Another Day of Pretending for the Wealthy Couple - Chapter 24

Assistant Liang clutched his head and blurted out, “I’m the one giving you a psychological heads-up, okay?”

Zhong Yan said coldly, “What do you mean? Are you implying that Ji Tanyuan would cheat?”

Assistant Liang waved his hands repeatedly. “No, no, no.”

Then Zhong Yan added, “But it wouldn’t be surprising. Her family’s genes are unstable. She’s always talked to me about having a marriage of convenience.”

Assistant Liang stammered; this couple was more dramatic than a movie. “And then? Did you agree?”

Zhong Yan narrowed his eyes. “Why should I tell you?”

As if he would agree, did he have a cuckolding fetish or something?

Zhong Yan threw the dog leash into his arms. “Share with me, what gossip have you overheard lately?”

Assistant Liang shook his head. “Nothing. I just suddenly thought of Madam’s uncle and wondered.”

Yeah, right, as if he’d actually say anything about that.

Assistant Liang glanced back. “Should I call the driver?”

Zhong Yan grunted in agreement and sat down.

Less than two minutes later, a call came from Yanjing.

Zhou Yanyu got straight to the point: “A-Yan, did you not show Tanyuan the family code of conduct?”

“Mom, I’ve always thought that kind of admonishment belongs in sexual roleplay. Anything else is just inappropriate. I tore that thing up.”

There was a deep breath on the other end, suppressing anger. “Zhong Yan, do you know why I’ve never liked you?”

“Since you were little, you’ve always taken things for granted. You’ve enjoyed the benefits of the family but never contributed.”

Zhong Yan felt weary. He hadn’t contributed? Ha! What more did they want him to contribute? Become an obedient puppet?

“You should say that to the employees, they work for their pay. I got mine by being born.”

The other end snapped, “Zhong Yan!”

“If I had had an abortion back then, you wouldn’t exist. Do you think you’d amount to anything without the Zhong family?”

“So, whether it’s repaying the debt of birth or upbringing, you’ve failed at both. When you stand up for your wife, do you ever think of me or your grandmother?”

Hypotheticals were meaningless, why harp on them? Zhong Yan was immune to such talk. He tapped his knee lightly, and the dog resting its paw there licked his hand.

Then, his pale, slender hand gave the dog’s head a light pat, pushing it away. The dog seemed to adore Zhong Yan and nuzzled right back.

Zhong Yan said indifferently, “What did you call about?”

“Check the entertainment news. It’s about what your wife has done. Find a way to fix it.”

With that, the other party hung up.

He scrolled through his phone but found nothing.

Then he remembered Ji Tanyuan’s social media account and opened it.

Now he understood.

It was a photo of her and her friend, Miss Zhang.

One had pink hair, the other black, one bold, the other reserved. Ji Tanyuan’s makeup was subtle, her eyebrows finely shaped, her eye makeup neutral, but her red lips were strikingly sensual. Her features were elegantly refined and distinctive.

As for Zhang Zhang, only the pink hair stood out.

He clicked into Zhang Zhang’s profile.

Then he checked the comments.

“Wow, your bestie is wearing haute couture jewelry! Is it real? Those royal blue sapphire earrings, from the non-sale exhibition at the auction two years ago? They’re actually your bestie’s?”

The two sapphires glittered brilliantly: one was 8.8 carats, the other 6.6 carats. Natural, unheated Kashmir sapphires with exceptional fire and a rich, velvety hue. Surrounding the gems were meticulously hand-cut and polished pavé diamonds, exuding both luxury and beauty.

“Is your best friend marrying into the Yanjing family? Is it the one I’m thinking of?”

“Hey, the one upstairs, which one are you thinking of? Don’t keep it to yourself.”

“Who else could make someone with a Shanghai hukou willingly marry out? It must be power, which is more appealing than money. Sister Zhang, is your best friend surnamed Ji?”

“Sister Zhang really has a wide social circle.”

As expected, these comments were noticed by the Zhong family’s team.

Of course, these were the milder remarks. There were also insults, accusing Zhang Zhang of sleeping her way to influence with their idols, begging her to leave their favorites alone, and dragging Ji Tanyuan into it as well.

“Capital is foul. Are the two of you enjoying sleeping around with men? Is the one next to you married? You two really know how to play.”

Zhang Zhang’s reputation in fandom circles was mixed. Some celebrity management teams curried favor with her for magazine covers, which made fans resentful on behalf of their idols, leading them to dislike Zhang Zhang.

Especially since Zhang Zhang had actually dated artists and actors, this high-profile, flamboyant behavior was something the Zhong family disapproved of.

This was also why the Zhong family wanted Ji Tanyuan to steer clear of such associations.

Sleeping with young, attractive men?

Would Ji Tanyuan even do that? Had she ever dated one? So, the reason she wanted a marriage of convenience was to keep her options open for handsome men in the entertainment industry?

She was only 23 herself, still young and vibrant, why would she need to chase after even younger men?

Or was she trying to rekindle something ambiguous with that childhood friend or close male confidant of hers?

Zhong Yan frowned. His expression had been dark since hanging up the phone, and now it turned even colder.

His fair, jade-like complexion, sharp and defined profile, high brow bone, smooth forehead, and the bridge of his nose connecting to a tall, straight nose, his side profile looked as if it were sculpted.

But at this moment, it carried an icy aloofness that kept others at a distance.

When Ji Tanyuan came downstairs, she immediately noticed this conspicuous presence. He was sitting there, emanating coldness, staring at his phone as if lost in thought.

Meanwhile, Puppy was spinning in circles nearby like an untamed wild horse, bursting with endless energy. The contrast between the motion and stillness created a strangely surreal scene.

Ji Tanyuan recalled the subtle remarks her aunt had made upstairs earlier, practically trying to shove Ji Ying into her pocket as a concubine to take to Yanjing.

Puppy spotted Ji Tanyuan and let out a “wer” sound before darting toward her. Zhong Yan looked up and saw Ji Tanyuan bend down to pick up the leash.

Zhong Yan stood up and walked out without a word.

The car was already waiting outside. Assistant Liang checked the time and said, “The car will take you back to the villa. I’ll head off now.”

Zhong Yan ignored him completely and got straight into the car.

Assistant Liang sighed inwardly, here we go again, he’s upset.

Ji Tanyuan, who had followed behind, smiled and bid farewell, “Thank you for your hard work, Assistant Liang. Get some rest early.”

Assistant Liang replied with a smile, “It’s my duty. Goodbye, Madam.”

Ji Tanyuan had intended to take the dog with her, but the person in the car rolled down the window and said, “Liang Zhufu, take the dog and look after it. Triple overtime pay.”

Assistant Liang glanced at the big-eared dog. He wasn’t short on money, he didn’t want to do it.

“Ten times.”

“Deal.”

Ji Tanyuan held onto the leash, refusing to let go. “I have time.”

Zhong Yan smiled faintly. “Do you want her to watch the live show?”

Assistant Liang covered the Beagle’s ears, scooped it up, and dashed off without looking back.

Taking care of this little one was far easier than dealing with the grown one.

Ji Tanyuan was pulled into the car and made to sit on the man’s lap. He gripped her chin, leaving no room for refusal.

What followed was a fierce, overwhelming kiss from the man.

It was their first kiss outside the bedroom.

Not a kiss driven by lust or hormones, but one born from Zhong Yan’s uncontrollable emotions.