Chapter 14:

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Jiang Zhi didn’t dwell on it. Specific requests were better than none.
The worst clients were those who tossed out a dismissive “Go with your aesthetic,” only to nitpick endlessly later.
Following the man’s instruction to combine the styles, Jiang Zhi selected two mood boards featuring a blend of beige and black: one Modern Minimalist, one Light Luxury French.
The Modern Minimalist scheme favored beige as the primary color with black accents, while the Light Luxury French style did the opposite.
Shang Chi chose the Modern Minimalist design.
Jiang Zhi liked this style too—simple, elegant, yet undeniably sophisticated.
With the concept finalized, furniture delivery began.
Jiang Zhi oversaw the entire process, meticulous and dedicated.
Time flew by when busy. Unnoticed, three days had passed.
During these three days, Da Song Tea Manor reliably delivered three meals daily.
Jiang Zhi welcomed the convenience; it saved her precious cooking time.
The villa at No. 7 Villa spanned three floors: the basement housed leisure and entertainment areas; the ground floor contained living spaces; the second floor held offices and bedrooms. Outside, a sprawling pool dominated the garden.
The major furniture pieces were now in place, leaving only the finer details of soft furnishings to complete.

After dinner, as Jiang Zhi contemplated these finishing touches, a notification popped up on her phone:
Exposed: Cause of Leukemia Girl’s Illness Unrelated to Qin Furniture!!
Her gaze sharpened. She tapped the link.
Investigation reveals the girl was diagnosed with leukemia a year prior. Her parents, blinded by greed and seeking massive compensation, distorted the facts. The Qin furniture they purchased was actually acquired only one month ago.
Just as Jiang Zhi finished reading, Qin Mingsheng called.
She answered, “Uncle.”
Qin Mingsheng was silent for a few seconds before speaking. “Zhizhi… Shang Chi has sent people to resolve the company matter.”
“I saw the news,” Jiang Zhi replied.
“I’m useless… I’ve failed you…” Qin Mingsheng’s voice was thick with guilt.
Jiang Zhi cut him off firmly, “Uncle, this was my personal choice. Please don’t blame yourself.”
Qin Mingsheng sighed. “Zhizhi, bring Shang Chi home for dinner when you have time. The Qin family will always be your support.”
Emotion tightened Jiang Zhi’s throat. “Yes, I know.”
After hanging up, she discovered online that the Shang Group had also publicly announced a substantial capital injection into the Qin Group.
The mere name “Shang Group” was a powerful endorsement. It meant the Qin Group’s future development would be smooth sailing, poised for unprecedented success.
This outcome surprised Jiang Zhi.
Feeling grateful to the man, she poured even more care into perfecting the soft furnishing details.

Meanwhile, Shang Chi had just concluded an international conference when Zhou Xu’s call came through.
“President Shang, the Qin Group crisis is resolved. It will take a little more time to fully trace the source of the compromised materials.”
Shang Chi’s voice was devoid of inflection. “Handle it.” He ended the call.
He leaned back in his office chair, turning slightly to gaze at the city lights shimmering beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows. His thumb slowly rotated the silver ring on his index finger. A dark glint flashed behind his gold-rimmed glasses.
Back then, he’d been too impatient, too eager. He hadn’t understood the value of gradual steps.
He would not repeat the same mistake.
Three days. Had the woman at home grown accustomed to his scent yet?
Even if not… he had a lifetime to make her adapt.

Three more days passed. Jiang Zhi walked through the villa, surveying her work.
Calculating the time, the man would return tomorrow. She needed one final check for any oversights.
The interior was flawless. Only the outdoor garden remained.
Stepping into the garden, Jiang Zhi scanned the area. Finding nothing amiss, she was about to turn back when she spotted one of the ambient pool lights was dark.
She approached it, crouched down, and peered inside. The bulb was simply missing.
Identifying the problem, Jiang Zhi stood up, pulling out her phone to call a technician.
But as she rose, she lost her balance, stumbling backwards towards the pool. Her phone flew from her grasp, landing with a clatter on the pool deck!
Water rushed over her. Thankfully, Jiang Zhi could swim. After swallowing a small mouthful, she righted herself and broke the surface.
Gasping for air, her eyes still blurred, a large, well-defined hand appeared beside her.
Instinctively, she grasped it. “Thank you,” she managed, voice thick with water.
Only then did the realization strike her.
She’d been alone in this house for six days.
She wiped the water from her face and looked up. Inches from her, an unmistakable, sharply defined face loomed.
Jiang Zhi froze. Before she could speak, the hand gripping hers pulled forcefully.
Propelled by the powerful motion, she was hauled onto the deck, colliding with an unyielding chest.
His distinct masculine scent filled her senses.
Instinctively, she raised her hands to push against his chest, trying to create distance.
Jiang Zhi wore a simple white V-neck dress. Now soaked, the fabric clung to her body like a second skin, outlining every curve.
The white material, rendered nearly transparent by the water, left little to the imagination. Her matching, skin-toned undergarments were clearly visible beneath.

His warm palm remained firmly planted on her slender waist. His other hand still gripped her wrist. Their bodies were separated by barely an inch.
Jiang Zhi looked up into Shang Chi’s deep, vortex-like eyes. “When did you get back?” she asked, her voice strained.
He didn’t answer. His gaze remained fixed on her face, openly appraising.
Wet hair clung to her shoulders. Her porcelain skin glistened with droplets. Long lashes sparkled with water, her nose was faintly pink, her lips full and enticing.
Unaware of her own allure.
Shang Chi’s eyes flicked down to the scant inch separating their waists. His gaze darkened, voice dropping to a low rasp. “Wet temptation? Hmm?”
As the words left his lips, the hand on her waist slid lower, pulling her flush against him.
Their bodies connected, leaving no space between them.
A soft, involuntary sound escaped Jiang Zhi’s lips—a breathy, sweet moan that sent shivers down the spine.
She felt his grip on her waist tighten perceptibly.
Mortified by the sound she’d made, heat flooded her cheeks. She struggled. “I didn’t know you were back!” In her haste to retort, she forgot the formal address.
The pool’s heating system was off. The spring evening water was still cold.
A breeze swept across the deck. Jiang Zhi shivered violently.
Shang Chi observed this, a faint curve touching his lips. He pulled her even closer, his voice a low, magnetic rumble. “Still claiming you’re not trying to seduce me?”
Jiang Zhi, “……”

She looked up defiantly. “I’m cold!”
The man leaned slowly towards her ear, his warm breath ghosting over her skin. His tone was deliberate. “A wife seducing her husband is perfectly natural. No need for shyness.”
His deep, resonant voice seemed to vibrate directly into her ear canal. The skin there tingled as if electrified, the sensation radiating through her whole body.
Jiang Zhi went rigid, not daring to move a muscle.
How could this man be so infuriating?!
Deliberately twisting her words!
Shang Chi glanced down at the crimson tip of her ear. Behind the gold-rimmed glasses, his deep eyes narrowed slightly, a half-smirk playing on his lips. His voice was coolly dismissive. “Not in the mood today. Clean yourself up. You’re coming with me to the old residence.”