After changing her clothes, Li Yaru spun a few times in front of the mirror, admiring her new look.
Her curly hair was tied up into a high ponytail, paired with a finely crafted pink collared blouse and a pleated skirt that reached her knees.
The outfit hugged her figure perfectly, though it was clearly a size too small — still, she managed to squeeze into it.
Her figure had always been flawless — tall and slender, with a voluptuous chest that presented a striking sight.
No matter what she wore, she looked stunning; and sometimes, not wearing anything looked even better.
Zhuang Qiting had been waiting in the lounge area for quite some time before Li Yaru finally appeared, walking over with her head held high and a pleased expression on her fair face.
Her ponytail bounced with each step she took.
Immediately, his expression darkened as he gave the concierge a sharp, displeased glance.
He had told them to prepare clothes — he hadn’t asked for such a skirt that showed so much thigh.
The outfit looked small on her, and the fullness of her chest was emphasized in a very eye-catching way.
The concierge, unsure where he had gone wrong, wiped a bead of cold sweat from his brow.
This was the trendiest style at the moment, beloved by celebrities and socialites alike.
The fabric was also of the highest quality. How could it be a mistake?
“Does it look good?” Li Yaru twirled smugly, letting the pleated skirt flutter.
Zhuang Qiting’s eyes softened. “Very beautiful. But it does seem a little small. Isn’t it uncomfortable? I remember there’s another outfit here — a pair of women’s cropped trousers paired with a polo shirt, which looks great too. Want to change?”
Li Yaru shook her head. “No, I want to wear the skirt.”
Zhuang Qiting gave a cold glance at her snow-white knees and said casually, “Don’t you want to change to something a little more fitting?”
He was dressed in an off-white loose shirt and dark camel casual trousers — very elegant and noble.
Li Yaru glanced downward at his exposed arm muscles, lingering for a few seconds. The veins coiling there made her feel shy.
His arm was also veined, ugly yet strong and long, turning a purplish-red at times, the sight making her shiver with a strange sensation…
“I want to wear pink,” Li Yaru turned her gaze away, calmly looking toward the distant, sprawling bay.
“Mr. Zhuang, are you afraid that if she looks too good, everyone will be staring at her and stealing your limelight?”
Zhuang Qiting was amused by this cheeky little remark and smiled, standing up to grasp her wrist, pulling it into his palm. “Yes, I’m afraid this little rascal will steal my limelight.”
The sightseeing shuttle stopped, and Li Yaru excitedly leaned out of the window, stretching out her arms to catch the wind that rolled in from the distant bay, carrying a fresh dampness.
There was no hint of city life here — no crowds, no noise — only endless green fields, clear sea and sky, and scattered exquisite villas.
No wonder they said that Hong Kong Island’s land had different classes — the Peak, Shallow Water Bay — these were privileged feng shui havens reserved for the wealthy.
Li Yaru hummed softly. Someday, she too would live here, owning a villa in Shallow Water Bay, with a garden full of red camellias and a walk-in closet bigger than the living room…
“What are you thinking about? Not even answering when I call,” a sticky hot kiss landed on her ear, shattering the freshness of the wind.
Still lost in her daydream of striking it rich, Li Yaru shyly turned her head, her nose gently poking Zhuang Qiting’s chin.
“Not talking to me?”
“What else?” Zhuang Qiting disliked her zoning out like a curious meerkat, eyes darting everywhere.
She needed to focus on him.
“Do you know how to play golf? They’re about to form teams for a match. You and I will be on the same team.”
Li Yaru had never played golf before. She thought it couldn’t be that hard, right? Just swinging a club at a small ball, hitting it far — that was no different than badminton or table tennis.
After all, she was a seed player on the school’s featherball team.
Naively, she agreed without hesitation. Seeing her so confident, Zhuang Qiting believed her and gently pinched her fingers, praising, “Not bad — a little wooden board that snaps at a fold, but with good athletic instincts. You dance well too. Next time, I’ll take you horseback riding.”
Zhuang Qiting recalled the first time he saw Li Yaru—she was standing on a tiny red stage, shining like a bursting glowing ball, searing every nerve in his body. At that moment, he decided to have her.
Li Yaru became interested in horseback riding, nodding enthusiastically.
She was easygoing, ready to follow Zhuang Qiting to enjoy good food, good drink, and good fun, spending his money to see all the wonders she dreamed of.
That was the only way to make it worthwhile — otherwise, she was just being exploited by the capitalist.
“But how did you know I can dance?” Her eyes sparkled.
Zhuang Qiting smiled but said nothing.
The shuttle arrived at an open green field, surrounded by four or five large sun umbrellas.
Outdoor tables and chairs were set beneath them, adorned with exquisite English porcelain filled with sweet and delicious afternoon tea, ice cream, and a variety of cookies.
A group of people dressed in golf attire were gathered chatting, men and women both, with a relaxed and leisurely atmosphere. The caddies stood by, carrying bags, ready to respond to any call.
“Look, here they come,” said a young man with charming peach blossom eyes, smiling and nodding toward the shuttle.
Zhuang Qiting got out first, gently handing his hand to Li Yaru, carefully helping her down.
Another man wearing a purple polo shirt squinted against the sunlight. “Girlfriend! I thought you and I were just joking around!”
The peach blossom-eyed man smiled warmly, sly as a fox, full of charm. “Don’t back out now.”
They had just been betting on Zhuang Qiting, but some people didn’t believe it was possible.
“Purple polo, don’t think I’ll let you win over me again,” he said, then glanced at another silent man. “Yi Er, you know what’s up, right?”
The man called “Yi Er” snorted, his high nose perched beneath sunglasses, a cigarette burning slowly between his fingers. He said provocatively, “I don’t care about this million.”
The peach blossom-eyed man comforted his friend before waving at Zhuang Qiting as he approached. “Big brother, we’ve all been waiting.”
Li Yaru felt the group’s gaze settle on her, making her cheeks flush slightly. She tugged at Zhuang Qiting’s sleeve. “Who are these people?”
“That’s my third younger brother, a year older than you, called Zhuang Qize.”
So it was his younger brother… No wonder he looked a lot like Zhuang Qiting, but his temperament was completely different!
Not serious or mature like his eldest brother; instead, he was warm as jade, elegant, with a pair of always smiling peach blossom eyes.
Li Yaru thought it was amazing. Since he was his brother, she shouldn’t hold back on compliments — praising his brother was like praising Zhuang Qiting, right?
She flatteringly said, “Your little brother is truly a handsome guy! He looks like a charming nobleman from a Qiong Yao novel. It’s true — each of the dragon’s nine sons is different. The Zhuang Family’s genes are really strong!”
“Handsome guy,” “charming nobleman”… these words reminded Zhuang Qiting of what Li Yaru had said when she first met him:
— “You’re already thirty and still not married?”
Zhuang Qize strolled over leisurely, holding a golf club in one hand.
His peach blossom eyes narrowed as they swept across Li Yaru’s face, leaving an unmistakable deeper impression. “Sister-in-law, I’m Zhuang Qize, the third brother. Just call me Aze.”
“Sister-in-law.” Li Yaru was momentarily stunned. Sister-in-law? What on earth did that make her?
“You’re too polite, Third Young Master. I’m not a real sister-in-law. Just call me Li Yaru, or Eleanor,” she said politely.
Zhuang Qiting’s brow furrowed deeper.
Zhuang Qize was amused — never in his dreams did he think his solemn, steady eldest brother liked this kind of woman.
“Eleanor, what a beautiful name. Very fitting for a big sister-in-law.”
Li Yaru beamed proudly, about to agree.
At that moment, Zhuang Qiting interrupted their conversation, changing the hand holding her wrist into one that wrapped around her waist, giving his brother a warning glance. “Cut the slick talk.”
Zhuang Qize was scolded but obediently retreated behind them, taking on the role of a younger brother.
Within the Zhuang Family, Zhuang Qiting, as the eldest brother, held absolute authority. Their parents were often busy with work, unable to care for the younger brothers.
It was Zhuang Qiting who raised the three of them and disciplined them.
Li Yaru was pushed forward by Zhuang Qiting and whispered, “Your little brother seems pretty nice, not like some spoilt third young master.”
Zhuang Qiting’s tone was indifferent. “Not nice?”
Li Yaru hurriedly shook her head. “Who says? Mr. Zhuang is the nicest!” Not really.
Zhuang Qiting didn’t respond. He regretted bringing Li Yaru here, regretted not insisting she change into the larger-sized trousers.
Although everyone here was a brother or close friend, and no one dared covet his woman, he still felt a territorial irritation and could only hold the girl in his arms tighter.
His introductions to a few friends were very brief. Zhuang Qiting was sparing with words, only stating names, never revealing statuses.
The man in the purple polo was Lu Zhenhe. Handsome but slovenly and talkative, with a strong rich kid vibe — like a nouveau riche.
The other named Yi Kunshan was steadier, with a chiseled, handsome face.
Li Yaru thought Yi Kunshan had the most outstanding features among all the men present, even more so than Zhuang Qiting, but she preferred the temperament of the third Zhuang brother — cultured, elegant, with squinting peach blossom eyes, not the type who liked to lord over others like a creepy father figure. The rest of the men paled in comparison, and Li Yaru had no interest in examining them further.
While she observed the handsome men, Zhuang Qiting was quietly observing her.
Unsurprisingly, her black, glassy eyes darted about, looking at this man and then that man, never settling.
Zhuang Qiting’s face darkened but he showed nothing, patient and unhurried, saving it for tonight.
His future wife was only nineteen; he needed to be more tolerant and patient.
He gently interrupted Li Yaru’s distracted thoughts, kindly urging her to go sit under the sun umbrella and have some snacks.
The gentlemen formed teams and began their match.
Li Yaru was already warmed up in Zhuang Qiting’s arms. When he let her go, she quickly walked to the umbrella, fanning her face.
The caddy followed closely behind, handing her a fan and a small handkerchief. The girls under the umbrella chatted and ate afternoon tea, discussing how to form their teams.