She’s Being Naughty - Chapter 15

The air seemed to freeze for those few seconds.

Xu Zhaoyi stared at Jiang Yao, and Jiang Yao looked back at her. The soft light of the living room spilled over them, reflecting in the glass of warm water on the coffee table that was still emitting a faint trail of steam.

“What do you know?” Jiang Yao finally spoke. Her voice was light but calm. There was no panic, no surprise, it was as if she were asking a perfectly ordinary question.

Xu Zhaoyi’s hand tightened around her glass. “I know… that your marriage to Dad isn’t genuine.”

Jiang Yao fell silent for a moment. Then, she let out a soft sigh and sat down on the sofa next to Xu Zhaoyi.

“Who told you?” she asked.

“I found out myself,” Xu Zhaoyi said. “I found a slip of paper in your book. It said things like ‘Cooperation Agreement Memorandum,’ ‘Marriage in Name Only,’ and ‘Three Year Term.'”

Jiang Yao didn’t say anything, her eyes simply widened slightly. Xu Zhaoyi scrutinized her face, searching for a crack in her composure. But Jiang Yao regained her calm almost instantly.

“That slip of paper…” she paused. “Can you give it back to me?”

“Why?” Xu Zhaoyi asked.

“Because what’s written on it isn’t the complete truth,” Jiang Yao replied. “And… now isn’t the time for you to know these things.”

“When is the time?” Xu Zhaoyi pressed. “When the three-year term is up and you leave our family?”

Jiang Yao looked at her for a long time. Then she stood up, walked to the window, and turned her back to Xu Zhaoyi. Outside, the night was heavy. The garden streetlights were on, casting swaying shadows of trees.

“Zhaozhao,” Jiang Yao began, her voice soft. “Some things aren’t as simple as you think. There are complex reasons behind the matters between your father and me. But those reasons… have nothing to do with you.”

“How could they have nothing to do with me?” Xu Zhaoyi stood up as well. “You’re my stepmother, you live in my house, you…”

“I am just a guest staying here.” Jiang Yao turned around to face her. “Once the business is finished, I will leave.” She paused before adding, “When that time comes, you will understand everything.”

Xu Zhaoyi opened her mouth to argue, but Jiang Yao cut her off.

“Please return that paper to me first,” she said earnestly. “This isn’t a demand; it’s a request.”

Seeing the sincerity in her eyes, Xu Zhaoyi’s stubborn streak flared up. “What if I don’t?”

Jiang Yao was silent for a while. Then she said, “Then it doesn’t matter. Just… I hope you keep it safe and don’t let anyone else see it. Especially your father.”

Xu Zhaoyi stared at her. “Why? Doesn’t Dad know about this? His name is on that paper.”

“He knows part of it, but not all,” Jiang Yao said. “For some things, the less he knows, the safer he is.”

“Safer?” Xu Zhaoyi frowned. “What do you mean? Is there some kind of danger?”

Jiang Yao shook her head, offering no further explanation. She walked over and lightly patted Xu Zhaoyi’s shoulder. “Go wash up and get some sleep. You drank tonight; you need rest. Tomorrow… we’ll talk again.”

With that, she turned and went upstairs. She left Xu Zhaoyi standing alone in the living room, her mind a chaotic mess.

The next morning, Xu Zhaoyi woke up late. She had a slight headache, the lingering effects of a hangover. When she went downstairs, Jiang Yao was already gone. The housekeeper mentioned that Ms. Jiang had left early for work, seemingly due to some urgent business at the company.

Xu Zhaoyi sat at the dining table, staring blankly at the breakfast prepared for her. She recalled what Jiang Yao had said the previous night: “Once the business is finished, I will leave.”

Those words felt like a thorn pricking her heart. Although she had long suspected Jiang Yao might leave eventually, hearing her confirm it personally felt different.

After breakfast, Xu Zhaoyi returned to her room, took out the slip of paper, and read it once more. She then found an envelope, placed the paper inside, and tucked it back into her drawer. She decided not to return it yet. She wanted to wait until Jiang Yao asked for it again to demand a clear answer.

But Jiang Yao didn’t mention it again. Over the next few days, Jiang Yao seemed incredibly busy, leaving early and returning late. Sometimes Xu Zhaoyi would wake up to find her already gone and go to bed before she returned. They hardly saw each other.

Over the weekend, Xu Zhaoyi didn’t return to campus. On Saturday afternoon, while she was reading at home, she suddenly heard movement downstairs.

Jiang Yao was back, and she had brought someone with her. It was a man in his thirties, dressed in a suit and carrying a briefcase, he looked very professional.

Xu Zhaoyi looked down from the second floor and heard Jiang Yao say, “Lawyer Zhou, this way please. Let’s talk in the study.”

A lawyer?

Xu Zhaoyi’s heart skipped a beat. She quietly crept to the third floor and stood outside the study door. It was closed, but she could vaguely hear the conversation inside.

“Ms. Jiang, are you sure you want to go through with this process? The risk is very high.”

“I am prepared,” Jiang Yao’s voice was cool and collected. “Are the materials ready?”

“Everything is ready. But as for Mr. Xu…”

“I will speak with him later,” Jiang Yao paused. “But before then, please keep this strictly confidential. Especially… don’t let Zhaozhao find out.”

Xu Zhaoyi’s breath hitched. They were talking about her? Why couldn’t she know? What was happening?

She tried to listen further, but the voices inside dropped to a whisper, making it impossible to hear. After a while, the door opened. Xu Zhaoyi quickly hid behind a nearby pillar. Jiang Yao and the lawyer walked out, and she escorted him downstairs.

Their conversation continued as they moved. “…Next Tuesday’s meeting is very important. Members of the Jiang family will be there,” the lawyer said. “Are you sure you want to attend in person?”

“I must go,” Jiang Yao said. “This matter must be handled by me personally.”

“Very well. I will prepare all the documents.”

Jiang Yao saw the lawyer out, and the sound of footsteps faded away. Xu Zhaoyi emerged from behind the pillar and stood at the study door. It wasn’t locked. She hesitated for a moment, then pushed it open slightly.

Inside the study, several documents were spread out on the desk. She walked over and scanned them. They were commercial contracts filled with English technical terms she didn’t quite understand. However, she caught a few key phrases:

• “Equity Transfer Agreement”
• “Debt Restructuring”
• “Risk Assessment”

They were all serious business terms. She wanted to look closer, but footsteps sounded outside. Jiang Yao was coming back. Xu Zhaoyi hurriedly backed out and softly closed the door.

Just as the door shut, Jiang Yao reached the top of the stairs. Seeing her standing there, Jiang Yao paused. “Zhaozhao? What are you doing here?”

“I… I wanted to find a book to read,” Xu Zhaoyi lied.

“Which book? I’ll help you find it.” Jiang Yao walked over to open the study door.

Xu Zhaoyi shook her head and took a step back. “Actually, never mind. I’m not looking anymore.”

Jiang Yao looked at her, then at the closed study door, but didn’t press further. “Alright. Come back whenever you feel like reading.”

“Okay,” Xu Zhaoyi replied, turning to walk toward her room. She walked quickly, afraid that a slower pace would give her away.

Just as she reached the stairs, Jiang Yao called out to her again.

“Zhaozhao.”

Jiang Yao’s voice sounded the same as usual. “Just now… at the door… did you hear anything?”

Xu Zhaoyi’s heart hammered, but she kept her face neutral. “Hear what?”

Jiang Yao stared at her for a few seconds, then smiled. “Nothing. I’m probably just overthinking.” She paused. “By the way, what do you want for dinner? The housekeeper is off today, so I can cook. It’s been a while since I made a meal for you.”

Looking at the smile on Jiang Yao’s face, Xu Zhaoyi felt that sense of unease again. She had just been discussing such serious matters with a lawyer, yet now she could naturally ask about dinner. Jiang Yao was too complex, so complex that Xu Zhaoyi couldn’t read her at all.

“Whatever,” Xu Zhaoyi said.

“Let’s have the braised pork ribs you like,” Jiang Yao smiled. “I remember you enjoy those.”

Dinner was indeed braised pork ribs. Jiang Yao was a talented cook, the ribs were glossy and red, looking incredibly appetizing. During the meal, Xu Jiancheng returned home. He looked exhausted and didn’t say much. After half a bowl of rice, he said he was full and went upstairs to rest.

Only Xu Zhaoyi and Jiang Yao were left at the table.

“Your dad’s been busy with company matters lately, he’s worn out,” Jiang Yao explained softly. “Don’t worry.”

Xu Zhaoyi hummed in response, keeping her head down as she ate. After a moment, she suddenly asked, “Have you… been very busy lately too?”

“A little,” Jiang Yao said. “I’m handling some things.”

“What things?” Xu Zhaoyi looked up.

Jiang Yao’s eyes crinkled into a smile. “Business matters. You wouldn’t understand even if I told you.”

“I want to understand,” Xu Zhaoyi said. “I’m a Business Administration major too.”

Jiang Yao laughed. “A junior, right? You still have a long way to go. Once you graduate and actually start working in a company, you’ll naturally understand.”

It was that tone again, the one used to coax a child. It made Xu Zhaoyi uncomfortable. She put down her chopsticks. “I’m not a child anymore. I have a right to know what’s happening in this house.”

Jiang Yao’s smile faded slightly.

“Zhaozhao,” her voice was gentle, “knowing too much isn’t necessarily good for you. You just need to know that your father and I will handle everything. That’s enough.”

“What ‘everything’?” Xu Zhaoyi pressed. “Does it involve the Jiang family? Does it involve your purpose for marrying in?”

Jiang Yao remained silent for a moment. Then she stood up and began clearing the dishes.

“Zhaozhao, when the time is right, I will naturally tell you. But now is not that time.”

“And when is ‘the right time’?” Xu Zhaoyi stood up too. “When the three years are up and you leave?”

Jiang Yao stopped her movements and looked at her. Their gazes locked in mid-air. Xu Zhaoyi saw a flash of complex emotion in Jiang Yao’s eyes, but it vanished instantly.

“Perhaps,” Jiang Yao said softly. “In any case, please believe me. I won’t hurt you, and I won’t hurt this family.”

With that, she carried the dishes to the kitchen. Xu Zhaoyi was left standing by the table, her mind in a whirl.

That night, Xu Zhaoyi lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. She got up, walked to the window, and pulled back the curtain. Staring at the night sky, her mind replayed Jiang Yao’s words.

“I won’t hurt you, and I won’t hurt this family.”

Jiang Yao’s gaze had been sincere when she said it. But the things she discussed with the lawyer, those heavy business terms, the secrets she refused to share… all of it made her uneasy.

Just then, she saw headlights flicker in the garage below. It was Jiang Yao’s car.

Where is she going so late?

Xu Zhaoyi checked the time: 11:30 PM. After a few seconds of hesitation, she changed her clothes and quietly crept downstairs. In the garage, Jiang Yao had already started the engine and was slowly driving out.

Xu Zhaoyi hid behind the door, watching the taillights disappear into the night. Standing there in the empty garage, a sudden impulse surged within her.

She wanted to know what Jiang Yao was doing. She wanted to know exactly what those secrets were the ones Jiang Yao refused to tell her.