Zhou Jianghao, of course, had no intention of actually letting Tan Qingya feed her. She hurriedly took the bowl into her own hands, her face etched with utter seriousness. “I can do it myself.”
Tan Qingya nodded, praising her in a gentle tone. “Good girl.”
That coaxing, childlike tone brought the flush back to Zhou Jianghao’s cheeks, spreading like a rosy cloud across most of her face.
Tan Qingya couldn’t help stealing a few more glances, the amusement in her eyes deepening. Sure enough, she preferred seeing Zhou Jianghao like this—full of life and vitality.
Adorably so.
It wasn’t their first time living together, so Zhou Jianghao’s discomfort didn’t last long. After eating her fill and taking her medicine under Tan Qingya’s watchful eye, drowsiness soon overtook her from the effects of the drugs.
She fell asleep early and slept soundly.
She woke the next morning to find Tan Qingya already gone, but a strange woman had appeared in the apartment.
“Good morning, Miss Zhou,” the woman said with a warm, gentle smile. “I’m the maid here to look after you and the young miss. You can just call me Auntie Chen.”
She paused, then added, “Chen Chen, who’s been by the young miss’s side, is my daughter. You’ve probably met her.”
At that, Zhou Jianghao finally caught on and nodded to Auntie Chen. “Hello.”
She wasn’t used to being waited on, but Auntie Chen was a kind, gracious woman who knew exactly when to step forward or back, leaving Zhou Jianghao feeling perfectly at ease.
Tan Qingya had left for urgent business at the company but hadn’t wanted to leave Zhou Jianghao alone, so she’d arranged for someone to come over—likely to keep an eye on her, too.
As a result, Zhou Jianghao spent the day behaving herself, resting obediently in the apartment. It wasn’t until evening that the sound of the front door opening echoed from the entryway.
The click of claws followed, accompanied by panting breaths.
Zhou Jianghao, who had been sipping her soup, instinctively stood up. There was Little Beauty, whom she hadn’t seen in ages, huffing and puffing as it barreled in from outside. Spotting her, it grew even more excited, its tail whipping around like a propeller as it prepared to leap onto her.
Fortunately, Tan Qingya, following close behind, spoke up, her face still carrying a trace of lingering chill. “Little Beauty.”
That mild reprimand was enough to halt Little Beauty in its tracks just as it had been romping about. It slunk dejectedly as Auntie Chen wiped its paws clean.
Coming in from outside always meant dirty feet.
Tan Qingya had a touch of OCD about cleanliness.
Realizing this once more, Zhou Jianghao couldn’t help recalling those days they’d squeezed together in her tiny rental. It hadn’t even been a month, yet it felt like a lifetime ago—like some dream.
“Have you eaten?” Zhou Jianghao asked proactively.
“Not yet.” Tan Qingya washed her hands and sat down. “I went straight to pick up Little Beauty after finishing up.”
With that, she glanced back at Little Beauty, who was still cavorting in the new surroundings. “Do you mind? If you do, I can send it back.”
She phrased it politely, as if leaving the decision entirely up to Zhou Jianghao. But Zhou Jianghao knew better—Little Beauty had been with Tan Qingya far longer than she had. The bond between that woman and her dog was clear as day; objecting would make her an ungrateful outsider.
“It’s fine,” she said carefully. “This is its home, too.”
The words clearly pleased Tan Qingya. Without a care that Auntie Chen was still there, she leaned down and brushed her lips against Zhou Jianghao’s, smiling softly. “If you’re not comfortable, just tell me. This is our home first, its home second. We’ll do things your way.”
Zhou Jianghao’s gaze flickered, her heart a tangled mess.
No one had ever said anything like that to her.
She gripped her chopsticks tightly, steadying herself after a long moment, her eyes shining. “Okay.”
It was their first meal together here. Zhou Jianghao glanced at the dishes on the table and felt a bit awkward—she hadn’t known Tan Qingya would return, so when Auntie Chen had asked what she wanted for dinner, she’d requested all her favorites.
But her tastes seemed to differ greatly from Tan Qingya’s.
In the quiet living room, only the clink of bowls and chopsticks broke the silence. Zhou Jianghao looked up and caught Tan Qingya picking up a piece of sweet-and-sour pork rib. The serene expression on her face quickly stiffened.
Zhou Jianghao loved sour flavors, especially when her appetite was off—it whet her taste. The simple four dishes on the table were almost all tangy.
But Tan Qingya clearly wasn’t a fan.
“I’ll cook something else for you.”
She started to set down her chopsticks and rise.
But a hand caught her wrist, pulling her back into her seat.
“What’s all the fuss?” Tan Qingya shot her a look, plainly disapproving. “I’m not that picky. These are fine for me.”
Without giving her a chance to argue, she shoved the chopsticks back into Zhou Jianghao’s hand. “Be good and eat. Otherwise, I’ll feed you myself.”
The threat carried real weight. Zhou Jianghao, who’d been about to explain, shut her mouth instantly and hurriedly dug into her rice.
Auntie Chen, off to the side, smiled quietly to herself.
It was still early after dinner, and Auntie Chen handled the dishes.
As Tan Qingya turned on the TV, she said to Zhou Jianghao, “The Old Madam will be back in the country in a few days. Come with me to the Old Mansion then.”
By now, she’d whipped the staff there into shape. No one would be foolish enough to offend Zhou Jianghao again.
“Sure.” Zhou Jianghao wasn’t surprised. After all, they’d been married for a while now; a visit to the Old Mansion was inevitable.
But Li Zhenyu had been unusually quiet lately.
The thought had just crossed her mind when Tan Qingya asked, “Have you checked on the Dessert Shop recently?”
Zhou Jianghao blinked, caught off guard.
She was the nominal owner now, but she’d been too busy lately—and unused to showing up as the boss—so she hadn’t gone back.
Seeing her reaction, Tan Qingya had her answer. She said casually, “If you have time, drop by. You might get a surprise.”
Because of that, Zhou Jianghao visited the Dessert Shop the next day.
She was stunned by the changes. The exterior had been renovated with stylish new elements, looking sleek and modern. The inside was transformed too, almost unrecognizable.
It was the Boss Lady who spotted her first, greeting her with delight. “Little Zhou! You’re here!”
Hearing “Little Zhou” eased Zhou Jianghao’s tension. She nodded back. “Boss Lady.”
“You haven’t been by in ages. I heard you were swamped with work, so I didn’t want to bother you.” The Boss Lady chattered on. “What do you think of the changes? President Tan had a ton of suggestions—these are all from her design team.”
She affectionately tugged Zhou Jianghao toward the back kitchen. “We even hired an amazing baker. Business has boomed. Want to try something?”
Zhou Jianghao wasn’t used to such sudden warmth, but before she could pull away, she spotted someone washing dishes in the kitchen—and froze.
Just then, that person emerged carrying a tray of freshly baked bread. Caught off guard by Zhou Jianghao, she dropped the entire tray with a crash, letting out a shrill yelp.
“Zhou Jianghao?!”
The voice was sharp.
Zhou Jianghao took a subtle step back, her brows furrowing slightly. She was just as shocked. “What are you doing here?”
Who else could it be but Li Zhenyu?
But the real question was—why here?
Li Zhenyu’s face drained of color, then flushed, as she remembered why she’d been banished to this hellhole. Things were different now; Zhou Jianghao had risen from rags to riches, far beyond someone she could afford to provoke.
Being stuck here was punishment enough, and she’d have to properly apologize to Zhou Jianghao later. Offending her now would only make her own suffering worse.
After stewing for a moment, Li Zhenyu forced a smile, dodging the question with humiliated small talk. “Little Aunt Mom—what a coincidence! Who’d have thought we’d run into each other here… Such fate.”
The words made even her gag inwardly.
Zhou Jianghao felt much the same, her brows knitting in disgust. This wasn’t a surprise—it was a shock.
But she had married Tan Qingya precisely for days like this.
Straightening her spine, a faint mocking smile curved her cool features. “Not a coincidence at all, Miss Li. This is my shop. Are you working here?”
Li Zhenyu’s expression froze.
“If so, don’t call me Little Aunt Mom. On the job, just say ‘Boss.’ No need to get familiar.”
Seeing the crack in Li Zhenyu’s facade was satisfying. Zhou Jianghao glanced at the mess on the floor, her tone even. “And damaging store goods—shouldn’t that come out of your wages?”
She turned to the Boss Lady.
The Boss Lady blinked, then nodded on reflex. “Yes.”
Zhou Jianghao was usually aloof and distant, rarely so sharp-edged. Considering Li Zhenyu decked out in designer labels yet slaving away in a dessert shop, the Boss Lady pieced it together and hardened her expression. “Little Li, what’s with that carelessness? Those ruined loaves will come straight out of your paycheck.”
A wave of relief washed over Zhou Jianghao.
Deducting wages was trivial—Li Zhenyu wouldn’t miss the money—but it was a fine way to needle her. Why not?
“Boss Lady!” Unexpectedly, Li Zhenyu overreacted, her face full of panic. She scrambled to pick up the bread from the floor. “This is still edible!”
“…”
Watching Li Zhenyu like this, Zhou Jianghao fell silent.
She suddenly wondered just what Tan Qingya had done to make this spoiled heiress utter such words.
But the bread that had fallen on the ground could hardly be sold anymore—especially not with Zhou Jianghao, the real “boss,” standing right there. The Boss Lady immediately launched into a stern scolding of Li Zhenyu.
In the end, she docked Li Zhenyu’s pay.
Li Zhenyu’s face turned an ugly shade of green, but surprisingly, she didn’t dare make a scene. She just packed up quietly, her expression gloomy.
Zhou Jianghao watched her steadily for a moment from the side before sitting down with the Boss Lady at a nearby table.
“When did she get here?” she asked.
“Half a month ago, I think? President Tan’s people brought her over.” The Boss Lady touched her nose self-consciously. “When she first arrived, she strutted around like she owned the place, acting all high and mighty. She stirred up total chaos in the shop. Then President Tan showed up once, and who knows what she said to her, but Li Zhenyu turned into a completely different person. She’s been meek and obedient ever since—no more fussing around.”
A faint smile softened the stern lines of Zhou Jianghao’s face.
Well, it was a small surprise, at least.
But President Tan was willing to punish one of her own family like this—wouldn’t that ruffle some feathers at home? As the thought crossed her mind, Zhou Jianghao’s gaze drifted instinctively toward Li Zhenyu’s spot.
And there she spotted another familiar face.
Following Zhou Jianghao’s line of sight, the Boss Lady chuckled. “Little Liu’s still here. President Tan said to keep an experienced employee around to train the newbie, so she didn’t let her go.”
Little Liu had been one half of the duo that had squeezed Zhou Jianghao out back in the day.
Zhou Jianghao had assumed Tan Qingya would fire her too.
The Boss Lady sighed. “You know me—I’m a soft touch, and I can’t keep people in line. But now that Little Liu’s here holding Little Li in check, things are under control.”
So that was why Tan Qingya had kept her on?
As expected of Tan Qingya. She was thorough in everything she did, considering every angle.
Zhou Jianghao’s thoughts drifted to the past couple of days, when she and Tan Qingya had shared a bed. They hadn’t slept in separate rooms, but the bed was huge, and they’d each stuck politely to their own side—very proper, very distant.
Tan Qingya was truly good to her.
She never looked down on Zhou Jianghao because of her family background. Instead, she was always thoughtful and attentive. Before the marriage, Tan Qingya had admitted she was quite lustful and hoped they could be intimate every day after tying the knot. But once they were actually wed, she always put Zhou Jianghao’s feelings first and never pressured her.
On top of that, she’d arranged for Zhou Jianghao’s mother, Zhou Qiu, to be transferred to City Hospital. She’d hired the best attending physician and even assigned caretakers—everything handled perfectly, leaving Zhou Jianghao with nothing to worry about.
The guilt gnawed at her even deeper now.
She had three days off, and this was already the second one. Who knew how hectic things would get afterward…
On the way home, Zhou Jianghao clenched her fists. Finally, she mustered her courage and slipped into an adult novelty shop by herself.
