Volume One, Chapter Three: Mrs. Zhou, Am I Clean or Not?
Zhou Jinghuai nodded slightly.
Gu Jiuci smiled faintly and left the space to this couple who shared a bed but harbored different dreams.
After Gu Jiuci left, Zhou Jinghuai looked at Ye Wu’s outfit, his handsome brows knitting lightly. “Why are you dressed like that? Go change. We’ll head back to the old family home for dinner together.”
Ye Wu understood clearly: when Zhou Jinghuai said dinner, he meant returning home to show off their affection.
All for the shares held by the old master Zhou.
Sometimes, Ye Wu really felt that Zhou Jinghuai was a man of contradictions—appearing upright and unblemished, yet deep down more mercenary than anyone, naturally suited for the world of fame and fortune.
Ye Wu was willing to cooperate, putting all interests first before dividing property with Zhou Jinghuai.
She returned to her office to change into a suit, then took the private elevator downstairs with Zhou Jinghuai.
The elevator held only the two of them, husband and wife.
Zhou Jinghuai glanced at the time and spoke calmly, “After talking with Gu Jiuci, I suppose you’ve given up on the idea of divorce. Today is still the day for conception. Prepare yourself when we get home. If you don’t like it, I’ll try to finish sooner.”
Ye Wu laughed bitterly to herself: Zhou Jinghuai spoke of conceiving a child with a completely indifferent expression.
She had endured such a marriage for four long years.
She was even colder than him: “Same as before, I take half the family assets and set you free.”
Zhou Jinghuai looked displeased. Just as he was about to lose his temper, the private elevator suddenly stopped.
The elevator doors slowly opened.
Outside stood a young girl, dressed in a white dress, pure and innocent-looking.
It was Bai Qianqian.
Bai Qianqian stepped lightly into the elevator, looking at Ye Wu with cautious pleading: “The staff elevator is broken. Madam Ye, may I borrow this elevator for a moment?”
Three people, yet a battleground for two.
Ye Wu pressed the door close button, saying nothing, but her meaning was clear.
Bai Qianqian was extremely embarrassed. Her beautiful face flushed red, lips biting softly, she looked up at Zhou Jinghuai silently begging him to support her.
But Zhou Jinghuai spoke gently, “Follow Madam Ye’s arrangement.”
Bai Qianqian reluctantly stepped back out.
This little episode truly disgusted Ye Wu.
She remained silent until they reached the parking lot and got into the car. Zhou Jinghuai, fastening his seatbelt, casually remarked, “I have nothing to do with her. Don’t overthink it.”
Ye Wu turned her head quietly to look at Zhou Jinghuai—
“Feeling a little jealous?”
“Zhou Jinghuai, you really should go to the hospital for a checkup.”
Zhou Jinghuai misunderstood, thinking she was talking about fertility, and said naturally, “My fertility is fine.”
Ye Wu sneered coldly, “I meant… go to the urologist and see if you’re clean, if you have any nasty diseases!”
Zhou Jinghuai was angered.
He unbuckled his seatbelt, grabbed Ye Wu, and pulled her onto his lap. Fortunately, the Bentley’s driver’s seat was spacious, allowing him to act freely.
Ye Wu’s body pressed against the steering wheel, painfully uncomfortable.
She struggled desperately, “Zhou Jinghuai, you’re crazy!”
Her aloof husband buried himself in her body, doing all sorts of shameful things. Ye Wu grabbed his black hair hard enough to nearly pull it out.
Finally, Zhou Jinghuai stopped.
He looked up at her.
Bathed in the garage light, his long lashes cast shadows over his lean, handsome face, showing an unexpectedly gentle and tender expression.
Ye Wu was momentarily stunned.
The next second, Zhou Jinghuai grabbed the back of her neck, captured her red lips, and kissed her fiercely. Not only did he kiss her, but he bit her tongue hard enough to draw blood.
—Blood mingled with blood!
Ye Wu was dumbfounded, staring incredulously at his handsome face so close to hers, her eyes filled with disdain. Zhou Jinghuai pressed against her lips, his voice breathless but restrained: “Mrs. Zhou, am I clean or not?”
Ye Wu pushed him away sharply.
She touched her body and sat back in the passenger seat, trembling as she straightened her suit. Her chest heaved violently from Zhou Jinghuai’s fierce assault. This unfamiliar surge of passion scared her. Trying to appear calm, Ye Wu said, “Don’t worry, I’ll have the secretary arrange a medical checkup.”
Zhou Jinghuai’s own passion flared, but seeing Ye Wu’s cold expression, it subsided.
He buckled his seatbelt and stepped on the gas.
Along the way, Zhou Jinghuai’s phone had a dozen missed calls. Ye Wu guessed they were from Bai Qianqian. Having decided on divorce, she didn’t care to inquire further.
Zhou Jinghuai glanced sideways at Ye Wu.
...
Half an hour later, the black Bentley slowly pulled into a grand old mansion.
The car stopped. Zhou Jinghuai glanced at his phone and said indifferently, “Work matters.”
Ye Wu paid no attention.
Zhou Jinghuai was displeased and about to speak when a servant of the Zhou family villa opened the door, smiling politely, “The old master’s family dinner is ready. Everyone is waiting for the second young master and young madam to join. Please come in and take your seats.”
Zhou Jinghuai nodded with noble grace. He even thoughtfully took his wife’s hand, playing the part of a loving husband perfectly.
Ye Wu found him completely hypocritical.
They entered the dining room and joined the banquet.
The old master Zhou had two sons: the eldest Zhou Yanyu and the second Zhou Yanli. Zhou Jinghuai was the son of the second wife, Zhou Yanli.
The large round table was packed. The old master must have learned of Bai Qianqian’s existence. He teased Zhou Jinghuai a few times, then told Ye Wu to take a step back for the greater good.
Between the lines, he still wanted a great-grandson.
Zhou Jinghuai glanced at Ye Wu and joked lightly, “Tonight, Ah Wu and I will do our best.”
The old master feigned sternness, “Four years of marriage, and you’ve only been trying in vain!”
Zhou Jinghuai deflected with a few words.
Ye Wu quietly ate her food, her expression indifferent. No one knew she was nearly infertile.
—All for Zhou Jinghuai!
At that moment, Zhou Jinghuai’s phone rang. He glanced at it and went to the front yard to answer. It was clearly a private call.
A plate of West Lake Vinegar Fish was placed in Ye Wu’s bowl.
The old master spoke meaningfully, “Men are like cats. Sometimes they stray, but eventually, they settle down.”
Ye Wu replied calmly, “That will probably happen when they’re hung on the wall.”
The nearby servant covered his mouth to laugh.
In a bad mood, Ye Wu left early to the backyard to clear her mind.
By the poolside, the moonlight was cold and clear.
A tall, slender figure stepped into the light. He bore a resemblance to Zhou Jinghuai—his cousin, Zhou Jingyao.
Zhou Jingyao despised Ye Wu. Without her, Zhou Jingyao wouldn’t have lost so badly.
With Zhou Jinghuai having a lover, Zhou Jingyao naturally seized the opportunity to strike.
He handed Ye Wu a stack of photos, all showing Zhou Jinghuai and Bai Qianqian in intimate poses.
A cold smile curled at Zhou Jingyao’s lips—
“Do you know who this woman is?”
“Her father is Bai Chunian, a famous and highly respected painter. Her mother and Zhou Jinghuai’s mother are close friends. Ye Wu, you’re an orphan—what do you have to compete with? Be careful not to be devoured completely by my cousin, who’s like a wolf. It’s still not too late to work with me.”
...
Ye Wu looked through the photos and casually tossed them into the trash.
She looked up at Zhou Jingyao, facing this ruthless adversary they had battled many times, and said calmly, “Thanks for the advice! But unfortunately, I don’t need it.”
Zhou Jingyao sneered coldly, “Then I’ll be waiting for the day Zhou Jinghuai throws you away.”
Ye Wu smiled faintly.
She didn’t care at all because she no longer needed Zhou Jinghuai.
Her pretenses with Zhou Jinghuai were only due to unresolved matters. Once she obtained the money and shares, Zhou Jinghuai would be a thing of the past, and all love and hatred would be but fleeting clouds.
Ye Wu left the backyard, preparing to return to the front hall.
Lifting her eyes, she saw Zhou Jinghuai.
He stood quietly under the corridor, elegant and refined, the lighting accentuating his noble features. It was this handsome face that once made Ye Wu deeply infatuated and lose herself.
Now, his eyes were darker than the night.
He saw Ye Wu speaking with Zhou Jingyao, the same uncomfortable feeling returning, just like when Gu Jiuci looked at Ye Wu in the café...