“Finished?”

Lin Zhiyu was about to heave a sigh of relief seeing no one at the door when an elegant, calm voice sounded behind her.

She jolted and slowly turned around.

The realization that her earlier sneaky behavior had been witnessed made Lin Zhiyu extremely uncomfortable.

Putting on an expression of resigned indifference, she turned back with a forced smile.

Shen Yanli was unfastening his cufflinks. His movements were leisurely and unhurried, his face composed, as if he hadn’t paid much attention to her previous actions.

Most of Lin Zhiyu’s anxiety immediately subsided.

The corners of his lips curved upward as he slowly spoke: “Looking for me?”

With those words, her heart leaped back into her throat.

Why did he have to bring that up

Lin Zhiyu let out an awkward laugh to lighten the mood. “Haha, of course not.”

The velvet texture clung to her skin, and the silk nightgown felt conspicuous under Shen Yanli’s intense gaze. Suddenly feeling self-conscious, she thought about urging him to leave: “Why are you still here? It’s late, you should go sleep in the study.”

If possible, she really wanted to poke his eyes out right now, then chop him into pieces.

Lin Zhiyu thought viciously, yet maintained a benevolent, smiling expression.

His thin lips held a hint of amusement: “That won’t do. If I leave, my newly wed wife might run away.”

Shen Yanli said it lightly, as if he had seen right through Lin Zhiyu’s thoughts.

Lin Zhiyu chuckled awkwardly without refuting.

She had indeed planned to escape while he was asleep.

Shen Yanli stepped closer, retrieving the hairdryer from the shelf and handing it to her: “Alright, dry your hair and get some rest early.”

Lin Zhiyu: “…”

Seriously, who made her take a shower in the middle of the night anyway?

She yanked the glass door shut with force to vent her frustration. The vanity wasn’t far from the bed, and as she combed her hair, the whirring of the hairdryer buzzed in her ears.

Shen Yanli rested his arm on the back of the sofa, tilting his head to observe the graceful figure behind the textured glass. Her long hair cascaded over one shoulder, and the scent of shampoo from their earlier proximity still lingered at the tip of his nose.

Lin Zhiyu didn’t know that when the glass door panels overlapped, light couldn’t penetrate, but when pulled shut alone, a blurred silhouette would faintly emerge.

The memory of her swinging her fists three hours ago was still vivid in his mind. He lowered his head and chuckled softly.

Shen Yanli had no intention of telling her let her discover it herself. If he mentioned it, he could easily imagine her reacting like a bristling rabbit.

The chirping of sparrows roused Lin Zhiyu from her sleep. She fumbled under the pillow for her phone and habitually checked the time.

9:30. The curtains were drawn, blocking outside light, leaving the room dim and gloomy. Her mind felt muddled from sleep, and she propped herself up, taking a moment to fully wake.

No one was behind the textured wall anymore. She slipped on her slippers and headed downstairs. Pausing at the second-floor landing, she glanced down at the massive floor-to-ceiling window, where ties gathered the milky tea-colored phantom gauze.

Sunlight streamed into the living room, casting shifting patterns on the white walls, illuminating every corner of the house.

The villa was spacious, with two such floor-to-ceiling windows. The island counter was also bathed in bright light.

At the dining table in front of the island, a man sat in the main seat, flipping through the morning newspaper with interest.

Descending the spiral staircase, she stared intently at the man.

In this new 21st century, she hadn’t seen a morning newspaper in ages. She never expected a villainous big shot to have such a niche hobby.

Shen Yanli looked up at the sound, pulling his thoughts away from the newspaper. He watched as Lin Zhiyu descended the steps with a rosy glow on her face she must have slept well, undisturbed by last night’s incident.

Yang Lin couldn’t die yet. He possessed too much valuable information, and if handled properly, he might even lead them to bigger fish.

Last night had only been meant to intimidate, not to take real action. Yet, on the way to the controlled area, his transport was hijacked and he was rescued. Yang Lin was the type to hold grudges, ruthless and vicious in retaliation.

Having fought his way through life, Shen Yanli was used to such dangers, but Lin Zhiyu was different a delicate young lady who couldn’t bear injury or pain. He had to protect her.

The darkness in Shen Yanli’s eyes faded, replaced by a gentle softness. “Good morning,” he said.

Morning? Who wants to greet you?

She shot him a quick glance, her rebellious spirit flaring. “Not morning.”

The man shook his head helplessly, accustomed to her occasional sharp retorts. A low chuckle escaped his throat. “Come sit.”

Her stomach had been growling for a while. Even if he hadn’t invited her, she would have gone over anyway. After all, food was essential one had to eat to get things done.

Lin Zhiyu pretended to casually approach and pulled out the left dining chair. Glancing at the coffee by Shen Yanli’s hand, she murmured, “I want some too.”

He nodded, tapping the main seat on the right with his knuckle. “Sit here.”

The coffee was soon served. Though puzzled, Lin Zhiyu didn’t argue. She circled behind him and settled into the right seat.

Half the table was covered with Western pastries. She picked two of the prettiest ones to try both tasted quite good.

Just then, Assistant Chen entered. Seeing her there, he visibly hesitated.

He seemed to have urgent matters to discuss but glanced at Lin Zhiyu, words caught in his throat.

Lin Zhiyu deliberately avoided his gaze, refusing to leave. Trying to make me go? Dream on.

Assistant Chen instinctively looked at Shen Yanli. “President Shen, this…”

Shen Yanli leisurely folded the newspaper and glanced sideways at her.

The young lady frowned slightly, as if issuing a silent threat small in stature but fierce in temper.

Both waited to see how he would respond.

Amused inwardly, Shen Yanli took a calm sip of coffee, keeping them both in suspense.

He set the cup down leisurely and said calmly, “Just say it here.”

A smug, satisfied pride spread across Lin Zhiyu’s face. She picked up the folded newspaper beside her, burying her face in it as if indifferent to their conversation.

Shen Yanli leaned lazily against the chairback, observing all her subtle expressions.

“Lu Xuemei has been brought back and is temporarily staying at the old residence. You’ll likely be summoned there tonight.”

“Yang Lin is still missing. There’s no sign of him around Lu Yuchen either. It seems they aren’t aware he’s escaped.”

Lin Zhiyu listened quietly, recalling the plot from the book in her mind. She tilted her head to glance at Shen Yanli before pulling back. After all, he knows I’m a transmigrator, right? Asking won’t hurt.

Once resolved, she leaned out again and asked, “Who is Yang Lin?”

Some character names in the book remained blurry in her memory, though she recalled key plot points clearly.

“The company’s financial director,” Shen Yanli replied after a pause. Remembering her claimed unique identity, he added, “Do you know where he is?”

Lin Zhiyu had expected this question. Without hesitation, she shook her head. “How would I know?”

Shen Yanli had only asked casually. He didn’t expect Lin Zhiyu to reveal Yang Lin’s whereabouts such trivial matters, he could investigate himself.

With slender fingers, he pulled down the newspaper she was using to cover her face. “The man from last night got away. If you know where he is, stay clear and protect yourself.”

Yang Lin knew he couldn’t get close to her easily, so he would surely resort to underhanded methods to threaten her. Glancing at the person sitting beside her the very picture of such methods he sighed softly. “Don’t go too far lately, understand?”

Lin Zhiyu shivered repeatedly at his words, and the pastry in her hand instantly lost its appeal.

The big shot had stirred up trouble, yet the crosshairs were aimed at her head. Who could she even complain to about this?

The thought of the man kneeling on the ground in such a wretched state last night made her vision go dark.

Would the suffering he endured be repaid on her?

Imagining the possible scenarios, she shook her head repeatedly.

No, no way.

She nudged Shen Yanli’s arm. “Hurry up and assign me more bodyguards.”

She valued her life dearly. If she were kidnapped and no one noticed, she didn’t want to end up as one of those tragic souls whose bodies lay cold for three days before being discovered.

Counting on her fingers, she said, “Three.”

“No, no five.”

She glanced sideways to gauge his reaction, only to find the corners of his lips curved in a smile.

Realizing his impropriety, the instigator coughed lightly to mask his fluster, quickly regaining his composure. He nodded calmly and cooperated, “Alright.”

Lin Zhiyu hadn’t expected Shen Yanli to dare laugh at her. She abruptly stood up, waving a hand grandly. “Ten.”

Shen Yanli was equally generous. “Fine.”

Assistant Chen: “…”

The ones who truly suffer are the workers.

Assistant Chen was right the call from the old residence came even sooner than expected.

They drove over just in time for the dinner hour.

“Sir, Madam, this way, please.”

Lin Zhiyu, holding onto Shen Yanli’s arm, followed the guidance inside. Before they could even get close, the cheerful laughter of the family reached their ears, the dining room filled with a harmonious atmosphere.

The phone call had mentioned welcoming the new bride and gathering the family for a meal, but the nearly empty dishes on the table made it clear they had started eating without waiting for them.

Shen Jun sat in the central seat. The elder seated to his left had said something that made him burst into laughter so much so that he didn’t even notice their arrival.

“Dad.”

Whether it was pretense or genuine ignorance, none of the people at the table seemed to notice newcomers in the dining room. Only at this greeting did the elder in the main seat react. “Yanli, Zhiyu, you’re here. Sit, sit, please sit.”

He gestured for the two to take their seats. Lu Yuchen was seated with Ji Xianlin to Shen Jun’s right, while to his left was the unfamiliar elder.

That must be Lu Xuemei, whom Shen Yanli had mentioned on the way.

Lu Yuchen’s grandmother, his aunt

If they were to sit, their only options were next to Ji Xianlin or beside Lu Xuemei.

But Shen Yanli didn’t move.

Since he didn’t move, neither did Lin Zhiyu.

In an instant, the atmosphere grew somewhat tense.

Shen Yanli seemed dissatisfied with Shen Jun’s arrangement, silently rejecting it through his actions.

As both sides remained at a standoff, Lu Xuemei broke the impasse. Smiling, she stood up. “I’ve been sitting for too long and feel a bit tired. I’ll take a stroll outside.”

Shen Jun remained seated but did not try to stop Lu Xuemei.

Lu Yuchen immediately understood that he intended to speak with Shen Yanli alone. He proactively helped Ji Xianlin up. “Grandmother, we’ll accompany you.”

As Ji Xianlin passed by Lin Zhiyu on her way out, she let out a derisive laugh, the corners of her lips curling into a meaningful smirk.

Lin Zhiyu: “…”

Laugh, go ahead and laugh. Keep it up, and I’ll gouge your eyes out.

A hand with distinct knuckles gently stroked the back of her head. His voice was even and calm: “Wait for me outside?”

Lin Zhiyu glanced between the two of them, then nodded after a moment.

Perfect timing she could go sound out the main characters.

Heaven was helping her.

After Lin Zhiyu left, only the father and son remained in the dining room, staring at each other.

Shen Jun’s cane tapped solemnly on the floor. His voice was aged yet carried the authority of one in power as he spoke meaningfully: “A’yan, it’s been twenty years since you’ve been with the Shen family.”

“These twenty years, the Shen family hasn’t treated you poorly. A’yan, you should understand the importance of repaying kindness.”

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