Chapter 36: The Plan to Tame the Young Lady (Part Two)

Shen Mushi and Meng Qiaoyuan did not exchange a single word in the elevator.
Shen Mushi didn’t know what to say to her, and Meng Qiaoyuan had no desire to speak to him at all.
Once they reached the parking lot, Meng Qiaoyuan couldn’t wait to distance herself from the man beside her.
Every time she saw him, it stirred a deep discomfort within her.
“Why do you always avoid me?”
Shen Mushi had never been treated this way by a woman before.
He was the campus heartthrob, always the focus of any crowd since he was young, and had never been so unwelcome.
Meng Qiaoyuan stopped in her tracks and turned to look at him. “Is it against the law for me to avoid you?”
Shen Mushi was rendered speechless by her retort. Seeing that Meng Qiaoyuan was about to walk away, he hurriedly reached out and grabbed her arm.
“That Lin Rui is no good. He’s always been ruthless and extreme since he was a child. You should be careful whenever you deal with him.”
Meng Qiaoyuan instinctively pulled her arm free from Shen Mushi’s grasp. “It has nothing to do with you.”
Shen Mushi’s irritation flared. He strode forward and blocked her path. “I’m serious. He preys on everyone, regardless of gender—he’s the very definition of a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I’ve been helping my uncle investigate him, and I’ve found out he’s keeping things from my brother... Anyway, you need to be careful. If you’re in danger, ask for help. You can call me.”
Meng Qiaoyuan looked down at the ground, her voice muffled. “Dr. Shen, we hardly know each other. There’s no need for you to be so anxious. My affairs don’t concern you. I know what I’m doing.”
Watching her work so hard to keep her distance, Shen Mushi felt a suffocating frustration. Why couldn’t she just listen? He’d said so much, and she simply acted as if she’d heard nothing.
She was so rigid and old-fashioned, running from men as if they were germs, dodging even the slightest closeness. And yet she didn’t seem to know how to protect herself.
Those rimless glasses lent her an air of asceticism, and her long, straight black hair made her look pure and easy to deceive. She ventured into the wolf’s den every day, yet didn’t she realize she was the ripest prey of all?
Meng Qiaoyuan stepped into her car, heels clicking, and with a single push of the accelerator, left Shen Mushi behind in her exhaust.
She drove for a long time before pulling over, rubbing her arm where he had grabbed her, as if she could scrub away the strange sensation that lingered in her memory.
Shen Mushi really was a harbinger of misfortune.
Nothing good ever came of meeting him.

Last time at the infirmary was bad enough...
If Director Wang tried to play matchmaker again, she’d file a complaint for dereliction of duty!

After Shen Mushi and Meng Qiaoyuan left, only four people remained in the room.
Zhou Lichuan rested his chin on his hand, deep in thought. He had just remembered that Zhou Kuan once owned a Walkman in his youth, always listening to its recordings with headphones.
That Walkman should be in a corner of the old house’s study. Sending Shen Mushi to fetch it wouldn’t attract suspicion. Perhaps it could offer clues about the past.
Jiang Zao had nearly fallen out with him over a mere possibility.
God knew what kind of storm he’d weathered in his heart when his hand, suspended in midair, couldn’t find Jiang Zao.
He had to have the surgery soon—no more delays.
Jiang Zao dragged Zhou Jiayan out of her room and marched her into the living room.
“Come on, tell me why you refuse to live under the same roof as me.”
The best way to handle a spoiled young lady like Zhou Jiayan was to confront her head-on.
Zhou Jiayan jumped three feet high at the question. “Why should I want to live with you?”
Jiang Zao spread her hands. “You don’t have to want to. I don’t like it either.”
Zhou Jiayan was instantly indignant. “And why don’t you want to live with me?”
Jiang Zao mimicked her tone. “Why should I want to live with you?”
Realizing she’d been led in circles, Zhou Jiayan fumed. “You! You’re so annoying! And this house is tiny! There’s an elevator! There are people living upstairs and downstairs—I can’t sleep at all. My brother’s only putting up with this because you’ve bewitched him; otherwise, when has he ever suffered such indignity?”
Zhou Lichuan, his thoughts scattered by the argument, sighed and put an end to the pointless bickering. “Zhou Jiayan, I’ll have Shen Mushi help you move tomorrow. If you won’t stay, go back to school in Y Country.”
Jiang Zao, noticing Zhou Jiayan’s pout, obediently sat down beside Zhou Lichuan. “Are you hungry? Want some fruit or snacks to tide you over?”
Zhou Lichuan shook his head gently. “I still have things to discuss with Du Bin.”

Du Bin put away his look of amusement and nodded respectfully to Jiang Zao.
Jiang Zao was quick to notice the way Du Bin’s eyes followed Zhou Jiayan. “You’ve been working so hard lately, always working overtime and not coming home. Isn’t your girlfriend anxious waiting for you?”
Du Bin’s hair stood on end. What girlfriend? How could he not know about her?
Zhou Jiayan rushed over at Jiang Zao’s words to demand, “Girlfriend? Whose girlfriend?”
Jiang Zao replied innocently, “When we first moved here, I invited Du Bin to dinner. He said his girlfriend was waiting at home. It’s only been a few months—did you break up?”
Du Bin quickly waved his hands, catching a glimpse of Zhou Lichuan’s barely restrained smile. In an instant, he understood: he was being used as a pawn.
He cleared his throat. “Ahem, my girlfriend... well, she went back to her hometown. To get married. The groom isn’t me.”
Jiang Zao nearly burst out laughing and hurriedly rubbed his nose to hide his smile.
Zhou Jiayan frowned. “How useless can you be? Can’t even keep a woman? If you like her, go after her! Go win her back!”
Du Bin looked at the file in his hands. “I have no money. I can’t afford a car or a house, let alone a bride price. It’s better to keep working and see what the future holds.”
Zhou Jiayan slammed the table. “No money and you’re giving up? Is money really that important?”
Du Bin met her gaze and replied sincerely, “It’s very important.”
Zhou Jiayan was left speechless. Of course she knew that, for people like Du Bin and Jiang Zao, making money mattered immensely.
Jiang Zao smoothly changed the subject. “So your apartment is empty now, isn’t that a waste? Why not move in here with us?”
Zhou Lichuan was relieved to see the conversation finally turning in the right direction. He clasped Jiang Zao’s hand as if reasoning with a stubborn child. “Zao Zao, this place is just over four hundred square meters. We can’t fit so many people.”
Jiang Zao slumped back against the sofa, deflated, but suddenly brightened. “Then let’s move back to the villa! We can switch out the staff, do a thorough sweep to make sure there are no more bugs. It’s much more spacious and comfortable there. Winter’s coming—it’ll be warmer, too.”
Zhou Lichuan, naturally, had no objection. “Whatever you say. We can move anytime.”