Chapter 23 – Sweetheart from the Sky: The Gentle CEO’s Sweet Kiss (23)
Mother Dan went to the beauty salon as usual for her skincare treatment, only to be subtly ridiculed and mocked by the other wealthy ladies, who sarcastically praised her and her daughter’s “impressive tactics.“
Fuming with rage, Mother Dan could do nothing about it. Though her status had improved over the years, every woman present was still someone she couldn’t afford to offend. Worse yet, once a skincare treatment started, it couldn’t be interrupted. She had to endure two grueling hours with a stiff, forced smile, only to flee in embarrassment the moment the session ended, all while being met with disdainful glances from the others.
“I’m so angry I could die! A bunch of lowly wretches who look down on others!” Back at home, Mother Dan smashed everything within reach. After gaining power, years of luxury and privilege had only made her temper worse. While she could put on a gentle and refined act in front of the Shan father and son or outsiders, in private, she was far from an easygoing person.
The servants, accustomed to her tantrums, kept their heads down and eyes averted, waiting for her to finish venting before they started cleaning up.
The more Mother Dan thought about it, the angrier she became. What nonsense! What ridiculous rumors! When have I ever driven Dan Sihe away? He has legs, doesn’t he? If he wants to leave, who could possibly stop him?
Just then, a commotion sounded outside. A group of delivery workers carried in a massive box, with the butler leading the way.
Hearing the noise, Dan Xiaowen stepped out of her room, curiously watching as the mysterious, oversized object was moved upstairs. She saw the butler personally unlock and open a newly renovated room—a room that had been sealed off for years and was only now being reopened.
This room, complete with an open-air viewing balcony, was the best in the entire villa. With just one glance, Dan Xiaowen immediately fell in love with it.
With Dan Sihe gone, the Dan household was now entirely under Mother Dan’s control. Dan Xiaowen ran to her mother, affectionately clinging to her as she pleaded to move into the room.
Mother Dan, enjoying her daughter’s affection, held her hand and followed the butler inside.
Not bad—the lighting was excellent, the space was vast, and the furnishings were luxurious. Every detail exuded wealth and status. Dan Xiaowen nodded approvingly, and even the ever-picky Mother Dan couldn’t find a single flaw.
When Dan Sihe was renovating this room, Mother Dan and Dan Xiaowen were not at home. Now that they saw it for the first time, they liked it even more. A room this nice should be reserved for Wenwen/me.
As the butler finished directing the delivery workers on where to place the furniture, he turned around and noticed that Mother Dan and Dan Xiaowen had entered uninvited. His already wrinkled face darkened with displeasure.
“Madam Dan, Miss Dan, this is not a place where you should be. Please leave,” the butler said firmly. To him, there was only one true Madam of the household—Dan Sihe’s mother.
“Mr. Butler, this room is empty anyway, and leaving it unused would be a waste. Why don’t I move in instead?” Dan Xiaowen suggested. Though the butler had served Old Master Dan for many years and held considerable authority in the household, she still spoke cautiously, not daring to act too recklessly in front of him.
Mother Dan nodded approvingly. “Yes, the renovation is decent, but it’s too boyish. It lacks a touch of femininity. I’ll have a designer come over later to make some adjustments…” She spoke as if it was a done deal, fully expecting the butler not to refuse her.
The butler was already furious that they had set foot in this space, but now they were taking it a step further by trying to seize the room that the eldest young master had prepared for the younger one.
As Mother Dan and Dan Xiaowen continued discussing renovations, the butler’s face darkened further. Then, in a sharp voice, he declared, “No! You are not qualified to live here!”
Mother Dan had already endured enough humiliation outside the house. Now, back at home, she was being openly refuted by a mere butler—and in front of all the servants and delivery workers. Her face burned with shame, her dignity as the mistress of the Shan family utterly trampled.
“I am the mistress of this house! Are you telling me I don’t even have the right to choose a room in my own home? Do you believe I won’t report this to the Old Master?” she threatened. Bad news travels fast—if I let the butler get the upper hand today, how will I manage this household in the future? How will I face people outside?
“You can choose any other room, but you cannot touch the eldest young master’s room or this one,” the butler sneered, completely unfazed by her threats. “If you’re unhappy living here, then leave.”
The servants instinctively gathered behind the butler, tension thick in the air.
“Mom…” Dan Xiaowen tugged at her mother’s sleeve uneasily. She desperately wanted this room, but she also didn’t want to directly confront the butler.
Mother Dan gritted her teeth in anger. The butler was stubborn, but she had her own ways of dealing with things. Without hesitation, she took out her phone and dialed Old Master Dan for a video call, immediately switching to a pitiful, tearful tone.
“Old Dan, we can’t live like this anymore! Wenwen just wanted to switch rooms, but the butler won’t allow it. He even told us to get out! I… I…” She sobbed dramatically, dabbing at her eyes. As she lowered her hand, her tear-streaked, sorrowful face filled the screen, looking utterly pitiful in front of Old Master Dan.
Mother Dan, though in her middle age, still retained her charm. Seeing her delicate beauty in tears, Old Master Dan—currently abroad and unable to return—immediately furrowed his brows and roared, his voice full of authority:
“Old Xu, when I’m not home, my wife is in charge! Who gave you the right to throw people out?”
The phone’s screen was turned toward the butler. As he gazed at Old Master Dan, who was practically fuming in defense of his “beauty,” a flash of disappointment crossed his eyes. This man, whom I practically watched grow up, has lost his wits in his later years, completely manipulated by an ambitious woman. And yet, he still believes she’s a good person…
Just as the butler was about to make up his mind—even if it meant burning bridges, he would stand his ground—a deep male voice suddenly echoed from the corridor.
“The authority I granted—is there a problem?”
Everyone turned toward the entrance, where two tall and strikingly handsome men walked in. One was as cold as ice, the other as gentle as jade. The speaker, here to check the progress of the renovations, was none other than Dan Sihe.
“Young Master Dan, Young Master He,” the butler greeted respectfully.
“Brother Yuchi!” Dan Xiaowen’s eyes lit up in delight. She quickly ran her fingers through her hair, eager to present her most beautiful self.
The man beside Dan Sihe, He Yuchi, gave a polite smile but didn’t acknowledge her. Instead, he greeted the butler warmly, “It’s been a while, Grandpa Xu.”
Recognizing He Yuchi, the butler’s stern expression softened, and his eyes showed a touch of affection. “Yuchi, it’s been years! You’ve grown even more handsome—such a fine young man now.”
With a few friendly exchanges, the previously tense atmosphere lightened. Meanwhile, Mother Dan’s gaze toward He Yuchi grew brighter and brighter—the way a mother-in-law looks at her ideal son-in-law, finding him more pleasing with every glance.
A true gentleman, refined and elegant, and the heir to the He Corporation… Yes, he’s perfect for my Xiaowen.
She patted Dan Xiaowen’s hand and smiled warmly. “So, this must be Yuchi? The Dan family and the He family go way back. You should visit often! Xiaowen is actually your junior at school—you two must have a lot in common to talk about.”
But He Yuchi’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Madam Dan, I’m not familiar with Miss Dan. We don’t have much to talk about.”
Seeing Dan Xiaowen’s face stiffen with embarrassment, He Yuchi remained utterly indifferent. How many times has he said this? And yet, she still doesn’t seem to understand human speech.