Chapter 9

As night fell, the city lights of the metropolis shone like a rainbow, and cruise ships and ferries vied for passage on the river. Vehicles weaved through the streets, and even the air was filled with the scent of opulence and extravagance.

Li Zian stood on the spacious balcony, overlooking the ships on the Huangpu River and the crowded embankment, feeling as if he were in a dream.

This was a large, four-hundred-square-meter apartment in Lujiazui's Gaochen Yipin.

Even the bare apartment would cost eighty to ninety million yuan, let alone the luxurious interior.

Yu Meilin descended the redwood staircase, crossed the living room, and walked toward the balcony. She wore a milky white silk nightgown that was slightly translucent under the light, revealing her beautiful curves.

"Xiao Mei and Grandma are both asleep," Yu Meilin said.

Li Zian turned to look at Yu Meilin, his wife. This was the first time they were alone together, and he felt a bit uncomfortable.

"Do you like this place?" Yu Meilin also came to the balcony.

"It's nice, I like it."

In his heart, he actually preferred the Moonlight Village, with its mountains and water. But apart from the scenery, there was nothing else worth remembering there.

"This house was left to me by my mother. Gao Shengmei has always wanted it. She even mentioned it to my father once, but Grandma stopped her," Yu Meilin said.

Gao Shengmei—this was the second time Li Zian had heard her name. Although he hadn't met her, she had already left him with an impression of being vicious and cruel.

"I brought Grandma here to live with us. Gao Shengmei won't dare to cause trouble, but I'll need you to take care of Grandma and Xiao Mei in the future," Yu Meilin said.

Clearly, she wasn't someone to be underestimated.

Li Zian paused for a moment before saying, "Your grandma is my grandma too. I'll take good care of her, no need to remind me. Xiao Mei is my daughter, so I'll naturally take care of her. I'll give her the best. Also..."

"Also what?" Yu Meilin looked at Li Zian, her eyes as if she were looking at an ordinary acquaintance.

Li Zian felt as if his heart had been pierced by a needle: "I know you don't really consider me your husband, but I still want to say that if you have any difficulties or need my help, please tell me. Let me help you."

Yu Meilin's lips curled into a smile: "What can you help me with?"

Li Zian was stumped. He genuinely wanted to help and share her burdens, but from her tone, she didn't believe in him and didn't think he had the ability.

Was there any point in continuing this conversation?

"Your room is next to the living room. I've prepared some clothes and daily necessities for you. Xiao Mei, Grandma, and I live upstairs. You can't enter my room without my permission," Yu Meilin said.

Li Zian's heart was pierced again. He had never thought of entering her room, but her blunt words made it seem as if he wanted to.

"That's it. Get used to the environment. When you're ready, I'll introduce you to my father," Yu Meilin turned and left.

Li Zian watched her back, thinking to himself, "If it weren't for Xiao Mei, I wouldn't care about your millions of assets. You think I'm a farmer and a failure, but I don't care. I want to prove myself, not for you, but for Xiao Mei."

Yu Meilin went upstairs, and Li Zian left the balcony and entered his room.

The clothes Yu Meilin had prepared for him were all high-end suits, and the men's daily necessities were all luxury brands. But these things held no attraction for him. He casually threw them onto the sofa and moved the sofa to the corner of the room.

The room was large, suitable for practicing boxing.

Li Zian assumed the starting stance of the Zhezhi Quan, preparing to practice.

Ding ling ling, ding ling ling...

His phone suddenly rang.

Li Zian retracted his stance, took out his phone, and glanced at the number. It was familiar, but he couldn't remember who it was.

He swiped to answer and said habitually, "Hello..."

"Guess who this is?"

It was a woman's voice, clear and pleasant.

Li Zian thought for a moment and smiled: "It's Miss Mu, hello."

"Still so formal with me?"

"Not formal, not formal." Li Zian remembered the fortune he had read for her.

"What are you doing?"

"I was just about to practice boxing, but now I'm answering your call."

"Am I disturbing you?"

"No, not at all."

"Well, I need your help with something, if you don't mind..."

"Help or not, just tell me what you need. I'll do my best to help. What is it?"

Mu Chuntao paused for a moment before saying, "It's like this. I have a friend who fell and hit his head while rock climbing. After treatment, he often suffers from insomnia and nightmares. His health is poor, and he's lost a lot of weight. You're so skilled in medicine. Can you help my friend?"

Li Zian said, "Of course, I can take a look, but I need to see him to determine if I can help."

"Great, I'll bring my friend to your village tomorrow." Mu Chuntao said excitedly.

"I'm in the metropolis now."

"You're in the metropolis?"

"My wife's family." Li Zian said.

"Ah? You... got married?" Mu Chuntao's tone was surprised.

Li Zian smiled bitterly: "It's a long story."

He didn't care about the label of "peach blossom" or not. If he was married, he was married. He couldn't deceive a young girl. His parents were poor all their lives and left him nothing but debt, but they taught him how to be a person.

But that was all there was to say about his marriage with Yu Meilin. He didn't want to talk about it.

Mu Chuntao was silent for a moment before speaking: "It's a coincidence. I'm also in the metropolis. Is it convenient for you tonight? If so, I can come and pick you up."

Li Zian was a bit surprised: "I didn't expect you to be in the metropolis too. That makes it much easier. I'm in Lujiazui Gaochen Yipin. When will you arrive? I'll wait for you downstairs."

Xiao Mei and Lin Shengnan were both asleep, so he didn't need to take care of anyone. Besides, Yu Meilin didn't treat him like a husband, so she wouldn't care where he went or what he did. Why should he report to her?

"You live in Lujiazui Gaochen Yipin?" Mu Chuntao was surprised again.

"That's my wife's house."

Mu Chuntao said excitedly, "What a coincidence, I also live in Lujiazui Gaochen Yipin!"

Li Zian: "..."

"What floor and number is your house?"

Li Zian thought for a moment and said, "A Building, 21st floor, 58. What about yours?"

"I'm dizzy!"

"What's wrong?"

"I live next door to you, A Building, 21st floor, 57."

Li Zian: "..."

"So your wife is Yu Meilin."

"Yes, do you know her?"

Mu Chuntao laughed and said, "We're good friends. What a coincidence."

"Yes, what a coincidence." Li Zian couldn't help but laugh.

"Let's not talk on the phone. Come to my place, and I'll call my friend over. You can take a look, okay?" Mu Chuntao said.

"Sure, I'll come over." Li Zian hung up the phone and walked out of the bedroom.

The living room was quiet, with neon lights from the balcony casting a gentle glow.

Many people dream of living in such a house, but Li Zian felt a sense of loneliness.

No matter how good these things were, none of them belonged to him.

Leaving the house, Li Zian saw a woman standing at the door next door, wearing shorts and a tank top, her legs gleaming, radiating youth and vitality.

Mu Chuntao smiled at Li Zian.

Li Zian walked over and said, "I didn't expect you to be next door."

Mu Chuntao smiled and said, "I didn't expect Yu Meilin's husband to be you."

What a coincidence.

"Come in and let's talk." Mu Chuntao invited Li Zian into her house.

Li Zian walked in, and the living room was spacious, but the decoration was less luxurious than his wife's, more modern and artistic.

Mu Chuntao closed the door, invited Li Zian to sit down, and asked, "Would you like something to drink?"

Li Zian said, "No need to be formal, just a glass of water will do."

Mu Chuntao poured a glass of water for Li Zian and sat on the opposite sofa, crossing her legs comfortably. She didn't speak, just stared at Li Zian.

Li Zian thought she was about to say something, but after a while, she still hadn't spoken, just staring at him. He felt a bit awkward and said, "Why are you staring at me?"

Mu Chuntao laughed.

"What are you laughing at?"

Mu Chuntao covered her mouth and said, "Yu Meilin really keeps a beauty in a golden house."

Li Zian felt a bit awkward, thinking the phrase "keeps a beauty in a golden house" was inappropriate.

"I know she's married, but she never mentioned you. What's going on between you two?"

Li Zian didn't want to talk about Yu Meilin and changed the subject: "When will your friend arrive?"

Mu Chuntao said, "He's driving over, it should take about half an hour."

"When did he get injured?"

"He'll tell you when he arrives. Does Yu Meilin know you're here?" Mu Chuntao brought the topic back.

Li Zian had to respond: "She's asleep."

"Didn't our phone call wake her up?"

"We don't share a room." Li Zian said.

Mu Chuntao laughed mysteriously: "I always wondered why Xiao Mei was so pretty and cute. I thought Yu Meilin had married a famous star and was worried about losing fans, so she didn't mention her husband. Now I know Xiao Mei's father is you. Seeing you, I'm not surprised. Your face is much better than those famous stars."

Li Zian smiled. Among all the things they had talked about, this was the nicest thing to hear.

But it made him a bit embarrassed.

However, one thing was certain: being with Mu Chuntao was much more relaxed and comfortable than being with Yu Meilin.

After a while, the doorbell rang.