Chapter 4.4

Liu Ruoqian and Qi Tianlei walked out openly, laughing heartily, while Yuhu stood there, dumbfounded and embarrassed, truly startled by what she had witnessed.

“Brother Shu, it’s been a while! I heard the hundred-man stronghold had a great harvest this year, not only self-sufficient but also selling the surplus at a good price. Congratulations,” Liu Ruoqian greeted.

Shu Dahong, a man with thick eyebrows and sharp eyes, had a simple, honest face that made him look like a farmer. His appearance wasn’t striking or charming, but his bright eyes revealed his profound martial arts skills.

“Thanks! Today, Lianhong doesn’t have time to chat with you guys. You saw how difficult it is to tame her. I must make sure she gives me a son this time.”

“Shu Dahong! You brute, put me down!” Ji Lianlian shouted furiously, her beautiful face flushed red all the way to her neck. But no one paid attention to her.

Qi Tianlei cupped his hands. “Well then, we’re going to the lake today. We won’t disturb you! By the way, Brother Shu, how long do you plan to keep our partner occupied?”

“After tomorrow, you can come during the day, but not at night—oof!” He grunted, hitting her hand as she tried to bite his back. “This year, if she doesn’t give birth, she’ll be too old…” He frowned again as she pinched his muscles with both hands, twisting them. He couldn’t bear it any longer and growled, “You shrew! Don’t think I won’t punish you just because you’re arrogant! I’ll make you have so many children you’ll be exhausted!”

With that, he carried his wife back to their quarters in the east wing.

Yuhu stood there, staring at the direction they disappeared, unable to come to her senses for a long time.

Good heavens! What kind of couple is this? They seemed like a pair of enemies but had a deep connection. They didn’t really hurt each other but loved making a scene. She thought she was the only one without a shred of elegance! How many couples are like this behind closed doors?

“Are they always like this?”

Qi Tianlei took her hand and led her out. “This is how they show love. Didn’t you see how relaxed the servants were, drinking tea? They’ve been like this for four years. Brother Shu is a good man. He always lets Lianhong beat him. At most, he’ll slap her bottom a few times, nothing more. If you don’t believe it, come and see tomorrow. It’ll be Brother Shu with a head full of bruises.”

Liu Ruoqian added, “Lianhong loves him deeply and fully supports his charitable deeds. However, she enjoys arguing with him like a teapot on a stove because Brother Shu’s denseness often irritates her.”

Yuhu stuck out her tongue. “That Shu Dahong managed to survive until now?”

“He’s one of the top ten martial artists in Jianghu! Having a few more scars just makes Lianhong treat him more tenderly. He’s not foolish. It’s hard to kill him! Lianhong probably does this because she knows he can take it,” Liu Ruoqian explained, implying that their peculiar dynamic was a matter of mutual consent and understanding.

As they were about to get into the carriage, a green figure appeared at the gate. It was the charming Miss Xiubo, who softly said, “Brother Liu, Brother Qi, you’re going to the lake, right? Can I join you?”

Having avoided last night, Xiubo decided to give it her all today.

Liu Ruoqian didn’t respond, his eyes indicating that this was Qi Tianlei’s concern. So Qi Tianlei had to respond, “If you’re free today, you’re welcome to join us.”

“Thank you, Brother Qi!” Xiubo’s face lit up, thinking she still had a chance. She boarded the carriage, her eyes full of affection for Qi Tianlei, seemingly determined to get along well with Yuhu and share a husband. So today, Yuhu didn’t feel any hostility.

Before boarding the boat, Qi Tianlei considerately went to buy candied fruits and sweet plums, planning to let Yuhu enjoy herself. Xiubo followed him closely, while Liu Ruoqian and Yuhu waited on the boat.

Yuhu quietly suppressed her dissatisfaction but didn’t say anything, trusting Qi Tianlei. However, it was impossible not to feel a twinge of jealousy. She couldn’t help but ask Liu Ruoqian, “Why did Tianlei buy her?”

Standing beside her, Liu Ruoqian laughed. “Two years ago, when we came to inspect the business, we sometimes went to places like brothels to talk business. Xiubo ended up in such a place after her father’s business failed. She refused to entertain guests and tried to escape, and Tianlei saved her! He bought her and placed her under Madam Shu’s care. Xiubo wanted to repay him by offering herself. You know how women are—when their savior is handsome, they feel indebted in that way! Tianlei had to accept her as a sworn sister and give her the surname ‘Qi’ to dissuade her. Here, without the pretense of being sickly and weak, and being so handsome, many women are smitten with Tianlei. Even I have to step aside! Are you jealous?”

Yuhu smiled, refusing to show her pettiness in front of him. This man loved to tease people! “Jealous? Jealous of a little woman with no real threat? I don’t mind your deep friendship with Tianlei. Why would I mind someone unimportant to him? Am I that ignorant?”

“You don’t mind? The rumors in the Qi family won’t be pleasant,” Liu Ruoqian raised an eyebrow, curious about her reaction.

“It’s you who should mind, not me! At most, people will pity me. Besides, I’m very grateful you were there for Tianlei when he was alone. In the Qi family, his situation is difficult. Instead of competing with you for his favor, it’s better to join forces against that scoundrel Ke Shizhao. To defeat you, we must first deal with the enemy! Tianlei taught me last night: ‘When the cunning rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked!'”

Liu Ruoqian laughed heartily. “Well said! Tianlei was right. It’s a pity if you don’t study. If you weren’t Tianlei’s woman, I would pursue you as my partner. I need a smart woman as a wife, but not as fierce as Madam Shu. You are truly a treasure.”

Yuhu smiled sweetly. “I’m only suitable for Tianlei, not for you, a wanderer! A wife for you would need to be ever-changing to keep you interested. No wonder you’re almost thirty and still single, always being chased by women! I suppose that’s your fun too!”

“Exactly! Liu Da Ge is indeed a restless wanderer! No woman can tie him down!” Unbeknownst to them, Qi Tianlei had boarded the boat, but there was no sign of Xiubo. He immediately ordered the boatman to set sail.

“Where’s Xiubo?” Yuhu glanced at the shore, concerned yet happy. No wife would be completely at ease with another woman clinging to her husband, but she was also worried Xiubo might get into trouble.

Qi Tianlei pulled her into the cabin, laying out the wine, dishes, and snacks he had bought. “She should have come to her senses,” he said coolly, unwilling to elaborate.

Yuhu shrugged, sitting beside him to eat, changing the topic, “Why does ‘Hongtu’ seem to be deliberately undermining the Qi family? If I join the Qi family business, should I act as a spy or focus on running it?”

“Do what your conscience allows. I believe you won’t engage in anything that ruins others’ livelihoods,” Qi Tianlei said leisurely, leaning back on the cushion. Undermining his family business was also a struggle for him.

“Does the Qi family really use such ruthless methods that they drive others to ruin?”

Liu Ruoqian answered, “Not intentionally. In business, there’s no room for mercy. Domineering is one thing, but if you’re overly aggressive, it turns into exploitation, cutting off others’ income and indirectly causing harm. That’s also a sin.”

She understood better, holding her husband’s hand. Their hearts and minds were in sync. Qi Tianlei smiled, “The Qi family’s long-standing dominance and wealth aren’t enough for them. They call themselves a benevolent family but forget to maintain some decency in business. Someone needs to challenge them and make them face reality. I’d rather see the Qi family suffer a heavy blow and rise again. This defiance won’t be tolerated by the matriarch!”

“I won’t let anything happen to you,” she whispered into his chest, vowing to protect him.

She needed to think carefully…

Qi Tianlei hugged his beloved wife with one arm, raised a cup with Liu Ruoqian with the other, and they drank, their eyes sharing satisfaction and joy.

Suddenly, Liu Ruoqian felt the urge to find his soulmate because he started feeling lonely…