Volume 1 Chapter 12: The Problem
“Ulterior motives?” Li Xuzhou repeated expressionlessly, his tone icy and mocking. “Who among those invited here doesn’t have some ulterior motive?”
“Perhaps it’s more accurate to say the Ruan family had ulterior motives,” Father Li explained, understanding Li Xuzhou’s feelings. No one wanted their beloved to be slandered like this.
Li Xuzhou briefly recounted the events of three years ago to them. Lu Yuan, using the excuse of not wanting to hurt Ruan Yu, had prevented Li Xuzhou from further contact with Ruan Yu and also stopped him from causing trouble for President An.
“Your mother originally planned to invite only four girls—from the Guan family, the Chen family, Yuan Lele, and Li Xixi. Their family backgrounds were all comparable to Huayang’s, precisely so that the invited girls would have purer intentions.”
“But Ruan Yu’s father somehow got wind of the news and sent an invitation card along with a hotel surveillance photo of you holding Ruan Yu. That’s why we extended an invitation to the Ruan family.”
Mother Li felt somewhat embarrassed: “It’s not that the other girls’ intentions were necessarily complicated. We just wanted to avoid unnecessary trouble. If none of you were interested in each other, it would simply be an opportunity to invite the girls for some fun while also promoting next quarter’s cooperation.”
At this point, she couldn’t help but complain: “You’re almost forty and still haven’t found a girlfriend. The older a man gets, the less valuable he becomes. The older you are, the less wanted you’ll be. I still have to worry about you.”
“Mom, I’m only twenty-nine this year, not even thirty yet,” Li Xuzhou added. “I told you before, there’s someone in my heart.”
“I thought you were just brushing me off. I even wondered if you’d become obsessed with work. Who would have thought that someone almost forty would have their first crush like an elementary school student—so childish.” Mother Li wasn’t entirely convinced, pressing her temples as she tried to maintain her elegance.
Li Xuzhou was used to his mother adding decades to his age. He took a leisurely sip of water. “I had someone investigate Ruan Yu. There were no issues.”
“You investigated her because you were worried about her,” Father Li teased, holding his wife.
Li Xuzhou didn’t deny it, speaking in a low voice: “The information sent to me shows she went abroad at eighteen and included many photos of her daily life. Everything seemed perfectly normal, without a single anomaly.”
“But that’s precisely the problem. An ordinary person’s past records wouldn’t be this detailed. Ruan Yu’s information seems to have been beautified—flawless. Including her initial behavior here, which doesn’t match her previous information. Doctor Li said she might have experienced something unpleasant.”
The atmosphere grew somewhat heavy. Everyone thought of what Li Xixi had shouted earlier.
Mother Li was truly worried. Her child had finally developed feelings for someone, yet the situation had become so complicated. The whole matter was strange, leaving an uncomfortable feeling in her heart.
Mother Li spoke slowly, expressing her stance: “I think Ruan Yu is a good girl. Whatever she’s been through is in the past. As long as she isn’t like Li Xixi.”
The hard lines of Li Xuzhou’s face softened slightly. “Even if she were like Li Xixi, it wouldn’t matter. As long as she stays by my side, I have the means for her to indulge.”
“Double standards,” Mother Li thought to herself, but couldn’t help reminding him: “You can’t force that young girl. She’s so thin and small—her legs aren’t even as thick as your arms. Be gentle with her.”
Father Li smiled and said, “Xuzhou has done very well. I heard he goes to the kitchen every night to instruct Lin Shen, and the list of precautions alone fills six pages. The paychecks for those working in the kitchen have grown significantly longer. Yesterday, several fashion brands contacted me, saying Xuzhou ordered clothes for every season, all in the same size, and asked if they should provide them for the madam.”
“Not enough…” Thinking of how Ruan Yu enjoyed her meals, Li Xuzhou’s expression softened.
But how could these things ever be enough? He wanted to take care of every aspect of Ruan Yu’s life, to occupy her entirely.
Meanwhile, Lu Yuan and Ruan Zhen were making arrangements at home.
“Has Ruan Yu’s information been updated?” Lu Yuan asked, somewhat uneasy.
Ruan Zhen nodded. “It was taken care of long ago. We send someone to update it every year.”
“That’s good. Fortunately, we took many photos of her before. Originally, we intended to use them for clients to choose from, but now they’ve come in handy for this purpose.” Lu Yuan had great confidence in Ruan Yu, mainly because her appearance was highly attractive to men. During the years Ruan Yu was imprisoned, countless men didn’t care whether she was a virgin and wanted her for a night.
If they hadn’t been waiting for an offer tempting enough for the Ruan family, they would have thrown Ruan Yu out long ago.
Fortunately, they kept her until now, allowing Li Xuzhou to truly possess Ruan Yu in her entirety.
The two exchanged a glance, both feeling relieved.
They were still lucky. Although they had lost President An, a big fish, three years ago, they had now regained Li Xuzhou.
That was Huayang Empire—his assets were so vast they could circle the Earth dozens of times. For Ruan Yu to spend a night with such a man was considered her good fortune.
The Ruan family was not as glamorous as it appeared on the surface. The entire house was filled with a decaying atmosphere.
On the surface, they were in the steel business, often exporting overseas. In reality, they were engaged in power and sex transactions, trafficking people worldwide, selecting beautiful young girls to exchange for entry into high society.
The Ruan family had built their fortune on this. Behind the glamour lay the lamentations of thousands of young girls.
Lu Yuan and Ruan Zhen clinked glasses with a smile. Some champagne spilled along the rim, leaving a sticky mess.
A plainly dressed girl walked over and asked softly, “Madam, did you ask for me?”
“Ruo Yan is here. Come, sit next to me.” Ruan Zhen’s tone was frivolous as he patted the spot beside him. Noticing Lu Yuan’s displeased expression from the corner of his eye, he quickly added, “Just joking, just joking.”
He chuckled awkwardly and gave Ruo Yan a meaningful look.
“Madam.” Ruo Yan felt flustered, her tone softening even more.
Lu Yuan forced a smile. She and Ruan Zhen each had their own affairs outside, maintaining only the title of husband and wife. Still, at home, they usually showed some restraint. Ruan Zhen’s behavior now was disrespectful to her.
“Ruo Yan is dressed quite nicely today.” Lu Yuan scanned her up and down with a smile. “And you’re wearing a new shade of lipstick.”
Ruo Yan quickly wiped the color from her lips and looked at Ruan Zhen, her eyes pleading for help.
Ruan Zhen cleared his throat and smoothed things over. “You called her here to discuss Ruan Yu’s matter, right?”
Lu Yuan had lost interest in staying. She handed Ruo Yan a slip of paper and said quickly, “This is Ruan Yu’s contact information. Follow the instructions I taught you before and get in touch with her.”
She picked up her bag, brushed off some nonexistent dust, and warned the two people before her, “I can’t stand anything dirty in my sight. If you have something you want to do, don’t do it here, and don’t get caught.” The next sentence was directed at Ruan Zhen: “You wouldn’t want Ruan Corporation’s stock to be affected, would you?”
Ruan Zhen raised his glass. “That reminder goes for you too—keep the pretty boy you’re keeping outside hidden.”
Lu Yuan sneered and left the house. Behind her, Ruan Zhen pushed Ruo Yan down onto the sofa, and they began to couple together as if no one else were present.
That evening, Ruan Yu received a text message.
“Ruan Yu, this is Ruo Yan. How have you been lately?”