Chapter 24: Do You Want to Take Things Further with Me?

When Jiang Zhiyun found Chen Yu, he was leisurely basking in the sun on a swing in the Lin family’s back garden, holding their daughter, Nian Nian.

Nian Nian’s little face was radiant with happiness, her clear laughter echoing throughout the garden.

Chen Yu, meanwhile, lounged lazily on a nearby bench, gazing at his daughter with eyes full of adoration.

The scene was serene—a peaceful moment untouched by the world.

Jiang Zhiyun slowed her steps as she took in the sight.

She looked at the man before her—the one wearing a cheap T-shirt, exuding an air of indolence.

This was the very man who, just hours earlier, had saved a critically ill elderly person with a few dishes, securing a multi-billion project for Jiang Corporation in the process.

He was the one who made Donghai’s culinary king, Wang Defa, willingly kneel and beg for a dishwashing position.

He was the one who won unceasing praise and reverence from Lin Jianguo, chairman of the Lin Group.

And just moments ago, she herself had admitted to calling this man her “husband.”

A wave of complex, unfamiliar emotions quietly blossomed within Jiang Zhiyun’s heart.

Shock, curiosity, confusion, and even a small, reluctant pride.

How many secrets did this man still keep hidden?

“Mom!”

Nian Nian, sharp-eyed, was the first to spot her, leaping off the swing and running toward her with short, hurried steps.

“Mom, are you done with your meeting?”

Jiang Zhiyun snapped back to reality. Her usually cold expression softened instantly as she crouched down and gathered her daughter into her arms.

“Yes, all finished. Let’s go home.”

Her gaze drifted beyond her daughter’s head, settling on the man who was slowly rising.

Chen Yu remained the same languid self, as if oblivious to the earth-shattering things he had just done.

Of course, in truth, Chen Yu really didn’t know.

“Let’s go,” he said casually.

The atmosphere in the car on the way back was somewhat subtle.

Nian Nian, tired from play, soon fell asleep leaning against Chen Yu’s chest.

Jiang Zhiyun focused on driving, but her peripheral vision kept stealing glances at the man’s profile reflected in the rearview mirror.

What kind of man was he, really?

She realized she knew nothing about him.

Back at the familiar villa, Chen Yu carefully placed the sleeping Nian Nian in her room, tucking her in gently.

Jiang Zhiyun stood quietly at the door, watching him finish.

He left the room softly closing the door behind him.

Only the two of them remained in the living room.

Between a man and a woman alone, the atmosphere instantly shifted.

The air seemed to thicken.

Leaning against the wall with arms crossed, Jiang Zhiyun finally broke the silence.

“I really didn’t expect you to... know these things.”

Her voice lacked the usual coldness and assertiveness she carried at the office.

Instead, it held a strange note of admiration.

Or perhaps, something more ambiguous.

Chen Yu turned to look at her.

Under the light, she wore a sharply tailored business suit that perfectly outlined her graceful figure.

Her high bosom, slender waist, and the rounded curves beneath the pencil skirt…

Perhaps it was the recent admission of their “relationship,” or the charged atmosphere between them, but Jiang Zhiyun seemed less distant and cold, more alluring in her mature femininity.

Chen Yu’s gaze roamed unabashedly over her from head to toe.

A playful smile curled at the corners of his mouth.

Jiang Zhiyun felt exposed under his gaze, instinctively straightening her posture and frowning.

“What are you looking at?”

Chen Yu chuckled softly and took a step closer.

The space between them instantly shrank.

The fresh scent emanating from him filled Jiang Zhiyun’s nostrils, causing her heart to skip a beat.

“Nothing.”

“I just wanted to say, there’s a lot more I can do.”

He looked at her flushed cheeks with increasing amusement in his eyes.

“Would you like to… try?”

Boom!

Jiang Zhiyun’s mind went blank.

What did he mean by that?

Try?

Try what?

That suggestive look, those ambiguous words—they immediately twisted her thoughts.

A flush of heat surged from her feet to the crown of her head, coloring her entire face and fair neck deep red.

“You pervert!”

She practically shouted, the words squeezed out between clenched teeth.

Then she spun around and fled toward her room in a panic.

Bang!

She slammed the door shut behind her.

Chen Yu stood still, rubbing his nose as he stared at the closed door, his smile growing even brighter.

Ice queen CEO? Not much different after all.

He stretched lazily and turned toward the guest room.

The night passed without a word.

The next morning, when Chen Yu woke as dawn broke, the villa was silent.

Jiang Zhiyun’s door was already open.

The dining table was empty—no breakfast, no note.

The woman was gone.

As if deliberately avoiding something.

Chen Yu chuckled lightly, unfazed, and took out his phone to order food for their daughter.

Breakfast time again.

Meanwhile, Jiang Zhiyun was already in the underground garage, keys in hand, about to drive to the company.

She was going back to work.

Yet as she drove, Chen Yu’s words from the night before echoed in her mind.

It reminded her of a question she had pondered before—

Why would someone as capable as Chen Yu enter into a sham marriage with her, even live off her?

If that wasn’t love, then what was?

It proved Chen Yu had secretly admired her all along.

And now, after accomplishing so much for others to see, he was hinting at wanting to share a life with her.

Of course, she had feelings for Chen Yu.

But the pace was just too fast—she was still trying to catch up.

She thought of several close girlfriends who had been through many relationships.

Jiang Zhiyun wondered if she should ask them for advice.

Maybe it was time to turn this fake marriage into a real one…

After some aimless daydreaming, Jiang Zhiyun finally arrived at the company.

As the heiress of Jiang Corporation, she was very busy.

But as soon as she stepped in, she sensed something was off.

A junior assistant hurried over and said,

“Chairwoman, your younger brother is here!”

Jiang Zhiyun immediately frowned.

As a woman holding her position, she had paid a steep price.

Including a sham marriage and constant tests.

Her brother never accepted her position and had always been causing trouble.

This time would be no different.

She composed herself and told the assistant,

“Which meeting room? I’m on my way.”