Сhаpter 25: Тhe Little Wildсаt—Не Наd Nevеr Rаisеd Оne, But Wаnted to Keер Hеr
Jiаng Li suddеnlу rеmembеrеd thаt Yuan Hеzhi hаd mentiоned keeрing a gоlden retrievеr at hоme.
“Саn I go seе the golden rеtriеvеr уou’re rаising?”
“Surе, wаnt tо go now?”
“Мm-hmm.”
Thе golden rеtriever’s kеnnel was sеt up in a small wооdеn cаbin nоt far from the villа, clеаned spоtlessly insidе and оut, with сlеan аnd hygieniс bedding and fооd bоwls.
It was clear that someonе wаs speciallу tаking care оf thе golden retriever.
“Da Mao.”
Yuan Hezhi called out calmly. Jiang Li curiously glanced toward the kennel—the dog wasn’t there.
Suddenly, Jiang Li felt something strange behind her. Something wet brushed against her calf. She slowly turned around and saw a massive, gaping maw.
“Ah!!”
Jiang Li screamed and jumped onto Yuan Hezhi.
Her legs tightly wrapped around his waist, her slender, fair neck glistening with a thin layer of sweat pressed close to the man’s lips, her innocent eyes filled with pitiful grievance.
Like a little lamb willingly offered to a dark god, her fear only attracting an even more terrifying presence.
Unaware of the danger, she whimpered softly in the man’s ear, exhaling sweet breaths, saying, “The golden retriever is so majestic, a general among dogs, truly worthy of being the dog you raised.”
Even in such a moment, she didn’t forget to flatter.
Yuan Hezhi’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his eyes shadowed with an indescribable smile. His low, husky voice slowly said, “Don’t be afraid. Without my command, Da Mao won’t bite. He was just greeting you.”
The man’s arms firmly encircled her waist and hips, effortlessly holding her, even freeing one hand to gently pat her back in reassurance.
The muscles beneath his suit were taut, sweat-drenched heat soaking through his white shirt. The hormones radiating from within gave his demeanor a certain ripe charm, making him exceptionally alluring.
Yuan Hezhi released his hold, guiding her to interact with Da Mao. Jiang Li ruffled Da Mao’s head, somewhat absent-minded.
Was it an illusion? She thought Yuan Hezhi smelled so good—not the cedar scent of some domineering CEO, but a tangible, sensual fragrance that made her want to bite him.
Da Mao found Jiang Li novel and was enthusiastic toward her for a few minutes before his attention returned to Yuan Hezhi, carefully gnawing at Yuan Hezhi’s black gloves with his teeth.
Yuan Hezhi patiently played with Da Mao, slapping the dog’s head when he nearly tore off the glove.
Da Mao whimpered. Every time he bit the glove, he got slapped, yet he never learned.
Jiang Li swallowed hard. She had wanted to remove Yuan Hezhi’s gloves to test if he had skin hunger, but now she didn’t dare.
If her head got slapped, she’d probably end up with a concussion.
That afternoon, Jiang Li was swamped with work.
She had attended charity galas before and had experience. But this time was different—it was her first public appearance with Yuan Hezhi after their marriage. Every move would be scrutinized, and nothing could go wrong.
The makeup artist was tending to Jiang Li’s skincare when Uncle Wang walked in and handed her a document. “Young Madam, this is the guest list for the charity gala that Old Madam compiled for you. Photos and names are included. Try to memorize as many as you can.”
Jiang Li was immensely grateful. “Please thank Grandma for me.”
Uncle Wang: “You’re too kind.”Jiang Li was admitted to Xiangjiang Art Academy as a calligraphy student, but that didn’t mean her academic performance was poor. She consistently ranked in the top twenty of her grade in every exam. Many teachers would use Jiang Li as motivation for their students: “Even a calligraphy student can make it into the top twenty—what excuse do you, a regular academic student, have for not working harder?”
Jiang Li excelled in both calligraphy and academics, largely thanks to her good memory. With only a few hours left before the charity gala, she was confident she could memorize most of the necessary details.
“Young Madam, your makeup is done. You may now try on the gown.”
Jiang Li: “Thank you.”
The gown was a pink satin mermaid dress. Pink often made people look sallow, but Jiang Li’s naturally fair and delicate complexion made her appear radiant and elegant in the color.
The mermaid dress fit her perfectly, its sophisticated and elegant tailoring accentuating her curvaceous figure.
Jiang Li touched her bare neck and asked while looking in the mirror, “What jewelry do you think would suit this dress?”
“Pink diamonds would match the dress perfectly.”
“Conch pearls would also be lovely!”
Everyone chimed in with suggestions, but they suddenly fell silent, their eyes turning toward the imposing and authoritative man.
Yuan Hezhi walked in, holding a blue gift box in his hand. Inside was a dazzling diamond necklace, each white diamond the size of a pigeon egg.
Jiang Li’s eyes sparkled as brightly as the diamonds.
“It’s so beautiful! Darling, you have such great taste. Hurry and put it on me!”
Her sweet, eager voice couldn’t hide her greed, but Yuan Hezhi found her utterly adorable and genuine.
Yuan Hezhi brushed her jet-black hair to one side and fastened the heavy diamond necklace around her neck. Her delicate, exquisite beauty was captivating.
In her previous life, Jiang Li rarely attended banquets with Ye Yuchen and never owned a decent gown or set of jewelry.
She wasn’t a materialistic person, but experience had taught her that if you didn’t spend a man’s money, other women would.
Jiang Li touched the diamond necklace around her neck, looked up, and planted a kiss on Yuan Hezhi’s chin.
“Darling, I probably won’t be able to leave you in this lifetime. Since I was little, my dream was to become a princess, and it wasn’t until I married you that this dream came true. You’re the Prince Charming I’ve been searching for all along. I’m different from other women—only by staying by your side can I become the radiant princess I’ve always wanted to be. Darling, would you be willing to give me a gemstone necklace every month?”
Everyone: What a bold and direct request!
Yuan Hezhi stood tall and straight, his stern and composed face exuding seriousness. The way he cupped the back of her head and stroked it was filled with possessiveness.
She was beautiful in a somewhat superficial way—a delicate, empty-headed little wildcat. He had never kept one before, but he wanted to tame her.
“I’ll fulfill all my wife’s wishes. Just stay this obedient from now on,” Yuan Hezhi promised.
“I’m the most obedient!” Jiang Li couldn’t believe he had agreed to such an outrageous request. She had no idea what he was after—perhaps he just had too much money and nowhere to spend it.
The charity gala was held in an extravagant exhibition hall.
Jiang Li and Yuan Hezhi drew attention the moment they stepped out of the car. In her previous life, she had been insecure, sensitive, and starved for affection. Now, with Yuan Hezhi’s arm linked in hers, Jiang Li was beautiful, confident, and poised.
Yuan Hezhi introduced her to several influential figures, and Jiang Li greeted each gentleman and lady politely.
Soon, others approached to strike up conversations.
After Jiang Li finished socializing with a renowned architect, Yuan Hezhi smiled faintly at the corner of his lips. “Darling, Master Zhou wasn’t involved in the construction of the Lake Heart Museum. You’ve mixed up the details.”Jiang Li’s beautiful, fair face showed no embarrassment. With a slight dimple, she smiled sweetly, “Oh, so he even laughed along and went along with what I said.”
“President Yuan~ Being your wife feels amazing. Even if I call a mouse a cat, no one dares to contradict me.”
“Let me interview you—with such immense power, how do you stay humble and low-key? If it were me, my tail would already be wagging up to the sky!”