Volume One, Chapter 19: Cheng Yan Goes Too Far and Faces Embarrassment

For the first time, Li Zhinan felt a threat coming from his son.

The little guy was quite protective.

Seizing the moment, Cheng Qian pushed the man away with force. His tall frame swayed slightly as he took two steps back.

“Xiao Ye, let’s go downstairs,” Cheng Qian said, her heart swelling with joy—her son had just defended her.

Truly, the bond between mother and child was invaluable; this little darling was truly dependable.

Li Zhinan watched Cheng Qian retreat, a helpless smile curling his thin lips.

It seemed he could no longer behave that way in front of his son.

Otherwise, the little one would start to see him as an enemy.

Cheng Qian went downstairs, where Cheng Yan immediately approached with a smile. “Cousin, why haven’t I seen Aunt here?”

“She’s taking care of Xiao Wei,” Cheng Qian replied coldly.

Cheng Yan responded with an “Oh.” “Why is the second madam busy with the family dinner today? Shouldn’t the eldest sister-in-law be the one handling this?”

Cheng Qian’s gaze darkened. Cheng Yan had clearly come at a precise moment to sow discord.

“This is a matter for the Li family. There’s no need for an outsider like you to concern herself,” Cheng Qian said, refusing to be baited. To her, as long as someone was willing to do the work, it didn’t matter who it was.

Cheng Yan hadn’t expected her provocative comment to be dismissed so casually.

Her face flushed awkwardly. “I just feel sorry for you, cousin. After all, you’re from the main branch.”

Cheng Qian had no desire to continue the conversation and took Xiao Ye to play with the other children.

Li Zhinan descended from the second floor. Cheng Yan hurried over. “Zhinan, is cousin’s injury serious?”

“It’s only a superficial wound, nothing major,” Li Zhinan said coldly.

“Zhinan, sister-in-law meant well, but perhaps she’s just not used to household chores…” Cheng Yan sighed softly.

“Mm,” Li Zhinan agreed. Cheng Qian had never really done much housework, having spent most of her time in the lab. It was no wonder she had cut her finger.

“I’ll take a look to see if there’s anything I can help with,” Cheng Yan said and entered the kitchen.

At that moment, Xia Mengjiao was holding a menu, organizing the dinner preparations. Six top chefs were cooking in an orderly fashion.

“Second Madam, may I help with anything?” Cheng Yan asked as she approached.

Xia Mengjiao glanced at her with a forced smile. “No need. You can go wait for the meal.”

“I’ve been doing housework since I was little. I’m an excellent helper. Please don’t hesitate if you need anything,” Cheng Yan said, trying to create a contrast.

Since Cheng Qian was a novice at housework, Cheng Yan wanted to give the impression that she was versatile—capable in both the parlor and the kitchen.

Xia Mengjiao was no pushover; a sharp gleam flickered in her eyes.

“Oh? Then… could you take this trash bucket out to the courtyard? It’s full and a bit smelly,” she said, pinching her nose.

Cheng Yan was speechless.

“Sorry to trouble you, Miss Cheng. We’re a bit short-staffed,” Xia Mengjiao added, gently pressing her request as she saw Cheng Yan’s obvious reluctance.

“All right, no problem,” Cheng Yan said, determined to make a good impression.

Dressed in a luxurious designer dress, she carried a trash bucket out through a small kitchen door.

What she hadn’t expected was the greasy residue on the kitchen corridor floor.

Her high heels had no grip.

Just as she tried to prove herself a capable worker, the floor slipped beneath her.

“Ah!” A sharp scream escaped her lips as she lost her balance.

Half the trash spilled onto her lower abdomen.

“Ah!” Xia Mengjiao shouted sharply. “Miss Cheng, are you all right?”

No one in the living room had noticed the commotion in the kitchen.

Xia Mengjiao’s scream immediately drew everyone’s attention.

Cheng Yan was utterly mortified; her face turned pale. This was a million-dollar custom dress, now ruined.

Li Zhinan and Li Zhishi came over. Seeing Cheng Yan’s soiled lower half, Li Zhinan frowned.

“What happened?”

Xia Mengjiao quickly explained, “Miss Cheng wanted to help since we were busy. I asked her to take out the trash, but the floor was too slippery.”

Cheng Yan’s expression was on the verge of tears.

She had always been poised and elegant before Li Zhinan, like a goddess.

Now, she felt like a clown, too ashamed to lift her head.

“Miss Cheng, you should go upstairs and take a shower. I’ll prepare a set of clothes for you,” Xia Mengjiao said, noticing Li Zhinan’s displeased expression.

Cheng Yan regretted it deeply. Had she known it would end this way, she wouldn’t have come to help.

“Zhinan, I’m sorry. I’m so useless. I can’t even do a simple task right,” she said, playing the pity card.

Li Zhinan comforted her, “Go take a shower first.”

Cheng Yan sulked upstairs. Xia Mengjiao opened her wardrobe and picked out a gray dress, a cruel smile tugging at her lips.

Cheng Yan washed three times but still smelled a foul odor and nearly cried.

Outside the door, Xia Mengjiao held a child and said, “Miss Cheng, I left the clothes outside. Help yourself.”

Cheng Yan nodded.

After showering, she took out a long, old-fashioned gray-white dress. Her face instantly fell.

Had Xia Mengjiao lost her mind? This was a defective piece from some forgotten corner; even the secondhand clothes she sold were more refined.

Though unwilling, with no one around, Cheng Yan had no choice but to wear it.

Her makeup washed off in the shower, leaving her bare-faced as she came downstairs.

Everyone downstairs was gossiping about her being drenched in garbage. When they saw her, they immediately fell silent.

Cheng Yan was furious, certain Cheng Qian was mocking her behind her back.

Finally, dinner began.

Cheng Yan had wanted to dazzle everyone, but in the end, she just sat obediently beside the matriarch.

She wore no makeup and dared not sit too close to Li Zhinan, afraid he might see her imperfect skin and shatter the goddess illusion.

By contrast, Cheng Qian wore only light makeup, no powder, yet her skin was smooth and delicate, envied by many.

After dinner, Cheng Yan made an excuse to leave early.

Cheng Qian prepared to take her son home and thanked Xia Mengjiao before leaving.

Xia Mengjiao’s attitude softened slightly and reminded her to drive safely.

Cheng Qian was carrying her son when a silver Bentley silently pulled up beside her.

“Give me the child,” Li Zhinan said.

Worried her son might fall asleep on the way, Cheng Qian handed him over.

“Want to ride back together?” Li Zhinan asked.

“No, I’ll drive myself,” Cheng Qian replied and got into her car.

The silver Bentley vanished into the night.

Before the New Year, Li Corporation held a celebratory banquet ahead of the holiday.

On the 28th at noon, Li Zhinan came home briefly. Seeing Cheng Qian reading in the study with their son asleep nearby, he gently knocked on the door.

Cheng Qian looked up at him.

“Come out and talk,” the man said in a low voice.

Cheng Qian put down her book, glanced at her son, and stepped out quietly.

The man was already heading toward his study.

When Cheng Qian entered, he adjusted his tie and said, “There’s a celebration banquet at the company tonight. Do you want to come?”

Cheng Qian was taken aback. In the years they had been married, he had never actively invited her to any company event, not wanting to reveal his wife’s true appearance.

As the company went public, personal information would be disclosed.

Those familiar with Li Corporation knew Li Zhinan was married, with a wife named Cheng Qian.

But no one really knew what she looked like—whether beautiful or plain, slim or not.

Li Zhinan turned, lightly tapping his fingers on the desk. “If you want to go, I’ll have someone prepare you a dress. You can bring Xiao Ye to join the festivities…”

“I won’t go,” Cheng Qian refused outright.

Li Zhinan’s eyes stiffened. He studied her pale, oval face intently. “Why not? Is it because you don’t want to, or because you’re unwilling, or… afraid?”

Cheng Qian met his deep gaze calmly. “I just don’t want to go.”

Li Zhinan’s expression froze for a moment. All signs indicated this woman had become indifferent to their marriage.

Before, he hadn’t invited her, so it was normal she hadn’t attended any events.

This time, he had invited her as a test, and she decisively refused.

No one could believe there was nothing else going on.

“Cheng Qian…” his face darkened. “I need a female companion tonight.”

Seeing him speak so businesslike, she replied coldly, “You’re not short of companions.”

Li Zhinan ground his teeth silently. Indeed, a woman who had changed her heart became sharp-tongued.

“Do you permit me to bring another woman to such a formal occasion?” he sneered.

Cheng Qian remained unmoved. “I don’t permit it, but you do it anyway. Why ask?”

Li Zhinan was thoroughly enraged. He stepped closer. “Cheng Qian, can we still live like this?”

Cheng Qian’s anger flared. Who was he to say such things? He and Cheng Yan had been seen together many times. Only now did he remember he had a wife at home?

“Whatever,” she snapped, pride unyielding.

Li Zhinan was suffocated by those two words. His gaze instantly turned icy.

“Fine!” He said no more, grabbed his coat, and strode out.

His shoulder struck Cheng Qian heavily, forcing her to turn and watch his retreating figure.

In that moment, Cheng Qian understood their marriage was truly over.

Lacking communication, respect, with barbed words and cold eyes—that was a marriage in name only.

She did not fear divorce; what terrified her was losing custody of her child.

Whenever she thought of this, her heart clenched, and she trembled uncontrollably.

…

That night, the Li Corporation’s celebration banquet was held at their seven-star luxury hotel.

The elite and city officials gathered to attend. The Cheng family father and son arrived with many company executives.

In the fifth-floor banquet hall, the gentle sound of piano music drifted from the center fountain.

A long-haired woman in a blue fishtail gown was immersed in her performance.

Her fingers danced lightly as if elves were fluttering across the keys.