Chapter 21: I Truly Never Had an Ex-Girlfriend

After being discharged from the hospital, Zhou Licuan hurried straight to the Yehua Foods factory. Jiang Zao wanted to accompany him, but he sent her home instead.

“Zhou Kuan keeps trying to get information about you through Meng Qiaoyuan. I don’t know what he’s planning. You’re safer at home,” he said.

Jiang Zao had no choice but to obediently get out of the car and return home.

Once inside, she changed her clothes and hid herself away in the studio, painting for an entire day, completely immersed in her art.

It wasn’t until Sister Hui gently knocked on the door to call her for dinner that Jiang Zao realized the sun had set and night had fallen.

“Miss Jiang, you don’t need to worry too much. The young master is blessed—he’ll be fine,” Sister Hui comforted her as Jiang Zao sipped her soup.

Sister Hui placed a bowl of rice in front of Jiang Zao, arranged the chopsticks, and stood awkwardly to the side.

Noticing that Sister Hui hadn’t gone to eat in her own room, Jiang Zao invited her, “Sister Hui, sit down. Zhou Licuan isn’t here, so there’s no need to be so formal. Keep me company.”

True to her professionalism as a housekeeper, Sister Hui shook her head repeatedly, hesitating to speak.

Jiang Zao put down her soup bowl and looked up, “Is there something you want to say? If you trust me, just tell me. If it’s within my power, I’ll help.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Sister Hui took out a phone from her pocket. “Miss Jiang, there are some unpleasant things circulating online. I’m worried you’ll see them and get upset with the young master. Maybe you should look now and prepare yourself, so you don’t get angry with him later.”

Jiang Zao smiled as she took the phone. It was full of gossip about Zhou Licuan—lists of former girlfriends, rumors about keeping young models, speculation about who in the entertainment industry was his mistress. Each story seemed detailed and convincing, as if it were the truth.

Ever since Zhou Kuan publicly revealed that Zhou Licuan was considering marriage, these rumors about his private life online had become harder to ignore.

Jiang Zao returned the phone to Sister Hui with a smile. “Don’t worry, I won’t quarrel with Zhou Licuan over things like this. I don’t know how wonderful his ex-girlfriends were, but I do know what kind of person Zhou Licuan is. You can rest easy.”

Sister Hui breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good, that’s good. As long as you two can live a peaceful life together, that’s all that matters.”

Sister Hui went back to her own room, leaving Jiang Zao to eat in quiet solitude.

…

It was past ten at night.

Jiang Zao had waited for so long on the sofa that she was nearly dozing off when Du Bin finally pushed Zhou Licuan through the door.

Hearing the sound of the door, she rushed to the entrance, not even bothering to put on her shoes.

“Zhou Licuan, you’re back! How did it go? Is everything settled?”

Zhou Licuan, sitting in his wheelchair, frowned. “You ran out without shoes? Put them on quickly, or you’ll catch a chill.”

Du Bin handed Zhou Licuan’s belongings to Jiang Zao. “Miss Jiang, here’s the young master’s briefcase and some documents. Please put them away for him. I have urgent business and can’t stay.”

Zhou Licuan stood up from the wheelchair and said to Du Bin, “Be careful. Safety first.”

“Yes, sir.”

After Du Bin left, Jiang Zao took Zhou Licuan’s hand and led him to their room. On the way, passing the sofa, she slipped on her slippers as Zhou Licuan urged her.

“You’re usually not so attentive—why are you so clingy today?” Zhou Licuan asked as he changed his clothes.

Jiang Zao beamed. “Because I missed you. I worried about you. I’m so glad you’re home safe.”

Dressed in his comfortable home clothes, Zhou Licuan pulled Jiang Zao into his arms, burying his head in her shoulder and breathing in the sweet scent unique to her.

“I missed you, too. Outside, it’s all schemes and deception—only here with you is it quiet.”

Jiang Zao hugged his strong waist. Recently, because he needed the wheelchair and wasn’t active at home, his once defined six-pack was fading, gradually replaced by a soft layer.

“How does it feel?” Zhou Licuan’s sudden question made Jiang Zao blush and quickly withdraw her mischievous hand.

He caught her wrist. “Have I gotten fat? My abs are gone.”

Jiang Zao shook her head hurriedly. “No, no, just a bit softer, but not fat. Really.”

Zhou Licuan lowered his head, gently rubbing his forehead against her hair. “This won’t do, getting old—just a few days without exercise and I’ve gained a layer. What will I do if Miss Jiang gets tired of me?”

Jiang Zao wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him lightly. “Then you’ll have to work out, or else when you’re old and out of shape, I’ll find myself a young pup…”

His large hand cupped the back of her head, and Zhou Licuan quickly silenced her teasing lips.

He’d hoped for some sweet reassurance, but instead she poked at his sore spot and teased him, who knows where she learned such mischief.

When their long kiss ended, Jiang Zao nearly lost her breath and clung to Zhou Licuan’s pajama collar. “With skills like yours, you must have had lots of practice with your exes—so experienced.”

For once, Zhou Licuan caught the faint trace of jealousy and realized something was amiss. “What exes? I don’t recall any.”

Jiang Zao exaggerated her voice, feigning a pout. “Models, celebrities—lining up to serve Young Master Zhou. If you hadn’t fallen on hard times, how would a girl like me ever get a chance?”

Zhou Licuan quickly denied it. “I’m not, I haven’t—I really haven’t had any ex-girlfriends. You’re my first love. You have to believe me.”

Jiang Zao shrugged. “Say what you like, but the internet is full of evidence about your exes. I can look up whichever story I like, and each one is more dramatic than the last.”

“On the internet?” Zhou Licuan straightened up, realizing this was the trap. “Is all the gossip about me online now? I’ve been busy all day and haven’t checked. Du Bin probably didn’t see it either, or he would have warned me.”

Jiang Zao smoothed the wrinkles she’d made in his pajamas. “Zhou Kuan just publicly shifted your marriage prospects onto the Meng family. This afternoon, rumors began online—what’s he up to?”

Hearing this, Zhou Licuan realized he’d been played again and lightly patted Jiang Zao’s lower back. “You’re teasing me again—pretending to be jealous when you’re not, such a little vixen!”

Jiang Zao stuck out her tongue mischievously and grabbed him. “Alright, let’s talk business.”

Zhou Licuan let go of her and said, “It’s probably not Zhou Kuan. He’s always methodical, never so chaotic. I’d guess it’s Meng Qiaoyuan’s second brother, trying to prevent his sister from marrying me by sowing trouble.”

Jiang Zao had never met the Meng family’s heir and didn’t know much about his character. But if what Zhou Licuan said was true, and he resorted to such petty tactics, then he must be narrow-minded and short-sighted. For a great family like the Mengs to have such a person in charge, it was no wonder their fortunes had declined.