Chapter 5: There Is Light

Guan Yueyue woke up early, and the first thing she did was open the window to breathe in the fresh morning air.

To be alive—how wonderful.

She stretched lazily, feeling refreshed from head to toe.

Then she went to the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face, humming a little tune. Afterward, she carefully applied a delicate, refined makeup. Once done, she opened her wardrobe and spent some time choosing an outfit until she finally found one that suited her.

It was a modest, traditional-style qipao.

The rest of her clothes were rather sultry, so she figured she would need to buy a few more pieces at the mall, though there was no time for that today.

Guan Yueyue slipped into the qipao and stood before the full-length mirror, examining herself several times. Finding no flaw, she grabbed her bag, changed her shoes, and stepped out.

“Third Miss, you’re up?” Maid Chen greeted her with surprise, but it was only momentary. “I’ll bring your breakfast over.”

Guan Yueyue nodded.

After Liao Liao had sipped a few mouthfuls of porridge, Guan Yueyue was about to leave when Sheng Lan, descending from the second floor, called out, “Yueyue, where are you off to so early?”

Turning around, Guan Yueyue saw Sheng Lan’s voluminous waves of hair and her silky red pajamas, yawning repeatedly. “Mom, you’re so sleepy. Why don’t you sleep a little longer?”

Sheng Lan smiled warmly as she approached. “Are you going on a date?”

Guan Yueyue replied, “I signed up for a design class—to study design.”

“Design? Study?” Sheng Lan’s smile immediately broadened into praise. “You’re a wealthy young lady—why study design? Isn’t it better to stay at home and enjoy life?”

Again with the brainwashing.

Sheng Lan said, “Yueyue, your dad has plenty of money. You really don’t need to…”

Guan Yueyue suddenly smiled. “Mom, do you think being a good-for-nothing or a parasite is something to be proud of?”

Sheng Lan retorted, “How can you say that about your mother? I just don’t want you to suffer, that’s all…”

“I’m not suffering. I love design, and that’s my major. So I’m not suffering. Mom, I’m already twenty-three. From now on, you don’t need to interfere with my affairs. If you want a stable life as Mrs. Guan, then just keep Dad happy—make sure he’s healthy and joyful every day. You and your son Guan Ye can have everything you want.”

After saying this, Guan Yueyue smiled faintly and walked away.

Sheng Lan stood there stunned until Guan Ye called out, “Mom, why are you just standing there?”

Sheng Lan pulled her son aside. “Your sister went to her design class early this morning.”

Guan Ye sneered, “Her!?”

Sheng Lan said, “I think she’s changed lately. You should get closer to her and find out what she’s really up to.”

“I don’t want to,” Guan Ye refused.

Sheng Lan tugged him again. “For your future, you have to understand.”

Guan Ye was annoyed. “I don’t like doing things like this.”

Sheng Lan pointed at him. “You’re going to drive me crazy one day!”

...

Guan Yueyue stepped outside.

Looking up, the sun shone brilliantly.

Her smooth black hair, radiant fair skin, and delicate, refined features were framed perfectly by the qipao, accentuating her curvaceous silhouette. As she walked down the street, she was a breathtaking sight.

Since the design class—a program offered by Peishun Institute—was close to home, she chose to walk instead of driving.

It took her six or seven minutes to arrive.

There were many design classes, each specializing in a different field. She had chosen environmental design.

Inside the classroom, there were thirty-five students.

Most were about her age, with some younger, and the majority were female.

Their instructor was a slightly plump middle-aged man. “Class, my name is Wu An. From now on, I will be your—”

A female student stood up. “Teacher, won’t Professor Shen be giving us lessons?”

“Yeah, teacher, I heard Professor Shen is coming today,” another female student rose, her eyes shining with eager anticipation.