Chapter 6: Spring scenery in Yichuan

Chao Huaidu accepting the friend request was equivalent to accepting her identity.

Thus, Tan Zhuo naturally claimed Taihe Residence as her own and began making “appropriate” adjustments.

Who knew how long she’d be staying here? What if she had to live here her whole life?

It was said to have the best feng shui—she was bound to get rich!

In the luxurious yet understated living room, the young woman draped a loosely fitting dusk-gray knitted cardigan over her delicate shoulders.

Her fair arms rested lazily on the armrest.

Her exquisitely beautiful brows and eyes, when expressionless, gave off a faint coolness, though not intimidating.

Yet when giving renovation orders, her logic was sharp and unyielding:

“The black marble dining table feels too cold and hard—it ruins the appetite. Replace it with V House’s ivory white custom series. They’ve been making furniture for hundreds of years. More tasteful.”

“Switch the tableware to the matching series as well.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

The butler followed behind the future Mrs. Chao, holding a tablet and noting down everything to be changed.

Tan Zhuo pressed her palm into the sofa cushion, testing the leather texture, clearly dissatisfied.

She continued, “The sofa’s not soft enough. The leather’s not fine enough. Replace it.”

“And the stained glass in my room—the warm tones feel cheap. I want cool tones, with edges inlaid with natural diamonds. No synthetic. Definitely not rhinestones.”

“The bed is unacceptable too.”

“And also…”

“Understood.”

As expected of someone from the Chao family, the butler was highly efficient. Within days, everything had been replaced per Tan Zhuo’s specifications.

Naturally, he didn’t forget to send the updated expense list to Secretary Cui for records.

When Secretary Cui saw the list, he was already on the return trip with the boss.

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t a list—it could be printed into a thick catalogue.

The usually composed chief secretary couldn’t help but gape—

A six-million-yuan sofa? An eight-million-yuan dining table? A ten-million-plus bed? Were they made of gold?

As he kept flipping, he became even more shocked: What? Diamond-inlaid window frames? And they can’t be synthetic?

The floors were to be repaved with tiles resembling pure white marble.

She even wanted a floating pool installed on her bedroom terrace.

Uhh…

He had every reason to suspect the boss had been scammed for both love and money.

At this time,

Inside the lounge of a private jet,

Under the lights, the man’s features were cold and striking—his bone structure and skin were flawless.

On top of that, he held great power and immense wealth—countless women flocked to him.

Their boss had lived with self-discipline for so many years—could he really be “tricked” by a young girl?

Secretary Cui instinctively glanced at his boss, hesitating to speak.

Chao Huaidu, having rare free time, was leisurely arranging flowers.

His sleeves were casually rolled to the crook of his arms. One hand held flower stems, the other a pale gold pair of scissors.

The floor lamp’s bright light reflected a chilling metallic gleam.

He calmly trimmed the rose stems without touching the densely packed thorns.

Sensing Secretary Cui’s stare, he shot him a cold glance:

“Lost your tongue?”

Secretary Cui shivered.

He had a strong feeling that if he kept stuttering, he really would become mute!

He quickly relayed all of Tan Zhuo’s recent “renovations.”

After finishing the stems, Chao Huaidu selected a prized sweet white porcelain vase and placed the roses inside.

The elegant champagne-colored blooms burst into full bloom, perfectly complementing the rare vase.

He showed no surprise after hearing it all. His expression remained calm: “She’s certainly not shy.”

Secretary Cui couldn’t discern his mood and dared not guess his thoughts. He cautiously asked, “Should we reject her requests?”

The slender flower stems trembled slightly before gradually settling down.

The man’s fingertips gently brushed the delicate petals, a soft chuckle escaping his lips:

“For such a rare and fragile flower, naturally it must be nurtured with gold and jade. Otherwise, wouldn’t it wither too soon?”

Secretary Cui thought: But this flower… is way too good at… wasting money.

What kind of flower needs to sleep on a million-dollar bed and eat off a million-yuan dining table?

Chao Huaidu replied lightly: “She’s just a bit spoiled. I can afford it.”

—

At 2 PM, the plane landed in Jiangcheng on schedule.

The moment they got off, someone from the old estate intercepted them.

“Master Chao, the Old Master is furious—throwing a fit at the old house!”

Chao Huaidu walked toward the airport exit, as if hearing a stranger’s drama, showing no emotion: “What happened?”

The man, familiar with his temperament, quickly replied: “Third Master sent an antique vase to the old house, claiming it was the Old Master’s engagement keepsake from his youth.”

“But the Old Master happened to have the real one in his hands…”

Chao Huaidu’s tone was chilly: “So the Old Master was hospitalized from anger?”

“No… actually, Third Master was.”

“He spent 99.99 million on that fake vase—all his secret savings. When he found out it was a fake, he fainted from rage.”

Secretary Cui: “…”

That number sounded oddly familiar.

Could it be… the vase Third Master and Miss Tan discussed at the clubhouse?

Chao Huaidu sneered, coldly spitting out: “Idiot.”

“Uh, Third Master is hoping you’ll visit him at the hospital.”

Chao Huaidu’s expression remained icy, not even pretending to care about family: “No time.”

Then he bypassed them and got into the car.

Secretary Cui politely told Third Master’s people: “Mr. Chao has been away on business. There’s a backlog at the company. Please tell Third Master to rest well.”

After a pause, he added quietly, “Also, let him know—if his judgment is poor, he should take it as a lesson.”

As for seeking justice?

What a joke.

Reporting the issue to the future Mrs. Chao? Third Master would be lucky to stay in the hospital just a few more months.

As for whether the antique was real or fake?

Chao Huaidu didn’t care. Even Secretary Cui wasn’t concerned.

If you don’t have the eye, don’t play with antiques. If you do, take responsibility for your own luck.

—

“Fake?”

Upon hearing that the first antique she sold was declared a fake, Tan Zhuo was authenticating a painting.

Startled, she looked up in disbelief, then quickly shook her head, confidently saying, “Impossible.”

The blue-and-white porcelain vase was a family heirloom—she had personally verified it as a Yongle-era imperial artifact.

To maintain secrecy, she had posed as a staff member to personally assess Mr. Yuan’s sincerity and ensure the piece wouldn’t be taken abroad.

After that, she handed everything over to her senior brother.

Even the transaction was done through Mei Xiting’s account—she would never risk his reputation with a fake.

In the studio,

Mei Xiting rubbed his temples, frustrated: “Of course I trust you. But Mr. Yuan insists it’s fake.”

“His elder has a vase exactly like it—he claims that one is the real deal.”

Tan Zhuo scoffed, speechless: “And how exactly does he know his elder’s one is real?”

Mei Xiting replied, “He said it was an engagement gift with a special marking. Yours doesn’t have it.”

Tan Zhuo: “…”

Absurd.

Since when do you authenticate antiques by checking for love notes?

“Anyway, Mr. Yuan is now accusing us of being scammers and demanding a refund. Wants to void the deal.”

Tan Zhuo’s expression turned cold: “He sounds more like the scammer.”

“What if he’s just trying to get the antique for free?”

“In his dreams.”

Mei Xiting looked at her hesitantly: “Maybe this is just a misunderstanding. That man… has powerful connections.”

He trusted Tan Zhuo—he knew her character—but the other party really didn’t seem like the type to pull a con over this amount.

Tan Zhuo sensed something was off and asked instinctively: “What kind of background?”

Now that things had escalated, Mei Xiting no longer hid the truth. He lowered his voice and said,

“He’s the third master of the Chao family. Full name Chao Jin Yuan. A direct bloodline heir.”

“No way he’d scam a young woman like you.”

“Chao family?”

Tan Zhuo froze briefly, then a sly smile curved on her red lips.

“Well then, that makes things easier.”

“Easy to handle?”

Mei Xiting repeated those words.

“You’re a rich family heiress too. You should understand what the surname ‘Chao’ represents.”

“How is this easy to handle?”

“This is like kicking a steel wall!”

Getting on the wrong side of the Chao family, they could only let it go quietly.

Even if junior sister’s vase was real, they would have to swallow the loss.

That was why Mei Xiting was conflicted.

The next second.

Mei Xiting’s phone rang again.

It was a voice message from Chao Jin Yuan: “In Jiangcheng, no one dares to fool the Chao family. Selling a fake to me—do you even know who my nephew is? Better pay up fast! Or I’ll blacklist your whole studio from the industry!”

Normal people faced with someone powerful and unreasonable like this would just admit defeat.

Fortunately,

Tan Zhuo was never the type to suffer in silence, and now even she was furious.

Her little face tightened, and she immediately dialed Chao Huaidu.

Mei Xiting asked, “Who are you calling?”

Tan Zhuo snorted coldly. “His nephew.”

Mei Xiting: “???”

Who?

Meanwhile, the call connected.

Tan Zhuo’s first sentence was: “Is your third uncle mentally ill? Take him to get treatment, now!”

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end.

Chao Huaidu didn’t get mad. Instead, he let out a low chuckle.

“Too bad—he’s already in the hospital.”

Now it was Tan Zhuo’s turn to fall silent: “…”

The atmosphere froze instantly.

Not long after, the man’s slow, calm voice came through the phone again, like a whisper in her ear.

“Were you bullied?”

Tan Zhuo blinked and suddenly remembered—

It had only been a week since they last met, and she almost forgot about her role as his sweet little wife.

The fiery expression on the pretty girl’s face vanished instantly.

She softened her tone and pitifully complained, “Yes, I was bullied. I’ve been so wronged.”

“Your third uncle insists my genuine antique is fake! And he threatened me!”

“He must think our studio is small and helpless, so he’s trying to steal my antique.”

Mei Xiting witnessed this flawless one-second acting switch with his own eyes.

He couldn’t help but marvel.

The entertainment industry really needed someone like his junior sister.

Chao Huaidu calmly replied, “Oh, how pitiful.”

Tan Zhuo: “…”

That’s it?

As if he knew what she was thinking, Chao Huaidu finally gave the answer she wanted.

“Do you need me to show some care?”

Tan Zhuo had been waiting for that.

“Absolutely! I’m counting on your care.”

“Right now, immediately!”

Then they would go confront Mr. Yuan together.

After hanging up,

She heard Mei Xiting’s ghostly voice from behind: “Junior sister, aren’t you going to explain this?”

Tan Zhuo said, “Didn’t I tell you? You’ll understand when you receive my wedding invitation.”

Mei Xiting: “I thought you were joking!”

Tan Zhuo: “Didn’t expect you to be so open-minded, senior brother. After all we did, you’re still not taking responsibility.”

Mei Xiting paused: “…”

Then finally couldn’t hold back.

“So it’s true—you and Mr. Chao? That man is not someone you can casually get involved with. If you really provoke him…”

“And marriage isn’t something to joke about!”

Seeing the clear worry in Mei Xiting’s eyes, Tan Zhuo knew he genuinely cared.

She tiptoed and patted his shoulder, her tone serious now.

“Senior brother, sometimes a mutually beneficial marriage is more stable than love.”

Mei Xiting: “You might as well just kill me now.”

He felt he had failed Grandfather Tan by not taking better care of her.

“Oh come on, look on the bright side.”

“Chao Huaidu is tall, handsome, rich, powerful, with a prominent background and high status.”

“To the world, he’s a solid backer. At home, he’s pleasing to look at. Plus, he leads a clean personal life.”

“Where would I ever find a husband like that again?”

“It’s not like I married some ugly, poor, temperamental guy. I chose carefully!”

“Why are you looking at me like I’ve fallen into a pit?”

Mei Xiting: Somehow, this little rascal was starting to convince him.

—

Near dusk, a breeze stirred the pear blossoms on the steps.

For a moment, the petals fell like snow, covering the entire street.

Spring was in full bloom. The fragrance of pear blossoms filled the steps.

Once the flowers fell, spring would be over.

A black Bentley was parked on the roadside.

The man’s pale wrist rested casually on the window frame—his posture elegant and composed.

His noble air stood out starkly in the antique alley filled with wooden buildings.

His gaze landed on the open door of the studio.

Soon, a slender, graceful figure appeared on the stone steps.

The girl wore a long, red silk dress.

Her skin was fair, her looks stunning.

She walked in delicate high heels, every step a picture of beauty and charm.

Tan Zhuo always dressed exquisitely, even after her family went bankrupt.

She never cared about others’ opinions—only her own preferences.

She spotted Chao Huaidu and her eyes lit up.

Lifting her dress, she ran toward him through the falling pear blossoms.

The moment she got into the car,

The cool-toned cabin was instantly filled with the rich fragrance of pear blossoms.

More than that, it was her scent.

Chao Huaidu paused slightly in his breathing.

Then slowly reached over to fasten her seatbelt.

“What’s the rush?”

Tan Zhuo, still catching her breath, said matter-of-factly,

“I’m rushing for my antique!”

“If it gets smashed or thrown out, and he claims there’s no evidence—what then?”

The man’s long fingers brushed past the warm skin of her neck—not lingering, just politely fastening the belt.

He gave her reassurance:

“He won’t.”

Tan Zhuo noticed the route was getting more and more wrong.

“Aren’t we going to see your third uncle?”

“This isn’t the way to the hospital.”

“We’ll see him tomorrow.”

The car glided steadily.

Chao Huaidu leaned back in the leather seat, casually flipping through a file on his lap.

Tan Zhuo reached out and poked the papers like a mischievous cat wanting attention.

When he glanced over, she reluctantly asked,

“Why tomorrow?”

The night is long and full of risks.

She was ready to cause a scene.

His slender finger tapped the paper, motioning her to quiet down.

His words carried a subtle, ambiguous tone:

“Tomorrow, your identity will be different.”

Tan Zhuo kept a well-behaved face, but inwardly complained:

How different could her identity be in just one day?

Until the car stopped in front of the Civil Affairs Bureau.

“What… what does this mean?”

She suddenly turned to look at the handsome man beside her.

Chao Huaidu spoke unhurriedly:

“Making you officially Mrs. Chao.”

His expression was as calm and indifferent as ever.

As if he had already planned everything from the start.