Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The rain was still falling. When Xia Wanzhi got out of the car, a servant came to greet her. She was currently living in the Zhou Family home as Zhou Yu’s fiancée; even if these people gossiped about her in private, they didn’t dare to neglect her openly.

Before she even entered the house, the sound of lively talking and laughing drifted out. Xia Wanzhi stood at the door for a moment before changing her shoes.

She wasn’t being particularly quiet, but the sounds of cheering and heckling in the living room were much louder; no one noticed her at all.

A crowd of young masters and ladies from various families who were close with Zhou Yu had gathered inside. The air was thick with the smell of alcohol, and the clinking of glasses was piercing. Perhaps someone had noticed her, but they continued to act as if nothing was wrong, loudly heckling with the others: “Drink! Drink!”

“If you lose the bet, you have to accept the penalty, Young Master Zhou.”

“Don’t tell me you can’t handle it?”

“It’s just a cross-cupped wine toast, it’s not like you’re doing anything scandalous. Zhou Yu, you brat, you’re not even married yet and you’re already afraid of your wife?”

“Hahahaha-”

The heckling was relentless.

Zhou Yu, the target of their teasing, was currently sitting in the middle of the sofa with his back to Xia Wanzhi. Having been goaded by them, he crossed his legs and pointed at the crowd with a roguish air. “You’re saying I can’t handle it?”

Men were all about saving face.

As soon as the words left his lips, he pinched a wine glass and naturally hooked his arm through that of the shy woman beside him. He tilted his head back and downed the cross-cupped wine-the penalty for losing.

The woman gazed at him affectionately, and just as she was about to lean into Zhou Yu’s side, she caught sight of Xia Wanzhi’s figure out of the corner of her eye. Her body instantly stiffened.

Zhou Yu also snapped out of his half-drunken state at that moment. Almost reflexively, he stood up. “Zhi Zhi, you… you’re back?”

The group fell silent instantly.

Xia Wanzhi walked over. As she passed by Zhou Yu, she fixed her gaze on him for a second and said in a low tone, “Please, continue.”

“It’s not like that, let me explain.” Zhou Yu panicked slightly and reached out to grab Xia Wanzhi’s arm as she turned to go upstairs.

His grip was a bit too firm, making Xia Wanzhi frown in pain.

“Yeah, exactly, it’s just a little game between friends. Don’t be angry, Miss Xia,” someone in the crowd stepped forward to speak up for Zhou Yu.

Xia Wanzhi was tired and didn’t have the energy to deal with them. Moreover, having been caught in the rain, she didn’t look particularly presentable right now.

“Fine, speak,” Xia Wanzhi said, looking up with a lukewarm expression.

Zhou Yu, however, found himself choked up.

In the past, when the Xia Family was powerful, Zhou Yu had been at Xia Wanzhi’s beck and call. Now that the Xia Family was bankrupt, Xia Wanzhi was no longer that high-and-mighty eldest young lady.

If he really explained himself to her in front of so many people, where would his dignity go?

Xia Wanzhi saw his hesitation. Since she was currently living under someone else’s roof, she knew when she had to bow her head. “I’m a little tired. I’m going upstairs first.”

This time, Zhou Yu didn’t stop her, letting her pull her hand away.

The crowd kept their eyes down and their mouths shut; no one dared to say another word at a time like this.

***

In the bedroom, a vinyl record spun a lazy, cozy melody. Xia Wanzhi had already come out from her shower and was gently rubbing her long, chestnut curls with a towel.

A beautiful body was wrapped under the snow-white bath towel. Her collarbones, exposed to the air, were dotted with a few droplets of water from her hair, looking half-sexy and half-charming.

Yet the owner of this body possessed a face that looked slightly sickly.

“Zhi Zhi, are you asleep?” A dull knocking sounded. Zhou Yu had been standing outside the door for quite a while.

“I just saw the missed calls on my phone. It was on silent before, I must have touched it by mistake. I-I didn’t ignore your calls on purpose.”

He didn’t have many virtues, but when it came to apologizing, he possessed an extremely persistent spirit.

Xia Wanzhi turned off the record player, grabbed a robe to throw on, and opened the door only a crack, having no intention of letting Zhou Yu in.

To say she wasn’t angry would be a lie.

“Zhou Yu, don’t always make that face.” Xia Wanzhi didn’t lose her temper easily, but tonight she was somewhat impatient.

Every time he apologized, he looked so pitiful and aggrieved.

To outsiders, it made it seem like she was the one in the wrong instead.

“If you don’t want to hear it, I won’t say it. Don’t be angry. I came to talk to you about something important.” Zhou Yu’s eyes were cast down, his gaze landing squarely on Xia Wanzhi’s partially exposed swan-like neck.
Further down were her sexy, delicate collarbones.

Xia Wanzhi possessed a classic, structural beauty. Her mother was of mixed Chinese and British descent, and although she hadn’t inherited much of that UK lineage, her eyes were truly unparalleled.

In terms of temperament and looks, she could easily outshine any of the wealthy socialites in their circle. This was the most significant reason why Zhou Yu was so devoted to her.

Zhou Yu and Xia Wanzhi were childhood friends; from a young age, he had always been the one following her around.

The Xia Family’s recent bankruptcy was the first time Zhou Yu felt a desire to see Xia Wanzhi submit to him.

He knew this was an opportunity.

“What is it?” Xia Wanzhi’s voice was soft. Aside from a slight movement of her lips, her face remained devoid of joy or sorrow, completely expressionless.

Zhou Yu’s eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze becoming heated. “Aren’t you going to invite me in to sit for a while?”

“It’s too late.” Xia Wanzhi frowned, slowly lifting her eyes to meet his gaze.

After only three seconds, Zhou Yu yielded. Taking a breath, he said, “I looked into the Studio matter for you. The person who bought the entire building is my cousin.”

“Your cousin?” Xia Wanzhi was slightly stunned.

Zhou Yu nodded. “Yes. The head of the Xie Family, Xie Qiyan.”

Xie Qiyan.

Xie Qiyan again.

Nothing good ever happened whenever she crossed paths with Xie Qiyan.

If it hadn’t been for Zhou Yu calling him ‘cousin,’ Xia Wanzhi would have forgotten that the Zhou Family and the Xie Family shared such a connection.

However, in all these years, she hadn’t heard Zhou Yu mention Xie Qiyan even once. Now that the man had gained power and taken control of the Xie Family, his use of ‘cousin’ sounded quite affectionate.

“I know you don’t want to move, but since the buyer is the Xie Family, there’s nothing I can do.” Zhou Yu stepped forward slightly, tentatively tightening his grip on Xia Wanzhi’s wrist. “Zhi Zhi, you’ve been too tired lately. Take a rest.”

Xia Wanzhi didn’t speak. Zhou Yu added, “The Xie Family is hosting a family dinner tomorrow. We’ve been engaged for so long, yet I haven’t taken you to see Grandfather yet. Let’s go together tomorrow. You should get out more; consider it a way to clear your head.”

“Does your mother know?” Xia Wanzhi’s eyes flickered. Looking at him now, her tone sounded weary. “If you find this difficult, you don’t have to do this.”

Zhou Yu’s expression tightened. “When have I ever found it difficult? Zhi Zhi, if you feel uncomfortable, then let’s get married immediately. Once we’re married, you’ll be the mistress of this house. Let’s see who dares to speak ill of you then.”

“The mistress of this house is your mother, not me.” Xia Wanzhi looked at him, her face remarkably calm.

The Zhou Family wanted the Eldest Miss of the Xia Family, not Xia Wanzhi herself.

During her time living with the Zhou Family, the attitude of Zhou Yu’s parents had become very clear.

Xia Wanzhi could feel the difference between their treatment of her before and after the engagement.

Everyone in their circle was saying that this marriage was going to fall through.

“Don’t be angry. There’s still time; think about it.” Zhou Yu’s grip on her hand tightened as he instinctively took a step forward.

Xia Wanzhi backed away slightly, her tone helpless. “I’m not angry.”

“Then promise me you’ll go to the Xie Family with me tomorrow.” With half his body wedged in the doorway, Zhou Yu gave Xia Wanzhi’s hand a slight tug, pulling them closer together.

Xia Wanzhi tilted her head back, momentarily unable to see what kind of person Zhou Yu really was.

In the ensuing silence, Zhou Yu swallowed hard. The heat from his hand rose as his eyes grew hazy. He leaned down, but the moment he was about to feel Xia Wanzhi’s breath, he was pushed out the door by a surge of force.

“I… I promise.” The act of pushing him away seemed like an instinctive physical reaction. Xia Wanzhi’s eyelashes trembled as she looked at Zhou Yu. “Sorry, I…”

“It’s okay. We’ll take it slow.” Loneliness washed over his face. Looking somewhat heavy-hearted, Zhou Yu watched Xia Wanzhi close the door and stood there for a moment before leaving.

As he turned around, he saw Zhou’s Mother standing nearby. It was unclear how long she had been there. “Must you insist on going against your father and me?”

Zhou Yu clenched his fists. “I want her.”

He wanted to strip away her pride and make her submit to him.