The mansion where Zhenyi and Long Jie were living after their marriage was a piece of art even though it was not as grand as the vintage Xin Mansion or as the majestic Long Mansion but it had a very unique beauty of its own.


    From the Oak trees to the imported rare flower pots scattered all over the ce, it was a surreal sight to behold; too magical to be true. Looked like magic entered her life with the arrival of Long Jie. Such an absurd thought but what was the harm in keeping the thought to herself?


    Earlier she thought she saw a greenhouse in the distance but then she assumed, she was definitely mistaken. Then again, the curious Zhenyi she was, she couldn''t keep it to herself and asked Long Jie if it was a real greenhouse or her imagination. He hadughed at her reaction. Afterughing for a good minute, he told her it was very much real as her but she couldn''t believe it.


    Later, he took her for a tour of the property. The greenhouse was still a work in progress. But she could imagine, how beautiful and marvelous it would look after thepletion of the renovations. Watching the different varieties of nts in the garden, she asked him if he was anyhow interested in nts and flowers. But the answer she received shocked and enthralled her to the core.


    "Hardly, wife," Long Jie replied when his wife asked him if he was interested in nts and flowers.


    "Then, why the greenhouse?" She asked him as shematched his pace. He was giving her a tour of the property.


    Earlier in the morning when she woke up and nced out of the window, her fascinated stares let out him the certainty that his wife had an intention of exploring the property. Yesterday, they did explore too but none of the explorations involved the mansion and the property surrounding it. True to his words, Long Jie spent the entire wedding night, the day after that, andter the night inside his wife, who was pleased and more than willing to cooperate with her husband in his little exploration whichsted more than thirty-six hours. Not that she minded but her organs were exhausted and crying for rest but her heart still brooding as it didn''t get what it desired. Again.


    Long Jie looked at his wife and recalled that she hadasked him a question.


    "I saw the majestic garden of Xin mansion and thought you may adore one here too. Besides, I want you to feelfortable and homey here. Do you like it, wife?"


    Her jaw dropped at his reply. She didn''t know whether to be delighted or open his brain to check how it actually functioned.


    Life is always full of surprises. Isn''t it? One moment, it gives you a lifelong unheble wound and another moment, it gives you the biggest blessing you never asked for. Heck, you didn''t even dare to imagine.


    Zhenyi had vowed never to marry the man walking beside her. As Xin Yichen had said she was blinded by hate and it was the reason which was clouding her judgment. She had assured herself that his lips that were not only perfectly kissable but equally deceiving could never keep a promise muchless than the vows; the sacred vows which bound them in this holy matrimony. But never in her wildest dreams, she had imagined to build a harmonious home with him. Heck, she couldn''t even fathom the idea of sharing the same roof with him.


    But they said what was life if we were never mistaken? What was life if we were always right? What was life if there were no incidental but crucial rtionships? And what were the rtionships if there were no mutual efforts?


    They said ''if the feelings are mutual, the efforts will be equal.''But sometimes feelings are not all about love. It could be friendship, loyalty,mitment, dedication, and maybe obligation but most of all trust. Perhaps, that was the reason Long Jie was embarking on a voyage of building a rtionship with his wife.


    For instance, Long Jie''s attempt to make herfortable in their new home by creating something he thought she adored. And how right he was for building the greenhouse and the beautiful garden.


    Because if there was one thing she loved about Xin mansion in China, it was its garden. She was tended by her mother herself. Though she didn''t remember her mother, a child still needed her mother no matter how old she was. The garden was a ce where she could find her mother even in the soil of the garden. Or maybe, just like her mother, she shared the same affection for nts and gardens.


    After the tour of the house, he introduced Zhenyi to the housekeeper and the staff employed by him. He wanted to make sure she wasfortable with the staff otherwise she could make changes as she deemed fit.


    The housekeeper was a dainty woman in her mid-fifties. She had this kind aura of a sweet and sensible woman. She shook her head at Long Jie as if he was a kid who was showing off his newest toy to everyone else who couldn''t have it. Although the housekeeper was greeted and bowed politely, Zhenyi could tell she was one of those who hardly listened and obeyed all the orders. The houskeeper''s gaze lingered on Zhenyi for a moment and in her eyes, Zhenyi could she approval as she gave Long Jie a Well-done smile. Compared to most of the butlers/ housekeepers Zhenyi had seen, she could tell this one had no fear and frigid posture indicating that wherever or whatever she worked, she wasfortable.


    "Congrattions, Young Madam and Young Master on your wedding," the housekeeper Xie Qian smiled kindly yet politely. And for once in her life, Zhenyi was not wary of a stranger. If Long Jie trusted her, she could do too unless she messed it up. But Zhenyi had a feeling that she wouldn''t.


    "Thank you, Mrs. Xie," Long Jie replied and Zhenyi nodded with a slight smile. She was never a fan of speakng too many words.


    "Excuse me for a moment," Long Jie said to Zhenyi and went in to pick up his ringing cell, leaving the two woman alone. Ever heard never leave two women alone? Did you know why? If not, then observe it yourself.


    "How long have you worked for the Long family?" Zhenyi asked Xie Qian as she saw her husband on the call through the mirror.


    The housekeeper furrowed her brows in confusion as ifshe was not expecting this question from Zhenyi. Nheless, she maintained a polite smile on her face.


    "I''m sorry if I caught you off-guard," Zhenyi said when she noticed the other woman''s conflicted emotions.


    "No, actually I work exclusively for Young master. I worked for the Long family once upon a time. Well, it has been years, madam," the housekeeper replied and Zhenyi could feel there was the story behind it but she didn''t pry for more information as it didn''t concern her.


    Zhenyi didn''t ask her further about the matter and the housekeeper informed her of other important subjects and Zhenyi listened carefully.


    Someone had rightly said if you want a peaceful household to be friends with the housekeeper.


    "It is a beautiful ce," Zhenyi said as a butterfly perched on the flower blooming in the pot before her eyes. She had to admit her husband chose a beautiful and out worldly ce to spend their time together.


    "Indeed, Young Master specially renovated this property for you. Since he decided to live here after thewedding," the housekeeper said as she followed Zhenyi''s gaze. She liked the new mistress of the house. She was cold but fair. Such a perfect match for Young Master.


    "Wait. I thought we are here for the honeymoon only?" Zhenyi asked her as confusion marred her perfect brows. Just as she thought everything was going perfect as a dream one or the other things were always ready to shatter her perfect dreams.


    "Umm...we we''re informed to make preparations for your arrival. I suppose Young Master insists on living here permanently." The housekeeper informedZhenyi to ease her confusion. But now the housekeeper was more confused than Zhenyi. She was worried if she had said something wrong that shouldn''t be said in the first ce. Everyone working for Longs knew of their obsession with secrets and mysteries. The family was a dark pandora box that intrigued no one to open and uncover its paradoxes but instead, it scared them of the consequences afterward.


    "And when does he inform you?" Zhenyi asked the other woman but she had a hunch that whatever the answer was it was going to unset and undo the progress they had made in their rtionship since day one.


    "A few weeks ago. Or to be more exact the day after your engagement." Her answer proved every doubt of Zhenyi right.


    Thousands of thoughts were running in her mind but she didn''t want to act rashly this time because she knew patience was the key to all her doubts. Sadly enough patience was one of the many virtues Zhenyi didn''t possess.