Chapter 12 My brother only has this much vision.
The next morning, the warm sunlight filled the entire room, and Wen Yu slowly opened her eyes wearily.
The first thing you see is Zhou Yingchen, fast asleep with his eyes closed, his handsome and aloof face.
At this moment, Wen Yu was resting her head on his shoulder, one hand limply resting on his chest, while Zhou Yingchen's arm was still firmly wrapped around her waist.
This intimate posture instantly brought back the burning sensation from the hazy night before, rushing into Wen Yu's mind.
Her breath caught in her throat.
Realizing that their current position was too ambiguous, Wen Yu carefully tried to pull her hand out from under Zhou Yingchen's heavy arm.
The moment she moved, the man's thick eyelashes fluttered, and his arms tightened around her, pulling her even closer into his embrace.
"Don't move, sleep a little longer."
A slightly hoarse voice came from above Wen Yu's head as she slept.
She froze, too afraid to move.
Stay where you are, even try to breathe more quietly.
After an unknown amount of time, Zhou Yingchen slowly opened his eyes.
But he didn't let go of Wen Yu; instead, he lowered his head and buried it in the crook of her neck.
The man's nose brushed against Wen Yu's sensitive neck skin, and he took a deep breath, making her feel ticklish.
What time is it?
The man's voice came close to Wen Yu's ear, his breath hot.
Wen Yu fumbled for her phone, her voice hoarse: "...6:40."
"Big brother, last night you..."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yingchen finally raised his head, his deep eyes half-closed, and slowly asked in return,
"What did you call me?"
The man's voice carried the languid strength of someone just waking up. His fingers, resting on Wen Yu's waist, casually toyed with the thin nightgown against her skin. His low voice carried an imperceptible danger: "Call me again."
Wen Yu lowered her eyelashes in a panic, not daring to look at the man who was holding her.
She pursed her lips, her voice growing even lower: "Ying, Ying Chen."
Zhou Yingchen was satisfied and stopped pursuing the issue.
Instead, he raised his finger and gently touched Wen Yu's cheek, then asked her something else.
"You have class in the morning?"
Wen Yu trembled slightly at the sudden touch.
After catching his breath, he replied, "Yes, eight o'clock."
"Let Chen Xu take you."
"good."
An ordinary conversation, yet every word exudes an invisible control.
Zhou Yingchen arranged everything, and Wen Yu accepted it, or was forced to accept it.
The two lay there for a few more minutes until almost seven o'clock, when Zhou Yingchen finally released his arm from Wen Yu.
Wen Yu immediately pulled the blanket up to cover herself, lowered her head, and refused to look at him.
They subtly retreated a few steps, creating a pointless distance between themselves.
Zhou Yingchen glanced at Wen Yu sideways.
Under the warm sun, Wen Yu's curled-up figure was thin and fragile, and her exposed face was slightly pale.
If you look closely, you can still see traces of his breath from last night.
Zhou Yingchen's eyes darkened.
His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but then he looked away, got out of bed, and went into the bathroom.
Soon, the sound of running water came from the bathroom.
Wen Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Immediately, she jumped out of bed and rushed into the walk-in closet.
I randomly picked out a set of clothes from the closet to change into.
But after taking off her pajamas, Wen Yu looked at the deep and shallow marks on her body and gripped her clothes tighter and tighter.
After a while, Wen Yu took a deep breath, quickly changed her clothes, and walked out of the dressing room and bedroom.
Zhou Yingchen had finished washing up and changed into a brand-new, impeccably tailored suit. He was standing in front of the living room's floor-to-ceiling window, making a phone call.
He stood with his back to the bedroom door, his posture upright, calmly handling company affairs, as if the man who had forcefully barged into her private space last night and left a burning impression on her ear was not the calm and composed man before her.
"The terms of the acquisition remain unchanged; let them know that this is our bottom line."
After giving his instructions in a low voice, Zhou Yingchen hung up the phone, turned around, and looked at Wen Yu.
Zhou Yingchen glanced at her simple shirt and long skirt for half a second, his voice devoid of any inflection.
"You bought it yourself?"
"still……"
Wen Yu unconsciously clenched her fingers: "Yes, I bought it myself. Just whatever, just whatever."
She lied.
All the clothes were bought and delivered by Zhou Shiye; she didn't even know when he had bought that entire walk-in closet full of clothes.
Whether Zhou Yingchen believed him or not, he gave Wen Yu a deep look, then glanced at his watch.
"The driver will be downstairs in twenty minutes."
As they were talking, Zhou Yingchen walked up to Wen Yu.
He raised his hand, wanting to help her straighten her slightly crooked collar.
Wen Yu unconsciously took a step back, avoiding Zhou Yingchen's touch.
The man's hand froze in mid-air, his eyes suddenly turned cold, and his aura changed drastically.
The atmosphere was oppressive.
Wen Yu keenly sensed that something was wrong.
My heart skipped a beat; I knew I had overreacted.
Just as he was hesitating whether to take another step closer, he saw Zhou Yingchen withdraw his hand, put it in his trouser pocket, his jawline tense, and his tone unreadable.
"After class this afternoon, Chen Xu will be waiting for you at the gate. Go straight home."
"My mother instructed that you must attend the family dinner tonight."
Wen Yu was slightly taken aback.
A family dinner?
Another family dinner?
Wen Yu didn't understand why Zhou's mother always made her go back to the family banquet when she clearly didn't like her.
Perhaps because Wen Yu had been silent for a while, the man let out a low groan.
"Um?"
Wen Yu immediately lowered her eyes and replied softly, "Okay, I heard you."
"I will go back."
Zhou Yingchen then nodded.
Glancing at the breakfast that had been prepared on the table sometime during the day, the man said nothing more, turned around and strode out of the apartment.
The door closed, and Wen Yu's legs went weak. She moved to the sofa and sat down.
After a while, I walked to the dining table and sat down to eat breakfast.
Half an hour later, Wen Yu returned to school with her books from today's classes.
The morning classes ended at 11:30.
Gu Muqing, carrying books, came to Wen Yu's side and invited her to go home together with a bright and lively smile.
"It's perfect that you're coming home with me. Xiao Yan said she wants to rush home after school today so you can tutor her."
Gu Muqing's eyes crinkled as she said in a light tone, "You have no idea, this girl treats you like her own sister now. She asks me every day how you're doing at school and whether you're having a good time."
“Even I, her own sister, have to step aside.”
Wen Yu felt a warmth in her heart upon hearing this.
Although she hadn't known Gu Muyan for very long, she quite liked the carefree and cheerful Gu Muyan.
And then there's the radiant Gu Muqing.
Wen Yu sometimes wonders what would have happened to her if the Zhou family patriarch hadn't found her and her grandmother, if there hadn't been that exorbitantly priced funeral, and if she hadn't been brought back to the Zhou family.
"Wen Yu? What are you thinking about?"
Seeing that Wen Yu was lost in thought, Gu Muqing raised his hand and waved it in front of her eyes to bring her back to her senses.
Meeting Gu Muqing's pure and sincere gaze, Wen Yu hesitated for a moment before deciding to refuse.
"I'm sorry, I... I need to go home this afternoon."
Wen Yu looked apologetic and quite embarrassed: "Yes, can we reschedule? Tomorrow should be fine."
Gu Muqing was taken aback, and her smile was visibly tinged with disappointment.
But she quickly shrugged and smiled again: "Sure, no problem."
Wen Yu breathed a sigh of relief apologetically: "Thank you."
The two walked together to the school gate.
Gu Muqing got into the car first, and Wen Yu watched her classmate leave before walking to the car where Chen Xu was standing and getting into the back seat.
Fortunately, Zhou Yingchen was probably busy, so Wen Yu was the only one in the back seat of the car, which made things more relaxed.
As she watched the scenery rushing past the car window, and knowing she would most likely have to stay at the old house tonight, Wen Yu felt a vague unease.
In the opposite direction, Gu Muqing drove home alone.
Upon arriving at the Gu family villa, Gu Muqing got out of the car and went to a secluded spot next to a luxury car, knocking on the window.
The car window rolled down, and Gu Muqing lowered his head, behaving with utmost respect.
"I'm sorry, young master, Miss Wen said... she said she has to go home tonight and can't come today."
As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Jinhuai, sitting in the back seat, tapped his long, slender fingers on the document twice.
The man's deep eyes narrowed slightly, his thick eyelashes casting a small shadow on his lower eyelids, his lips pressed into a straight line, and the pressure around him suddenly dropped.
After a moment, Shen Jinhuai responded with a faint "Mm".
·
After returning to the Zhou family, Wen Yu first greeted Zhou's mother, and then went into her room.
I was called to sit down in the dining room by the maid just before dinner started.
At the long dining table, Zhou's mother, Tang Mingzhen, sat in the head seat, smiling broadly as she served food to Zhou Shiye, her tone full of affection.
"Shi Ye, eat more of this. Have you been very busy and stressed at your law firm lately? You look thinner."
Zhou Shiye gave a perfunctory reply with little interest, his gaze occasionally sweeping over Wen Yu, who was quietly eating with her head down beside him.
Across from him, Zhou Yingchen ate in silence, his posture elegant, yet exuding an aura that kept strangers at bay.
Wen Yu ate her meal quietly, trying to minimize her presence.
But Tang Mingzhen's critical and indifferent gaze still swept over.
Fortunately, it only stayed on her for a short while before moving away.
The entire restaurant was eerily quiet.
Midway through the meal, Tang Mingzhen, as if struck by a sudden thought, put down her cutlery, gracefully wiped her mouth with a napkin, and looked at Zhou Yingchen with concern: "Yingchen, Chairman Chen's daughter just returned from Paris last week. I heard from Mrs. Chen that the girl is well-mannered and very capable. You young people should get to know her better."
"After all, you're not young anymore, an arranged marriage..."
"Mom, the group's merger and acquisition has reached a critical stage recently, and I can't spare the time."
Zhou Yingchen continued eating without stopping, not even lifting his eyelids, and his tone was completely devoid of emotion.
"No matter how busy you are with work, you should still consider your personal life."
Tang Mingzhen frowned, her gaze inadvertently sweeping over Wen Yu's direction again. Her brows furrowed even deeper, and she emphasized her words with a pointed tone: "In families like ours, we value matching social status and knowing each other's backgrounds. Those from outside... are ultimately a step below, not presentable. Naturally, we must..."
"mom,"
Zhou Yingchen raised his eyes indifferently, his gaze detached yet brooking no argument: "I know what I'm doing."
Upon hearing this, Tang Mingzhen wanted to say something more.
But when she met her eldest son's imposing gaze, she could only sigh helplessly.
Across from him, Zhou Shiye leaned back lazily in his chair, a playful smile on his lips, swirling the wine glass in his hand.
"Mom, let my brother worry about his own affairs. He has high standards, so please don't interfere."
Then, changing the subject, she glanced at Wen Yu for half a second before looking at Zhou's mother again: "As for you, didn't you mention wanting to go to the art exhibition last time? Let Xiao Yu go with you. Isn't she studying this? A professional explanation is always more interesting than reading those introductions."
Tang Mingzhen was taken aback, and a hint of undisguised rejection flashed in her eyes as she looked at Wen Yu.
Let her spend time alone with this adopted daughter whom she dislikes no matter what?
Should I ask her to explain it to me?
Tang Mingzhen gave a silent, cold sneer.
But since her beloved youngest son had spoken up, Tang Mingzhen was unwilling to refuse him, so she could only nod reluctantly and say perfunctorily, "Alright."
Throughout the entire process, no one asked Wen Yu for her opinion.
Of course, her opinion was not important in the Zhou family.
Wen Yu kept her head down the whole time and ate silently.
After the meal, Tang Mingzhen still called Wen Yu to the back garden alone.
She stood in front of a cluster of roses, her back to Wen Yu, and spoke coldly.
"Wen Yu, stay away from those two brothers."
Tang Mingzhen disliked Wen Yu; she disliked her very much.
Tang Mingzhen was used to her adopted daughter climbing into her bed.
The premise is that this kind of thing cannot happen in her home.
"Although they are your brothers in name only, I don't like you using your status to pester them."
At this point, Tang Mingzhen turned around, scrutinized Wen Yu critically, and her tone turned completely cold, her eyes devoid of any warmth: "Wen Yu, you should know that you are not good enough for them."
Upon hearing this, Wen Yu's heart tightened: "Auntie, I..."
"There's something I didn't say earlier. I heard that the Chen family's youngest son goes to the same school as you?"
Tang Mingzhen impatiently interrupted Wen Yu: "He is the youngest son of our business partner, and he is very much loved. Go and get to know him."
Wen Yu looked up in a panic, her face gradually turning pale: "Auntie, what... do you mean?"
Tang Mingzhen sneered and curled the corners of her lips: "What do you mean? Wen Yu, you don't think being the Zhou family's adopted daughter is so easy, do you?"
"Just taking the benefits without doing anything? You're dreaming."
"Did you understand?"
"If you understand, go back to your room and don't come out and cause trouble."
Tang Mingzhen waved her hand impatiently, signaling Wen Yu to leave her sight.
Tang Mingzhen is not a fool.
Every time she called her sons back for dinner, they would always invite Wenyu along.
Sure enough, just like her grandmother, she was a vixen.
Tang Mingzhen glanced at Wen Yu with annoyance: "Aren't you going back to your room?"
Wen Yu stood there, her body ice-cold, her legs feeling like lead, unable to move.
She clenched her fists tightly, lowered her head, and her long eyelashes concealed the emotions in her eyes.
After a long pause, she softly replied, "Yes, Auntie."
He then turned around and hurried along the garden path toward the main house.
The girl's figure looked thin and fragile under the dim light, as if she would collapse with a gust of wind.
Her footsteps were so light that they were almost inaudible.
Wen Yu just wanted to get back to her room as soon as possible and hide herself away.
Just as he reached the door, Zhou Yingchen's deep voice sounded from behind him.
"Xiaoyu".
Wen Yu paused, turned around, and saw Zhou Yingchen standing at the bottom of the stairs.
The warm-toned indoor light cast a faint shadow on the man's deep-set eyes, obscuring his true emotions.
Seeing Wen Yu stop, Zhou Yingchen walked up the stairs.
Approaching Wen Yu, he held a dark blue velvet box in his slender, pale hands.
"The photos were taken at the charity gala that night, and they were just delivered this afternoon."
Zhou Yingchen's voice was indifferent, as if he were instructing a subordinate: "Put it on."
It was as if what he held in his hand wasn't a hundred-million-dollar auction item, but just an ordinary thing.
At this moment, Zhou Yingchen opened the box.
The first thing that catches the eye is a diamond necklace on a black velvet backing.
The necklace's main diamond is pure and clear, reflecting a dazzling light under the lamp.
It is surrounded by tiny pink diamonds, like stars surrounding the moon.
"See if you like it."
Without saying a word, Zhou Yingchen placed the velvet box in Wen Yu's palm.
A price of 100 million is too high.
She felt flustered because of the precious things.
"This... is too valuable."
Looking at the dazzling light, Wen Yu felt it was burning hot.
Without hesitation, she tried to close the box and refuse, saying, "I can't..."
"It's not too much for the Zhou family to wear anything."
Zhou Yingchen's condescending tone was flat and monotone, yet it carried an undeniable air of authority, interrupting Wen Yu's unspoken refusal.
Then, the man stepped forward, his tall figure leaning closer.
"Let me put it on for you."
Wen Yu's heart skipped a beat.
She involuntarily tried to back away, but Zhou Yingchen grabbed her wrist, preventing her from moving.
Then, Zhou Yingchen calmly took the necklace out of the box.
With them facing each other, the necklace was placed around Wen Yu's neck.
The man's slightly calloused fingertips were warm, lightly brushing against the most delicate skin on Wen Yu's neck, and slowly fastening the clasp.
His warm breath brushed against Wen Yu's earlobe, making it tickle.
Wen Yu's heart raced uncontrollably.
She gripped the velvet box tightly in her hand, struggling to control herself so as not to push Zhou Yingchen away.
But after the necklace was on, Zhou Yingchen's hands didn't leave. Instead, while still embracing her from the front, his large hands easily grasped her slender neck. He then lowered his head to examine the necklace's luster between the girl's collarbones, and commented in a low, husky voice,
"It looks great."
"Indeed, you're a perfect match."
Wen Yu's breathing became more labored.
"Keep it safe."
The man uttered two words with an ambiguous meaning.
He slowly released Wen Yu, turned around, and strode downstairs.
In an instant, Zhou Yingchen's aura gradually dissipated, and Wen Yu let out a long sigh of relief.
But when he looked up, he saw Zhou Shiye, who should have lived on the second floor, casually leaning against the railing at the corner of the fourth floor with his hands in his pockets.
The man lowered his eyelashes and looked at her with an ambiguous expression.
After a while, Zhou Shiye finally curled the corners of his mouth, turned around, and disappeared from Wen Yu's sight.
Wen Yu: "..."
It's over.
I probably won't be able to sleep tonight...
So when Wen Yu finished washing up and lay in bed, as she watched the moonlight stream through the gauze curtains and cast hazy shadows on the floor, she thought to herself that Zhou Shiye was probably coming soon.
Just as I was lost in thought, a soft sound came from the direction of the balcony, the balcony curtains were opened, and familiar footsteps approached.
The faint smell of tobacco grew closer, and Zhou Shiye appeared by the bedside.
He stared at Wen Yu's bare neck, glanced at the necklace she had taken off and placed on the bedside table, and a pleased yet dangerous smile appeared on his lips.
Then, Zhou Shiye casually tossed the necklace worth 100 million yuan that Zhou Yingchen had given him onto the sofa like trash.
Then he took out a black velvet box from his back.
Zhou Shiye opened the box and saw another diamond necklace lying quietly inside.
The design of this necklace is even more stunning. The main diamond is a rare blue diamond that is almost the size of a pigeon egg. Under the moonlight, it reflects a dreamy, cold, and deep blue luster. The countless small diamonds set around it are like stars surrounding the moon, but they cannot overshadow the captivating blue light of the main diamond.
Its luxury and rarity are immediately apparent, far surpassing Zhou Yingchen's.
"One hundred million?"
Zhou Shiye scoffed, his fingertips tracing the dazzling blue diamond in his hand, his tone arrogant and disdainful: "That's all my brother's vision is like."
Then, Zhou Shiye bent down and, without giving Wen Yu a chance to refuse, placed the priceless blue diamond necklace around her neck.
Then he leaned down, his lips pressed against Wen Yu's ear, his hot breath brushing against the nape of her neck, his voice deep and seductive.
"By the way, let me tell you the best way to wear a necklace..."
Before he could finish speaking, Zhou Shiye let out a dangerous chuckle.
He suddenly leaned down, his warm lips pressing heavily onto the skin next to the blue diamond on Wen Yu's collarbone.
In an instant, a bright, glaring red mark, accompanied by a stinging sensation, appeared unexpectedly below Wen Yu's neck.
Zhou Shiye released Wen Yu's skin with satisfaction, stepped back a little, and admired his masterpiece.
The man's dark eyes were filled with a strong possessive desire.
"good……"
"This is how you look best when you wear it."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com