Chapter 018 Chapter 18
Chapter 18: The Phoenix Man's Conspiracy
Early morning, a large flat in the center of Haicheng.
Xie Liuzheng had a rare chance to rest, so he slept until he woke up naturally.
The outdoor sunlight shines through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating every corner of the room.
When she woke up, Duan Xing had already left the house, and there was a pink love note on the bedside.
Xie Liuzheng turned over, took down the note, and lay on his back on the bed to read the message.
"To my dear wife: I'm going to work. The sandwich is in the fridge. Remember to heat it up in the microwave before eating. I love you. — From my husband"
"PS: I have a lot of work to do at the company today. I will be home around 8pm. You don't have to wait for me for dinner."
There was warmth between the lines. Xie Liuzheng sat up, reached for his phone, took a photo of the note, and saved it in his phone album.
A beautiful day has begun again.
After Xie Liuzheng finished her loving breakfast, she drove to a nearby private Pilates studio.
I've been busy touring these past few months and haven't had any systematic training for a long time. I'm taking advantage of this time to improve my body shape.
After staying in the museum for an hour and a half, she went to Xie's house in high spirits. She and Shen Wan had agreed to have lunch together, so she couldn't be late.
In fact, when Xie Liuzheng first came into contact with Shen Wan, he wanted to test her brother's attitude through her.
As they spent these few days together, her impression of Shen Wan changed dramatically.
When Xie Liuzheng first met Shen Wan, he thought she was very pretty and gentle. Her beauty was unquestionable, as elegant as a lily, leaving a faint fragrance when the wind blew, and then he had no other impression of her.
Xie Chengyue has been single for so many years. He has met women who are prettier, more educated, and more elegant than Shen Wan, but he never gave them a cold shoulder. He has also dated many girlfriends but has never thought of marrying any of them.
Shen Wan is an exception.
She used to not understand why her brother remarried Shen Wan, but now she seemed to understand a little, because she also liked being with Shen Wan. It was very comfortable and relaxed, and every ordinary day was spent happily.
When Xie Liuzheng arrived at Xie's house, Shen Wan was sketching in the yard.
Shen Wan had neither money nor time to learn these things before, but now that she has the opportunity, she wants to seize it, so she studies very seriously.
Her basic painting courses and design courses are synchronized.
The yard was covered with green grass. Shen Wan was wearing a cotton home dress, with her long black hair tied behind her head with a plain hairpin. She sat cross-legged on a chair. Behind her were aster flowers in full bloom, swaying gently in the breeze.
She was painting, but she didn't know that in Xie Liuzheng's eyes, she was also a vivid painting integrated into the scenery.
Xie Liuzheng did not disturb them, but walked gently to the living room, leaned against the window and openly admired the beautiful scenery and beautiful women.
An hour passed in a flash.
Shen Wan put down the last stroke, stood up and stretched. She admired her work and was very satisfied.
She did not take the painting back immediately, but left it there to dry slowly.
Shen Wan returned to the living room with a cheerful pace, but suddenly her steps stopped.
There seemed to be a Sleeping Beauty on the sofa next to the floor-to-ceiling window... Oh no, that's her sister-in-law Xie Liuzheng.
When did she come?
Housekeeper Lin answered her doubts: "The eldest lady has been here for more than an hour. She saw the mistress painting in the yard, so she didn't disturb you."
Shen Wan looked at Xie Liuzheng: "Okay."
My sister-in-law looks cold, but she is actually very gentle at heart.
She tiptoed closer and covered Xie Liuzheng's belly with the small blanket that had slipped onto the carpet.
Xie Liuzheng's long eyelashes moved, and he opened his eyes hazily: "Sister-in-law?"
"You're awake." Shen Wan glanced at the clock in the corner: "It's almost twelve o'clock. The kitchen should have prepared lunch."
"Are you hungry?"
Xie Liuzheng blinked, she was still not fully awake: "A little bit."
"Then wash your hands and prepare for lunch. Your brother will be back soon." Shen Wan said with a smile.
"I'm back." Xie Chengyue walked over from the door.
Xie Liuzheng suddenly became nervous: "I'm going to wash my hands first."
Xie Chengyue looked at her hurried back and asked, "Why is she a little afraid of me today?"
"You have something to tell me." He looked at Shen Wan, who was vague: "You'll know after dinner."
Xie Chengyue didn't force himself.
***
Duan Xing left home early in the morning, but instead of going to the company, he went to a high-end residential area in the west of the city.
This is his other home.
He entered the password with familiarity. The house was quiet and he entered the children's room first.
On the big blue bed, a little boy fell asleep holding a stuffed doll. Duan Xing sat beside the bed and watched him quietly for a while, with a gentle smile on his face.
He left the room and opened another one.
Unlike the tidy and clean little boy's room, this room is very messy, with brand-name clothes and bags thrown randomly on the floor, and cosmetics scattered all over the table.
The movement of him coming in did not wake up the woman on the bed. Her long black curly hair was scattered on the bed. Her sexy silk nightgown was very revealing. The straps fell to her shoulders, revealing her white and soft breasts. The woman was unaware and slept soundly with her arms around the pillow.
Duan Xing had no expression on his face and ruthlessly pulled out the pillow.
The woman was disturbed by this big movement. She turned over and murmured, "Baby, the bread is in the refrigerator. Eat it yourself if you are hungry. Let mommy sleep a little longer."
Duan Xing did not give her a chance to fall asleep again. He pulled the woman up and said, "Wake up. I have something to tell you."
Qiao Yun woke up, and she leaned on Duan Xing's shoulder, as if she had no bones: "It turns out that another baby is here."
Duan Xing half-grabbed her and grabbed her messy hand: "Stop making trouble, I have something serious to tell you."
Qiao Yun bit his ear, felt his body tremble, and said with a coquettish smile: "Pretentious."
"I miss you so much. You haven't come to see us recently."
"Now that my wife is back, I've forgotten about my ex-lover." Qiao Yun's hands restlessly drew circles on his chest.
Duan Xing ignored her jealous words and said in a deep voice, "Liu Zheng has agreed to adopt the child."
"I will send Xiaosheng to an orphanage in a few days and plan to adopt him."
Qiao Yun's smile froze, and she sat up straight: "...Do you have to send it?"
"I can't bear to part with Xiaosheng. He was born after ten months of pregnancy. Can I..."
She said viciously, "Xie Liuzheng can't have children herself, yet she shamelessly steals someone else's precious son."
Duan Xing had already seen through what kind of person Qiao Yun was. He said coldly: "This is a notification, not a discussion."
"Do you want him to stay with you as a bastard?"
"Xiao Sheng was adopted by the Xie family and will inherit all of Xie Liuzheng's wealth. What about you? What do you have?"
His words were cold and cruel, piercing Qiao Yun's heart.
She lowered her eyes and gave up the struggle: "I understand, I will talk to Xiaosheng."
Duan Xing's big palm fell on her head, and his tone became gentle: "That's good."
"He is my only child, how can I not be nice to him?"
He was very good at giving a sweet treat after a beating. Qiao Yun leaned on his shoulder and said coquettishly, "W's recently launched a new necklace, it's very beautiful."
She looked at Duan Xing with expectation and admiration: "Husband, can you buy it for me?"
Duan Xing agreed readily: "Yes, buy a few more."
Qiao Yun cheered, hugged him and kissed him: "My husband is the best."
Duan Xing smiled and put his arms around her shoulders, and the two of them fell on the bed, making love.
This child is nothing more than a bargaining chip for Duan Xing and Qiao Yun. They only care about their own interests and don't care about Duan Sheng.
Neither of them noticed that the door was not closed tightly. The little boy was standing behind the door holding a doll, with a hint of disgust flashing in his innocent eyes.
***
Xie's house, study.
"What do you want to say to me?" Xie Chengyue looked at Xie Liuzheng who was hesitant and did not dare to speak.
He checked his watch: "I have a multinational meeting in an hour."
Time is running out, and Xie Liuzheng knows that if he misses this opportunity, he won't know when the next one will come.
She gritted her teeth and said, "I want to adopt a child."
Xie Chengyue paused, his eyes sharp, "Is it you who wants to do this, or is it Duan Xing who wants to do this?"
Xie Liuzheng: "We all want to."
The conversation had already begun, and she no longer hesitated.
"Brother, you know that I have difficulty conceiving, and Duan Xing is the only child in the family... We want to go to the welfare home to adopt a child that is compatible with us and raise him as our own."
Her eyes were full of longing.
Xie Chengyue glanced at her and said, "Okay."
Xie Liuzheng was still thinking of words to convince her brother, and she was shocked to hear him agree.
"Brother, do you agree?"
I've thought of a lot of excuses these days, but none of them are useful.
Xie Chengyue: "I have no reason to object."
"Brother, thank you!" Xie Liuzheng smiled happily, and her eyes, which looked very similar to Xie Chengyue's, were filled with smiles.
Xie Chengyue smiled and said, "When you sign the adoption agreement, remember to bring Xie's lawyer with you."
Xie Liuzheng: “Okay.”
"If you need anything, feel free to contact Assistant Lee."
Xie Liuzheng: "I will."
"Then I'll be out first, brother. You go ahead and do your work."
Having solved his biggest worry, Xie Liuzheng now feels relieved.
"Go ahead." Xie Chengyue nodded, and when she was about to reach the door, he stopped her.
"Xiao Zheng, go shopping with your sister-in-law when you have time."
Xie Liuzheng looked at him in surprise: "Got it."
There was something wrong with her nephew, there was something wrong with his brother, and there seemed to be something wrong with her herself, too.
…
Xie Liuzheng left the study and found Shen Wan in the flower room: "Sister-in-law, are you picking flowers?"
"The flowers here are so beautiful."
Shen Wan looked at her and nodded, "I'm going to pick some flowers for flower arrangement. Do you want to join me?"
Xie Liuzheng did not take the initiative to talk about the conversation in the study, and Shen Wan did not ask.
Be less curious and pay more attention to yourself. This is the life rule Shen Wan learned.
"Okay." Xie Liuzheng agreed: "I want to wrap a bouquet of flowers, too."
Shen Wan heard her unfinished words: "Give it to your husband?"
Xie Liuzheng was a little embarrassed: "Yeah."
“My brother agreed.”
Shen Wan smiled slightly and said sincerely: "Congratulations."
"Thank you."
"Sister-in-law, do you have time tomorrow?"
"I heard that many big brands have released new products recently. Let's go shopping together."
Shen Wan: "Okay."
"I want to go out for a walk, too."
"Then I'll drive over to pick you up tomorrow and then take you back." Xie Liuzheng took the initiative to suggest.
"Will this trouble you?" Shen Wan hesitated.
"No." Xie Liuzheng remembered something: "Sister-in-law, can you drive?"
Shen Wan shook her head: "I'm learning recently."
Xie Liuzheng nodded: "When you get your driver's license, it will be fun to go out for a drive by yourself."
Shen Wan: "I will definitely experience it."
"When I get my driver's license."
Xie Liuzheng and Shen Wan smiled at each other.
…
Xie Liuzheng had dinner at Xie's house before returning to the city center. She happily held a bouquet of flowers that she had wrapped herself and rang the doorbell of her house.
The doorbell rang three times, Duan Xing opened the door, and his arms were filled with a bouquet of champagne roses.
"For the most handsome husband." Xie Liuzheng smiled.
Duan Xing was very surprised: "So beautiful, is today a good day? My wife sent me flowers."
Xie Liuzheng: "I picked them in my home garden and wrapped them myself. Do they look good?"
Duan Xing stared at the flowers intently: "They look very pretty, the color combination is absolutely wonderful, my wife's craftsmanship is really good."
"I want to put this bouquet of flowers on the bedside so that I can see it at a glance." Duan Xing enthusiastically arranged the destination of the bouquet of flowers.
Xie Liuzheng: "Okay."
"Let's find a vase to put them in so they can bloom longer."
Duan Xing held the flowers in one hand and hugged Xie Liuzheng in the other: "Thank you for your hard work, my dear wife."
Xie Liuzheng: "Flower arranging is quite interesting and not hard."
"I told my brother about our plan today."
Duan Xing's eyes darkened, and he asked with concern: "Why didn't you ask me to go with you?"
"It was my idea to adopt a child, and I should have been the one to talk to my eldest brother about it."
Xie Liuzheng: "Aren't you busy with work?"
"We are husband and wife, and what I say is what you say."
Duan Xing was touched: "My wife is so nice... What does big brother say?"
Xie Liuzheng: "Big brother, of course, agreed."
"I'm going out shopping with my sister-in-law tomorrow. If you have time the day after tomorrow, we can go to the welfare home together."
Duan Xing: "Okay, I found the information of several welfare institutions, please screen the candidates."
Xie Liuzheng: "Okay."
"I'm a little sleepy today. I'll choose after I come back from shopping tomorrow."
Duan Xing: "Okay, honey, go get your clothes. I'll go to the bathroom and fill the water for you to take a good bath."
Xie Liuzheng: “Yeah.”
Duan Xing looked at Xie Liuzheng's back, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, all the plans were going smoothly.
***
The next day, the sky was clear.
Xie Liuzheng specially set an alarm last night. When the alarm rang, he got up immediately, washed up quickly, and picked a Hummer from the garage.
This car is cool and has lots of space.
After having breakfast at home, the aunt and sister-in-law set off.
"Let's go dress shopping first. We have an important banquet next month." Xie Liuzheng reminded deliberately.
Although there are life assistants to help choose makeup, they also need to have their own ideas and not be led by others.
Xie Liuzheng heard that Shen Wan was studying fashion design, so he took this opportunity to put it into practice.
Shen Wan: "I'm quite interested in dress design."
As soon as the two stepped into the luxury dress shop, the clerk greeted them warmly: "Hello, what kind of dress would you like to see? Our dresses are all professionally customized by top designers, and each one is unique..."
Shen Wan: "Are there any dresses for sixteen-year-old girls?"
Xie Liuzheng: "Show it to you... Baili?"
Shen Wan: "Well, let's take a look at the girls' styles first, and then choose the others..."
The clerk led them to the store and said, "Please go this way. The skirts here are designed for teenage girls. There are all kinds of styles... What kind of skirts do your children like?"
“It would be even better if you could come and try it on in person…”
The clerk introduced it enthusiastically.
Shen Wan and Xie Liuzheng listened and watched, occasionally trying out the styles.
Shen Wan felt that none of these dresses were particularly outstanding, and Xie Liuzheng felt the same way. She asked directly, "Are there no other styles?"
The clerk was stunned, and immediately responded: "There are some dresses with strong designs, which are more picky. It's best to try them in person."
"Can you show us around?" Shen Wan asked.
"Of course." The clerk opened a door, and rows of colorful gifts came into view.
Shen Wan and Xie Liuzheng: "..."
"The clothes this season are so special." Xie Liuzheng sighed.
"Sorry, we don't like these styles." Shen Wan didn't want to waste time here.
Xie Liuzheng did the same, and the two of them went to the next room.
Shen Wan took a fancy to a bag: "Can I take that bag down and have a look?"
The clerk in this store was not as enthusiastic as the one in the previous store. After listening to Shen Wan and Xie Liuzheng's shopping performance next door, she said perfunctorily: "It's not convenient to take down the bags on that layer. If you can't afford it, just look at it like this."
Xie Liuzheng doesn't go shopping in the mall very often, and this is the first time she has been treated like this: "What did you just say? I didn't hear you clearly."
The clerk rolled his eyes.
Facing her unreasonable attitude, Shen Wan did not get angry, and said softly: "Excuse me, is it your rule that you must buy the product after seeing it? Or is it the store's rule?"
“Or is it the brand’s rules?”
Shen Wan's tone was flat but full of aggression.
The clerk's face changed immediately. She thought she had kicked cotton, but in fact she had hit a hard stubble: "I... I..."
Cold sweat broke out on her forehead. She wanted to explain and get out of this situation.
When the store manager came out of the warehouse, she saw the confrontation in the store. Her heart skipped a beat and she ran over immediately.
"Hello, sir. What happened?"
When she saw Shen Wan's face, she was shocked and her tone was respectful and frightened.
This store is also a brand under WV. Previously, the old employees who frequented Xiejiazui had a very bad impact on their brand, so the entire group conducted re-training. The store manager was deeply impressed by Shen Wan's face.
Unexpectedly, as soon as one wave subsided, another wave rose.
"Mrs. Xie, welcome to our store."
"This new clerk is ignorant. I'll ask her to apologize to you."
The snobbish clerk's heart started beating like a drum when she saw the store manager's respectful attitude. Was she going to offend the big boss?
She admitted her mistake very quickly, bowed 90 degrees, and said loudly: "I'm sorry, I didn't recognize the real master, there was something wrong with my attitude, please forgive me."
The store manager also quickly apologized and said she was also responsible.
"Do you know what she did?" Xie Liuzheng asked curiously.
As soon as the store manager saw the guilty look on the snobbish clerk's face, she knew what he was up to. She did not answer the question directly, but cleverly passed it on to the clerk.
The snobbish clerk immediately told the whole story.
The store manager's face turned even worse, and his bow was almost 180 degrees.
Shen Wan was not that angry. She had encountered more embarrassing things when she was working before.
She had no intention of making things difficult for the store manager, but the matter could not be left unresolved.
"Go get that bag and show it to me." Shen Wan pointed at the clerk.
The store manager gave a look and the clerk immediately moved a stool, took the bag down and handed it to Shen Wan.
Shen Wan didn't take it, and said calmly: "This bag looks like this when you look at it up close, put it back."
The clerk was almost scared to death. She did whatever Shen Wan said: "Okay, Mrs. Xie."
"Liu Zheng, let's go." Shen Wan felt it was quite boring.
Xie Liuzheng had no chance to intervene during the whole process: "Okay."
Shen Wan was planning to leave directly, but Xie Liuzheng went straight into their competitor's counter in front of the store clerk and manager, and bought all the items except for a few particularly ugly ones.
"Swipe the card." Xie Liuzheng took out the black card to pay, and then asked the hidden bodyguard to come out and carry everything.
Originally she didn't want to be so conspicuous, but someone was trying to get herself killed.
The snobbish clerk watched the whole process again, his mouth turned pale with fear, and he felt very regretful in his heart.
"Sister-in-law, these bags are gifts for you. Thank you for helping me before." Xie Liuzheng saw that she wanted to refuse: "Don't refuse. This is my gift."
Such an expensive gift made Shen Wan a little panicked: "I didn't help you with anything."
Xie Liuzheng: "Sister-in-law, please don't refuse."
"I like flowers. Can you give me a bouquet of flowers?" She asked. "The thought behind the flowers is very important to me."
Shen Wan pursed her lips: "Okay."
"I want red roses!"
Duan Xing prefers champagne roses, while Xie Liuzheng prefers red roses.
…
After shopping for bags, the two went to a jewelry store.
Xie Liuzheng picked out the latest necklace. She put it on her neck and the clerk praised her profusely.
She turned around and asked Shen Wan for her opinion: "Sister-in-law, does this necklace look good?"
Xie Liuzheng has beautiful shoulder and neck lines, and the pink diamonds and silver mesh chains make her skin look as white as jade.
"Very beautiful, very fair." Shen Wan reached out and adjusted the necklace: "Very beautiful."
Xie Liuzheng was very happy and didn't even ask the price and just paid by credit card.
Qiao Yun came in at this time. She didn't expect to meet Xie Liuzheng here. She was wearing the new necklace she had been dreaming about.
She was very jealous of Xie Liuzheng, who had a strong family background, top talent, and a beautiful face. She had everything.
Before hooking up with Duan Xing, Qiao Yun felt very inferior towards Xie Liuzheng, but later her mentality changed.
Miss Xie has so much, but she still can't keep a man's heart, she can't even have children.
Qiao Yun felt strangely balanced. Thinking that all of Xie Liuzheng's property would be inherited by her son, she wanted to laugh in her dreams, and even the look in her eyes when she looked at Xie Liuzheng was a little bit pity.
The other party is no longer the high and mighty eldest daughter, but has been pulled down from the altar.
Xie Liuzheng had no interest in observing other people; she was checking out.
Qiao Yun came over and pointed at the pink diamond necklace around her neck: "I want this new necklace."
She has money and can afford it.
The clerk looked embarrassed and said, "Excuse me, Miss, this is the last one we have left."
"Why don't you take a look at other styles, they were also released last month."
Qiao Yun suddenly felt unhappy: "I don't want it, I want this one."
The clerk was a little embarrassed, so she proposed a second solution: "If you really like this necklace, you can register it here, and we will notify you immediately when it is available. Do you think this is okay?"
Qiao Yun: “No.”
When she saw Xie Liuzheng was about to leave, she impulsively stopped him.
Shen Wan pulled Xie Liuzheng over, her eyes alert.
Qiao Yun also realized that her behavior was strange, and she tried to lower her posture: "Miss, I like this necklace very much, can you give it to me?"
"I can offer double the price." Qiao Yun estimated the budget given by Duan Xing in his mind and spoke.
Xie Liuzheng frowned and said, "I really like this necklace. I won't sell it to you."
After saying that, she pulled Shen Wan out of the store without even looking at Qiao Yun.
Qiao Yun was about to sneak up to Xie Liuzheng, but was pulled out of the way by the bodyguards.
Shen Wan saw what was happening behind her through the glass door: "This guy is weird, let's go quickly."
Xie Liuzheng: "I think so too. It's inexplicable."
Qiao Yun looked at their receding backs, her eyes becoming more and more resentful. Xie Liuzheng's men were all hers, and everything else would also belong to her.
When the clerks in the jewelry store saw Qiao Yun's strange behavior, they quietly moved away from her, thinking that she was insane.
***
When Shen Baili returned home from school, she was shocked by the army of bags in the living room.
"Mom, who did you go shopping with? Where did you go? Why didn't you take me with you?"
She also wants to go shopping with her mother.
"And your aunt. She bought all these bags." Shen Wan briefly explained what happened.
After listening to this, Shen Baili said: "You guys are so cool."
Shen Wan: "I'm a cool mom."
Shen Baili sat down next to Shen Wan: "You are a cool girl."
Shen Wan scratched her nose and said, "You just know how to make me happy."
Shen Baili: "To be honest, my mother is a cool girl~"
"Where is Aunt Xie? Why haven't I seen her?" Shen Baili has been thinking hard these days, and finally remembered the plot related to Xie Liuzheng last night.
Adopting a child is the evil plot of the Phoenix Man.
She was so angry that she almost couldn't sleep last night. She thought for a long time about how to tell Xie Liuzheng about this.
She is not familiar with Xie Liuzheng.
Moreover, Xie Liuzheng obviously trusts Duan Xing very much, and going there rashly would only cause trouble.
She had to think of a good solution, and if that didn't work, she could tell Xie Zhiyu?
The familiar message of trouble has come again.
But this matter cannot be ignored. Shen Baili cannot tolerate the girl's sincerity being betrayed.
The Phoenix Man is so disgusting, he is calculating every step. How dare he do that?
Shen Baili cursed Duan Xing eight hundred times in her mind, and then she met Xie Liuzheng to test the waters.
"Liu Zheng was tired from shopping today, so she went back after sending me back."
"What's wrong?" Shen Wan asked, seeing that she was curious.
Shen Baili was a little disappointed: "It's okay."
"I bought you a few skirts, please try them on." Shen Wan pointed at the dozen or so bags.
Shen Baili: "How many are these?"
"You will look beautiful in it." Shen Wan smiled gently.
"Then I'll go to the room and put it on for you to see."
"Then let's go upstairs now." Shen Wan was a little impatient.
"Mom, when will Aunt Xie come over again? Call me then, I..." Shen Baili thought of an excuse: "My classmate is very interested in piano, I want to consult him."
Shen Wan: "She's been a bit busy these days, maybe until next week."
"If it's urgent, I'll call her?"
Shen Baili thought for a moment and said, "Mom, give me my aunt's phone number and I'll call her myself."
Shen Wan agreed.
The mother and daughter played Miracle Years Old in the room for more than an hour.
**
What Shen Baili didn't expect was that she hadn't figured out how to remind her.
The next day, she ran into Xie Liuzheng in the mall.
When she was squatting in a public toilet and felt the most "desperate and helpless", she received help from the angel girl.
And this angel lady is Xie Liuzheng.
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