Chapter 76: The Exemplary Gentleman

Su Wanwan furiously washed her face, then turned around to find the man wearing a mischievous grin."Zuo Qingyan, are you looking for a beating?!"Seeing Su Wanwan reveal that fierce, snarling anger only in front of them, he couldn't help but feel even more smug."Come on, hit me, hit me—right on the face!""As long as it's my beloved Wanwan delivering the blows, Second Brother wouldn't so much as furrow a brow!"Su Wanwan shot him a fierce glare."Where's the head of the family?""Not home.""Where did he go?""Traveling around the world."Su Wanwan blinked in disbelief."Are you kidding me? The company's bidding is about to start, and the head of the family leaves now?"Zuo Qingyan patted Su Wanwan's slender shoulder, smearing some oil on her skin."He didn't just leave now; he's been gone for a whole month.""That old man—you know him well enough—won't return until he's had his fill of fun."Su Wanwan shrugged off his hand disdainfully."What about Big Brother?"Zuo Qingyan clicked his tongue, feigning injury."You just don't want to see me, do you?"Su Wanwan pulled out her phone.Zuo Qingyan strolled toward the kitchen, his voice drifting lightly through the air."Don't bother looking for him. No chance.""The head of the family hasn't even completed the task assigned to him yet, and you think he'll come back?""Dream on.""Besides, if he finds out you secretly married some other wild man and got the certificate, he'd never let you leave the mansion."Su Wanwan's delicate brows furrowed tightly. She abandoned the idea of calling.

Half an hour later, Zuo Qingyan began bringing out exquisite dishes one after another, the table filled lavishly with sumptuous fare."Darling, wash your hands quickly and come eat."Su Wanwan sat beside him, somewhat distracted.Zuo Qingyan put on gloves and began peeling the crayfish for her with deft skill—clearly no stranger to the task. Soon, a small bowl piled high like a mountain."Try it and see if Second Brother's culinary skills have improved."Su Wanwan picked up five chunks of crayfish meat with her chopsticks, savoring them in her mouth. Spicy, fragrant, and utterly satisfying."Delicious!""As long as you like it, eat more."A smile curved Zuo Qingyan's lips, his sharp eyes brimming with joy and affection. Tirelessly, he peeled the entire pot of crayfish until his fingertips ached—yet he relished every moment.

After the meal, Zuo Qingyan busied himself again in the kitchen, preparing an artfully arranged fruit platter and handing it to Su Wanwan.She slumped into the soft sofa, half-closing her dark eyes lazily."I'm so full now, I can't eat another bite."Hearing this, Zuo Qingyan returned to the kitchen once more."I'll brew you some digestion tea!"The servants standing by exchanged uncertain glances, unsure how to intervene."What's gotten into Second Young Master today? He seems like a different man…""And I never knew he was such a skilled cook!""Must be the new lady. Four years ago, scenes like this happened almost daily.""After all, the only one who could coax Second Young Master into the kitchen willingly was Third Miss."

Zuo Qingyan fussed attentively by Su Wanwan's side."By the way, are you coming with me to tomorrow's bid?"Su Wanwan yawned, resting her face against Zuo Qingyan's shoulder."Of course. Otherwise, what's the point of me coming back?"Zuo Qingyan grunted softly."That's good. It's about time you two faced each other.""Hey, why are you so listless right after you got back?""Come on, let's go out and have some fun!"Su Wanwan kicked him reluctantly in the waist."What fun? I'm tired and want to sleep."Zuo Qingyan nimbly dodged her strike and pulled her up from the sofa."We haven't seen each other in ages. We need some entertainment, right?""There's a masquerade ball at the bar tonight. Let's go stir up some excitement."Without giving Su Wanwan any chance to refuse, he dragged her upstairs.With a bang, the door shut behind them."Hurry and change into something beautiful. Don't embarrass your Second Brother!"

As dusk fell, the bar grew livelier, bathed in dazzling lights and pulsing music, the atmosphere electric.At the center of the bar sat two tall men.Xie Cheng toyed with a glass of wine, his almond-shaped eyes scanning the crowd of women, clicking his tongue appreciatively."Not bad. Just my type."Beneath the black mask, Fu Liangmu's face was an icy mask of cold disdain."Is this the urgent matter you were talking about?" he asked slowly and deliberately.Xie Cheng chuckled, placing a hand on Fu Liangmu's shoulder."Don't worry, I won't tell your wife.""It's rare to get out, but you bury yourself in the company every day. What's the point?""Life is meant to be enjoyed."

Fu Liangmu rose, but Xie Cheng held him back."Why the rush?""Starting to play the 'exemplary gentleman' now?"A lethal glint sharpened Fu Liangmu's eyes, as if ready to carve him up."Want to die?"Xie Cheng raised his hands in mock surrender."Spare me."

At that moment, two figures entered the bar.Su Wanwan took the white mask handed by a waiter, her serene gaze sweeping the room without noticing two astonished stares fixated upon her."Wow… is that Su Wanwan?"Xie Cheng's sharp eyes caught sight of her and was about to alert Fu Liangmu, but found his friend's eyes already locked onto her the moment she entered.

Zuo Qingyan took her mask and gently helped her put it on."Here, let me help you, darling.""Okay."Zuo Qingyan tenderly gathered her cascading black hair with a slow, gentle touch.

Watching their intimate display, Fu Liangmu's fingers curled tightly, a cold aura radiating fiercely from him, sending a chill through Xie Cheng."What's going on?""Is someone's heart suddenly a lush green meadow?""But I have to say, that man is quite handsome."

Fu Liangmu's face darkened inch by inch, his eyes blazing coldly.Zuo Qingyan, arms around Su Wanwan, settled at a prime spot at the bar, ordering fine wine and chatting merrily.Xie Cheng nudged Fu Liangmu with a sly grin."Aren't you going to go say hello?"For some reason, he was oddly eager for that moment.

Unaware of their presence, Su Wanwan nibbled on the delicate pastries Zuo Qingyan had specially ordered for her, eating slowly and deliberately."You're such a fool, the food's right in front of you.""How can Second Brother trust you when you're like this?"Zuo Qingyan gently wiped her mouth with a tissue.Su Wanwan snatched it back."Thanks, I'm not a child anymore; I can wipe myself."Zuo Qingyan chided her lightly."But Second Brother still cares about you. And since you married such an ugly man, he's heartbroken.""If it really comes down to it, just keep a few handsome boys outside. Second Brother will pay for them!"