Chapter 43: The Joyful Mischief-Spirit

By the time Chen Yuyi returned to the Fujiang Garden Villa District in Jiangcheng, carrying large and small bags filled with medicinal herbs, night had already fallen.

On the way back, as Zhang Tianyou drove him home alone, Chen Yuyi told him about the matter of the birthday gift. Zhang Tianyou immediately reassured him, promising to handle the task well. In addition, Chen Yuyi also revealed his marriage to Zhang Tianyou, leaving him utterly stunned. Of course, he could not divulge the reason behind it for now, and he asked Zhang Tianyou to keep it a secret for the time being. Though surprised, Zhang Tianyou expressed understanding and was deeply moved; it seemed that the Venerable Chen truly regarded him as a brother, trusting him with such a closely guarded secret.

Yet, thinking of Zhu Shaoqi’s feelings for Chen Yuyi, he couldn’t help but sigh inwardly on her behalf.

As Chen Yuyi stepped into the villa’s courtyard, he noticed not only Shen Zhujun’s car but also a Bentley he had never seen there before. The lights inside blazed brightly, suggesting guests had arrived.

He hesitated, deciding to set the herbs aside for now and assess the situation, since the bags, sheathed in black plastic, looked no different from sacks of trash.

Just then, the villa’s front door opened and the porch light snapped on. Several figures emerged. They spotted Chen Yuyi at once and paused.

At the front were two figures, one tall and one petite, seemingly mother and daughter. The elder exuded an air of dignity and grace; the younger was charming and adorable, blossoming at the threshold of womanhood. Shen Zhujun followed closely behind. A man in his fifties, plainly dressed and deferential in manner—a driver or servant, perhaps—stood at a distance behind them.

Upon seeing Chen Yuyi, Shen Zhujun’s elegant brows knit involuntarily, thinking to herself that he had chosen the most inopportune moment to return.

The noblewoman scrutinized Chen Yuyi for a long while before turning to Shen Zhujun with a trace of mockery. “Zhujun, is this the cheap husband you found? Excellent. The Shen family is sure to witness a spectacle now!”

The young beauty piped up, “Sister, could he be a trash collector? Look how filthy he is!”

At that moment, the truth dawned on Chen Yuyi—these two must be his “mother-in-law” and “sister-in-law.” An uneasy feeling crept over him.

Shen Zhujun bit her lip in secret, then suddenly strode forward, gracefully taking Chen Yuyi’s arm as she introduced him, “His name is Chen Yuyi. Let me introduce you. This is my mother, and this is my sister, Shen Youlin.”

Chen Yuyi was still in a daze. He could take a life with a flick of his finger without batting an eye, yet now, faced with such a scene, he found himself at a loss.

Just then, a sharp pain shot through his arm—Shen Zhujun was secretly pinching him. Instantly recovering his wits, he slid his arm around Shen Zhujun’s waist, flashed a broad grin, and called out loudly, “Mom! Little sister!”

“Who’s your mom!” Xu Ruizhi could not bear to look at Chen Yuyi another moment, as if afraid she might soil her eyes.

“Who are you calling little sister!” Shen Youlin turned her head away in utter contempt.

Chen Yuyi was beside himself with awkwardness. He had no idea why his mother-in-law and sister-in-law had appeared so suddenly and without warning. He would have appreciated even a little notice for a rehearsal. Now, neither advancing nor retreating seemed an option, and he could only feign ignorance.

“Uncle Zhong, let’s go!” Xu Ruizhi called to the middle-aged man.

Uncle Zhong responded, but as he passed Chen Yuyi, he greeted respectfully, “Young master!”

“What young master? Has he even set foot in the Shen family? Someone like him isn’t worthy of crossing our threshold!” Xu Ruizhi snapped, face raised in disdain.

Uncle Zhong gave Chen Yuyi an embarrassed smile before hurrying into the Bentley’s driver’s seat.

“Zhujun!” Xu Ruizhi turned at the car door. “It’s not that your mother wants to scold you, but even if you won’t accept the family’s arrangements, you should at least find a man of some substance. You ought to consider your own status!”

Shaking her head repeatedly, she stepped into the car.

As the young beauty Shen Youlin got into the car, she glanced at Chen Yuyi, her contempt tinged with curiosity, her lively eyes darting mischievously.

Chen Yuyi knew the Shen family would never welcome him, so their attitude didn’t bother him. It was only Shen Youlin’s gaze that made him uneasy—this little minx, for all her youth, was clearly shrewd and clever.

To think that he now stood on such an exalted plane, yet still had to suffer the disdain of others—what irony.

Watching as the Bentley roared off, Chen Yuyi fell silent. At last, he would have to face the Shen family. His role in this marriage was about to come into play.

“Have you hugged enough?” came the icy, familiar voice at his ear.

Only then did Chen Yuyi realize his hand was still around Shen Zhujun’s waist. He quickly let go.

“You should have kissed me when they left. That would have made the performance truly convincing!” he teased, quirking his lips.

Glancing at Shen Zhujun, he suddenly noticed she had grown even more beautiful of late, her skin radiant and dewy beyond description—so soft and fresh that he felt an urge to take a bite.

“I’m warning you, acting is one thing, but if you dare lay a finger on me in private, I’ll slice you up!” Shen Zhujun shot him a fierce glare, her eyes darting momentarily downward.

Chen Yuyi instinctively pressed his knees together and clutched his chest in mock fright. “Good heavens, that’s even crueler than murdering your own husband!”

Shen Zhujun ignored him and strode into the house. Just as she reached the door, she turned back. “I don’t care what filthy things you’ve brought back—don’t even think about bringing them inside. Otherwise, it’s the doghouse for you!”

With a resounding bang, she slammed the door before Chen Yuyi could respond.

He rubbed his nose. This woman truly had a mania for cleanliness. Spicy, sharp-tongued, and radiant—cultivating alongside her would certainly be an experience.

He looked down at the sacks of priceless herbs at his feet and, as if speaking to Shen Zhujun, muttered, “How could these be filthy? They’re worth more than several of your little companies put together.”

Without further thought, he hoisted the bags, opened the villa door, and strode inside.

To the doghouse? Out of the question. Discard the herbs? Never. Let the wildest storm rage—he would face it as if it were but a gentle breeze.

“Aaah!” Shen Zhujun shrieked.

Chen Yuyi paid her no mind, swaggering toward his room with the bags.

“You lunatic! Hoarder! Trash fiend!”

Behind him, a barrage of throw pillows came raining down. He didn’t bother dodging, letting them thud against his back like a tickle. Yet the blows had surprising force, prompting him to quicken his pace.

After braving this storm, he finally reached his room and locked the door, half expecting Shen Zhujun to try tossing him and his things out. Of course, even if she tried, she wouldn’t have the strength. He just didn’t want to be disturbed.

He eagerly unpacked the herbs. “Dragon King, can we start refining pills now?”

Silence. No reply from the Dragon King. Had it fallen asleep again? He stripped off his shirt, slapping his chest in hopes of summoning the tattoo, but nothing happened.

“Damn it, what is this? Failing me at the crucial moment!” Chen Yuyi nearly started cursing the Dragon King.

Suddenly, a thunderous pounding erupted at the door—Shen Zhujun, still unwilling to give up.

“Chen Yuyi, I warn you! If you don’t get rid of that filth, you’ll never set foot in here again!”

Chen Yuyi was perplexed. Even if she had a cleanliness obsession, did she have to be so difficult? The things were in his room, out of her sight. In the past, she barely spoke to him, let alone wasted effort pounding on his door. Now she was quick to lose her temper in front of him.

Perhaps, finding no response within, Shen Zhujun’s battering grew more frenzied.

A smirk played at the corners of Chen Yuyi’s mouth. He would neither open the door nor get rid of the herbs. In fact, he stood at the threshold, listening to her complaints as though enjoying a song.

Bang!

At last, driven by fury, Shen Zhujun hurled herself at the door. To her surprise, it swung open, and she stumbled, flying headlong into the room.

Chen Yuyi, standing nearby, watched as she tumbled toward him, momentarily forgetting to react.

Though they were still two or three meters from the bed, somehow, their bodies landed together atop it…