Volume 1, Chapter 9: Take This Blessing If You Want It

"Young lady, regardless of who you are, stay away from Huai Xu. I advise you to tuck away any inappropriate thoughts you might have; it's for your own good."

The woman's voice carried a mature, sophisticated tone, and her lecturing manner was heavy—she sounded older than Shen Zhao.

Shen Zhao did not know why Zhou Huai Xu hadn't answered the phone himself, but given her position, she had no right to ask. So, she apologized for the intrusion and ended the call.

At the Zhou residence in the capital.

Zhou Huai Xu had just stepped out of his father Zhou Yanze’s study. As he descended the stairs, he glanced up and caught sight of Pei Ya holding his phone to her ear, speaking to someone.

From the direction of the main gate, Zhou Lin, dressed in a crisp shirt and trousers, pushed the door open with a lazy, unhurried air.

Pei Ya hung up and tossed the phone back onto the table. When she met Zhou Huai Xu’s indifferent gaze, her expression flickered with unease, though she quickly regained her haughty, composed demeanor.

"A woman called for you, asking about changing your flight," Pei Ya asked, sounding perfectly justified. "I heard you went to Rong City yesterday—was it to be with this woman?"

Zhou Lin, who had just finished changing his shoes, paused and looked toward Pei Ya and Zhou Huai Xu, though his expression remained unreadable.

"She’s from the investment department at Huaze."

Zhou Huai Xu glanced at the call log with indifference. He hadn't saved Shen Zhao's number, and he had no intention of doing so now.

Pei Ya frowned deeply, clearly wanting to press further.

Zhou Huai Xu put his phone away and looked at her with calm detachment. "I have said before: do not touch my things. I hope I won't have to remind you again."

Pei Ya’s words died in her throat. She forced a stiff smile.

"Don't want me to manage you? Fine. Then settle down sooner, and I won't have to worry so much. You’re nearly thirty; what kind of life is this, living all on your own?"

"That young lady from the Su family—her background and appearance are both excellent, yet you weren't interested. After four years, you two broke up."

Zhou Huai Xu replied, "She was the one who initiated the breakup."

His expression cooled slightly; it was obvious his mood had soured.

Pei Ya, undeterred, teased him, "With that cold, distant attitude of yours—dating like you’re a monk chanting scriptures—what girl could stand it? That Su Zhili managed to endure four years; it was your good fortune."

Zhou Huai Xu raised his eyelids to sweep a glance at her. "Then you take this 'good fortune.' Do you want it?"

Pei Ya looked displeased. With the connection to the Su family severed, she had to find someone else. But there were very few young women who could match the Zhou family’s background while possessing the poise and character of Su Zhili.

She still felt it was a pity.

She spent a long time scrolling through photos sent by acquaintances, picking and choosing, until she finally selected a few she was satisfied with and forwarded them to Zhou Huai Xu.

"These young ladies all have good backgrounds. Take a look and see if any catch your eye."

Zhou Huai Xu glanced casually at the screen. He didn't even tap to open the full-sized images.

When he had received that photo from Shen Zhao, he hadn't opened it either. Yet, inexplicably, these photos of women didn't have the same allure as the selfie Shen Zhao had sent.

They were either too rigid or too brazen.

Shen Zhao’s photo had been just right—restrained yet suggestive, a budding flower blooming naturally, without any sense of deliberate seduction. Most importantly, those clear, round eyes held an unmistakable adoration for the recipient that felt remarkably real.

Zhou Huai Xu randomly selected one. As he looked up, he caught a glimpse of Zhou Lin walking over.

Seeing that Zhou Huai Xu was complying with her arrangements, Pei Ya was satisfied and immediately asked her acquaintance to contact the young woman’s family to arrange a meeting.

Only when she had a moment of leisure did she notice Zhou Lin.

Zhou Lin was lounging in a high-end leather sofa, fiddling with the tea set on the table. With his free hand, he held his phone and sent a WeChat voice message with a casual, flippant tone: "Be good, darling. I’ll come see you tomorrow."

Pei Ya smiled. "Ah Lin is back."

Zhou Lin put down his phone and lazily called out, "Mom."

Seeing the bandage on his forehead, Pei Ya frowned. "What happened to that wound? Are you running around with those riff-raff friends again?"

Zhou Lin toyed with a white porcelain teacup, paused at her words, and flicked his eyes toward Zhou Huai Xu, who was speaking in a low voice with his father, Zhou Yanze, who had just emerged from the study.

Zhou Lin curled his lip. "Drank too much, bumped into something."

Pei Ya knew he lived a wild life and naturally didn't believe it was that simple. "You're still young. Play if you must, but don't cause any major trouble."

Zhou Lin gave a faint, indifferent "Mhm." "I have my limits."

Zhou Yanze, having finished his conversation with Zhou Huai Xu, heard the exchange and looked at Pei Ya with a trace of reproach.

"Ah Lin is spoiled by you. He has no career to speak of, has dated plenty of women, and yet hasn't taken a single one seriously."

Pei Ya offered a half-smile. "But I heard that Ah Lin has had a woman by his side for three years now. Anyone who can make our Ah Lin settle down must be someone special. I’d like to see what kind of person she is."

Zhou Lin set the white porcelain teacup back on the table. The porcelain made a crisp sound against the surface. He lowered his eyes, a flicker of disgust passing through them so quickly that no one noticed.

When he looked up again, his expression was back to a playful smirk. "You’re well-informed, Mom. Are you that eager to meet your daughter-in-law?"

Zhou Huai Xu glanced at him.

Pei Ya smiled. "If you can settle down, that’s naturally a good thing. Bring her home to see us when you have the chance."

Zhou Lin replied, "Sure."

Zhou Yanze nodded in agreement. "Whether it's your career or your love life, I'd be thankful if you could just take one thing seriously."

He then looked at Zhou Huai Xu. "Huai Xu, if you have time, help your brother vet his choices. Family background is secondary; character is what matters."

Zhou Huai Xu remained indifferent and did not respond.

Pei Ya received a message from her friend and said to Zhou Huai Xu, "Miss Wu is free on Wednesday. Does that work for you?"

Zhou Huai Xu replied, "Yes."

...

Wednesday.

Shen Zhao was leaving Huaze after work, heading toward the restaurant. Just as she reached the entrance, she caught sight of Zhou Huai Xu stepping out of the driver's side of his Bentley.

Shen Zhao was surprised. Zhou Huai Xu rarely drove himself; usually, it was the family driver or Chen Yuan. Looking at his suit—understated, luxurious, and perfectly tailored—it was clear that the person in the passenger seat was someone of importance.

Zhou Huai Xu walked around to the passenger side and opened the door with gentlemanly grace. Shen Zhao saw a pair of slender, delicate hands rest in his palm.

Whether it was because she had stared too long, Zhou Huai Xu suddenly looked up and glanced at her. His gaze remained indifferent, clearly showing no intention of acknowledging her.

Shen Zhao wisely averted her eyes. At the company, he was the big boss; at the restaurant, he was a distinguished guest. There was truly no need for him to lower his status to engage with a lowly employee like her.

Zhou Huai Xu’s table was in the best position in the restaurant. Whenever Shen Zhao looked up, she could see his strikingly handsome face.

He didn't seem as cold today; he occasionally wore a smile and appeared to be getting along well with the woman. The woman was also dressed in expensive, tasteful attire—luxurious but not ostentatious.

A handsome man and a beautiful woman, a noble couple—they looked perfectly suited for one another.

Shen Zhao suddenly felt that Zhou Huai Xu might not be a psychopath, but rather someone with a split personality. Otherwise, how could she explain those strange habits he had when they were together?

Shen Zhao performed for an hour and a half. During her break, she stepped outside the restaurant to catch some air. Just as she was about to head back in, a middle-aged man suddenly stepped out from the shadows and pressed a folding knife against her waist.