Liang Sijie handled things very efficiently.
After receiving Li Yaru’s instructions, he immediately packed up all of Zhuang Qiting’s belongings without leaving a single thing behind—not even the used slippers—and sent everything straight back to the Zhuang Residence.
The main gate of the Li Residence was no longer open to Zhuang Qiting.
His car was blocked outside, stuck there like an abandoned husband swept away by the lady of the house. It was utterly humiliating.
Whether this was a calculated act of revenge or not, it certainly enraged Zhuang Qiting completely.
Liang Sijie, that audacious little lapdog, was determined to get the man out no matter what.
Fortunately, recently Li Yaru had been busy running errands for the Young Mistress, so she had little need for Zhuang Qiting’s assistance.
When it came to their son’s wedding, both parents had to be present—no matter if they were completely estranged or vowed never to see each other again, this event required unity.
On their son’s wedding day, no matter how delicate or stubborn Li Yaru was, she would obediently link arms with him at the ceremony and receive the guests’ congratulations.
After all, they couldn’t fail to give their son a complete family.
Thinking this over, Zhuang Qiting felt much better and suddenly became more enthusiastic about this “loser’s” wedding.
Not only did he actively cooperate, but he even took the initiative to suggest visiting the Chen Residence together with Li Yaru.
Li Yaru was very invested in this daughter-in-law, so she was naturally pleased that Zhuang Qiting was willing to save face.
Her attitude toward him became much gentler, even teasing him while stroking his bulging chest muscles.
“Old thing, have you changed your ways? You weren’t this warm when A Yan got married,” Li Yaru said with a smile, her palm enjoying the supple, elastic texture of his chest.
The firmer she squeezed, the better it felt.
Zhuang Qiting’s shirt was ruffled by her grasp, but he didn’t stop her. Instead, he leaned slightly against her, making it easier for her to hold on.
“A Yan and Xiao Hua fell in love naturally. It all just happened, so we didn’t care much,” he replied.
“But I see A Zhou is very indifferent to that girl. If we, as parents, don’t play our roles properly, people will just say the Zhuang Family is too arrogant.”
“You just don’t get it,” Li Yaru said, giving one last rub of his chest muscles as she lazily reclined in the back seat of the car.
She lifted her legs and used Zhuang Qiting’s thigh as a footrest.
“What don’t I understand?” Zhuang Qiting squinted slightly at her lazy demeanor, his eyes holding a hint of mockery.
“You don’t understand your son. That brat acts indifferent on the surface, but deep down, he cares a lot. Just wait and see.” Li Yaru was confident in her prediction.
Zhuang Qiting was unfazed, replying in a low voice, “I have no interest in understanding that loser.” Then he turned to Li Yaru, his gaze softening. His broad palm slowly caressed her bare calf. “Ah Rou, I only want to understand you.”
A shiver ran through Li Yaru’s skin. She muttered under her breath, “Old lecher,” and playfully tugged at his tie, like pulling the reins of a horse.
“Enough nonsense. When we visit the Chen Residence later, behave yourself. No touching. We’re divorced, so don’t make a fool of us in front of the in-laws. I won’t let you embarrass me.”
The moment he heard the word “divorce,” Zhuang Qiting’s expression darkened instantly.
He coldly scrutinized the woman who had her leg draped over him and was brazenly playing with his tie.
On her snow-white wrist was an extravagant ruby bracelet—his gift, bought for thirty million at Christie’s Jewelry Exhibition last month.
Beneath her elegant skirt were also the marks of his kisses.
She was covered in his marks from head to toe, and yet she dared to say so openly that they were divorced.
Zhuang Qiting narrowed his eyes, his voice low and husky: “So, madam, do you really like draping your leg over your ex-husband?”
Li Yaru froze, her face unknowingly flushing with embarrassment.
She was about to pull her leg back, but Zhuang Qiting wouldn’t let her move freely.
His hand gripped firmly, making her completely immobile.
“Can’t I leave you alone?” Li Yaru stubbornly glared at him.
Zhuang Qiting raised an eyebrow, his tone calm but pointed. “Ah Rou, you’ve been playing me and rejecting me lately—calling me when you want, sending me away when you don’t. After teasing me, you want to run. Don’t you think that’s too much?”
“No way…”
Li Yaru’s eyes welled up. She was too embarrassed to respond to his accusations. She hadn’t been playing with him, had she?
Just rubbing his chest muscles and occasionally stepping on his “python” with her foot—but he enjoyed it too, it wasn’t just her playing around.
“I have conditions,” Zhuang Qiting said, stepping forward.
“Cut it out!” Li Yaru tried to pull her leg back again.
After struggling a few times and failing against his overpowering strength, she gave up and said sulkily, “Then say your conditions, but I warn you, nothing too crazy. There’s no chance of remarriage.”
Zhuang Qiting’s lips curled coldly. “Tonight, I’m staying.”
“No!”
“Fire Liang Sijie.”
“Not a chance!”
“When we arrive at the Chen Residence, I won’t be so lenient. You choose one.”
“……….”
Soon they arrived at the Chen Residence.
Zhuang Qiting smiled, leisurely adjusting his tie. “Today, baby, you’re not going to tie it, are you?”
The atmosphere was “ambiguous.”
Li Yaru blushed, annoyed that he had hit her weak spot. She glared at this old scoundrel.
She was absolutely unwilling to be embarrassed in front of her daughter-in-law.
How could a mother-in-law still be involved in some sordid love scandal?
Her calf was already numb from the heat of his palm, and she could only reluctantly accept this uneasy truce.
“If you’re staying, fine! But I’m warning you, old thing, if you embarrass me in front of the Young Mistress, I’ll never forgive you.”
Zhuang Qiting smiled slightly and leaned over to kiss her, then sat up with a noble air. “Of course, baby, I’m also a senior here. I care about dignity.”
So the awkward incident of passionately kissing in front of their son would never happen again.
Li Yaru scoffed, running her fingers over the cheek he kissed, thinking he didn’t understand dignity at all.
He was just pretending.
When the car reached the Chen Residence, Zhuang Qiting got out first, then circled to the other side and gentlemanly opened the door for Li Yaru.
After she stepped out, he kept his distance, not even glancing her way.
His already mature and resolute face looked even more imposing.
Li Yaru’s expression was composed, but inside she thought he was way too fake.
*
The alliance marriage between the Zhuang and Chen families was basically settled, and the two kids surprisingly cooperated well.
The wedding was scheduled for the end of the month.
Li Yaru was going to have a beautiful daughter-in-law again and proudly straightened her back, eyes bright whenever she spoke of it.
Zhuang Qiting didn’t understand why Li Yaru was so happy.
Their son getting married wasn’t her wedding, so why get so excited?
The moment she should be happiest was when she remarried him and held a grand wedding again.
Of course, these thoughts were only in Zhuang Qiting’s heart.
Now that he had successfully moved back into the Li Residence, he wouldn’t ruin this hard-won good time.
The Li Residence was not as large as the Zhuang Estate, but it was more refined and elegant.
The dining room overlooked the garden.
Sunshine poured through the clean floor-to-ceiling windows, shining on a wooden table draped with handcrafted lace cloth.
A row of blue and white porcelain vases of varying heights held dozens of lush and captivating pink peonies.
Li Yaru was still asleep, but Zhuang Qiting had already arrived at the dining room ahead of time. Liang Sijie was preparing breakfast.
Seeing the movement, he glanced over and saw Zhuang Qiting, then quietly withdrew his gaze.
“Mr. Zhuang, your Pu’er tea,” Liang Sijie said, bringing over the freshly brewed tea.
Zhuang Qiting’s bony fingers wrapped around the steaming cup.
He lowered his gaze, watching the clear tea swirl gently in the cup.
He said nonchalantly, “Next time, switch to black tea. Whatever Ah Rou likes, I’ll follow.”
“Understood, sir,” Liang Sijie replied with a neutral expression.
Zhuang Qiting leisurely enjoyed his morning tea. A rich variety of dishes arrived one after another.
The dining room was quiet except for the gentle clinking of utensils.
Liang Sijie’s professionalism was top-notch; he arranged the tableware meticulously and stood by to attend to Zhuang Qiting.
“Ever thought of going back to Japan?” Zhuang Qiting suddenly asked.
“No.”
“In Japan, at least you were a young master. Here at the Li Residence, you have to serve others. Why bother?” Zhuang Qiting’s tone was indifferent.
“If you come back willingly, I can promise to get you half of the Yamazaki Family’s assets. You probably don’t know, I’m not a generous man.”
“And if I don’t?” Liang Sijie asked expressionlessly.
The man before him always seemed aloof and unshakable, as if everything was under his control.
Liang Sijie hated Zhuang Qiting deeply but couldn’t help admiring him. How lucky he was to be favored by the lady of the house—uniquely favored.
Zhuang Qiting picked up his knife and fork and slowly cut into a medium-rare steak without looking up.
“There’s no ifs, Xiao Liang. I don’t believe anyone wants to be a dog forever.”
“Ah Rou saved you from that dog hole, not so you could be her dog.”
Liang Sijie took a deep breath. The man’s words were sharp and cruel, stabbing straight to his heart.
Just as he was about to say something, the soft tapping of high heels sounded nearby.
He pursed his lips and returned to his usual gentle and refined demeanor.
“Good morning, madam.”
“Good morning, A Jie. I want soy milk this morning, not tea.” Li Yaru wasn’t dressed yet, draping a soft, goose-yellow cashmere shawl over her shoulders that made her skin look radiant.
“Good morning, Ah Rou,” Zhuang Qiting greeted her with a smile.
Li Yaru rolled her eyes and muttered, “Always freeloading.”
Zhuang Qiting remained calm. Let her freeload; from now on, he lived at the Li Residence. Until Li Yaru agreed to remarry him, he wasn’t going anywhere.
Li Yaru loved Cantonese-style dim sum, while Zhuang Qiting preferred Western food. The breakfast table was filled with both kinds. They each ate their own food without needing to accommodate the other.
“Try a piece of steak,” Li Yaru said, kicking Zhuang Qiting playfully.
Zhuang Qiting smiled and speared a piece of beef seasoned with just a bit of black pepper and rose salt. He leaned over and fed it to her.
She usually didn’t like eating bloody meat, but today she was in high spirits.
“Good mood,” Zhuang Qiting observed. “Is it because you slept well last night?”
Hearing that, Li Yaru knew what he was implying.
Last night, he had secretly crept into her bed, warmed essential oils in his palms to massage her until she was soft and comfortable, even kissing her with crushed ice on his lips.
She was almost delirious, half-dead in his arms, trembling for a long time.
Since handing over the company to their son, that old thing had been bored stiff, spending every night thinking up these lewd tricks.
“Why does how well I slept last night have anything to do with you? My good mood is all because of Weiwei.” Li Yaru kicked Zhuang Qiting several times to vent.
Zhuang Qiting said bitterly, “She’s just a sweet-talking little girl who knows how to flatter. What’s so great about her making you happy?”
His impression of Chen Weiqi was neither good nor bad—just neutral. After all, she was the daughter-in-law his wife had chosen, and all the honor and face she deserved, he wouldn’t hold back.
He had already ordered the betrothal gifts to be prepared, making sure Li Yaru would be satisfied.
To him, whether daughter-in-law or son, as long as they could increase his chances of remarriage with Li Yaru, they were worthy children to reward; otherwise, they were just losers.
“How can she not make me happy? You don’t know how sweet she talks. This time, the invitation to the Rui Bo Centenary Event was personally written and delivered to the Li Residence by her.”
“Event? When? In Hong Kong Island?” Zhuang Qiting frowned.
Li Yaru glanced at him, unfazed by his sticky presence.
Since those days coincided with his trip to New York for the Global Central Bank Joint Summit, she said, “Next week, in Hu Cheng. I’ll be there for a whole week.”
“A week-long event?” Zhuang Qiting’s brow furrowed.
“Mind your own business. Just take care of yourself. You’ll be in New York next week, right? I’ll have Xiao Liang pack your things. Xiao Liang—” Li Yaru turned her head to call Liang Sijie.
That delighted little expression of hers, eager to send him off to New York, made Zhuang Qiting annoyed.
“Will Xiao Chen accompany you the whole time?” Zhuang Qiting tried to sound casual but couldn’t hide his unease.
“Weiwei is Rui Bo’s CEO. She’ll be insanely busy. Hey, you ask too many questions, like a live-in dad. Weiwei will definitely assign someone to accompany me throughout. It’s not like no one will manage the Li Residence while I’m in Hu Cheng.”
Just then, a few messages popped up on Li Yaru’s phone. She smiled brightly as she read them.
They were from Bram, Rui Bo’s PR guy, who added her contact yesterday and arranged all the itinerary details clearly.
This morning, he even sent a greeting, very attentive service.
Rui Bo Bram: 【Miss Li, the temperature in Hong Kong Island today is very high. Please remember to wear sunscreen [hug]. I’ve sent some travel supplies and a perfume that suits your temperament to your address. Hope you like it! [heart]】
Rui Bo Bram: 【My companion is already waiting in Hu Cheng. They will come to Hong Kong Island the day after tomorrow to pick you up and accompany you to the ceremony. Looking forward to meeting you!】
Li Yaru smiled like a blooming flower, completely unaware that Zhuang Qiting was staring at her with a dark expression.
She quickly typed: 【OK, see you the day after tomorrow~ Looking forward to this Rui Bo trip.】
Zhuang Qiting pursed his lips, a bad feeling stirring in his gut.
He was considering whether to pass his New York duties to Zhuang Shaozhou.
This loser was about to marry, and he should contribute to the family’s harmony.
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