The Zhuang family was powerful, and he was the heir apparent. Marriages were arranged by matchmakers and parents.
She knew very well she and Zhuang Qiting were not from the same world. They collided by chance, enjoyed what they could, and extorted what they must.
If she naïvely thought of marrying him, waiting to be Zhuang Tai Tai, she’d be Hong Kong Island’s biggest fool!
If she couldn’t marry in, she’d be a mistress. If she married in, it was a deep water game full of sharks— she’d be controlled not only by him but also by the in-laws, becoming a resentful woman.
“Tch.”
Li Yaru quickly sorted it out. The faint flutter in her heart was crushed by passing cars.
It was no wonder she was stirred. A tall, handsome, well-endowed, rich man said he wanted to marry her.
Which girl wouldn’t feel her heart stir? Zhuang Qiting was bad in many ways, but also very good.
That night, Li Yaru tossed and turned, imagining thousands of futures. One was marrying Zhuang Qiting.
She thought maybe she was too naive, never having tangled with a man like him, which made her mind wander.
She hated this sticky feeling— like an ice cream cone melting in her hand. She blinked, quickly finished the cone, stood up, and went back to work in the restaurant.
–
Five days later, Zhuang Qiting returned from Japan, bringing back many local souvenirs— cookies, chocolates, drinking vessels, small handkerchiefs, silk flowers, hand-painted gold-leaf folding fans, cosmetics, jewelry, and limited-edition handbags— all mostly for Li Yaru.
The original plan was a three-day trip, but some small incident delayed it by two days.
He landed in Hong Kong Island at dusk. He didn’t go back to the Zhuang Residence but headed straight to the Shallow Water Bay Garden Villa.
He didn’t know if that little thing was attending classes, eating properly, or waiting obediently for him.
In the car, Zhuang Qiting toyed with a dazzling ladies’ wristwatch, fully encrusted with large diamonds, crafted exquisitely.
At a jewelry expo in Tokyo, he’d instantly picked this watch, thinking it would look perfect on Li Yaru’s slender, beautiful wrist.
This little greedy beast’s eyes would surely shine at the diamonds and love it to bits.
Li Guanjia noticed the young master’s anxious expression through the rearview mirror, biting back a grin. “Young master, what do you want to eat tonight? It’s this late, and Miss Li hasn’t finished class yet.”
Li Yaru had an English conversation class tonight. The teacher was British, speaking elegant London accents.
Zhuang Qiting: “We’ll see when we get there. Let’s see what she wants.”
“Eh!” Li Guanjia chuckled.
The car entered the villa courtyard, lit by lights that flickered like clusters of fireflies under the cool moonlight.
The gate opened quickly; two maids came out to greet them. Li Guanjia instructed the driver to unload the luggage.
Zhuang Qiting entered the foyer, removed his suit jacket, handing it to a maid while asking, “What is she doing?”
The maid, knowing who “she” meant, answered softly, “Sir, Miss hasn’t been living here lately.”
Zhuang Qiting frowned slightly, his tone cold, “And she hasn’t come to class?”
“Yes…”
He should have known this little thing would obey in appearance only. His fatigued expression turned cold. Zhuang Qiting pressed his lips, heading to the living room.
A bouquet of purple irises sat on the tea table, looking the same as when sent five days ago— petals no longer fresh and full, showing slight withering.
Zhuang Qiting glanced at it, pulling out the card tucked inside. This scene reminded him of the red roses he threw into the trash last year, and a surge of displeasure rose in his heart.
“Uncle Li.” He ordered in a low voice, “Find out what she’s doing.”
Li Guanjia caught the unmistakable coldness in his tone— no room for jokes. He immediately went to inquire. The phone first dialed the driver who normally picked up Li Yaru.
The driver said she hadn’t let him pick her up these days; if he followed her, she’d scold him, so he gave up.
Next, he called Li Yaru’s mobile— no answer. Finally, he called the Wangzhen Restaurant front desk and found her there.
“Young master, Miss Li is at Wangzhen Restaurant,” Li Guanjia reported.
Zhuang Qiting changed into a clean suit, washed his face with cold water, wiped dry, and the tired look in the mirror was replaced by freshness and handsomeness.
He glanced at himself, then casually picked up a bottle of Henry Jacques Tourbillon Perfume, dabbing a drop on each wrist and shirt collar.
His personally blended perfume was very different from those sold in stores.
At first sniff, it had a unique charm— forest and leather combined— deep, enchanting, yet filled with a cold allure that etched itself into memory.
Zhuang Qiting hadn’t been fond of perfume before. He preferred clean scents. But Li Yaru loved perfume so much.
Every time he wore it, she’d cling to him, sniffing until her face flushed like a small creature that accidentally ate a poisonous mushroom — quickly becoming moist and clingy.
With everything ready, Zhuang Qiting turned to leave.
After five days, Li Yaru saw Li Guanjia again and was genuinely surprised. This was beyond her expectations.
She thought Zhuang Qiting not coming for five days meant he accepted her choice and gave up on her. She was relieved and no longer returned to the Shallow Water Bay Villa.
“He’s here? Inside?” Li Yaru turned her head to look through the gleaming glass window. Outside, a Rolls-Royce was parked on the dark street, windows and doors closed tight, like a coiled, dark snake.
Li Guanjia smiled slightly, “Yes, young master came to see you as soon as he landed.”
Li Yaru bit her lip. Something felt off. Could he have changed his mind? She wiped her hands and followed Li Guanjia.
At the car, Li Guanjia opened the door for her. Zhuang Qiting was sitting inside, turning his head to look at her quietly.
Neon lights dyed her fair skin with shifting colors— sometimes eerie green, sometimes seductive deep blue— like a sorceress.
“Get in,” he said.
Li Yaru lowered her head and got inside. The enclosed space was filled with a unique scent— deep and seductive. It made her anxious heart beat even faster.
How could he smell so good…
After five days apart, Li Yaru felt a little lost.
“I haven’t been living at Shallow Water Bay these days,” Zhuang Qiting said, seeing her keep her head down since getting in, unsure what mischief she was hiding.
“My dad was discharged. If I stayed there, they’d get suspicious.”
“I went to Tokyo on a business trip, so I didn’t contact you. I heard you didn’t ask where I went or what I did,” Zhuang Qiting narrowed his eyes, slowly stroking the ring on his index finger.
Li Yaru cleared her throat twice. “I didn’t want to ask.”
“So sensible?” Zhuang Qiting leaned in, grabbed her chin. The scent twisted into a tangible presence, like a writhing snake crawling up her body.
Li Yaru held her breath, backing away, wide-eyed.
Zhuang Qiting chuckled, “It’s only been five days. How can your courage be so small now?” He kissed her on the tip of her nose, his breath on her face making her blink repeatedly.
He missed her these days. In Tokyo’s most luxurious hotel, the presidential suite was quiet and comfortable —everything the best— but he hadn’t slept well.
He was used to sleeping wrapped around soft, fragrant her.
“Mr. Zhuang…” Li Yaru didn’t know how to respond, shyly pushing him away.
Zhuang Qiting caught her hand, voice low. “I gave you this much time. You must have an answer.”
Li Yaru’s mind nearly crashed. She thought it was all over but clearly wasn’t. “I thought…”
“What did you think?” he asked softly.
Li Yaru’s voice was weaker than a mosquito’s. “I thought you not coming for five days meant you accepted it was over between us…”
Zhuang Qiting was silent a moment. “You accepted it was over?”
“What does ‘accept it was over’ mean?” he asked slowly, his gentle gaze turning cold.
Li Yaru’s calves began to tremble. He was really scary like this. She used to dare to joke with him, but now all she wanted was to run away.
“Get out,” he suddenly ordered.
Li Yaru hurriedly turned to run but was caught by his powerful arms and smacked on the bottom.
“I didn’t say you could.”
The driver and Li Guanjia sitting in the front row had already wanted to escape. Hearing the order, they disappeared immediately.
Zhuang Qiting held her waist with both arms, easily lifting her onto his lap, his strong embrace wrapping around her. “I gave you five days. Is this your answer?”
Waves stirred in his dark eyes, but the dim light made it hard to see clearly.
“Mr. Zhuang, you’re really asking too much…” Li Yaru’s temple throbbed painfully. “There are many socialites wanting to marry you. You can’t hang only on me. And I’m not a good tree to hang on.”
Zhuang Qiting was furious. She knew she was a crooked tree! No matter how much water and fertilizer he poured, she bore no fruit! Except for being obedient in bed, there wasn’t a single second she was well-behaved!
“Then I’ll consider it over between us.”
Li Yaru hesitated for a moment, heart pounding wildly, then slowly nodded.
Zhuang Qiting swallowed hard, his face dark as an overcast sky. He suddenly laughed softly, his tone even and emotionless, “Looks like I spoiled you too much, making you unruly and spoiled.”
His large hand pressed against her spine, holding her tightly to his chest. “Ah Rou, one must keep their word. Our relationship— you don’t think you have the right to stop it, do you?”
Li Yaru looked at him sheepishly. She had forgotten about their unequal agreement from the start. It was these days of indulgence that revealed her fox’s tail— daring to throw tantrums, scold him, resist, and refuse.
“What do you want to do…” she stammered.
Zhuang Qiting kissed her pretty little nose. “You tell me, darling. You’re right, I can’t hang on this crooked tree forever.”
Li Yaru grumbled quietly, still thinking she wasn’t a crooked tree.
“I won’t force you. I want you to be my girlfriend. Fine, then be my girlfriend forever. You only like me taking you out to eat, drink, have fun, and sleep. You won’t have to go to class anymore. I won’t control this or that. I have no high demands for my girlfriend.”
Li Yaru was stunned, not sure what this was about. Her eyes gleamed. “Really?”
No more classes, no more control, plus all these wonderful perks…
“Then you’re not going to marry me?” she suddenly realized the crux. “If you get married, we have to end it.”
His eyes darkened, shadowed and unreadable. “Doesn’t matter. Even if I marry, it won’t affect anything. I can support you both.”
This little thing just needed to be scared, or she’d get spoiled, unruly, and out of control again.