Su Ning stepped into her walk-in closet, the motion sensors activating soft ambient lighting that washed gently over rows upon rows of meticulously arranged clothing.
The space was quiet, spacious, and carried the faint scent of cedarwood and clean linen. Her gaze drifted across structured blazers, flowing dresses, tailored trousers, and minimalist couture pieces sourced from some of the most refined modern fashion houses.
Sometimes she wondered how the system was able to arrange all these for her.
She was not in the mood for anything ostentatious or attention-grabbing. What she wanted was something that conveyed elegance without dominance, refinement without distance, just a casual youth wear.
After a brief moment of consideration, she reached for a grey silk-blend cropped camisole with soft internal lining and a high-waisted drawstring lounge pants.
She moved toward the jewelry cabinet next, her fingers hovering briefly over diamonds, sapphires, and intricate custom pieces before she paused. In the end, she put on a three-diamond stud with ear curve silver chain on the left ear, leaving the other bare and a layered diamond drop anklets on her right ankle.
Sliding into a pair of sleek leather white ascend sneakers with micro-metallic studs, ensuring comfort as much as aesthetics.
Finally, she gathered her jet-black hair, which now flowed like silk down her back, and tied it into a high ponytail. The motion lifted her features subtly, revealing her slender neck and emphasizing the quiet confidence in her posture.
Once satisfied, she picked up her phone and left the closet, her steps unhurried as she descended the staircase.
The living room was bathed in natural light filtering through floor-to-ceiling windows, the interior calm and expansive.
As Su Ning crossed the space, her thoughts drifted back to the Wang family. Despite her power, her wealth, and her growing influence, she did not just want relationships built on status or intimidation, she also wanted genuine connection.
She slowed her steps, her brows knitting faintly as she considered how to approach them without appearing calculated, without the interaction being tainted by power dynamics she had no intention of invoking.
Just as she was lost in thought, a soft chime echoed through the house.
Someone was at the gate.
Su Ning paused, her expression shifting into mild surprise. She was not expecting visitors, and no appointments had been scheduled. Without moving from her spot, she released her divine senses outward in a controlled wave, her awareness extending seamlessly beyond the walls of the villa.
At the gate stood a delivery boy, no older than seventeen, dressed in a standard courier uniform, a medium-sized package clutched carefully in his hands. His posture was stiff with nervousness, his gaze darting around the surroundings as though afraid to breathe too loudly.
The grandeur of Fengshang Estate clearly overwhelmed him, the clean streets, towering villas, and near-silent atmosphere unlike anything he was accustomed to.
Su Ning withdrew her senses gently, a trace of curiosity flickering through her mind. She had not ordered anything, but mistakes happened. Picking up the remote, she pressed the gate control, the heavy metal doors sliding open smoothly.
Moments later, she stepped out onto the front steps just as the delivery boy began walking forward. His steps were cautious, his eyes unable to stop wandering as he took in the scale of the estate.
The manicured landscaping, the wide driveway, the quiet luxury of the villa all made his heart race. This was his first time delivering to Fengshang Estate, a place rumored among couriers to be almost mythical, reserved only for people far beyond ordinary reach.
When he finally looked up and saw Su Ning standing there, his entire body froze.
His breath caught in his throat as his eyes widened in shock, disbelief washing over his face. He had seen beautiful people before, on screens, in magazines, on billboards, but this was different.
She stood there naturally, without effort or artifice, yet it felt as though the surroundings themselves dimmed slightly in comparison.
For a brief moment, his mind went completely blank, his gaze fixed on her without even realizing he was staring.
Su Ning noticed immediately.
Amusement flickered in her eyes as she cleared her throat lightly, the sound soft but enough to break the spell.
The delivery boy jolted as if struck by lightning. Realization slammed into him, and his face drained of color almost instantly. Panic surged through his chest as he bowed repeatedly, his movements hurried and clumsy.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he blurted out, his voice trembling with fear. "I didn't mean to stare, I was just— I mean— I'm really sorry."
His heart pounded violently as worst-case scenarios raced through his mind. He had been so excited to be chosen for this delivery, to step into a place people like him only whispered about, and now he was sure he had ruined everything.
Gawking at someone who lived in Villa One was unforgivable. He braced himself, expecting to be reprimanded or dismissed, knowing that any complaint could cost him his job.
Instead, he heard a quiet chuckle.
"Relax," Su Ning said gently, her voice warm and unbothered. "You've done nothing wrong."
The boy looked up cautiously, disbelief written all over his face. When he saw her smiling, truly smiling, the tension in his chest collapsed all at once. A deep blush crept up his neck and spread across his face, his ears burning as relief flooded him.
Su Ning studied him briefly, noting his clean features, his honest eyes, and the way he tried so hard to remain composed despite his nerves. He reminded her of someone earnest, someone still unpolished by the harshness of the world.
"I'm here to deliver a package," he said quickly, stuttering slightly as he extended it toward her with both hands.
She accepted it calmly, her fingers brushing lightly against the cardboard as she took it from him. She signed the delivery log without fuss and handed it back to him.
"What's your name?" she asked casually.
"An Yifan," he replied immediately, standing straighter as if answering a superior.
Su Ning nodded, committing the name to memory. Though curiosity stirred within her, she refrained from prying and instead quietly queried the system for information.
'Replying Host...'
'Ding!'
'Name: An Yifan
Age: 17
Information: Attends No. 3 high school, top of his class, has a younger sister, An weiwei who attends No. 5 middle school. Both raised by a single mom who has a food stall. Parents divorced when An Yifan was seven. An Yifan works as a delivery guy to support his mother.
As the details unfolded in her mind, her expression softened. The boy's background, his responsibilities, his resilience, all painted the picture of someone far more mature than his age suggested.
When payment was due, she glanced at the amount, then reached into her wallet without hesitation. Instead of the required sum of a thousand yuan, she placed ten thousand yuan into his hands.
"Keep the rest," she said lightly. "You've earned it."
An Yifan's eyes widened in shock. "I— I can't— this is too much—"
Before he could finish, Su Ning had already turned and walked back toward the villa, her posture relaxed, leaving him standing there clutching the money in disbelief.
"Thank you!" he shouted after her, bowing deeply, his voice filled with gratitude.
As he left, his steps felt lighter, his heart soaring. He couldn't resist glancing toward the garage, his eyes lighting up at the sight of the luxury cars within. Awe filled him as he recognized each model, his passion for automobiles igniting.
"Woooaahhh" he gasped.
As a car lover, he recognized the cars, all he had were toy versions, now finally seeing them up close, he was amazed.
Unable to help himself, he snapped a quick photo before hurrying away.
Su Ning watched briefly through her senses, a small smile touching her lips before retracting her divine sense.
Turning her attention back to the package, she examined the label more carefully. The coded markings caught her attention. She asked the system if it could identify the unknown code.
The system's mechanical voice sounded.
'Code identified. This is a Military Morse code, it says it was sent by Colonel Zhong.'
Understanding dawned instantly.
"Oh," she murmured softly.
With a natural reason now in hand, she picked up the package and headed out once more, her steps calm and unhurried, a faint sense of anticipation stirring within her as she made her way toward Villa Two.