.”

Ye Kong finally smiled.

Her complexion was cool and pale, and her dark eyes held a fragile, moonlit beauty when she was silent. But when she smiled, it was like a rose blooming under the moonlight—bold and cold.

Wen Can stared at her profile, momentarily dazed. Ye Kong had already opened the door and walked back inside.

The door closed with a soft click. The man squinted at her receding figure, then took out his phone and dialed a number.

“Hello, Grandpa? The child that Director Sun adopted next door, named Ye Kong—can you tell me what kind of person she is?”

·

Ye Kong held a wine glass, browsing the dessert section for her preferred sweets.

She had just popped a small cake into her mouth when a mocking voice sounded behind her.

“Baozhu, is this your sister raised in the countryside? She doesn’t seem to fit the Ye family’s style.”

“Don’t say that. My sister is just not used to being home yet. Anyone who bullies her will have to answer to me.”

“Are we that kind of people?”

“Hey, we’ve been talking so much, and she doesn’t even greet us? How rude.”

“First time in high society, you know, like Grandma Liu visiting the Grand View Garden. Just try to understand.”

“Although Wen Can is crippled, I didn’t expect he’d get engaged to someone like her…”

…

Ye Kong spotted another piece of coconut milk cake and was about to take it when a delicate hand snatched it first.

“Miss Ye, we’re talking to you. Isn’t it rude not to respond?”

The arrogant, coquettish voice came from beside her. Ye Kong paused, then slowly picked another piece of coconut milk cake, placing it on her plate before turning around.

Standing in front of her were several people, both men and women. In the center, like stars surrounding the moon, was Ye Baozhu.

She looked at Ye Kong with a concerned expression, “Sister, are you too hungry? Should I ask the butler to bring you some hot dishes?”

“Didn’t you get enough to eat in the countryside?” The young lady beside her, tilting her head, asked with feigned innocence. “What kind of life did you lead before? Ever seen jewelry? Ever had steak?”

Her naive-sounding questions drew a burst of laughter. Ye Baozhu couldn’t help but laugh but then quickly stopped herself, “Ruo Wei! Don’t make fun of my sister! She’s my blood sister!”

“Yeah, yeah,” a man who had been checking his watch finally looked up, glancing at Ye Kong with a bored expression. “Ye Kong, right? I’m your cousin… I heard you haven’t spoken since you arrived. Are you sick, or…”

He paused, his expression turning strange. “You’re not mute, are you?”