“Aunt Lin, please let the guests in.”
Supporting her waist, Qiao Shuran slowly got up from the sofa.
Since Zhou Yannan had gone through so much effort to invite them over, she had to appreciate it.
Not only appreciate it, but also show happiness.
So she forced out a standard smile and looked at Qiao Chu. “Since they’re already here, later see if we can add your order in too.”
“Really, my dear ancestor!”
Qiao Chu rushed over so suddenly she almost knocked her over. “Oh my, from now on don’t call me Aunt anymore, I should call you Great-Grandma instead.”
“…”
Qiao Shuran rolled her eyes and silently reminded herself not to have too much contact with her in the future.
She really was the type who forgot loyalty for profit—just for a necklace, she could even abandon her aunt status.
If someone tempted her with something better in the future, she might just sell her niece out.
A few minutes later, the door opened.
A middle-aged woman in a black suit walked in with sharp, capable aura and exquisite makeup.
Behind her was a slightly younger short-haired girl.
Following them were rows of staff with similar height, hairstyle, and posture, each holding trays filled with various pieces of jewelry.
The middle-aged woman spoke first, smiling warmly. “Good afternoon, Madams. I am the chief designer of Jade Workshop. My name is—”
“Lorna! You’re Lorna!”
Qiao Chu almost jumped on the spot. “The disciple of Master Qin, the founder of Jade Workshop! The top figure in the design world!”
“You flatter me, Madam.” Lorna maintained a polite smile.
But Qiao Chu’s eyes were sparkling as she clasped her hands. “No exaggeration at all! I’ve seen the news—your ancient-style hair accessory design just won an international award!”
“Thank you for your attention.”
Lorna then looked toward Qiao Shuran. “Madam Zhou, we were commissioned by Mr. Zhou and brought a selection of jewelry. Please see if there is anything you like. If not, you may tell us your preferences and we will redesign it for you.”
“Alright, I’ll take a look first.”
No woman could resist beautiful jewelry—especially not exquisite luxury pieces.
Qiao Shuran was no exception.
Since Zhou Yannan wanted to show kindness, she would accept it openly.
Lorna clapped her hands. Staff immediately stepped forward in formation, standing neatly beside her.
The short-haired girl began introducing each piece in detail—design inspiration, meaning, matching styles…
Qiao Shuran listened carefully and casually picked a few pieces.
She didn’t have any particular favorites, but she couldn’t waste Zhou Yannan’s intention, so she just chose something that matched her outfits.
After selecting hers, she also let Qiao Chu pick a few.
But Qiao Chu still wanted a custom necklace and kept signaling her with eyes.
Qiao Shuran could only indulge her.
After a brief discussion, Lorna took out drawing tools and began sketching based on Qiao Chu’s preferences.
While they worked, Qiao Shuran chatted with Lorna’s assistant and even picked a birthday gift for Sheng Biao’s daughter from their makeup store.
She had always been someone who repaid kindness generously.
If someone treated her well, she returned it double.
Since Zhou Yannan gave her the dignity she wanted, she naturally had to properly play the role of Madam Zhou.
Outside, dusk had already fallen.
In front of the towering office building, employees finished their day of work and prepared to clock out.
Only the Chairman’s office of Jinghong Group still had its lights on.
Zhou Yannan had just finished a video conference and hadn’t even had a sip of water when his assistant, He Yaosheng, came in with another stack of documents.
He Yaosheng, thirty-two this year, had been his assistant for eight years.
Unlike A Wen, who was quiet and reserved, he was articulate and socially skilled.
Because of that, many matters were handed over to him.
Just as he was about to leave after placing the documents, Zhou Yannan stopped him.
“Go pick out a gift for me. Something expensive. For a girl.”
He Yaosheng paused. “Chairman Zhou, is it for Madam?”
“No.” Zhou Yannan kept his head down reading documents. “President Sheng’s daughter is turning two. Just pick something suitable.”
In the past, whether it was for elders, juniors, or friends, gifts were always handled by He Yaosheng.
He was careful, stable, and thorough.
But this time, he refused.
“Chairman Zhou, you are married now. This kind of thing should be handled by Madam.”
“What do you mean?” Zhou Yannan raised his eyes coldly.
He Yaosheng quickly explained, “I’m not trying to avoid work. It’s just that since you’re married, this should be the responsibility of the lady of the house. It’s not appropriate for an outsider like me to interfere.”
Lady of the house.
A faint smile appeared on Zhou Yannan’s lips as he repeated the words in his mind.
Yes. He was married now.
Did that also mean he shouldn’t be working late like before?
He glanced at the unfinished documents, then suddenly closed them and leaned back in his chair lazily.
“Leave early today.”
“Yes, Chairman Zhou.”
He Yaosheng felt happiness come too suddenly.
He had worked beside Zhou Yannan for eight years, and for at least six of those years, he had never returned home for dinner.
His former girlfriend—now his Madam—had long threatened to break up with him if he kept prioritizing work over home.
Indeed, people should get married.
Only after marriage could one understand what it felt like to have someone waiting at home.
Night quickly fell.
At Yuelan Bay villa district, Lorna and her team left.
In the dining room, the smell of hotpot began to spread faintly.
Qiao Shuran handed the packaged jewelry to Aunt Lin to take upstairs, then walked toward the dining room with Qiao Chu.
Meanwhile, Qiao Chu was still dramatically lamenting over the sketches.
People outside said Zhou Yannan was cruel, cold, and inhumane.
But why did she feel he was actually quite considerate?
“If I had known this dog man was different from the rumors, I wouldn’t have run away from the wedding!”
“Watch your mouth. He’s my husband, not a dog man,” Qiao Shuran instinctively defended him.
Only she was allowed to insult her husband.
“And also, it’s too late for regrets now. We’re already married. You should give up and stop screaming here—it’s annoying.”
“I don’t want to!”
At over thirty years old, she still acted spoiled without shame.
“Shuran, Aunt has always given you the best things since you were young…”
“But he’s a person!”
“I wasn’t talking about him!”
Although dramatic, Qiao Chu wasn’t shameless enough to steal her niece’s man.
“I mean… next time there’s something like this limited-edition good deal, don’t forget your Aunt.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t.”
If there were good things, she definitely wouldn’t think of her Aunt.
They joked and argued their way to the dining table. While Qiao Shuran went to mix dipping sauce, Qiao Chu secretly went to the wine cabinet and grabbed a bottle of red wine.
Forget it. Since Zhou Yannan wasn’t home, she might as well drink.
Half an hour later, the alcohol kicked in and Qiao Chu’s curiosity returned.
She put down her chopsticks and draped her arm over Qiao Shuran’s shoulder. “Tell Aunt the truth. How is Zhou Yannan… in that area?”
“Not good.”
Qiao Shuran couldn’t hold her liquor well, her head was spinning and her vision slightly blurred, but her mind was still clear.
She didn’t want Aunt to know he was actually very strong—otherwise she would just get jealous.
But Qiao Chu didn’t believe her at all. “Lies. I can see you can barely walk properly today. He must be—hehe—very…”
“No!”
Qiao Shuran covered her mouth immediately and raised her voice. “I told you already, it’s not good! Very average! Don’t ask again!”
“Good then.” Qiao Chu immediately relaxed. “That means I won’t regret it. Aunt has high demands—men who are not good in that area, no matter how rich or powerful, I don’t want them.”
“Then don’t want them,” Qiao Shuran muttered, leaning onto her.
But suddenly, Qiao Chu softened and stroked her hair. “You’ve suffered, my silly niece.”
“I haven’t suffered.” Qiao Shuran shifted comfortably. “Marriage is just marriage. Who you marry doesn’t matter. No feelings involved—just mutual benefit.”