Chapter 133: Arranged Childhood Engagement

Zhou Jiayan gave a mischievous grin. "Hehe, it's all over now, though I still need to head back to campus for graduation formalities. I'll be flying out in a day or two and will probably be back in about half a month. I have to deal with my apartment, my car, and the luggage I can't bring back—there’s so much to do. I’ll probably be too busy to even make a phone call, so make sure you miss me!"

Jiang Zao asked, "Why not have Du Bin take his annual leave and go with you? That way, you won't be bored on the road, and you'll have someone to help you out there."

Zhou Jiayan snorted. "If I wait for him to take his annual leave, I’ll never graduate. Anyway, don't worry about that. My brother should be back soon, right? I feel like it’s been forever since I’ve seen you, and even longer since I’ve seen him."

The person who arrived before Zhou Lichuan was Meng Qiaoyuan.

For once, she wasn't working overtime, and she drove all the way to Tingshan to visit Jiang Zao. The first thing Jiang Zao asked when she saw her wasn't about her health or her work, but about Shen Mushi.

Meng Qiaoyuan sighed in frustration. "What does how Shen Mushi is doing have to do with me? He’s still paying off the debt of time he took off earlier, and he’s been buried in back-to-back surgeries lately. He barely has time to breathe, let alone ask about my situation. He probably doesn't even know you’re married."

Jiang Zao knew Shen Mushi was busy, but she hadn't realized it was to this extent. Being a doctor was truly grueling.

"By the way, since both of you are here, there’s someone I want to ask you about."

Meng Qiaoyuan, while snacking on some of Jiang Zao's treats, asked, "Who is it that you have to ask us about?"

"Li Shu'an."

"..."

"..."

The simultaneous silence from the two women made Jiang Zao feel a bit nervous. "Is she that difficult to deal with? Why the expressions?"

Zhou Jiayan scratched her head. "Sister-in-law, I’m not trying to stir up trouble, but it’s best if you ask my brother about Li Shu'an personally. As his sister, it’s not really my place to gossip about him."

Jiang Zao looked at Meng Qiaoyuan, who could only offer an awkward smile.

"I don't know much either, but I do know that Li Shu'an is a true socialite who moves very easily in those circles. Renowned figures from all walks of life love to invite her. It seems she’s been investing in the entertainment industry over the past few years, and she’s quite powerful and capable."

Jiang Zao said, "She introduced herself to me as a screenwriter."

Meng Qiaoyuan nodded. "Yes, she switched to screenwriting after college. She’s not much older than me, and I heard plenty about her when I was in grad school. Apparently, she’s quite good; the big hit costume fantasy drama from a few years ago was adapted by her. She has quite a bit of influence."

"Then what is her relationship with Zhou Lichuan? Can't you say, or do you not know?"

Jiang Zao’s points were always so direct that they caught everyone off guard.

"Uh... that’s definitely something for Mr. Zhou to explain himself. He probably didn't mention it to you because he forgot or deemed it unimportant. But don't worry, Zaozao, Zhou Lichuan’s character is impeccable. Even Shen Mushi said that you’re the only woman he’s ever been with, so you don't need to overthink it."

Jiang Zao sprawled out on the sofa, looking quite unbothered. "Now that you say that, I’m even more curious. Are you trying to stop me from overthinking, or are you hoping I’ll overthink it more? Trying to goad me into a fight with Zhou Lichuan to get revenge for your second brother?"

Meng Qiaoyuan tossed a pistachio shell at Jiang Zao’s head, sounding slightly annoyed. "What are you talking about? You’re so ungrateful! Does Zhou Lichuan still send you gifts often? There’s a bag I’ve been wanting."

Zhou Jiayan put down her phone. "Me too! It’s my turn now—there’s a limited-edition necklace I want."

Jiang Zao was puzzled. "Why are there things that even the two of you can't buy? If even you two have to struggle to get them, are these items really that sought after?"

Zhou Jiayan put her arm down and said, "It’s just a hunger marketing tactic used by capitalists. It’s quite an ugly way to do business."

Jiang Zao was even more confused. "Then why must you buy them? I know the bags Qiaoyuan carries are always Hermès, but surely they aren't that hard to get?"

Meng Qiaoyuan gathered her thoughts and said, "Luxury goods are, to a certain extent, a principle of access; they serve as tickets to many social occasions. For business management and gift-giving, these hard-to-find, high-demand luxury items become excellent tools. That bag you transferred to me last time? My eldest sister used it as a stepping stone to get her nephew into an equestrian class. It worked wonders."

Zhou Jiayan chimed in, "Yeah, exactly! Even though I don't have a formal use for them yet, these things ignore exchange rates and can be exchanged for cash anywhere. When you think about it like that, isn't it quite practical?"

Jiang Zao thought for a moment and laughed. "Hmm, you both have a point."

That evening, when Zhou Lichuan returned home and saw Meng Qiaoyuan and Zhou Jiayan there, he saw them chatting happily and sat to one side to peel nuts for Jiang Zao.

Jiang Zao took the kernels from his palm without ceremony, continuing her conversation with the other two.

Zhou Jiayan was so anxious she was practically boiling over; she kept shooting intense looks at Zhou Lichuan, signaling him to check the message she’d sent him on his phone.

But Zhou Lichuan acted as if he were oblivious. Once he saw Jiang Zao, he couldn't take his eyes off her, staring at her intently and completely missing Zhou Jiayan’s silent pleas.

After a long while, Zhou Jiayan and Meng Qiaoyuan left Tingshan one after the other. Zhou Lichuan helped Jiang Zao see them off and returned to the house, clinging to her and refusing to let go.

Before bed, Jiang Zao sat on the bed, staring blankly at her toes. After washing up, Zhou Lichuan climbed onto the bed and cradled her fair, delicate feet in his lap. "What's wrong? What are you looking at?"

Jiang Zao looked up at him. "My toenails are too long. Help me trim them."

Zhou Lichuan looked down; they were indeed a bit long. Jiang Zao found it difficult to bend over, and she didn't even wear shoes with laces anymore, let alone trim her own toenails.

Zhou Lichuan quickly got up, went to the nightstand, and pulled out a nail clipper set. Before he started, he grabbed two pillows from the sofa—one for Jiang Zao to support her lower back and one to place under her knees to make it easier for her.

*Click.*

As he cut the first nail, Jiang Zao began her interrogation for the night.

"I want to ask you about someone."

"Hmm?" Zhou Lichuan had no idea what was coming, his eyes entirely focused on Jiang Zao’s delicate feet.

"Li Shu'an. What is your history with her?"

Zhou Lichuan didn't react immediately. He looked up at Jiang Zao, then back down at her nails.

"You’ve already figured it out, haven't you? She likes me and was secretly goading Zhao Luyi to go to Changzhou to give you trouble."

Jiang Zao shook her head. "No, that’s not it. If it were just as simple as her liking you, Zhou Jiayan and Meng Qiaoyuan wouldn't have been so cryptic, telling me to ask you personally. Confess everything, and tell me in detail."

Zhou Lichuan stopped what he was doing, thought carefully for a moment, and said, "Oh, I think I know why they wouldn't tell you. Li Shu'an used to come to my house often when we were children, and our families had arranged a childhood betrothal for us."