Chapter 25: Chapter 25
She stared at it for a long moment, not denying he was very good looking and did look strikingly like the actor Xiaosu was crazy for. Yet there was something else in his face that was familiar about him, and it made her take the mobile in her hand and look at him closely. Scrolling through a few of his more natural images that were selfies to compare and one of him surfing with YuZhi before it struck her like a lightning bolt. It was seeing them together like that which did it.
“Oh my god. He was…” she trailed off, realizing what she was about to say out loud and quickly slid the phone back into Xiaosu hand. She recognized him, the only person at the ball that night who didn’t seem to care about wearing a mask. The ‘friend’ that YuZhi said bet him he couldn’t dance with her. This solidified everything. YuZhi really was Yoonie and ZhengLi was there that night too. It sent a strange sensation through the put of her stomach and her blood turned cold.
“I know, right? They could be sexy brothers. He’s even better in the flesh too. So handsome, and so charming. Very tall and he has a nice physique.” Xiaosu was off on a dreamy tangent and oblivious to TangShi’s sober expression.
“Yes, he’s cute.” She answered emptily and went back to trying to pick up her brushes in a bid to shake this from her head.
“He’s rich too. Son of Yutian Corp but as he’s fifth in line then he chose to work with YuZhi rather than waste his days with menial jobs in his own family company. I heard it caused so much drama to start with.” She giggled like a child, somewhat enamored with the bold move.
“Yutian Corp?” TangShi was shocked to know exactly who that family were as they were of the same social standing as the Lengs. Even someone like her knew exactly who they were. It’s no wonder there was scandal if the fifth son opted to work as YuZhi’s assistant instead of take his rightful place with his brothers. It was practically unheard of.
Thinking back, she remembered the almost rebellious and mischievous young man who was all smiles and winks and seemed to goad YuZhi on that night. He did seem the type to make his own rules and shrug off the importance of a decision like that. He had disappeared with a young pretty girl in a leather jacket after YuZhi made it clear TangShi and he were leaving to go find an adventure in the streets of Beijing. ZhengLi was a rich playboy type at that age, and she wondered what he was like now. Surely he wasn’t still as wild and carefree as he seemed back then.
“Xiaosu, stay away from men like that. They can only lead to trouble and heartbreak. I’ve met ZhengLi Kim, and he seemed like a complete womanizer.”
“Oh no, no…. you have him all wrong. He’s such a sweet gentleman when he comes here and never been inappropriate towards me at all. He barely notices me.” She made a finger cross motion as if promising she wasn’t being dishonest and TangShi sighed. Xiaosu was naïve and blinded by a crush. TangShi had become so protective of this girl in such a short time and didn’t want to see her pulled down by a rich spoiled jerk that hung around with the likes of YuZhi, playing with girl’s hearts. Similar types always flew together and encouraged bad behavior.
“Just be wary of wolves in sheep’s clothing. Not all ‘nice’ men are actually so. ZhengLi is a fifth generation rich boy and he has all the flaws of being one.”
“Yes, Miss.” Xiaosu knew when to back down and give up and even though she didn’t agree she could tell TangShi was deflecting her feelings about young master YuZhi and tarring ZhengLi with the same brush.
“Can’t argue with that!” YuZhi’s smug, husky tone came at them from behind and startled both girls into snapping around to gawp at the figure standing in the doorway. He was smiling with amusement, one side of his mouth perked up with a dimple on show.
Unannounced and unexpected , TangShi’s face colored with heat at realizing he could have been standing there for a while without either girl noticing. He might have heard more than he should.
“Although ZhengLi might not be all that happy to hear the home truths. Do you talk about trash me with the same tone, Miss Le?” He winked at TangShi and then pushed off from the doorway casually and meandered in to drop his coat on the nearest chair. He was still dressed in his favorite navy three-piece suit, minus the tie, and his shirt was open at the neck. His outer jacket discarded, and he followed by hauling off his suit jacket and throwing it on top of it with an easy movement.
“I’ll go fetch more tea.” Xiaosu made a quick exit, embarrassed at being caught and avoided his eye as she took off at speed and left them alone. Eager to escape.
“You’re back early. I thought you said you would be in Japan for a few days.” TangShi turned back to her artwork and pretended his presence didn’t affect her heart rate, body temperature or focus. He only left yesterday evening.
“Did you miss me?” he walked up to her side, intruding on her space, ignoring her obvious stiffening of posture and picked up the now dry painting in front of her and holding it up to inspect. His aftershave and his own scent swirled around her, and she looked away form him to gaze at the windows to trey and ignore how good he smelled.
“No. Did you have to come back early and disturb me?” TangShi answered curtly. Caught off guard and now feeling strange that he was so close.
“I was worried my wife might be crying alone in our big bed. I couldn’t stand being apart a minute longer.” He smirked, his tone heavy with sarcasm and he dropped her picture back in front of her and walked off to look at the garden.
“I guess business is done? Don’t you have somewhere else to be? Like work, as it’s the middle of the afternoon and I don’t recall you using this room much last week either so why wander in here?” TangShi wasn’t in the mood for his usual war of words or his presence. She couldn’t ignore the fact her hands were trembling at his surprise rerun and it was doing odd things to her stomach.
“All wrapped up and a cancellation. The paparazzi are out in the droves thanks to my public breakup and the announcement we are building a mall with Lei Enterprises. I have no energy to deal with them after flying home and my offices are swarming.”
“Great. Well, if you’re staying here then I’m leaving. Enjoy your quiet hiding time.” TangShi got up and picked up her case to start packing her supplies and jumped when body heat and the undeniable presence of a large male came right up behind her and made the hackles rise on her neck. His sudden calculated maneuver making her feel hemmed while simultaneously sending her body into overdrive.
“I don’t even get a welcome home kiss?” He whispered, so close to her shoulder that his breath tickled her neck and she shivered involuntarily, hating him for this childish crap he pulled all too often. She knew he did this for her reaction, and he was getting better at picking out the tactics that got to her the most.
“Can you not?” She pushed her ass out and shoved him in the groin, backing up to move him with force, before turning and swiping her brushes into the bag and pulling it from the table as she stepped away. She wasn’t planning on leaving her paints down here but she no longer had a desire to stick around to deal with him in this mood, and could get Xiaosu to fetch them later.
“Anyone would think you don’t like your own husband. I’m so heartbroken. I might cry.” He mocked her, moving back to the window at a casual unbothered pace where he leaned against the glass with his hip and shoulder and watched her with that predator like smug expression. Amused by sensing her change in mood.
“Not biting today. I have better things to do.” She snapped and avoided engaging his focus with hers.
“Running away? You’re no fun today.”
“I’m not running away from you. That would imply you intimidate me or affect me, and you don’t. I’m just busy. Go find some fun with Rhea or ZhengLi Kim!” TangShi brushed him off with a non-interested wave, hoping it sounded true and scowled at him as she zipped up her bag and turned on her heel to leave.
“Guess I’ll see you in bed, baby. Keep it warm for me.” YuZhi had to hold in his laughter as he let the words slide out in a honey thick tone. Eternally amused with the feisty and hateful reaction she gave him anytime he switched up his mood to the offensive like this. Arguing with her, combatting with words, or seeing her recoil and run when he added some sexual inuendo was becoming a hobby and toying with her wasn’t getting old yet.
He still disliked her, what and who she was, and this marriage, but at least the last few days had seen things begin to feel like some kind of livable situation where her presence no longer made him want to throw her out the window.
She was quiet, never really complained or got too emotional. She tried to stick to the house rules and seemed respectful of his family even while Aunt was trying to make life hell for her. She didn’t mention or moan about the god-awful diet Aunt had her on and she didn’t seem to be a creator of drama either. He knew it wasn’t as bad as he feared when he was first told this was happening, but he still wasn’t going to give her an inch. Her personality was bearable, but nothing more.
She was the singular reason he had to break up with Rhea and put his life on hold for two years and he wasn’t about to let her forget it.