Chapter 4: The Father of Rumors

"Knock, knock, knock."

The office door was rapped upon at the most inopportune moment. Before Zhou Lichuan could even respond, the handle began to turn, and it was clear the person outside was about to enter.

Zhou Lichuan tightened his grip on Jiang Zao’s hand and, with a strong pull, drew her before him, settling her onto his lap.

No sooner had she found her balance than the office door swung open, and a refined, middle-aged man in a suit stood at the threshold.

He seemed momentarily surprised to find Jiang Zao seated on Zhou Lichuan’s lap; then his gaze caught the redness around her eyes and her unyielding expression. As if understanding the situation, he broke into a wide, knowing smile.

"Lichuan, this really isn’t proper. In broad daylight, if people see you like this, how will the young lady ever show her face again?"

Zhou Lichuan lifted his chin. "Oh, it’s you, Uncle Kuan. How very polite of you—knocking before entering my office."

Jiang Zao turned her head away, refusing to look at the man in the doorway.

Through the open door, her posture on Zhou Lichuan’s lap was already on display for those outside. It would only take a single lunch break for rumors of Zhou Lichuan’s office dalliance to sweep through the entire company.

Once everyone knew, Jiang Jingyuan would surely hear of it as well.

Jiang Zao lowered her head, silent and subdued, resembling a startled young rabbit—her eyes moist, the tip of her nose flushed, a picture of delicate misery that drew a mocking chuckle from the man at the door.

Zhou Kuan, as Zhou Lichuan had called him, closed the door behind him and stepped further into the office, quickly noticing the glass of water on the desk—with a wristwatch soaking inside.

"My, using a watch to brew tea—does it taste any good?"

With a purposeful motion, Zhou Lichuan gave Jiang Zao’s lower back a light slap. "Didn’t I tell you to get rid of that thing that keeps poking me? And you tossed it into the teacup?"

Jiang Zao, still with her head bowed, replied in a small, aggrieved voice, "I didn’t know... I just threw it away without looking."

Zhou Lichuan’s lips curled into a faint smile. "Uncle, did you come for something? If not, I’m rather busy at the moment."

Jiang Zao tried to rise from Zhou Lichuan’s lap, but he held her firmly in place.

Zhou Kuan chuckled. "No, not at all. I just finished a meeting, heard you were back, and came by to check in. It’s your first day back since the accident, and seeing you recovering so well puts my mind at ease."

Zhou Lichuan gestured toward the door, his tone unapologetic. "Then, Uncle, could you please close the door on your way out? I have matters to discuss with Miss Jiang."

Zhou Kuan hesitated as if wanting to say more; he opened his mouth but thought better of it. After a moment’s silence, he turned and left, slamming the office door behind him with a bang that drew everyone’s attention.

"What are you looking at?" Zhou Lichuan asked Jiang Zao.

Jiang Zao, still seated, glanced toward the door. "I was watching your uncle—how he can’t kill you but can do nothing about you either."

Zhou Lichuan looked surprised. "Who would have thought you were so astute?"

Jiang Zao stood up, patting him on the shoulder. "I’m nowhere near as bold and meticulous as Young Master Zhou, trusting a woman you’ve never met, sent by your enemies as a hostage, no less."

A wry smile lifted the corners of Zhou Lichuan’s mouth. "I have my reasons."

Jiang Zao continued, "Your uncle must be the one behind all this, right? I used to hear plenty about the Zhou family fighting over the inheritance. Is he unwilling to let a junior like you take charge, so he wants power for himself?"

Zhou Lichuan nodded. "You’ve guessed correctly. If Zhou Kuan didn’t covet control, he wouldn’t have convinced Lin Rui to betray me. Now that my parents are abroad, and my trusted people in the company can’t contend with them, I have to lull them into a false sense of security before I can strike back."

Jiang Zao understood. "So, Young Master Zhou wants me to pretend to be your mistress."

Zhou Lichuan’s eyes were dull, but he turned his ear toward her and smiled. "What, you’re unwilling?"

Jiang Zao arched a brow. "I just graduated—young, energetic, with little experience in society. Rich men like you love to use girls like me to ‘burn down the barn,’ don’t you?"

"You read Murakami, too?"

"No, I just watch a lot of TV dramas."

Zhou Lichuan sensed her grievance but could only offer mild comfort. "Don’t be upset, little girl; anger is bad for your health. Don’t worry, it won’t last long. I just need those people to drop their guard. No harm will come to you."

Jiang Zao nodded silently, not caring whether he could see or not.

...

Though Zhou Lichuan’s eyesight was poor, his work never suffered. Every detail was committed to memory.

Jiang Zao read documents aloud to him, and whenever there was the slightest deviation, he would catch it with uncanny precision.

After he corrected her reading mistakes several times, Jiang Zao realized that being a boss was not as simple as it seemed.

With Lin Rui away for two days, Jiang Zao quickly familiarized herself with all of Zhou Lichuan’s affairs. From daily routines to work procedures, under his intentional guidance, she picked things up swiftly.

On the weekend, Zhou Lichuan did not go to the office. At lunch, Jiang Zao played the diligent maid, carefully serving him and attending to his meal.

When Lin Rui returned from his business trip and entered the villa, this harmonious scene greeted him.

Jiang Zao disliked dark rooms. After earning Zhou Lichuan’s approval, the curtains were never drawn during the day, and sunlight streamed into the villa. Bathed in gentle daylight, the two enjoyed lunch together with seamless cooperation.

The peaceful sight stung Lin Rui’s eyes.

"Young Master, I’m back. Everything at the factory went smoothly; you can rest assured."

Zhou Lichuan picked up a napkin and dabbed at his mouth. "You’ve worked hard. If not for you, I’d still be locking horns with Director Gao and the others."

Lin Rui lowered his head, appearing very obedient. "It’s all thanks to your guidance, Young Master."

Zhou Lichuan nodded. "Good. Now that you’re back, sit down and eat with us."

Lin Rui declined. "No, thank you. Miss Jiang has been taking good care of things. I’d like to freshen up first and relieve her in the afternoon."

Zhou Lichuan nodded his approval. Just as Lin Rui was about to leave the dining room, Zhou Lichuan suddenly said to Jiang Zao, "This afternoon, go to the mall and pick out a perfume you like. Your scent isn’t pleasant right now."

Jiang Zao bowed her head and replied softly, "I understand."

After Lin Rui left, Jiang Zao gently squeezed Zhou Lichuan’s forearm to reassure him.

...

That afternoon, following Zhou Lichuan’s instructions, Jiang Zao took the car arranged by the villa to the Zhou family’s shopping mall downtown. She browsed perfumes in various luxury boutiques.

Suddenly, she felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to find Jiang Jingyuan with his wife.

"Dad, Aunt Xu, are you here to shop?"

Xu Yunwei sniffed disdainfully. "Oh, so you’re allowed here but I’m not? Such a young girl, so disrespectful to your elders. Did you really think being sent to Young Master Zhou meant you’d become the lady of the house?"

The sales assistant nearby, overhearing this, perked up—pretending indifference but clearly eager for gossip.

Jiang Zao felt deeply uncomfortable, set down the perfume tester, and told the assistant to put it away. She turned to the couple and said, "It’s not as if I wanted to go. But what can I do when Jiang Zheyan has such a good father?"

Before the words had even faded, Jiang Jingyuan slapped her hard across the face.

The sharp crack turned every head in the store.

"Who taught you to speak to your elders like that?"