Сhаpter 5: Тhоugh Не’s а Yandere, It’s Just Right fоr Нer
Jiang Li hаd been gоing tо bеd еаrlу and wаking uр еаrly thesе past few daуs sinсe hеr rеbirth, but shе hаdn’t bеen slеерing well.
Tоnight, shе had аnother nightmarе.
She drеamed that Yuаn Hеzhi had саlled off thе wedding, and she еndеd uр mаrrying Ye Yuсhеn аgаin, coрying bоoks daу after dаy. Whenеver the skin on hеr fingеrtiрs worе rаw, a doctоr would trеаt her, but onсe she hеalеd, shе hаd to сontinue сopуing.
If shе rеfused to copy books fоr Yе Yuchen’s white moоnlight, thе family chеf wоuld serve her bitter melon at every meal, and the servants would wake her up every half hour, making it impossible for her to eat or sleep properly, tormenting both her body and mind.
After waking from the nightmare, Jiang Li sat up in bed and immediately turned on the bedside lamp.
A thin layer of sweat glistened on her pale forehead as she clutched her pillow, breathing heavily with lingering fear.
She had already urged Yuan Hezhi about the marriage once and felt too embarrassed to push again—that would seem too desperate. It was the last shred of dignity she had left…
After turning off the bedside lamp and failing to fall back asleep, Jiang Li decided to abandon that last bit of pride. Etiquette and shame were not as important as her life!
On the day of the matchmaking banquet, Jiang Li had gotten Yuan Hezhi’s private number.
With each digit she pressed, her nervousness grew…
The phone rang a few times before it was answered.
“Brother Hezhi.”
As soon as she spoke, Jiang Li fell silent. She had intended to sound a little sweeter, but she overdid it—even she found it cloying.
“It’s almost midnight. Did you call for something?” The man sounded as if he had been woken up, his voice nasal and heavy with sleep, the lazy, husky tone drawn out. “Little Dimple, speak.”
What on earth was “Little Dimple”?
Jiang Li gave up on the cutesy voice and asked weakly in her clear tone, “Brother Hezhi, why haven’t you come to marry me yet?”
Yuan Hezhi didn’t turn on the light, reaching instead for his cigarette case. But upon hearing her words, he stopped his search.
Her voice was more addictive than the nicotine in cigarettes. If it were a little sweeter, like just now, that would be even better—he didn’t find it cloying at all. In fact, he wouldn’t mind if it were even sweeter.
Who would have thought that the aloof and restrained Yuan Da had a taste for this…
Yuan Hezhi: “I’ve spoken to my family, but preparing the betrothal gifts will take a few days. Don’t worry.”
“Oh.”
Jiang Li’s mood was low, but in front of her future patron/boss, she couldn’t show any negative emotions.
She forced a sweet smile: “I’m sorry for disturbing your sleep so late. It’s just that I had a nightmare—I dreamed that you and I didn’t get married.”
Yuan Hezhi’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his indifferent eyes gradually deepening. He was well aware of Jiang Li’s appeal to him, but he hadn’t expected it to be this strong.
“Be good, your nightmare won’t come true.”
After hanging up, the tall and handsome man walked naked into the walk-in closet, leisurely selecting a suit. A Stefano Ricci tie was tucked behind a silver-gray vest, and his well-proportioned muscles gave the suit sharp, defined lines. He even meticulously chose a watch to wear.
Uncle Wang, the butler, was getting on in years and slept lightly at night. The slightest noise would wake him.
Uncle Wang saw the young master dressed to the nines, driving off in a flashy sports car.
“Spring has truly arrived—even the peacocks are spreading their tails,” he remarked with a sigh.
Just as Jiang Li was about to fall asleep, her phone rang, waking her. Seeing it was Yuan Hezhi’s private number, she quickly answered.
“Hello, Brother Hezhi.”
“Were you asleep?”
“Mmm… almost.” Jiang Li’s voice was soft and sweet, unconsciously slipping into a coquettish tone.Yuan Hezhi paused for a moment and said, “I’m outside your front gate.”
“What?!”
Jiang Li instantly snapped awake.
Yesterday, Madam Jiang and Jiang Song’er flew to Paris to have a wedding dress custom-made by a high-end luxury brand. Madam Jiang didn’t show favoritism—she wanted to take Jiang Li along too.
After all, Jiang Li was marrying Yuan Hezhi. If her wedding dress looked too shabby, it would reflect poorly on the Jiang family.
Jiang Li declined. She felt domestic wedding dress brands were perfectly fine and didn’t want to fly abroad for a custom order—it was both a waste of money and a hassle.
Madam Jiang didn’t press the matter.
So tonight, Madam Jiang and Jiang Song’er weren’t home. Jiang Deming, who had been suffering from insomnia as he aged, relied on sleeping pills and melatonin to fall asleep. Once he lay down, he was completely out.
Jiang Li stood before the floor-length mirror. The fabric of her nightgown was too scant, so she draped a robe over it before going to see Yuan Hezhi.
In her past life, Jiang Song’er had grown bored at the Yuan family home and frequently asked Jiang Li to come over to keep her company. Jiang Li was happy to oblige because it meant she didn’t have to copy texts.
Jiang Li had visited the Yuan family many times over the years, but she never once ran into Yuan Hezhi. According to Jiang Song’er’s complaints, Yuan Hezhi was a work machine. Even family members had to schedule appointments in advance to see him. He never wasted a single second on unimportant people or matters—his sense of time was exceptionally strong.
For Yuan Hezhi to seek her out late at night, it must be something very important.
Jiang Li jogged all the way to the villa’s entrance. Panting slightly, she stood before Yuan Hezhi, tilting her head up to reveal her delicate pink ears, adopting an attentive posture.
“Dress properly.” Yuan Hezhi lowered his gaze and helped her tighten the loosely tied sash of her nightgown. His black-gloved fingers hooked the pink waistband, stirring a vague, ambiguous tension in the boundless night.
His movements were so natural, like a doting father fussing over his child, that the hint of intimacy and flirtation became mere background notes.
Jiang Li flushed slightly, her words soft and gentle. “Sorry, I was in too much of a hurry and didn’t tie my nightgown properly.”
Yuan Hezhi’s fingers suddenly clenched, as if he were desperately restraining some impulse. He not only loved her voice but also found her soft, gentle nature utterly endearing.
He also felt the wedding preparations were moving too slowly—they needed to speed things up.
“I’m not scolding you,” Yuan Hezhi said, his voice warm and steady. “The reason I came so late is to let you know that my family will come the day after tomorrow to deliver the betrothal gifts.”
“So soon?” Jiang Li’s eyes widened.
“Does it feel too fast again?”
“No, no! I’m just pleasantly surprised. I’ll be waiting at home obediently for you all the day after tomorrow.”
Every word struck right at Yuan Hezhi’s preferences. He narrowed his eyes, his authoritative tone carrying a warning. “Don’t act like this in front of others.”
Act like what?
Like being improperly dressed?
Jiang Li thought Yuan Hezhi was overthinking it. She promised earnestly, “I only act like this in front of Brother Hezhi. I don’t behave this way in front of outsiders.”
Yuan Hezhi couldn’t help but pat her little head.
“There was a leaf in your hair.”
Jiang Li touched her hair, completely unsuspecting. “Thank you.”
Yuan Hezhi asked, “Do you think I’m too controlling?”
Even how she spoke was something he wanted to manage. His therapist had pointed out that his need for control was too strong. This wasn’t the feudal era—no one could tolerate his obsessive need for control. Even a partner who was a perfect match for him would be scared away.
Jiang Li shook her head, her clear eyes blinking as she asked in return, “I’m not good at socializing. Would you force me to attend banquets and drink?”A cold glint flashed in Yuan Hezhi’s eyes. “Whoever dares to persuade you to drink, I’ll make them drink for three days and three nights. If they dare to vomit, I’ll double the amount.”
These words were too cruel and extreme, but for Jiang Li, who lacked a sense of security, they seemed just right.
Yuan Hezhi said, “Before marriage, there are three points I want to make clear to you.”
Jiang Li listened attentively, unafraid of her leader having demands—she was only afraid of her leader having none.
Yuan Hezhi continued, “First, never lie to me under any circumstances. I despise traitors the most.”
“Second, in my eyes, there is no distinction between major and minor matters. Therefore, I will inquire about everything concerning you, intervene, and even make decisions for you.”
“Third, although ours is an arranged marriage, I do not want a marriage in name only. I only accept a de facto marriage.”
Jiang Li’s fair little face froze in confusion. She didn’t quite understand the last point. Did “de facto marriage” mean they had to share a bed?
But wasn’t he impotent…