Chapter 5 Playing a Role

The two of them sat down at a nearby café and casually ordered two cups of coffee.

The slap from earlier had been heavy-handed; in just an instant, Jiang Zao’s cheek was already swollen high and red.

Jiang Jingyuan sat there with an air of superiority, as if nothing had happened. “Zhou Lichuan is quite fond of you, isn’t he?”

Jiang Zao stared blankly at the latte with milk before her. “Don’t you already know whether he likes me or not?”

Jiang Jingyuan’s tone was tinged with anger. “Is this how you speak to your father?”

She looked up at him. “You’re in the company, but these past few days you must have been riddled with rumors and gossip. Who told you, Jiang Jingyuan, that you’re so capable—raising such a fine daughter? Maybe, before long, you’ll get a promotion and a raise, and then you’ll be even more pleased with yourself.”

Jiang Jingyuan let out a cold laugh, so furious he could only mock her: “Well, well, you’ve grown wings, haven’t you? Don’t think that spending a few days by Zhou Lichuan’s side has turned you into some sort of phoenix. He’s only interested in me. Without me, do you think you’d be where you are today? He wouldn’t even bother to look at you.”

Jiang Zao cast him a sidelong glance, then dropped her gaze once more to the latte before her.

Seeing her accept everything in silence, Jiang Jingyuan, unable to shake her, had no choice but to rein in his temper and speak with outrageous arrogance.

“I’ve heard Zhou Lichuan depends on you for everything now—his eating, drinking, his daily life. Take advantage of a moment when he’s not paying attention, sneak into his study, and fetch something for me. Once you have it, find a way to bring it to me.”

He pulled out a photo on his phone: a very fine, dark green box—tall and slender, not much like a jewelry case, more like a seal case.

She remembered seeing similar boxes used by students from the calligraphy department back in school.

Jiang Zao’s brow furrowed. Stealing a seal was a crime.

When she raised her eyes again, Jiang Jingyuan’s gaze was filled with greedy, predatory light.

“Dad, have you ever thought that, if this comes out, it won’t be just me going to prison?”

He grew impatient. “My affairs are none of your concern. Don’t you want your mother’s apartment? If you’re willing to do anything for that place, what’s a little jail time? Don’t worry—if I pull this off, not only will you avoid prison, but I’ll make sure you get that apartment too. It’s just an old building in the county town; I won’t be stingy.”

Jiang Zao turned her gaze away.

Looking at him now, she felt nothing but disgust.

Suddenly, her phone began to play the theme to “Black Cat Detective.”

She answered, and Zhou Lichuan’s voice came through, cold and sharp: “I told you to buy perfume—what’s taking so long?”

Jiang Zao shrank back, answering cautiously, “I… I ran into my father, we talked in a café.”

His icy tone was so clear that even Jiang Jingyuan across the table could hear: “What, his son couldn’t kill me in the street, so now he’s sending his daughter to finish the job?”

Jiang Jingyuan, guilty, took a gulp of his coffee.

Jiang Zao took in her father’s expression, then lowered her head and answered softly, “I’ll go back right now… I’ll be there soon.”

The line went dead. Jiang Jingyuan finally set down his cup. “Remember what I told you—if you get a chance, call me.”

Jiang Zao gave a noncommittal response, cast one last glance at the untouched latte before her, and left the shop.

She was lactose intolerant and had never been able to drink milk since childhood; all dairy, cheese included, was off limits.

Twenty-three years. Not once—not for a single day, not for a single thing—had Jiang Jingyuan truly cared for her.

…

Back at the villa, Lin Rui suddenly appeared, blocking her in the doorway.

“Where have you been? It’s nearly dinnertime.”

Jiang Zao kept her head down, her loose hair hiding the redness and swelling on her cheek. She answered honestly, “I ran into my father and we talked for a bit.”

Lin Rui looked her up and down. Seeing her clothes neat and her hair in order, he decided she wasn’t lying. He reached out, brushed aside a lock of her hair, and saw the fresh, pale red handprint on her fair face.

“You and your father seem to get along well.”

“That’s none of your concern.”

Lin Rui and Jiang Jingyuan were two of a kind—using Jiang Jingyuan to provoke her, what a malicious trick.

He asked, “Where’s the watch I gave you the other day?”

Guessing he might ask, Zhou Lichuan had already told Jiang Zao what to say.

She replied, “It bothered the young master. He said he didn’t want me wearing things given by other men.”

Lin Rui snorted, lifted his chin, and sneered, “The young master is waiting for you upstairs. Go change and hurry up.”

As he turned to leave, Jiang Zao quickly called after him, “Where are you going…? In case the young master wants you, I want to know where to find you…”

Lin Rui didn’t say where he was headed, only replied, “I’ll be back after dinner.”

Jiang Zao hurried to her room, changed out of her outdoor clothes, put on a set of soft, clean loungewear, and dashed up to Zhou Lichuan’s room.

She pushed open the door to find Zhou Lichuan lying on the sofa, his eyes still covered with a black silk scarf.

She didn’t know if he was asleep, so she walked over quietly and tapped his shoulder.

“I’m not asleep.”

His sudden voice startled her. After a moment, she said, “Lin Rui just went out. He didn’t say where.”

She was about to explain what had happened today when Zhou Lichuan’s movement stopped her.

He raised his left hand, letting a fine men’s wristwatch dangle from his fingers.

Jiang Zao instantly remembered the watch Lin Rui had just mentioned, and a chill ran down her spine.

This room was bugged.

Lying there, Zhou Lichuan asked, “What did you and your father talk about?”

Jiang Zao considered, then replied, “He… taught me a lesson. Told me to stay by your side and take good care of you.”

“Nothing else?”

“Nothing.”

He extended his hand towards her. “Help me up. I need the bathroom.”

She supported the much taller man to the bathroom door, but just as they reached it, he pulled her hard, and she fell against his chest.

With a soft click, the bathroom door locked behind them.

“He hit you, didn’t he?”

Still unsteady in his arms, she nodded out of habit, then realized he couldn’t see and replied softly, “Yes.”

His hand gently reached up, feeling her cheek. The warmth from the blow hadn’t faded yet. With a light touch, he could tell how much force had been used.

“Did he make things difficult for you?”

Jiang Zao gave a bitter laugh, leaning back against the sink. “How could he not? But don’t worry, I’m used to it. In his eyes, I’ve always been nothing but greedy, selfish, ruthless, and vicious.”

Her voice was subdued. Zhou Lichuan quickly changed the subject. “Did you remember the driver I assigned to you today? He works for me. From now on, if you need to go out, call him—it’s safer.”

Jiang Zao came back to herself, recalling what Jiang Jingyuan had asked her to do. “Oh, right. Jiang Jingyuan wants me to steal a seal from your study—a dark green box.”

Zhou Lichuan folded his arms and pondered for a long while.

Time was ticking. If she didn’t leave soon, those listening on the other end of the bug might get suspicious.

She was about to open the door when Zhou Lichuan caught her by the hem of her clothes. “I know what they’re after now. Tonight, you’ll stay in my room. Let’s put on a little show…”