“Bro, do you know any girls you could introduce me to? Gentle and obedient, with big breasts and a slim waist—the kind you’d have a fling with.”
After years apart, the Four Young Masters of Jincheng had finally gathered together again. This birthday banquet was also a welcome-home celebration.
Shen Yan had spent four years studying abroad, and the first thing he said upon returning was to ask about women.
“There are so many women overseas. Weren’t they enough for you?”
“Foreign women are too wild. There’s no fun in fooling around with them. Besides, I’m mainly worried they’re not clean. I’m a germaphobe.”
Shen Yan had avoided women like the plague since childhood. How could he suddenly have become interested in them?
Everyone knew he was joking.
Only that fool Nan Zhou stepped forward, earnestly offering a recommendation.
“Oh, right, A-Yan. I could introduce my wife to you. She’s gentle and beautiful, considerate and obedient, and her temperament is as soft as water. She’s definitely your type.”
Introduce his wife to his buddy? Was Nan Zhou actually looking to get himself cuckolded?
“Get lost. I’m not interested in my buddy’s wife. I could never do something that beastly.”
Nan Zhou flushed as he explained.
“We only got our green divorce certificates yesterday. She doesn’t count as my wife anymore. Besides, she’s a good girl. I thought I’d introduce her to you rather than let such a good catch go to a stranger.”
“Get lost. I don’t want secondhand goods.” Shen Yan refused without hesitation.
But the other two young masters’ eyes narrowed.
They were divorced?
That bastard Nan Zhou really didn’t know how good he had it.
Such a beautiful woman, yet he’d actually been willing to divorce her. Countless men could only dream of marrying someone like her.
“Shen Yan, watch your mouth. Zhizhi isn’t secondhand goods. I haven’t touched her all these years.”
Someone in the private room let out a curse.
“Damn! Nan Zhou, are you even a man? Lin Zhixu’s enchanting face alone could steal a man’s soul, and that alluring figure of hers—she’s a real beauty. How did you manage to restrain yourself while living under the same roof with her every day?”
“Cough, cough, cough!”
A series of ill-timed coughs rang out.
Gu Tingshang, who had never liked the smell of smoke, actually had a cigarette between his lips—and had choked on it.
He hadn’t said a word since entering.
His face was like an iceberg that hadn’t thawed in a thousand years, his expression perpetually stern. Even with tears in his eyes from choking, he remained cold and unapproachable.
After three years of training in the military, his bearing had become even colder and sharper, carrying an intimidating air of authority.
Of Jincheng’s four great wealthy families, the Gu family ranked first. So these friends all looked up to Gu Tingshang as their leader.
His coughing fit frightened everyone in the private room into holding their breath.
Nan Zhou hurriedly poured him some water. Only after Gu Tingshang recovered did Nan Zhou continue.
“I promised Mengwei I’d save myself for her. So I’ve only ever treated Zhizhi as a younger sister.”
Lu Mengwei was Nan Zhou’s first love, the apple of his eye during his school years. Unfortunately, the Lu and Nan families were sworn enemies, and Madam Nan had firmly opposed her son’s relationship with Lu Mengwei.
Even after marrying Lin Zhixu, he had never forgotten his white moonlight—his unattainable first love.
But after three years of living together day and night as husband and wife, any man would inevitably develop feelings.
After all, Lin Zhixu was so beautiful.
And she was so well-behaved!
So when Nan Zhou called her his younger sister, there was something difficult to read in his expression. He appeared calm and unconcerned, but inside he was unbearably bitter.
The divorce truly had been forced by circumstances beyond his control!
“What a fine ‘Sister Lin’!”
Xiao You raised his glass.
“Come on. Let’s drink to Young Master Nan’s great love, welcome Young Master Shen home, congratulate Boss Gu on his honorable discharge from the military, and wish me a happy birthday.”
The elegant drinking glasses clinked together, producing a pleasant ringing sound.
Suddenly, the private room’s door opened.
Lin Zhixu stood beneath the soft light in a white dress, like a lily quietly coming into bloom.
Beautiful, gentle, and serene, she exuded an allure that stirred desire.
The air suddenly grew still, and everyone’s gaze fixed on her.
Surprise, admiration, astonishment, fascination…
“Nan Zhou, I came to return your ring. I forgot yesterday.”
Lin Zhixu passed Xiao You, Shen Yan, and Gu Tingshang, walked up to Nan Zhou, and placed the red wedding-ring box in his hand.
Her voice was soft and gentle, just like her—sweet and delicate, like a little white rabbit.
Nan Zhou said, “It’s only a ring. There’s no need to be so particular about settling things between us. If you like it, keep wearing it.”
“Okay! Then I’ll sell it.”
Lin Zhixu was a gentle, well-behaved girl. She had everything going for her, except for one rather troublesome flaw.
She loved money.
During their three years of marriage, she’d practically drained Nan Zhou’s fortune dry. Now that they were divorced, she even wanted to sell the ring. Couldn’t she keep it as a memento?
“You can wear it, but you can’t sell it. Otherwise, give it back.”
If she couldn’t sell it, what was the point of keeping it? It was just a lousy stone taking up space. Lin Zhixu pushed the box back toward him.
“Then I’d better give it back. I’m afraid I might accidentally lose it and you’d make me pay you back. My money only comes in; it never goes out.”
Nan Zhou felt a tightness in his chest.
This woman really had money on the brain.
“Pfft!”
Eldest Young Master Gu, who normally wouldn’t laugh even at a joke, actually laughed today.
Although his smile lasted only an instant, it outshone everyone in the room.
The man was simply devastatingly handsome. When he smiled, he was as bewitching as a male fox spirit.
In the entire circle of wealthy families, the only man who could rival him in looks was the refined and elegant Shen Yan.
One was gentle as jade; the other was commanding and cold. They were two very different kinds of handsome men.
Shen Yan stood and fixed his burning gaze on Lin Zhixu. He asked, “Nan Zhou, is this the ex-wife you wanted to introduce to me?”
Everyone in the private room except Shen Yan had met Lin Zhixu before. Three years ago, she had walked down the wedding aisle in her bridal gown, her breathtaking beauty stunning Jincheng’s entire upper crust.
All the wealthy heiresses and society matrons had paled in comparison.
Even the cold, unfeeling Gu Tingshang, who had always kept his desires in check, had felt his heart stir.
“Yes. Her name is Lin Zhixu.”
Nan Zhou had chosen Shen Yan because, among all the rich young masters, Shen Yan was the wealthiest after Gu Tingshang.
Although he looked like a carefree playboy, he was actually the most good-natured, with a gentle temper and outstanding looks. Taking everything into account, he was the best choice.
If Lin Zhixu married him, she ought to be very happy.
They had been husband and wife, after all. Even though they’d divorced, Nan Zhou still wanted to find her a good husband.
After all, this woman was expensive to support. An ordinary man couldn’t afford her.
“A-Zhou, we only divorced yesterday, and today you’re already arranging my next husband. How thoughtful of you.”
Shen Yan gave a small, amused smile.
“Looks like Zhizhi still has feelings for her ex-husband?”
Calling Lin Zhixu “Zhizhi” the very first time they met sounded rather forward.
Lin Zhixu sized him up, too, as though she were inspecting a commodity whose price had yet to be set.
“Brother Zhou and I are just friends. He loves Lu Mengwei, and I love money. Our hearts are set on different things.”
This woman really was direct, candid, and adorable.
Shen Yan found himself a little tempted by Nan Zhou’s suggestion.
“Your ex-husband wants to set us up. What do you think?”
Lin Zhixu laughed softly and readily agreed.
“Sure!”
“But I only marry; I don’t date. The betrothal gifts are fifty million. Would you be willing to pay?”
Shen Yan was at a loss for words.
He’d only wanted to date her and see how things went. He wasn’t planning to marry so soon.
Of course, the Shen family could afford fifty million in betrothal gifts. But they would only pay that sum for a bride from a family of comparable standing.
If his elders learned he wanted to spend fifty million to marry a divorced woman with no social standing or family background, they would certainly object.
Besides, her ex-husband was Nan Zhou. They were all prominent figures in the same social circle, and the situation would be rather awkward if word got around.
“Give me some time to think about it!”