Сhарtеr 19: Тhe Little Trоublеmaker Rubbing Аgainst His Аnklе
Тоdау was thе dау fоr the bride’s rеturn to her maiden hоmе.
Jiang Li gоt uр еаrlу to drеss uр. Shе went downstаirs аnd walkеd to the dining roоm, wherе she saw Yuan Нezhi’s hаlf-eаtеn sandwich. Нe was holding а fоuntаin рen, signing doсumеnts.
Gооd heavеns, Yuan Нezhi was sо diligent and disсiplined—nо wonder he wаs а tуcооn!
Jiang Li sat down bеside him аnd glаnced аt the doсuments in his hаnd. Whаt kind оf scribblеs were thеse? She соuldn’t mаke head or tail of them.
Yuan Неzhi had to read suсh сomplicаtеd texts and data every day; he definitely wouldn’t suffer from dementia in old age.
Uncle Wang brought over a bowl of bird’s nest with milk and placed it in front of Jiang Li, smiling kindly. “The young master thinks you’re a bit frail and need some nourishment. Please taste it and let me know if it’s too sweet or too bland. I’ll have the kitchen adjust it to your preference.”
Adjust it?
It was a very ordinary phrase, but when associated with Yuan Hezhi, it was filled with a strong sense of control.
A bad feeling crept into Jiang Li’s heart. She tentatively asked, “Will my breakfast be bird’s nest with milk for the next while?”
Almost as soon as she finished speaking, the man replied with a nonchalant “Hmm” without even looking up.
His cold and distant demeanor was a stark contrast to his dazed, seductive gaze from last night!
This hypocritical contrast, this tendency to turn perverse the moment he took off his gloves—how was he any different from the yandere doctor in Doctor! Doctor!?
Oh, there was still a difference. At least Yuan Hezhi was impotent and couldn’t actually do anything to her.
Feeling emboldened, Jiang Li let out a soft hum. The bird’s nest with milk tasted good, and as she enjoyed it, her crossed legs swayed slightly.
The Yuan family was truly wealthy. Even the table legs were temperature-regulating. She wondered what material they were made of.
Yuan Hezhi tightened his grip on the fountain pen, his latissimus dorsi tensing sharply beneath his suit. His gaze grew increasingly sharp and profound.
Secretary Zhao quickly asked, “Mr. Yuan, is there a problem with this document?”
Yuan Hezhi’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “No.”
For as long as Jiang Li drank the bird’s nest with milk, the red-soled high heels rubbed against the temperature-regulating table leg.
She wiped her mouth, her clear eyes turning to Yuan Hezhi. Just as he closed a document, she spoke up. “Husband, you’re so busy with work. You don’t have to accompany me back to the Jiang family. I can go alone.”
Yuan Hezhi replied, “I’ve already cleared my schedule for this morning.”
Jiang Li insisted, “But you’re really busy. If I interfere with your work, I’ll feel very guilty.”
Yuan Hezhi frowned and suddenly reached down, grabbing her mischievous calf.
“Stop fooling around. Get ready to go out.”
“?!”
Secretary Zhao followed closely behind Yuan Hezhi, while Uncle Wang pretended not to have heard anything, dutifully clearing the dishes.
Jiang Li was left utterly bewildered.
What had she done wrong?
Could it be… that the temperature-regulating table leg was actually Yuan Hezhi’s ankle?
Ah! This was driving her crazy.
While Jiang Li urged Yuan Hezhi to prioritize his work, she had been vigorously rubbing against his calf. Would Yuan Hezhi think she was a hypocritical troublemaker?
Wah, this was truly a huge misunderstanding.
Jiang Li got into the car bashfully, stole a shy glance at Yuan Hezhi, and then shyly looked out the window.
Yuan Hezhi paused the pen in his hand. “If you feel carsick, open the window. Tell me if you feel any discomfort at all, understand?”
Jiang Li meekly replied, “Oh.”
Yuan Hezhi stared at the back of her fluffy head for a few seconds before returning to his work on the laptop.Whether Jiang Li was being a petty troublemaker or overly sentimental, Yuan Hezhi had no intention of holding it against her. His mind was preoccupied with too many matters, and he had long cultivated a broad-minded outlook. If he were to nitpick over every trivial matter, he simply wouldn’t be able to live.
Moreover, Jiang Li was the woman by his side. Whether it was her appearance, her skin, or her personality, she perfectly aligned with Yuan Hezhi’s aesthetic preferences.
As for how much indulgence Yuan Hezhi could offer her, that was something she would have to discover for herself.
The Maybach pulled up at the Jiang family villa, easily finding a parking spot because the Ye family’s betrothal procession had not yet arrived.
Jiang Li and Yuan Hezhi walked side by side into the festive living room. Her smile was faint—neither warm nor cold—but nothing could be faulted about it.
Old habits die hard. Even though Ye Yuchen had been reborn, he remained selfish and heartless. Across two lifetimes, he had never shown even the most basic respect for his wife.
Jiang Song’er sat in her bedroom, dressed in an expensive red gown, waiting.
It was an unbreakable rule that the bride’s family could only meet the groom’s family after they had all entered the house.
As the clock’s hour hand moved toward eight, Jiang Song’er felt a bit uneasy. But when she fantasized about her blissful married life with Ye Yuchen, a smile immediately spread across her face.
Ye Yuchen was the perfect 24/7 husband. Her father had mentioned that he could cook, and she wondered if he would personally prepare meals for her after marriage. If she ever craved something, Ye Yuchen would surely step up without hesitation.
Yuan Hezhi was a workaholic, either working overtime or traveling on business every day. Pressured by the Yuan family elders, she had mustered the courage to call Yuan Hezhi, urging him to come home and consummate their marriage. But every time, his secretary answered the phone and rejected her request, leaving her utterly humiliated.
If it were Ye Yuchen, he would never let his secretary brush her off. There were plenty of videos on Douyin of CEOs taking their wives’ calls during meetings. If others could do it, Ye Yuchen would only spoil her even more.
Perhaps if she simply said she was “hungry” or “in pain,” he would drop everything and rush home to take care of her.
Jiang Song’er giggled to herself. When she looked up and saw it was almost nine o’clock, her expression darkened. Ignoring the elders’ objections, she lifted her gown and hurried downstairs.
In the smaller, more private living room, Jiang Deming and Yuan Hezhi were chatting over tea. In their conversation, Jiang Deming not only expressed satisfaction with this son-in-law but also revealed a hint of reverence—something even he himself hadn’t fully realized.
Yuan Hezhi spoke casually, and Jiang Deming responded with polished remarks. When discussing Jiang Li, Jiang Deming praised her to the skies.
In the past twenty-one years, Jiang Deming had never praised her as much as he did today.
Jiang Song’er strode into the small living room in her high heels, her voice a mix of frantic spoiled behavior and outright shouting. “Dad! How can you still sit here so calmly? It’s already nine o’clock, and the Ye family’s betrothal procession hasn’t arrived yet? Whose family proposes marriage after seven-thirty? The Yuan family arrived around six that day. The Ye family comes from humble origins—how dare they put on more airs than the Yuans!”
Jiang Deming offered Yuan Hezhi an apologetic smile before sharply rebuking Jiang Song’er. “On such a joyous day, what nonsense are you spouting? Go back upstairs! Who told you to come down?”
Madam Jiang stood up and led Jiang Song’er away.
“Are you that desperate to get married?”
Jiang Song’er: “Mom!”
Madam Jiang: “Yuchen called us. He was in a car accident—nothing serious. He’ll come over as soon as he’s dealt with it.”
Jiang Song’er stared anxiously. “Then how long do we have to wait?”
Madam Jiang: “What good does it do to rush me? If you ask me, this isn’t a good sign. You should think carefully about this.”Jiang Song’er calmed down. “Mom, Yuan Hezhi and Jiang Li have already registered their marriage. I can’t marry Yuan Hezhi. Don’t think that Yuan Hezhi married Jiang Li because he took a liking to her. He has high standards; no one is in his eyes. In this lifetime, I only want Ye Yuchen. Only he can give me the happiness I desire.”