“So you’ve transferred to Hong Kong University now? That’s good!”
“What good? You know I don’t like studying. Now there’s even more classes, and the professor is stricter. He even calls on me to answer questions.” Li Yaru pouted, complaining.
Fan Zizhuo smiled, about to say something, when his expression suddenly turned serious. His gaze shifted past Li Yaru to a man walking toward them.
The man was tall and imposing, walking briskly and decisively. His polished shoes clicked steadily on the terrazzo floor, exuding the oppressive aura of a superior.
His lips pressed into a thin line, showing obvious displeasure. Fan Zizhuo’s instincts told him this man was coming straight for them.
Sure enough, the man arrived and forcefully pulled Li Yaru into his embrace. Startled, she looked up, her vision immediately filled by a pair of dark, inscrutable eyes scrutinizing her coldly.
“What are you doing here?” She was surprised by Zhuang Qiting’s sudden appearance and realized she had lost track of time while chatting with Fan Zizhuo.
Zhuang Qiting wiped the sweat from her nose. “I came to pick you up. You weren’t getting in the car, so I was worried you’d forget. Is this your friend? Introduce him.”
Li Yaru, feeling guilty, said, “Oh, this is my senior, Fan Zizhuo. Zi Zhuo, this is… Zhuang Sheng.”
She really didn’t know how to introduce Zhuang Qiting— not as a boyfriend, not as a boss, certainly not as a sugar daddy.
Zhuang Qiting looked at Li Yaru meaningfully for a few seconds before slowly glancing at Fan Zizhuo.
“So, you’re Arou’s schoolmate. Hello, Fan Sheng.” His tone was cool, and the hand that wiped her sweat disappeared into his pants pocket without any intention of shaking hands.
He was arrogant, in both status and personality, disdainful of this naive, reckless young boy.
His appearance here was driven by possessiveness; he just wanted to drag Li Yaru back into his territory.
Fan Zizhuo felt the silent pressure like a massive black cloud pressing down on him. His heart and fingers tingled painfully.
He had imagined this Zhuang Sheng countless times, but seeing him in person shattered all illusions.
This was a man they should never provoke.
He saw Li Yaru tense and fearful, struggling briefly when grabbed, then obediently submitting.
“Hello, Zhuang Sheng.” Fan Zizhuo lowered his voice and straightened his slender back like a bamboo stalk refusing to bow.
Zhuang Qiting withdrew his gaze, his grip tightening on Li Yaru’s slender waist.
He bent his head and spoke softly, “Let’s go. It’s hot outside; be careful not to get heatstroke.”
“Okay, Zi Zhuo, I’m off. Bye.”
Zhuang Qiting frowned and half-pulled her away. Li Yaru staggered, half her body pressed against his solid muscles, muttering unhappily, “Leaving so quickly? Are you in a hurry to be reborn?”
That was the only thing she said that sounded decent.
Zhuang Qiting’s voice was cold as he stopped and said slowly, “Since you’re here, we might as well visit your uncle. There’s no rush. There’s also a box of Lingzhi Ginseng in the car to help with his recovery.”
Li Yaru finally gave in, trapped in his grip, and looked up at him with a wronged expression, her fingers hooking his jeweled cufflink. “Zhuang Sheng…” she called softly, sticky and sweet.
Zhuang Qiting was cold again. He didn’t believe she could keep a secret. “You’re not that unpresentable, are you?”
He had suggested visiting her father before, but she had brushed him off.
Li Yaru wanted to be cold right back. Didn’t he realize how unpresentable he was? If her father knew his precious daughter was being treated like a turtle grandson by the big young master Zhuang, he wouldn’t have to wait until after the surgery to faint.
She cursed Zhuang Qiting many times in her heart but showed a flattering smile on her sunburned face, snuggling into his arms and coaxing softly, “No way! You’re just quick to put labels on me. Zhuang Sheng is a big shot— the top nobleman of Hong Kong Island, a handsome gentleman, a god descended to earth! My dad’s surgery is the day after tomorrow. I’m afraid if he sees you, he’ll be so excited he’ll pass out!”
Zhuang Qiting’s stern expression finally softened, and he showed a hint of a smile.
This little thing really told endless lies, so smooth-talking and charming, but he was the only one who fell for it. It was cheesy, but who cared? Li Yaru was the woman he had chosen.
Since they were at the hospital entrance, he could only suppress his urge to kiss her, gently touching her bright red lips with his fingers. He didn’t know what lipstick she was wearing, but it felt like honey.
Suddenly, he narrowed his eyes, staring intently at the sticky redness on her lips. Li Yaru felt uncomfortable under his burning gaze and pressed her lips together.
She had already eaten.
He wondered what it would be like to have that red mouth wrapped around him. He didn’t just want to be kissed—he wanted to taste her there as well, soft, gentle, moist, like a refreshing nectar…
If only he could have both at the same time…
…………
Zhuang Qiting’s heart skipped a beat as he suddenly reined in his lascivious thoughts. Since their night together, he had been addicted, wanting her every night, even thinking of her during work.
He adjusted his breathing and said calmly, “Not this time. Let’s wait until after your uncle’s surgery.”
Li Yaru nodded and breathed a sigh of relief. Postponed—he would surely forget in a few days. “Mm, Zhuang Sheng, let’s get in the car. It’s so hot.”
“You know it’s hot.”
The car was especially comfortable, filled with a faint scent of Western Perfume. Zhuang Qiting wiped the sweat off her neck and arms with a wet towel, moving with practiced tenderness.
Li Yaru was naturally a pleasure-seeker and enjoyed being pampered. She closed her eyes, contentedly leaning into his embrace.
After every time together, he carefully cleaned her, applying moisturizing oil from the inside out. When he wasn’t being perverse, he was quite good.
Though fierce in bed, she still felt pleasure— the sensation was heavenly, intoxicating.
Li Yaru shyly rubbed against his chest.
Zhuang Qiting enjoyed her affectionate gestures, kissed the top of her head, and said softly, “Don’t talk to any other men except me. I don’t like it.”
Li Yaru responded, “Does that include my dad and brother?”
“Except your father and brother, no one else.”
Li Yaru pouted and defended herself, “I wasn’t talking about anything important. Just chatting about some stuff at school.”
“Little brat, don’t try to trick me. Next time I catch you talking to another man like that, you’ll suffer.”
Zhuang Qiting didn’t waste time arguing. No matter what they talked about, chatting itself was forbidden.
Li Yaru dared not provoke him anymore. She felt sorry for her poor little butt, already rubbed, kissed, and bitten out of shape.
Seeing her unusually obedient, Zhuang Qiting smiled and gently asked, “Want to play golf?”
Li Yaru’s eyes lit up. “You’re taking me to play golf?”
Golf had become very popular among the upper class on Hong Kong Island. A new large golf club had been built in a scenic area, but it was very expensive and members-only.
Even if she wanted to go, she couldn’t.
“Yeah, a friend of mine is there. If you want to play, we’ll go—at the new course in Deep Water Bay.”
“Play, play, play!” Li Yaru smiled, her enchanting peach blossom eyes sparkling. “I heard those fancy clubs are a lot of fun. Their ice cream and cookies taste better than anywhere else, and the waiters are all handsome guys and pretty girls! Maybe I’ll even meet a celebrity!”
Zhuang Qiting snorted. So that was her plan. He looked out the window lazily and warned, “With those pretty eyes, you better not glance at any men other than me.”
“Otherwise, for the next few lessons, I’ll personally supervise you until you learn to focus. Your teacher said you like to daydream in class— eating one minute, watching TV the next. Bad habit, needs to be fixed.”
“…………”
Li Yaru’s vision darkened.
That damn class monitor even snitched on her!
“Can’t I just enjoy life? Eating, drinking tea, and a whole bunch of stupid rules! You want me dead? I’m not some high-class lady, so why do I have to follow those rules?” Li Yaru couldn’t hold back and burst out angrily.
Zhuang Qiting rubbed her head with a slightly heavy tone. “Don’t throw a tantrum, Arou. We’ll attend social events often from now on. You at least have to know basic etiquette. Haven’t I privately told you? You can sit on my lap while eating.”
Li Yaru didn’t want to argue. She didn’t understand what “we’ll often attend social events” meant—just as she didn’t understand why Zhuang Qiting wanted to visit her father.
She felt like her life had turned into an absurd game. She was forced to endure many strange things—like Afternoon Tea Etiquette, which she’d never use in her life!
And Zhuang Qiting’s increasingly fierce and domineering possessiveness.
All of it made her feel something was wrong— confused and slightly afraid—as if she was driving down a road without knowing the destination.
Li Yaru drifted in a daze, her mind a mess, until her gaze landed on a wide green lawn beside a blue bay, with a row of elegant white European-style buildings at varying heights, bringing her somewhat back to reality.
The car arrived at Water Bay Golf Club.
It was Li Yaru’s first time there, and naturally she was curious and excited, quickly forgetting all the troubles.
The receptionist greeted them with hot tea and hand towels, followed by a line of uniformed girls. Zhuang Qiting let her choose a caddie she liked.
She carefully picked the prettiest girl but only then realized there were also male caddies— handsome and well-built.
She felt Zhuang Qiting’s complete distrust and disdain for her and shot him a glare.
Later, Li Yaru went to the ladies’ locker room to change.
When she came out, Zhuang Qiting raised a finger to his assistant, who bowed and followed orders.
“Check on that boy named Fan Zizhuo.”
The little thing thought she was easy to fool, but he could see through the boy’s intentions with just one glance.