She was met with a gloomy, restrained gaze that silently locked onto her.
She stood and walked over to Kurt, extending her arms like a friend, an elder sister, or a goddess embracing a follower, giving him a warm hug.
“Kurt, safe travels.”
With a sharp “clack,” chopsticks slammed harshly onto the table, sounding menacing.
The hug was barely a fraction away when the boy’s heated breath brushed against Li Yaru.
Zhuang Qiting immediately stood, pulling Li Yaru behind him like his possession, his expression calm and indifferent as he addressed Kurt, “Kurt, I’ll send someone to take you to the airport. The ride might be bumpy, but my car is comfortable.” With that, he instructed the bodyguards to escort him.
Li Yaru struggled slightly but was held tightly by his fierce grip on her wrist.
Three burly, retired special forces men surrounded Kurt. Ostensibly escorting him, but their intimidation was unmistakable.
Kurt didn’t resist and comforted Li Yaru not to worry. The clean-cut young man looked back repeatedly and waved, loudly saying, “Eleanor, your future will be smooth, like the creatures of Serengeti crossing the Milky Way, free and unrestrained!”
Li Yaru smiled, though a mix of melancholy, anger, and despair spread through her heart.
“You did this, didn’t you?” she inhaled deeply, looking at Zhuang Qiting like a deranged, hopeless lunatic.
Zhuang Qiting said nothing, rubbing her wrist gently. “Sorry, I hurt you. I got a bit carried away just now. My fault.”
Li Yaru pulled back her wrist, now bearing a shallow red mark. Her skin was pale, delicately nurtured over the years, blooming like a flower.
A slight pressure left traces. She didn’t care about the pain and coldly stared at Zhuang Qiting. “Kurt’s exhibition trouble? That’s your doing. Don’t deny it, or I’ll despise you.”
“So what if it is?” Zhuang Qiting was unfazed. He’d schemed against many people in his life; not even one percent of his cunning and ruthlessness had been revealed.
Li Yaru clenched her palm, unable to laugh. “Why target Kurt? You always keep a cold face, yet he’s warm to you. And he’s just like Mingzai circling me— no different. Don’t pretend you don’t see it. He doesn’t have those intentions. Just a friend. You can’t even leave him alone?”
Zhuang Qiting sighed deeply, smiled, and sat down slowly, dipping a slice of raw fish into the broth. “Of course I know he means no harm. If he did, he probably wouldn’t have made it back to China. Don’t worry, his exhibition won’t have real problems— just some headaches for a while. This is me showing mercy.”
Li Yaru blanked out, utterly unsure how to communicate with Zhuang Qiting. He was too proud, too crazy, a thorough autocrat.
Seeing her still standing, Zhuang Qiting sighed helplessly, “Enough. Don’t let an outsider ruin your mood. Come eat, Arou. If you don’t eat the sashimi soon, it won’t be fresh anymore.”
Zhuang Qiting actually let her eat!
Li Yaru was so irritated by his casual attitude that her head spun slightly. She whispered, “Even if he has feelings for me, what right do you have to interfere? We’re divorced. I can be with whoever I want now, Zhuang Qiting—!”
It was the off-season, and the whole hotel had hardly any guests, practically booked out by Li Yaru and Zhuang Qiting.
At this moment, the bodyguards silently retreated indoors, clearing the terrace. No one wanted to witness this drama; business was paramount.
“Arou,” Zhuang Qiting called softly, his rich, solemn voice carrying a hint of intimidation.
“If you keep provoking me with divorce talk, saying it day and night, then I’ll tell you, baby, I’ve already filed an appeal to withdraw our divorce application. I don’t want to play these games anymore. Arou, you will only ever be Zhuang Qiting’s woman. Forget about divorce— things will go back to how they were.”
Withdrawal of the petition.
Li Yaru suddenly froze, her limbs numb. For a moment, she couldn’t even hear properly, staring blankly at the man before her.
Why should he have it his way? He agreed to divorce, making her unexpectedly happy, only to retract the promise coldly like a king now.
Was he toying with her these past few months? If he couldn’t handle it, he treated their relationship like a game to end on a whim.
Her eyes slowly filled with mist. It was humiliating; she didn’t want to be like this, yet she couldn’t hold back the grievances bottled inside.
He bullied her. Since she was nineteen, he’d bullied her. Now, he bullied her from such a high pedestal.
Seeing her so lost, Zhuang Qiting’s heart tightened as if grabbed by a giant hand. He wanted to hold her, to comfort her. “Baby, don’t be scared—”
“Don’t touch me. Get lost! Go away!”
Li Yaru suddenly erupted, losing all composure. Over the years, she had maintained grace and elegance in public, but now, as fresh and fierce as when she was a teenager, she raged uncontrollably.
Zhuang Qiting’s pupils dilated, silent for a moment. His large hand froze midair, breath caught in his chest like a mouthful of bitter smoke, unable to release.
His wife, his treasure, the woman he loved more than anything— he dared not touch her.
Zhuang Qiting had never seen Li Yaru like this — not even when nineteen-year-old her grabbed a knife to cut her cousin’s finger. She had always been a bright, sweet sunflower.
Zhuang Qiting had a premonition: if he touched her now, they would perish together.
She was just that fierce.
He silently watched Li Yaru turn and walk away, standing still until the bright yellow dress completely disappeared at the horizon.
.
Li Yaru didn’t want to delay for a moment longer; she packed and prepared to return. She didn’t want to stay— she wanted to go back to Hong Kong Island.
Good news came from Liang Yongwen, who found a garden villa perfectly matching her requirements. It was located on Qianshuiwan Road, close to Yi Mansion, just a ten-minute drive up a mountain road.
The owner was a mainland tycoon, and as long as the price was right, negotiations could begin.
Zhuang Qiting couldn’t stop others from selling houses to Li Yaru, even if he forbade her from buying any property on Hong Kong Island.
Li Yaru: [Thanks, Awen. Price isn’t an issue. As long as they’re willing to sell, I’ll buy immediately.]
Liang Yongwen: [When will you be back? Maybe come see the house first. It’s billions, not cabbage.]
Li Yaru: [I trust your taste. This one’s decided! [Happy]]
The day Li Yaru returned was rushed. She made sure to give generous tips to every hotel staff member who served her.
The hotel also gifted her a bouquet of purple Clematis, a native Tanzanian vine known for its gentle beauty and resilience.
Li Yaru carried the flowers as she got into the car, bidding farewell to the Serengeti. She cherished this leisurely time. Ever since she was nineteen, her life had been controlled by Zhuang Qiting’s arrangements. This was her first time “going off track.”
About fifteen minutes after her car departed, the Barbaros G900 took off, heading for the airport.
Li Yaru flew Emirates; Zhuang Qiting took his luxurious Bombardier Global Jet. They arrived at Hong Kong Island airport within a couple of hours of each other.
@All the best stories are on Jinjiang Literature City
Li Yaru had been gone silently for half a month, and the Zhuang residence was already in chaos. No one knew her return was imminent. The three young men came to pick her up.
Li Shengming was anxious, barely wanting to play games, occasionally sipping water, urging Zhuang Zhou to check if their mother’s plane had landed. Zhuang Zhou outwardly annoyed by this pest, secretly kept refreshing the flight tracker.
Their mother had been away for more than half a month— a first. Zhuang Zhou sensed something major was happening.
Half an hour later, Li Yaru appeared at the international arrivals gate, wearing a sunhat, sunglasses, and a mask. Her white windbreaker outlined her sharp figure. Zhuang Zhou recognized her immediately and waved.
Seeing all three handsome young men there, Li Yaru smiled knowingly. The heavy gloom lifted instantly as she waved back, striding forward with a Hermès bag.
The four of them gathered, chatting and laughing. Li Shengming played around, amusing Li Yaru until a middle-aged man dressed impeccably appeared, and the lively atmosphere immediately quieted.
The middle-aged man’s expression was like a robot’s— emotionless and calm. He bowed slightly to the group. “Great-grandmother, hello. Greetings to the three young masters.”
Surprise flashed in Li Yaru’s eyes, quickly replaced by unease. What did he want with her?
The man was Qing Shu, the longtime secretary who always accompanied Grand Master Zhuang. He wouldn’t come to see them lightly.
“Qing Shu, what brings you here? Could it be you came just to pick me up?” Li Yaru joked lightly.
Qing Shu’s lips twitched slightly. “Great-grandmother, the old master wishes to see you. Please come with me.”
Li Yaru’s lips pressed tightly. Her grandfather-in-law, who had long retired from public affairs to enjoy a peaceful old age, suddenly requested a meeting.
He must have learned about her impending divorce from Zhuang Qiting.
This legendary figure of the Zhuang Family, once powerful and feared throughout Hong Kong, embodied the strong and domineering nature passed down through the generations of Zhuang men.
Misfortune cannot be avoided; blessings do not need to be dodged.
Li Yaru smiled faintly, calmly saying, “Alright then, if the old master wants to see me, it must be important. Let’s go, Qing Shu.”