When her mother became pregnant, she discovered her father had an illegitimate child outside, leading to a huge argument.
It was the grandfather who intervened, reprimanding her father and ordering him to sever ties, thus saving the marriage.
However, although the outside relationship was severed, her father's heart did not return.
He deliberately neglected her mother, not participating in anything from her pregnancy to childbirth.
On the day of delivery, her mother suffered severe bleeding and, after a difficult labor, gave birth to Zhan Bei Jue.
The grandfather was overjoyed and immediately had people take the grandson aside to dote on him.
She spent another half hour alone in the ward before giving birth to her daughter.
Out of resentment towards the Zhan family, her mother impulsively asked the doctor to conceal Melody's birth.
Everyone thought she had only given birth to Zhan Bei Jue, unaware that her twin daughter had been arranged to live in Northern Europe from a young age.
It wasn't until her mother fell from upstairs and, upon waking, feared her time was short, that she told Zhan Bei Jue the truth.
At that time, Zhan Bei Jue was overwhelmed, injured, and had to manage company affairs while also worrying about Jiang Nan Fang.
Unable to find anyone trustworthy to care for his mother, he brought Melody back.
The two looked quite similar, and Melody, having grown up abroad, had a bold and unrestrained personality. Her accent was immediately recognizable as not being local.
Zhan Bei Jue, fearing she would attract attention, forbade her from going out.
In a year, Melody went out only a handful of times.
Each time, it was Zhan Bei Jue who secretly took her out at night. She was almost driven mad.
It wasn't that Zhan Bei Jue was unfilial or refused to see his mother, but rather that their situation made it inconvenient to be conspicuous.
So, after Melody spoke, he didn't say much else.
Important matters like hospitalization would be arranged by him personally.
"Got it. The things have been delivered, and I've seen the person. I'm leaving now."
Melody reached out and grabbed his arm.
"Didn't you notice I'm all ready?"
Zhan Bei Jue hadn't looked closely at her face, so of course, he couldn't tell.
"Ready for what?"
Melody rolled her eyes at him.
"Makeup! I changed into a pretty dress and put on perfect makeup. Can't you tell?"
"From the moment you said you were coming, I was ready to go out tonight. You're not just going to leave, are you?"
She was an adult woman.
Being alone in that room all day, confined with a patient and having no social interaction or going out, would make anyone feel lonely and miserable. Zhan Bei Jue understood this.
So, he tried his best to satisfy her materially.
When she wanted to go out, he would also try his best to accommodate her.
However, any other time was fine, but not today.
"I told you, my wife has been unwell and in a bad mood recently. I need to go back and take care of her. Let's do it another day."
"What?" Melody was so angry she rolled her eyes.
"You didn't visit me for half a year, and then you told me you were in trouble, almost driving me crazy."
"Now that everything's fine, you're making excuses again?"
"Your wife is sick and in a bad mood, so I can't go out. I don't understand your logic."
"Your wife is human, and so am I. She needs company when she's in a bad mood, don't I?"
"I'm just your sister. I don't owe you anything. If this continues, I can't guarantee I'll keep cooperating."
It was always like this.
If Zhan Bei Jue refused to take her out, she would threaten him with these words.
Although they were siblings, they had only known each other for a short time, and they didn't interact much.
When they threatened each other, they were quite ruthless.
Melody's temper was somewhat like her mother's – willful and stubborn.
Zhan Bei Jue understood what a woman could do when she was upset, so he was always threatened into submission.
"Don't get agitated. Let me make a call to inform my family first."
He called Jiang Nan Fang, saying that Lu Ming Zhe was in a bad mood and he might have to stay with him longer today, so she shouldn't wait for him.
Jiang Nan Fang understood. They exchanged a few intimate words, and the call ended.
Melody went to change into high heels and asked him where he was taking her today.
Because their identities were both special, if Zhan Bei Jue openly appeared with another woman, people who didn't know the truth might spread rumors.
Therefore, taking her out each time was a major challenge, and today was no exception.
Fortunately, a few days prior, the company was organizing an internal executive professional skills training session, and the logistics department had reported a hot spring resort.
The place was quite secluded, newly built, with beautiful scenery, and not attention-grabbing.
He thought of that place.
Of course, the hot spring resort had many people and prying eyes, and registration was required. Zhan Bei Jue would not take her there.
Going to a subordinate county, he accompanied Melody to a dimly lit bar.
It was the same in the past; they would find an obscure small county town, enter the local bar for a few drinks.
Let her dance on the dance floor for a while, be chatted up by men a few times, satisfy her vanity, relax, and then go home.
But today, Melody spotted a handsome guy at the bar.
The young man was tall and slender, with attractive features and good taste in clothing.
He looked like a university student or a young person just starting out in society.
Not greasy at all, he looked fresh and appealing in this setting.
They sat together and had two drinks, and it felt a bit like love at first sight.
Half an hour later, Melody went to discuss it with Zhan Bei Jue.
"Can I not go back tonight? I've taken a liking to the guy over there."
"Either he comes with me, or I go with him. I want to spend the night here."
She was a 30-year-old woman who hadn't been with a man in a year, so having such thoughts was normal.
The problem was that the current situation didn't allow it!
Zhan Bei Jue was uneasy leaving her alone with someone else, nor could he wait here with her all night.
"Stop joking. You two can't be together, so why waste your feelings?"
Melody raised an eyebrow: "Why? What do you mean we can't be together? Do you think I look older than him?"
Women's thought processes were always different from men's. Zhan Bei Jue meant that the conditions weren't right, so there was no point in starting.
"I mean, what if you get addicted, or he takes a liking to you, and you two want to date, or even get married in the future..."
Melody didn't want that either.
She couldn't stay in Nan Cheng and just wanted to have some fun.
"So, until Mom gets better, I can't be with any man?"
This was indeed cruel. Zhan Bei Jue thought about it.
"If you really want someone, I'll find one for you."
"What? You're that kind? Aren't you afraid of getting caught?"
"I'll arrange it."
"Okay, I'll trust you this time. But my requirements are very high. Not just any man will do, don't fool me."
"Tell me your requirements."
"Find someone with your looks, eight-pack abs, and preferably looks like Song Joong Ki."
"No problem. If I find him for you, you have to guarantee that you won't ask to go out for the next three months."