Another Day of Pretending for the Wealthy Couple - Chapter 37

Zhong Yan let out a noncommittal sound and slipped back into his listless state.

“Looking to raise funds, huh? My wife is ambitious, how wonderful.”

Cheng Gengxu remarked, “She’s investing in a tech company focused on the upstream semiconductor industry, specifically CMP consumables like polishing fluids and pads. Your wife seems intent on dominating the entire semiconductor supply chain and putting down roots.”

Zhong Yan replied dryly, “So, before I’ve even started, I’m about to be pushed out of the game?”

Cheng Gengxu stubbed out his cigarette. “Only a fool would pass up making money. I’m jumping in, Gengxu Capital is doubling down.”

Zhong Yan grunted in acknowledgment. “Just keep Convolution Capital out of it.”

“That Duan guy has always had his eye on poaching from me.”

Cheng Gengxu sighed, “…And yet you still work with him.”

Zhong Yan chuckled. “Duan Huaixu can collaborate with me all he wants, he won’t be able to steal my wife. What’s the harm in working together?”

As long as he didn’t get entangled with Ji Tanyuan, it was fine.

Cheng Gengxu was speechless. This couple’s mental states were truly something else.

“Don’t you feel like you and Ji Tanyuan are drifting apart even when you’re together?”

Zhong Yan closed his eyes, a hint of sarcasm in his voice as he sat in the dark living room. “You’ve got it wrong. We’re not even sharing a bed right now, she’s in Shanghai, and I’m in Beijing. The only bed we’re sharing is in some steamy dream.”

Cheng Gengxu: “…”

Idiot.

Zhong Yan was already wallowing in the agony of being separated from his newlywed wife. Whether it was the loneliness of his soul or the solitude of his desires remained unclear.

But what Cheng Gengxu did know was that Zhong Yan showed signs of falling hard. He was rather looking forward to seeing how this neurotic, high-and-mighty man would handle matters of the heart.

Zhong Yan hung up the phone, ruffled the dog’s head, and headed upstairs.

The traces of Ji Tanyuan were everywhere in the house. Her extensive wardrobe took up half of three floors, and her jewelry filled a small storage room. The moment he stepped into the master bedroom, her scent enveloped him, impossible to ignore.

After tidying up the master bedroom, Zhong Yan went into the bathroom.

He couldn’t resist. Even in the bathroom, he longed to hear Ji Tanyuan’s voice.

The first call went unanswered; she picked up on the second try.

A sweet voice came through the line, “Hey, hubby.”

Zhong Yan stayed silent.

Ji Tanyuan frowned and tried again, “Zhong Yan?”

A low, breathy sound escaped him, so sensual it felt like a physical blow to her senses, leaving her tingling and dazed.

She couldn’t react for a moment.

Then, his voice came again, husky and commanding, “Keep going.”

Ji Tanyuan choked up, unable to form words.

When no sound came through after a while, Zhong Yan grew impatient. “Ji Tanyuan, say something!”

Stammering, she managed, “W-w-what do you want me to say?”

Silence again from his end.

Ji Tanyuan ventured, “You missed me, don’t you?”

Still, Zhong Yan said nothing.

She continued, “I reserved a diamond at the preview today, a pink diamond. It’s so beautiful. The moment I saw it, I knew it had to be mine.”

“Is it okay if I spend your money?”

Zhong Yan grunted in assent.

Then, the sound of running water came through. Ji Tanyuan asked, “Should I hang up now?”

Without waiting for a response, she ended the call, opened the door, and was instantly met with the lively noise of the party.

This was Ji Tanyuan’s home, a sprawling 1,000-square-meter penthouse with the best view of the Bund, decorated in a style that was unmistakably hers.

Soft whites and pale pinks intertwined throughout the custom luxury interior, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere with a creamy white palette as the foundation.

Inside, people were playing mahjong. “Huanghuang, hurry up! Everyone’s waiting for you.”

Ji Tanyuan put away her phone and smiled. “He’s here, he’s here.”

“Who is it?” Qin Yini asked.

Zhang Zhang: “Must be her husband, of course.”

Qin Yini let out an “oh.”

“I’ve met him before. He gives off the same vibe as he did on their wedding day, aloof and unapproachable, but sharp-tongued the moment he opens his mouth.”

Zhang Zhang hummed in agreement. “A worthy opponent.”

Ji Tanyuan played an Eight of Circles tile. “How is he a ‘worthy opponent’? Am I that sharp-tongued?”

Another person at the mahjong table, the young lady of the Ruan family, Ruan Jiangli, laughed. “Don’t you know? In the rich second-generation circles, the Shanghai clique is considered the meanest.”

Ji Tanyuan: “…”

Qin Yini disagreed. “Not at all. Our Huanghuang is too gentle, which makes some people think they can take advantage of her.”

Zhang Zhang agreed. “Ji Tanyuan, you need to be fiercer. If anyone annoys you, just crush them.”

Qin Yini chuckled. “The essence of being a fierce woman is being unafraid to burn bridges. Ask Huanghuang, is she afraid of the Zhong family?”

Ji Tanyuan was stared at by six eyes. “Why are you looking at me? Since ancient times, no merchant has ever been unafraid of officials.”

“Besides, I’m the kind of person…” At this point, Ji Tanyuan looked back at them, giving them a “you know what I mean” look.

The three understood. Ji Tanyuan wasn’t the type to lose her temper. She had an innate elegance, and it would take extreme circumstances for her to slam a bowl and curse someone out.

“Let’s talk about it later. Thankfully, we live separately.”

Zhong Yan was at least a bit more normal.

Ji Tanyuan thought of the phone call she had just received.

Power wasn’t exactly normal either.

…

Ji Tanyuan arrived at the company at 10 a.m.

With the shareholders’ meeting just a day away, she went straight into Lu Ke’s office.

Lu Ke handed her the documents directly. “Regarding the preliminary equity transfer plan for Qinghe Real Estate, the board isn’t too pleased with your actions. Your father’s stance is ambiguous.”

In other words, Ji Tanyuan’s father hadn’t fully taken his daughter’s side. Perhaps he had always intended to take a middle-ground approach.

Lu Ke knew it was best not to meddle in the chairman’s family affairs, but the problem was that their family matters were already affecting the company, and he himself had sided with Ji Tanyuan.

Lu Ke wore a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, dressed like an elite. His crisp black suit, custom-tailored to fit his frame perfectly, made him look exceptionally refined.

Having spent years in the world of fame and fortune, from Singapore to the United States and now mainland China, Lu Ke was well aware that customs varied from place to place.

“Tanyuan, your father might not have told you everything.”

Ji Tanyuan looked at the documents. “I know. What can I do if he doesn’t want to tell me?”

Lu Ke: “So, what will you do?”

Ji Tanyuan closed the file, took a deep breath, and looked at Lu Ke. “He says the company will be mine in the future. Do you think I should believe him?”

Lu Ke let out an “ah.”

“Even though I’m a man, I think it’s best not to trust men too much, even if it’s your doting father.”

“When it comes to inheriting nearly a hundred billion in assets versus giving you a pittance to live on, there’s no comparison. Even if he dotes on you, there’s no guarantee he’ll pass it all to you. After all, in a way, this company is also his child, the one he’s poured the most effort into.”

Ji Tanyuan pursed her lips. “If he’s really not on my side, and there are no illegitimate children, what does that mean?”

Ji Tanyuan sat in her chair, dressed in a white suit, her makeup subtle, exuding a quiet elegance. She looked gentle, the type who seemed easy to push around.

His composed nature shaped his approach, meticulous, thorough, and patient, ensuring every move was decisive and effective.

With the ease of years of understanding, Lu Ke remarked, “That doesn’t matter, does it?”

Worried that after marriage, her relatives would grow restless, attempting to seize control of the group, and even her father’s ambiguous stance was concerning, she had begun systematically removing potential threats from the core as soon as things stabilized.

Ji Tanyuan smiled. “You’re right. We’re both results-oriented.”

Their conversation was interrupted by a call, from Zhong Yan.

Now, every time Ji Tanyuan saw Zhong Yan’s name on her phone, she felt uneasy, afraid he might be calling just to hear her voice while doing that.

She stepped out onto the balcony, lowered the volume first, and answered, “Hello?”

There was a pause on the other end. “Why aren’t you calling me ‘husband’?”

Ji Tanyuan replied, “Forgot? What’s the matter?”

Zhong Yan’s voice came through with a hint of laughter. “Wife, I’m walking the dog.”

Ji Tanyuan: “…” So?

Zhong Yan continued, “The dog misses you. It’s asking when you’ll be home.”