Chapter 77: "The Thoughtful Wife"

In a luxurious hotel.

Zhao Lan stood by the window, gazing out at the city lights of River City, lost in thought.

At that moment, Old He knocked and entered.

"Miss, I've just heard something incredible!" Old He strode quickly to her side, his eyes shining with excitement.

"What could possibly amaze you?" Zhao Lan turned her head, genuinely curious about what could astonish someone as experienced as Old He.

Old He paused before speaking. "It is said that today, someone produced two miraculous pills. One cured a little girl's congenital severed meridians, and the other transformed her aging mother into a young woman!"

Zhao Lan's eyes widened. "Is such a thing possible?"

Suddenly, a thought struck her. "Even congenital meridian disorders can be cured?"

Old He nodded, visibly moved. "Exactly! That's why I'm so astonished and, frankly, a little excited. This is absolutely true! Miss, just think—if we could obtain one of those pills that heal meridian disorders, there might be hope for resolving the master's condition!"

He continued, "That jade disk from the Shen family, at best, might only alleviate or preserve the master's health. Besides, we're still unsure if we can fully unlock its potential. But that pill, which can directly heal meridian issues, could truly restore the master's meridians!"

"Who is this person?" There was a glint in Zhao Lan's eyes as she asked.

"Mr. Chen," Old He replied. "Lately, he's become the most renowned figure in River City."

He then recounted everything he'd learned about Mr. Chen.

Listening, Zhao Lan's beautiful eyes sparkled. "Who would have thought such a person would appear in humble River City!"

"Indeed, such a man is worth befriending," Old He said solemnly.

"Have you discovered where Mr. Chen lives, or places he frequents?" Zhao Lan inquired.

"In that regard, forgive me, I have not yet found out. From what I've heard, Mr. Chen is elusive, his whereabouts unpredictable. People say he is one of those you may meet only by chance."

"Only by chance? Hmph! Mobilize every connection in River City—we must find Mr. Chen!" Zhao Lan's gaze was resolute. "If we can obtain one of his miraculous pills, we would do anything for him!"

"Yes, Miss," Old He replied respectfully.

"But Miss, there's another matter," Old He added.

"What is it?"

"It's said that three days from now, Master Zhong will hold a public demonstration aboard the Realman. The city's elites have all been invited."

"Oh, such a lively event—we mustn't miss it," Zhao Lan said with a smile.

"Indeed. Obtaining a few magical artifacts or elixirs would be worthwhile. I'll arrange everything for you. By the way, has there been any progress with the Shen family's eldest daughter?"

Zhao Lan shook her head lightly. "That Shen Zhuyun has a tight lip; nothing can be extracted from her. She seems genuinely unaware of the jade disk's secrets."

She paused, then added, "Mr. Chen must be found, but I won't give up on the Shen family either. And as for that annoying son-in-law, tomorrow might be a good opportunity to teach him a lesson."

"Is Miss planning to act personally tomorrow?" Old He asked.

Zhao Lan smiled, saying nothing.

Seeing her smile, Old He immediately understood. "I see, Miss." With that, he took his leave.

...

When Chen Yu returned to the Shen household, he discovered a new suit laid out on the bed. It looked only slightly better than something from a street stall, far inferior to his original suit.

He was a bit surprised and puzzled.

At that moment, Shen Zhuyun spoke coolly, "Don't get the wrong idea. I thought your previous suit was too eye-catching. Tomorrow, I have a small gathering with some old friends—they said they'd like to meet you."

"Oh, so it's a gathering of childhood friends? I suppose I'll have to make a good impression," Chen Yu chuckled, touching his nose.

"No need to show off. Just behave yourself and let me do the talking. If anyone asks you anything, don't answer. I'll handle it," Shen Zhuyun said, frowning.

"So you want me to pretend to be mute?" Chen Yu feigned surprise.

"If you keep quiet, no one will mistake you for a mute. Just remember—even if you have to speak, don't say anything unnecessary!"

Chen Yu smiled slightly. For the sake of his cold wife sleeping on the floor, he would reluctantly give her some face.

Still, he was curious. Who would initiate such a gathering? His workaholic wife surely wasn't the type.

"By the way, can I ask—are you the one organizing this get-together?" Chen Yu asked deliberately.

"It was Zhao Lan," Shen Zhuyun replied.

Chen Yu touched his nose again, quickly recalling who she was. So that woman hadn't returned to the capital yet. He couldn't help but smile.

After that, Shen Zhuyun ignored him, curling up on her small floor mat with a face full of resentment. Sleeping on the floor was bad enough, and now she had to drag her convenient husband to a gathering she didn't want to attend. If her childhood friends hadn't insisted on meeting her husband, she would never have brought him along.

She hadn't planned on any such gathering, but Zhao Lan complained that she hadn't even announced her marriage, which made her feel guilty. Zhao Lan even went so far as to notify their group of friends herself. Most of them no longer lived in River City, and she had no idea how Zhao Lan had gotten in touch with them. When they learned she'd married, they were all shocked and bombarded her with calls, insisting on coming to meet her husband.

Well, let them come, she thought. The matter was already out in the open. She just hoped her husband would behave himself—act like the boss at home if he must, but please don't do the same in public.

She already felt she was losing control of this so-called husband. He'd become so assertive since moving back into the Shen home, emboldened by Grandmother's support. He'd even taken over the bed, leaving her to sleep on the floor every night. Thinking about it, she felt a wave of sadness—how had she ever chosen him in the first place?

The next day, Chen Yu changed into the suit. It fit him surprisingly well; clearly Shen Zhuyun had secretly checked his measurements. He couldn't help but smile—his wife was unexpectedly thoughtful.

Gatherings like these usually took place in the afternoon, so he wasn't in a hurry. He lounged around the Shen home, sipping tea and enjoying the view, the picture of leisure.

Xu Ruizhi wandered past him twice during the morning, each time as if she wanted to say something but stopped herself. The third time, she finally spoke up.

"Hey, you—convenient son-in-law—do you know where Zhuyun's father has gone?"

Chen Yu was a little surprised; this was the first time his mother-in-law had approached him directly.

Come to think of it, he hadn't seen Shen Chengde that day either. Where could his father-in-law have gone?

Since his mother-in-law had taken the initiative, even if her way of addressing him was less than pleasant, it was still a sign their relationship might improve.

"I don't know, actually. Didn't he mention anything to you before he left?"

Xu Ruizhi's face fell in disappointment. Her husband had been out all night, his phone off—could he be up to no good?

Of course, she wouldn't share these concerns with Chen Yu. She'd asked him only because Shen Chengde usually hovered around this convenient son-in-law. Otherwise, she would have continued to ignore Chen Yu entirely.

Seeing her disappointment, Chen Yu offered, "Would you like me to look for him?"

"No need, it's fine." Xu Ruizhi waved him off and left without another word.

Chen Yu scratched his nose in bewilderment. Could something have happened to his father-in-law?

It seemed unlikely—he was already at an age where nothing much could happen.

He chuckled to himself and thought nothing more of it.

He stayed at the Shen home until the afternoon, when Shen Zhuyun finally called to say the gathering would be held at the Golden Hotel.

Chen Yu was momentarily taken aback—the Golden Hotel! He was, after all, a most distinguished waiter there.