There are countless luxury mansions on Hong Kong Island, most scattered among the mountains and bays, where lush vegetation and moist air bring clean air and tranquility far from the noisy city.
The Hong Kong media are always enthusiastic about the homes of super-rich tycoons.
They constantly make lists, comparisons, and big reveals, and with the real estate companies fanning the flames, everyone can recite the details of those famous mansions by heart.
The Zhuang Family Main Residence is always called the number one mansion on Hong Kong Island by the media. Ever since the Zhuang Residence was built, this has never changed.
The main reason is simply its size—it covers nearly ninety thousand square feet, not even counting the Private Golf Course, Horse Stable, Helipad, and the direct-access Private Marina along the bay.
The grand buildings sprawl across the gentle, open foothills, above the bay, shrouded in jungle, surrounded by beautiful mountains and water.
When the mansion was first built, the Zhuang Family invited a master to assess the feng shui.
The master praised this land endlessly, calling it Qinglong’s Work, a place for amassing wealth and flourishing descendants.
And indeed, the Zhuang Family is thriving. Every branch is prosperous, except for one strange thing: it’s easy to have sons, but difficult to have daughters.
Especially among the youngest generation—over twenty children, and all of them boys. This was so odd that the family invited a high monk to hold a blessing ceremony at home.
Even stranger, the next year, Zhuang Qiting’s youngest brother, late in life, finally had a daughter—the only girl in this generation of the Zhuang Family.
The whole family was overjoyed. Just the Blessing Lanterns they lit at the temple cost no less than a million.
Li Yaru envies nothing, except those who have daughters.
Her favorite playmate is Liang Yongwen, wife of Yi Kunshan, chairman of Yufeng. Compared to her, Liang Yongwen is even more blessed, having given birth to four beautiful daughters.
Today, Li Yaru was in a particularly good mood. Director Xiong and Mrs. Xiong, who came to the house to play golf, also brought their youngest daughter along.
A fragrant, soft little girl, five years old this year, wearing a green chiffon sundress, shyly nestled next to her mother, like a little sapling sprouting its first leaves.
“Sorry, Zhuang Sheng, Zhuang Tai Tai, Andy has been very clingy these days. She cries if I’m not around, so I had no choice but to bring her along today.” Mrs. Xiong apologized as she spoke, wrapping her arm around her daughter’s shoulder and urging her to greet everyone.
The little girl was shy but well-behaved, her voice timid, “Hello, Uncle. Hello, Auntie.”
Zhuang Qiting smiled gently and praised her, “Good girl.”
The little girl felt his presence was too imposing and didn’t dare look at him for long.
Li Yaru’s heart melted. She squatted down to look Andy in the eyes, lightly touching the girl’s cheek with her finger. “What a beautiful little Andy. Treat this place like your own home. If there’s anything you want to eat or play with, just tell Mommy or Auntie, alright?”
Andy gave a shy smile and nodded. Her clear, bright eyes were filled with innocent fondness, and a hint of admiration for the beautiful auntie—maybe even a little longing.
Li Yaru asked gently, “Can I give you a kiss?”
Andy tugged at her small hand and nodded, “Kiss my left cheek.” She thought her left cheek was cuter.
Li Yaru gave her three kisses in a row.
The neatly trimmed green lawn shone in the sunlight. The caddies were tidying up the clubs and course.
Zhuang Qiting and Director Xiong chatted about the stock market and the new fiscal policies on Hong Kong Island. Hearing laughter from the side, Zhuang Qiting’s gaze unconsciously drifted over.
The woman was squatting in the shade cast by the parasol, her skin made even fairer by a pale yellow polo shirt, her smile gentle, hugging the little girl who looked like a glutinous rice dumpling, kissing her again and again—three times in total.
The scene was so beautiful that Zhuang Qiting stared for several seconds, unable to look away.
He rarely saw Li Yaru this gentle. The whole person was soft, as warm as willow branches in spring.
All these years, in front of him, she was either like a little leopardess, always butting heads with him, or spoiled and fiery, so spicy you’d burn your mouth, or, when in a bad mood, she couldn’t be bothered to deal with him, only being considerate when she was in a good mood.
When she was moved, she’d soften and let him do as he pleased—but only in bed.
She really did love little girls; she always had to hug anyone’s daughter. But it’s just a little girl—did she really like them that much?
Director Xiong also saw this and teased with a laugh, “Didn’t expect your wife to like Andy so much.” Then he said to his daughter, “Andy likes Madam too, right?”
Andy was honest and replied softly, “I do.”
Li Yaru was delighted, “Why do you like me?”
“Auntie is so pretty… and your earrings are pretty too…” Andy’s eyes were dazzled.
“What a good little sister! Let Auntie give you another kiss!” Li Yaru hugged the girl and kissed her again.
Mrs. Xiong urged Li Yaru to stand up, saying her legs would go numb if she squatted too long.
Li Yaru stood up with a laugh, and the two women sat in rattan chairs.
Andy bravely took a cookie from the dessert stand and nibbled on it.
“Since Madam likes daughters so much, why not consider having another?”
Mrs. Xiong suddenly asked. Li Yaru was caught off guard—what a thing to bring up! She could only smile helplessly, “I’m already over forty, I’m not thinking about that anymore.”
Mrs. Xiong herself had Andy at forty, so she didn’t mind. Among Hong Kong’s wealthy circles, there were plenty of ladies still trying for a third or fourth child at forty.
“Nonsense, you’re still young. And with your and Zhuang Sheng’s genes, it’d be a shame not to have a daughter.” Mrs. Xiong, always enthusiastic, started chatting about a certain institution with excellent IVF services, guaranteeing a daughter.
Li Yaru knew Mrs. Xiong meant well, but she still felt annoyed by the nagging.
Didn’t she want a daughter herself? If she couldn’t have one, who was to blame? Shouldn’t Zhuang Qiting be held responsible?
With her fiery temper, if not for decades of self-control, she’d have lost it long ago. Right now, she just wanted to go play golf, but Andy was so cute, leaning on her leg eating cookies, that she couldn’t bear to move.
Their conversation was naturally overheard by those around them.
Zhuang Qiting glanced over from time to time, and Li Yaru felt awkward under that deep, unhurried gaze. When Mrs. Xiong wasn’t looking, she shot a warning glare back.
Don’t even think about it!
Is he crazy? More kids? She’s not a sow!
Zhuang Qiting chuckled silently and beckoned Andy over. Andy hesitated for a few seconds, nervously walking over. Zhuang Qiting picked up a slice of strawberry mousse cake for her.
The cake was by his side, the farthest from Andy, and the little one had been sneaking glances at it.
Mrs. Xiong prompted her daughter to say thank you, then said regretfully, “If Mr. Zhuang had a daughter, who knows how much he’d dote on her. Maybe he’d be just like my husband—a total daughter-con.”
Director Xiong quickly shot his wife a look, hinting for her to say less. Going on and on about daughters sounded like showing off their late-in-life girl, which was a bit embarrassing.
Zhuang Qiting picked up a napkin with his long fingers and handed it to Andy, whose face was covered in cake like a little cat. Calmly, he said, “Spoiling my wife and spoiling a daughter are the same. With Yaru by my side, I already have both a son and a daughter.”
As he spoke, he handed another slice of strawberry mousse to Li Yaru, his usually stern face softened by a gentle warmth.
Li Yaru suddenly recalled how he’d made her cry out “daddy” in pain last night, and her expression turned odd. For the sake of manners, she accepted the cake, her face slightly flushed. “What nonsense are you spouting? Aren’t you afraid people will laugh if word gets out?”
Mrs. Xiong’s mouth dropped open in surprise. She hadn’t expected the cold and stern Mr. Zhuang to joke around in front of others to coax his wife—completely overturning her impression of him!
Director Xiong, on the other hand, understood such playfulness between men, and laughed heartily, “Mr. Zhuang is right—spoiling your wife is just like spoiling a daughter.”
The topic passed, and the couples paired up for golf—four people, two balls.
Li Yaru was focused and graceful as she played. The club swung smoothly in her hand, the brim of her sun visor casting a faint shadow. When she lowered her head, her full, rosy lips were especially striking.
The white ball drew a perfect arc in the air.
“Nice shot!” Director Xiong applauded. “First time playing with Madam, and I didn’t expect her skills to be a notch above Zhuang Sheng’s— truly hidden depths!”
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.