Chapter 46 (2/2): Satisfy Her

Waking up after just a few hours, his wife was still drunk with contentment but refused to remarry him.

Even worse, she jokingly allowed him to be her bed companion.

Bed companion.

Her bed companion.

What was she saying?

He was her husband, her man, and now he was reduced to being her bed companion?

“I will only be your husband, your boyfriend—don’t even think about bed companion.”

Just as Li Yaru was about to close the bathroom door, Zhuang Qiting spoke slowly.

Li Yaru looked in the mirror at herself—her pale, rosy cheeks fresh and full.

She raised her hand to tie up her long hair.

“Mr. Zhuang, if you don’t want to, fine.

I can find someone else easily.”

–

A few days later, the Zheng Family Third Young Master’s Wife came to see Li Yaru, complaining endlessly.

“Are you trying to give me trouble? You called Derek out, then kicked him away.

That’s bad enough, but Zhuang Boss caught him red-handed.

Derek was detained all night, terrified, thinking he might lose his life!

What do you expect me to do?”

Thinking about it, Li Yaru felt a little guilty.

She explained, “I paid him every cent, even gave an extra hundred thousand as compensation for mental distress.”

She had just given a five-minute foot massage… and, of course, enjoyed the show.

“Yeah, yeah, Li Boss was generous.

Derek can’t complain; he got fifteen thousand for doing nothing.”

The Zheng lady glared.

Li Yaru propped her chin, smiling.

“Actually, he’s not cheap.

Fifty thousand for one night.”

Much more expensive than Zhuang Qiting, who was cheap, skilled, and even paid her back.

He secretly bought the ring she wore at the birthday banquet.

She checked the auction price: the sapphire alone was worth 76 million HKD.

“Expensive for a reason.

If you get good service, it’s worth it.

If not, it’s just props that are light; heavier stuff—”

The woman lowered her voice, whispering in Li Yaru’s ear.

Li Yaru’s ears burned.

“Some men just like playing around.

It’s a fetish.

If the husband won’t cooperate, they find other men to play with.

Who doesn’t like men kneeling?

Just imagining it is thrilling.”

“Definitely thrilling,” Li Yaru nodded, cheeks flushed.

It really was thrilling.

She pictured Zhuang Qiting slowly kneeling before her.

That arrogant, domineering man in his elegant banquet suit, expression cold and severe.

His knees on the ground, head bowed, kissing her feet.

The taut lines of his thighs, the wrinkles in his suit pants, and the creases in his leather shoes—all symbols of submission.

Like a proud, aggressive beast finally tamed.

Li Yaru’s red lips curved softly.

At nineteen, did she ever imagine Zhuang Qiting would kneel before her?

After all these years of his bullying and showing off!

But recently, Zhuang Qiting hadn’t appeared.

No one knew what he was busy with.

Since she came out of the shower that day, the man was gone.

Scattered shirts, ties, cufflinks, watches, and pins vanished.

The suite was clean and tidy, as if last night’s madness had never happened.

Li Yaru certainly wouldn’t seek him out.

She was busy with various events.

Since the birthday banquet, the Li Residence’s reputation had soared in the social circles.

Many wealthy women and socialites flocked to it.

Receiving an invitation from the Li Residence had become a fashion statement.

The world of fame and fortune was like a battlefield.

Making a name for yourself took skill.

Marrying well or being born into wealth was just a ticket in.

Those who truly owned their place all possessed style, taste, skills, and charisma.

The socialite circles weren’t all opportunists.

Many were proud and aloof.

Why would they bother to cozy up just because of wealth or power?

Li Yaru had long held the top spot among socialites.

Even as divorce rumors spread wildly, it didn’t hinder her success.

Thinking about Zhuang Qiting’s threats now made her smile.

Did she really think she’d be shunned after divorce?

That the socialite world would forget about Mrs. Zhuang?

She wasn’t a nobody after so many years.

She was glad she hadn’t been intimidated by him.

Thinking of that old man sneaking into her birthday banquet and watching her leave, still the center of attention, made her heart ease.

That man must have been grinding his teeth in frustration.

If he didn’t want to be her bed companion, fine.

Like it or not!

The Zheng Family Third Young Master’s Wife loved the Li Residence.

She spent the whole afternoon there and wanted to borrow it for a banquet.

After much soft and hard persuasion, Li Yaru agreed.

After dinner, the woman left satisfied, promising to come again.

Li Yaru rolled her eyes, telling her not to come next time, as she was just freeloading.

The night sea breeze was especially comfortable.

Liang Sijie prepared an essential oil bath and aromatherapy.

Li Yaru soaked until her whole body felt soft, her skin tinted peachy-pink.

She lazily lay on the bed, enjoying her bedtime moment.

At midnight, she received an email.

Opening it, it was an invitation from Kurt to his art exhibition.

[Sweet Eleanor, long time no see! My personal art exhibition will be held on May 5th at the Royal Museum of Modern Art in Rome, Hall B, lasting two weeks.

The theme is Everything Boiling.

If you can spare the time to attend, I will arrange tickets, accommodations, and a private guide to make your stay in Rome perfect.

I miss you every day and hope to reunite with you in the blooming spring of Rome.

Your most loyal admirer, Kurt.]

“You’re my most loyal admirer.”

Li Yaru read the closing line with a smile lighting her clear eyes.

This little mixed-race guy’s mouth was still that sweet.

She hadn’t expected Kurt to hold an exhibition so soon.

Her previous worries vanished.

Of course, she would go visit and buy some paintings to support him.

The path of art was tough; artists needed patrons.

Li Yaru typed happily.

Just after sending the reply, Liang Sijie knocked softly on the bedroom door.

“Husband, there’s a phone call for you.”

“Come in!”

Li Yaru grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around herself.

Liang Sijie entered carrying an exquisitely vintage telephone.

The coiled cord had a charm from the Republican era.

He handed the receiver to Li Yaru and whispered, “It’s from the Zhuang Residence.”

Li Yaru frowned.

Who even uses landlines these days?

She took the receiver, held it to her ear.

“Hello?”

“Arou.”

A deep, mellow voice came through the receiver, straight to her heart.

Unlike the muffled quality of cellphones, this voice sounded sexier than ever.

Li Yaru’s heart skipped a beat.

She said breathlessly, “Why call a landline for no reason? If you have something to say, just message me.”

Zhuang Qiting’s expression was unpleasant.

“You blocked my number.”

Number, email, WhatsApp—all blocked.

Li Yaru giggled, forgetting when she had done it, but it was true.

Her fingers absentmindedly twisted the phone cord as she spoke clearly, “Speak, Mr. Zhuang.

What’s the matter calling me so late?”

Zhuang Qiting was made dizzy by Li Yaru’s alluring voice.

He took a sip of whiskey with ice, suppressing his overwhelming longing.

Then he spoke calmly, “I’ve thought it over.”

“Hmm? Thought it over?”

“Yes. I’ve thought it over. I agree to your request.”

Li Yaru was puzzled.

“Zhuang Qiting, what request did I make to you?”

Silence.

He lowered his voice.

“Bed companion.”

“I agree, Arou. I…” Zhuang Qiting took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

“I can be your bed companion. But I have one condition.”

“You can only have me as your bed companion.”

Only now did Li Yaru understand what he was implying.

She burst into a bright, playful laugh.

“Come on, Mr. Zhuang.

Do you know what a bed companion is?

You don’t control me, I don’t control you.

We only interact in bed, no strings attached.

No feelings. Got it?”

Zhuang Qiting clenched the glass in his hand, swallowing hard.

“Who else would you go to if not me?

Can’t I satisfy you?”

Li Yaru had no intention to look elsewhere.

She just didn’t want Zhuang Qiting to get smug.

“You’ve only got two years left.”

“Li Yaru, I’m not seventy or eighty yet!”

“Alright, alright, I know you’re young.

You’re just a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old youngster.”

“……”

Zhuang Qiting was nearly driven mad.

He tilted his head back and downed the whiskey.

His prominent Adam’s apple bobbed, full of unspeakable desire.

The high-proof whiskey swept through him, leaving his eyes half-bright, half-clouded.

“Anyway, you’re not allowed to see anyone else.

If I find out, I…”

“What will you do?”

His voice dropped to a whisper.

“I’ll cut up your lover.”

Li Yaru didn’t feel threatened—she just smiled.

She was long accustomed to his fiercely possessive nature.

Love and desire both meant possession.

She had her own possessiveness too.

If Zhuang Qiting touched another woman, became tainted, she would never touch him again.

Li Yaru wiggled her toes, grinning happily.

She’d been under a cloud for days but was in great spirits now.

Her tone was bright and soft.

“Enough, enough.

Don’t show off in front of me so late.

You’re just my bed companion now.

You serve me, satisfy me.

Get clear on your status.

Stop acting like my husband.

Mr. Zhuang, don’t drag out your old tricks.

If I get mad, I can replace you anytime.

Understand?”

Zhuang Qiting’s face turned dark.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up.”

Kurt sent another email.

She needed to reply—no time to chat with Zhuang Qiting.

“Wait.”

Li Yaru was about to hang up but reluctantly held on.

“Hmm?”

Zhuang Qiting pressed his lips, jaw tight.

A large hand with bulging veins gripped a red piece of fabric.

It was the Bordeaux Red nightdress Li Yaru once wore, symbolizing desire.

It looked just like her lips stained with lipstick.

He held the nightdress, his throat rolling as the Bordeaux Red covered the ugly dark red that the heroine hated.

In a hoarse voice, he asked,

“When can I satisfy you next?”

“…Can you come over tonight?”