Suddenly, Madam Shi had someone bring over a beautifully crafted box and open it. Inside was a crystal-clear jade bracelet, with a thread of red seemingly pulsing within it, very pleasing to the eye.
"You are the daughter-in-law of the Shi Family, and even though you haven't had a wedding, I acknowledge it. This is a meeting gift for you." Madam Shi took Qiao Zhiyi's hand and slid the bracelet onto her wrist.
The cool touch against her wrist turned warm and moist instantly. She didn't understand these gold and silver jewels, but she knew they were certainly not ordinary.
"Not going to thank Mom?" Shi Jingzhou reminded her.
Qiao Zhiyi couldn't utter the word; she didn't acknowledge him, so how could she possibly start calling her 'Mom'?
"No need." Madam Shi released her hand with a smile, "All I hope for is that you will soon bring a child to the Shi Family."
"With the degree of love between these two, I'm afraid it won't be long before you can hold your grandson." Shi Lanting glanced at Qiao Zhiyi's neck again, shamelessly.
Wearing the bracelet, Qiao Zhiyi felt as though she had been shackled.
Under Shi Jingzhou's watchful eyes, she suppressed the urge to take it off.
Before the meal, Shi Jingzhou's father handed a bank card to Qiao Zhiyi, "It takes a lot of courage to accept Shi Jingzhou as your husband. Thank you for being willing to marry him!"
Qiao Zhiyi was a bit stunned but could understand. In this world, most of the time, appearances do matter.
But something felt strangely off.
She was forced to accept the bank card, feeling as if a heavy mountain weighed on her body.
During the meal, Madam Shi kept serving dishes to Qiao Zhiyi, her enthusiasm a bit overwhelming.
Finally, the meal ended, and Madam Shi asked Shi Jingzhou to take Qiao Zhiyi back to the room for a lunch break.
Under the watchful eyes of the Shi Family, Qiao Zhiyi cooperated fully. Once inside the bedroom, she handed the card to Shi Jingzhou, "I'll give you this back first; I'll return the bracelet when we go back."
Shi Jingzhou stared at the card, reached out to grab her wrist, and flung her onto the bed.
"Ah!"
Qiao Zhiyi cried out as she fell onto the soft bed, and the card dropped to the floor.
"So quick to drop your persona?" Shi Jingzhou glanced at the card on the floor.
Qiao Zhiyi didn't want to be looked down upon by him.
Just as she was about to get up, the man's towering figure pressed down on her, their breath intertwining, and she swallowed nervously.
"What are you doing?"
Seeing his face so closely was as scary as the sudden appearance of a ghost's face in a horror movie.
"Didn't you say I treat you very well? I want to treat you a little better." He leaned down, his lips drawing closer to hers.
Frightened, Qiao Zhiyi tightly closed her eyes.
Hiss—
The skirt she was wearing was ripped apart; she instinctively crossed her arms over her chest, staring at the man looming over her like a demon in horror.
Gazing down at her, his eyes hollow and indifferent, he got off the bed, took a deep V-neck nightgown from the wardrobe, and threw it at her, "Put this on."
Qiao Zhiyi, still in shock, stared at him, trembling at the head of the bed.
Seeing her frightened like a startled bird, Shi Jingzhou's mouth twisted sarcastically, "Are you that afraid I'd touch you?"
Fearful!
Qiao Zhiyi turned pale.
"Have you forgotten? If I truly touched you, it would be perfectly justified." Shi Jingzhou scoffed, "I said it, behave better, and I won't touch you tonight."
He walked to the window, his back to her, clearly not planning to leave.
Qiao Zhiyi looked at the ragged skirt and took the sensual nightgown to the bathroom to change.
Just two days, and every second with him was suffocating. She couldn't comprehend his intentions; everything he did was bizarre.
The red marks on her neck, the torn skirt, the sensual nightgown—it was as if preparation was being made for something.
"Planning to hide in the bathroom forever?" His deep voice echoed from the doorway.
Gathering the clothing at her chest, Qiao Zhiyi steeled herself and opened the bathroom door.
Shi Jingzhou was leaning against it, sweeping a glance over her, "Go to sleep."
"I'm not sleepy."
"Whether you're sleepy or not, lie down on the bed."
"..."
He really thinks too highly of himself.
Does she have to obey him even about whether she sleeps or not?
After a standoff, she ultimately compromised.
Under his gaze, she obediently got into bed, her hands clutching at the covers, on guard against him. She hoped he wasn't crazy and would keep his word.
She had only meant to go along with him, not to stare at each other, but she felt sleepy as soon as her head hit the pillow.
In her haze, she felt as if she was entangled by something, not quite free.
Slowly opening her eyes, the sight of the face so close to hers startled her awake, her heart nearly stopping.
In astonishment, the man opened his eyes and saw the terror and fear in hers.
"A wife doesn't despise her husband's looks. If you marry a chicken, you follow the chicken; if you marry a dog, you follow the dog," Shi Jingzhou's voice was low and magnetic, more captivating as he spoke next to her ear, plucking at her heartstrings.
Qiao Zhiyi wanted to pull away from him, but not only was his arm around her waist, the legs beneath the blanket were also clamped by his.
Their posture now was incredibly ambiguous.
"I haven't despised you," she lied with her eyes wide open.
No woman would be indifferent to that face.
"Heh, whether you have or not, it doesn't change the situation," Shi Jingzhou didn't let go, holding a woman in sleep was a delight.
Qiao Zhiyi bit her lip, motionless, "If I were ugly, would you still have married me?"
"No."
He answered briskly.
A mocking smile played at her lips.
He knew the rules; why should she be expected not to despise him?
"This was a transaction you assessed, a fair exchange; you had no choice," he seemed to see through her thoughts, explaining unnecessarily, in fact, piercing her heart.
Qiao Zhiyi swallowed her bile.
Her Achilles' heel was in his grip; she had willingly offered herself up.
To offer oneself up was cheap.
Two newlyweds hugging each other in the same bed, no affection whatsoever.
Suddenly, the door was pushed open.
Qiao Zhiyi was startled, instinctively pulling the covers over her face.
Shi Jingzhou glanced at the tuft of hair sticking out, his gaze turning dark as he looked at the intruder.
"Did a dog eat your manners?"
Shi Lanting wasn't afraid of Shi Jingzhou; noticing the stray strands of hair beside him, she raised her brows slightly, "In broad daylight, I thought there was nothing indecent to see."
"Get out!"
Shi Lanting shuddered at his shouting, staring back at him, "Bai Yue is here."
Qiao Zhiyi heard the door slam before she finally pulled the covers down.
"Come downstairs," Shi Jingzhou got out of bed.
Qiao Zhiyi quickly averted her eyes, having caught a glimpse of his muscular build, broad shoulders, narrow waist, and the black underwear wrapping his sexy curves, his long and powerful legs.
There was no denying it, his build was truly impressive.
But there seemed to be scars on his back.
"Aren't you getting up?"
Qiao Zhiyi glanced at him, already dressed in long clothes and pants.
She sat up with the blanket around her, "I don't have clothes to change into."
"Aren't you wearing clothes?"
"Going down like this, wouldn't it be too rude?" This was his house, and going downstairs in her pajamas, what would that look like?
"Do you care so much about your image in their eyes?"
That one sentence dispelled Qiao Zhiyi's concerns.
Right, the less of an image she had, the better.
Qiao Zhiyi didn't care anymore. She got out of bed, tidied her hair a little, and slightly adjusted her neckline.
Shi Jingzhou walked to the door and looked back, but Qiao Zhiyi didn't understand why.
"Are you satisfied?" His deep voice carried a teasing tone.
"What?" She was completely at a loss.
Shi Jingzhou, with his hands in his pockets, gave her a piercing look, "Weren't you sneaking a peek just now?"
Qiao Zhiyi's breath hitched, and she swallowed, her face warming slightly under his gaze.
When had she sneaked a look?
"You're overthinking it." Qiao Zhiyi hurriedly moved away from him, but he caught her wrist.
With a slight tug, she crashed into his chest.
She exclaimed, "What are you doing?"
This man, could he keep his hands to himself?
"I'm asking you, are you satisfied?" He pinned her against the wall, caging her in his arms, very assertive, very insistent.
Qiao Zhiyi's gaze darted away, "Mr. Shi..."
"I prefer you call me husband."
"..."
Qiao Zhiyi grew even more nervous. Could he not get so close to her?
Knowing well she was dissatisfied with this marriage, he insisted on playing the role of a husband to the hilt.
"Speak!"
Qiao Zhiyi thought he was a lunatic.
Wanting to defy him but afraid of provoking his madness.
Under his pressure, she nodded, "Satisfied." It wasn't against her will.
Undeniably, his physique was really impressive.
If that fake face was real, coupled with his great body, he would indeed be a sight to behold.
Shi Jingzhou was very pleased with her answer. His eyes held a smile, "Since you're satisfied, I'll let you try tonight."
Qiao Zhiyi's face heated up suddenly; she had never expected him to come up with such a line.
"You said, if I cooperated with you, you wouldn't touch me."
She hadn't forgotten those words.
Shi Jingzhou led her by the hand, pulling her towards the door, "Yeah, I won't touch you tonight."
Qiao Zhiyi: "..."
Downstairs, Madam Shi was chatting with a young woman dressed in branded clothes, who was listening attentively, turning to give Madam Shi her full attention.
Shi Lanting saw them coming down, "Brother's here."
The others looked over, and their gazes landed on Qiao Zhiyi, becoming complicated.
To them, Qiao Zhiyi's annoyed and embarrassed look came off as flirty and coquettish.
In broad daylight, the two dressed in pajamas, brimming with the intimacy of lovers, no need to see what they were doing behind closed doors.
"Little Yi, come here!" Madam Shi called affectionately.
Qiao Zhiyi hesitated about whether to go over or not.
Her clothes were really not suitable for meeting people.
"Mom is calling you." Shi Jingzhou nudged her gently, his voice not too loud but not too soft either, "You're already a daughter-in-law of the Shi Family. There's no need to stick to me."
Qiao Zhiyi: "..."
Stick to him?
Could he have some shame?
She approached Madam Shi, thinking about how to address her appropriately when Madam Shi already took her hand, showing off the beautiful jade bracelet, "Seeing how affectionate you are with Jingzhou, I feel relieved. I'm just waiting to hold my grandson."
Qiao Zhiyi smiled insincerely.
"Let me introduce you, this is Bai Yue." Madam Shi affectionately took Qiao Zhiyi's hand, turning to the delicate woman beside her.
Bai Yue's gaze swept over the jade bracelet on Qiao Zhiyi's wrist, hiding the surge of emotion, she smiled and nodded.
"She's still your childhood sweetheart," Shi Lanting blurted out coldly.
Shi Jingzhou glanced at Shi Lanting, who appeared bored with the world unless it was in disarray.
"Lanting, watch your manners," Madam Shi scolded Shi Lanting, then gently addressed Bai Yue, "Why didn't Park Bom come with you? You've been married for half a year now, any good news yet?"
Madam Shi glanced at Bai Yue's stomach.
A hint of embarrassment appeared on Bai Yue's delicate face, "He went on a business trip a few days ago. We don't plan on having a baby for the time being."
"Sister Bai Yue, stop lying. Where did Park Bom go on a business trip? I saw him at a nightclub with a model yesterday. Brother, you have to stand up for Sister Bai Yue. Even if you have a wife now, you can't neglect Sister Bai Yue."
Qiao Zhiyi quietly positioned herself as if she were invisible.
In her mind, she could already imagine this melodramatic scenario: his childhood sweetheart had married someone else half a year ago, which is why he proposed to marry Qiao Zhihuan back then.
Qiao Zhihuan was nothing but a substitute for that woman.
And she, Qiao Zhiyi, was the backup for Qiao Zhihuan.
Fortunately, Qiao Zhiyi's phone rang at just the right moment.
She held her phone and sheepishly said to them, "I need to step out to take a call."
"Wait a moment." Shi Jingzhou stood to grab a coat hanging on the rack—it was his.
He draped it over her shoulders, "Don't catch a cold."
Qiao Zhiyi didn't expose his insincerity and nodded slightly, "Thank you."
She walked far away, finally escaping the eerie atmosphere. Having dealt with the real estate agent, she didn't return.
The advantage of a house with extensive grounds is that it feels like a park, great for whiling away time.
The vast rose garden, meticulously tended and managed by the gardeners, bloomed with flowers of every color and even had a gate with a swing inside—very beautiful. It would be quite romantic for proposals, embraces, kisses here.
Qiao Zhiyi closed the door behind her, transforming the space into a true secret garden of woven flowers.
She sat on the swing, gently swaying, inhaling the light fragrance of the flowers, enjoying the peace.
"Jingzhou, are you doing this on purpose?"
Qiao Zhiyi immediately came to a halt when she heard the voice.
Vaguely, she could see two silhouettes ahead. Now caught in a dilemma, she remained still, just hoping not to be discovered by the people outside.
"Doing what on purpose?" the deep male voice was neither cold nor warm.
"I didn't want to marry Park Bom half a year ago. You know about my feelings for you." Bai Yue stated urgently. "This past half-year, I never let Park Bom touch me, always thinking that one day, I would leave him and start over..."
"Start over what? Be with me?" Shi Jingzhou interrupted her, saying mercilessly, "I'm already married."
Bai Yue bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes, "Do you love her? How long can you stay with someone you don't love? Jingzhou, stop lying to yourself."
"This has nothing to do with you."
"How can it not? You've always been in my heart!" Bai Yue's eyes brimmed with tears, stirring empathy from anyone who saw.
Qiao Zhiyi felt a pang of pity while listening.
Such a deeply affectionate woman.
She had once asked Shi Jingzhou if it really didn't matter to him whom he married. Now it seemed that his answer wasn't truthful.
Because it wasn't the person he wanted to marry, he claimed it didn't matter.
Clearly, he made a hasty decision to spite this woman.
"Me in your heart?" Shi Jingzhou scoffed, "Wasn't my face something that disgusted you?"
"Jingzhou…"
"Once you've made a choice, don't look back."
"You don't love that woman, why settle? Does she not despise you?" Bai Yue took a deep breath, "Do you need to find a woman just to spite me? To get revenge on me?"
Qiao Zhiyi pursed her lips, where was she not despising him? She despised him too.
But what could she do?
She, who had thrown herself at him to be his wife, was hooked willingly; he wouldn't let go, and she couldn't escape.
Now, how much she wished Bai Yue could whisk Shi Jingzhou away.
Considering the current situation, it wasn't impossible, and her mood lifted at the thought.
Unintentionally, her foot swung out, accidentally kicking the flowers beside the swing.
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