Another Day of Pretending for the Wealthy Couple - Chapter 66

OK, fine. It seems like many people get asked this kind of question.

Ji Tanyuan had, of course, thought about what her ideal man would be like, what her boyfriend or husband should be like.

But she had never imagined someone like Zhong Yan: a man who could host billion-dollar projects in a suit one moment and sweep the floor in flip-flops the next.

Before meeting him, she had never encountered a young master from a wealthy family who lived like this.

Ji Tanyuan had imagined Zhong Yan as an enigmatic, top-tier elite, standing at the pinnacle of society, aloof and even more detached from the mundane world than a typical rich second-generation like herself. But she had never expected him to be like this.

Let’s rewind to a gathering earlier this year, as seen through Princess Ji’s memories. At that time, the newlyweds were still strangers.

Ji Tanyuan was still elegantly and reservedly maintaining the image of a virtuous, refined lady, or perhaps she was just like that by nature. Even if buried in the dirt, she would still hold her hands gracefully over her abdomen.

But Zhong Yan was different. He was the type to drive a Koenigsegg to a barbecue joint. Staring at the street stall before her, Ji Tanyuan’s smile froze, and she couldn’t help but ask, “Are you messing with me?”

Zhong Yan placed the menu in front of her. “No, Beiming is joining us later for dinner.”

And so, it was.

Her impeccable upbringing led Ji Tanyuan to eat ten skewers of lamb and one piece of grilled bread. She was even coaxed by Zhong Yan into trying a pancake roll with scallions and meat. She swore she only ate it because she was too polite to refuse his kindness, definitely not because the food, steeped in the earthy air of the streets, was incredibly delicious.

On the way back, Ji Tanyuan, with a mint in her mouth and the scent of barbecue clinging to her, climbed into a sports car worth 60 million yuan. It was an experience like no other.

Another time, the two were heading to a friend’s gathering, but Beijing’s evening rush hour was so congested that even navigation apps would advise against driving.

So, Ji Tanyuan watched in disbelief as Zhong Yan wheeled out a black electric scooter. She took a step back, utterly baffled. “What are you doing?”

Zhong Yan hopped on with practiced ease. “Get on. We can either take the subway or ride this. Driving would waste too much time.”

Fortunately, Ji Tanyuan was wearing pants. They reached their destination in just ten minutes, truly fast.

Riding an electric scooter to a high-end restaurant to avoid traffic was something Ji Tanyuan had never done before.

When they arrived and dismounted, the staff didn’t even bat an eye. The valet effortlessly took the scooter to park it. Ji Tanyuan even joked, “Why not just leave it anywhere? Giving it to the valet seems unnecessary.”

Snapping out of her memories, Ji Tanyuan looked up at him again. “Not someone like you.”

“…” Zhong Yan was speechless. That was brutally direct.

“Then what? Do you prefer someone ugly? Without abs? Poor or short?”

Ji Tanyuan replied, “See, you’re getting angry again as we talk.”

Zhong Yan’s expression was indeed sour. Ji Tanyuan had been distant lately, neither acting coy nor trying to placate him.

Ultimately, this change started after the old master got involved.

Ji Tanyuan took a sip of lime juice to freshen her breath, stood up, and glanced at the voice recorder.

“Yu Jiang isn’t the real Yu Jiang,” she suddenly said.

Then, leaning closer, she fixed her eyes on Zhong Yan. “Right?”

Zhong Yan let out a surprised “Ah?” and asked, “How come you believe such baseless rumors too?”

Ji Tanyuan bent down to observe Zhong Yan’s expression. The man’s exquisite face was so close, yet inscrutable.

Ji Tanyuan arched her delicate brows. “Husband, I’m your wife.”

Suddenly, Zhong Yan grabbed her arm, pulling her onto his lap. His arm encircled her waist, and her soft form molded against his chest. The hand wearing his wedding ring gently pinched her chin:

“Now you remember? Weren’t you just saying I wasn’t your type earlier?”

Ji Tanyuan grasped his wrist and pulled it down. His wrist bones were prominent and hard, cool to the touch yet somehow burning in her hand.

Zhong Yan gazed at Ji Tanyuan’s slender fingers, where her wedding ring rested perfectly. They were long and slim, flawlessly pale.

“Explain clearly, what’s going on with Yu Jiang?” Ji Tanyuan interrupted his distraction.

“Nothing much. He’s still alive.” He offered nothing more.

Shen Xichen had informed him through the recording device that the information about Yu Jiang being secretly detained had been leaked, so there was no need to maintain the deception for the Shen family anymore.

That Shen young master was profoundly cunning.

Sitting on his lap, though Ji Tanyuan was tall at 168cm, she still seemed petite before Zhong Yan’s 188cm frame. Combined with her slim build, breaking free was even harder. Zhong Yan kept one hand on her waist while using the other to lift the hem of her skirt.

“Hey!” Ji Tanyuan exclaimed, swatting his hand. “What are you doing?”

“You.”

Ji Tanyuan glared at him with feigned anger, but the man kissed her lips. “Lime flavor.”

Wrapping her arms around his neck, Ji Tanyuan said, “Yu Jiang isn’t dead, but the current situation isn’t real either, right?”

Zhong Yan gave an affirmative hum, acknowledging it.

Ji Tanyuan pushed him away. “If I hadn’t married you, would my father be involved now too?”

Though displeased by the push, Zhong Yan patiently explained, “If you hadn’t married me back then, there wouldn’t have been any waiting. The consortium controlled by the Shen family and Shanghai government would have acquired your Ji family’s core semiconductor business under the guise of rescue, and your father would have been embroiled in tax scandals.”

Before Ji Tanyuan could respond, Zhong Yan continued, “So, from the very beginning, everything was destined.”

Ji Tanyuan lowered her gaze and initiated a kiss. “I understand.”

Zhong Yan was momentarily stunned, both by her proactive kiss and surprise at her response. What did she understand?

Wasn’t it said that couples develop telepathy after sleeping together long enough? How come after a year, he still couldn’t always read Ji Tanyuan?

“What do you understand?”

Ji Tanyuan hugged him, resting her head on his shoulder. They nestled together intimately under the lamplight. Her soft voice whispered by his ear, “I understand your importance.”

The importance of power, no wonder imperial merchants were considered superior to ordinary merchants in ancient times.

Zhong Yan patted her back. He liked hearing that. Whatever aspect of importance didn’t matter, as long as he was important.

Seizing the opportunity, Zhong Yan kissed the most sensitive spot behind her ear. “As long as you understand. Don’t let that Shen guy sweet-talk you with nonsense and lead your thoughts astray. Hmm?”

Ji Tanyuan recognized his veiled warning.

Ji Tanyuan: “You mean I should unconditionally trust you over him.”

“Do you trust him then?” Zhong Yan countered.

Ji Tanyuan: “Do I have to choose one person to trust?”

What kind of logic is that?

Zhong Yan also felt somewhat childish, but upon reflection, it didn’t seem entirely wrong either.

“Why does he get to be on equal footing with me? I’m your husband, what is he?”