Chapter 19, Chapter 19: The line "My husband is waiting for me here."

Xiaoxi was caught between the two, stumbling around wildly in the sudden darkness.

Qiao Shu's long eyelashes trembled very slightly, without her even realizing it. They were so close that she could only see his eyes clearly.

Beneath her dark eyelashes, the skin of her eyelids was very white, and her blurry, distorted shadow was reflected in her dark pupils.

Qiao Shu snorted softly, not flinching, and looked him straight in the eye: "Please rest assured, even if I'm out of my mind, you'll be safe."

"That would be best."

Yu Zeheng glanced at her, then propped himself up on the sofa.

The air that had been taken away was returned. Qiao Shu leaned back against the sofa and resumed breathing. Yu Zeheng walked away, clutching the ring box in his hand.

Only Xiao Xi was completely unaware of what had just happened. It tilted its head strangely to look at the departing figure, then turned to look at Qiao Shu, its eyes blank. After a while, it remembered the chicken jerky it hadn't finished eating, and happily lay down at Qiao Shu's feet.

Qiao Shu propped her head up with one hand and held a book in the other, reading in a completely unserious manner.

Half an hour later, she put down her book, feeling quite annoyed. She thought to herself, "When he suddenly leaned in, he stopped talking about boundaries again. Is it really necessary to demonstrate something that can be explained with words?"

Show-off.

The next day, the money was deposited into Qiao Shu's account on time, a pleasantly round number. Her ex-husband's payment for the purchase was quite generous.

Qiao Shu put down her phone and looked at the pile of documents on her desk.

Her position was indeed a sinecure arranged by Qiao Kaiyu. As a newcomer facing a new field, it was necessary to clarify her thoughts first. She reviewed the various projects handled by the investment department over the years. Zhongcheng had long passed the early and middle stages of rapid development. This giant ship now needed to sail more steadily.

Qiao Shu goes to get off work and leaves work on time every day and attends meetings, but she usually remains silent. She greets Guan Han and occasionally brings him a cup of coffee, her smile bright and cheerful.

Guan Han has a daughter in college. The two are not close. Guan Han chose to divorce when her daughter was five years old. She did not fight for custody. Her daughter lives with her father and she regularly sends child support. After the divorce, she threw herself into her work. Her efforts were not in vain. She rose through the ranks and survived many men who looked down on her.

She initially thought Qiao Shu was there to keep an eye on her or to take her place.

Neither of these scenarios was what Guan Han wanted to see, so she maintained a distant relationship with Qiao Shu. She observed Qiao Shu for several days, and Qiao Shu's reaction did not match any of the above guesses.

Friday until the end of the workday.

There was another knock on the office door, and the person who walked in was none other than Qiao Shu, who asked with a confident demeanor and a clear voice, "President Guan, do you have time to play tennis together?"

Guan Han learned tennis later. Talking about projects doesn't always happen at the dinner table. Golf courses and tennis courts are sports that rich people like. She catered to their interests by enrolling in classes and later found that the sport was not bad.

She touched the bracelet, paused for a moment, and then said okay.

Qiao Shu smiled and said, "See you there."

Around eight o'clock, Guan Han drove to the parking lot in the center of the tennis court. As he closed the car door, he saw Qiao Shu walking towards him, wearing a white tennis outfit. She was not the skinny type; judging from the faint muscles in her arms and legs, she had good exercise habits.

Guan Han rarely plays basketball here; it's a members-only place catering to wealthy young people.

Qiao Shu thoughtfully prepared two bottles of water and handed them to Guan Han. Guan Han thanked her, and the two walked side by side toward the court.

In the empty court, some people were already playing, their figures agile, their jumps and swings powerful and swift.

Qiao Shu walked to the pre-booked venue and, while warming up, heard a hesitant voice: "Sister-in-law... Sister-in-law?"

She looked up at the sound and saw a man in a nearby court, wearing a blue tracksuit and a flamboyant headband that made his short hair fly up. Their eyes met, and after he confirmed her identity, he smiled and greeted Qiao Shu warmly: "Sister-in-law, you're here to play ball too?"

"Changming." Qiao Shu recognized the other person and greeted him with a smile.

Looking at the person playing tennis with him, he was tall and slender, holding a tennis racket and a tennis ball in one hand. His pale face was flushed from the exercise, and there was a thin layer of sweat on his forehead. He saw her too, looking at her from a distance, without rushing to speak.

Qiao Shu solemnly introduced Guan Han: "Guan Han, Sister Han, is my boss. She takes good care of me at the company."

He then introduced Yu Zeheng and Ji Changming to Guan Han: "This is my husband, Yu Zeheng, and this is the young and promising President Ji, Mr. Ji Changming."

"Hello."

"Hello, Mr. Yu and Mr. Ji."

Guan Han greeted him with a smile. She was good at socializing and it was also a job requirement. She was keen to meet more people, especially wealthy people.

Yu Zeheng cooperated with Qiao Shu in introducing him to her boss, his attitude neither enthusiastic nor indifferent. He probably guessed that Qiao Shu knew he was there, so he had become a kind of resource. This kind of thing had happened before. He frowned, but he wasn't that disgusted.

Qiao Shu asked him, "Want to play doubles?"

Before he could answer, Ji Changming preemptively said, "Okay, they can play singles for an hour. Doubles is less tiring and is a good intensity to adjust."

Guan Han was naturally willing.

Finally, it was Yu Zeheng's turn. Qiao Shu raised an eyebrow, hinting at his answer.

Yu Zeheng pursed his lips and hummed in agreement.

Ji Changming, hands on his hips, divided the group into two teams: "How about this, you two form a team, and I'll team up with Manager Guan?"

He knew that Yu Zeheng and Qiao Shu had already divorced, but since there were outsiders present, he went along with it.

Ji Changming always had a very good impression of Qiao Shu. Even though she later filed for divorce and dumped his friends, which involved some self-interest, so what? It was a fact that was clear from the beginning of their marriage.

Moreover, her face was so beautiful that even her scheming was full of personality.

“I have no objection,” Guan Han said.

Qiao Shu looked at Yu Zeheng, his jet-black hair swaying gently. He nodded, "Okay."

The four players took their respective positions, and the situation was good from the start. Qiao Shu and Yu Zeheng's playing styles complemented each other. Yu Zeheng was more defensive and had strong stamina, while Qiao Shu was more agile and good at offense. After several exchanges, Ji Changming reached out to call a timeout.

Although he didn't catch the ball, he was at least exhausted.

"You won." Ji Changming said, panting.

Guan Han went to get a water bottle and drank some water. She adjusted her breathing rhythm and had to admit that their combination really didn't have much of a chance of winning.

Qiao Shu's heart pounded as she moved. She subconsciously turned around and raised her hand, realizing that the other person was Yu Zeheng. Just as she was about to pull her hand back, a large hand came over and gave her a light high five.

Then he turned around, took a towel, and wiped the sweat from his face.

Qiao Shu's palms were slightly hot. After resting for a few minutes, she suggested changing groups. She would be paired with Guan Han, and Yu Zeheng would be paired with Ji Changming.

Ji Changming scratched his brow. Given the vast difference in physical strength between men and women, he suspected that they were taking advantage of him. He smiled and said, "I can't let you go easy on me just because I lost."

"You will lose again." A confident and certain voice.

Inspired by her, Guan Han suddenly wanted to give it a try, and she smiled and said she was fine.

Ji Changming turned to look at Yu Zeheng, his expression a mix of frustration and amusement: "What should we do, Brother Heng? It seems like we're being looked down upon."

Yu Zeheng replied casually, "Then fight back."

"Fine, I won't hold back." Ji Changming gripped his tennis racket tightly to show his determination.

Qiao Shu brushed a stray hair behind her ear, her footsteps rustling, her voice clear and melodious: "Tennis isn't played with your mouth."

Yu Zeheng tossed the tennis ball, his lips twitching slightly.

When the match actually started, it was completely beyond Ji Changming's expectations. Qiao Shu had already figured out his weaknesses in the previous games. There were no dazzling tactics. She was just using him as a weakness to exploit. His competitive nature wouldn't allow him to give up the balls that were fed to him. As a result, he frequently made mistakes when receiving the ball and even blocked Yu Zeheng's counterattack.

Without a doubt, they lost the game.

Qiao Shu gave Guan Han a high five. Her eyes were bright and lively, and she had shallow dimples on her cheeks. She raised her racket, shook it, indicating that she was willing to concede, and then walked off the court with a cunning and agile gait.

Ji Changming was completely helpless against her; even after losing the game, he still smiled happily.

A figure blocked his view. Yu Zeheng glanced at him coolly, then lowered his eyelashes and said, "Is it worth being so happy that you played so badly?"

"My sister-in-law is really good at playing ball," Ji Changming exclaimed.

Yu Zeheng said expressionlessly, "Who says you're not good at playing ball?"

Turning back, Qiao Shu had already packed her things, slung her bag over her shoulder, and waved with a smile: "We're leaving now, Changming, keep practicing."

"I will." Ji Changming poked his head out, raised his hand, and gave an OK sign.

Yu Zeheng pursed his lips.

They've only met a few times, how could they be so familiar? He didn't like her tone of voice, nor her excessive smile.

Meanwhile, Qiao Shu and Guan Han had already left the venue.

Guan Han used to play ball mostly for wealthy people, and she knew how to play and how to flatter them. She rarely played like she did today, so freely and focused on playing a game.

Qiao Shu took out an invitation from her bag and handed it to Guan Han. When Guan Han saw the organizer's signature, she raised her eyelashes, slightly puzzled.

The invitation to this charity gala was like a ticket; it wasn't something you could get just by having money. Guan Han tried several times to get her classmates to help her, but that circle was exclusive. Unfortunately, someone like her, who had worked her way up through her own abilities, was one of those excluded.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

Qiao Shu didn't beat around the bush. She smiled and said, "I admire your abilities. I need a good teammate, and I have what you want. You can use me to get into this industry."

Guan Han didn't answer: "What do you want to do?"

"This is a question my teammates would ask."

Guan Han gazed into Qiao Shu's eyes and saw something familiar. After a moment's thought, she gladly accepted the invitation: "I had a great time today. I hope we'll have another chance to play ball together."

Qiao Shu smiled slightly: "Me too."

The charity gala is an important annual fundraising event for the Jiang Wenxin Foundation. Held once a year, it includes a dinner, performances, and a live auction, attracting celebrities from all walks of life. It serves as both a fundraising event and a social feast.

Jiang Wenxin spent several months preparing for this dinner party.

First came the banquet hall design, then the performance, the list of celebrities, and the donation of auction items, etc. The matters were complicated and meticulous, and she did not want to make the slightest mistake.

Apart from the two students studying in the UK, the entire Yu family attended the event.

Yu Xunli and Jiang Wenxin arrived together. With him there to keep things under control, Jiang Wenxin had nothing to worry about. Next was Yu Zeheng. He wasn't interested in these kinds of occasions; he was just there to support Ms. Jiang's career and would come every year to make up the numbers.

Amidst the passing figures, Yu Zeheng spotted Qiao Shu.

She stood in the center of the crowd, wearing a floor-length champagne-colored gown and sparkling earrings. She smiled and chatted with people, composed and elegant. As she turned around, she saw Yu Zeheng, her smile deepened, and she walked towards him.

Before the person even got close, Qiao Shu called out, "Husband."

Yu Zeheng was all too familiar with that lazy, fake tone; nothing good usually came from behind that voice.

Qiao Shu took his arm, and a subtle fragrance wafted around them.

"So many people!" she exclaimed. The banquet had been running for so many years; it must have an unexpected amount of influence and appeal.

Yu Zeheng asked, "When did you arrive?"

"Half an hour earlier than you, I'm different from you, I have a mission." Qiao Shu's gaze was fixed on the distance, her voice very soft. She didn't say what it was, but kept it a secret.

It wasn't until the auction began and Yu Zeheng saw the auctioneer on stage that he understood what the task she was referring to was.

Qiao Shu stood on the stage, hosting the auction. The auction items were mostly antique paintings. She was already very famous in this industry, so her endorsement made the auction highly credible and professional. Moreover, she was very talkative, recounting the history of some of the auction items in detail. She had excellent control over the pace of the auction, making it a great viewing experience.

She was simply standing there, in the center of the light, and she was already captivating.

Next, another item was brought in for auction: a landscape painting, a modern work, with an elegant and lively style by the artist. The donor's name on this piece was Qiao Shu.

Qiao Shu gave a detailed introduction to the painting's literary value and analyzed its connotations. Finally, she said, "This painting has a special meaning for me."

Her gaze shifted, finally settling steadily on Yu Zeheng.

"This was actually the first gift Mr. Yu gave me. We weren't engaged at the time, and I never thought about marrying him. He found this painting somewhere and delivered it to my door, insisting that I accept it. I lied and said it was a fake. He looked at it from left to right and said it was impossible. I laughed and asked him if he could tell. He shook his head blankly. How silly of him. I still remember his expression."

"So I think this should be our token of love. Today, I also want to convey this love to warm the hearts of more people in need."

People around him frequently glanced at him, some smiling, some teasing. It was hard to connect him with the person in the story, but the more this happened, the more precious the contrast became. Love is a tale full of surprises.

Yu Zeheng sat upright, completely unaware of this love story as another party involved.

Qiao Shu contrived a love story for this painting, and did so without batting an eye in front of him.

The auction began, the story already laid out; a good story can drive the auctioned item to a price higher than its intrinsic value. Yu Zeheng met her cheerful and affectionate gaze; the words, "My husband is waiting for me here," were spoken.

People kept raising their paddles, driving the auction price higher and higher.

Jiang Wenxin gazed at the stage with admiration, then smiled and held up her husband Yu Xunli's bidding paddle: "Five million." She was preparing to bid for this competing item for Qiao Shu.

Yu Zeheng crossed his long legs, and in the shadows, his face was as sculpted as a sculpture, devoid of any expression.

Qiao Shu: "Five million per time, is there anything higher?"

"Five million two hundred thousand."

"Five and a half million."

"..."

Amidst the rising and falling bids, Yu Zeheng raised his paddle and quoted a price far exceeding the market value, and for a moment no one raised the price further.

As the auction gavel fell, Qiao Shu smiled and announced the sale.

Applause faintly broke out in the room. Yu Zeheng heard someone around him praising them as a perfect match, saying that after four years of marriage, they were still as loving as ever, which brought the atmosphere to a climax.

"Let us thank Mr. Yu for his generous donation." Qiao Shu clapped her hands twice.

The spotlight shone on Yu Zeheng, his face stern. He looked at the person on the stage and said, "Since it's a token of love, shouldn't it be treasured for a lifetime?"

Qiao Shu looked back at him, tilting her head and smiling.

Onlookers saw it all and thought it was a match made in heaven.

After the auction ended, Qiao Shu made a gesture of taking her leave, walked from the front of the stage to the back, and a moment later, she walked over, slightly lifting her skirt, and sat down next to him.

Before she came closer, there was a faint fragrance emanating from her. She exhaled softly, as if calming herself after the tension: "I haven't hosted an auction in a long time. I was terrified when so many eyes were on me, afraid that I would say the wrong thing and mess it up."

His voice was cool and gentle, like water.

She was completely different from the confident and composed Qiao Shu on stage.

Yu Zeheng's voice was deep and calm: "You did very well. Everyone is watching you."

"Really?" She turned completely to face him, her long eyelashes dark and thick, her gaze moist and watery, as if a light rain had just fallen.

"Um."

"Where is Mom?" Qiao Shu asked again, still full of hope.

Yu Zeheng did not correct her form of address: "She was very satisfied and kept smiling."

Where is Dad?

"...He nodded." Yu Zeheng was talking nonsense; how could he have noticed so many people?

Qiao Shu's smile deepened, her tone unchanged from before, and she finally asked, "Where is Yu Zeheng?"

Yu Zeheng paused, his gaze sweeping over her, meeting her eyes.

The tranquil lake surface rippled with light.

Qiao Shu answered for him: "Yu Zeheng also thought I spoke very well, so he was willing to spend ten million to do charity."

She teased President Yu for his extravagant spending, saying he was throwing money around like water.

Yu Zeheng slowly poured two cups of tea, placing one in front of her and holding the other between his fingers: "You did a good job hosting, but your storytelling skills are really bad. Next time there's a segment like this, you'd better have a writer polish it for you beforehand."

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Author's Note: It's kind of funny to think that my ex-husband was a newbie who encountered a succubus right after leaving the village.

Surrender, you are no match for her.

——

Happy National Day! Here are 100 random red envelopes for you!