Chapter 126: The Battle with President Gao Over Matters of Marriage

That evening, nobody knew what Zhou Lichuan had said to Gao Chenggong. The typically refined and witty CEO Gao suddenly appeared at Tingshan Villa.

Jiang Zao was in the heated pavilion in the front yard, playing Chinese checkers with Zhou Lichuan under the ambient garden lights. She watched as Gao Chenggong exited his car and marched straight toward the main house, stifling a laugh.

It wasn't until a visibly frustrated Gao burst out of the main house and strode directly to their table that he sat down in a nearby chair, puffing with indignation without even offering a greeting.

"CEO Zhou, I am a few years your senior, and we have always had a good relationship. Miss Jiang—no, Madam—I consider myself half a mentor to you. You two just up and got married? One of you is the head of a massive conglomerate, and the other is a talented individual who has studied for years; how could you both be so reckless and act only on your own whims?"

Zhou Lichuan’s checker piece landed precisely in Jiang Zao’s territory, showing no mercy. Without looking up, he replied, "What else could we do? Zaozao is due to give birth in a few months. If we followed the traditional process, the baby’s first-birthday celebration might happen before the wedding. Why not just seize the day? It’s perfect."

Gao Chenggong was so angry he slapped his thigh. "Is that the same thing? Do you really think you’re just an ordinary citizen who can get married on a whim? You are Zhou Lichuan, my boss! How can you treat your marriage like such a joke?"

Jiang Zao pretended to cover her nose and mouth, looking as if she had suffered a great grievance. "So, all the appreciation CEO Gao usually shows me is a lie. You actually look down on me this much? If that’s the case, why come here? You should go to the ancestral home and join the elders in scolding me."

"..." Gao Chenggong wanted to curse, but he held it back, though he was reaching his limit.

Seeing the green tint creeping onto Gao’s face, Jiang Zao finally dropped the playful act. "Alright, Manager Gao, it’s too late for a prenuptial agreement. If you feel it’s necessary, prepare one for after the wedding instead. I have no objections."

Zhou Lichuan put down his checker piece and said loudly, "I have objections. I just married my wife; why would we sign an agreement? What kind of agreement? Don't bring the frustrations of your arguments with your wife at home over here. You just can't stand seeing others living in peace, can you?"

Gao Chenggong’s years of composure nearly shattered. "Fine. Then don’t ask me to handle the public relations. Let the media handle their own explanations, and find someone else to watch the stock market trends. I’m done."

Jiang Zao raised an eyebrow and smiled, thinking that Zhou Lichuan was ultimately the one on the losing end.

The Zhou Group was currently undergoing a major personnel purge. A significant number of people who had caused trouble alongside Zhou Kuan or had fished in troubled waters during the power struggle had been cleared out.

Aside from a financial assistant who had been with him for years, the only trustworthy and capable people left in Zhou Lichuan’s circle were Du Bin and this CEO Gao standing before them. If Gao Chenggong really walked away now, Zhou Lichuan, as the boss, would suffer the greatest loss.

Zhou Lichuan simply picked up the checker piece he had tossed aside and toyed with it in his hand. His eyes remained fixed on the board as he said to Jiang Zao, "Didn't you ask for a 20% raise before? It's approved."

"...You young people have no sense of decorum! Play your game! I’m going back to work overtime on the contingency plan!"

Jiang Zao laughed out loud. "No need to be so rushed. You’ve been working too hard, CEO Gao; you should take a proper break."

Gao Chenggong, who had already stood up, sat back down upon hearing Jiang Zao’s words. "Madam, CEO Zhou is being reckless. You should keep him in check in the future. You are kind-hearted and wouldn't harm him, but what if it were someone else? This is essentially handing over a hundred years of the Zhou family's legacy to others!"

Jiang Zao couldn't help but chuckle. "What? Does Zhou Lichuan have someone else on the side? Is marriage like a performance where he needs to do it once and then switch partners?"

"I don't! I wouldn't!"

Before Gao Chenggong could even speak, Zhou Lichuan was already shaking his head like a bobblehead.

Gao Chenggong was left speechless. He didn't even want to offer a rebuttal. All his dry-mouthed arguments had just been treated as a bit of romantic banter between the two of them. He felt his head buzzing.

Seeing this, Jiang Zao finally dropped her playful demeanor and said earnestly, "You are right, the marriage was a bit impulsive. On reflection, we shouldn't have done it without any warning, causing you extra worry and trouble in your work. Thank you for your hard work, CEO Gao. It’s rare for people to act without considering the consequences, but there are no hidden agendas between Zhou Lichuan and me. We are both civilized, upright people. Please don't be so troubled, CEO Gao; getting angry is bad for your health."

Seeing that Jiang Zao was finally speaking sincerely, the look of disbelief on Gao Chenggong’s face gradually faded.

Jiang Zao continued, "We will handle the communication with the Zhou family elders ourselves. We will announce it to the outside world when the timing is right, so there is no need to worry. Lichuan told you about the marriage today just to give you a heads-up. Not many people know yet, so please act as if you are unaware to avoid any unnecessary trouble."

Gao Chenggong thought it over carefully. In the end, the marriage was a private matter for the Zhou family. Especially given Jiang Zao’s background, it wouldn't cause a major shift in the company’s operations. As long as the elders didn't mind, there was no reason for employees like him to make a fuss.

"I understand, Madam. I will head back now. Please call me if you need anything."

Gao Chenggong stood up and left. Jiang Zao stared at his retreating back for a while, and it wasn't until Zhou Lichuan’s piece clicked against the board that her wandering thoughts returned.

"I'm done. I can't beat you."

It was rare for Jiang Zao to voluntarily admit defeat, which surprised Zhou Lichuan.

"Don't like it? Don't find it fun?"

Jiang Zao shrugged. "I'm not good at this. Board games, even mahjong—I’m not very good at any of them."

Zhou Lichuan put down his pieces and smiled. "Then let's stop. I have tomorrow off. How about I take you out to relax?"

Jiang Zao hugged her belly and thought for a long time. "I want bubble tea. I want it right now."

Zhou Lichuan checked the time. Delivery to Tingshan Villa would take at least an hour. He put down his phone, looking a bit hesitant. "Zaozao, I saw tutorials online for roasting milk tea in an air fryer. Would you like me to make that for you?"

Jiang Zao smacked her lips, deciding to let him off the hook on their first day of marriage. "Fine."

Zhou Lichuan pulled her up and headed straight for the kitchen.

The cook on duty was sitting there knitting. When she saw the two of them walking in hand-in-hand, she was startled and quickly stood up to greet them.

"Sir, Madam. If you have any requests, you can arrange them via the internal line. What would you like?"

Shen Xiaonan had instructed them on the change in titles when he was rearranging the household staff. Having lived here for a while, Jiang Zao had gradually grown accustomed to it.

"It's alright. The Master suddenly took an interest in cooking himself. You go about your business; don't worry about us."