Li Yaru couldn’t help but be pleased, though she didn’t show it. “You flatter me, Director. Actually, it was Old Zhuang who taught me golf, hand in hand.”
After decades as Zhuang Tai Tai, she was already a master of social niceties. Her words gave Zhuang Qiting plenty of face—though the “Old Zhuang” didn’t sit well with him.
Old Zhuang… It would be better if she called him “husband”—just one word different.
“Am I right, Old Zhuang?” Li Yaru looked at him with a bright smile.
Zhuang Qiting replied, “Madam has truly surpassed the master.”
Li Yaru’s first time playing golf was at nineteen, brought by Zhuang Qiting to the Deep Water Bay Golf Club.
Over twenty years ago, golf wasn’t as popular as it is now; it was a pastime for the rich, and only Hong Kong’s elite could play at such places.
She was silly and wouldn’t admit she didn’t know how to play. She just grabbed the club and swung, thinking how hard could it be?
But her first shot went embarrassingly wrong—the ball didn’t move, but the club went flying.
She stood awkwardly among a group of young men and women, her face burning red. It was mortifying.
Everyone wanted to laugh at her, but because of Zhuang Qiting’s status, no one dared say much—just a few odd chuckles slipped out.
Li Yaru wasn’t a pampered heiress and had never suffered such embarrassment.
She just wanted to leave immediately, but Zhuang Qiting didn’t laugh at her. Instead, he personally picked up the club and held her hand to teach her.
She couldn’t save face—why should she be the butt of the joke for these privileged kids? She insisted on leaving, but Zhuang Qiting wouldn’t let her.
“I can make them shut up, but if you leave now, you’ll really be the joke.” His voice was deep and mellow, making the girl tremble—whether from nerves or shyness, she didn’t know.
“Be good. Golf isn’t hard. I’ll teach you.”
At twenty-four, the man was already a mature lion. The nineteen-year-old girl had no choice but to listen to him. When he was good, he was very, very good. When he was bad, he was very, very bad.
After a round of five holes, Li Yaru had the highest score, and Zhuang Qiting benefited from her performance.
After finishing the rather enjoyable golf social, the hosts and guests returned to the villa to change clothes.
Dinner was at the Zhuang Residence. Li Yaru had the kitchen prepare home-style dishes. Even in the bright, luxurious villa, the meal felt warm and cozy.
She also specially prepared fruit burrata and mangosteen ice cream for little Andy, who ate happily.
Before leaving, Director Xiong and his wife received a gift from Li Yaru for Andy—a little something for the child, which the adults didn’t refuse.
Mrs. Xiong thought it was a doll or a hair clip, but after getting in the car and opening the gift, she gasped.
It was actually the pair of emerald earrings Li Yaru had worn today—the very ones Andy had praised as pretty.
“Oh my, this is…”
Mrs. Xiong was both surprised and delighted, singing Li Yaru’s praises. “This Zhuang Tai Tai is truly worthy of her reputation—beautiful, elegant, a perfect hostess and a wonderful cook, thoughtful, clever, and generous. No wonder Mr. Zhuang has been so smitten with her all these years.”
“Old Xiong, you’d better not overthink things. You’re newly appointed; this is the perfect time to build alliances. If those projects’ loans go to Shenghui Group, everyone will be happy.”
Receiving such a valuable gift, Mrs. Xiong was thrilled and resolved to maintain a good relationship with Li Yaru—getting into higher circles would be much easier.
Director Xiong said nothing, but his silence meant agreement. After a while, he reminded, “Don’t mention daughters in front of Zhuang Madam so much. The more you say, the less happy people will be.”
“I didn’t mean any harm. Everyone knows the Zhuang Family wants a daughter. If she has another, her position will be even more secure. Mr. Zhuang is at the height of his career and looks so well-maintained and handsome—there’s no shortage of women who’d want to pounce on him. She can’t let her guard down!”
“Don’t speculate about other people’s family matters. Once I retire, we’ll still need their support.”
On Hong Kong Island, officials come and go, but the Zhuang Family stands firm.
“Yes, yes.”
.
The guests finally left, and another day’s work was over.
Li Yaru did a few stretches, then lazily flopped onto the sofa. Today she’d prepared, socialized, played golf, and played the good wife and loving mother—she was exhausted.
She was still wearing the off-shoulder evening dress she’d worn for the guests. The simple, elegant cut followed her languid, almost seductive posture, tracing her curves and outlining her full figure.
“You did very well today, baby.”
Soon, a wave of heat pressed down on her. A low, husky voice sounded in her ear, accompanied by a few pecks and kisses, making her hum contentedly.
Zhuang Qiting was very pleased. After years of his guidance, Li Yaru had long shed her youthful impulsiveness.
Now, in social settings, she was poised and resourceful, fully capable of standing by his side. Without a wife, many occasions just wouldn’t go as smoothly.
She was his precious treasure, cultivated with his effort, time, money, affection—everything.
Li Yaru was kissed until she had to open her eyes. The man was leaning over her, arms on either side, leisurely admiring her.
“Don’t take advantage of me in front of outsiders again.” Li Yaru closed her eyes again, not wanting to meet his gaze. Every time she saw those narrow eyes, she remembered his shameless “having both a son and a daughter” remark.
“What advantage did I take?” Zhuang Qiting curled his lips.
“Having both a son and a daughter—how could you say that? Do men get thicker skin as they age?”
She knew he didn’t like hearing this, but she provoked him again and again. Zhuang Qiting didn’t even get angry, just laughed. “It’s not nonsense, A’rou. To me, raising you is no different than raising a child.”
The truth was, raising kids was less trouble than raising her. With his three sons, he just set the overall direction and let them run wild with the details.
His words were deeply insulting. Li Yaru glared at him. “Pervert. When you’re being a beast with me, how come you don’t treat me like your child? Raising a daughter? Well, I’ve heard people say finding a husband is like finding a son. Why don’t you call me Mommy?”
After decades as a wealthy wife, pampered in luxury, she still carried the wildness of her street-born origins, refusing to be tamed.
Zhuang Qiting didn’t take her crude words seriously at all. He pressed his finger to her sexy lips. “Little thing, you’re ambitious, huh? Want to be my mother? You say such vulgar things and don’t even blush. I’m embarrassed for you.”
Li Yaru didn’t care, giggling coquettishly, her red lips pouting as she hooked her arm around his neck. “Then call me Mommy. I’ll treat you even better than Mingzai, alright, Tingzai? Call me Mommy.”
She teased him seductively.
“Little thing, you really need some discipline.” Zhuang Qiting smacked her on the butt, hard.
Li Yaru yelped in pain and instantly lost interest. If she had given birth to such a big troublemaker, she’d rather beat him to death!
“Tch. I’m done talking to you. Get up, I want to take a bath. I’ve been running around for you all day, putting up with so much, and even gave away a pair of Moussaieff earrings—that was my favorite pair this month.”
“I’ll make it up to you.”
“I want the Garrard Crown at the auction in two weeks.” Li Yaru demanded.
“Alright. I’ll buy it for you, no matter the price.”
Li Yaru was satisfied and pushed him. “Get up, then.”
“After your bath, wear the red set. I want to see.” Zhuang Qiting’s voice dropped, his eyes so dark that the meaning was obvious.
Li Yaru shivered and braced herself against his chest. Again tonight? She liked it, but at this pace, she really couldn’t handle it!
“I’m tired today, I don’t want to!”
“Just once, then.” Zhuang Qiting ruffled her hair, gentle but brooking no argument.
After her bath, Li Yaru deliberately put on a plain T-shirt. Zhuang Qiting said nothing, simply changed her into what he wanted to see himself, like dressing up a beloved doll. He was always like this—monarchist to the bone, a dictator who never took no for an answer.
When he kissed her, he gave no warning. His mature, strong body was burning hot, and Li Yaru was swept up in his powerful embrace.
Sometimes she really couldn’t tell what Zhuang Qiting saw her as: wife, child, canary, training project, possession, or simply an investment he’d sunk too much cost into.
Whatever. She was never one to overthink. However he saw her, she saw him as her birthday cake for making wishes and the handsome duck who paid for everything.
As long as life was comfortable, that was enough. Zhuang Qiting had promised not to control her so much anymore, so she’d take a step back and not argue with him.
Li Yaru closed her eyes and focused on enjoying the free service.