Chapter 6: "Stealing"

Bang!

The bathroom door was kicked open from the inside, the sturdy frame trembling slightly from the force.

Jiang Zao stumbled out, running as she wept and pleaded. "Young Master! Please, don't! I know I was wrong! I truly didn't mean it, I won't dare again... Please, I beg you, let me go!"

Zhou Lichuan stood in the doorway, following her voice step by step. This was his room, and he knew every inch of it better than anyone. Even without someone to guide him, he could move about with ease.

Jiang Zao darted toward the corner of the sofa, trying to put as much distance as possible between herself and the source of her suffering.

Zhou Lichuan closed in, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. "Don't forget why you're here. The debts your father and brother left behind—of course, it's up to you to repay them."

Jiang Zao continued to beg. "But I can't... I truly can't, Young Master, please! I only just graduated, my life is only beginning, I can't... I simply can't..."

"Can't? If you can't handle something this small, do you think my eyes could have withstood your brother's violence?"

Jiang Zao froze, her voice hoarse. "That was his doing... He's my father's stepson, we never had much of a relationship. I—I'm only here because my father... he—"

"Your father personally suggested that his daughter would be better suited to stay by my side. Did you really think he didn't know what you'd be facing?"

Jiang Zao was finally cornered by the sofa, with nowhere left to hide.

"Miss Jiang, I advise you to be sensible. Kneel properly and I won't pursue your offense against me today."

Jiang Zao trembled all over, her voice quivering with barely suppressed sobs. "Young Master Zhou... I have no enmity with you. Is it really necessary for me to bear the grudge between father and son?"

"What do you think?"

The man before her still wore that black gauze over his face, sitting on the sofa with haughty composure, his expression icy, treating her as if she were nothing more than refuse.

If they hadn't planned all this out in the bathroom earlier, Jiang Zao might have truly been terrified by his ruthless demeanor.

"Come here."

Zhou Lichuan's voice was low and cold, his command striking Jiang Zao like a blow to the skull.

With her hand being pulled, Jiang Zao slowly climbed onto the sofa, straddling Zhou Lichuan's lap.

One of Zhou Lichuan's hands gently supported her lower back, afraid she might fall with an unsteady movement.

With her head nestled against his neck, Jiang Zao whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "I'm exhausted from crying, and my eyes hurt. This performance should be enough."

Zhou Lichuan stifled a smile, responding with a soft "Mm."

Together, they made enough noise shuffling clothes on the sofa to keep up appearances. Soon came Zhou Lichuan's angry outburst, "Get up! You're hopelessly clumsy. I praised your quick learning just days ago, and now you've forgotten everything?"

Jiang Zao seized the opportunity, quickly standing and apologizing, "I'm sorry... Young Master, I'll fix it for you right away..."

Zhou Lichuan raised his hand to wave her off, but in a moment of carelessness, struck her arm with a loud smack. A red mark instantly blossomed on Jiang Zao's pale, delicate skin.

He nearly lost his composure, gently taking her arm to rub the spot.

In these few days together, he'd already discovered that despite her resilient appearance, this girl was in fact remarkably delicate. The slightest bump would have her whining for ages, and now this accidental slap—who knew what drama she would cause.

Sure enough, Jiang Zao's eyes filled with tears, her lips pouting as she looked at him, the source of her misery.

But now was not the time to speak out; some unknown listening device still hid in a corner. They could only bottle up their grievances until their plan succeeded, then settle accounts later.

Jiang Zao sniffled and snatched her arm back. "Young Master... I'll do my best to learn... Please, don't hit me again..."

Zhou Lichuan was speechless; he hadn't written that line for her. She was a stand-in, but insisted on improvising.

"Fine, I won't hit you, as long as you behave. Lin Rui praised your bright eyes and delicate beauty, said your face is exquisite. I haven't had the chance to see for myself; if it's ruined now, I would regret it."

Jiang Zao thought to herself, there are plenty who wouldn't regret it. She'd already been slapped for nothing today.

Zhou Lichuan stood to straighten his clothes. "Go to my study and bring me a book to read aloud. Dinner will be served in my room, and you'll stay here tonight. Bit by bit, I'll teach you everything you don't know."

"Yes, sir..."

Finally, a chance to escape that room. Jiang Zao hurried out, closed the door, and went straight to Zhou Lichuan's study.

...

The study was also on the third floor, right next to the bedroom.

As she opened the door and turned on the lights, Jiang Zao was stunned by the sheer number of books inside. This was more a private library than a study...

Two adjoining rooms had been merged, rows of bookshelves filling most of the space. A section was set aside for sofas and a desk—a stranger could easily lose their way amid the towering shelves.

Following Zhou Lichuan's instructions, Jiang Zao found an exquisite wooden box on the second shelf behind the desk. Opening it, she found it filled with glittering gemstones.

Red, yellow, blue, green, purple—every color imaginable.

She shrank her neck, carefully searching through the sealed bags, terrified that damaging even one would cost her more than she could ever repay.

Sure enough, she soon found a jade seal, just like the other gems, sealed in a plastic bag.

The storage habits of the wealthy were truly unusual; so many precious stones, yet not kept in a safe.

Returning the box, Jiang Zao hurried to the safe under the desk. She entered the code Zhou Lichuan had provided and opened it.

Inside lay a dark green seal box, resting quietly.

As she reached for it, Jiang Zao hesitated. If Zhou Lichuan decided to burn his bridges, her swapping the seal today would doom her forever.

But even if Zhou Lichuan prevailed in the end, if those people decided to find a scapegoat and he didn't protect her, she'd be the first to fall.

Weighing the risks, Jiang Zao realized she had no choice.

She resolutely took out the seal box, switching the jade seal inside with the one she’d brought. Zhou Lichuan’s words from the bathroom echoed in her mind.

"Both seals were carved from the same piece of jade—one by a master, the other by myself under his instruction. I registered mine with the notary, and kept the master's work in my collection. The size, material, even the script are almost identical. Unless you compare them side by side, no one can tell the difference."

She finished the swap and locked the safe.

Zhou Lichuan’s early respect for artisans had, years later, become his ladder to salvation.

Such good fortune could only befall a man with a clear mind and an open heart.

She could only hope she had not placed her trust in the wrong person.