When Li Yaru arrived, they all glanced up at her with curious eyes.
No one introduced anyone to her, so she didn’t recognize a single person except the third-place winner of this year’s Miss Hong Kong Pageant, whom she had seen on TV.
Though these girls talked together, they were clearly divided by hierarchy — some were the center of attention, some were supporting roles, some were just there to warm up the scene or run errands, and some stayed quiet, not stealing the spotlight.
Li Yaru didn’t understand these “upper-class social” games; her sisters were no different.
She smiled at them, and most responded with smiles back, some warmly inviting her to sit, but the girl in the center, wearing a goose-yellow knitted dress with light makeup and hair down, only glanced at her and then slowly looked away, her eyes showing a hint of disdain.
Li Yaru didn’t understand the social rules of the elite circle, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t shrewd. She quickly sensed the wariness, the mix of flattery and disdain.
She didn’t care, nor did she want to compete over unnecessary grudges. After all, she wouldn’t be dealing with these rich socialites in the future.
Meeting today was just fate, a brief storm to weather before parting.
Her thoughts were more focused on the cookies and ice cream.
Since being with Zhuang Qiting these days, she had tasted many delicacies that couldn’t be found on the market.
In the distance, Zhuang Qiting swung his club deftly. His tall, lean figure displayed strength and agility, every movement graceful. Black sunglasses shaded half of his handsome face.
The shot was skillful and precise—the white ball soaring like a soaring white dove. Applause broke out all around.
“Nice shot! Brother Ting aced the first hole. How are we supposed to play now?”
Zhuang Qiting was never interested in flattery. He smiled faintly, eyes behind the sunglasses locking onto Li Yaru.
Everyone was cheering him on, flattering him, while Li Yaru was immersed in eating cookies, her rosy lips moving like a little hamster.
He nearly lost his temper, gripping the club tightly until the veins on his knuckles stood out. He decided to stop looking at the ungrateful girl.
After one round, Zhuang Qiting unexpectedly won. Returning to the main area, he didn’t seek out Li Yaru but instructed the caddy to call her.
Li Yaru brushed cookie crumbs from her fingers, squinting as she walked through the sunlight to Zhuang Qiting. “Mr. Zhuang, you’re amazing — winning the game so easily.”
Zhuang Qiting sat confidently in his chair, removing his sunglasses and looking at her indifferently. “Next round, you’re on my team.”
“Okay!”
“Come closer,” Zhuang Qiting beckoned with a finger.
Li Yaru leaned forward suspiciously. Her fair, pink-tinged cheeks, full red lips, and the sweet scent of cookies in her breath all drifted toward him. She blinked. “What is it?”
Zhuang Qiting straightened his back, their breaths mingling in the open field with a hint of intimacy. Li Yaru saw the turbulent waves in his eyes — so deep, so wild — they seemed ready to swallow her whole.
Her heart pounded. She almost thought he was going to kiss her regardless of the surroundings.
The next second, Zhuang Qiting raised a finger to wipe cookie crumbs from her mouth, then casually leaned back. “Dirty.”
Li Yaru’s heart sank back down. She straightened her posture and wiped her mouth a few times. “I just ate cookies.”
“Mm, you’ve been eating the whole time.”
“Have I? Not that much…” Li Yaru felt shy under his teasing.
Zhuang Qiting saw the little blush that still lingered on this cheeky girl and smiled. He didn’t press her further; he’d save that for tonight.
The second round began, with the men pairing up with their female companions. Li Yaru was enthusiastic.
She had observed closely how to hold the club, how to swing, how to stand — only practice was left.
Seeing her eagerness, Zhuang Qiting, ever the gentleman, let the ladies go first. “You go first.”
“Okay!”
“Wear your sunglasses—don’t hurt your eyes.”
Li Yaru put on the sunglasses, flicked her ponytail, and approached the tee box with energy.
Legs apart, knees bent, waist slightly lowered, delicate fingers gripping the club.
She aimed carefully, mimicking Zhuang Qiting’s form, and swung decisively—
The crowd was stunned. The ball didn’t budge at all, but the club broke free from her grip and flew out, landing with a loud smack on the grass.
“………………”
Everyone was holding back laughter, some covering their mouths to hide it.
Li Yaru stood there, dazed and confused, not quite understanding what had happened. When she finally realized, her cheeks were unknowingly flushed.
Biting her lip, she caught the side glance of a group of girls whispering together, casting looks her way, muttering strange things.
“She can’t even play, pretending to be good…”
“I thought she was impressive.”
“Shh, don’t talk. After all, she’s Mr. Zhuang’s woman.”
“Who knows how long that’ll last… I don’t believe Mr. Zhuang isn’t embarrassed by her.”
No one dared openly mock her because Zhuang Qiting was present, but the odd, snide remarks leaked through.
Li Yaru felt humiliated and her temper flared. She didn’t want to stay and become a joke. She hated golf now—never playing it again! Whoever asked her to play, she’d hit them!
“Where are you going?” Zhuang Qiting approached, blocking her path. His tall figure was like a bronze wall, shading her from the sun.
Li Yaru glared up at him, the eyes behind her sunglasses full of grievance and resentment.
“I’m not playing anymore. I don’t know how, and staying here is embarrassing.”
Zhuang Qiting said, “That’s embarrassing.”
Li Yaru glared and clenched her fingers. “I’m embarrassed, so what? Just let me go back… I don’t want to be here…” Her voice trailed off.
“Stand still. Don’t move.” Zhuang Qiting ordered softly, then bent down to pick up the club she’d thrown. Silence fell over the crowd.
His aura was powerful and imposing. Though young, he was in a high position, senior to many in the circle. Some older men even called him uncle.
No one dared cause trouble in front of him. He brought Li Yaru back to the tee box and wrapped his arms around her from behind, guiding her on how to grip the club.
His warmth was like a black python coiling around her, rendering her motionless.
His low, husky voice whispered into her ear, “I can fool everyone else and shut their mouths, but if you walk away now, that’s when they’ll truly talk.”
He made a good point, but Li Yaru was unhappy. Still, her hands were firmly held.
Zhuang Qiting kissed her ear and didn’t care about the gazes watching them. He wanted everyone to see clearly— he wouldn’t let just any woman stand by him.
Any woman by his side would be the one he devoted everything to, the future matriarch of the Zhuang Family.
“Be obedient, Arou. Golf is not hard. I’ll teach you.”
He held her hand and hit the stubborn ball. The arc was beautiful, a little white dove soaring under the blue sky.
Li Yaru’s heart suddenly beat strongly, as if a little dove was fluttering wildly inside her chest.
.
After the outdoor activity ended, the sun had already set. The sky was filled with fiery sunset clouds— orange, purple, and red— dyeing the vast green fields gold.
One of the young masters suggested going for a seafood banquet. Someone mentioned that Wangzhen Restaurant was Li Yaru’s family’s place, which sparked greater enthusiasm for the idea.
Li Yaru felt both joy and sorrow. The joy was that these young masters and ladies were all fat sheep— anyone throwing a banquet in the future meant big business.
The sorrow was that she didn’t want to host today, but as the host and for the first time, if she didn’t, who else would?
She had just been mocked by this group of young masters and ladies, and had no mood to treat them to food and drink. Yes, she was petty and held grudges.
On the way to the restaurant, Li Yaru hesitated, about to say something.
Zhuang Qiting, noticing her hesitation, gave her a sharp slap on the butt. “You can tell me anything. No more stammering.”
Li Yaru was fed up. All the innocent feelings of those girls were wiped away with that slap.
At the moment the ball flew, her little heart seemed to fly up too. The mature, burning aura of the man wrapped around her, stirring feelings she had never felt before.
Being loved and admired was truly delightful. She liked it— she liked being held in his palm.
She let out a plaintive hum, grumbling, “Who’s paying for dinner later? These young masters and ladies are so showy. I really don’t want to host…”
Zhuang Qiting never expected she had been worried about this all along. He gave her a look of exasperated disappointment.
“You little money-grubber,” he said, easily annoyed by her but also itching to tease her, pulling her over for a few kisses.
But being greedy was a good thing. In all of Hong Kong Island and even the Far East, she wouldn’t find a man richer than him. She just needed to obey.
Wangzhen Restaurant’s business was still booming.
Li Yaru arranged the most luxurious private room for the young masters and ladies, filling the table with an array of delicacies, showing off all the signature dishes since she wasn’t the one paying — so why hold back?
Midway through the meal, she went to the restroom. Coming out, she unexpectedly met Zhuang Qize, who was sobering up.
His gentle peach blossom eyes greeted her warmly, calling her sister-in-law.
Li Yaru had long wanted to correct his mistake. With a slightly flushed face from the wine, she looked at Zhuang Qize seriously. “Young Master Ze, you really don’t need to call me sister-in-law. I’m not a proper sister-in-law — better to be careful or big brother might get upset.”
Zhuang Qize’s thoughts spun rapidly. “Sister-in-law, what do you mean?”
Li Yaru sighed, unafraid of embarrassment, speaking frankly. “Young Master Ze, I’m just a little companion that big brother took on a whim. I’m not even a proper girlfriend. We might break up in a few months. Calling me sister-in-law only causes trouble. When big brother finds a proper girlfriend later, then you can call her sister-in-law!”
“?”
Zhuang Qize exhaled a breath reeking of alcohol and thought this misunderstanding was huge. Sister-in-law actually thought she was just a small… companion? Lover?
“Ah, sister-in-law…”
His head spun slightly as he waved her off. “Forget it. I’ll talk to big brother. Don’t worry yet. He’s not a fickle man; he just doesn’t like to show it.”
Li Yaru frowned, sensing that this conversation wasn’t going to end well.
She didn’t know Zhuang Qize intended to speak with Zhuang Qiting, but she had an uneasy feeling that she had unwittingly stirred up a big trouble.
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