Chapter 5 A world apart
Chapter 1: A World Apart
The grand Lin Mansion loomed in the golden afternoon light, its towering gates parting to reveal a long, winding private driveway. The air was thick with tension, the kind that settled deep in the bones and refused to leave.
The heavy mansion doors creaked open, and Ye Fen strode out, his face a mask of cold detachment. The soft rustling of paper in his hand was the only sound that accompanied him.
Behind him, Roxue hurried after him, her voice breaking through the silence.
"Ye Fen!" she called out, her grip tightening on the divorce agreement he had just signed and handed over. "What do you mean by that?"
Her heart pounded. His words before signing—low, unreadable, almost a whisper—were still echoing in her mind. But as always, he refused to elaborate.
Ye Fen didn't stop.
He didn't answer.
He only walked forward, as if leaving everything—including her—behind.
Then, the silence was shattered.
A luxury white car pulled smoothly onto the private road, its sleek, polished exterior reflecting the setting sun. The moment it stopped, the driver rushed to open the door.
A young woman stepped out, her white gown flowing like silk in the breeze. She was delicate yet full of life, her eyes gleaming with excitement and innocence. Her small frame exuded warmth, a stark contrast to the heavy tension lingering in the air.
"Brother! Brother! Guess who's here!" she called out, practically bouncing toward him.
Ye Fen froze.
For the first time since stepping out of the mansion, his eyes flickered with emotion.
"Lin Er…" he murmured, the name barely leaving his lips.
Roxue's breath hitched. Lin Er?
He had a sister?
In all their time together, Ye Fen had never spoken of family. Never once had he mentioned Ye Lin Er, his only sister, his only family.
Before Roxue could even process this revelation, another car—a sleek black luxury vehicle—rolled up behind Lin Er's.
This one was different.
This one was imposing, authoritative, its presence alone demanding attention.
The driver stepped out and swiftly opened the back door.
A pair of red stiletto heels touched the pavement first, followed by a figure wrapped in crimson silk.
Xue Er.
She emerged from the car with an effortless grace, her red dress hugging every curve, elegant yet undeniably commanding. The way she moved, the way she carried herself—she did not beg for attention. She owned it.
Her deep red lips were curved, her face unreadable.
But her eyes—her eyes told a different story.
She didn't look at Lin Er.
She didn't look at Roxue.
She looked straight at Ye Fen.
And she did not blink.
Lin Er, still brimming with excitement, had no idea of the storm that had just arrived.
"Brother, I brought Xue Er with me!" Lin Er beamed. "Aren't you happy to see us?"
Ye Fen's lips parted, as if he wanted to say something.
But no words came out.
He just stared.
At Lin Er.
At Xue Er.
At the two people who should have never been strangers to him.
His shock was evident—but he remained silent.
Roxue, still gripping the divorce papers, felt like an outsider in a story she was never meant to be part of.
And then, Xue Er smiled.
A slow, calculated smile.
Not warm. Not cold. Just controlled.
She stepped forward, the soft click of her heels echoing in the vast driveway.
But she said nothing to Ye Fen.
Nothing at all.
Instead, she turned to Lin Er and reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind the younger woman's ear with a gentle touch.
"You should have told me sooner, Lin Er," she murmured, her voice smooth, controlled—too controlled.
Ye Fen's gaze snapped to her.
It was then that Roxue realized—Xue Er was angry.
Not the kind of anger that came with shouting, with reckless outbursts.
No.
This was a quiet, deadly anger. The kind that didn't announce itself. The kind that sat patiently, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Xue Er was furious.
Furious that Ye Fen had never told her.
Furious that she had to find out this way.
And yet, she smiled.
A perfect, elegant smile.
Ye Fen still said nothing.
And that silence said any word ever could