Chapter 48 – The Unwelcome Guests
When Madam Bai stepped into the villa, her jaw nearly dropped. The dazzling chandeliers sparkled like captured stars, the marble floors glistened as if freshly polished by servants of heaven, and the spacious living room exuded the aura of nobility. Her greedy eyes swept around, shining with hunger and envy. She could hardly restrain herself from touching everything in sight — from the velvet sofa to the glass vases. "My son really hit it big," she exclaimed, running her hand along the soft fabric. "This… this is how I should've been living all along!"
The rest of the Bai family followed close behind, wide-eyed and stiff with disbelief. Bai Lan and Bai Lang both looked around, jealousy eating away at their insides. Their brother's house was more luxurious than anything they had ever dreamed of. They had heard rumors that Bai Sung bought this villa even before winning the lottery, meaning he had been hiding money from them all this time. Gu Yan and Ye Fan admired the grandeur with envy but also excitement — in their minds, they were already imagining themselves living here, servants bowing at every word.
Bai Ai and Bai Gin's eyes darted about, searching for Bai Xia or Bai Xuan. They were already scheming about how to ask for their clothes and jewelry; after all, they had seen those girls shining on TV like celebrities. Meanwhile, Bai Ling and his wife Mu Yen sat quietly with their youngest daughter, Bai Gan, observing everything with calm restraint. Bai Dang and Bai Xiang Tin trailed behind, hesitant and unsure whether they even belonged in such a place.
The grand living room fell into silence until the rhythmic sound of heels echoed down from the stairs — click, clack, click.
Then, Chu Sun appeared.
She descended gracefully, every step deliberate and elegant. Her body was draped in a luxurious deep-red cheongsam, embroidered with golden phoenixes and peonies that shimmered faintly beneath the chandelier light. Her skin looked as white as snow, smooth and delicate, radiating youth — no one would have guessed she was thirty-eight; she looked barely twenty-eight. Her black hair, styled into soft waves, was adorned with diamond pins that glinted with every movement. A thin gold necklace rested on her collarbone, matching her gold bracelets and earrings. She wore low-heeled satin shoes, their subtle shine matching the graceful arch of her slender ankles.
She looked like a vision of refined beauty — a woman who had risen from hardship and now stood proudly at the peak.
When Madam Bai saw her, irritation instantly filled her chest. "You only know how to come and welcome me now?" she snapped harshly. "Get me some food, I'm hungry!"
Chu Sun's expression didn't change. With poise befitting the lady of the house, she walked gracefully to the opposite sofa and sat down, her posture straight and dignified. Her calm smile contrasted sharply with Madam Bai's coarse tone. "Brother-in-law, Sister-in-law, it's been a while. I'm happy to see you both."
Bai Ling nodded awkwardly, "It's nice to see you too…"
Chu Sun then turned to their youngest daughter and smiled gently. "And Gan'er, you've grown quite a bit, haven't you?"
The little girl hesitated but then smiled shyly. Though Bai Gan had once disliked her aunt, seeing her again filled her with nostalgia. She remembered how Aunt Chu Sun had often helped her sneak food when she was hungry. "Auntie Chu Sun, I really missed you," she murmured, her eyes watering a little.
Chu Sun laughed softly and patted her head. Indeed, she had always treated Bai Gan like a third daughter — she had even nursed her when Mu Yen couldn't produce milk.
But Madam Bai, noticing she was being ignored, slammed her palm on the armrest. "You think you're so great now? Just because you made a bit of money, you think you can embarrass me? When my son comes back, I'll tell him to divorce you!"
Her outburst made even the others uncomfortable. Chu Sun, however, remained calm. Her eyes turned cold as she replied, "Then perhaps you should wait for him to come home, Madam Bai. Otherwise, I'll have no choice but to call the police. After all… we don't share any relationship anymore."
Madam Bai froze. She knew the truth — after all the cruel things she had done to Chu Sun in the past, this woman wouldn't hesitate to have them thrown out. For now, she forced herself to stay quiet, her nails digging into her palms as she glared silently.
Chu Sun gestured for Bai Gan to sit beside her. "Are you hungry?" she asked gently. The little girl shook her head, glancing at her mother. Chu Sun chuckled softly and turned to An Yu. "Bring some tea and snacks."
Madam Bai scoffed loudly. "She only knows how to serve tea now, what an uncultured woman."
Chu Sun ignored her.
Moments later, An Yu returned with an elegant tray — fine porcelain teacups, a pot of jasmine tea, and a full plate of freshly baked cream puffs. The sweet scent filled the room instantly. The Bai family's eyes widened; each cream puff probably cost at least fifteen yuan, yet Chu Sun casually offered a whole tray.
Before Madam Bai could reach for one, Chu Sun smoothly pulled the tray closer. "These are for Gan'er," she said softly, "not you. Please, have some tea instead."
Madam Bai nearly exploded. There were more than thirty on the tray — why couldn't she just give her one? But she swallowed her anger, vowing that when her son returned, she'd make this arrogant woman pay.
Bai Gan happily ate two in a row. Chu Sun smiled and passed a few to Bai Ling and Mu Yen before letting the rest go to the others. Her meaning was clear — she was setting boundaries. Yet no one dared protest.
"An Yu, get Gan'er a drink," Chu Sun ordered softly.
"Yes, Madam."
An Yu returned shortly with a glass jar of fruit juice and a plate of sliced apples. The others stared in envy as Bai Gan ate and snuggled up beside Chu Sun. "Auntie, I'm cold…"
"An Yu, turn off the air conditioner for a while."
"Yes, Madam."
Madam Bai's face twisted. Watching how naturally Chu Sun gave orders made her blood boil. "An Yu! Get me some chicken, I'm hungry!" she demanded arrogantly.
An Yu didn't even look at her.
"You stupid servant! Don't you know who I am? I'm your boss's mother! I'll have you fired when he comes back!" Madam Bai yelled, but she was ignored again, her face turning red with humiliation.
Just then, the crisp sound of heels echoed from the entryway again — lighter, faster, full of youthful rhythm.
Bai Xuan had returned.
She wore a tight-fitting off-shoulder white blouse, its soft fabric hugging her curves, and a short denim skirt that showed off her long, flawless white legs. Her high-heeled white shoes — easily six inches tall — clicked elegantly against the floor. Her wavy hair framed her delicate face, enhanced by the light touch of makeup she'd gotten during her beauty treatment. On her left arm hung shopping bags; in her right hand, her phone glowed as she texted someone with casual grace. Silver jewelry sparkled faintly on her wrists and ears.
Seeing the Bai family, she froze for a moment — but quickly composed herself and walked straight to her mother. "Hi Mom, I'm back." Then, she turned politely to Bai Ling and Mu Yen. "Hello, Uncle. Hello, Auntie. It's nice to meet you again."
Her elegance and confidence made everyone else uneasy. Madam Bai, however, couldn't take it. "You spoiled brat! Didn't you see your grandmother? You've been ruined by your mother's arrogance!"
Bai Xuan ignored her completely, sitting beside her mother and placing her shopping bags down. "Mom, look, I bought you three pairs of shoes — tell me which you like best."
Chu Sun's expression softened. She examined the shoes one by one — a pair of pearl-white heels, crimson stilettos, and black embroidered sandals — praising each choice warmly before put them away.
Across the room, Bai Ai's heart twisted with jealousy. They were the same age, yet Bai Xuan looked like she belonged to another world entirely.
Moments later, Bai Yan and Li Wei entered the living room. Bai Yan's expression was calm and cold. He had received Bai Xuan's message and returned early. "Uncle, Auntie," he greeted politely, but didn't spare the others a glance.
Li Wei nodded politely to Bai Ling as well.
Bai Lang blinked in realization. "Bai Yan, you're the one managing the hotels?"
Li Wei smiled faintly. "Yes. Mr. Bai Yan is my boss."
Madam Bai's eyes lit up greedily. "Then Bai Yan, give some hotels to your cousins too!"
Bai Yan turned to her, his tone as cold as winter. "If I remember correctly, Madam Bai — my mother doesn't have any siblings."
The words cut like a blade. Madam Bai's face darkened. "You uncultured brat! I'll deal with you later!"
Just then, the rumble of a car engine sounded from outside. Madam Bai's eyes brightened instantly. "My son is back!"
Bai Sung entered with a cold, composed expression. Without hesitation, he walked up to them and said clearly, "I have no family. Please leave."
Madam Bai froze, as though struck by lightning. Then she fell to her knees, wailing dramatically. "He's abandoned his own mother! The one who carried him for nine months! Oh heavens, I raised him and now he throws me away because of this greedy wife!"
Bai Lan stepped forward. "Brother, you've made it big and now you're abandoning us?"
Bai Sung's lips curled slightly. "Wasn't it you who cut ties first? And now you come crawling back to claim benefits where you didn't sow?"
The air grew heavy with tension as police sirens wailed outside.
Madam Bai turned pale. "Bai Sung… you'd actually arrest your mother?"
"I don't have a mother," he replied icily.
Four officers entered. "Is this the Bai residence?"
"Yes," Bai Sung said firmly. "Please remove these trespassers."
The officers turned to the Bai family. "Either you leave peacefully or we escort you to the station."
Realizing how bad things were, Bai Lang quickly gathered everyone to leave. But before they could step out, Bai Sung's voice stopped them.
"Wait."
They turned back hopefully.
"Bai Ling, stay. I have something to discuss with you."
Madam Bai's eyes widened as the officers led the others away. As she passed the doorway, Bai Gin shot a smug glance back at Bai Ai — who was being escorted out by thie police, her gaze said "I got to stay and you didn't".
The once-noisy living room fell silent again.
Outside, the police cars disappeared into the distance. Inside, the Bai family's greed, jealousy, and humiliation lingered like a bitter aftertaste in the air.
On the other side, Bai Xia had just finished her beauty treatment when her phone buzzed. She picked it up and saw two new messages. Opening the one from the contact saved as "Handsome Hunk," she read the text on the screen:
> Are you free?