Just then, a group of expected but still surprising people arrived at the restaurant door— A Biao, looking fierce as ever, led six or seven underlings inside.
But A Biao was nothing like his usual imposing self.
His face was bruised and swollen, his left foot in a cast, and he was being helped along by two of his men, limping with every step.
Li Yaru was still yawning, but as soon as she saw them, she jumped up and strode over in a few quick steps, blocking the entrance so they couldn’t come in.
“Didn’t we agree on tomorrow? I’ve already got the money, not a cent short, and I’ll give it to you.” She raised her eyebrows, her dark eyes full of caution and vigilance.
“We know, Miss Li, we’re not here for the money today, no need to talk like that.”
A Biao grinned at Li Yaru, the bruises on his face twitching with the smile.
He clapped his hands, and his men started carrying in flower baskets, arranging them in two neat rows at the entrance.
Li Yaru was left dumbfounded.
“What’s this?”
A Biao didn’t go inside, just stood at the door and bowed respectfully to Li Yaru.
His men bowed as well, and together they shouted, “Miss Li! We failed to recognize your importance before and offended you. Please forgive us!”
Li Yaru was startled by this earth-shattering display.
A Biao pulled out the Land Deed for Wangzhen Restaurant from his coat and handed it back to Li Yaru with both hands. “Miss Li, here’s your Land Deed.”
“You’re just giving me the Land Deed?” Li Yaru was suspicious, but her hands moved fast— she snatched the deed and stuffed it into her pocket. “Do you want your three million now?”
“No, no, Miss Li.” Right in front of Li Yaru, A Biao tore up the IOU at lightning speed, his smile ingratiating and a little comical. “Our boss made it very clear— anything to do with Miss Li and Wangzhen Restaurant is now our Honghui’s business. If anyone dares cause trouble on your turf, just tell them A Biao’s name and I’ll take care of it!”
Hah, Li Yaru rolled her eyes inwardly. She’d be grateful enough if they didn’t come after her again.
She hadn’t forgotten how she’d almost been dragged off to film a dirty movie that night.
She wasn’t stupid. She knew this dramatic change was all thanks to Zhuang Qiting working behind the scenes for her.
These organized underworld forces weren’t to be underestimated. Plenty of billionaires had suffered at their hands, not to mention countless celebrities treated like puppets.
So the God of Wealth was really this powerful? Even the triads were afraid of him?
Li Yaru’s dark eyes sparkled as she calculated in her head. She decided to make good use of this— after all, Zhuang Qiting would never know.
“Are you telling the truth?”
“It’s true! Truer than diamonds!”
“What about the protection fee for this year? Does our restaurant still have to pay?”
“That’s nothing, Miss Li! If anyone dares come for protection money, I’ll cut off their hand!” A Biao glanced at his underlings. “Did you all hear that?”
Suppressing her joy, Li Yaru dashed back to the front desk, grabbed a ledger from the pile, and quickly handed it to A Biao. “This book lists everyone who’s eaten here on credit these past two years. If you’re really serious, help me collect these debts. Of course, I won’t ask for your help for nothing—you get half of whatever you collect.”
A Biao took the Zhaozhangben, led his men out in a grand procession, promising to clear the debts within a week.
As the city lights flickered on and the neon signs lit up, the God of Wealth finally appeared.
A black Maybach stopped across from Wangzhen Restaurant, its four dark windows tightly closed. Passersby had no idea what kind of power sat inside.
When Li Yaru heard the news, she immediately rushed out of the steamy, stuffy kitchen, quickly changed out of her chef’s uniform, sprayed herself with four pumps of perfume to cover the smell of oil and smoke, grabbed her bag, and ran across the street, smoothing her hair as she went.
Her forehead was damp with sweat, and her cheeks were flushed from the heat.
She hated cooking—hated it, hated it, hated it!
Through the black glass, Zhuang Qiting watched the girl in the neon lights, her figure painted in all colors, lively and bright, her eyes shining with energy.
After two days apart, she seemed even more full of life.
Li Yaru reached the car, and the driver opened the door for her. She slipped inside like a nimble little animal.
“Mr. Zhuang!” She grinned, greeting the God of Wealth with enthusiasm, even a hint of flattery.
The God of Wealth was wearing a crisp beige suit today, his brown crocodile leather shoes polished to perfection, his socks covering his slender ankles neatly— he looked much younger than last time.
He turned to look at her, smiling faintly. “What’s got you so happy?”
“Really?” Li Yaru touched her face and realized she was practically grinning ear to ear. She quickly tried to rein it in, lowering her voice and acting obedient. “Seeing you makes me happy.”
Zhuang Qiting saw right through her, raising an eyebrow and pointing to his leg. “Come here.”
Li Yaru hesitated for a second, then obediently scooted over— just to soak up some of his good fortune.
The man’s legs were solid and flexible, his body radiating heat.
As soon as she got close, Li Yaru could feel the warmth and a strong, pleasant masculine scent. She started to feel a little dizzy.
Zhuang Qiting wrapped an arm around her waist, enjoying the comfortable feel of her beside him— except she smelled a bit too fragrant, almost overwhelming, and there was a hint of cooking oil.
He frowned. “Why do you smell so strong?”
Li Yaru blushed. “I was busy in the kitchen earlier and got the smell on me, so I sprayed some perfume. Maybe a bit too much… Is it too much? Should I get out?”
She started to get up, but Zhuang Qiting gave her a gentle slap. “Sit still, I’m not bothered.”
The slap landed just below her waist, making Li Yaru tense up in embarrassment.
She dared not say anything and could only sit back down.
She hadn’t figured out his temperament yet, and his status was so intimidating that she couldn’t help being a little afraid.
“You can cook?” Zhuang Qiting asked casually.
“Of course. My dad’s a chef, he taught me since I was little.”
“What can you cook?”
“Anything. The signature dishes at our restaurant— I can make them just as well as my dad.” She was just lazy, relying on her father, and barely cooked twice a year.
“So you have the makings of a good wife and loving mother. Seems I have good taste.” Zhuang Qiting’s expression softened as he looked at her in the dim light.
A wife who could cook was a pleasant surprise.
He didn’t need her to be in the kitchen every day, just to occasionally make him a favorite dish and wait for him at home— that thought alone made him content.
Good wife and loving mother??? Li Yaru nearly blacked out. The God of Wealth actually liked that type? Was he blind to have chosen her?
She forced a dry laugh and probed, “Do you like the gentle, virtuous type?”
Zhuang Qiting gave her a meaningful look. “And elegant and gentle too. Isn’t your name ‘Yaru’? I’m sure you live up to your name and won’t disappoint me.”
If she really lived up to her name, she’d be the biggest scam in history! Lirongliang had long regretted giving his daughter such a name, his high hopes for her to be a cultured little lady dashed— she hadn’t turned out gentle or elegant at all.
Li Yaru forced a stiff smile, her voice soft. “Probably not.”
If it came to it, she’d just act the part. When a real good wife and loving mother showed up, she’d pack her bags and leave.
Zhuang Qiting chuckled, ruffling her hair. “Good girl, don’t be nervous. I won’t ask much of you.”
There was a whole lifetime ahead— plenty of time to teach her slowly.
Li Yaru’s scalp tingled from his gentle, lingering touch. She hurriedly laughed it off. “By the way, how do you have time to see me today? Li Guanjia said you’ve been very busy.”
Only then did Zhuang Qiting mention the real reason he’d come. “Your cousin’s been found. Just brought back from Macau. Want to see him?”
Li Yaru had been lazily nestled in his arms, but as soon as she heard news of Leixiongxiang, that scoundrel, her eyes widened and she grabbed Zhuang Qiting’s expensive suit collar. “Really? That damned bastard has been found!?”
The words were barely out when Li Yaru realized what she’d said. She bit her lip in embarrassment, having accidentally revealed her true nature.
Zhuang Qiting narrowed his eyes, wondering if he’d heard her right. No woman had ever spoken like that in front of him—let alone while sitting on his lap.
“Li Yaru.” His voice was deep and cold.
“Uh…” She ducked her head like a scolded wife.
Zhuang Qiting pinched her face, forcing her to look up at him. His expression was stern. “Don’t use foul language again. Change that habit.”
“If I hear you talk like that again, I’ll punish you.”
Li Yaru was stunned, looking at him fearfully. “Why do you have to punish me…? I didn’t even say anything that bad…”
She could say much worse, honestly.
Zhuang Qiting’s gaze grew darker, his hand resting on her lower back, unmoving, just a finger’s width from her soft flesh.
He said calmly, “If you don’t believe me, you can ignore my warning. But you’ll have to bear the consequences.”
His aura was so overwhelming that Li Yaru hung her head, sulking.
She was so annoyed— how could this man be stricter than her own father, even threatening to punish her? Was he really a normal person?