Li Yaru was a woman with exceptional execution skills.
A week later, she went straight to the flagship store of the high-end jewelry brand Reberi located in Tsim Sha Tsui.
The CDR Group, controlled by the Chen Family, was a renowned luxury empire in Asia, boasting numerous famous brands covering perfumes, cosmetics, jewelry, bags, clothing, and more.
The Chen Family’s Third Miss currently served as the Chairwoman and CEO of the jewelry brand Reberi.
Under her leadership, Reberi had been thriving, rapidly climbing into the top three tiers of high-end luxury jewelry—this was all thanks to the Third Miss Chen’s achievements.
High-end jewelry stores deliberately created an aura of unattainable elegance: spacious layouts, chilly air conditioning, subtle fragrances, sales assistants dressed in black uniforms, and only admitting a handful of customers at a time.
Li Yaru was also a client of Reberi, having ordered two sets from their haute couture collections, but she was far from being in Reberi’s top ten global client list.
Today, Li Yaru had only one purpose—to spend lavishly, and she was determined to break into the top ten.
She wanted to make a statement for her future daughter-in-law; as a mother-in-law, she was fully committed to supporting her daughter-in-law’s career.
Over the past few days, she had combed through all sorts of news about Chen Weiqi and even attended a fashion gala where the latter was present.
The dazzling young woman stood before her, delicately greeting her as Madam Li, nearly taking her breath away.
In Li Yaru’s mind, Chen Weiqi was already her daughter-in-law. She had a strong feeling that that arrogant brat of a son was absolutely going to fall for this girl.
The third-floor VIP room exuded a cool ebony fragrance. The store manager personally poured tea for Li Yaru and quietly waited by her side, feeling both excited and nervous.
Since arriving, the noblewoman had barely spoken, neither expressing what she wanted nor letting anyone make recommendations.
She simply focused on flipping through the latest three seasons of haute couture lookbooks, and had shown no reaction so far.
Just as the store manager broke into a cold sweat, Li Yaru finally looked up at her and gently gestured for her to sit down.
“This set, this set, this set, and also this one…” Li Yaru pointed at the reference images in the book. “And this Feather Tiara, and—hmm, just order every piece from the Mountain Spirit Dream Series. Okay, place these orders first. How long will it take? I can’t wait too long; I want them as soon as possible. Will this purchase put me into the top ten global client list?”
The store manager was momentarily blank and unable to respond immediately. Six haute couture sets in one go, totaling nearly a hundred million yuan.
She was frankly ignorant—since becoming store manager, she had never encountered such an extravagantly generous noblewoman.
She hadn’t even had the chance to introduce the inspiration behind the designs, the origins of the gems, or the exquisite craftsmanship.
“Madam Li, you mean you want all the styles you just specified?” the store manager had to confirm again.
“Yes, I want all the series I just pointed out.” Li Yaru smiled brightly. “So, will I make it into the top ten?”
The store manager didn’t know how to smile—worried she might appear too obsequious and offend the noblewoman, her breath trembling slightly.
“Of course, of course. You won’t just make the top ten, at least among haute couture clients domestically this year, you will definitely rank first.”
Li Yaru was satisfied and thought to herself that her daughter-in-law would definitely be pleased too.
“I heard there’s a Centennial Commemorative Banquet coming up at Reberi. Will I be invited?”
The store manager’s face flushed with excitement as she nodded repeatedly,
“Of course, you will be invited! Your presence is an honor for our brand! Moreover, as our brand’s highest-tier distinguished client, our president will personally host you throughout the event. If you have any needs during the event, please let us know. We will do our utmost to provide you with the most satisfactory service.”
The store prepared afternoon tea for Li Yaru and brought out some of their signature Town-Treasure Level Jewelry, usually never displayed.
They invited her to wear them while a group of staff surrounded her, taking photos and complimenting her skin for being fuller than that of a twenty-year-old. Li Yaru beamed with delight.
Later, Li Yaru posted the photos on social media with the caption: 【Falling in love with Reberi】.
The billion-yuan order at the Tsim Sha Tsui flagship store quickly reached Chen Weiqi’s ears. While surprised, she also sensed something was off.
This top noblewoman from Hong Kong suddenly splurging in the Reberi store surely wasn’t just about buying jewelry, right?
She pondered for a long time but couldn’t come up with a plausible explanation, so she let it go.
Chen Weiqi didn’t like unnecessary trouble and focused on doing her job well. She called the PR Department Manager into the office and repeatedly instructed, “From now on, for every Reberi banquet, event, and party, invite Madam Li first thing.”
“I don’t care what methods your PR department uses, make sure you fully understand Madam Li’s temperament and preferences. Serve her comfortably and ensure all standards are elevated to the highest level and then some. Got it?”
The PR Department Manager rolled her eyes and replied without hesitation, “No problem, President Chen!”
She was quite experienced in serving noblewomen. Conveniently, for the upcoming Centennial Commemorative Banquet, she was recruiting a batch of handsome, sexy, tall male attendants capable of providing emotional value.
……
After ordering the jewelry and feeling in a good mood, Li Yaru headed to Shenghui Headquarters—not to look for Zhuang Qiting, but to see her son.
Zhuang Shaozhou was there recently, eyes fixed intently on the stock price trends displayed on the screen.
Li Yaru strode in briskly, her footsteps clicking loudly, but it didn’t disturb him.
“Brat, your mother’s here and you don’t even greet me! Work, work, work every day—aren’t you going crazy?” Li Yaru went straight to Zhuang Shaozhou’s side and tapped his head with a stiff Hermès bag.
Zhuang Shaozhou rubbed his brow and, hearing that, immediately rebelled, leaning back lazily into his chair like he didn’t care.
He cast his mother a sidelong glance. “Empress Dowager, you’ve been…”
Li Yaru chuckled, thinking he was not like the old man with a hard mouth; only when lying in bed did he say things that were unpleasant.
“What about that thing we talked about last time? Have you thought it over? I remind you, once this opportunity’s gone, it’s gone. I bet you won’t find a better girl in your lifetime.”
Zhuang Shaozhou didn’t reply, folding his hands while occasionally rubbing the family signet ring on his left ring finger—a habitual gesture when he was deep in thought.
Li Yaru didn’t rush; she had plenty of time to spend with her son. Leisurely, she brewed herself a cup of black tea.
The rich aroma wafted through the air as warm sunlight poured in.
She stood by the floor-to-ceiling window to admire the view of Victoria Harbour, then glanced around the office.
This office on the top floor of Shenghui Tower no longer resembled the memory she held of it; the owner had remodeled it thoroughly.
In Li Yaru’s memory, this office had once been dominated by deep brown tones, with a magnificent golden crystal chandelier airlifted from Paris, and even displayed a specially shaped set of the Eighteen Scholars.
Zhuang Qiting had worked in this top-floor office for two years—the same two years Li Yaru had joined Shenghui Headquarters.
They were both just in their thirties, bold and greedy. Occasionally, she used work as an excuse to sneak into this office via the private elevator.
Here, she and Zhuang Qiting had kissed, embraced, and committed countless blush-worthy “crimes.” He even once pinned her against the floor-to-ceiling window fiercely.
Of course, Zhuang Qiting had also taught her how to invest, read stock market trends, analyze the economy, and negotiate in business… so many things.
Later, their Master advised that Zhuang Qiting’s office shouldn’t be too high and should be moved down a floor, so this office was left unused for a while.
Sipping her tea, a flood of memories surged in Li Yaru’s mind.
“Alright.” Zhuang Shaozhou suddenly spoke, breaking Li Yaru’s reverie.
Li Yaru blinked, her sharp gaze fixed on her son. “You agreed?”
“On the condition she clears up all her past romantic entanglements. I don’t want to handle those relationship issues after marriage,” Zhuang Shaozhou said coldly, the shadow in his eyes hidden away.
Li Yaru laughed heartily, teasing her son without hesitation, “Oh my, you haven’t even taken the first step and you already have such possessiveness? Brat, I’m telling you, don’t copy your dad’s style, or you’ll regret it.”
“Don’t worry, Mommy will handle it for you.”
Just as Li Yaru turned to leave, Zhuang Shaozhou suddenly said, “Don’t force her. If she’s not willing, then forget it.”
Li Yaru smiled meaningfully, thinking fate always worked in similar ways. Zhuang Qiting had also required her to be willing. Turns out, this was a hereditary trait passed down to her son.
“You’re not the evil type who breaks couples apart. What are you thinking, brat! Go away, we have nothing to talk about. Oh, and don’t tell your father I was here! Or I’ll hit you!”
The elevator was inside the office. Li Yaru pressed the button and sent Zhuang Qiting a message: 【The brat agreed. You can give the Chen Family the green light. I’ll try to find Mrs. Chen to talk in the next few days.】
Message sent with a ding, the elevator doors opened, and Li Yaru walked in while typing, the doors slowly closing behind her. Suddenly, she sensed something was wrong.
She looked up to meet Zhuang Qiting’s deep eyes.
“Ah—! What are you doing here?” Li Yaru was startled and nearly dropped her phone, but Zhuang Qiting quickly caught it, preventing it from falling.
Zhuang Qiting confiscated Li Yaru’s phone, pressed the sleep button, and slipped it into the inside pocket of his suit.
After that, he walked up to her, grabbed her waist, and kissed her.
The elevator didn’t stop on any floors and silently remained on the top floor.
“Ugh—what are you doing, you old pervert—” Li Yaru tapped his shoulder.
Zhuang Qiting pinned her against the calfskin elevator wall, wildly swirling his tongue inside her mouth.
His wet, pink tongue was sucked until flushed red.
A drop of saliva slid from the corner of her lips and he licked it clean.
Their heated breaths rose and fell. He cupped Li Yaru’s face, his voice hoarse. “I thought you came to the Group looking for me. Baby, I’ve waited for you so long, but you never came.”
Li Yaru’s eyes were glazed over, her head resting against the wall, softly breathing. “I came to discuss marriage with my son. What does that have to do with you?”
Zhuang Qiting held her, his rich, magnetic voice whispering in her ear: “Marriage should be discussed by the parents. What does he have to do with it? The girl you like—how could he not marry her?”
“Go to my office, baby…”
Li Yaru’s eyes were moist from his kisses, but she gave him a weak glare. “No. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to.”
Unable to resist her coquettishness, Zhuang Qiting lowered his head and kissed her again, peppering soft kisses on her cheek. “Whatever you want, I’ll serve you all the way, okay?”
He hadn’t seen Li Yaru for almost a week. Recently, all her thoughts were on her “loser” son’s marriage, running around trying to find a wife for him.
How boring. Zhuang Qiting thought the future daughter-in-law Li Yaru had chosen should be married into the Zhuang Family with glory. Why did this loser even get chosen?
Their kisses mixed with mumbled words—one inviting, the other refusing.
They pushed and pulled, kissing again. In this narrow, unspeakable elevator, even their flirtation carried a forbidden tag.
After Li Yaru left, Zhuang Shaozhou had completely lost his mood to work.
The stock charts looked like writhing worms in his eyes. He sighed, lit a cigarette, took a few puffs, but still found no interest.
He decided to leave work early, find a nice restaurant to eat, and take a walk.
He stood, grabbed his suit jacket, put it on while walking toward the elevator and pressed the button.
With a “ding,” the elevator doors opened. Inside, a well-dressed couple was openly kissing.
“……………????”
Zhuang Shaozhou stared, unsure whether to interrupt or quietly back away.
It turned out to be his century-old father and mother…
He had never been kissed by them, yet here they were, passionately kissing in the elevator!?
The couple noticed the awkwardness and quickly reacted. Eyes met. Li Yaru screamed, covering her face.
Zhuang Qiting swiftly pulled Li Yaru behind him. His broad frame shielded her completely.
His face shifted from lustful and indulgent to stern and cold, even though the lipstick smeared on his lips blurred his normally strong demeanor.
Zhuang Qiting held the authority of the father, eyes sharp as daggers pointed at his son. “Zhuang Shaozhou, get back to your office. Control your eyes. If I catch you looking again, I’ll break your legs.”
Zhuang Shaozhou laughed angrily. These two were nearly a hundred years old between them.
Making out in his private elevator was one thing, but threatening to break his legs? Where was the justice!
“Old man, did you manage to chase mom already? And here you are doing indecent things. Have some decency, at least.”
“Zhuang Shaozhou!”
This loser dared to mock his parents! Zhuang Qiting’s face darkened as if he wanted to beat him up.
“You two continue. I’ll pretend I didn’t see a thing.” Zhuang Shaozhou smiled, pressed the elevator button, and dashed out.
Li Yaru’s face was flushed with embarrassment—she had lost face in front of her son!
She glared angrily at the equally embarrassed man before her and kicked him. “Old man, don’t show your face to me this whole month! Li Residence doesn’t welcome you either!”
“Arrou.” Zhuang Qiting looked very unhappy.
“Arrou my foot!” Li Yaru snapped. “Why can’t you understand human words?”
She turned and told Liang Sijie to throw all the old man’s daily necessities out.