Sixty-One

 “I will too...” Before she could finish the sentence, Su Hao took back her phone. She gave Zhou Yang a warning look. Zhou Yang, sitting sideways and holding the steering wheel, squinted at Su Hao and her phone.

On the other end, Tang Rui became quiet, his breathing a bit heavy as if he was holding back something. Su Hao felt a complex mix of emotions. She couldn’t clearly remember what Tang Rui looked like when they first got married. She only knew that they rarely made eye contact, and their thoughts were elsewhere.

After the marriage, it was indeed a success in driving away bad luck. Su Hao felt like she finally exhaled a sigh of relief.

She looked at the swaying branches outside the window and thought to herself that these men are always like this—taking things for granted when they have them, and crying only after they’ve lost them.

It’s truly quite pathetic.

She tightened her grip on the phone and said, “Tang Rui, don’t talk about waiting a lifetime. Your life is just beginning. You should focus on handling the future well.”

“Tang Rui, Tang Rui.” On the other end, Tang Rui’s voice was hoarse and trembling.

Su Hao said softly, “Rest early and don’t overwork yourself.”

Her tone was gentle but firm.

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

Su Hao didn’t wait for him to speak again and ended the call. She looked over at Zhou Yang, who was narrowing his eyes, his long eyes fixed on her and the phone in her hand. The look she had just now was the same as when she had told him to leave before. Su Hao might not have the fiery temper of Meng Ying, but her gentleness was like a sharp knife.

Though her eyes were gentle, they had a cold gleam that made him feel chilly.

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

After saying that, he straightened up and took the steering wheel, thinking to himself that Tang Rui’s life would be spared for now. Hmph.

As the car left the hospital and made a turn towards a scenic area, Su Hao realized they were going the wrong way and tapped Zhou Yang’s arm with her phone. “I’m going back to Huahui Community.”

“Oh, you’re going to Huahui Community?” Zhou Yang raised his eyebrows and smiled, trying to mislead her.

Su Hao said, “I know the way. My mom is at home. Zhou Yang, turn the car around.”

Zhou Yang cursed inwardly. The car turned around and headed towards Huahui Community. At this time, it was really lively here, with late-night food stalls open. When the Bentley arrived at the entrance, it parked in a spot outside the supermarket. Cheng Ling happened to send a message, and Su Hao glanced at it, preparing to reply.

Zhou Yang took her hand, and Su Hao looked up. He placed her phone in front of her, leaned in, and pressed his thin lips to her ear. “Your ex-husband ruined our date tonight. How do you plan to make it up to me?”

Su Hao tilted her head slightly, his thin lips brushing against her cheek as he kissed her gently. Su Hao reached out and touched his well-defined face. “Why are you so impatient? Hmm?”

Zhou Yang chuckled softly. “I’m not in a hurry. I’m very patient.”

He then nipped at her earlobe.

Su Hao lowered her head obediently, the car filled with an ambiguous atmosphere and a bit of teasing contact. Honestly, Zhou Yang was quite skilled.

Su Hao’s cheeks flushed red.

The kiss mark on her neck became even more pronounced. Zhou Yang’s thin lips traced over it and he said, “Your skin is very prone to leaving marks.”

Su Hao replied, “Hmm.”

“Then I should be more careful?”

Su Hao asked, “When have you ever been careful?”

Zhou Yang chuckled.

The phone rang, it was Cheng Ling calling, probably because she hadn’t received a reply from Su Hao. Zhou Yang held the phone, glanced at it, and then answered the call.

Holding the phone to Su Hao’s ear, he maintained his position, gently kissing her. Cheng Ling’s voice came through, “Haohao, are you back?”

“Mom, I’m almost there.”

“That’s good. By the way, I saw Zhang Xinhua. He’s upstairs handling some matters. Haohao, you might run into him when you get back.”

“Ah—” Su Hao was bitten hard on the ear, the sudden pain made her swallow her words. She covered her mouth and looked at Zhou Yang.

Zhou Yang stared coldly at her phone.

One night, two men!!

Two!!

Two troublemakers!!

Su Hao turned her head and said, “Mom, I’ll call you back when I arrive.”

After saying that, she hung up the phone.

Zhou Yang straightened up, took out the black phone, and dialed Zhang Xinhua’s number. It was quickly answered, and Zhang Xinhua’s voice came through, “Brother.”

“You’re at Huahui?”

“Yes.”

“Get out immediately.”

Zhang Xinhua was stunned for a moment and then reacted, “Okay! I’m leaving right away.”

Zhou Yang hung up the phone and tossed it aside, looking at Su Hao.

Su Hao adjusted her collar and straightened her hair, saying, “I’m getting out of the car now.”

Zhou Yang held his frustration inside, feeling conflicted about whether to stay or leave. He couldn’t lose his temper yet, so he responded stiffly, and then opened the car door.

Watching her walk around the front of the car, he took her hand and led her towards the stairs. After a few steps, they heard footsteps coming from the stairs. Zhang Xinhua, wearing a cap, came down and happened to bump into them. Under Zhou Yang’s icy gaze, Zhang Xinhua lowered his hat and didn’t dare look at Su Hao.

He quickly slipped away.

Everyone knew that the young master of the Zhou family in Licheng had knelt down for a beautiful woman the previous night, an unprecedented and shocking news.

Moreover, this woman, though beautiful, wasn’t the type Zhou Yang used to like. What was even more shocking was that she wasn’t a wealthy heiress or a powerful woman.

Yet, she received a kneel from the young master.

Who knows what other means she has?

How spoiled will she become?

Su Hao became famous overnight in the Licheng elite circle.

At the door, Zhou Yang pressed Su Hao against it. He didn’t kiss her but looked down at her, saying, “Living here isn’t ideal. Let’s get you a new place.”

She needed to stay away from Zhang Xinhua.

Su Hao said, “I think it’s fine here. I’m considering moving, but I don’t need your help.”

The community where she worked was quite nice, with access control and stricter management. It was a new community, though the rent might be slightly higher.

She would move once she started earning commissions.

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

“You are, but you’re not my father.”

Zhou Yang was taken aback, then after a second, he laughed softly. “I’m your husband.”

He had never been so clingy before.

Who would have thought that calling each other husband and wife would be so sweet?

Su Hao said, “We haven’t received the marriage certificate yet, so stop comforting yourself.”

Zhou Yang was speechless.

Damn.

He tilted his head and then blocked her lips with his, thinking that her mouth was too talkative and needed to be shut. Su Hao didn’t struggle, knowing that it was inevitable.

She just had to be careful not to make too much noise, which could alert Cheng Ling. If Cheng Ling opened the door, it would be troublesome.

After the kiss.

Su Hao pushed him away.

Zhou Yang glanced at the door behind him and said, “Regarding Zhang Xinhua, I’ll have my mom talk to Aunt Cheng.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Su Hao was surprised.

Was this man concerned about her?

If Su Hao told Cheng Ling herself, Cheng Ling would definitely ask a lot of questions, leading to disappointment, suspicion, and concern.

If it weren’t Zhou Yang but Zhang Xinhua, it would mean she was just another sidekick.

Does he understand?

“Hmm?”

Su Hao nodded. “Okay, it’s better if Aunt Cheng says it.”

“Hmm, you go inside. I’ll keep watch.” Zhou Yang fished out the keys from her bag, clicked them open, and then opened the door. Su Hao took the keys and walked in.

Zhou Yang wanted to say something else or at least greet Cheng Ling, but Su Hao shut the door with a bang, trapping him outside.

Zhou Yang: “”

Cheng Ling was on the balcony watering the plants. The roses from last night had wilted a bit, so she plucked the wilted leaves and thought that with a little care for another day or two, they would be fine. When Su Hao entered, Cheng Ling put down the watering can and came out. “You’re back?”

Su Hao responded with an "mm" and poured herself a glass of water. She straightened her collar and said, “I’m going to take a shower now.”

“Okay, go ahead. Oh, by the way, Zhang Xinhua,” Cheng Ling suddenly remembered.

Su Hao said, “I ran into him on the stairs and chatted for a bit.”

“What did he say?”

“Nothing.”

Su Hao’s tone was neutral as she took her pajamas and went into the bathroom. Once the door was closed, she checked her collar and saw it was covered in kiss marks. This was excessive.

To prevent Cheng Ling from noticing, she had to apply concealer, though it wouldn’t fully cover the marks since the collar of her pajamas was small.

Cheng Ling placed the wilted rose petals on the coffee table. At this moment, her phone rang with a message from Su Qian. Cheng Ling smiled as she picked it up.

She looked at it.

Her expression froze.

“Cheng Ling, have you gone to bed yet? You probably haven’t, it’s not that late.”

Su Qian had something to say: “I feel Zhang Xinhua is not steady enough and doesn’t suit Su Hao.”

What should Cheng Ling do about that?

Cheng Ling seemed to have been chatting well with Zhang Xinhua a few days ago.

Su Qian said, “It’s a pity, but don’t worry. There are plenty of other good choices. Su Hao is such a good girl; many people like her.”

Cheng Ling said, “Thank you for your hard work.”

Su Qian replied, “I really worry about her. But recently…”

Su Qian continued, “Is someone pursuing Su Hao recently?”

Cheng Ling replied, “Yes, do you know?”

Su Qian said, “Of course I know. You shouldn’t soften your heart too quickly. That person needs to be evaluated more.”

Cheng Ling said, “Okay.”

When Su Hao came out of the bathroom, she heard Cheng Ling talking about this. She thought Zhou Yang was quick in his actions, using decisive measures to remove competitors.

Cheng Ling was comforted by Su Qian’s words and didn’t dwell on the matter. Instead, she asked Su Hao about the person who sent the roses and mentioned Su Qian’s advice to evaluate him further.

Su Hao had initially thought to say some good things about Zhou Yang.

Suddenly, she couldn’t help but laugh and said, “Well, I’m still evaluating.”

After thinking for a moment, she added, “Actually, he’s quite nice.”

“Is he? That’s good?”

Su Hao nodded, “Mm.”

She checked the time and told Cheng Ling to go to bed. Cheng Ling agreed, got up to wash her hands, and after seeing Cheng Ling settle down, Su Hao turned off the main light, left the small wall lamp on, and went back to her room to lie down and sleep.

In the dim light.

Her phone lit up, and Su Hao reached for it and unlocked it.

Zhou Yang had texted her?

Su Hao replied, “Mm.”

Zhou Yang asked, “Did my mom send a message to Aunt Cheng?”

Su Hao confirmed, “Yes.”

Zhou Yang said, “Good. What do you want to eat tomorrow?”

Su Hao replied, “Let’s talk about it tomorrow. Today isn’t over yet.”

Zhou Yang clicked his tongue.

Su Hao said, “How come I didn’t realize it was you before?”

Zhou Yang replied, “You’re dumb.”

Su Hao said, “You’re sly.”

After a bit of mutual teasing, they wished each other goodnight. Su Hao put her phone away and turned over to sleep.

In the scenic area.

Zhou Yang, in black pajamas, leaned against the desk, looking at her goodnight message. After a while, he hesitated, then found Su Qian’s number and dialed it.

The call was answered quickly. Su Qian, who was still awake and watching a drama, greeted him with the sound of TV in the background. She said, “Son, why are you calling so late? Is something the matter?”

Zhou Yang rubbed his lips, cleared his throat, and asked, “Did you mention me to Aunt Cheng tonight?”

For instance, passing on some information to Cheng Ling or saying a few good words.

Su Qian coldly replied, “No.”

Zhou Yang: ""

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