After saying this, she packed up her things, picked up her small crossbody bag, and walked out.
Because it was winter, the sky darkened early. By a little past six, it was already starting to get dim outside.
Night fell, stars began to twinkle, and the moon was faintly visible. The city lit up in the darkness, a dazzling spectacle.
Su Zhaotang followed the address her father had given her and navigated to Zhou Lingjing’s villa area.
The security guard at the entrance signaled for her to stop. “Hello, who are you looking for?”
After all, it was a high-end villa area, and any outside vehicles needed to be registered.
Su Zhaotang slowly rolled down the car window, revealing her delicate little face. “I’m looking for Zhou Lingjing.”
Upon hearing the name, the guard immediately bowed respectfully. “Yes, miss. Mr. Zhou already informed us earlier. You may go in now.”
“Thank you.” She then rolled up the window, started the car, and drove inside.
After parking, Su Zhaotang walked to the front of the villa and looked at the building. The exterior walls of the villa were painted in a beige tone, paired with a dark-colored roof, exuding an elegant and classical charm. The sculptures and columns on the walls revealed a strong artistic atmosphere.
“Not bad taste,” Su Zhaotang commented. It suited her aesthetic quite well.
Walking up to the main door, she pressed the doorbell. Soon after, a kind-faced aunt opened the door.
Lin Yi looked at the young lady outside. She wore a simple yet elegant white cheongsam that accentuated her graceful figure.
The collar of the cheongsam was adorned with exquisite frog buttons, with tassels swaying gently. The loose sleeves and hem fluttered in the breeze.
Her long, dark curly hair cascaded lazily down, and her delicate features were captivating. She looked like a little fairy who had stepped right out of a painting.
“Hello, I’m looking for Zhou Lingjing,” Su Zhaotang greeted sweetly, stating her purpose.
Lin Yi snapped out of her thoughts, stepped aside to let Su Zhaotang in, and took a new pair of spare women’s slippers from the nearby shoe rack for her to change into.
“Please wait a moment. I’ll call the young master downstairs right away,” she hurriedly said.
“No rush, no rush. Take your time. I’m not in a hurry,” Su Zhaotang explained gently.
While Lin Yi went to fetch him, Su Zhaotang walked into the hall and took a good look at the decor.
The spacious hall was bright and tidy, with exquisite plaster decorations on the high ceiling. The luxurious chandelier shone like a brilliant star, illuminating the entire space.
On either side of the hall were the living room and dining room, elegantly decorated and tastefully furnished.
At that moment, the person she was looking for walked leisurely down the stairs, wearing a comfortable dark gray casual outfit.
The overall look was simple and relaxed, giving off a lazy yet elegant vibe. His hair was casually tousled, looking extremely at ease.
“You got here quite fast,” he said lightly, holding a folder in his hand.
It seemed to be the thing her father wanted, Su Zhaotang thought.
“Of course, I had to come early. What if I disturbed your evening rest?” she said with a smile.
“So, please hand it over, Young Master Zhou,” she said to Zhou Lingjing, extending her two fair, slender arms, gesturing for him to give her the folder.
Seeing her actions, Zhou Lingjing let out a low chuckle from his throat. “Am I some kind of ferocious beast? In such a hurry to leave?”
“Not at all. It’s just that I still have to go home for dinner,”
Su Zhaotang looked at him with a resentful gaze.
Zhou Lingjing walked up to her and handed her the document in his hand.
“Hold onto it properly. Don’t blame me if you lose it,” his voice was low and resonant.
Su Zhaotang took it, shook the item in her hand, and her curiosity piqued. She asked him doubtfully, “Is this contract or whatever really expensive? Why is my dad so anxious?”
Zhou Lingjing silently curled his lips into a smile, slightly bending down to look at her. His dark pupils were like whirlpools threatening to suck her in.
“Not expensive. Just about the equivalent of a year’s salary for all the employees of your Su Group.”
Upon hearing this, Su Zhaotang widened her eyes in shock, her round eyes looking utterly adorable.
Frightened, she immediately hugged the document tightly to her chest.
“This could buy my life!”
“Don’t talk nonsense. Our Zhaozhao’s life is worth much more than this,” Zhou Lingjing teased her intentionally, looking at Su Zhaotang with affection.
Su Zhaotang awkwardly turned her head away and turned around.
“Hmph, I’m not talking to you anymore. I’m going home.”
“Alright, go ahead. It’s getting late. Do you want a driver to take you back?”
He straightened up, hands in his pockets, watching her.
“No need, why bother someone so late at night.”
After saying that, she waved her hand and walked out.
“Little thing,” Zhou Lingjing murmured softly as he watched her graceful retreating figure.
Seeing Su Zhaotang leave, Lin Yi approached him and asked, “Sir, is this the lady you married?”
“Yes, she’ll be moving in in a couple of days. I’ll trouble you then to take extra care of her.”
“She can be quite a handful.”
Zhou Lingjing added with a laugh from behind.
Lin Yi disagreed with his words.
“Don’t talk nonsense. I can tell at a glance that young lady is quite good—pretty and well-mannered.”
She praised Su Zhaotang, already liking this new mistress based on her appearance.
Just then, the phone in Zhou Lingjing’s pocket rang. He picked it up and saw it was Su Zhaotang, who had just left not long ago.
He frowned, sensing something was off, and answered immediately.
“Wahh, Zhou Lingjing, come out quickly! I twisted my ankle, it hurts so much!”
Su Zhaotang’s voice was filled with grievance and tears.
Zhou Lingjing’s heart tightened.
“Alright, alright, don’t move your foot. I’m coming right away.”
After saying that, he hung up the phone and rushed out with a heavy expression.
“What happened?” Lin Yi asked anxiously, seeing him like this.
But Zhou Lingjing had no time to answer her.
Su Zhaotang had walked out of the villa. Because she wanted to take a shortcut, she chose a path paved with cobblestones.
Her high heels clicked against the cobblestone path, producing a pleasant sound.
Who knew an accident would strike suddenly? Because it was nighttime and visibility was poor, she stepped on an uneven spot on the cobblestone path. Not noticing the stone beneath her feet, she lost her balance.
With a gasp, she tried to steady herself, but her high heels refused to cooperate, tilting further until she finally fell to the ground.
With a “crack,” pain instantly shot through Su Zhaotang’s ankle, and she couldn’t help but grit her teeth.
The moment her ankle twisted, she felt as if the whole world had turned upside down.
She frowned, her entire face scrunching up in pain, tears welling in her eyes.
Just then, Zhou Lingjing hurriedly arrived. At a glance, he saw Su Zhaotang lying on the ground.
And Su Zhaotang, seeing him, seemed to have found her pillar of support. Her sense of grievance returned, and her sobs sounded even clearer in the quiet night.
Zhou Lingjing carefully held her ankle with both hands, observing it. The ankle had already become swollen from the sprain. What was once slender now resembled a ripe peach, swollen and puffy.
Zhou Lingjing couldn’t help but frown—it looked like a serious sprain.
He gently comforted Su Zhaotang in a soft voice,
“Don’t move now. I’ll take you to the hospital.”
“Now it looks just like a pig’s trotter,” Su Zhaotang couldn’t help but complain as she looked at her own foot.
“You still have the mood to care about whether it looks like a pig’s trotter or not?”
Zhou Lingjing was at a loss for words with her.