Li Shengming scratched his head, muttering, “Didn’t we agree not to let Mommy know…?”
Zhuang Qiting said, “Mingzai, A Zhou, A Yan, you three wait for me in the car. I have something to discuss with Mommy.”
Li Yaru sighed helplessly at his ever-commanding tone. After the children were all in the car, she finally spoke, “Happy New Year, Zhuang Sheng. What is it you want to discuss?”
“Happy New Year. Let’s find a quiet place, A Rou.” Zhuang Qiting smiled faintly.
Li Yaru glanced at him coolly, tightened her shawl, and turned toward the garden. She didn’t want to welcome this man into her new home. This was her territory, and she didn’t want his scent lingering here.
But Zhuang Qiting wouldn’t let her have her way. “A Rou, I’m going to pay New Year’s respects to my mother-in-law first.”
Li Yaru bit her lip, unable to refuse the request. She waved him off with a sigh, telling him to go in alone while she waited in the garden.
Zhuang Qiting nodded, “Won’t be long. Wait for me.”
After paying New Year’s respects to his wife’s family, Zhuang Qiting’s mood eased considerably. His wife’s relatives were all very kind to him, showing no bitterness over the divorce.
The children happily accepted the red envelopes from their uncle. His mother-in-law was warm and caring, gently reassuring him that A Rou was just sulking and they would reconcile. How considerate.
Walking along the stone path to the garden, a rich fragrance floated through the cool night air. Zhuang Qiting saw Li Yaru standing amidst a sea of flowers bathed in the bright moonlight.
Her chosen new nest was indeed comfortable.
“Speak, Zhuang Sheng.” Li Yaru blew on the night breeze, the heavy sound of leather shoes announcing his arrival.
Zhuang Qiting looked at her with a greedy gaze and spoke bluntly, “A Rou, when a husband and wife talk, it’s best that outsiders stay away.”
There was no doubt whom he meant. Liang Sijie lowered his eyes and stood silently. His words were unnecessary; the master’s orders were the only commands. No one else could give orders to him.
Li Yaru found it amusing. “Of course, when a couple talks, outsiders should leave. But we’re exes. Exes, do you understand? Sijie must stay here; I’m afraid he might have designs on me.”
Zhuang Qiting’s voice darkened, “What designs could I possibly have on you?”
“I’m afraid you’ll sexually harass me!”
“……………”
“Sijie, wait over there for me. Don’t go far; I want to keep an eye on you.” Li Yaru instructed gently.
“Yes, Madam.” Liang Sijie nodded and stepped five meters away, turning his body sideways, quiet and reserved.
Li Yaru had a knack for choosing people. Her picks were always either handsome men or beautiful women. Ada was lively and endearing, and this new housekeeper was exceptional.
A refined gentleman’s appearance, a teardrop mole at the corner of his eye adding a touch of androgyny, a slender and well-proportioned figure with broad shoulders, and an aura of purity and grace.
Zhuang Qiting had to admit this type of ‘little man’ easily attracted women’s sympathy. Seeing this man follow Li Yaru around like a loyal lapdog, his disgust and anger multiplied exponentially.
Far worse than that Italian little vixen.
Why did such men always appear around Li Yaru? Like weeds, impossible to eradicate; wildfires couldn’t burn them out, and spring winds would make them grow again.
If not for his iron-fisted rule over the years, the men around Li Yaru would have multiplied into an entire African savanna by now.
He had recently reflected and truly regretted being too strict with his wife, which led to her rebellion. He should have given her more freedom. But he didn’t regret dealing with those other men.
“A Rou, is this the new housekeeper I hired?” Zhuang Qiting controlled his breathing and asked calmly.
He didn’t want to cause conflict with his wife during the New Year.
“Sijie’s a good guy; his Japanese cuisine is delicious.” Li Yaru smiled brightly, her mood obviously good—nothing he did could spoil it. “I really like him, very satisfied.”
Zhuang Qiting kept his tone even, “A Rou, I don’t like him. He looks restless. I’ll fire him and transfer all the housekeepers you’re used to from the Zhuang residence here. Wherever you want to live in the future, fine. I… won’t interfere anymore.”
Li Yaru smiled coldly, her eyes flashing with insolence and mockery. “Mr. Zhuang, you’re so arrogant. We’re divorced, yet you shamelessly give orders on my turf. I have to admire that.”
“A Rou.”
“From now on, please call me Ms. Li. The name ‘A Rou’ no longer suits my status.”
Zhuang Qiting’s chest tightened at her sharp tongue. He forced himself to speak calmly, “A Rou, can you please not upset me?”
He was a man used to dominance and conquest, never showing weakness, sadness, loss, despair, or bitterness in front of the woman he loved. That wasn’t manly.
“A Rou, have you thought about how much I hurt too?” He swallowed hard and smiled faintly.
Li Yaru appraised him from the sharp crease of his suit pants up to his tailored jacket and meticulously styled hair. There was no sign of sadness— only nobility and strength.
“Zhuang Sheng sad? Now you just make me uncomfortable in bed, leaving me torn,” she said helplessly with a smile. “Little one, don’t let me think badly. If I nod and come back, I’ll do whatever you want.”
Li Yaru smiled too, but her expression held a chill. She thought of the old man’s suggestion of pretending to get along.
Ridiculous. She’d actually considered it seriously. Deep down, she wasn’t completely indifferent to him— after all these years, he was the only man in her life.
But none of that outweighed her craving for a free and uninhibited life.
Li Yaru shook her head, mocking her own childishness. “I’m always like this—aloof, seemingly composed and tolerant, but in my bones, unbearably arrogant.”
When the word “arrogant” slipped from her full, red lips, Zhuang Qiting’s smile faded, his expression darkened.
Li Yaru suddenly grew weary. No matter how much she said, it was like talking to a wall. Forget it— he was just like this. She was about to return to hand out red envelopes to her staff.
She waved him off coldly, leaving only an emotionless profile behind. Her calm indifference was more chilling than any fierce resistance.
“Don’t come again, Zhuang Qiting. I’m very happy in my new place. I don’t need you, your presence, or your money. I don’t need anything.”
“Sijie, let’s go. Zhuang Sheng is leaving on his own.”
Liang Sijie responded immediately, moving to Li Yaru’s side, shielding her and blocking Zhuang Qiting.
Zhuang Qiting smelled a strange scent cutting between him and Li Yaru. It was filthy, vile, and base. He stared gloomily at Li Yaru’s departing back, disgusted by this dog that appeared out of nowhere and followed her like a shadow.
“Li Yaru!” He had the sudden, terrifying feeling she was walking out of his life for good.
Li Yaru didn’t hesitate or look back.
A metallic, bloody taste rose in Zhuang Qiting’s mouth. He felt like he might spit up blood.
He strode forward swiftly, his tall and strong frame blocking her path. His iron palm gripped her upper arm tightly to make sure she wouldn’t disappear.
“Li Yaru.” His jet-black eyes were unfathomable. She thought he looked like a cornered beast pushed to the brink.
She felt pain from his grip but didn’t pull away. Seeing him so desperate stunned her.
From the darkness, the usually quiet Liang Sijie spoke coldly, “Sir, please release her immediately. Madam did not permit you to touch her.”
Zhuang Qiting sneered, his deep voice deliberate and slow. “What unruly dog is this? No one here has the right to interrupt.”
His words were unseemly and undignified. As an elder, he shouldn’t have said such things.
Li Yaru was about to lose her temper when Zhuang Qiting suddenly pulled out something dazzling from his pocket and forcefully pressed it into her palm. “New Year’s gift, A Rou. If you don’t like it, throw it away.”
With that, as if in a struggle, he fiercely rubbed the supple skin of her arm with his thumb, leaving finger marks, then turned and left.
The man who usually walked with purpose now strode even more hastily. In his rush, he looked disheveled.
Li Yaru winced through the pain, frowning deeply. Zhuang Qiting had made a fuss before, even acted harshly, but he had always been composed and steady in public, unmoved by any wind.
Today, however, there was a hint of madness— everything seemed out of control.
She exhaled and looked at the forcibly given gift—a diamond bracelet about an inch wide.
Ordinary diamond bracelets adorned with a circle of full diamonds were already extravagant. This one had four rows, one of which featured vivid Colombian emeralds, each stone brilliant and dazzling. Jewelry of this caliber required a half-year preorder at least.
Jewels worth millions usually stayed locked in safes, but this man had pulled it straight from his suit pocket, still warm with his body heat. Fittingly his style.
Years ago, he’d proposed in the same manner, pulling the ring from his suit without even a box. That ring alone was worth nearly 60 million over two decades ago.
Li Yaru pushed aside the faint, unspeakable emotions stirring in her heart and handed the bracelet to Liang Sijie.
“Put it with the wedding ring in the safe. I don’t want to wear it for now.”
“Yes, Madam.” Liang Sijie carefully placed the bracelet inside the inner lining of his suit.
Li Yaru spoke softly, “Don’t take what he said to heart. He’s probably possessed lately. With me here, he wouldn’t dare touch you.”
Liang Sijie smiled, his teardrop mole brightening. “Thank you, Madam, for protecting me. I won’t take it to heart. After all, only your words reach my ears.”