The Devil President's Delicate Wife (GL) - Chapter 1
Early summer in H City saw trees in full bloom and flowers thriving. The sunlight wasn’t too harsh, making it quite pleasant to step out in the morning and bask in its warmth.
Lin Yueshu wore a white cotton gauze dress and blue flat sandals as she strolled leisurely along the cobblestone path in the neighborhood park.
Murong Qing had gone abroad for business yesterday, and only this morning did she have the leisure to take a relaxing walk. Lin Yueshu reflected that it had already been a year since she “sold” herself to Murong Qing. What had this year been for her? Hell? Every time Murong Qing touched her, she ended up covered in wounds.
She didn’t understand why every encounter with Murong Qing left her battered and bruised. She could only assume Murong Qing had violent tendencies.
Murong Qing had so many women—this was undoubtedly a good thing for Lin Yueshu. It meant Murong Qing wouldn’t linger by her side, and she wouldn’t have to constantly think of ways to avoid her.
Half a year ago, to save enough money for Lin Yushu’s heart transplant surgery, Lin Yueshu had worked herself to the bone, taking on countless advertising projects until she coughed up blood and was forcibly hospitalized by Gu Fei. Fortunately, Su Fuyin had helped secure many of those jobs.
Thankfully, the surgery was a success. Over the past six months, she had worked tirelessly again, this time to buy an apartment for Lin Yushu.
In Lin Yueshu’s heart, Lin Yushu occupied her entire world. Selling herself to Murong Qing had been to rescue Lin Yushu from the heartless Lin family.
Lin Yushu had suffered from heart disease since childhood, her frail body neglected by the Lin family, who only valued those who could bring them profit. Lin Yueshu had always cared for her, teaching her to read, play the piano, and even carrying her to school on her back.
Despite her poor health, Lin Yushu had an extraordinary talent for the piano. Lin Yueshu secretly took odd jobs to save up for piano scores and collections for her.
Last month, Lin Yueshu had finally bought a three-bedroom apartment under Lin Yushu’s name, and the renovations were just completed yesterday. She had designed every detail of the rooms herself. This morning, after her walk, she planned to take Lin Yushu to pick out furniture.
Though she was with Murong Qing, Lin Yueshu had never spent a single cent of her money. Murong Qing gave her a monthly allowance, but the bank card had never been touched—she didn’t even know how much was in it.
Murong Qing had gifted her countless pieces of jewelry and clothes, but Lin Yueshu had never opened any of them. She had no idea what was inside. In the most inconspicuous corner of her closet, the ornately wrapped boxes lay untouched, like abandoned children, forgotten by their owner.
If Murong Qing knew that all the expensive things she had bought were tossed aside without even a glance, what kind of expression would she wear?
In truth, Murong Qing was aware that Lin Yueshu never spent her money—there wasn’t a single transaction alert from the card she had given her.
She had once asked Lin Yueshu why she never used it, to which Lin Yueshu replied that she didn’t buy much and had no need for money. That was why Murong Qing kept buying her clothes and jewelry.
But what Murong Qing didn’t know was that Lin Yueshu had never intended to keep any of those gifts. She wanted to leave one day without any lingering debts. She refused to accept anything from someone she didn’t love. That was Lin Yueshu’s principle.
After finishing her morning walk and returning home, Lin Yueshu called Lin Yushu, suggesting they go furniture shopping together. They agreed to meet at Times Square.
By 8:30 a.m., Lin Yueshu had already arrived at Times Square. The area wasn’t too crowded at this hour, so she sat by the fountain for a while.
At nine o’clock, she saw Lin Yushu rushing toward her, panting heavily. Lin Yueshu frowned. “Why are you in such a hurry? Don’t you know you just recovered from being sick? You should take better care of yourself.” Though her words were scolding, her tone was full of affection.
Seeing the slight frown on Lin Yushu’s face, Lin Yushu looped her arm through hers and smiled. “Don’t be mad, Yue’er, I promise I’ll be more careful next time.” She even raised her hand as if swearing an oath.
Lin Yueshu couldn’t help but laugh at her antics and took her hand as they walked toward the mall.
Remembering that Lin Yushu had recently started a new job, Lin Yueshu asked, “Sis, how’s work? Is it tiring? Are your coworkers nice? Is the workload heavy? What’s your boss like? And is the office far from where you live?”
Lin Yushu was momentarily overwhelmed by the barrage of questions. She knew just how much Lin Yueshu cared for her. Whatever she wanted, Lin Yueshu would get it for her without a word.
“Yue’er, don’t you think you’re starting to sound like a little old lady?” Lin Yushu wrapped both arms around Lin Yueshu’s and leaned closer as they entered the mall. “And not just any old lady—the best kind! I wonder who’ll be lucky enough to marry such a beautiful yet nagging little granny in the future.”
Lin Yueshu turned her head to look at Lin Yushu’s radiant, smiling face. “What? Are you teasing me now? Lin Yushu, has it been too long since I last tickled you?” With a playful smirk, she raised her right hand, fingers wiggling in a tickling motion.
Lin Yushu, who was extremely ticklish, immediately threw her hands up in surrender. “Alright, alright, I give up! You know I can’t stand that!”
“That’s more like it. Now, come here and answer all my questions properly, no hiding anything. Withholding the truth means punishment.” Lin Yueshu lowered her right hand but kept hold of Lin Yushu’s left.
“Like I’d dare,” Lin Yushu said with a softer tone. “I’m really doing fine, so stop worrying about me all the time. You should think about yourself too. I’m working as a secretary at Tianyu Entertainment—it’s pretty easy. Our CEO is a gorgeous woman, so you don’t have to worry about that. It’s just a half-hour bus ride to the office. Report complete.”
“That’s better. But taking the bus is too inconvenient. After we buy the furniture, I’ll get you a car. Then you won’t have to squeeze onto crowded buses. Besides, summer buses are even worse—too many creeps around.” Lin Yueshu could handle crowded buses herself, but when it came to Lin Yushu, she wouldn’t allow it. It wasn’t that she was being domineering, she just wanted the best for Lin Yushu.
Hearing that Lin Yueshu wanted to buy her a car again, Lin Yushu knew it came from concern. But she still didn’t understand what Lin Yueshu actually did for work. Lin Yueshu had only mentioned being an advertising designer, and she never invited Lin Yushu to her place, preferring to rent an apartment outside instead.
Lin Yushu felt that Lin Yueshu was keeping many things from her, but she didn’t dare ask, afraid of putting her in an awkward position. Over the past year, Lin Yueshu had spent at least seven or eight million on her. That amount was baffling. What kind of design work could possibly pay that much?
Lin Yushu took up a job to ease Lin Yueshu’s burden, but now she was growing increasingly curious about what Lin Yueshu was hiding from her. Ever since they left the Lin family, the two had relied on each other for survival. She was afraid something might happen to Lin Yueshu. If anything befell her, Lin Yushu’s world would collapse.
Lin Yushu looked at Lin Yueshu’s face and smiled, saying, “I’m already twenty-five, okay? You don’t have to treat me like a child all the time. Let’s not buy a car now. I’ll save up and buy one myself later.”
“No, I’ll buy it for you now, and you can save up to buy one for me in the future. Also, you said you’re working at Tianyu Entertainment, isn’t the CEO there into women? What if she has her eyes on you? I’m not comfortable with that. Maybe you should look for another company.” Lin Yueshu knew full well that Mu Yun, the CEO of Tianyu, was a lesbian and a strikingly alluring one at that. Moreover, she was close friends with Murong Qing. There was no way she’d feel at ease leaving Lin Yushu near such a predator.
Lin Yushu laughed. “Don’t worry, the CEO wouldn’t be interested in someone as skinny and plain as me. She likes beautiful, voluptuous women. So, you really don’t need to worry.”
Lin Yushu said this with absolute confidence, unaware that Mu Yun had kept her in the company precisely because she’d taken a liking to her at first sight. Otherwise, how could someone with zero work experience land the position of the CEO’s secretary? And with the easiest tasks assigned to her, no less.
Lin Yueshu sighed. “Fine, I believe you. But you’re not plain, you’re the most beautiful woman in the world. If anyone dares call you ugly, I’ll turn them into a monster.”
Both Lin Yueshu and Lin Yushu were the kind of beauties who grew on you—gentle and refined in appearance. But while Lin Yushu was genuinely gentle, kind-hearted, and innocent, those who truly knew Lin Yueshu understood that her gentle demeanor was a facade. Beneath it lay an aloofness that could sometimes be terrifying.
“Alright, alright, I’m a beauty, happy now? The apartment’s all set—will Yue’er come back and live with me?” Lin Yushu really wanted to live with Lin Yueshu. They hadn’t spent much time together since leaving the Lin family.
Lin Yueshu hesitated, unsure how to answer. She couldn’t live with Lin Yushu right now. She was afraid she’d find out everything. Knowing Lin Yushu’s temperament, she’d undoubtedly make things difficult for herself, and Lin Yueshu feared triggering her illness. She had been waiting for the right moment to explain, but now wasn’t the time.
“I’m doing fine where I am. Besides, next month I’m planning to travel for a few months. We’ll talk about it when I get back.” Lin Yueshu had been meaning to take a trip anyway to clear her mind and sort through the chaos of the past year. Maybe it was time to start a new chapter in her life.
“Travel? For that long? Why the sudden urge to go?” Lin Yushu had expected this answer, she knew Lin Yueshu well. This was just her way of avoiding the issue.
Lin Yueshu placed a hand on Lin Yushu’s shoulder. She knew her sister was starting to suspect something, but she wasn’t ready to tell her yet.
“Jie, don’t worry about me. Your health has improved a lot, and I’ve always wanted to travel. I just couldn’t leave you before. But now I can go with peace of mind. Enough talk, let’s hurry up and pick out some furniture.” With that, Lin Yueshu took Lin Yushu’s hand and pulled her toward the furniture section.
In the morning, the two of them ordered furniture and appliances, then rushed to the supermarket to buy kitchenware, teacups, and the like. Lin Yueshu wanted to get everything they needed in one go that morning; she didn’t want Lin Yushu to worry about a thing. All she wished was for Lin Yushu to always stay happy and carefree.