Zhuang Qiting glanced indifferently at his watch, itching to leave, but the banquet had just started. He took a sip of wine and replied casually, “Is that so? I’m not really sure.”
Zhuang Qize and Zhuang Qikai exchanged looks, their expressions turning strange as they stared at Zhuang Qiting, as if trying to pierce him with their gaze.
Zhuang Qize subtly probed, “Brother, do you think Sister-in-law hasn’t been in a good mood lately?”
Zhuang Qikai was more blunt: “Brother, haven’t you tried to make Sister-in-law happy again?”
Zhuang Qiting sneered, a sound of derision in his breath, voice low. “I’m not interested in coaxing her. I’ve been too busy. I don’t have time to care about where she buys houses or where she lives.”
At that, the two younger brothers’ expressions grew even more peculiar, staring unblinking at Zhuang Qiting, almost as if they wanted to drill holes through him.
Zhuang Qiting cleared his throat irritably, face cold. “You guys handle things for now.” With that, he left the banquet without looking back.
Zhuang Qize frowned, watching his elder brother’s stern silhouette with worry filling his almond-shaped eyes. “… What’s going on?”
“No idea!” Zhuang Qikai was confused. “Could it be… Sister-in-law and Brother have separated?”
“Impossible.” Zhuang Qize immediately denied it. “Brother wouldn’t let Sister-in-law move out. That’s absurd. Second Brother, have your wife call Sister-in-law out for a chat, comfort her a bit. The festival is next week, and Fourth Brother’s family is coming back too. It won’t look good if these two keep arguing.”
Zhuang Qikai nodded. Among the four sisters-in-law, his wife was the most level-headed; she wouldn’t stir the pot while trying to soothe tensions.
.
Li Yaru had taken a trip to Seychelles. Upon returning, Ada brought good news: Royal Academy had already shortlisted three butler candidates, with resumes sent to her email. The candidates would arrive in Hong Kong the day after tomorrow, awaiting her interviews.
Li Yaru was pleased and skimmed through the resumes.
Candidate One was a young German man, handsome and muscular, with a cheerful and humorous personality.
He had worked seven years in a luxury brand’s creative department, with a good eye for aesthetics and extensive experience organizing banquets.
His previous employer was a top 300 global German female tycoon, who had written him a recommendation letter— proof of how well-liked he was.
Candidate Two was also good, an Italian with a sweet tongue, reminding Li Yaru of Kurt. He spoke basic English and had served as a personal assistant to an old-money British noblewoman for three years.
Not only was he warm and friendly, but he was also skilled in French and Italian cuisine, with cooking ability comparable to a Michelin three-star chef.
Candidate Three was a mixed-race Japanese-German-Italian with the boldest resume, including three photos of his abdominal muscles.
His sexy physique was eye-catching, and his appearance was refined and distinctly Eastern. Having lived in Japan for years, he was deeply influenced by Eastern culture, fluent in four languages, and a graduate from a prestigious university’s nursing program.
After graduation, he worked a few years as a male nurse. He was taciturn, calm, patient, skilled in organization and adept at caring for children and animals.
Li Yaru looked at the abdominal photos, shyly muttering, “I’m looking for a proper butler!”
Ada blushed along with her, having been by Li Yaru’s side for seven or eight years, and couldn’t help but remind, “Madam, Mr. Zhuang knows you’re hiring male butlers and servants.”
At the Zhuang Family Main Residence, all domestic staff serving Li Yaru were carefully selected female servants by Zhuang Qiting himself.
Li Yaru immediately flared up, refusing to look at the abs photos anymore, coldly saying, “What do you mean, Ada? Are you trying to get fired? I’m divorced. He has no say over me! I warn you, spying won’t get you anywhere good!”
Ada felt wronged by her boss’s scolding. “Madam, I’m only looking out for you. Mr. Zhuang’s ways of doing things…” She shivered, afraid. She still couldn’t believe Mr. Zhuang agreed to divorce Madam.
Ada still remembered when they were in Italy, how terrifying Zhuang Qiting’s sharp, narrow eyes became when he couldn’t find Li Yaru.
This legendary figure in Hong Kong had methods that had scared and impressed Ada for years. Sometimes, she admired Madam for being able to banter with such a man.
Though divorced, Ada felt this wasn’t the end; the storm was yet to come.
“Who cares about his ways? He won’t let me bring the Zhuang Family staff away, and won’t let me hire anyone either? No such tyrannical rules.”
Li Yaru ordered Ada to bring her a box of fresh lychees from the fridge. The few icy-sweet fruits eased her mood considerably.
She hadn’t seen Zhuang Qiting for a month; he seemed to have vanished. No one had run into him at any social event.
This would have been unthinkable before— impossible even in dreams.
In the past decades, she had never gone more than forty-eight hours without news from Zhuang Qiting.
No matter how far she traveled for vacation or how distant his business trips, no matter her mood swings, he always called to ask what she ate and if she slept well.
Li Yaru was actually a bit unaccustomed, feeling these recent days were too free, too pleasant, and too smooth— like some huge trap lay in wait behind the scenes.
This calm was but a false front before the storm.
What about Zhuang Qiting…
Quietly peeling lychees, her delicate almond-shaped nails cracked open the skins, revealing translucent flesh full of juicy sweetness.
Was this man lying low, gathering strength? Or had this battle changed him, making him finally decide to give up?
Would he really give up…
“Madam, be careful with your skirt.” Ada suddenly spoke, pulling Li Yaru back from her thoughts.
A freshly peeled lychee rolled onto her dress. The delicate, airy ostrich feather decoration instantly got wet with sugary juice, clumping together.
Li Yaru wasn’t that particular. Her slender fingers picked up the lychee, holding it up to inspect for a moment. Finding it clean, she popped it into her mouth.
If Zhuang Qiting were there, he’d surely frown, making her spit it out, then gently but strictly remind her not to eat anything that fell on her clothes or on the table.
Li Yaru slammed the table, thinking she was truly conditioned by that old man—creating reflexes.
“I’m not eating it!”
Ada watched her boss’s angry retreating figure, puzzled by what had happened.
That night, after a bath, Li Yaru changed into a new floral lace nightgown. Her legs rested on a fluffy, soft, candy-shaped bolster as she comfortably sank into deep sleep.
Outside, the Victoria Harbour stars twinkled, and boats crowded the waters.
She had a dream.
In the dream, a giant black python silently slithered over her sleeping body, starting at her ankles and winding up her calves, waist, chest, and neck until it coiled tightly around her whole body.
The snake’s skin was not cold like usual but burning hot, making it hard to breathe. Her hands touched it; the snake writhed slowly around her.
Suddenly, the python transformed into Zhuang Qiting— half man, half snake tail. She screamed in terror, eyes wide.
The man’s gaze was sinister as he spoke gently, “Baby, didn’t I warn you? Even if we’re divorced, you’d better behave and not think you can do whatever you want.”
Her neck was constricted, silencing her.
“Cancel all those butler and servant candidates you chose. I won’t say it twice.”
“Why…”
“Don’t touch me…”
“You pervert…”
Li Yaru wasn’t crying because of Zhuang Qiting, but because of the snake.
Her beautiful floral lace nightgown shredded into pieces, along with soft lace underwear. The snake’s tail slid back and forth, writhing wildly, stirring chaos.
She screamed, splashing water everywhere, struggling and convulsing before suddenly sitting up, gasping at the still-awake city outside. Her calves trembled, still shaken.
It was just a dream. Just a dream. Li Yaru comforted herself, wiping sweat from her forehead and neck.
This was too much. She even dreamed Zhuang Qiting bullying her— turning into her worst nightmare, a giant python, with not one but two tails wrapping her front and back simultaneously.
One tail alone would have been torment enough; now there were two!!
Li Yaru, lost and dazed, went to the bathroom, sat on the toilet, lace pushed down to her knees. The bright light caught her attention.
She couldn’t deny it— she had enjoyed the dream, even though it featured the terrifying presence of Zhuang Qiting.
The small piece of fabric was soaked with shimmering moisture, looking utterly disgraceful. She took a deep breath, annoyed, changing into fresh clothes and wiping the sweat off her neck.
After finishing, she returned to bed and opened her phone, seeing a WhatsApp message received half an hour ago.
Ex-husband: [Will you come home for New Year’s Eve dinner?]
The only message she’d received in a month.
She pondered and typed: [I won’t be coming on New Year’s Eve. It’s not appropriate. I will find another time to send my New Year greetings.]
She hit send. No reply came.