A beautiful summer night

The rain was still falling. When Xia Wanzhi got out of the car, a servant came to greet her. She was now living in the Zhou family as Zhou Yu's fiancée. Even if these people gossiped about her in private, they wouldn't dare to neglect her in public.

Before even entering the house, the sounds of lively conversation drifted over. Xia Wanzhi stood at the door for a while before changing her shoes.

She made quite a commotion, but the laughter and jeers in the living room were even louder, and no one paid any attention to her.

The room was filled with young masters and ladies from various families who were on good terms with Zhou Yu. The air was thick with the smell of alcohol, and the clinking of glasses was deafening. Perhaps some people noticed her, but they still pretended nothing was wrong and loudly cheered with the others, "Drink one! Drink one!"

"You have to accept your loss, Young Master Zhou."

"Are you a sore loser?"

"It's just drinking a toast together, it's not like we're doing anything outrageous. Zhou Yu, you're already afraid of your wife before we're even married?"

"Ha ha ha ha--"

The cheers and jeers continued unabated.

Meanwhile, Zhou Yu, who was the one who started the teasing, was sitting in the middle of the sofa with his back to Xia Wanzhi. After being provoked, he crossed his legs and casually pointed at everyone: "You're saying I can't take a joke?"

Men are all concerned about their image.

As soon as he finished speaking, he naturally hooked the arm of a shy woman beside him with a wine glass in his hand, tilted his head back and drank the wine that was the punishment for losing.

The woman gazed at him affectionately, and was about to lean against Zhou Yu naturally when she caught sight of Xia Wanzhi out of the corner of her eye, and her body suddenly froze.

Zhou Yu, now fully conscious, stood up almost reflexively: "Zhizhi, you...you're back?"

The group fell silent.

Xia Wanzhi walked over, and as she passed Zhou Yu, she glanced at him and said softly, "You guys, continue."

"That's not how it is, let me explain." Zhou Yu was a little flustered and reached out to grab Xia Wanzhi's arm, who had already turned around to go upstairs.

The force was a bit too much, and Xia Wanzhi winced in pain.

“Yes, yes, it’s just a little game between friends, Miss Xia, calm down.” Someone in the crowd stood up to speak for Zhou Yu.

Xia Wanzhi was a little tired and didn't have the energy to deal with them. Besides, she had gotten a little wet in the rain, and she didn't look presentable.

"Okay, go ahead." Xia Wanzhi raised her eyes, her tone neither warm nor cold.

Zhou Yu choked up.

In the past, the Xia family was powerful, and Zhou Yu was completely obedient to Xia Wanzhi. Now that the Xia family is bankrupt, Xia Wanzhi is no longer the high and mighty young lady she once was.

If he were to explain himself to her in front of so many people now, where would he put his pride?

Xia Wanzhi noticed his hesitation. Now that she was living under someone else's roof, she had to bow her head when necessary: ​​"I'm a little tired, I'll go upstairs first."

This time, Zhou Yu didn't stop her and let her pull her hand away.

Everyone kept their eyes down, no one daring to utter a single word.

-

In the bedroom, a vinyl record played a lazy and pleasant melody. Xia Wanzhi had already taken a shower and was gently rubbing her long chestnut-colored curly hair with a towel.

Beneath a snow-white bath towel lay a beautiful, jade-like body, her exposed collarbone stained with a few drops of water from her hair, exuding both sexiness and allure.

But the owner of this body had a sickly-looking face.

"Zhizhi, are you asleep?" A dull knock sounded on the door. Zhou Yu had been standing outside the door for a while.

"I just saw the call messages on my phone. It was on silent the whole time. I must have accidentally pressed the call button. I didn't mean to not call you back."

He has no other merits, but he is extremely persistent when it comes to apologizing.

Xia Wanzhi turned off the record player, grabbed a piece of clothing and put it on, and opened the door only a crack, not intending to let Zhou Yu in.

It would be a lie to say I'm not angry.

"Zhou Yu, stop making that face all the time." Xia Wanzhi wasn't easily angered, but tonight she seemed a little impatient.

Every time he apologizes, he looks so wronged.

To outsiders, it turned out to be her fault.

"If you don't want to hear it, I won't say anything. Don't be angry. I came to you to talk about serious matters." Zhou Yu lowered his eyes, his gaze fixed on Xia Wanzhi's swan-like neck, which wasn't fully covered.

Further down are her sexy and delicate collarbones.

Xia Wanzhi possesses classic bone structure beauty, and her mother is of mixed Chinese and British descent. Although she didn't inherit much British blood, her eyes are unparalleled.

In terms of temperament and looks, she can easily outshine all the wealthy heiresses in the industry, which is the most important reason why Zhou Yu is so devoted to her.

Zhou Yu and Xia Wanzhi were childhood sweethearts. From childhood to adulthood, he was always the one following Xia Wanzhi around.

This bankruptcy of the Xia family marks the first time Zhou Yu has felt the urge to make Xia Wanzhi submit to him.

He knew this was an opportunity.

"What is it?" Xia Wanzhi asked softly. Apart from her slightly moving lips, her face showed no emotion, neither joy nor sorrow.

Zhou Yu's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze becoming intense: "Aren't you going to invite me in for a seat?"

"It's too late." Xia Wanzhi frowned, slowly raising her eyes to meet Zhou Yu's gaze.

In just three seconds, Zhou Yu gave in. Taking a breath, he said, "I've investigated the studio matter for you. The person who acquired the entire building is my cousin."

"Your cousin?" Xia Wanzhi was slightly taken aback.

Zhou Yu nodded: "Yes, Xie Qiyan, the head of the Xie family."

Xie Qiyan.

It's Xie Qiyan again.

Nothing good ever comes of running into Xie Qiyan.

If it weren't for Zhou Yu calling her "cousin," Xia Wanzhi would have forgotten that there was such a relationship between the Zhou family and the Xie family.

However, Zhou Yu had never mentioned Xie Qiyan once over the years, but now that Xie Qiyan had gained power and taken control of the Xie family, Zhou Yu was calling him "cousin" so affectionately.

“I know you don’t want to move, but the buyer is the Xie family, and there’s nothing I can do.” Zhou Yu stepped forward slightly and tentatively squeezed Xia Wanzhi’s wrist. “Zhizhi, you’ve been working too hard lately. Take a rest.”

Xia Wanzhi didn't speak, but Zhou Yu added, "The Xie family is having a family banquet tomorrow. You've been engaged for so long but haven't been able to visit your grandfather with him yet. Let's go together tomorrow. You can get out and about and relax."

"Does your mother know?" Xia Wanzhi's eyes flickered slightly as she looked at his current appearance, her tone somewhat weary. "If you feel uncomfortable, you don't have to do this."

Zhou Yu's expression tightened: "When did I feel uncomfortable? Zhizhi, if you feel uncomfortable, then we'll get married right away. Once we're married, you'll be the mistress of this place, and let's see who dares to say anything bad about you."

“The lady of the house is your mother, not me.” Xia Wanzhi looked at him, her expression unusually calm.

The Zhou family wants the eldest daughter of the Xia family, not Xia Wanzhi.

During the time Zhou Yu lived at the Zhou family's house, his parents' attitude became very clear.

Xia Wanzhi could sense the difference in attitudes before and after the engagement.

People in the industry are saying that this wedding is going to fall through.

"Don't be angry, there's still time. Think about it." Zhou Yu tightened his grip on her hand and subconsciously took a step forward.

Xia Wanzhi took a slight step back, her tone helpless: "I'm not angry."

"Then promise me you'll come to the Xie family with me tomorrow." With half his body wedged in the door crack, Zhou Yu gently pulled Xia Wanzhi's hand, closing the distance between them.

Xia Wanzhi looked up, unable to quite figure out what kind of person Zhou Yu really was.

During the silence, Zhou Yu swallowed hard, the hand holding her grew warmer, and his eyes became hazy. He leaned down, but just as he was about to feel Xia Wanzhi's breath, he was pushed out the door by a strong force.

"I...I agreed." Pushing him away seemed to be an instinctive movement; Xia Wanzhi's eyelashes trembled slightly as she looked at Zhou Yu. "I'm sorry, I..."

"It's okay, we'll take it slow." A sense of desolation filled Zhou Yu's face, and he looked somewhat heavy. He watched Xia Wanzhi close the door and stood there for a while before leaving.

As he turned around, he saw that Zhou's mother had been standing nearby for some time: "Do you really want to go against your parents?"

Zhou Yu clenched his fist: "I want her."

He wanted her to shed her pride and submit to him.