Chapter 14: Close Call—Nearly Lost My Wife

Zhou Lichuan’s sudden interjection left everyone present momentarily stunned.

Zhou Huai was so furious his blood pressure soared, and the heart monitor immediately sounded an alarm. Meng Qiaoyuan rushed over and began working quickly, calling for the nurse on duty as well. A group of people surrounded Zhou Huai for quite some time before his condition finally stabilized.

Jiang Zao’s hands clenched into tight fists, her nerves strung taut, afraid that Zhou Huai might be driven to some mishap by Zhou Lichuan’s words.

The thin barrier between her and Zhou Lichuan had been pierced too soon, leaving nothing unsaid and no room for maneuver. It was a situation that benefitted no one.

That evening, back home, Jiang Zao remained silent, refusing to speak. Even Aunt Hui noticed the tension between them and pulled Du Bin aside to ask if perhaps a word of advice was needed.

After returning, Jiang Zao secluded herself in the studio, sketching distractedly. Her mind kept replaying Zhou Lichuan’s words from that afternoon—“girlfriend.” Her thoughts were chaotic, and her lines followed suit; no draft pleased her.

The door was left ajar. Zhou Lichuan appeared in the doorway, knocking gently to draw her attention.

Jiang Zao set down her pen and looked over.

“What are you drawing?” Zhou Lichuan asked.

She glanced at the shapeless sketch on her easel, uncertain herself what it was meant to be.

Zhou Lichuan walked over and stood close by her side. “Are you angry?”

“No…” Jiang Zao hesitated. “You’ve had so many tests today—you must be exhausted. Why not rest in your room?”

“I missed you a little. Couldn’t sleep.” Zhou Lichuan reached for another high stool nearby and settled onto it.

Jiang Zao tightened her grip on the brush, lowering her gaze. “Don’t say things like that.”

Zhou Lichuan picked up a strand of her long hair, idly twirling it between his fingers. “Why? You don’t want to be my girlfriend? Weren’t you quite straightforward when you agreed to be my lover before?”

“That was different!” Jiang Zao yanked her hair from his hand, turning back to the canvas. “I had no choice then. Now, Lin Rui and Jiang Jingyuan have both been arrested—the world has changed, everything’s different.”

His hand empty, Zhou Lichuan realized she was truly upset. “Zao Zao, don’t be angry with me. It hasn’t been easy for us to reach this point, to be honest with each other. We may not have known each other long, but our experiences are real. So… can you not leave?”

She stiffened, suddenly aware that her intentions hadn’t gone unnoticed.

After returning from the hospital, Jiang Zao had quietly asked Du Bin whether her employment paperwork had been processed, and if not, whether it could be delayed a few days. She feared Du Bin might have told Zhou Lichuan, revealing her wish to leave.

With a sigh, she said, “Zhou Lichuan, I’m not worthy of you. Perhaps we should just end this. Dr. Meng is so beautiful and smart, her family is a good match. You two are made for each other…”

Zhou Lichuan took her words, turning them over in his mind, finally catching a barely perceptible tinge of jealousy. The frown born of worry and sorrow gradually relaxed. “Oh, so someone’s jealous.”

“I am not jealous! I’m being serious!” Jiang Zao stood up hastily, facing him head-on.

With the advantage of his height, Zhou Lichuan, seated on the high stool, pulled her into his arms, resting her head against his chest.

He soothed her gently, his voice low and tender. “Alright, I’m jealous. I get jealous when you tell Du Bin things instead of me. Don’t be angry, alright? Meng Qiaoyuan doesn’t like me, and I don’t like her—I only like you. So don’t go, don’t even think about leaving. I can’t see right now, and I’m not very mobile. Just pity me a little longer and take care of me, won’t you?”

Jiang Zao’s face was buried against his chest. She poked at his firm muscles with her finger. “You always know how to manipulate me.”

“Heaven’s my witness. Would I dare? I already admitted to my parents today that you’re my girlfriend. From now on, if my father wants to set me up with someone, he’ll have no excuse.”

Jiang Zao pushed him away. “I’m not so sure. Chairman Zhou doesn’t like me—he hasn’t liked me since our very first meeting. Maybe it’s not me personally, but my background. After all, Jiang Jingyuan is my biological father, I—”

“My father doesn’t dislike you—he dislikes everyone. Do you think he adores Meng Qiaoyuan? He only thinks Meng Qiaoyuan’s family is a good match and can help me through this stage. Besides, my mother likes you—she truly likes you. You must feel it? She’s always wanted a daughter with long hair and round eyes, but could never have one. See, my mother adores you. Doesn’t that make my father’s temporary rejection less difficult?”

Zhou Lichuan’s words were so adept at coaxing her that Jiang Zao, who had been upset just moments before, found her heart settling.

He pressed his advantage. “My father’s always had those old family notions. Even if I did send you away and got together with Meng Qiaoyuan, once Zhou Kuan’s situation is finally resolved and there’s no more chaos in the company, he’d still find fault with Meng Qiaoyuan. The Meng family is simply our best business partner right now, the most suitable ally in this crisis.”

Jiang Zao looked up, a hint of disbelief in her eyes. “So your situation really is that precarious? Yesterday I overheard you and Chairman Zhou mention Zhou Kuan wouldn’t give up easily. Did something happen? Has he made a move?”

Zhou Lichuan stroked her head. “Now you’re worried about me? Just now, you were planning to leave.”

She smacked him lightly. “I’m being serious!”

He caught her small hand, pressing it to his lips. “With my father back, Zhou Kuan will be more cautious—at least for ten days or so. He doesn’t want an open confrontation yet. No matter how rebellious he feels, if he loses legitimacy, public opinion alone could drown him.”

Jiang Zao nodded, her worries gradually easing.

When she no longer mentioned leaving, Zhou Lichuan let out a silent sigh of relief.

So close—he’d nearly lost his beloved.

Regaining her composure, Jiang Zao pushed him toward the door, insisting she needed to paint. At the threshold, Zhou Lichuan paused, turning to ruffle her hair.

“Zao Zao. I know your feelings for me aren’t that deep yet, and you think now’s the time to pull back before it’s too late. But just because they’re not deep doesn’t mean they’re absent, and a smaller wound doesn’t mean it won’t hurt. Trust me—I’ll protect you, always. You’ll never be left without someone to rely on.”

Jiang Zao’s cheeks flushed. She shoved him out, flustered. “Alright, alright, I know! Go on, I have to paint!”

That night, Jiang Zao managed only a rough sketch. She suddenly wanted to paint a reindeer—a reindeer that looked remarkably like Zhou Lichuan.