Chapter 9

Chao Huai Du's office was very large, with floor-to-ceiling windows occupying almost an entire wall. From dozens of floors up, just looking at it felt like a daunting, abyssal danger.

Yet Chao Huai Du was calm and composed in such an environment.

Until the girl's angry, demanding voice broke the silence.

The man sitting at the desk wore a white shirt with silver buttons fastened at the top. His high nose bridge was complemented by silver-rimmed glasses, giving him an aloof and noble air.

He showed no sign of guilt for being caught in a two-timing situation.

The girl's fingers, delicate and slender, were trimmed and polished, showing a faint pink as they struck the black wooden desk with force. They unconsciously curled up, resembling a fragile little creature daring to confront a fierce beast.

Indeed, her attire still resembled that of a fierce beast.

Chao Huai Du's gaze lightly skimmed over her.

He then steadied his wrist and completed signing the document he had been working on.

Only then did he lift his eyes to look at her, pausing for a moment, "Does your mouth still hurt?"

For shouting so loudly.

Tan Zhuo: "…"

Not only does my mouth hurt, but my hand hurts too!

But I can't lose momentum!

"Chao Huai Du, stop changing the subject!"

Chao Huai Du casually played with his fountain pen, "Little wife, why don't you elaborate on your topic?"

Reminded by Chao Huai Du,

Tan Zhuo, who had recently experienced a major image collapse in front of him, felt embarrassed for a second but then regained her righteous demeanor: "Even little wives have tempers."

She then recounted her conversation with Chao Jin Yuan word for word.

Ending with, "I only have one husband, but you can have two wives."

"It's not fair!"

Chao Huai Du's fingers paused, "According to our national law, it's monogamy."

"Who knows if your big family has multiple wives or concubines."

Tan Zhuo placed her palm on the desk, her eyes narrowing dangerously like rippling peach blossoms.

Chao Huai Du casually remarked, "I've only ever had one fiancée, and now only one Chao wife, and it will be the same in the future."

Tan Zhuo, who loved hearing about being "the only one," felt pleased. In the past, whenever she bought bags or jewelry, she'd always go for items marked as "one of a kind" without hesitation.

Chao Huai Du's words pleased her, and her tense expression finally relaxed a bit…

"As for Ye Zhenzhen."

When Chao Huai Du mentioned this name, there was no emotional fluctuation: "She is the granddaughter of the old master's first love."

Tan Zhuo took a few seconds to process this, then slowly sat down opposite Chao Huai Du.

Habitually resting her chin on her hand, and based on her years of reading novels, she reasoned, "So isn't it just your grandfather fulfilling his dream through you? Making you marry the granddaughter of his first love?"

That's…

Wrong!!!

"Then who arranged our marriage?"

Chao Huai Du, unwilling to elaborate, succinctly said: "My maternal grandfather."

"He was a close friend of your grandfather."

"Didn't your grandfather know?"

"He didn't know."

A trace of detached indifference flashed in Chao Huai Du's eyes. If the old master had known, the Tan family would have disappeared long ago.

After all—

His voice flowed slowly, "The position of the next Chao family matriarch was meant to be given to Ye Zhenzhen by the old master."

Tan Zhuo didn't miss Chao Huai Du's subtle change in expression. Her mind raced, suddenly realizing, "…"

So the big boss is the once powerful old master of the Chao family!!!

Chao Huai Du's thin lips curled into a barely perceptible smile: "Are you scared?"

Scared?

Having received numerous lavish gifts from Chao Huai Du, she had been waiting for the hidden conditions he had marked out. Now that she understood his real intentions, it was a form of mutual agreement, which actually made her feel more at ease.

Indeed, being the Chao wife was not an easy position to hold.

So,

Tan Zhuo smiled gently, her eyes flashing with her unique slyness: "I'm not scared."

"I'm now the Chao wife."

"President Chao, it's a pleasure working with you."

With that, the young woman extended her delicate hand, ready to politely end the friendly discussion.

As she moved, the tailored men's suit draped over her shoulders swayed slightly.

At this moment,

A knock was heard from outside.

Secretary Cui: "President Chao, Mr. Gu from Zhi Yan Technology is waiting for you in the reception room."

Chao Huai Du responded calmly.

He then stood up, walked around the large desk, and approached Tan Zhuo, looking down at her.

When he stood up, his tall figure was imposing, and as he approached, he became even more intimidating.

Tan Zhuo's high heels created a certain aura, but in his presence, it seemed insignificant.

She wasn't sure whether to retract her hand or change its direction. Tan Zhuo looked up at him in confusion, meeting his cold and clear eyes, "You…" what are you doing.

Before she could finish,

The man's cool fingers traced her delicate throat, slowly moving up from her slender neck. After a few seconds on her soft, pink lips, he lightly and meaningfully rubbed them, then said with his restrained and noble face: "Chao wife, I'm not very pleased with this cooperation."

The key point is how is he not pleased?

He has already made her lips sore with several cuts, and now he says he's not pleased?

Before Tan Zhuang could get angry, Zhao Huai Du casually took off the suit draped over her shoulder and put it back on himself, saying, "Returning it to its rightful owner."

In a suit and leather shoes, he looked dignified and elegant.

Tan Zhuang looked at his departing figure with a blank expression. Her lips, which had been slightly swollen again from being rubbed, uttered, "A beast in human clothing."

---

In the large office, she was alone.

Tan Zhuang glanced over the documents on the desk, disinterestedly moving her gaze away. Zhao Huai Du was really bold, not even afraid of her being some kind of spy.

Not long after, Secretary Cui came in with lunch. "Madam, Mr. Zhao won't be able to have lunch with you today. Please enjoy."

"Thank you."

It was just as well; she didn't want to see that 'beast in human clothing' right now.

No matter how handsome, it didn't matter.

Beast!

"Secretary Cui, how long have you been working with Zhao Huai Du?"

Secretary Cui replied without changing expression, "Three years."

"That long? How well do you know the Zhao family? Has the old man met you? What kind of granddaughter-in-law does he like?" she asked casually.

Secretary Cui said, "Elegant and graceful, a refined lady."

"That sounds just like me," Tan Zhuang said, with the corners of her eyes slightly lifted and a smiling expression. She continued deliberately, "Although Zhao Huai Du's character isn't the best, he has good luck and taste. He has a gentle, considerate, and elegant wife like me."

Secretary Cui's eyelids twitched, and he didn't dare to say a word.

She shifted her tone, "Your boss might not realize what a treasure of a wife he has. As his chief personal secretary, you need to constantly remind him to cherish and protect her, not to always…" She trailed off, not wanting to say more out of embarrassment.

"In short, the harmony of your boss's family depends on you."

"Secretary Cui, you have a heavy responsibility."

Secretary Cui: "…"

This responsibility wasn't something he was keen on.

Once Tan Zhuang had finished her lunch, Secretary Cui hurriedly left with the lunch box, as if he had been saved.

Watching the office door close, Tan Zhuang couldn't help but laugh, finding it quite amusing to see Zhao Huai Du's usually serious chief secretary showing a different side. At least he wasn't like a robot.

Thinking about the information she had just received, Tan Zhuang's expression grew slightly serious. She had an odd premonition that Zhao Huai Du had long seen through her true nature.

It seemed he deliberately married someone completely different from what his father liked.

Oh well, she thought, it was too late to regret now.

Her gaze inadvertently fell on the comfortable-looking sofa behind the silver-white screen.

Having gotten up too early today, she lazily yawned, kicked off her high heels, and walked over to the carpeted area with her bare, fair feet.

Little did she know, at this moment, the employees of the Zhao Group had already erupted in their private chat group.

**"Zhao Group · Gossip Chat Group"**

[Ahhh, there's a big beauty coming in and out of Mr. Zhao's office!]

[Wow, she's really beautiful, has a great figure, and her demeanor is absolutely stunning. She's clearly a glamorous big beauty.]

[According to passersby, the big beauty came in looking fierce and even slammed the table with Mr. Zhao. What's her background?]

[Mr. Zhao's girlfriend?]

[Whether she's his girlfriend or not is uncertain, but their relationship is definitely significant. Mr. Zhao, who usually dresses impeccably, came to the office in a shirt this morning! And the big beauty was wearing a men's suit on her shoulder.]

[You guys think this suit belongs to Mr. Zhao?]

[Case solved, sisters! Mr. Zhao wore the suit he had when he entered the reception room just now.]

[Real-time report: Mr. Zhao's fingers had lipstick on them, and he's now wiping it off… Photo.jpg]

The photo was somewhat blurry, but it vaguely showed Zhao Huai Du listening to his assistant while slowly wiping his long, delicate fingers with a wet wipe. The white wet wipe was stained with a striking vermilion color that seemed out of place, like a subtle plum blossom on snow. Apparently, noticing someone taking a photo, the amber-eyed man slightly lifted his gaze, his expression indifferent yet charming.

[I always thought Mr. Zhao, being so perfectly refined, would never notice ordinary women. It looks like he's actually a man with strong desires, and even if he's not doing anything now, you should be more cautious. The longer the prey stays under his nose, the more voraciously it's consumed.]

[Summary: He'll definitely deal with you later.]

Tan Zhuang: "…"

This sister's way of speaking was like she was biting a needle, hitting the nail on the head.

Seeing that it was still early, and she hadn't quite finished her call, Jiang Qingci suggested, "There's a new bar opening today. Want to go have a drink? The owner has a deep background and is said to have many hidden wines. It's a good opportunity for you to relax."

"You mentioned before that you wanted to sell a few antiques left at home. My father's antique dealer partner will also be there. Do you want to come and meet him?"

Previously, Jiang Qingci had asked her about repaying her debts and offered to lend her money, but Tan Zhuang had refused, only mentioning that she planned to sell a few antiques to pay off the debt.

Every wealthy family has a few antiques, and Jiang Qingci didn't think much of it. Today happened to be a chance to introduce a client.

Although Tan Zhuang was reluctant to leave the sofa, she decided to get up because her dream was to open an antique shop and find the right owners for the antiques at home, rather than letting them remain hidden in the old house for centuries.

She didn't dare to act recklessly, fearing covetous eyes.

Even becoming Mrs. Zhao couldn't make her rely entirely on Zhao Huai Du.

He was too unpredictable and held too much power.

Unstable as it was, Tan Zhuang didn't dare to make any moves for now.

Half-closing her eyes, Tan Zhuang lazily said, "Then come pick me up."

Antique dealers were part of her future network.

---

When Zhao Huai Du returned from work, the sky was completely dark.

The office, which had originally been stark and cold, now faintly carried the scent of lychee rose.

It was Tan Zhuang's fragrance.

Zhao Huai Du loosened his tie, which had been constricting him all day, and spoke in a tone as if making small talk, "When did she leave?"

Secretary Cui answered, "Half an hour ago."

After a brief hesitation, he recalled his wife's instructions and awkwardly hinted, "Madam waited for you all afternoon."

"Speak directly."

"Ahem, it's evident that Madam is gentle, considerate, and virtuous."

"She is… your treasure."

The last four words were particularly difficult for Secretary Cui to utter.

At that moment, Zhao Huai Du's personal phone received a message.

**Bo Jing:** "Wow, your wife really has a lot of admirers. Almost half the people at the bar bought her drinks."

Zhao Huai Du glanced at Secretary Cui, who was sweating from his back, and said with a half-smile, "Is that so?"

Secretary Cui happened to see it too.

He tried to salvage the situation, "Well… perhaps Madam just accidentally forgot she's married."