Chapter 23

Jin Yizhu arrived in Hong Kong at four in the afternoon.

After collecting her luggage and clearing customs, all the procedures were completed just in time to exit around five o’clock.

“Eldest Miss is back,” Little He came to pick her up, grinning widely. “Do you want to go to Central first, or to the Mid-Levels Villa?”

Jin Yizhu didn’t touch her luggage at all and handed it all to Little He. She didn’t even remove her sunglasses, wearing a black suit jacket with structured shoulders that gave off an air of stern intimidation.

“Go to Central first to change clothes, then to the Mid-Levels Villa.”

She usually worked in Central, so it was more convenient to stay nearby.

The Mid-Levels Villa was the family home, where three generations lived together. They had resided there since her grandfather’s time, carrying a distinct vibe reminiscent of an Yi Shu novel.

“Got it,” Little He put the luggage in the trunk. “After you.”

He drove a Porsche 911 with a rather retro design, a model Jin Yizhu particularly liked.

“Good car choice today,” Jin Yizhu sat in the back seat. “Your dad only picks the expensive ones.”

“Hey, my dad is getting on in years; he needs the expensive ones to keep up appearances,” Little He drove steadily. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep a good eye on the cars here for you.”

Jin Yizhu glanced at him through the rearview mirror and let out a “Mm,” then looked out the car window and said no more.

This Little He was quite perceptive, unlike his indecisive father. He had openly shown his allegiance to her side right away.

Of course, Little He was young. If he didn’t choose her, would he pick her half-buried father?

Uncle He had served her father his whole life. Even now as her driver, half his heart still leaned toward her father—no fault in that.

As long as he didn’t act as a spy by her side, reporting every little thing to her parents, it was fine.

The sky had not yet darkened, and the dazzling neon lights of Hong Kong had not fully lit up, slightly diminishing the city’s charm. But at dusk, with the streets bustling with people, it held a different flavor.

Jin Yizhu watched the scenery for a while and suddenly felt weary.

Was it that Hong Kong was truly too oppressive and Tokyo offered freedom, or was it because Wei Shuyu wasn’t here?

The vague thought flashed through her mind, but before she could grasp it, the car had already stopped.

Little He opened the door for her. Jin Yizhu got out smoothly. “Leave the luggage for now. Bring it up later and put it in the entryway; someone will take care of it.”

She didn’t like outsiders in the house, so she didn’t let the Filipina maid live in. Instead, she rented her a room downstairs and had her come at set times to do the work.

Little He nodded. After closing the car door, he sat on the lobby sofa. The administrator wasn’t very familiar with him but saw him dropping off Jin Yizhu and assumed he was her new driver, so he came over for some small talk.

Jin Yizhu went upstairs. She lived on the top floor with a dedicated elevator that opened directly to floor-to-ceiling windows.

The housekeeper had come early to clean, so everything was spotless. The curtains were all drawn back, revealing the view outside. Hong Kong’s lights were just coming on, shimmering brilliantly.

“What do you think?” She video-called Wei Shuyu, letting her see the view outside the window. “Compared to Shibuya, which is prettier?”

Wei Shuyu had just left the lab and was caught off guard by her video call. She fumbled in her bag for a bit before finally finding her earphones.

“Each has its own beauty,” Wei Shuyu said. “You’ve arrived in Hong Kong?”

“Mm, not long ago. Now heading home to change clothes.”

Jin Yizhu picked up the phone and gave her a tour of the walk-in closet. She asked:

“Which one should I wear?”

“Where are you going later?” Wei Shuyu asked.

“To my parents’ house.” Jin Yizhu tossed the phone onto the sofa. “Can’t wear a strapless top, can’t wear a short skirt, can’t wear leather— what else is there to choose? Can’t exactly wear a suit; it’s not work.”

“Do you have any light-colored dresses?” Wei Shuyu’s voice came from the phone, mild and clear, with an oddly calming effect. “Or wear the Chanel set. Didn’t you wear it last time? It suits you well.”

Chanel’s classic style exuded a refined elegance. Paired with a small bag, it was suitable for most occasions—perfect for seeing her parents.

“I’m tired of it; I wear it every time I go,” Jin Yizhu circled the closet once and finally conceded. “Fine, nothing more suitable anyway.”

She pulled out the outfit and tossed it onto the sofa, where it landed right over the phone, blocking Wei Shuyu’s view.

To take her call, Wei Shuyu hadn’t gone to the tram station and instead sat on a bench. She watched the phone screen as the video went from Hong Kong’s night view to the closet, then to the ceiling, and finally went dark under the clothes.

Having played the role of a tool person, Wei Shuyu felt a bit helpless.

But on second thought, wasn’t Jin Yizhu seeking her out precisely to have a friend who was always available?

Still, did friends need to go this far?

The tower in Minato Ward where she now lived, the American Express Black Card Jin Yizhu had given her, along with the on-call driver and Filipina maid—all were costs Jin Yizhu had paid for this.

Wei Shuyu gave a self-deprecating smile. Once the darkness lifted, she quietly asked: “How is it? Very suitable, right?”

The phone was picked up, probably placed on a table. Jin Yizhu’s face appeared before her.

Without makeup, her fair and exquisite features carried a smile, her voice lighter and brighter.

“Yeah, Chanel is still the best fit.”

Jin Yizhu stepped back two paces and spun around, letting her see the dress on her body.

Creamy white with a gentle tone, classic patterns accented by a few subtle designs. The hem fell below the knees, revealing only a section of slender calf.

“How’s this? I just noticed they sent a new style. This set looks pretty good. Want it? There’s also a pink one; I can bring it for you.”

“If you want to see me in it, bring it over.”

Wei Shuyu neither said she liked it nor disliked it, leaving the decision entirely to Jin Yizhu—like a compliant doll.

“You look great in this.”

Jin Yizhu nodded. “Then I’ll bring it. Pink should suit you.”

She took the phone to the vanity and started applying makeup in front of the mirror.

Through the screen, Wei Shuyu watched that exquisite face gradually take on a glamorous sheen, beautiful beyond the mortal realm.

Jin Yizhu applied her makeup with focus, but Wei Shuyu didn’t know what to do. Seeing no more words from her, she wanted to end the call but worried it would upset Jin Yizhu, so she made small talk:

“Your parents are very strict?”

“How did you know?” Jin Yizhu sounded surprised. “Pretty much done; no need for heavy makeup at home.”

“Because you’re being so serious about choosing clothes and makeup for going home…” Wei Shuyu hesitated but told the truth. “My family is the same. If you’re too casual, they nitpick.”

“Yeah, got to be presentable,” Jin Yizhu said offhandedly. “Can’t look sloppy.”

She snapped her makeup pouch shut and examined the person in the mirror.

Her long hair fell past her shoulders in a perfect chestnut shade—not as rigid as black, not as flashy as blonde, just right in between. It made her skin look even more delicate and fair, like fine porcelain.

Her brows sloped gently downward, tempering her usual sharpness, even her lipstick swapped for a soft pink.

“How’s this?”

Jin Yizhu held up the phone and shook her head in front of Wei Shuyu.

“Good-looking?”

“Good-looking,” Wei Shuyu replied. “You look so gentle today.”

“Gentle? Then that’s perfect.” Jin Yizhu tossed the lipstick into her bag. “My parents don’t like my usual look.”

Too flashy, too vibrant, too unrestrained.

It made them uncomfortable.

“I like your usual look,” Wei Shuyu said after a few seconds of silence, just before Jin Yizhu ended the call. “That’s the real you.”

“Really?”

Jin Yizhu paused in hanging up, suddenly leaning close to the screen with a smile for her.

“Wei Shuyu, no wonder I like you.”

As her smile filled the screen, Wei Shuyu’s heart skipped a beat.

“R-Really?” Her tongue tied, her earlobes burning. “I…”

In contrast to Jin Yizhu’s openness, “like” was a secret she couldn’t voice or admit.

“Shy now?” Jin Yizhu found it amusing, her smile even brighter. “Aw, so cute.”

She glanced at the time and realized she was running late. She grabbed the phone hurriedly, making the video screen shake chaotically.

Wei Shuyu noticed her movement and quietly breathed a sigh of relief, steadying her tone. “Running late?”

“Yeah,” Jin Yizhu said. “Gotta hang up; entering the elevator.”

The elevator stopped at the first floor. Little He jumped up from the lobby. Jin Yizhu said nothing and got straight into the car.

With so many family members—three generations under one roof—and Grandfather’s strict rules, dinner every evening felt like a formal banquet. They started at seven. Being late was worse than not going at all; she’d just get a scolding.

“Eldest Miss, plenty of time. Half an hour to drive there.”

Past Upper Central, the roads opened up. Little He floored it, speeding up Victoria Peak and leaving the harbor lights behind.

Jin Yizhu closed her eyes in the back seat, merely saying “Mm.” Little He glanced through the rearview mirror—her makeup was gentle, but her expression stern, colder than snow.

He didn’t dare speak again, turning down the audio. The Porsche 911 swung through mountain bends and finally spotted a secluded estate.

The ornate iron gates opened slowly. The Porsche entered the parking lot and stopped at the elevator entrance.

Jin Yizhu took a deep breath, instinctively fiddling with her nails. Thinking of what Wei Shuyu had said earlier, she pulled her hand back and smoothed the jade bracelet on her wrist.

The elevator doors closed before her. She looked at herself in the mirror—proper, perfect, flawlessly gentle.

Yet for some reason, it all felt a bit false—

The cool touch in her hand sharpened her senses further.

Not because of nerves, but…

Ever since she glimpsed the undercurrents in the group and resolved to tear open that web of power struggles and reclaim what was hers, she couldn’t afford a single misstep.

“Yizhu’s back?”

Before entering the living room, she heard Grandfather’s hearty laugh from inside.

“Come sit, quick. You’ve been going to Tokyo so often lately. What’s so good there that keeps drawing our Yizhu back?”

“Tokyo? It’s nothing special; it’s fallen off now,” someone beside him laughed. “The real center of Asia is still Hong Kong!”

Laughter filled the living room. Jin Yizhu found it odd and walked in. The sofas were packed—not just family, but several distant relatives too. All the younger generation in the company were there.

The one who had just spoken was Jin Yuancheng’s mother. Her inexplicable cousin was grinning at her, clearly intending to put her in her place in front of Grandfather.

“Sis didn’t go to Tokyo for Tokyo; she went to see her little lover,” Jin Yuancheng smirked mockingly. “Heard Sis has a canary in Tokyo. When do we get to see it in Hong Kong?”

Before he finished, Jin Shenghua and He Wanruo had already paled, unable to believe their daughter had really done such a thing—or that this insolent Jin Yuancheng would air it in front of everyone!

Jin Yizhu’s voice turned cold. “Jin Yuancheng, what did you say?”

“Just kidding, Sis. Why so mad?” Jin Yuancheng grinned smugly. “Not a canary, then a girlfriend?”