Returning to Rome, Li Yaru rested at the hotel for a day and finally regained her vitality, but the intense hickey marks wouldn’t fade anytime soon—they looked set to linger on her body for several days, maybe even a week.
From head to toe, Zhuang Qiting had marked her territory, with her underarm showing a flushed red, the coarse palm prints clearly visible.
That night on the billiard table, the screams had probably been wild enough to be heard across the entire yacht.
She didn’t even know how her middle-aged self had managed to strike such a reckless pose, as if injected with stimulants—arching back, leaning forward, wagging her hips like a tail, urging Zhuang Qiting to hurry.
Strangely, the liquid stains turned the solid, luxurious billiard table into a chaotic mess, a sight too ugly to behold.
The next morning, she woke up and didn’t even go to the restaurant for breakfast, just gnawed on a cheese croissant and hastened to disembark.
When she got off, she wore a straw hat and sunglasses, wrapped herself in a shawl, looking guilty and nervous as she hurried along, prompting Zhuang Qiting trailing behind her to laugh and call out, “Slow down, or you’ll fall!”
After finally returning to Rome, Zhuang Qiting still tried to barge into her suite to sleep over, but she chased him out with a pillow and ordered him not to come around for three days.
She didn’t want to see him! That old man was a weirdo—once given a little color, he’d want to open a whole dyeing factory!
Zhuang Qiting lingered in Europe for a few days; meanwhile, business back home had piled up like mountains, all waiting on his decisions.
Secretary Shen Mi couldn’t detect any intention from the Chairman to return. The Chairman was utterly absorbed in the joy of chasing his wife, unable to extricate himself.
Meanwhile, Zhuang Shaozhou, who stayed back working hard on Hong Kong Island, was nearly driven mad by his father’s neglect of duty.
Who wouldn’t be furious when their father spent every day playing under the sun on beaches, enjoying wine and yachts, while the son was drained dry by endless paperwork and meetings?
Zhuang Shaoyan had recently been distracted at work and no longer bothered to pretend otherwise.
After all, he was set to step down as CEO in a few months.
Half of his secretaries had already been transferred to work under Zhuang Shaozhou. Zhuang Shaozhou found it strange that his big brother had lately been frequenting Hong Kong University, attending various biopharmaceutical academic and commercial events.
Every time he went out, he dressed meticulously—his suit pants creased as sharp as a blade, his tie vibrant in color, wearing cologne and sporting a new hairstyle.
“Buzz buzz—”
Zhuang Qiting had just “accidentally” met his wife in the hotel breakfast hall, casually accompanied her for breakfast, and returned to his room feeling quite content.
His phone on the terrace kept vibrating. As he sipped his coffee, he picked up the phone and saw the contact name: 【Number Two Loser】.
He frowned. What calls were coming in day after day?
“What now.” Zhuang Qiting’s voice was cold, carrying the unmistakable authority of a father.
Zhuang Shaozhou had just finished a core management meeting at the bank department.
Back at his office, after grabbing some afternoon tea to recharge, he said, “Chairman, have you had enough fun in Italy? When exactly will you come back?”
Zhuang Qiting: “You brat, watch your tone. I’m here on business, not playing around all day.”
Zhuang Shaozhou smoked irritably, walking to the floor-to-ceiling window and gazing at the bustling Victoria Harbour not far away. “You chased after Ms. Li all the way to Italy, the whole group knows about it. Do I even need to say it?”
Zhuang Qiting paused, lowering his voice, “Who’s spreading rumors?”
“Who else? You dropped a hundred million at the Cornelius family’s auction for a painting that’s made waves worldwide. These past few days, the Hong Kong tabloids have been flooded with stories about your love-hate with Ms. Li. Don’t you read the news?”
Zhuang Qiting rolled his Adam’s apple. “I don’t read entertainment news.”
Zhuang Shaozhou: “Well, you’re famous now. No, you’ve always been famous—used to be the financial section, now you’ve switched to the entertainment section.”
Zhuang Qiting felt like his son was aiming for the sky, daring to mock him like that!
He remembered when Li Yaru was pregnant with their second child, he had prayed earnestly at Baoyuan Temple, hoping the gods and ancestors would bless them with a daughter.
But a few months later, the B Ultrasound Doctor congratulated him on a big, healthy son.
He only wanted a big, healthy daughter.
Li Yaru was disappointed for a long time and scolded him for being useless, blaming his sperm quality.
“Send me the news.” Zhuang Qiting was brief.
“When will you come back? There are many matters in the group waiting for your decisions.”
“What matters really need me? Zhuang Shaozhou, you’re going to be the Shenghui boss soon. If you can’t handle these small matters, I think you better stop dreaming.” Zhuang Qiting squinted and took a sip of his hot mocha—sweet to the point of cloying.
He still didn’t understand how his wife could enjoy such drinks.
“When I come back, you’ll move your office—to the Top Floor. Have the designer come take a look and hurry up with any renovations needed.”
“The Top Floor?” Zhuang Shaozhou was slightly stunned, the cigarette quietly burning between his fingers.
The Top Floor of Shenghui Tower was mysterious, never open to outsiders. Zhuang Qiting had once worked there but moved back down for unknown reasons. Since then, the Top Floor remained empty.
“I’m only responsible as the acting vice CEO,” Zhuang Shaozhou shook his head calmly, “No, it’s too flashy. Dad, you’re losing your mind.”
Zhuang Qiting smiled, his sharp eyes gleaming with cunning. “I said, when I come back, you’ll move your office. That’s an order.
“Zhuang Shaozhou, if you want to be the heir, you must bear the burden and never give up halfway.
“Send me that news, then get back to work. I’ll accompany your mother back to Hong Kong in a few days.”
Within minutes, Zhuang Qiting received one of the news articles and frowned.
【Zhuang Qiting and Li Yaru’s marriage sparks heated discussion. Recently, Shenghui’s chairman Zhuang Qiting was in Rome, where at the Cornelius family’s auction he spent a hundred million on a priceless painting. The artwork, by emerging European-American artist Kurt, features none other than Hong Kong Island’s top socialite Li Yaru! This is Zhuang’s first public declaration of love since the divorce controversy, showing he’s determined to win back his ex-wife at any cost—full throttle and unstoppable! According to insiders, their divorce wasn’t due to infidelity but because one party’s desires were too intense, and the other couldn’t bear it, leading to the split. #LiYaru #HongKongTopElite #ZhuangQiting #ShenghuiGroup#】
The article was posted on a Mainland social media platform. Zhuang Qiting was not adept at using it but noticed there were over six thousand comments and tens of thousands of likes.
【What desires? Editor, be clear!!】
【Off-topic, can a man in his forties still be this vigorous? My husband is 41 and only lasts three minutes every time [crying].】
【Boss looks fierce! That physique and aura—total daddy material! Tender and delicate Li Yaru must be overwhelmed, hehe.】
【I’m a fan of ddlg, drooling with envy [infatuated].】
【I feel their divorce is just part of their play, spicing things up [heart].】
【Li Yaru maintains her looks so well; it seems she hasn’t changed after all these years. If I were the boss, I’d want her every day! That figure must be comfortable to hold while sleeping.】
【Oh no… I’m a lifelong single starting to ship middle-aged couples now. They’re so adorable, and the boss has never had scandals for decades!】
“What nonsense!” Zhuang Qiting read a few comments and found them unbearable. He decisively exited.
When had he and Li Yaru ever divorced? They only had minor disputes. How did the whole world start believing they’d split?
He liked her, and she liked him.
Though the uproar had its benefits—everyone knew he was pursuing Li Yaru, so some scheming players no longer dared to secretly flirt or try to steal his wife.
Maybe they found life too comfortable now.
Zhuang Qiting narrowed his eyes, a hint of cunning flashing across his cold expression.
He smirked and casually forwarded the news article to Li Yaru.
Li Yaru had already seen these messy news stories and felt both annoyed and amused.
She was in her forties yet frequently ended up in the entertainment section, stirring up a storm. It was a little… embarrassing.
Big Man: 【Arou, the whole world says we’re perfect for each other, and everyone knows I’m chasing you.】
Li Yaru, amused: 【Then chase.】
Big Man: 【When will I catch you?】
Li Yaru: 【How should I know? At least three, four, five, six years? Boss Zhuang, your patience for chasing girls is poor; you keep asking for results. Next time you ask, add one more year.】
Reading his wife’s message, Zhuang Qiting felt as if his heart was torn to pieces.
Such a cheeky little thing—completely stepping all over him now. He vowed that once she agreed to come back, he would definitely find a chance to gently scold her.
He wanted to reclaim a third of the lost dignity as a husband.
*
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