Chapter 14: The Obedient Darling Wife

Zhan Shu sneered, "Security Guard, your imagination is vivid, but your story is childish. I'd like to know—how exactly did you punch through a safe?"

"You want a demonstration?"

"Of course." Zhan seized the opportunity to humiliate both Ye Chenghuan and Lin Peishan. "If you can prove it, we'll believe your tale."

Ye Chenghuan glanced around. "No safe here, though."

Zhan pulled out his phone. "Bring my office safe to the conference room. The best one. Now!"

"Ye Chenghuan, enough!" Lin Peishan regretted bringing him. What began as a controlled strategy had devolved into chaos.

"Darling wife, if he's willing to sacrifice his safe, why fret? Don't worry—I'll give him a memorable surprise."

Two men hauled in a reinforced safe. Zhan removed his glasses, polishing them with a sinister smile. "Imported from Britain. Triple-layered alloy, resistant to 100kg of TNT. Suitable for your appetite?"

Ye Chenghuan crouched, examining the safe. "Looks like cardboard." He leisurely removed his leather shoes.

Zhan scoffed. "What are you doing?"

"These shoes were a gift from my wife. Wouldn't want to ruin them."

Zhan flicked cigar ash. "Young man, empty boasts won't—"

==‌BANG!‌==

The safe crumpled under Ye Chenghuan's stomp, metal screeching as it warped. Gasps filled the room.

==‌BANG! BANG! BANG!‌==

Five thunderous kicks reduced the vault to scrap. Ye Chenghuan slipped his shoes back on, grinning at Zhan. "Care to test it yourself, old man?"

Zhan wiped sweat, trembling. "N-No need. I believe you."

Silence gripped the boardroom. All traces of mockery vanished, replaced by wary awe. Ye Chenghuan straightened his tie, returning to his seat. "Darling, don't stare like that—it'll inflate my ego."

Lin Peishan regained composure, addressing the stunned crowd. "Any further matters to discuss?"

No one breathed.

"Meeting adjourned."

Alone in the aftermath, Lin Peishan massaged her temples, exhaustion etched into her porcelain features.

"Darling, tired? Let me escort you to your office."

After a pause, she whispered, "Thank you."

Though his antics mortified her, his chaos had disarmed Zhan's coup.

"Since when do we stand on ceremony? As your husband, it's my duty—"

She snapped her gaze to him, icy and probing. "Who are you?"

He smirked. "Already told you. Memory fading so soon?"

"The safe. Explain."

"Just… stronger than most. Call it a gift."

She sighed. "I won't pry into secrets you won't share."

"Told you—I'm full of surprises. Starting to intrigue you, aren't I?"

She rolled her eyes. "I'm exhausted. Let's go home."

In the car, Ye Chenghuan prodded, "That Zhan… quite the patriarch."

Lin Peishan stared out the window. "My uncle. Lin Yuanzhan, head of the Elder Council."

"And the stone-faced kid with the high seat?"

"My brother. Lin Peichao. Vice President."

"Explains the frostiness. Family trait, huh?"

She glared. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Your brother sat silent while you fought. If he were mine—"

"He couldn't openly side with me. Unlike you, spewing nonsense about our… drunken mistake."

"Every word true!"

She clenched her jaw. "Never again. Understood?"

He raised hands in mock surrender. "Your wish is my command, my one-and-only darling wife."

Lin Peishan's cheeks flushed crimson.

Back at Victoria Manor, Aunt Wan fretted over untouched congee. "She won't listen to anyone."

Ye Chenghuan grabbed a lacquered food box. "She'll listen to her husband."

Upstairs, he found Lin Peishan absorbed in documents, her crimson silk nightgown clinging to curves. Teddy bear slippers peeked beneath the desk—a jarring contrast to her severity.

She reached for coffee, startled when her hand met the food box. "Who let you in?"

"Your devoted spouse, delivering lotus seed soup."

"I never permitted—"

"Fine. Starve, then." He turned to leave.

"Wait." Pride choked her gratitude. "...Take it away."

He sat, unyielding. "Work won't vanish if you eat. Keep this up, you'll wither to bones. Who'd want you then?"

She touched her face, guilt flickering. "None of your concern."

"Drink. Or I stay all night."

She glared, but sipped the soup under his watch.

"Good girl."

"Tomorrow—8 AM. Wedding photos. Be punctual."

He stood, casual as a cat. "To ensure timeliness… perhaps we should share a bed tonight? I'll wait in your room."

Lin Peishan's pen froze mid-signature.