Acting Spoiled, Why Did You Come So Late

Dominic Zhai thought back to William Wang Jinling's recent marriage drama and realized just how important a good wife is to a man. Marry the wrong woman, and not only will your household be in chaos, she'll drag you down with her.

Last time, when he went home and told his grandfather he wanted to get married and have kids soon, the old man laid out a lineup of the Capital's top ladies for him to choose from. After what happened before, Dominic got smart—afraid those girls were all show and no substance, he sent people to snoop around. What he found was jaw-dropping.

Those girls with big reputations for talent and virtue? At home they were all spoiled princesses, needing a dozen maids just to get dressed, bursting into tears at the drop of a hat. He’d seen enough to last a lifetime and put marriage on hold for now.

So he understood how William felt. Besides, anyone with eyes could see William's heart was set on Serena. Until Serena married, William would never take a wife.

Too bad Serena never thought about it that way. Seeing Dominic so nervous, she just assumed William didn’t want to accept one of those arranged matches, so she teased, “A woman worthy of William? Where in the world could you find someone good enough for him? Is he planning to stay single for life?”

What she didn’t know was that, no matter how outstanding or beautiful, none of the girls in the world could satisfy William. The only one he wanted had never even considered marrying him…

As William’s closest friend, Dominic knew exactly what was in his heart. Hearing Serena say that, he shamelessly chimed in, “I think you’d be perfect, Serena. If you became the Walker Clan’s matriarch, William would be thrilled.”

“Me? No way. The Walker Clan would never accept a woman as tainted as me.” Serena knew this all too well, so she never let herself dwell on William’s kindness.

William was no fool. With her family background and ruined reputation, Serena wasn’t even qualified to be his maid, let alone his wife. Unless the entire Walker Clan was wiped out, William could never marry her.

“Uh… Don’t sell yourself short. Aside from your birth, reputation, looks, and scheming, you’re not that bad.”

Dominic’s words could be either comfort or insult; Serena just smiled, unfazed, and pointed in the opposite direction from Feng Manor. “Young Lord, I need to go to Ninth Prince Manor. How about you escort me?”

She was in real danger now. Serena knew that both the Bloodcloak Guard and Shunning Marquis Manor wanted her dead. If she died, the world would be peaceful again—after ten days or half a month, nobody would remember Simon Sun’s disappearance, or that Serena ever existed.

“Going to Ninth Prince Manor? You and Prince Nolan?” Had they already gotten together?

Dominic looked at Serena, all conflicted. If that was true, did William have any chance left at all?

“That’s right. So escort me to Ninth Prince Manor.” Serena agreed without hesitation, offering no explanation.

Uh… Back to Ninth Prince Manor? Was Serena treating it like her own home now?

Dominic was totally out of it, letting Serena drag him along while his mind churned with chaos. Thinking about William’s recent actions, he realized he didn’t understand his friend at all anymore.

If Serena was already with Prince Nolan, what was William even holding out for? Nearly killing himself just to avoid marriage—what was the point?

What was the point?

William gave a bitter smile. He didn’t know the answer either. All he knew was, as long as he stayed unmarried, he could still hold onto hope. If he married, even that hope would vanish.

He knew it was hopeless, but he still had to try—that was his greatest flaw. Just like when he lost his sight years ago, and everyone in the Walker Clan gave up on him, he never gave up on himself. His stubbornness was his pride; even if he was wrong, he’d stick to it, because he was William Wang Jinling.

Coughing softly, William took the medicine handed to him by a servant, drained the bowl in one gulp, and passed it back. "Leave me," he ordered.

A cold frost seemed to settle over him, all his usual gentleness and patience gone. The servants didn’t dare breathe loudly and slipped away as quietly as ghosts.

Anyone poisoned by their own family couldn’t possibly keep tolerating it. Their young master was truly pitiful.

The servants quietly withdrew, leaving William alone in a room filled with silence.

Dominic did his duty as a bodyguard and escorted Serena to Ninth Prince Manor. Before they even reached the gate, the doors—usually closed—swung open.

The old steward walked out briskly, nothing slow or shuffling about him. His face bloomed into a chrysanthemum smile as he respectfully greeted Serena and ushered her inside. Serena thanked Dominic and went in.

Of course, the steward didn’t forget Dominic. Falling a step behind Serena, he bowed to Dominic: "Young Lord, thank you for bringing Miss Feng home. I’ll be sure to visit and thank you properly another day. Forgive me for not seeing you off—safe travels."

With that, he turned and hurried after Serena, fussing nonstop, asking if she was hungry or cold. His eager concern was almost blinding to Dominic.

Dominic stood there, stunned, watching Serena disappear into Ninth Prince Manor and the doors close again. He nearly burst into tears.

Serena, you’re so heartless—using me and tossing me aside! No wonder Grandpa calls you cunning. I’m never playing with you again. You’re just too mean!

Dominic was nearly in tears. His guards wanted to comfort him but didn’t dare, so they just stood beside him at the gate. Anyone passing by would think Prince Nolan had punished them all to stand outside.

Once Serena was inside, the steward dropped the fussing and quietly updated her on Simon Sun’s condition.

"Miss Feng, His Highness has already returned. He knows about Young Master Simon, and has kept doctors by his side. They say his injuries are healing well—his life is in no danger."

"Thank you, Steward. I’ll go see him first." Serena knew Ninth Prince Manor inside out; she headed straight for Simon Sun’s temporary quarters without needing directions.

The steward panicked. "Miss Feng, Young Master Simon hasn’t woken up yet, but the doctors say he’s recovering well. Um… His Highness has been waiting for you in the study for a long time."

He didn’t dare say that Prince Nolan wanted Serena to see him first. If Nolan found out Serena thought of Simon before him, the whole manor would freeze over.

"I know. I’ll check on Simon Sun and then go." Simon was injured; Nolan wasn’t. Making him wait a bit wouldn’t hurt. She’d worried about Simon all day—if not for convenience, she wouldn’t have come to Ninth Prince Manor at all.

Prince Nolan was just benefiting from Simon’s misfortune.

"Yes, yes." The steward didn’t dare argue, obediently accompanying Serena to see Simon Sun. He thought to himself, "There aren’t many people in this world who can make Prince Nolan wait—not even the Emperor would keep him waiting long. Miss Feng really is extraordinary. I just hope things go well in the study. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have told His Highness so soon that Miss Feng was back."