He wanted her to never escape his grasp, to be obedient, gentle, and devoted only to him, as if that alone could prove her heart was with him.
“Sir,” Shen Mi spoke softly, breaking the heavy silence. The man still stood there, holding the perfume bottle like a weathered statue.
Zhuang Qiting suddenly snapped back, eyes clearing. “Xiao Shen, contact Kurt. I have a favor to ask.”
***
When Kurt called, Li Yaru was enjoying a spa treatment, sweet warm aromatherapy filling the air, relaxing massage, soft music playing. Her mood was already much lighter.
“Inviting me to dinner?” Li Yaru lay on the beauty bed, eyes closed, lazily stretching.
“Yes. A friend of mine opened a particularly romantic restaurant by the sea. I thought you’d like it, so I invited you.”
Kurt sounded sincere, but Li Yaru felt it was too much trouble. Her eyes were still swollen today; she didn’t want to go out and face people.
“I don’t want to go,” she said, biting her lip.
“Eleanor, this place can only be booked today; next time will be two months from now. Are you upset because I suddenly invited you? Eleanor… Eleanor…”
Li Yaru couldn’t stand a grown man whining in her ear, so clingy, just like Ming.
“Eleanor…”
“Stop! Fine, I’ll go. Stop whining, it’s giving me goosebumps.”
“Really? Eleanor! You truly are the kindest, most beautiful woman in the world. You’re my muse! Seven o’clock tonight, I’ll send a car for you! Looking forward to it!”
After hanging up, Kurt let out a sigh, casting a resentful yet fearful glance at Zhuang Qiting. The man was glaring nearby as if one wrong word would earn him a gun to the head.
“You talk too much, Kurt. Don’t act all clingy with her. She doesn’t like men who whine,” Zhuang Qiting said coldly.
Kurt: “You use me and then say such cruel things. I don’t want to bear the guilt of deception.”
Zhuang Qiting scoffed. “It’s a transaction, not exploitation. I’m lending you the painting for three days at most, and you have to return it after that. Got it?”
“If you dare do anything shady to the painting, I’ll—”
“No, no, no. Don’t think that way. I only want to hang the painting in the gallery so more people can appreciate it. Eleanor’s talent deserves to be remembered. I would never do anything to ruin it. I’m not that kind of person! I already feel guilty enough for deceiving Eleanor. I have to confess and pray to the priest this week…”
Zhuang Qiting didn’t want to listen to his rambling. Kurt was even chattier than Ming. At the last moment, he patted Kurt’s shoulder.
“Thanks.”
He never said thanks to anyone. His life had been too smooth and glorious, always commanding others, surrounded by people running errands.
He never had the chance to say those two words.
Kurt was surprised. “You actually said thank you? Didn’t expect that, Mr. Zhuang! I don’t know why, but I always feel like you look at me like I’m a dog.”
Zhuang Qiting smiled, a cigarette dangling from his lips, broad shoulders straight, and strode out of Kurt’s studio.
Though going to dinner with Kurt, Li Yaru didn’t bother dressing up seriously. She booked the most famous local makeup studio.
The artist was highly skilled; the traces of last night’s tears were cleverly concealed, leaving only a radiant and stunning appearance.
At seven sharp, a black Phantom pulled up at the hotel entrance. The chauffeur, wearing white gloves, got out to open the door for Li Yaru and greeted her in Italian: “Buonasera, signora.”
The door opened to reveal a bouquet of blooming Carola Roses in the back seat.
Their rich red color was striking even in the dim light. In Italy, red roses carried great significance, reserved for lovers.
Li Yaru looked at this overly grand gesture helplessly. These kids were probably thanking her for supporting the auction, but this was a bit too much!
She said thanks in Italian, lifted the pearl-adorned pale gold hem of her dress, and got into the car.
Inside, the scent was pleasant — a popular Hong Kong fragrance combining bright bergamot, sweet rose, and damp oakmoss, evoking a post-rain forest atmosphere.
This scent was actually hard to find. Li Yaru raised an eyebrow, sensing something, but the feeling was faint, like a dragonfly’s touch.
The Rolls-Royce drove all the way to the seaside, arriving at a brightly lit private marina filled with various boats.
She asked the driver in English if the dinner was really here.
He pointed to a grand, illuminated luxury yacht. “The restaurant is on the boat, madam. You can board from this side.”
Li Yaru shook her head. “This Kurt is so mysterious. If the food’s bad, I’m really going to hit someone.”
Her heels clicked on the soft carpeted gangway, protecting her delicate lambskin soles. Waiters in white uniforms led the way.
On the second deck, the dining room was brightly lit, illuminating Li Yaru’s face beautifully.
The elegant and tranquil space had a long table covered in red velvet cloth, set with wine glasses, bouquets, candles, fruit, and red wine in a decanter, giving off a warm, mellow aroma.
“Please, madam.” The waiter pulled out a chair.
Li Yaru looked around, feeling increasingly suspicious. Kurt hadn’t appeared yet, and a wave of that nagging premonition rippled through her again.
But no matter what, Kurt wouldn’t team up with Zhuang Qiting. The two hated each other, and plotting to fool her together was impossible.
The waiter brought the appetizer: Hong Kong style egg tart, Hong Kong style tofu pudding, and abalone sauce fish maw sea cucumber.
Li Yaru clenched her knife and fork. None of this was what Kurt would prepare, including the Phantom, Carola Roses, yacht, and these dishes.
Behind a side door, Zhuang Qiting watched his wife intently. His heart pounded like a drum; both body and soul were taut.
He didn’t know why he felt so nervous—not even when marrying Li Yaru had he been this tense.
Li Yaru, fed up with the mysterious setup, was about to put down her cutlery when the door opened.
She turned her head, surprised, then burst out laughing.
Standing there was a big, fluffy dog—or rather, a man wearing a dog costume.
Seeing her laugh, the “dog” clumsily came forward, circled her twice, then magically produced a rose from somewhere, placing it on her lap and bowing with a gentlemanly gesture.
“Kurt, you’re so funny!” Li Yaru laughed brightly, picking up the rose and tapping the “dog man” on the chest.
The dog gently stretched out a paw to stroke her head, then obediently sat down, kneeling on one knee before her, looking up at her.
Behind the mask, Li Yaru couldn’t see Kurt’s deep blue eyes, but she could feel the burning, intense gaze filled with a difficult-to-express longing.
“You really are a dog, so many tricks to make me happy.” Li Yaru held the rose and patted the cute dog’s head.
The plush ears perked up, and she ruffled them softly, murmuring, “I was really sad today, but now I feel so happy.”
“Thank you, Kurt.”
The dog cocked its head, writing “why” with its paw on her hand.
“You want to know why I’m sad?” Li Yaru smiled softly, her eyes half-curved. “It’s nothing. I just had an argument with a man I hate and was upset all day. But I’ve figured it out — from now on, I won’t talk to him anymore.”
“Enough of that. Aren’t you hot in that mask? Take it off and eat.” Li Yaru stroked the plush dog head again. “This mask is nice. Give it to me. I’ll have Ming wear it and play.”
Li Yaru tried to remove the headpiece. The man dodged back but then gave up.
With fair hands, he gently cupped the dog head and peeled it off, releasing a familiar scent.
An unexpected face appeared before her.
The man knelt half-way at her feet, looking up. His deep, sharp eyes were bloodshot.
Though clean-shaven and neatly groomed, exhaustion was visible.
Unlike his usual commanding, dignified self, it was almost comical that this face had been hiding inside a dog costume.
Li Yaru froze.
“Ah Rou…” Zhuang Qiting smiled softly, quietly gazing at her.
His voice was hoarse. Li Yaru frowned, then turned away and tossed the headpiece aside, preparing to stand.
“Don’t leave.” Zhuang Qiting instinctively grabbed her wrist, lightly, his rough fingers just encircling it.
“What do you want to do again?” Li Yaru felt a burning sensation at her wrist and her chest tightened.
She looked at him coldly, not understanding his sudden sincerity.
“Ah Rou, I just want to talk to you.” He looked tired but his eyes were gentle as they carefully landed on her face.
“Mr. Zhuang, there’s nothing to talk about. I already said everything last night. I told you not to contact me privately anymore.”
“True, but I didn’t say last night that you owe me a chance to explain, or rather… to state my case.”
The yacht hadn’t left yet, so Li Yaru could leave at any time. She was quite surprised.
Based on Zhuang Qiting’s usual style, the boat would have sailed long ago, trapping her at sea, forcing her to confront him.
He was a heart full of doubts, wavering as she remained silent. Up and down, up and down.
It felt like last night all over again. They were probably about to argue.
Li Yaru was tired but refused to let herself fall back into last night’s state. Sitting down again, she said, “Fine, say what you want. Take off that outfit. It looks weird.”
Zhuang Qiting wasn’t wearing anything but the plush costume. He smiled faintly and nodded.
After he removed the costume, he revealed a sharply tailored, exquisite suit underneath.
Only then did Li Yaru realize what he was wearing—from shirt to tie, shoes to brooch, every item was carefully picked by her.
Even the perfume was selected from dozens with the same scent, her favorite.
She bit her lip coldly. “Don’t use these childish tricks again. I’m not a little girl.”
“It was Ah Kai and Ah Ze’s idea. You smiled earlier, I thought you liked it.”
Li Yaru: “I thought it was Kurt. If it was him, I really would have liked it, and been happy.”
Zhuang Qiting forced a smile, voice deeper. “I know you only see Kurt as a little brother.”
The yacht began to move. The faint hum of the engine echoed as it slowly headed into the dark, deep sea. Where it was going, no one knew.
Li Yaru sneered, “You didn’t think that before. You called him a seducer, a fox spirit. You almost caught me and him in bed.”
Zhuang Qiting winced as if struck by a boomerang. “Believe it or not, I never actually thought that. I admit, I harbor hostility toward the men around you. I can’t control this malice—” His throat was dry; after a few rasps, his eyes hid turbulent currents. “Probably because…”
“I’m jealous of them.”
Jealousy. Li Yaru looked at him sharply because of that word.
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