Wu Zhe was a man of action. He quickly retrieved the keyboard and knelt down without even a flicker of a frown.
Qiao Chu watched as he skillfully applied the makeup remover, his every gesture radiating natural elegance. For the first time, she found him… genuinely attractive.
Comfortable and satisfied.
“Ah, it just occurred to me—Steward Wu is 28 this year, definitely of marrying age. This model is very popular; maybe I should help you arrange something…”
Qiao Chu leaned back with her eyes closed, her hands resting lazily on the edge of the bathtub, giving Wu Zhe full freedom to work on her.
System Note: [Host, truly impressive looks and figure. Are you seriously not taking advantage of this?]
“Taking advantage of him? Ha, I’d basically be taking a live-in father. He dares to boss the boss around as a mere steward. If anything actually happened between us, wouldn’t he just… crap on my head?”
Qiao Chu knew her own nature—fickle, easily bored, always chasing novelty. Why ruin long-term happiness for a momentary thrill?
Besides, as an heiress of the upper echelon, she could casually maintain eighty top male models.
To achieve her model empire, she needed to “marry off” the steward Wu Zhe first. Perfect.
Wu Zhe gently massaged Qiao Chu’s face, pausing slightly at her comment. Calmly, he said, “Miss, you needn’t listen to slander.”
“Wu Zhe is employed by Madam to serve me, with a contract of 40 years. How many men’s prime years are worth 60 million a year?”
Qiao Chu nodded in satisfaction. Now this was the proper attitude toward money—caring for the client, providing a full-service experience.
Unlike other heroines who complain after getting a bargain and deserve to be “forced into love,” if one is normal, who has time to mess with them?
Qiao Chu often felt she was too “yellow” for this Mary Sue world.
System Note: [Host, your intuition is correct.]
After finishing her makeup removal, Wu Zhe pumped two pumps of body wash into his palm, releasing a fresh and elegant freesia scent.
Qiao Chu scooped it away from his palm. “Alright, that’s enough. You can go.”
Personally washing someone seemed too intimate for a steward and mistress.
Was the original Wu Zhe just a meek, obedient servant? Qiao Chu felt confused. Absolutely not.
Wu Zhe was more of a parental authority than her actual parents, the kind who sparred constantly with a rebellious girl—small quarrels every three days, big arguments every five, their relationship often icy.
Under the stepmother’s instigation, Qiao Chu’s negativity toward Wu Zhe—sometimes even accusing him of scheming for her mother’s inheritance—widened the gap between them and allowed the stepmother trio to take advantage.
So in this small world, Qiao Chu treated him like a competent employee—obedience tests seemingly a complete success.
He had even learned to kneel on the keyboard voluntarily. Sixty million a year? Worth it.
Assuming Wu Zhe could accomplish his yearly “small goals.”
Wu Zhe’s palm was now empty, leaving only the slippery feeling of the body wash. A subtle sense of loss crossed his chest as his gaze couldn’t help but rest on the girl’s face.
With the exaggerated makeup gone, her long eyelashes curled beautifully, her delicate features flawless as creamy jade. Her dainty nose glistened with tiny beads of sweat in the steam, and her lips were soft, pink, and glossy.
This young lady, whom he had raised, was breathtakingly beautiful, her social status untouchably high.
She was born deserving of the most expensive jewelry, the finest cuisine, the best men. Her husband, Shang Shixu, was barely adequate; he had corrupted the young lady.
Wu Zhe remained still, entranced by her delicate, petal-like red lips.
Even the pain in his knees turned into a tingling, pleasurable ache, seeping deep into his muscles and bones.
The beast within him stirred, threatening to overwhelm his reason.
The young lady treated him far too well, stirring desires he could hardly contain.
Qiao Chu had no idea what he was thinking. She assumed he simply wanted to watch her bathe, and reflexively slapped him across the face.
Exemplifying the spoiled, malicious heiress to perfection.
“Don’t want your eyeballs? Scram!”
Foam slid down his handsome side profile as Wu Zhe lowered his head, hands bracing the tub, straightening his body. His voice was low and slightly hoarse, betraying a hint of vulnerability.
“Sorry, Miss. Kneeling too long… my legs went numb.”
Qiao Chu remembered he had been kneeling on the keyboard and finally allowed herself a small blush. “It’s fine. You can go. I misunderstood.”
System Note: [Excitement level 100%. Host, do not reward him again—you’ll make him even more…]
Qiao Chu: “?”
Wu Zhe carried the keyboard out of the bathroom, leaning against the wall afterward, breathing heavily. He glanced down self-mockingly, pressing his tongue to his back teeth.
His fair, long fingers unconsciously brushed the face he had just “abused.”
The young lady had been shy just now.
So obedient.
That night, some tossed and turned, some fell asleep immediately.
The next morning, Qiao Chu woke refreshed, walking with confidence. As she descended the stairs, she saw Wu Zhe under-eye dark circles, looking unwell.
Understandable—the greater the ability, the heavier the burden. He had to manage her enormous fortune and handle the household intrigues of the Qiao family.
After breakfast, Qiao Yue stopped Wu Zhe’s car. “Chuchu, can I get a ride? Last night was my fault—I want to apologize properly.”
She held up a small gift box.
Small impatience leads to great mistakes. Qiao Yue realized that to secure her share of the inheritance, she needed to maintain a good relationship with Qiao Chu.
Know your enemy and yourself, and victory is assured. First, she needed to assess Qiao Chu’s situation.
Also, just last night she learned from Wang Qiuxia that Shang Shixu was on their side.
They planned to help Shang Shixu marry into the Qiao family. Once successful, he promised to split Qiao Chu’s dowry with them.
One card alone held 350 million yuan. Qiao Yue couldn’t imagine how much Wu Zhe held. She now regarded Qiao Chu as a literal god of wealth.
Since Wu Zhe wasn’t an option, she had to matchmake Qiao Chu and Shang Shixu as soon as possible. She couldn’t bear Qiao Chu marrying Shang Shixu, who was such a competent man.
Wu Zhe ignored her, but Qiao Chu rolled down the car window. “Going to school? Hop in.”
She was curious what gift Qiao Yue had prepared.
Ah, the life of a young heiress: so simple and boring, one had to play around for entertainment.
Qiao Yue’s heart leapt. She slid into the passenger seat, offering the gift box like a treasure.
Inside was a women’s wristwatch.
Qiao Chu picked it up disdainfully, scanning it with a look of vague disapproval.
“This? A thirty-to-fifty-thousand-yuan watch? I’d throw it straight in the trash. Wu Zhe, take it back to Zhang Ma—she’s missing a watch anyway.”
Qiao Yue’s radiant smile froze. She had spent months of her living expenses on this gift, and Qiao Chu casually wanted to give it away?
Giving it to someone else didn’t bother her—but Zhang Ma was the worst. She cooked dishes in the kitchen that Qiao Chu hated, every single meal!
Qiao Chu smiled slightly—perfect for playing mind games. She loved Zhang Ma the most. Every time, she cooked exactly what Qiao Chu liked, infuriating the stepmother trio.
Wu Zhe was planning to give the car a thorough cleaning later. Hearing Qiao Chu’s words, a faint smile curved his lips.
“Yes, Miss. I’ve noted your instructions.”
Qiao Yue’s heart sank. What made her worse than Qiao Chu, who smoked, drank, and fought? Why did Wu Zhe never notice her?!
The luxurious RV stopped in front of the teaching building. Qiao Yue stepped out—and was suddenly drenched by a bucket of foul-smelling cold water.