He dared not stare too long at Li Yaru, instead looking toward the shadows, thinking casually, What of the dog?
He was willing to be Madam’s dog; not everyone had that luck.
…
After the Lantern Festival, the New Year was officially over. The skyscrapers in the financial district returned to their usual hustle and bustle, a lively scene.
Li Yaru had enjoyed the quietest, most leisurely, and comfortable New Year in history— no social obligations, no business events, not even lavish fashion galas.
The only events she attended were the New Year dinner at Wangzhen Restaurant and the New Year party at Yahe Investment, both her private enterprises.
Zhuang Qiting, on the other hand, was swamped. He had neglected work for a while but was now making up for lost time. There wasn’t a single day of rest during the New Year holiday.
Li Yaru refused to accompany him to events. He went alone. One or two events were understandable, but throughout the New Year, she made no appearances— not even at Zhuang Family clan gatherings or Shenghui Group events.
As the lady of the house, her absence sparked rumors and gossip spreading rapidly.
The entertainment tabloids were most sensitive to scandals involving the wealthy elite.
Li Yaru had always been the most conspicuous and glamorous presence among the Hong Kong socialites, so her sudden, unexplained disappearance from the Zhuang social circle quickly became headline news.
【Hong Kong’s Top Socialite in Jeopardy, Suspected of Being Blacklisted by the Elite after a Scandal】
【Fairytale of the Elite Shattered? Heartbreak After Marrying into Power?】
【A Look at Socialites’ Midlife Crises】
The reporters even retold Li Yaru’s story of marrying into the elite— after all, her marriage had been a mystery.
Nobody expected the young Zhuang family heir to marry a middle-class girl within four months of dating, and Li Yaru was hailed as a classic example of a middle-class girl marrying up.
Li Yaru was furious. She’d always known the media’s sharp tongues but never imagined their cruelty was so blatant and shameless— worse than Zhuang Qiting’s outbursts!
“Needle swallowing, needle swallowing, needle swallowing. Am I not a hundred times worse than a needle swallower? That old man isn’t a needle, he’s a big eggplant!” Li Yaru slammed the cheap magazine down on the table.
Without Zhuang Qiting around, she spoke freely on her own turf.
Liang Sijie, pouring tea nearby, accidentally trembled and spilled some black tea. He quickly pulled out a handkerchief and calmly wiped it up.
The afternoon sun shone bright and pure, camellias blooming in full glory, their pink petals stretching under the endless blue sky.
Liang Sijie brought the arranged afternoon tea.
Today’s set was a lavish cobalt and gold tea set. The tea was Li Yaru’s favorite Musk Grape Black Tea, served with chilled fresh lychee.
The snacks were mainly Japanese— delicate, bite-sized sushi, perfectly portioned so she wouldn’t feel uncomfortable eating.
Li Yaru sipped, savoring the rich lychee aroma and squinting with satisfaction. “You’re so thoughtful.”
Liang Sijie replied, “Lychee with black tea can be too heating. I had the kitchen brew some herbal cooling tea for you to drink tonight.”
“Good. Sit down, Sijie.” Li Yaru motioned to a nearby rattan chair. “Standing all the time isn’t comfortable.”
A housekeeper should stand while serving, never sit with the mistress. Liang Sijie smiled faintly, “Madam, I’m fine standing.”
“I’m not tall. Talking to me standing is tiring.”
Liang Sijie reluctantly sat down, feet placed neatly and back straight. He wore a gray pinstriped tailcoat; his shirt was pristine without a wrinkle, cuffs snow-white and clean.
Such a proper uniform didn’t look dull on him, especially given his quiet, reserved demeanor— a kind of restrained Eastern elegance.
Li Yaru was still shocked by the three photos of him flaunting six-pack abs on his résumé. The young man posed shirtless, his eight-pack clearly defined.
Not as muscularly overwhelming as Zhuang Qiting, but sexy enough to make anyone scream!
Thinking of those photos made Li Yaru’s cheeks flush. She glanced at Liang Sijie with a subtle, complicated look.
Could her new housekeeper be secretly wild? Just like her eldest son?
“Madam, why are you looking at me like that?” Liang Sijie felt awkward, lowering his gaze to check his face but found nothing unusual.
Li Yaru smiled without replying, took a sip of tea. The white steam blurred the mischief in her eyes.
Liang Sijie pursed his lips but continued attentively refilling her tea and handing her napkins, every movement polished and considerate.
“Yes, bring me the recent Invitation Letters. I’ll pick which to attend.” Li Yaru decided she couldn’t be so lazy anymore. She needed to appear at events, or else the rumors outside would run wild— maybe even labeling her as the “Elite’s Abandoned Wife.”
Li Yaru couldn’t afford to lose face. This twisted world never dared criticize Zhuang Qiting as an abandoned husband or say he was so perverse he couldn’t keep his wife’s heart.
Li Yaru was displeased.
As she sorted through invitations, there were local club salons, luxurious brand dinners for high-end VIPs, jewelry brand seasonal launches, and a certain clan leader’s grandson’s full month banquet…
Liang Yongwen called, inviting Li Yaru to her 20th Wedding Anniversary next Tuesday at Star Top Hotel, with a cruise party after dinner.
“I just got divorced, and she’s flaunting her marriage in front of me! Too much!” Li Yaru hummed lightly, lounging lazily in her rattan chair, having kicked off her slippers, looking as comfortable as a cat.
Liang Yongwen shyly smiled, “I didn’t want to make a big deal, but Lao Yi insisted. He wanted it grand and made me invite all our friends in the circle. Don’t know what she’s showing off.”
“Of course it should be grand— 20 years, how many get to celebrate that?”
Li Yaru suddenly remembered her and Zhuang Qiting’s 20th anniversary. It was the grandest, most magnificent, most dreamlike night of her life besides their wedding.
Zhuang Qiting had spent lavishly to book Versailles Palace, hosting a dazzling ball with top celebrities invited and a premier pianist playing just for them. They danced their first dance amid crystal chandeliers, roses, and world-famous paintings.
That night in Paris glittered; her golden dress swayed over his black leather shoes.
Li Yaru smiled softly, a slight wistfulness. It felt like ages ago.
“A Rou, Zhuang Sheng will come that day. Lao Yi personally invited him. There are all sorts of rumors about your divorce, some even quite detailed and…” Liang Yongwen grew angry just thinking about it.
Li Yaru didn’t care. “Maybe they say Zhuang Qiting got tired of me and doesn’t want me anymore, or that I did something wrong and angered him so he cast me into the cold palace.”
Liang Yongwen sighed, “Those demons and monsters—behind the scenes, they’re jealous of your thriving bloom. Now that they have a chance, they’re going to exploit it. Don’t take it to heart; getting angry isn’t worth it. I’m just reminding you, you and Zhuang Sheng will be the focus that day. What’s your plan? To announce the divorce?”
“This is my 20th anniversary. So what if I announce the divorce? I might as well…”
“No not allowed!” Liang Yongwen stopped her before she could say more.
“……………”
“Remember to bring little Mingzai to be Mia’s male companion.”
Hearing this, Li Yaru got excited. “A Zhou doesn’t like her? A Yan’s okay, but he’s too young. Mingzai hasn’t even grown hair properly yet and is younger than Mia. He can’t take care of her.”
Liang Yongwen chuckled, “Mingzai is cute and down-to-earth, and good at sweet talking to make them happy. The sisters all like him.”
Li Yaru sighed silently. Liang Yongwen just wanted to give her four daughters runners and fun companions, nothing more. “Looks like being my children’s housekeeper is impossible.”
Liang Yongwen raised an eyebrow. She was strict about her daughters’ future husbands from head to toe. “Everyone knows Mia’s delicate, and strong men just don’t get along with her. Luckily, I’m close with you and know the inside story, or if my daughter blindly got involved with the Zhuang family fox, I’d have nowhere to cry.”
“………………”
Her attempt to promote her son failed miserably.
Li Yaru almost said he wasn’t so bad— strong, loyal, handsome, and tall! But considering she’d ended up divorced, those matchmaking words were hard to say. Better not to ruin anyone’s daughters.
After hanging up, Li Yaru spaced out a bit, stretching her legs out from the shadow into the sunlight.
The shimmering light made her pale feet look faintly pink, a delicate gold anklet swinging, scattering fragments of light.
A woman in her forties with feet kept so well must have spent much effort.
Liang Sijie glanced briefly, then quickly withdrew his gaze, crossing his legs neatly and sitting upright.
“Sijie.”
“Ah? Yes, Madam.” His heartstrings twanged sharply at the sudden call.
Li Yaru retracted her feet, shifted her posture, and looked at Liang Sijie. “Do you have a suit for evening events? Doesn’t need to be too formal, but it should be a bit fancy. There’s a dinner next Tuesday; you’ll accompany me.”
Liang Sijie asked, “May I?”
“What’s there to may? I’m your mistress. Accompanying me to social events is only natural.”
Liang Sijie pursed his lips. He actually did have suits for such occasions. Before coming to Hong Kong Island, he packed all his expensive and decent clothes. Several suits were custom-made at a top tailor in Ginza, Tokyo.
But he said, “Maybe not.”
Li Yaru already knew. Being proactive, she had already gone to find shoes. “Come. I’ll take you to get a custom suit. You’ll have plenty of chances to accompany me to events, so it’s good to make several sets, and don’t forget shoes and shirts. You need uniforms too. Suits have to be tailored; off-the-rack ones don’t fit. Consider it my gift for your new job.”
Liang Sijie stood, kneeling slightly by Li Yaru’s feet to help her put on shoes. Looking up, his beautiful Eastern eyes met hers, curling slightly.
“Thank you, Madam.”