“Qingqing, you’re our only daughter. After graduation, you’ll join Yan Corporation’s management team, and when I retire, you’ll inherit the company. Why go through the hardship of starting your own business?”
Yan Qing leaned against the sofa, propping her head up with one hand. “Little Chenchen, do you know what kind of people I dislike?”
Zhan Yan Chen shook his head gently.
“Those who cling to family succession.”
The heir of the Zhan family: “…Wife, for some people, this is a responsibility they’re born to bear.”
Yan Qing neither agreed nor disagreed and continued, “Do you know what kind of person I least want to marry?”
Before Zhan Yan Chen could answer, Yan Qing reached out and stroked his face. “A rich man.”
The Crown Prince, ranked first on the rich list: “…”
Is it too late to go bankrupt now?
Zhan Yan Chen’s expression turned subtle as he took a sip of wine, dismissing the idea of revealing his identity.
By the time Yan Qing finished her work, it was already ten in the evening.
Stepping out of the bathroom, Yan Qing happened to see Zhan Yan Chen taking off his loungewear. His broad shoulders, narrow waist, and inverted triangle physique exuded an overwhelming surge of masculine hormones even in stillness.
He was tempting her with his abs again.
Yan Qing quickly lowered her gaze and swallowed. Who could resist this?
“Sister, you can look if you want, and touch if you want,” Zhan Yan Chen said as he walked over.
Yan Qing instinctively wanted to run, but anticipating her escape, Zhan Yan Chen swiftly closed the distance. “Sister, we’ve already been intimate. Why be shy?”
“You brat, don’t come any closer!” Yan Qing raised her foot to kick him.
Unexpectedly, Zhan Yan Chen caught her leg and pulled her forcefully, causing them to collide, instantly intensifying the sexual tension between them.
“Ah…” Yan Qing felt suffocated. Having just showered, she was only wearing a bathrobe…
Help, this position—her leg hooked around his waist—was the same as that night by the floor-to-ceiling window.
It was too dangerous.
How is this guy so skilled!
Zhan Yan Chen wrapped his arms around her waist, his gaze deep and mesmerizing like a whirlpool, effortlessly drawing her in.
“Sister smells so good.”
Yan Qing heard a suggestive sniff and quickly pressed her hands against his chest, her face flushed down to her neck. “Zhan Yan Chen, let me go!”
“I won’t let go,” Zhan Yan Chen said in a low voice before pinning her against the wall and kissing her lips fiercely.
“Mmm…” With the cold wall behind her and his scorching body in front, Yan Qing’s delicate frame trembled softly amidst the contrast of ice and fire.
Under his dominating kiss, her heart stirred, and she raised her arms to respond.
After a long while, Zhan Yan Chen restrained himself and released Yan Qing, who was nearly breathless. His flushed eyes gazed at her, now shed of her youthful innocence and radiantly beautiful, as love swirled endlessly in his heart.
If he was too forward, he worried his wife would think him frivolous.
If he wasn’t forward enough, he worried she’d think he didn’t like her.
“I’ll go take a cold shower,” Zhan Yan Chen said, placing Yan Qing on the bed before hastily retreating to the bathroom.
Yan Qing gasped for air, his aggrieved and suppressed voice echoing in her ears, stirring a pang of sympathy in her heart.
A moment later, she steeled her resolve. Zhan Yan Chen was still a student, and his studies came first. She couldn’t exhaust his body.
The next day.
When Yan Qing woke up, Zhan Yan Chen had already left.
After changing her clothes and stepping out of her room, Yan Qing saw the house spotlessly clean, with an exquisite breakfast laid out on the dining table. The fruit and fried eggs were even shaped like hearts, bringing a slow smile to her face.
Zhan Yan Chen wasn’t just a cute puppy—he was also a devoted housekeeper.
At noon, after finishing his work, Zhan Yan Chen was about to head to Yuerong when Zhan Jiu hurried in.
“Young Master, the Master requests your immediate return home.”
Zhan Yan Chen had no choice but to postpone seeing his wife and head home first.
Zhan Corporation Estate.
Zhan Yan Chen strode briskly into the largest villa.
In the opulent living room, the family head Zhan Huaifeng and his wife Jiang Li Luo sat solemnly on the sofa, their expressions serious as they looked at Zhan Yan Chen.
“Dad, Mom, did you need something?”
Zhan Huaifeng’s tone was stern. “Zhan Yan Chen, you returned to the country to take over the company, but you’ve only shown your face there twice? What have you been so busy with?”
“Busy chasing your future daughter-in-law for you.”
Jiang Li Luo’s face instantly lit up with a smile as she stood excitedly. “Son, have you caught up with her?”
Zhan Huaifeng could no longer hold back his excitement and asked eagerly, “Son, who is she?”
Zhan Yan Chen’s cold, rigid expression softened instantly, and his tone warmed. “She is the heiress of the Yan family, the general manager of Yuerong Jewelry Company, Yan Qing.”
Jiang Li Luo gradually looked astonished. “Duanduan’s best friend? The little Yan Qing who stayed with us when she was a child? The little Yan Qing whose surname is in your name? The little Yan Qing you had an oral engagement with?”
Zhan Yan Chen seemed to recall something, a rare, unrestrained smile appearing on his face. “Mom, your son has finally gotten his wish.”
“Why didn’t you bring your wife home with you!” Zhan Huaifeng scolded lightly, then chuckled. “What’s the matter? Could it be she doesn’t like you?”
“Yan Qing and I are already married!” Zhan Yan Chen paused, reminding his parents, “But I haven’t told Yan Qing about my identity.”
Zhan Huaifeng looked reproachful. “Yan Chen, lying to your wife is a major taboo in our Zhan family. Why are you hiding your identity?”
Zhan Yan Chen helplessly pressed his fingers to his temples. “Yan Qing dislikes me for being wealthy.”
Zhan Huaifeng was taken aback. He had thought his daughter-in-law might be wary of his son’s past reckless behavior, but he never expected it was because she disliked his wealth.
“If your wife dislikes you for being wealthy, you should go bankrupt to win her over!”
“Exactly!” Jiang Li Luo looked sorrowful, secretly pinching her waist to squeeze out a tear.
“You lied to my daughter-in-law. How can your father and I face her? I’ve been waiting for this day for twenty-six years. With this lie of yours, will I ever get to hear my daughter-in-law call me ‘Mom’ in my lifetime?”
Even though he knew his mother was acting, Zhan Yan Chen still said, “Mom, I’ll explain everything to Qingqing as soon as possible.”
“That’s more like it.”
“Yan Chen.” Su Qianqian ran from the doorway to Zhan Yan Chen’s side. “You’ve finally returned to the country.”
Just as her hand was about to touch his arm, Zhan Yan Chen stepped back, his voice cold and stern. “I’m married. Stay away from me!”
Su Qianqian’s eyes widened in disbelief. Zhan Yan Chen had a wife?
How was that possible! Since childhood, she had been the only woman by Zhan Yan Chen’s side. No one else had ever had the chance to get close to him.
Suppressing her intense jealousy, Su Qianqian forced a smile. “Who is she? Can you introduce us sometime?”
“Why should my wife need to know you?” Zhan Yan Chen said with a dark expression before nodding to his parents. “Dad, Mom, I’ll head back to the company now.”
After Zhan Yan Chen left, Jiang Li Luo walked up to Su Qianqian. Since her son didn’t like Su Qianqian, she had no fondness for her either. Out of respect for their families’ long-standing friendship, she gently advised, “Miss Su, you lost your chance twenty years ago. Let go of your obsession with Yan Chen and find someone who truly loves you.”
“Twenty years ago??”
Su Qianqian asked in shock, but Jiang Li Luo had no intention of answering. She sat down beside her husband, discussing how they should introduce themselves to their daughter-in-law.
Leaving the Zhan Corporation estate in a daze, Su Qianqian still couldn’t believe the fact that Zhan Yan Chen was married. After getting into the car, she remembered that a friend worked at the Civil Affairs Bureau, so she quickly started the car and drove away.
Meanwhile, at Fengxing Mall.
Yan Qing and Zhan Yunduan were planning the shop’s renovation.
As Zhan Yunduan sketched the design, unable to hold back her curiosity after failing to gather any information at home, she asked, “Qing Jie, is the… little puppy I gave you… cute?”
“He’s both cute and fierce!” Yan Qing gently tapped her on the head. “Zhan Duanduan, how did you manage to dig up such an extraordinary little puppy?”
Zhan Yunduan really wanted to see her devilish little uncle transform into an adorable puppy.
Since Zhan Jiu had already enrolled her little uncle at Jing University, she decided not to lie. “Of course, I found him at Jing University! He’s incredibly handsome, excels in his studies, has great character, and is the campus heartthrob who’s taken Jing University by storm!”
Her praise made Yan Qing want to visit Jing University just to see her husband.
After finishing the design sketch, Yan Qing turned to Zhan Yunduan, who was drinking water. “Duanduan, I heard your crazy little uncle has returned to the country?”
“Cough.” Zhan Yunduan choked, her alarm bells ringing loudly. “Qing Jie, who told you that?”