Chapter 39 "You want it?"

Qiao Shu groped for his facial contours in the darkness, and her anxious heart gradually calmed down. It was rare for her to have such patience to adapt to and overcome her psychological fear.

She called his name softly: "Yu Zeheng".

Qiao Shu pressed her fingers against his lips, feeling the trembling of his lips and the breath he exhaled.

"I am here."

The sound is like a drop of water falling into a deep spring, then gently rippling outwards.

It's like going back to a baby's sensory awakening, except that she's not facing various bean shapes, but a real person.

Qiao Shu drew Yu Zeheng's face in the darkness.

Every night after that, she would play it once, and her fear of the dark gradually dissipated.

Qiao Shu is quite satisfied with her current state. Everything is in harmony, she is in a good mood, and her skin is fair and radiant, with an indescribable bright and lively appearance.

While she was enjoying smooth sailing, Qiao Kaiyu was experiencing a series of misfortunes.

He and his friends were trading futures. During the continuous rise, they kept shorting, resulting in huge paper losses. The more they lost, the more recklessly they added to their positions, continuing to add to their losses until they couldn't come up with a single penny. All the money they had borrowed from their friends was invested in the futures market. He had previously misappropriated company funds and now he had to make up for it. In desperation, he turned to Qiao Shu again.

Qiao Kaiyu clasped his hands together, his face looking haggard: "Little sister, I'm really in trouble this time, please help me out."

Qiao Shu looked at him, and she was all too familiar with that look in his eyes. She didn't completely rule out that she really wouldn't lend him a single penny. She calculated the money from the auction house, plus other dividends, and the proceeds from selling some of the stocks, totaling a full 20 million. She had only one request: to sign a contract first, with the interest, repayment method, and the handling of default clearly written down.

Her brows furrowed with worry: "If it weren't for you, brother, even if it were my father, I wouldn't touch this money. I don't have any assets, and this is all I can do to help you. If you don't return it to me, I don't know how I'll survive."

"You're the best in the entire Qiao family, little sister. Once I earn... and get the money, I'll pay you back immediately."

Qiao Kaiyu glanced through it and, finding no problems, signed his name in a flowing style.

Qiao Shu took her contract again. After thinking for a moment, she still advised, "Brother, don't always hang out with your friends. Have you forgotten about your last investment?"

"It's normal to make and lose money in investing. You don't understand these things, so I won't go into detail," Qiao Kaiyu waved his hand. "When will the money arrive?"

It's hard to reason with a damned devil.

"tomorrow."

Qiao Shu clapped his hands and said softly, "You know it yourself."

—

Yu Mingwu and Yu Mingcong returned to China, and Yu Zeheng returned to the Yu family home for a family reunion dinner.

Jiang Wenxin called Qiao Shu over, but Qiao Shu said she had something to do and would visit her another time, politely declining. Her current status made it inappropriate for her to have this meal with her.

Yu Zeheng drove to the old house, but Yu Mingwu didn't see Qiao Shu. She rolled her eyes and turned to go inside.

"Yu Mingwu, what's with that expression?" He stepped onto the stairs.

Yu Mingwu reluctantly turned around: "Why didn't your sister-in-law come back with you?"

Yu Zeheng walked past her, his voice indifferent: "You should ask her that question."

Yu Mingwu grinned and grimaced behind him.

The meal was relatively quiet, with little to talk about except for questions about studies and life. Yu Mingwu and Yu Mingcong answered in a very formal and measured manner, unlike when Qiao Shu was there, when the atmosphere was lively and any topic could be discussed.

After the meal, Yu Mingwu clung to Yu Zeheng. When he went to get a drink of water, she followed behind him, diligently filling his water bottle.

Yu Zeheng glanced at her: "Get to the point, are you short on pocket money?"

"I was just pouring a glass of water for my most respected elder brother. What could I possibly want? When have I ever been so calculating?" Yu Mingwu clinked the glass with both hands and handed it over. "Elder brother, will you and sister-in-law remarry?"

Yu Zeheng didn't answer, but lifted his eyelashes and said, "Why do you want to remarry? Do you think marriage and divorce are a joke?"

“There will always be times when you make the wrong decisions. You and your sister-in-law shouldn’t have divorced in the first place.”

Yu Zeheng took her water glass, turned and walked upstairs, his attitude as cold as before: "She's no longer your sister-in-law, so don't call her that."

"It's just a form of address; I'm already used to it and can't change it." Yu Mingwu followed him upstairs like a little tail, pursing her lips. "Even after your divorce, your sister-in-law still thinks about you."

Yu Zeheng walked up the steps, turned around, and looked at her leisurely: "She mentioned me to you?"

"..." No, not at all.

Yu Mingwu felt guilty under his gaze. After their divorce, they had kept in touch, but her sister-in-law had never mentioned her brother much. Even if she tried to bring it up, her sister-in-law would not respond.

“My sister-in-law was depressed for a long time, and I could tell she was unhappy.”

Yu Mingwu's eyes darted around, indicating he wasn't good at lying.

Yu Zeheng chuckled lightly. If walking the dog, sunbathing, surfing, and dining and drinking with all sorts of people every day can be considered being depressed, then he has indeed been depressed for a long time.

"Do you like her that much?" he asked.

"certainly."

Tell me about it.

Yu Mingwu nodded emphatically: "My sister-in-law is kind, beautiful, understanding, considerate and gentle. I can't think of any flaws in her. She's the perfect goddess."

“Although you are my own brother, I still have to say that our Yu family is truly blessed that you were able to marry your sister-in-law.”

Yu Zeheng pinched the bridge of his nose and interrupted her: "What kind of sleeping potion did she give you?"

Yu Mingwu frowned and retorted: "After you divorced, my sister-in-law even went to England to see me. She was in Australia herself, and she brought me so many of my favorite foods. She took me out to eat and go shopping with my friends. My friends were all very envious of me. Having such a good sister-in-law is something that only family can do."

"Brother, do you still have a chance? Does your wife still like you?"

"..."

Yu Zeheng: "You should focus on your studies and mind your own business."

“Tsk tsk, my sister-in-law would never say such a thing. She always treats me as a friend. We are equals.” Yu Mingwu crossed his arms and scrutinized her. “You’re totally obsessed with my sister-in-law right now. Stop pretending to be the older brother.”

Normally, he wouldn't have the patience to play cards with them, let alone punish them with childish things like sticking notes on their faces; he simply doesn't care.

Yu Mingwu watched from the sidelines and saw that even when he had a good hand, he would let the landlord win. Wasn't it just so he could be on his sister-in-law's team and let her win?

"Big brother, is it possible for you to win back your wife's favor?"

Yu Zeheng bent his fingers and tapped her forehead twice, his voice icy: "If you're really that free, I'll find you something to do."

Yu Mingwu covered her forehead and argued with him: "You're just angry because I hit the nail on the head."

Two days later, Yu Zeheng asked Yu Mingwu to intern at the company as his assistant, running errands and learning from him. The salary was still stingy and paid daily. At the company, there were no siblings, only superiors and subordinates. Yu Mingwu was exploited and secretly complained to Qiao Shu.

With no rest time, she has to get up at seven o'clock every morning and brave the cold wind to go to work.

Yu Mingwu: [What do you mean by "little assistant"? Actually, my older brother just needs a loyal servant.]

Of course, the "servants" are paid well, otherwise they wouldn't be willing to be driven around.

Qiao Shu looked at the complaints on her phone, then at the person beside her, and asked, "You let Mingwu intern at the company?"

"Yes, she needs some experience to get into the company faster." Yu Mingwu studied management, and she has an interest in it. By combining theoretical knowledge with practical experience, she can grow faster.

This is also one of the reasons why Qiao Shu likes the Yu family.

It gives children maximum freedom without judging them by gender.

Since the topic had come up, Yu Zeheng also thought of Qiao Shu's matter: "You recently sold some stocks, are you short of money?"

Qiao Shu instinctively asked, "How did you know?"

Yu Zeheng remained silent. This was his main job, so he had access to a lot of information.

"It's not that I'm short of money, it's just that there's an urgent need for it," Qiao Shu said vaguely. She didn't want to talk to him about the Qiao family's affairs; it was complicated and not a pleasant topic.

Yu Zeheng looked at her and said, "I didn't stop using the supplementary card you took back then."

Qiao Shu gave a confused "hmm," then, thinking of the card she had kept in a bag and never touched, she laughed, "Are you going to give me money to spend? That's not very appropriate, it makes it seem like I slept with you and you're paying me."

Yu Zeheng wasn't angry when he heard this, but instead asked, "Who slept with whom, exactly?"

"Me." Qiao Shu sat on his lap, her hands supporting her on his shoulders, her red lips parted slightly, "Yu Zeheng, it was me who slept with you."

Her tone was so serious, as if she were declaring some kind of sovereignty.

Yu Zeheng placed his hand on her leg, his fingers tracing the hem of her skirt, not directly reaching inside, but rather lightly rubbing it: "I'll let you sleep here tonight."

He was wearing a wide-necked knit top, his head tilted to the side, his eyes revealing a sensuality that could only be understood after sleeping together and having physical intimacy.

Qiao Shu sat forward, her arms softly encircling his neck. She clearly sensed his change, and gently blew a breath, a subtle fragrance wafting over. Her smile was like a sweet and sour fruit candy on her tongue: "Sorry, I won't be ordering you tonight. My flight is early tomorrow."

"Where to?" He paused.

"I'm on a business trip to Australia and will be staying for a few days."

After successfully igniting his passion, Qiao Shu slapped his hand off her lap, rolled over contentedly, and put on her eye mask: "I'm going to sleep."

She said that sleeping is simply sleeping.

She used to have some trouble falling asleep, and it was even more of a disaster when someone was around. But she doesn't know when it happened, she became more and more used to the person next to her, to his warmth and breath, and to his embrace.

Qiao Shu woke up in his arms and opened her eyes to a handsome face that was pleasing to the eye and made anyone feel at ease.

The trip to Australia was also due to the cooperation with CN. Signing the contract was only the first step. Next, various details needed to be finalized. Qiao Shu and Guan Han went on a business trip together, and naturally, they would also meet Ethan due to work.

The two have kept in touch since Ethan returned to his home country last time.

Ethan got a girlfriend, a beautiful and athletic woman, who was a perfect match for him in every way. When they met again, Ethan was beaming with happiness, looking like he was being nourished by a sweet romance.

Qiao Shu smiled and wished him well. After work, they went to a friend's dinner together.

She did not receive any messages from Yu Zeheng during the dinner party.

Before Qiao Shu departed for Australia, he asked her if she had arrived at the airport and eaten anything. After landing in Australia, he asked her where she was staying, showing concern for every little detail, like a net covering her. Then he looked at Guan Han, who was resting with her eyes closed. Qiao Shu felt bored and then replied.

They chatted like that until the afternoon, when the conversation suddenly stopped.

From receiving a flood of messages to receiving none at all, she wondered if it was a problem with her internet connection. But no, she was still receiving messages and emails from other people as usual.

Qiao Shu pursed her lips, put down her phone, and chatted with her friend.

After the dinner party ended, Qiao Shu returned to the hotel. Before washing up, she glanced at her phone, which was still quiet with the note "...".

The chat history ends with Yu Zeheng asking her what her plans were after work, and she said she was having a dinner party.

That's all.

Qiao Shu thought expressionlessly that he hoped his phone would explode.

She opened her chat window with Yu Mingwu, bit her finger, and asked: "Are you still at work, sis?"

With a time difference of more than three hours, it's only six or seven o'clock in China right now.

Yu Mingwu sent a crying emoji.

Yu Mingwu: [My older brother is a real jerk; he still won't let me leave work at this hour.]

It is definitely not human.

Qiao Shu cursed inwardly: [While I'm making you work overtime, what's your brother doing again?]

Yu Mingwu: [Sister-in-law, wait a minute.]

A few minutes later, Yu Mingwu sent several photos.

It was a banquet, and there were quite a few people there. Qiao Shu was very familiar with this kind of occasion. When she saw Yu Zeheng in the photo, his tall and slender figure was hard to ignore. He looked dashing in his suit, and his profile was strong and handsome. The later photos were taken from other angles, and he looked good in every single one of them.

She even suspected that Yu Mingwu deliberately picked out a few handsome photos.

Qiao Shu gritted her teeth and awkwardly flipped through the photos, her annoyance somewhat lessened.

Yu Mingwu: [Why can't I upload the other one?]

A few seconds later, another new photo arrived.

The photo shows her back to the camera. Beside her a sharp, tailored suit is a red silk bodycon dress, revealing her slender arms and long legs. The suit and the roses seem strangely well-matched under the dazzling lights of the auditorium.

A cold sneer escaped from between her teeth. Men are all the same. She wanted to glare at Yu Zeheng in front of him, then throw him away like trash.

It's not that the phone exploded, it's just that someone is really busy.

Yu Mingwu said: "There's a banquet tonight, and my older brother is entertaining a lot of people. I'm not used to this kind of scene, and I'm already thinking of running away."

Qiao Shu: [Run! He deducted your salary, I'll make it up to you.]

Yu Mingwu: [Wow, sister-in-law, I love you to death! My domineering sister-in-law has fallen for me. *smirking*]

Qiao Shu threw away her phone and went into the bathroom to take a shower.

Her displeasure was perfectly justified. She replied to the message, and out of politeness, he should reply to her as well, with a response like "okay" or "have fun," which would only take a few dozen seconds.

That's rude.

She's been giving him too much credit lately.

As the water washed over her body, Qiao Shu kept her brows furrowed. Even as she dried her hair, her tightly furrowed brows remained. Looking at her face in the mirror, her bright features appeared cold due to her bad mood. Her face was grumpy, and she put down the hairdryer after only drying her hair halfway.

She kept thinking, why should he be able to message her whenever he wants, and why should she be the one waiting?

He's just a man.

When has she ever been rejected by a man?

Qiao Shu stepped out of the bathroom, picked up her phone, and sent a message in an arrogant and rude tone: 【Show me Xiao Xi.】

A moment later, Yu Zeheng replied: 【Now?】

Qiao Shu: [Now.]

Because he was holding his breath, his face was tense.

Yu Zeheng: [Okay.]

Qiao Shu thought he would reply, "I'm outside, wait a moment." While she was still in a daze, the video call came in. She lowered her eyelashes and answered the call.

The camera pans to reveal Xiao Xi's adorable and innocent face.

Qiao Shu's arrogance vanished instantly. She leaned closer to the screen, unable to suppress a smile, and raised her voice: "Xixi, Mommy's baby, Mommy's not home, have you been eating properly?"

Xiao Xi heard the familiar voice, and with her moist nose, she pressed it against the screen and smelled it.

“Our baby misses its mother.” Qiao Shu tapped its little head through the screen.

A deep voice came from off-screen: "It ate it."

Her upturned lips immediately fell, and the screen spun around, shifting from Xiao Xi to Yu Zeheng's face. The familiar eyebrows and eyes—the scoundrel she had seen in the photos today—her smile vanished completely, replaced by coldness and impatience, a stark contrast to her previous expression.

"Are you very busy?" Qiao Shu's voice was even colder. "Too busy to reply to messages."

Yu Zeheng pursed his thin lips and asked, "Didn't I reply?"

Qiao Shu uttered two words: "Afternoon."

Yu Zeheng reacted for half a second, then lifted his eyelids again: "You mean a dinner party? I was afraid of bothering you."

Qiao Shu asked sarcastically, "Are you afraid of bothering me or yourself?"

She didn't realize that her tone was very unreasonable.

She wondered if he was having a lively conversation with someone else.

Yu Zeheng looked at her on the screen, his gaze moving from her face after removing her makeup to her wet, dark hair, which was clearly not yet dry. He said, "Go dry your hair. Sleeping with it wet will give you a headache."

"Are you going to hang up? Do you need something?" Qiao Shu asked coldly.

Yu Zeheng went upstairs and into his room, the shadows on his face shifting with the changing lights: "I'll wait for you to finish playing."

"You wait."

Qiao Shu put down her phone, her tone more like a challenge to a fight. She slipped on her slippers and went into the bathroom, picked up the hairdryer and dried her hair from head to toe. The sound of the hairdryer buzzed in her ears, and she felt like a punctured balloon, the air slowly dissipating.

After drying her hair, she came out of the bathroom, picked up her phone, and glanced at the screen again.

Yu Zeheng was very close to the screen, his face almost taking up the entire screen. He had his eyelashes lowered and his gaze was moving up and down, clearly using the click-and-view mode to browse his phone.

"What are you looking at?" Qiao Shu asked in a muffled voice after burrowing under the covers and hugging them.

Upon hearing the sound, Yu Zeheng reopened the video window: "We've run out of covers at home, so I'm buying new ones. What style do you like?"

Qiao Shu: "..."

What's the difference?

“There’s a big difference,” Yu Zeheng said, explaining the different types to her with a serious expression: “They are generally classified according to function, shape and design. There are ultra-thin types, and most of the ones we’ve used are this one. It reduces the barrier between you and the body, so you sometimes don’t feel the difference.”

Qiao Shu's throat tightened. Why talk about this kind of topic at night?

She could easily recall certain scenes. As she breathed erratically, her body felt as if it were drenched in sweat. She would suddenly remember something important and ask him if he was wearing it.

Yu Zeheng would hold her hand and let her find the answer herself.

Thin as a cicada's wing, she could almost feel the undulating veins, brimming with vitality.

“The types of delays involve reducing sensitivity and extending the duration,” Yu Zeheng explained, combining scientific knowledge with real-life examples. “You probably don’t like it because you always finish too early.”

"..."

Qiao Shu bit her lip.

“Lubricant type.” Yu Zeheng frowned. “We don’t need it either, you…”

That's enough.

Qiao Shu interrupted him, her eyes moist and bright. She pursed her lips impatiently: "We used to buy whatever we wanted. Why do we have to talk about this now?"

Yu Zeheng's dark eyes and brows said, "Can't we say it now?"

Qiao Shu breathed, "No."

Yu Zeheng's gaze seemed to penetrate her heart, or like a spark scorching her soul. He asked softly, "Do you want it?"

-----------------------

Author's Note: Mutual Fishing Mode - After the princess finishes fishing, it's the ex-husband's turn.

50 red envelopes, kisses, goodnight.