The final exams ended smoothly. Li Yaru got excellent grades—three A’s and one B—and the first thing she did was excitedly show off to Zhuang Qiting.
The holidays had started, and even Li Yaru’s style had undergone a complete transformation.
At school, she rarely wore complicated or flashy clothes, and hardly ever put on any of the jewelry and luxury watches Zhuang Qiting had given her.
Now that she was free, the sparkling diamond watch on her wrist glimmered brilliantly.
“Three A’s—your wife’s amazing, right? You promised to take me to Rome next month, don’t try to fool me, Boss Zhuang, I’m remembering this… Hey, why not do this instead? You stay here on Hong Kong Island and work hard, I’ll go to Rome with Qiu Mei, just lend me your private jet, is that okay?”
In Zhuang Qiting’s office, the girl looked around left and right, touching this and moving that, unable to sit still, her mouth chattering on non-stop.
Zhuang Qiting was reviewing documents. Upon hearing his wife’s words, he couldn’t help but furrow his brows. “Why do you want me to stay on Hong Kong Island?”
“You’re just scared your dad will criticize you for not doing your job properly.”
Li Yaru plucked a few leaves from a podocarpus, tore them into little strips, and mischievously scattered them all over Zhuang Qiting’s desk.
How could the man not guess her thoughts? He smiled faintly with a hint of amusement. “Ah Rou, you just want to ditch me. Don’t use someone else as an excuse.”
Li Yaru lowered her head and fiddled with the torn leaves. “I’m not…”
“I’ll take you to Rome. I keep my word. If I don’t go, don’t even think about going by yourself,” Zhuang Qiting said firmly, leaving no room for argument.
Li Yaru gave a huff. She’d rather go out and have fun with Qiu Mei. Though Qiu Mei was a bigmouth who let everything slip, she was cheerful and fun.
They were like two peas in a pod—getting into trouble, getting scolded, laughing together—much more enjoyable than being with Zhuang Qiting.
“Your cousin…” Zhuang Qiting hesitated for a moment, then finally said, “From now on, spend less time fooling around with her.”
“What did Qiu Mei ever do to you? What do you mean, fooling around!”
Zhuang Qiting narrowed his eyes. “The other night, you and she sneaked off to a nightclub. Did you really think I wouldn’t know?”
His tone was calm but carried a hidden threat. “Even if she brought you, it’s still your own guts. That sort of place isn’t proper. You shouldn’t go.”
Li Yaru’s breath caught. She never expected him to know even about this! She thought she’d covered it up perfectly and left Zhuang Qiting in the dark.
“How could anyone go to such a place? As if you haven’t been yourself. Besides, you go there to watch women dance, all for business, so upright and righteous. If you watch women dance, that’s not improper?”
Zhuang Qiting’s Adam’s apple rolled.
He put down his black pen, took her wrist, and pulled her into his arms, explaining seriously, “If you’re worried, how about I take you along next time I go for business? I never go to those places alone, always with business partners who’ve booked the place. It’s a matter of face. Trust me, Ah Rou, I won’t look at other women. I only look at you.”
“I never said I didn’t trust you…” Li Yaru blinked.
“Really?”
“Really, really! Of course I trust you. Go ahead, just take me with you next time!”
Li Yaru said gleefully, “I won’t bother you—I’ll just find a seat in the main hall, watch the dancing, eat something, and when you finish your business, we’ll go home together.”
Her open trust made Zhuang Qiting feel unsettled. His wife trusted him so easily? Why did she trust him so much? Or did she simply not care about him at all.
She only cared about having fun. Fun, fun, fun. Her heart was never truly on her husband.
Zhuang Qiting’s expression visibly darkened, his voice lowering. “If I really looked at another woman, what would you do?”
Li Yaru arched a brow in disbelief. Did he really want to look at other women?
The man before her was young, handsome, powerful—if he really had wandering thoughts, could she gouge his eyes out?
A stabbing pain shot through Li Yaru’s heart, an unbearable feeling. Just imagining Zhuang Qiting being unfaithful made her furious and resentful.
She let out a cold laugh. “Who do you want to look at! Fine, Zhuang Qiting, we’ve only been married a year, and you’re already thinking about other women. All those sweet words you used to get me to marry you, saying we’d be good together forever, were all lies!”
“Who said I’d look at other women? Don’t talk nonsense.” Zhuang Qiting gave her rear a squeeze.
“Didn’t you say it yourself? Fine, look all you want, whoever you want—I’ll look at other handsome guys too. There are plenty of good-looking men out there, you’re not the only one,” Li Yaru grumbled, jealousy bubbling up.
Zhuang Qiting just wanted to make her jealous—a little would have been enough.
He didn’t expect her to turn things around, being unreasonable and snapping at him.
His large hand gripped her jaw coldly, his eyes dark. “Don’t you dare.”
“If you look at other women, I’ll look at other men. Fair’s fair.”
Zhuang Qiting laughed in exasperation, smacking her bottom hard. “I won’t look at other women, and neither will you. If I ever catch you, I’ll—”
“What will you do?”
He smiled lightly. “I’ll lock you up, darling. When you learn to behave, you can go out.”
Li Yaru was startled by the fierce look in his eyes, shivering a little.
“You were the one who said it first…” She suddenly felt wronged, pushing him away, only for him to trap her firmly.
“Behave. Sit still,” he ordered coldly.
Li Yaru didn’t move, sitting obediently on his lap, but she was stubborn by nature. She wouldn’t look at him or speak, just staring into space.
“Ah Rou.”
“Ah Rou.”
She turned away. The spacious, cold office grew even lonelier without her constant chatter.
“Is it my fault, baby? Say something, will you?” He pressed his palm to her waist, gently rubbing.
“It’s your fault. You were the one who said you’d look at other women.”
Hearing the unhappiness and slight jealousy in her words, Zhuang Qiting narrowed his eyes and gently steered the conversation. “If I look at other women, Ah Rou, would you be upset?”
Li Yaru didn’t have all those subtle thoughts—she just said, “Of course. You’re my man. If you look at other women, where’s my dignity?”
Zhuang Qiting’s emotions grew complicated.
He was happy his wife cared, but also troubled that she was like a mischievous child—never willing to go along, never saying anything sweet or obedient.
She only whined after he forced her. She’d never told him she cared, or liked, or loved him.
A ball of pent-up fire burned in his chest as he continued, “I’m not talking about dignity—aren’t you upset inside?”
Li Yaru couldn’t understand why he kept asking these odd questions.
She pouted. “I don’t want to talk to you. You’re annoying.”
“Ah Rou.”
“So what? Are you taking me to Rome or not…”
Zhuang Qiting let out a deep breath, his temples throbbing.
When would he ever turn his wife into the kind of woman who only had eyes and heart for him?
It had almost been a year, but she was still like this—untamed, wild, and mischievous.
Forget it. There was still a long road ahead. He’d just have to teach her slowly. In the end, she was his, and she’d never escape him in this life.
Zhuang Qiting pinched Li Yaru’s cheek. “Be good, let me finish my work in these two weeks, and I’ll take you. Okay?”
Only then did Li Yaru smile slyly, purposely saying something to annoy him.
“I also want to go to Como Lake and Capri Island. I want to wear the new bikinis I bought—four or five sets! The clerk said my figure is better than the models and even sexier when I wear them.”
Just imagining Li Yaru strutting around the beach in revealing clothes made Zhuang Qiting’s face darken, his voice icy. “You’re only allowed to wear them for me in the hotel.”
Li Yaru: “Tsk.”
Zhuang Qiting’s face sank, and he smacked her on the butt again.
.
For the longed-for Rome trip, Li Yaru kept buying dresses, matching jewelry, got a new hairstyle, and painted her nails with the latest polish. Unfortunately, the holiday was ruined—completely ruined.
“Ugh…”
Li Yaru’s face was pale as she slumped weakly on the sofa, holding a spittoon in her arms. She retched a few times, but nothing came up except a little saliva.
Zhuang Qiting looked at her, heart aching and full of guilt.