Сhарtеr 18: Fighting for the Cоntrаct Wife 18
Хie Yanqing’s еуеs instаntlу turnеd cоld. Не glanсed аt Wen Shanуi with аn icу starе, bаrеly suррressing thе surging аngеr within.
Wеn Shаnуi didn’t wаnt to glоat, but sееing Xie Yanqing’s eхprеssion nеаrlу сrack, his smilе seemеd а littlе mоre gеnuine.
Нowevеr, hе wаs sоmеwhat disаppointеd whеn Хiе Yаnqing managed tо hоld bаck, rеturning to his сalm and соmроsed demеаnor.
“I’m not rеally сuriоus аbоut that,” Хiе Yanqing said flatly. “What I’m more сurious аbоut is hоw уоur hand gоt injured?”
Now it was Wеn Shanуi’s turn to lоse his smilе.
He withdrew his smile and replied bluntly, “No need for President Xie to worry about that.”
At that moment, light footsteps echoed from the stairs, and within a few breaths, Shen Jiaojiao arrived.
She had already changed her clothes, wearing a fitted sun-protective top that cinched her slender waist.
Below, she wore a pair of hot pants, showcasing a pair of long, fair legs that were particularly eye-catching.
Xie Yanqing and Wen Shanyi’s gazes inadvertently swept over those legs, which could be described as works of art.
At that moment, the two were in sync, their minds flashing the exact same image.
The atmosphere improved with Shen Jiaojiao’s arrival, and the two finally put aside their hostility.
Seeing both men looking as usual, Shen Jiaojiao silently breathed a sigh of relief.
When both of them were around, she felt somewhat guilty.
But as someone who never dwelled on self-blame, Shen Jiaojiao blamed the alcohol, blamed Wen Shanyi, and blamed Xie Yanqing.
Just not herself.
So, Shen Jiaojiao put on a gentle smile, picked up her phone from the dining table, waved it at the two men, and then hurried back upstairs with light, tapping footsteps.
At that moment, she was in a fairly good mood, especially since she didn’t know that today’s hiking trip would include two more people…
An hour later, after finishing her makeup, Shen Jiaojiao came downstairs and saw the two men dressed in casual clothes. She looked confusedly at Shen Zhenghao, who was also wearing sportswear.
“Dad?”
“Jiaojiao, Shanyi and I have nothing to do, so we’ll join you for the hike.”
Shen Jiaojiao smiled. “Sure.”
She stole a glance at Xie Yanqing. He knew nothing, and while she felt a little sorry, she would never repeat the mistake of that night again.
As long as she didn’t drink.
The four of them decided to take one car. Pingleshan wasn’t far from the Shen family villa, just about a twenty-minute drive.
Xie Yanqing volunteered to drive, and Shen Jiaojiao naturally took the passenger seat.
After getting into the car, Wen Shanyi said in a joking tone, “I never thought there’d be a day when President Xie would be my… our driver. What an honor.”
Honor, my foot.
He was just jealous that Jiaojiao was sitting next to Xie Yanqing.
If Jiaojiao were sitting next to him, he’d even be willing to let her kiss him.
Wen Shanyi felt frustrated.
Having exchanged blows all morning, Xie Yanqing already understood Wen Shanyi.
He was just a green tea guy.
And he loved being sarcastic.
Dealing with him was simple.
Xie Yanqing said calmly, “I’m used to being Jiaojiao’s driver.”
Wen Shanyi gritted his teeth and sneered, saying nothing more.
He was afraid that if he spoke, the sourness would fill the entire car.
Shen Jiaojiao pretended not to hear or sense anything unusual, focusing intently on the scenery along the road.
Only the oblivious Shen Zhenghao laughed heartily and chimed in, “Yanqing, you’re so thoughtful, but don’t spoil Jiaojiao too much. You’re busy with work, and besides, we have a driver at home.”
“Don’t worry, Dad. No matter how busy work gets, I’ll always make time for Jiaojiao,” Xie Yanqing took the opportunity to make his stance clear.He could sense that Shen Zhenghao’s attitude toward him had improved significantly this time, becoming much more amiable.
When turning the corner, Xie Yanqing’s large, distinct-knuckled hand gently turned the steering wheel, the ring on his left ring finger sparkling under the sunlight.
The twenty-minute journey passed quickly. With Shen Zhenghao present, the car never fell into an awkward silence.
Pingle Mountain wasn’t high, with its peak reaching only a few hundred meters above sea level. The lush, overlapping green mountains were covered in dense, verdant trees, and a stream flowed gently through the valley.
As Shen Jiaojiao got out of the car, she breathed in the fresh air and couldn’t help but stretch comfortably, revealing a glimpse of her jade-like, fair waist.
Wen Shanyi’s gaze had been following Shen Jiaojiao. Though he hadn’t intentionally looked at her slender waist, his view was suddenly blocked by a figure in black casual wear.
His eyes cooled imperceptibly.
Xie Yanqing didn’t give Wen Shanyi another chance to linger. He directly suggested, “Dad, Jiaojiao has poor stamina, so we plan to take this path and ascend the mountain slowly. You and Mr. Wen can take the other side.”
Shen Zhenghao understood his meaning—they didn’t want to be third wheels.
He smiled and agreed.
Xie Yanqing took Shen Jiaojiao’s small hand. “Let’s go.”
Shen Jiaojiao glanced back at Wen Shanyi, and the profound light in his eyes startled her.
But remembering that today and the future would hold no further connection, Shen Jiaojiao set her mind at ease.
At that moment, Little Black Ball, who had been missing for two days, reappeared, exclaiming, “Ah! Why didn’t you follow the plot last night?”
Shen Jiaojiao brushed it off, “I’m already living with your male lead. Do you think it’s still necessary?”
Little Black Ball froze. After thinking it over carefully, it realized Shen Jiaojiao made a good point.
Shen Jiaojiao continued to placate it, “Don’t worry, we’re about to reach the data theft plot. I’m sure I’ll be able to exit the story soon.”
Little Black Ball felt something was off but couldn’t pinpoint what.
So it believed her. It had just returned to the factory for an update and now felt like a brand-new system. It hadn’t yet been through hardships and didn’t know how treacherous people could be.
“Alright then, I’ll keep an eye on you!”
Shen Jiaojiao smiled.
Xie Yanqing caught that smile and casually asked, “Why are you so happy, Jiaojiao?”
Shen Jiaojiao replied naturally, “It’s rare to come out with Yanqing, of course I’m happy.”
Xie Yanqing was momentarily stunned, then felt as if his heart had been soaked in a warm spring, glowing with warmth.
He leaned down and kissed Shen Jiaojiao’s forehead, his tone gentle. “Jiaojiao, let’s go out together every weekend from now on.”
Shen Jiaojiao looked up at him, her almond-shaped eyes sparkling. “Okay.”
Standing in the sunlight, her hair seemed to glow, her skin translucent and fair under the clear light, and even her affectionate amber eyes held a glimmer of starlight.
Xie Yanqing suddenly felt moved. What had he done to deserve such a wonderful wife as Shen Jiaojiao?
Thankfully, he had followed his heart.
After walking for a while, Xie Yanqing, who had been paying close attention to Shen Jiaojiao, noticed her breathing becoming slightly labored.
So he released her hand and crouched down, his tall frame lowering.
“Jiaojiao, let me carry you on my back.”
Shen Jiaojiao hesitated, glancing at the seemingly endless forest path. “Won’t it be too tiring for you to carry me?”
Xie Yanqing unexpectedly joked, “I could carry two of you and still have energy to spare.”Shen Jiaojiao’s face was slightly flushed as she slowly climbed onto his back.
Xie Yanqing supported her calves and stood up steadily, not letting Shen Jiaojiao feel the slightest jolt.
“Hold onto my neck.”
Shen Jiaojiao obediently wrapped her arms around him. Sometimes she really liked Xie Yanqing, especially when his deep, steady tone carried an undeniable authority.
It was particularly captivating.
Thinking this, Shen Jiaojiao quietly leaned close to Xie Yanqing’s ear: “Yanqing, I like you so much.”
Xie Yanqing’s ears flushed red instantly, whether from her words or the warmth of her breath.
His heart pounded violently, and an involuntary thought even crossed his mind:
At this moment, he would gladly die for Shen Jiaojiao.