Marshal Li hosted the foreign arms dealer, Smith, at the most luxurious hotel in Beiping, the Longjiang Hotel.
Smith’s wife, Sophia, had come along as well. Li Juechen was somewhat uncomfortable with having a woman present while discussing business, but foreigners did not place much importance on such conventions. If they wanted the deal to go through, there was little he could say.
Marshal Li was already in his fifties, yet he was vigorous and radiant. With his shiny bald head, he looked less like the commander of an army and more like the notorious leader of a bandit gang.
The negotiations went smoothly. Marshal Li placed an order on the spot for two cargo ships’ worth of arms, but he had one condition: Sophia was not allowed to leave Beiping until the shipment arrived.
The moment Smith heard this condition, his expression darkened. Clearly displeased, he questioned Li Juechen stiffly, “I’ve been doing business in Manchuria for many years, and I’ve never heard of such a requirement. Are you planning to keep my wife here as a hostage?”
Li Juechen picked up his napkin and wiped his mouth before replying with an ambiguous smile, “What are you talking about? You were introduced by my son, so of course I trust you. There are plenty of interesting places to visit in Beiping. I’m simply sincerely inviting your wife to stay and enjoy herself for a few days.”
After hearing the translation, Sophia leaned toward Smith and whispered a few words into his ear. Smith nodded and said to Li Juechen, “My wife says that’s fine, but she doesn’t speak Chinese. Our interpreter isn’t familiar with Beiping either. Please arrange for someone who speaks English to accompany her. I’ll contact my people immediately and have them set out from England.”
Li Juechen immediately thought of the little girl and the way she spoke fluent English. The corners of his lips lifted slightly as he nodded.
“Father, I’ll make the arrangements.”
Tang Lichu’s knee had almost completely recovered. The foreign female doctor had moved in the day after she was injured and had massaged her knee every day since. Naturally, it had healed much faster.
When Li Juechen arrived, Tang Lichu was sitting in the dining room having dinner. The moment she saw him walk in, her heart tightened. She quickly put down her spoon and stood up, greeting him respectfully.
“Third Master, you’re here?”
Li Juechen’s deep, ink-black eyes gazed at her indifferently. He walked straight over and sat down in the chair opposite her, his gloomy expression seemingly covered in frost.
Pressed down by his invisible authority, Tang Lichu became flustered. She was so nervous that she could barely get her words out. After a long while, she finally asked in a soft, cautious voice, almost inaudible, “Third Master, have you… have you eaten yet?”
Li Juechen remained silent. He did not even look at her, simply sitting upright and staring straight ahead.
Tang Lichu grew even more anxious. Suddenly, as though she had thought of something, she hurriedly explained, “Third Master, my leg is already much better. Susan massages it for me every day, so it’s recovering quite quickly. I was getting a little bored staying in my room all the time, so I came out to eat.”
Li Juechen still said nothing. His eyes lowered slightly, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.
Tang Lichu did not know whether she should stand or sit. Her hands instinctively clenched the fabric on both sides of her qipao, her fingertips turning slightly white from the force.
Finally, Li Juechen spoke. His gaze settled on her delicate, lovely face.
“Are you very afraid of me?”
Tang Lichu was caught off guard by the sudden question. She blinked her large, watery eyes. After hesitating for a moment, she nodded lightly.
“A little. Especially when you’re serious. I get very nervous.”
Her earnest yet adorable expression made Li Juechen chuckle softly. The anger in his heart suddenly vanished without a trace. He nodded toward the chair opposite him.
“Eat. After you finish, I have something to tell you.”
Tang Lichu immediately waved her hands.
“I’m already full. You can tell me now!”
The corner of Li Juechen’s mouth twitched. He deliberately drawled his words.
“What? Do you want me to feed you?”
Tang Lichu hurriedly sat back down and picked up her spoon, continuing her meal.
Li Juechen crossed his long legs and lazily watched her eat from across the table.
Tang Lichu had impeccable table manners. She exuded an air of elegance, looking every bit like a refined young lady from a distinguished family.
Her cheeks puffed up slightly as she ate, making her look unbearably obedient and adorable. It made him want to reach out and gently pinch them.
Li Juechen found that simply watching her eat was an enjoyable experience.
Finally, under the man’s watchful gaze, Tang Lichu finished her meal. After rinsing her mouth, she returned to the dining table and waited for him to tell her what was on his mind.
Li Juechen lit a cigarette and spoke.
“Two things. From now on, when you see me, you don’t need to stand up. Just keep doing whatever you were doing. You’re my woman. I want you to feel admiration, appreciation, and dependence toward me. I don’t want you treating me like a stranger, always acting so cautious whenever you see me.”
Tang Lichu looked into his dark eyes. After a moment’s hesitation, she nodded.
“I’ll try…”
Li Juechen knew that such a habit could not be changed overnight. The little woman simply lacked a sense of security. He had plenty of patience to stay by her side and help her change little by little.
“Third Master, what’s the second thing?”
“I have a foreign business partner. Since you speak English, I want you to accompany his wife around Beiping for a few days. Take her shopping for clothes, jewelry, and whatever else she wants. I’ll be busy for a while, so I’ll leave Feng An with you. He’s capable and knows how to protect you. You just enjoy yourself. You don’t need to worry about anything else.”
At first, Tang Lichu was reluctant to go outside. She knew she was beautiful, and before coming here, wherever she went, people would inevitably pester her, leaving her thoroughly annoyed.
But this was a request from her employer, so naturally she had no reason to refuse.
“All right, Third Master.”
Li Juechen habitually furrowed his brows. After taking a drag of his cigarette, he spoke slowly.
“As the first step in trying, start by changing the way you address me.”
Everyone else respectfully called him “Third Master.” He simply did not want his little woman to address him the same way as everyone else. Somehow, it always felt too distant.
Tang Lichu froze.
Change how she addressed him? To what?
Li Juechen’s gaze remained fixed on that delicate little face that had been tormenting his heart. Finally, unable to resist, he reached out and gently pinched her soft, rounded cheek.
His teeth clenched audibly as he spoke with a hint of annoyance.
“Is changing the way you address me really that difficult? Hmm?”
Tang Lichu was caught completely off guard when he pinched her cheek. The sudden pain made her let out a soft, delicate whimper.
The man immediately released her.
He had hardly used any force, yet her fair, tender cheek, white as a peeled egg, was still left with a faint red mark.
Li Juechen felt a little remorseful. He gently rubbed her cheek and muttered,
“What a delicate little thing…”
Although his tone carried a hint of reproach, it was far more filled with unmistakable affection and tenderness.