Another Day of Pretending for the Wealthy Couple - Chapter 61

“In what aspects?”

“Fund movements, undisclosed information, and procedural developments with government departments, I’ve assigned people specifically to monitor all of it.”

Assistant Liang let out an “Ah!” “So, you mean since she’s been blocking you, you’re now going to choke her in return?”

Zhong Yan kicked him lightly in the back of the leg. “Why put it so harshly? I’m just demonstrating my usefulness to her at the necessary moments.”

…

Ji Tanyuan returned to the villa, took a shower, and headed straight to the study for a video conference with Zhang Ziqing. Zhang Ziqing was the CEO and legal representative of the newly established company, Jinglong Shares, and had recently been in the U.S. scouting for technical talent.

Ji Tanyuan stated directly, “Money is not an issue. We can offer the highest price in the industry, including equity grants or promotion to partner. Use every possible means to bring them over first.”

Zhang Ziqing nodded as she dried her hair. “Understood. A while ago, Lu Ke mentioned you approached Gengxu Capital. I thought you would seek financing from Convolution Capital.”

Ji Tanyuan raised an eyebrow. “Cheng Gengxu, the founder of Gengxu Capital, has more influence in the mainland than Convolution.”

“Can he compare to your husband’s family background?” Anyone who’s spent time in Beijing’s upper circles knows the weight the Zhong family carries, a prominent lineage with celebrated figures in every generation.

Ji Tanyuan: “No, he can’t. But I don’t want to involve him.”

“What about just leveraging your status as Mrs. Zhong, then?”

Ji Tanyuan shook her head. “What if we divorce in the future? Jinglong Shares won’t be established for at least three to five years.”

Zhang Ziqing was surprised. “You’ve actually thought about divorce?”

Ji Tanyuan sighed and leaned back. “I considered it even before we got married. Once the company goes public, stabilizes, and the equity is clearly divided, when both of us have achieved our goals, we’ll part ways.”

“And now?”

Sitting in the dimly lit study, illuminated only by a desk lamp and the glowing screen, Ji Tanyuan’s eyes stood out. Her hair cascaded loosely behind her, and a slow smile spread across her face. Perhaps influenced by the season outside, her serene composure carried a hint of autumn melancholy.

“I still think about it.”

After saying this, Ji Tanyuan fell silent until barking echoed from outside, likely signaling Zhong Yan’s return.

As Zhong Yan ascended the stairs, he ran into Ji Tanyuan emerging from the study. Standing a few steps below, he looked up at her with a gentle smile, his eyes brimming with unspoken emotions.

“Wife.”

Ji Tanyuan froze for a moment. The sudden intimate address in the deep of the night left her at a loss for words.

“Why aren’t you calling me ‘husband’?”

Before she could react, Zhong Yan had already wrapped his arm around her waist, pressing her against the wall. He bent down to kiss the side of her ear, then gently nibbled her earlobe, his voice husky and seductive. “Wife, you should call me ‘husband.'”

A cascade of kisses trailed from her ear down to her collarbone.

“Zhong Yan, you’re drunk.” Her body grew warm, and she tried to push him away, but he pinned her against the wall with one hand.

“You called me that earlier today. Say it again, please.”

Ji Tanyuan opened her mouth but found herself unable to make a sound. She couldn’t bring herself to say it now.

To utter that word required either absolute conviction in her acting or genuine feeling, and at this moment, she had neither.

Ji Tanyuan remained silent, and Zhong Yan buried his face in the crook of her neck, unmoving.

Finally, he murmured softly, “You’re really too much.”

What exactly was “too much”, he didn’t specify.

“I’m not great either.” Zhong Yan added immediately after. “I don’t blame you for being excessive.”

After speaking, he straightened up, his face weary and tinged with a faint layer of melancholy.

“Let’s sleep. I’ll still take the guest room.”

Ji Tanyuan pressed her lips together and nodded.

Then she left without looking back.

Zhong Yan stood rooted behind her for a long time. So now, not even a fake word of comfort?

Could your attitude change any faster, Princess Ji?

At 2 a.m., the door to the master bedroom opened.

Zhong Yan stood by Ji Tanyuan’s bedside, looking down at her sleeping soundly while he lay awake.

When Ji Tanyuan woke up the next day, she instinctively snuggled into the person beside her as usual, slipping her hand into their pajamas to feel their abs.

Just as she was about to drift back to sleep, her eyes suddenly snapped open.

Something isn’t right.

She lifted her head and saw the man’s chin, isn’t this Zhong Yan?

Didn’t he say he will be sleeping in the guest room?

She pushed him away, sat up, and looked around. This wasn’t the master bedroom.

Zhong Yan, jolted awake by her push, murmured with his eyes closed, “Why did you stop?”

Ji Tanyuan: “How did I end up in your bed?”

Zhong Yan hummed, “Where else would you be?”

Ji Tanyuan: “Did you carry me here?”

“You came here on your own.” Zhong Yan lied with his eyes still shut.

Ji Tanyuan was furious. “I didn’t even know which guest room you were in. How could I have found you?”

Zhong Yan propped his head on one hand and smiled at her. “Who knows? Maybe you checked them one by one.”

Ji Tanyuan pointed at him, stammering “you… you… you!” for a moment before suddenly remembering something. “Oh no, Puppy!”

She dashed out barefoot. Zhong Yan frowned. He had planned to seize the moment for some intimacy, but once again, Ji Tanyuan had run off because of the dog.

But when he followed and saw the mess in the bedroom, he fell completely silent.

Gritting his teeth, he said, “Didn’t you say she doesn’t destroy the house?”

Ji Tanyuan was already used to the Beagle’s destructive tendencies, but she felt a bit embarrassed because of Zhong Yan. “Beagles always wreck things a little.”

“It’s just that she has too much energy and no way to release it. As adults, we should understand and be considerate.”

“Besides, if I were in the master bedroom, she would have woken me up to take her out, and she wouldn’t have destroyed anything. So, whose fault is it that you carried me to the guest room?”

Zhong Yan shot her a sidelong glance. “You’re quite good at shifting the blame.”

Ji Tanyuan nudged the dog with her leg, letting Puppy hide behind her. Zhong Yan lifted his chin. “What are you hiding for? If you dare to do it, you should own up to it. Whoever made the mess cleans it up.”

Ji Tanyuan: “She’s a dog. I’ll have someone come up to clean.”

“I already told you, no outsiders are allowed in unless it’s an emergency. I only let her in as a favor to you.”

He then took the leash. “Puppy, come on. Put everything back where it was, or no food for you.”

The dog seemed to understand the last part and whined, snuggling up to Ji Tanyuan to beg. How could Ji Tanyuan bear it? “Are you even speaking human?”

Zhong Yan raised an eyebrow. “If I spoke human to Puppy, she wouldn’t understand anyway.”

Ji Tanyuan: “…”

Silence. She really thought Zhong Yan was insane.

Then, as if struck by an idea, she tentatively and softly called out, “Husband?”

Zhong Yan’s heart skipped a beat, and he looked up at her. “What did you call me?”

Ji Tanyuan cursed him inwardly as a jerk but smiled sweetly. “Husband, please take care of the cleaning.”

After saying it, she felt a bit awkward. She used to be able to say such things without blushing or her heart racing.

She grabbed the dog and fled as if escaping, saying, “I’m taking the dog for a walk.”

Yulong Guanzhi was a massive residential complex that combined a park and villas, boasting excellent greenery and even a dedicated pet-friendly lawn.

Ji Tanyuan played fetch with the dog on the lawn, her mind wandering as she tossed the frisbee. The morning dew glistened under the rising sun, and the air was slightly cool. Dressed in a white windbreaker and black athletic pants, she crouched on the grass, watching the dog romp around wildly.

This morning, she had finally come to a realization:

Sleeping with Zhong Yan and touching his abs had become a habit.

She frowned. How had she developed a habit of touching someone’s abs?

What would she do after the divorce? Would she have to “sponsor” someone’s abs?

How could she allow herself to have such a hobby? The texture wasn’t even as nice as that of cats or dogs.

With that thought, she waved her hand, and Puppy came running over. Ji Tanyuan reached out to pat the dog’s head, smiling brightly as she said, “See? Dogs are so much cuter.”