Chapter 6

Chao Huai Du's approval of the friend request equaled his acknowledgment of Tan Zhuo's new identity.

Therefore, Tan Zhuo naturally took full possession of the Taihe Residence and began making "appropriate" adjustments.

Who knew how long she would stay here—what if it turned into a lifetime?

It was universally recognized as having the best feng shui; she was bound to become rich!

In the luxurious yet understated living room, a young woman draped in a slightly loose dusk-gray knit cardigan had her delicate white arms lazily draped over the armrest. Her bright and refined features, when expressionless, had a faint, cool demeanor, but without much hostility.

However, her directives were clear and unequivocal:

"The black marble dining table is too cold and hard. It makes eating unappetizing. Replace it with the ivory white custom series from V brand. They specialize in home furnishings and have been around for hundreds of years; it's more refined."

"Change the tableware to match the same series."

"Yes."

The butler, holding a tablet, followed Tan Zhuo and recorded each requested change.

Tan Zhuo pressed her palm on the sofa cushion to test the leather and, finding it unsatisfactory, continued: "The sofa isn't soft enough, and the leather isn't fine enough. Replace it."

"And the stained glass in my room, the warm tones aren't sophisticated enough. I want cool tones with natural diamonds around the edges, not artificial ones or rhinestones."

"The bed isn't good either…"

"And…"

"Understood."

True to the Chao family's reputation, the butler was highly efficient. Within a few days, everything had been thoroughly replaced according to Tan Zhuo's requests.

Of course, they didn't forget to send the updated expenditure list to Secretary Cui for record-keeping.

When Secretary Cui received the list, he was already en route back with his boss.

Seeing the list, which could be printed into a thick book, the usually unflappable chief secretary couldn't help but be taken aback—

A six-million sofa? An eight-million dining table? A bed worth over ten million? Was this made of gold?

Flipping further, he was even more shocked: What? The window frames are to be set with natural diamonds, not artificial ones?

The floor needs to be re-laid with tiles close to the quality of Hanbaiyu marble.

And on the terrace of her room, a floating swimming pool needs to be installed.

Oh, this…

He had every right to suspect that the boss had been swindled out of his money and affection.

At this moment.

In the private jet's lounge.

Under the light, the man's eyes were deep and cold, with no flaws in either his bone structure or appearance. He was also highly influential and wealthy, with many women eager to be close to him.

Their boss had been maintaining his integrity for many years; could he really be 'tricked' by a young woman?

Secretary Cui glanced at his boss instinctively, hesitating to speak.

Chao Huai Du, who rarely had free time, was leisurely arranging flowers. His sleeves were casually rolled up to his elbows as he held a flower stem in one hand and a light gold pair of scissors in the other. The bright light from the floor lamp reflected a chilling metallic sheen.

He carefully trimmed the base of the rose stems, avoiding the dense thorns on the stems. Noticing Secretary Cui's gaze, he glanced at him coldly: "Lost your voice?"

Secretary Cui shivered.

He had a premonition that if he dared to hesitate any further, he might indeed end up mute!

He promptly conveyed Tan Zhuo's recent 'renovations.'

After finishing with the flower stems, Chao Huai Du selected a precious white porcelain vase to place them in. The vase was exquisite, and the champagne-colored roses in full bloom perfectly complemented it.

After hearing the news, Chao Huai Du was not surprised and remained calm: "Not at all polite."

Secretary Cui couldn't discern the tone of his boss's words and dared not speculate on his thoughts. He cautiously asked: "Do you want to reject it?"

The delicate flower stems quivered slightly before gradually settling down.

The man lightly touched the tender edges of the petals with his fingertip, his thin lips curling into a faint smile: "Such precious and delicate flowers naturally need to be nurtured with gold and jade; otherwise, they would wither away quickly."

Secretary Cui: "But this flower… it seems a bit…"

Wasting money.

What flowers need to sleep on beds worth tens of millions, or dine at tables worth millions…

Chao Huai Du casually remarked: "This flower is just a bit delicate. I can afford to keep it."

---

At 2 PM, the plane landed punctually in Jiang City.

As soon as he disembarked, Chao Huai Du was intercepted by someone from the old house.

"Master, the old man is furious and throwing a tantrum at the old house."

Chao Huai Du walked toward the airport exit, his expression unchanged as if hearing about a stranger's matter: "What happened?"

The person, used to the master's temperament, hurriedly explained: "Third Master sent an antique vase to the old house, claiming it was an old object from the old man's youth. Unexpectedly… the old man already had the genuine item."

Chao Huai Du's tone was icy, "The old man was so angry he was hospitalized?"

The person replied: "Not the old man… it was the Third Master who was hospitalized."

"Apparently, the vase was a fake bought for ninety-nine million nine hundred ninety-nine thousand, and the Third Master had invested all his private funds. Upon discovering it was a fake, he was so furious he fainted."

Secretary Cui: "…"

This amount seemed familiar.

It might be the vase that Third Master and Miss Tan discussed at the gallery.

Chao Huai Du sneered and threw out a cold remark: "Fool."

"Cough, Third Master wants to invite you to the hospital."

Chao Huai Du's expression was as cold as ice, showing no sign of family concern, not even bothering to pretend, "No time."

He then walked past and got into his car.

Secretary Cui tactfully conveyed to Third Master's people: "Mr. Chao has been on a business trip for a long time, and the company has many accumulated tasks. Please have Third Master take good care of his health."

After a pause, he discreetly added, "By the way, inform Third Master to learn from this and improve his eye for antiques."

As for seeking justice.

What a joke.

Complaints to the future Mrs. Chao meant Third Master might be staying in that courtyard for a few more months.

Regarding the authenticity of the antiques.

Not only did Chao Huai Du not care, but neither did Secretary Cui.

In the antique world, the unspoken rule is: buyers are responsible for their purchases.

If you can't discern the quality, don't deal in antiques.

---

"Fake?"

When Tan Zhuo heard that the antique she sold was being called a 'fake,' she was examining a painting in her studio.

Upon receiving this news, her water-like peach blossom eyes widened in shock, and she immediately shook her head in denial, "Impossible."

The blue-and-white porcelain vase was a family heirloom; she had authenticated it herself and it was definitely a court-made vase from the Yongle era.

To keep her identity confidential, Tan Zhuo had personally confirmed Mr. Yuan's genuine interest in purchasing, and she never intended to sell it abroad at a high price. She had left the follow-up to her Senior Brother.

Even the transaction was done through Mei Xiting's account. There was no way she would use a fake to ruin her Senior Brother's reputation.

In the studio.

Mei Xiting, sitting in a chair, couldn't help but rub his forehead, "Of course, I believe you, but Mr. Yuan over there is convinced it's a fake."

"And his elders already have an identical genuine one."

Tan Zhuo scoffed, feeling a bit speechless: "How does he determine that the elder's is genuine?"

Mei Xiting: "He said it's the elder's token of affection and has a mark. Yours doesn't have a mark."

Tan Zhuo: "…"

Absurd.

Who assesses antiques based on marks?

"Anyway, now Mr. Yuan is accusing us of being a fraudulent studio and is demanding a refund, declaring the transaction void."

Tan Zhuo's expression turned icy: "He's the one who's like a fraud."

"Is he trying to get my antique for free?"

"Dream on."

Mei Xiting hesitated and looked at Tan Zhuo: "Could there be a misunderstanding? That Mr. Yuan has quite a significant background."

He was emotionally supportive of Tan Zhuo, knowing her character well, but the other party was…

He wouldn't personally engage in deceiving for this small amount of money.

Tan Zhuo sharply sensed something was off and asked instinctively: "What background?"

With the situation critical, Mei Xiting no longer concealed the identity and lowered his voice, "He's the Third Master of the Chao family, Chao Jinyuan. He's a direct descendant of the Chao family. It's unlikely he would deceive you, a young lady."

"Chao family?"

Tan Zhuo paused, then a meaningful smile curved her red lips, "That makes things easier."

"Easier?"

Mei Xiting repeated the words, "You are also from a wealthy family, so you must understand the significance of the 'Chao' surname."

"How is this easier?"

"This is hitting a hard wall!"

To offend someone from the Chao family, they could only smooth things over. Even if Junior Sister's vase was genuine, they would have

 to suffer the loss.

That's why Mei Xiting was in a difficult position.

The next moment, Mei Xiting's phone rang again.

It was a voice message from Chao Jinyuan: "In Jiang City, no one dares to deceive a member of the Chao family. Selling fake goods to me? Do you know who my nephew is? Return the money quickly, or you'll be blacklisted in the industry!"

Encountering such a powerful and unreasonable person who refuses to listen to explanations or evidence, ordinary people would have to concede.

Fortunately.

Tan Zhuo was never the type to suffer in silence, and this statement infuriated her. Her face tightened as she directly called Chao Huai Du.

Mei Xiting asked, "Who are you calling?"

Tan Zhuo snorted coldly, "His nephew."

Mei Xiting: "???"

Over here, the call connected.

Tan Zhuo's first words were, "Is your uncle out of his mind? Get him treated immediately!"

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end.

Chao Huai Du, instead of being angry, let out a low, amused laugh, "Unfortunately, he's already in the hospital."

Tan Zhuo was left speechless: "..."

The atmosphere froze instantly.

Soon, the man's calm voice came through again, as if whispering in her ear, "Did you get bullied?"

Tan Zhuo blinked and suddenly realized.

After a week apart, she almost forgot about her 'little wife' persona in front of Chao Huai Du.

The girl's angry expression immediately turned into a pitiful one as she softly complained, "Yes, I was bullied. I've been so wronged."

"He accused my genuine item of being a fake! And even threatened me!"

"He must think our studio is weak and without backing, so he tried to swindle my antique."

Mei Xiting watched Tan Zhuo's acting skills, which could change expressions in a second, with amazement.

He couldn't help but admire her.

The entertainment industry truly needs talent like his junior sister.

Chao Huai Du, seemingly anticipating Tan Zhuo's reaction, spoke as she wished: "So… do you need some humanitarian care from me?"

Tan Zhuo was waiting for this sentence: "Yes! I'm waiting for your care."

"Immediately!"

And then they would confront Mr. Yuan face to face!

After hanging up, Mei Xiting's ghostly voice came from behind, "Junior Sister, can you give me an explanation?"

Tan Zhuo replied, "Didn't I tell you? You'll find out when you receive my wedding invitation."

Mei Xiting: "I thought you were joking!"

Tan Zhuo: "I didn't expect my senior brother to be so open. You slept with someone and still refuse to take responsibility."

Mei Xiting was silent for a moment: "..."

Eventually, he couldn't hold back, "So you're really with President Chao? He's not someone to be trifled with. If you've really offended him…"

"And how can marriage be taken lightly!"

Seeing the genuine concern in Mei Xiting's eyes, Tan Zhuo knew he was worried about her. She stood on tiptoe and patted his shoulder, dropping the joke, and said seriously, "Senior Brother, sometimes a marriage based on mutual needs is more stable than love."

Mei Xiting: "You might as well kill me with anger."

He felt guilty for not taking care of Tan Zhuo properly.

"Look on the bright side, Chao Huai Du is tall, handsome, wealthy, influential, and clean in his private life. Finding a husband like that is hard even with a lantern."

"I didn't just marry someone ugly, poor, and fierce at random. I chose carefully. Why do you look like I'm falling into a sea of bitterness?"

Mei Xiting: It seems like this little rascal has convinced me.

---

In the evening, the street was illuminated by flickering streetlights, and the evening breeze stirred the pear blossoms on the steps, making the petals fall like snow, covering the entire street.

The spring color and the fragrant pear blossoms filled the air.

As the pear blossoms fell, spring would come to an end.

A black Bentley was parked by the roadside.

The man, with his cold white wrist casually resting on the car window, exuded an elegant and noble demeanor, which stood out in the antique alley with its many wooden buildings. His gaze fell on the door of the studio, which was being pushed open.

Until a slender and graceful figure appeared on the bluestone steps.

The young girl, dressed in a red silk long dress, was fair and beautiful, elegant and charming. Her every step in delicate high heels was graceful and alluring.

Tan Zhuo was accustomed to dressing exquisitely every day, even if the family went bankrupt. She never cared about others' opinions as long as she liked it herself.

Tan Zhuo saw Chao Huai Du and her eyes lit up.

She lifted her skirt and ran towards him through the scattered pear blossoms.

As soon as she got in the car, the hard, cold interior was immediately filled with the rich fragrance of pear blossoms, and even more with the scent of Tan Zhuo.

Chao Huai Du paused slightly in his breathing and then calmly pulled over the seatbelt, "Why the rush?"

Tan Zhuo, panting, got in the car and said naturally, "I'm rushing to get my antique!"

"What if it gets smashed to pieces and I have no proof?"

The man's long fingers brushed against the girl's slightly warm neck skin without lingering, just gentlemanly securing her seatbelt, offering her reassurance, "It won't."

As the car started, Tan Zhuo noticed that the route was increasingly unfamiliar.

It seemed like they were heading to Taihe Residence.

"Aren't we supposed to meet your uncle?"

Why were they heading home instead?

"Let's go tomorrow morning."

The car drove smoothly, Chao Huai Du leaned against the leather seat, casually flipping through the documents on his lap.

Tan Zhuo reached out and deliberately pushed the papers in his hand, like a restless cat trying to attract her owner's attention.

Seeing the man's gaze shift towards her, she reluctantly asked, "Why wait until tomorrow?"

The night is long and full of dreams.

She wanted to cause a scene!

The man's slender fingers tapped the document, signaling her to be quiet, and with a hint of meaning, said, "Your identity will be different tomorrow."

Tan Zhuo obediently nodded on the surface but inwardly complained:

Just one night apart, how could her identity change so drastically?

Could he really move the civil affairs bureau to his home tonight?

Little did she know, as soon as they entered the house, the living room was filled with several unfamiliar faces in uniforms.

Upon seeing Tan Zhuo and Chao Huai Du, the butler, who had been informed in advance, changed his tune: "Sir, Madam, the civil affairs bureau staff are here."

"To process your marriage certificate."

What… what does this mean?

He really did move the civil affairs bureau home!

Tan Zhuo looked up at the handsome man beside her.

He remained as calm and indifferent as ever, as if he had already controlled the entire situation.