Chapter 138: Long Time No See, Busybody

Li Baixiu obediently twisted his body, striking a pose that felt incredibly unnatural.

Jiang Zao sighed and instructed Zhou Lichuan, who was watching from the sidelines, "Put that cushion behind his lower back."

Zhou Lichuan complied, taking a cushion from the other sofa and tucking it into the gap between Li Baixiu’s waist and the seat. With the added support, his body seemed to gain a bit more flexibility, and he quickly adjusted himself according to Jiang Zao’s directions.

Surrounded by an abundance of roses, Li Baixiu finally asked the question that had been on his mind from the start. "Sis, what kind of character are you painting that requires a reference like this?"

Jiang Zao, busy filming him with her phone, replied offhandedly, "A dark, ruthless, 'yandere' villain."

Li Baixiu glanced at the roses in his arms and remarked, "A dark and ruthless yandere isn't necessarily a villain."

Jiang Zao nodded in agreement. "True. It could also just be Li Baixiu."

"…I’m not a yandere. My mental health is perfectly fine."

Li Baixiu hunched his shoulders, the vibrant roses shielding half his face, leaving only his eyes fixed on the camera lens. Jiang Zao’s composition was precise; she captured the shift in his expression in an instant. The transformation from a docile little lamb into a sinister, venomous viper was like a split personality, and with the roses obscuring half his face, he looked both dangerous and mesmerizing.

Jiang Zao stood up straight, staring expressionlessly at Li Baixiu as he reclined on the armchair, before finally lowering her phone after a long moment.

"I’ve got it. Xiaobai, take these flowers to Sister Hui; she wants to make rose wine."

As if granted an amnesty, Li Baixiu scrambled up with difficulty, clutched the roses from the coffee table, and trotted off to find Sister Hui.

Once he was gone, Zhou Lichuan moved closer, helped Jiang Zao sit down, and brought her a glass of hot water. "Did he scare you?"

Jiang Zao looked at him and asked, "You saw it too?"

Zhou Lichuan chuckled. "My attention was entirely on the two of you; how could I have missed it?"

Jiang Zao let out a sigh of relief. "I wasn't scared of him; I felt sorry for him. This kid must have endured a lot. If he didn't act a bit extreme, how else could he protect himself?"

Zhou Lichuan comforted her softly, "Xiaobai is no ordinary man; he has his own destiny."

Jiang Zao gave Zhou Lichuan’s thigh a heavy pat. "He was so beautiful just now! That one moment! The vibe was spot on! Oh, I can't use paints yet, but digital devices just can't capture what I want to express."

"Would a pencil work?" Zhou Lichuan asked.

Jiang Zao shook her head. "My sketching isn't that great; I struggle with capturing form."

Zhou Lichuan was puzzled. "But everything you draw has such accurate form; how could you say it isn't?"

Jiang Zao smiled. "Mr. Zhou, your wife relies on talent. My work kills it through color and sense; I deal in metaphysical atmosphere. I’m not a living X-ray machine, and that isn't my major."

Zhou Lichuan rubbed his nose. "My wife, who got into the Art Academy with the highest score in the country—whatever she says goes."

As he spoke, he gently rubbed his thigh. That pat she gave him really packed a punch...

...

After dinner, Li Baixiu sat in Zhou Lichuan’s study with his laptop, video chatting with Zhou Jiayan overseas. He was muttering about the new projects he had taken on. A batch of foreign trade clothing was almost at the port when they discovered the quality was substandard. The factory lacked the experience to handle the situation in time, leading to accusations of breach of contract, and negotiations between the two sides had hit rock bottom.

Zhou Lichuan sat with Jiang Zao on the swing, watching the stars. The floor-to-ceiling windows offered a perfect view, ideal for scenery.

While enjoying the beautiful night sky, Zhou Lichuan kept marveling, "My wife is just too good. In a few words, you managed to put those two difficult people together and even got them making money. This is the first time Zhou Jiayan has ever earned his own money; he’s truly grown up. Do you know? My second aunt even called me specifically to ask me to thank you."

"Second aunt?" Jiang Zao asked. "Zhou Jiayan's mother?"

Zhou Lichuan nodded. "Even though she’s in Australia, she’s never been indifferent to anything involving Zhou Jiayan."

"I haven't met her yet. I really should when I get the chance."

"Sooner or later, you will."

Jiang Zao pulled out her tablet again, intending to sketch the photo of Li Baixiu on the sofa. Suddenly, Sister Hui came upstairs and walked behind them. "Sir, Madam, the young master is here."

"Shen Mushi?" Jiang Zao asked. "What is he doing here at this hour?"

Zhou Lichuan shook his head; he didn't know either.

Shen Mushi had long legs and walked quickly. Before the words had even faded, he climbed up to the second-floor parlor under the moonlight and walked straight to the swing. He was carrying a small stool from who knows where; he spread his legs and sat down directly in front of the swing.

Jiang Zao and Zhou Lichuan exchanged a look and asked him, "Is something the matter?"

Shen Mushi watched the two of them, inseparable as they were, and let out a soft sigh. "What’s going on with the news today? And not just today—I mean, your entire marriage."

Zhou Lichuan smiled. "It seems you haven't won Meng Qiaoyuan over yet; she didn't even tell you."

"I haven't seen her in days," Shen Mushi said. "I’m asking about the two of you. Why am I in the dark about everything?"

Jiang Zao pulled out her tablet, opened her game account, and said nonchalantly, "You’re busy, aren't you?"

"Fine then. Let me, the busy man, have a word."

Shen Mushi sat up straight, his tall frame looking somewhat restricted on the small stool. The esteemed Professor Shen’s posture was far from elegant.

"The two of you suddenly decide to get married. Jiang Zao is pregnant and can't appear in public, so the Zhou family keeps the news under tight wraps. Just as the online buzz was starting to fade, you immediately drive a luxury car with bodyguards to the University Town, play an intense, neck-and-neck game of outdoor basketball with Li Baixiu. Do you want the netizens talking about you, or do you not?"

Zhou Lichuan leaned forward to meet his gaze. "What do you think?"

Shen Mushi glanced at Jiang Zao. "Stirring the pot and then lighting a fire—this is clearly our Mrs. Zhou’s handiwork. What I don't understand is, you're only a few months away from giving birth. Why make waves at a time like this?"

Jiang Zao continued to look down at her phone, speaking carelessly, "Of course, because this is the most opportune time."

"Most opportune now?" Shen Mushi was about to explode.

Jiang Zao looked at Zhou Lichuan, signaling him to explain.

Zhou Lichuan took the hint, steadied himself, and said, "Zhou Kuan has already planted his final trap for me within the company and has hidden Lin Rui away. Li Shu'an suddenly appeared at the old mansion, wanting to bring up the events of that year again. Jiang Zao deduced that she is involved with Lin Rui. Adding these factors together, instability could erupt at any moment. Once the baby is born, with confinement and recovery, half a year will have passed. Do you think they would wait that long?"

Shen Mushi took a long look at Jiang Zao’s belly.

This child had arrived at the most inopportune time.