Chapter 132: The Young Mistress Zhou Emerges from Seclusion
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Zhou Jiayan had finally emerged from her period of seclusion. The moment she opened the news, a bombshell came crashing down on her. Her mind, which only minutes earlier had been immersed in papers and data, took quite some time to process it before she finally let out an “Aah!” grabbed her car keys, and dashed out.
She drove toward Tingshan Manor while calling Meng Qiaoyuan.
“I was only shut away working on my thesis, and those two went and got their marriage certificate? That quickly?”
Meng Qiaoyuan sounded busy, with the noise of people moving back and forth in the background. “I have no idea. There’s been a lot going on at home lately, and the hospital hasn’t been easy either. I haven’t been to Tingshan in several days. Jiang Zao never mentioned getting married on WeChat. When I saw the news the day before yesterday, I thought it was fake. I only confirmed it after calling her.”
“No, seriously, what kind of efficiency is that? It happened the day before yesterday, and I’m only finding out today. My brother even learned how to post on Weibo? The last time he updated that account was two years ago, when the company’s stock fluctuated. I suppose having a wife really does change everything.”
Meng Qiaoyuan’s laughter came through the phone. “Maybe Jiang Zao has been in a good mood lately, and their relationship has made progress. I’ll stop by tonight after work and see what’s going on. You’re on your way to Tingshan, right? Don’t go empty-handed. Bring some of Jiang Zao’s favorite food.”
Zhou Jiayan glanced at the fruit tea and little cakes on the passenger seat. “I brought them, I brought them. Don’t worry.”
After hanging up, Zhou Jiayan felt a wave of annoyance.
Something this important, and Jiang Zao hadn’t even thought to tell her in advance. She would never again be Jiang Zao’s number-one best friend in the whole world.
After getting up, Jiang Zao followed the newly hired nanny through a series of simple prenatal exercises. Gentle, unhurried stretches helped relax her muscles and bones.
Zhou Lichuan’s work had not stopped simply because he had gotten married. Mountains of documents, endless meetings, and hundreds of matters awaited his attention every day. He diligently went to work, leaving Jiang Zao to idle away her days at the manor. Aside from painting and playing video games, she spent her time supervising the progress of the rear gardens.
Once the simple routine was finished, the nanny removed the protective mats. Jiang Zao stood in front of the glasshouse, one hand supporting her belly as she drank water and stared absently at the flowers and plants by the entrance.
Zhou Jiayan came speeding in. Her bright red Porsche executed a graceful drift before stopping in one of the parking spaces in the courtyard.
“Jiang Zao? What are you standing there for?”
Seeing her approach, Jiang Zao called out, “Daydreaming—and waiting for you.”
“How did you know I was coming?”
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“Qiaoyuan sent me a message. She said you’d just emerged from seclusion and, once you heard the news, would probably throw a fit, so I should proceed carefully.”
By then, the young mistress of the Zhou family had already come up to her.
“You make me sound completely unreasonable. Here, I brought you some little cakes and fruit tea.”
Jiang Zao happily accepted them and pulled her inside.
“You haven’t visited since the renovations. Come in and rest for a while. I’ll show you around later.”
Zhou Jiayan followed Jiang Zao into the house and sat directly on the sofa. “I did hear about the renovations. I also heard that Auntie had the residence behind this one incorporated into the estate and put in your name. The two properties have become one. They really shouldn’t call this a villa anymore. Wouldn’t Zhou Residence sound better?”
Jiang Zao smiled. “This isn’t some powerful family from the Republic era. Mother renamed it a manor, which is rather fitting. The main difference is that the grounds are much larger now. There’s still a big empty area in the rear gardens, and we haven’t decided how to plan it. Traditional Chinese gardens reveal a new scene with every step. There’s no need to rush.”
Zhou Jiayan’s gaze fell on Jiang Zao’s belly. “Why were you in such a hurry to get married? Is something wrong with the baby? You’re not allowed to hide it from me.”
Jiang Zao’s eyes turned within their sockets as she spread her hands and answered with complete candor, “I got carried away in the moment. I really didn’t think that far ahead.”
Zhou Jiayan seized her hand. “What did you sign—a prenuptial agreement, a postnuptial agreement?”
Jiang Zao shook her head. “Nothing.”
“Nothing? What does that mean?”
Jiang Zao tapped her on the head. “It means I didn’t sign anything. I didn’t want to, your brother didn’t want to, and neither did our parents. So we simply registered the marriage.”
“…Jiang Zao, do you know how many matters there are within the Zhou family? How much property is waiting to be inherited and divided? Forget about my brother’s share for the moment—even the various branches of the Zhou clan could swallow you alive. If you don’t sign an agreement and property becomes an issue later… What if my brother turns out to be a bastard? What if the Zhou family refuses to let you go? Are you stupid? If they fear you’ll transfer the Zhou family’s assets after marriage, they’ll use even more terrifying methods against you!”
Zhou Jiayan had grown up surrounded by the conflicts of a great family and instinctively feared those older relatives who gathered only during the holidays.
Jiang Zao smiled. “Look how frightened you are. Don’t worry. Your brother will protect me. Your parents will protect me too. And you’ll protect me as well, won’t you? What do I have to worry about?”
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Zhou Jiayan let out a heavy sigh, frustrated that Jiang Zao seemed beyond saving. She had no idea what to say.
Her situation and Jiang Zao’s were entirely different, with no real basis for comparison. Still, if their positions had been reversed, she felt certain she would have been more rational than Jiang Zao. Zhou Lichuan was hopelessly love-struck, and Jiang Zao was hardly any better. They truly were a perfect married couple.
Zhou Jiayan stayed at Tingshan for the entire day. Since Meng Qiaoyuan had said she would come that evening, Zhou Jiayan simply decided not to leave.
She kept pestering Jiang Zao to talk with her.
“I haven’t had a proper conversation with anyone in ages. Du Bin is busy every day with one thing after another. When he gets home, he still has to work overtime, and he doesn’t even have time to say a few words to me. It’s so annoying. Speaking of which, who is Tan Wenyi? A while ago, Li Baixiu kept looking for me. I was busy with my thesis and didn’t want to go out with him, so he went to my house instead. He even practiced fighting with Du Bin. You’d never guess it from appearances, but Li Baixiu is incredibly skilled.”
Faced with Zhou Jiayan’s endless stream of questions, Jiang Zao did not know where to begin.
“Which question do you want me to answer? What do you most want to know?”
Zhou Jiayan thought for a moment. “Tan Wenyi. Who is she? Sister Qiaoyuan was extremely evasive about her. What does she have to do with Li Baixiu?”
Jiang Zao told her everything that had happened involving Tan Wenyi. Excitement instantly lit up Zhou Jiayan’s youthful face.
“My goodness! Something like that actually happened? What about Li Baixiu? He just let Tan Wenyi off like that? He didn’t keep taking revenge on your behalf?”
Jiang Zao was helpless. “I wasn’t even particularly angry. Li Baixiu really does have a personality that makes him bite anyone he sees. What would have happened if he hadn’t stopped, and the Li family had demanded that he snatch you away from Du Bin? Who would have taken responsibility for the consequences? Could Du Bin have defeated the Li family? It’s better to resolve things before they happen. You should be grateful that your brother dotes on you.”
Zhou Jiayan immediately clung to Jiang Zao’s arm and began to wheedle. “It’s mainly because I have the most wonderful sister-in-law in the world—someone who can keep my brother in line and always puts my interests first.”
Jiang Zao gently patted her on the head and said sternly, “You haven’t even asked about yourself. Are you finished with your thesis? Can you manage all the graduation procedures?”
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