Chapter 137: Playing a High-Profile Basketball Game

Li Baixiu let out a cold snort. "I've said it before: aside from my mother, the only person in this lifetime who truly cares about my future and my life is my sister."

Having said that, he leaped up, continuing to contend for the basketball.

Zhou Lichuan, completely unhindered by his suit, turned nimbly to dodge him. In the split second they brushed past each other, he asked a distracting question.

"How long have you even known Jiang Zao? Only a few months. To go to such great lengths—attacking the Zhao family of Fengxiang and offending the Meng family for her—all just to be called 'little brother'?"

Li Baixiu did not answer. With his entire focus on the basketball, he took advantage of Zhou Lichuan's moment of questioning to score another point.

Cheers erupted around them. Li Baixiu finally glanced back at Zhou Lichuan, who was standing behind him, and said, "Why not? You grew up surrounded by love; how could you possibly understand how much someone like me craves the concern of family? My sister has no family, and neither do I. So, I will be her family. I will be her backbone. Zhou Lichuan, if you ever dare to be so careless as to overlook her and let her get hurt or sad again, I will never forgive you."

Zhou Lichuan gave him a look, his frame tensed, and he swiftly snatched the basketball from Li Baixiu’s hands, spinning around for a dunk.

Landing steadily on the ground, he turned and said, "I have never overlooked her. When I was studying abroad, I cooked for myself for three years; I’m not so ignorant that I don’t know how much sugar to put in a cup of milk tea. She is my wife; I know her every little thought. If she wants to play, I will accompany her. Do you understand, little brother-in-law?"

Li Baixiu froze for a moment. Zhou Lichuan tossed the basketball over, and it landed perfectly in his arms.

Zhou Lichuan stepped forward and said, "I actually like you. Whether it’s Jiang Zao or Zhou Jiayan, you’ve done well. The Li family is a nest of vipers, but that makes it the perfect place to stir up trouble amidst the chaos. I honestly hope you can seize the Li family for yourself instead of being manipulated by them."

A bloodthirsty smile curled the corners of Li Baixiu’s lips. "They think that by holding my mother hostage, they have me in check. They don’t know that I’ve already begun planting my own people. My sister taught me: use their own people to pave the way for me. First, pretend to be the obedient, good child, then wait for the right moment to strike at their vitals. Isn't that spineless 'father' of mine most worried about the distribution of assets in Grandfather’s will? Brother-in-law, are you interested in pulling off something big with me?"

Zhou Lichuan took the basketball back from him, and the two continued to run across the court.

After several rounds, Zhou Lichuan finally gave his reply.

"Jiang Zao is setting up a trap. With the due date approaching, don't stir up any trouble before you graduate. Old Man Li is in robust health; he looks like he could live for a thousand years to watch the results of his grandchildren’s infighting. Just play the part of the obedient grandson for now. Once the baby is born and the confinement period is over, I’ll join you in whatever game you want to play."

The information was dense. Li Baixiu took an entire round to process it before slowly saying, "A trap? You mean Lin Rui? And Zhou Jiayan’s father?"

Zhou Lichuan glanced at Jiang Zao, who was sitting steadily on the sidelines, and lowered his voice. "Otherwise, why do you think I had Du Bin take Zhou Jiayan abroad? They said it was for half a month, but if I don't give the nod, Du Bin could lock her out and she wouldn't be able to return."

Li Baixiu sighed. "My sister says your brain isn't quite right. I didn't really believe her before, but now, I believe it even less."

At these words, Zhou Lichuan was so distracted that he nearly twisted his ankle.

Jiang Zao’s heart tightened at the sight. She quickly shouted aloud, "Zhou Lichuan, be careful! Your shoes aren't tight enough, run slower!"

Zhou Lichuan took a moment to wave back, "Understood, my wife!"

As the afternoon wore on, more and more idle college students gathered. By the time the game was halfway through, the area outside the wire fence was packed solid. The loud declaration of "my wife" instantly drew the attention of the young crowd; the cameras and gazes previously fixed on the court shifted immediately to Jiang Zao.

Zhou Lichuan’s eyes met those of the bodyguards standing near Jiang Zao. Silent information was exchanged; the two bodyguards nodded at each other and heightened their alertness.

The competition on the court continued, but the carnival for the college students had only just begun...

The news spread like wildfire. By dinner time, the story of Zhou Lichuan and his wife playing basketball on a university campus had hit the trending topics once again.

Shen Xiaonan was so startled that she made several calls, only feeling at ease after confirming that the news had been released by the couple themselves.

"You kept things so tightly under wraps before, terrified that Jiang Zao would be targeted and affect her pregnancy. Now you’re acting so high-profile; I really can't understand what you’re thinking. Now look, all the relatives of the Zhou family are blowing up my phone, asking about Zaozao. How do you expect me to answer, or to refuse all those aunts and cousins who want to come over to see the new bride?"

Zhou Lichuan had his phone on speaker. Jiang Zao was silently sketching on the side; she wasn't about to speak up when it was a situation prone to getting scolded.

After playing basketball all afternoon, she was exhausted and didn't want to use her brain at all.

Zhou Lichuan’s voice was hesitant as he said slowly, "Mom, Zaozao’s due date is near and she needs to rest quietly. It’s best not to see those relatives for now. Could you please handle them for us? It’s for the sake of your grandchild, isn't it?"

Shen Xiaonan let out a cold snort. "Of course I’ll handle it. Even if you wanted to bring Zaozao before the relatives, I would never agree to it. Forget the others—you know exactly what kind of people your two uncles and aunts are. What if there’s some kind of clash and Zaozao gets frightened?"

Zhou Lichuan took a moment to glance at Jiang Zao, his eyes and brows full of smiles. "Her? She’s bold enough; it’s not easy to scare her. Alright, Mom, I’ll leave the relatives to you. We haven't had dinner yet. We have a guest over, so I’ll talk to you later."

Just as he hung up the phone, Li Baixiu walked over holding a large bouquet of roses, muttering as he approached.

"Brother-in-law, you bought so many flowers. Won't my sister be allergic?"

Jiang Zao put down her tablet and walked over in her slippers.

"I’m not allergic to pollen. I need reference material for my drawing, and the courtyard at home doesn't have any. Xiaobai, unwrap the bouquet, pick a few stems, hold them in your arms, and lean against the sofa so I can take some photos."

Li Baixiu asked as he dismantled the expensive rose packaging, "Sister, did you ask me to come over for dinner just to be your model?"

"Is that not allowed?" Jiang Zao asked with an innocent expression.

"...It is. Very much allowed. I am happy to dedicate myself to art."

Zhou Lichuan stood up to help. "This painting has been revised over and over. From roses to poppies, and now that we’ve finally settled on roses, she’s struggling with the human anatomy."

Jiang Zao gave him a reproachful look. "That’s only because your limbs are so stiff; you can never pose correctly."

The exquisite wrapping paper was torn away, and the bright red roses scattered across the coffee table, possessing an inexplicably poignant beauty.

Jiang Zao deftly selected a few floral stems, bundled them together, and thrust them into Li Baixiu’s arms, pointing to the single-seat sofa nearby. "Lie down there. Keep your legs together and rest them on the armrest."