The words “I would too” hadn’t even left his mouth when Su Hao snatched the phone back. She shot Zhou Yang a warning look. Zhou Yang leaned sideways in his seat, one hand gripping the steering wheel, eyes narrowed as he watched her—and the phone in her hand.

 

On the other end, Tang Rui fell silent. His breathing grew heavier, as if he were holding something back.

 

Su Hao’s emotions were complicated. She could barely remember what Tang Rui had been like when they married. All she knew was that they hadn’t really looked at each other—his heart wasn’t with her, and hers wasn’t with him either.

 

After the wedding, the so-called “good-luck marriage” had worked. Only then had Su Hao finally felt like she could breathe again.

 

She looked out the window at the swaying branches and thought how men were always like this—never cherishing what they had, only crying once it was gone.

 

Truly despicable.

 

She tightened her grip on the phone and said, “Tang Rui, don’t talk about waiting a lifetime. Your life has only just begun. Focus on facing your future properly.”

 

“Su Hao… Su Hao…” Tang Rui finally spoke. His voice was hoarse beyond measure.

 

“Get some rest. Don’t overwork yourself.”

 

Her tone was gentle—

 

but firm.

 

On the other end, Tang Rui’s eyes reddened even more.

 

Su Hao didn’t wait for him to speak again. She hung up.

 

She looked toward the man beside her.

 

Zhou Yang was still squinting, his long, narrow eyes fixed on her. The expression she’d worn just now was the same one she’d used earlier when telling him to get lost. Su Hao might not have Meng Ying’s fiery temperament, but her gentleness was like a sharp blade.

 

Soft on the surface, but cold to the bone.

 

He coughed lightly, rubbed his nose, and said, “Wife, let’s go home.”

 

Sitting upright again, he gripped the steering wheel, thinking to himself that Tang Rui could live a little longer—for now.

 

The car pulled out of the hospital and turned toward Yiwan Shanshui. Su Hao noticed the wrong direction immediately and tapped his arm with her phone.

 

“I’m going back to Huahui Residential.”

 

“This is Huahui,” Zhou Yang said with a raised brow and a grin, trying to confuse her.

 

“I know the way. My mom is home. Zhou Yang—turn the car around.”

 

He cursed under his breath but still turned the car and headed toward Huahui.

 

At this hour, the area was lively—late-night food stalls everywhere. The Bentley stopped in front of the supermarket parking spaces. Just then, Cheng Ling sent a message. Su Hao glanced at it, about to reply—

 

when Zhou Yang took her hand.

 

She looked up.

 

He placed her phone in front, leaned closer, and pressed his lips to her ear.

 

“My date with you was ruined tonight by your ex-husband. How are you planning to compensate me?”

 

Su Hao tilted her head slightly. His lips brushed her cheek, kissing softly.

 

She reached up and touched his sharp-featured face. “Why so impatient?” she teased.

 

Zhou Yang chuckled low. “I’m not impatient. I’m very patient.”

 

He bit gently at her earlobe.

 

Su Hao lowered her head obediently. The air inside the car grew intimate—close, but not fully crossing the line.

 

Honestly, Zhou Yang was dangerously skilled at this.

 

Her cheeks flushed.

 

The marks at her collar became more obvious as his lips traced lightly over them.

 

“You bruise easily,” he murmured.

 

“Mm.”

 

“Then I should be more careful?”

 

“When have you ever been careful?” she shot back.

 

He laughed softly.

 

The phone rang—it was Cheng Ling. She must not have received Su Hao’s reply.

 

Zhou Yang glanced at the screen and answered, holding the phone to Su Hao’s ear while still kissing her.

 

“Have you come back yet?” Cheng Ling asked.

 

“I’m almost there, Mom.”

 

“That’s good. Oh, by the way, I saw Zhang Xinhua earlier. He was upstairs handling something. Haohao, when you come back you might run into—”

 

“—Ah!”

 

Su Hao’s ear was bitten hard. The pain nearly made her cry out, but she swallowed it back, covering her mouth and glaring at Zhou Yang.

 

He stared coldly at the phone.

 

One night.

 

Two men.

 

Two.

 

Both sabotaging him.

 

She turned her head slightly. “Mom, I’ll talk to you when I get home.”

 

She hung up.

 

Zhou Yang sat upright, grabbed his phone, and called Zhang Xinhua.

 

The call connected quickly.

 

“Bro,” Zhang Xinhua answered.

 

“You’re at Huahui?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Get out. Immediately.”

 

Zhang Xinhua froze, then reacted at once. “Got it! Leaving now!”

 

Zhou Yang hung up and tossed the phone aside, then looked at Su Hao.

 

She adjusted her collar and smoothed her hair. “I’m getting out.”

 

Zhou Yang held his breath—anger stuck halfway—but he couldn’t explode yet. He let out a stiff “Mm” and opened the door.

 

She walked around the car. He took her hand and walked her toward the stairs.

 

They hadn’t gone far when footsteps echoed down the stairwell.

 

Zhang Xinhua, baseball cap pulled low, came down and ran straight into them. Under Zhou Yang’s icy stare, Zhang Xinhua lowered his head, not daring to even glance at Su Hao.

 

He vanished instantly.

 

Who in Li City didn’t know that the Zhou family’s young master had knelt the night before for a beautiful woman?

 

Unheard of.

 

Earth-shattering news.

 

What shocked people even more was that she wasn’t the kind of woman Zhou Yang used to like—not a rich heiress, not a powerful career woman.

 

Yet she had earned his kneel.

 

Who knew what other cards she still held?

 

How spoiled she would become?

 

Su Hao became famous overnight in Li City’s elite circle.

 

At her door, Zhou Yang pinned her lightly against it. He didn’t kiss her—just looked down at her.

 

“Living here isn’t ideal. Want me to get you a new place?”

 

She needed to stay away from Zhang Xinhua.

 

“I think this place is fine. I’ve considered moving, but I don’t need your help.”

 

The community near her workplace was good—secure access, strict management, newer buildings. Rent was higher, but once she entered the commission stage, she’d move.

 

“Why don’t you want my help? Aren’t I your boyfriend?”

 

“You are—but you’re not my dad.”

 

Zhou Yang paused, then laughed softly. “I’m your husband.”

 

Even he hadn’t expected himself to be this clingy.

 

Who would’ve thought words like husband and wife could sound so sweet?

 

“We haven’t gotten the marriage certificate yet. Stop comforting yourself.”

 

Zhou Yang: “……”

 

Damn it.

 

He tilted his head and sealed her lips.

 

This mouth talked too much.

 

Better shut it.

 

Su Hao didn’t struggle—she’d known this was inevitable.

 

She was just careful to keep quiet. If Cheng Ling opened the door, that would be trouble.

 

After the kiss, she pushed him away.

 

He glanced at the door behind her. “About Zhang Xinhua—I’ll have my mom talk to Aunt Cheng.”

 

“Don’t.”

 

She froze.

 

Was he… worried about her?

 

If she explained it herself, Cheng Ling would ask endless questions, then feel disappointed, then worry again.

 

If Z hadn’t been Zhou Yang—if it really were Zhang Xinhua—then she’d just been another backup.

 

He understood?

 

“Hmm?”

 

She nodded. “Okay. Aunt Su Qian saying it would be better.”

 

“Go in. I’ll watch.”

 

He took her keys from her bag, unlocked the door, and handed them back.

 

She went inside.

 

Zhou Yang wanted to say something—or greet Cheng Ling—but Su Hao closed the door with a bang, leaving him outside.

 

Zhou Yang: “……”

 

Inside, Cheng Ling was watering the plants on the balcony. Last night’s roses had wilted a little. She trimmed the dead leaves—another day or two and they’d still survive.

 

When Su Hao came in, Cheng Ling set down the watering can.

 

“Back?”

 

“Mhm.”

 

Su Hao poured a glass of water, pulled up her collar, and said, “I’m going to shower.”

 

“Okay. Oh—Zhang Xinhua—”

 

“I ran into him on the stairs. We chatted a bit.”

 

“Did he say anything?”

 

“No.”

 

Her tone was calm as she took her pajamas and went into the bathroom.

 

Once the door closed, she checked her collar.

 

It was covered in marks.

 

Completely shameless.

 

She had to apply concealer—and even then, her pajama neckline barely covered it.

 

Cheng Ling placed the wilted rose petals on the coffee table. Her phone rang—it was Su Qian.

 

She smiled as she picked it up.

 

Then froze.

 

Su Qian: Ling, not asleep yet, right? It’s still early.
Su Qian: I wanted to say—I don’t think Zhang Xinhua is steady enough. Not very suitable for Su Hao.

 

Cheng Ling: Then what should we do?
Cheng Ling: They seemed to be getting along well these past few days.

 

Su Qian: Yeah, it’s a pity. But don’t worry—I still have plenty of candidates. A girl like Su Hao will never lack admirers.

 

Cheng Ling: Thank you so much.
Cheng Ling: I really worry myself sick over her. But lately—

 

Su Qian: Someone’s been pursuing her lately, right?

 

Cheng Ling: Yes—you know about that too?

 

Su Qian: Of course. Don’t soften too quickly. That man needs more evaluation.

 

Cheng Ling: Okay.

 

When Su Hao came out of the bathroom, Cheng Ling told her about it.

 

She thought Zhou Yang acted fast—cutting off rivals with thunderous efficiency.

 

After a bit of reassurance, Cheng Ling let it go. Instead, she asked about the man who’d sent the roses, mentioning that Su Qian wanted more “evaluation.”

 

Su Hao had planned to praise Zhou Yang—

 

but suddenly held back a laugh.

 

“Mm. I’m still evaluating.”

 

After a pause, she added, “He’s actually pretty good.”

 

“Really?”

 

She nodded. “Yeah.”

 

She checked the time and urged Cheng Ling to sleep. After making sure her mother was settled, Su Hao turned off the main light, leaving only the wall lamp, and went to bed.

 

In the dim light, her phone lit up.

 

Zhou Yang: Lying down?

 

Su Hao: Mm.

 

Zhou Yang: My mom messaged Aunt Cheng?

 

Su Hao: She did.

 

Zhou Yang: Good. What do you want to eat tomorrow?

 

Su Hao: Let’s talk about it tomorrow. Today’s not over yet.

 

Zhou Yang: Tsk.

 

Su Hao: How did I not realize it was you before?

 

Zhou Yang: You’re dumb.

 

Su Hao: You’re sly.

 

They traded insults lightly, then said good night.

 

Su Hao put down her phone and fell asleep.

 

---

 

At Yiwan Shanshui.

 

Zhou Yang, dressed in black pajamas, leaned against the desk, staring at her good night message for a long time.

 

He rubbed his phone, hesitated, then found Su Qian’s number.

 

He called.

 

She answered quickly—still watching a drama, the TV audible in the background.

 

“Son, calling so late—what’s up?”

 

He rubbed the corner of his mouth and coughed. “Did you… mention me to Aunt Cheng tonight?”

 

Maybe drop a hint. Say something nice.

 

Su Qian replied coldly, “No.”

 

Zhou Yang: “……”