Using power to force marriage

"Xiao Fu, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have talked to you like that last night."

Zhao Jingnian is the most powerful and influential figure in the elite circles, in charge of the Zhao family's vast empire, capable of turning the tide in Beicheng with a flick of his wrist.

Furthermore, he was proud and aloof, and never apologized to or yielded to anyone.

But Ruan Fu is his wife, and bowing down to one's wife is not shameful.

"I saw the sachet. Did you make it yourself?" Zhao Jingnian tightened his arms, holding the person in his arms even closer.

There was a hint of uncertainty in his voice, "Was it a gift for me?"

Ruan Fu's tone was stubborn: "No, that's not true!"

Zhao Jingnian's deep voice was tinged with a faint melancholy as his well-defined hands gently caressed her slender waist.

"Little liar."

The sachet was placed on his side of the pillow, filled with calming Chinese herbal spices, and made of blue Song brocade; it was clearly a gift for him.

"If I'm a little liar, then what are you?" Ruan Fu asked, her voice tinged with resentment. "A big jerk?"

That big jerk who made her angry.

Zhao Jingnian looked down at the person in his arms, who was both angry and coquettish, and a faint smile appeared in his eyes. "I'll accept the sachet. I like it very much."

"So ugly, Mr. Zhao, don't you mind?"

"It's ugly, but I think it's quite well-designed."

Hearing this, Ruan Fu raised her hand and lightly punched his shoulder. "Are you praising me or insulting me?"

This is the first time I've heard someone use the word "design sense" to describe a sachet.

"Of course I'm praising you."

After Zhao Jingnian apologized, he saw that she was behaving well in his arms, so he figured she was probably no longer angry.

"Bring your cats and dogs, and your Aunt Sun, and come home with me," the man coaxed softly in a deep, magnetic voice.

She looked up from Zhao Jingnian's embrace. "Do you know why I'm angry?"

He thought the girl was just upset because he had spoken to her badly the night before.

I shouldn't have spoken to you while I was emotional.

Ruan Fu's back stiffened slightly, and after hearing his reply, the bitterness that had been building up in her heart grew even stronger.

It seems that Zhao Jingnian did not realize the real reason why she was angry.

What Ruan Fu cared about was that he was guarded and unwilling to open his heart, and he never regarded her as a bedmate to whom he could entrust his secrets.

"Forget it, I don't want to go back with you for now." She pushed the man away.

A hint of confusion flashed across Zhao Jingnian's eyes. Hadn't he already apologized? Why was she still angry?

I need some peace and quiet.

He was about to say something more, but Ruan Fu interrupted him, "Has the matter at the old house been resolved?"

"It's been resolved."

"So you could say that, which means it hasn't been completely resolved yet."

Her voice was soft and hoarse, "Let's talk about it after you've finished dealing with the old house. My cats and dogs are very noisy, and I'm afraid they'll bother you."

This statement was so understanding that it was hard to believe it came from her.

Zhao Jingnian: "It won't have any impact."

Ruan Fu insisted, "Yes."

She took two steps back. "It's too late, I need to go to sleep."

Zhao Jingnian understood her attitude and didn't press the matter further.

"Okay, I'll come see you again tomorrow. Remember to blow-dry your hair before bed."

He turned around, picked up the jewelry from the hood of the car, and handed it over. "The pink diamond is quite beautiful. Xiao Fu, please accept it."

Upon hearing the words "give me the honor," Ruan Fu's heart skipped a beat.

He wasn't giving this gift in the manner of someone in a superior position, but rather softening his stance, hoping that his little Fu would be kind enough to grant his wish.

The pampered heiress, raised in luxury, is proud and arrogant, deserving of the best of everything in the world.

She slowly extended her fingertips and took the gift box. "Alright, then I'll do you the honor of accepting it."

Zhao Jingnian's expression softened. "Get some rest. Good night."

-

But the night was not peaceful; Ruan Fu slept very poorly.

Zhao Jingnian filled her little heart to the brim; when she closed her eyes, all she could see was his image and voice.

Early in the morning, she went to find Meng Shutan.

When Ruan Fu entered the office, she saw Ruan Fu drawing design sketches.

"What brings you here so early in the morning?"

Meng Shutan had no idea that she and Zhao Jingnian had argued and she had moved out.

"Are you occupied?"

"I'm all done." Meng Shutan put down her liner pen. "I'm designing a brooch for my dad as a birthday present."

As Ruan Fu approached, she saw the brooch on the drawing and instantly remembered the savior she had met in Hong Kong.

"What did the Italian designer say? Have they contacted the buyer of the brooch yet?"

Meng Shutan shook her head. "No news."

Her expression wilted slightly. "Well, I guess I really won't have a chance to repay him. He was just a kind stranger I met by chance, so it's normal that I can't find him."

Meng Shutan could tell that she wasn't in a good mood. Ruan Fu was usually cheerful and warm, but something was wrong with her today.

"What's wrong? Are you unhappy?"

Ruan Fu told Meng Shutan about her relationship with Zhao Jingnian.

"How could he do this? It's outrageous." Meng Shutan naturally had to stand up for her best friend who had been wronged.

"That old man is incredibly lucky to have married such a young and beautiful wife like you. How could he talk to you like that?"

Ruan Fu continued, also telling her about Zhao Jingnian's visit the previous night with jewelry to seek peace.

"30 billion! Hmm... but then again..."

Meng Shutan performed a dramatic face-changing act, softening her tone considerably. "Giving away 30 billion yuan worth of jewelry so easily, and the old man isn't entirely unrepentant; he's already apologized. Why are you still unhappy?"

Zhao Jingnian is exceptionally beautiful, comes from a distinguished family, and wields immense power, which can bring her prestige and glory.

He was chaste and had no romantic affairs. He dutifully played the role of the perfect husband, doing his best to satisfy all her needs.

The two were also exceptionally compatible in their sex life. Even when they argued, they would take the initiative to humble themselves and make up. What could they possibly be dissatisfied with?

Meng Shutan offered her advice, saying, "As long as he treats you well and doesn't cheat on you, why force a physical relationship or even a deep emotional connection?"

Opening up to someone is something two people in love should do. Her marriage with Zhao Jingnian is a business arrangement without any feelings involved, so there's no need to overcomplicate it.

"Anyway, you don't like him. It's better not to tell you about those unpleasant things at the Zhao family's old house, so as not to bother you."

Meng Shutan's words were all reasonable and exactly the same as her original thoughts.

Publicly affectionate, privately detached – this is the ideal state for a business marriage.

Ruan Fu's words carried a hint of confusion and helplessness, "But I don't know why, I'm just very unhappy."

"Oh dear, don't be upset. A princess's mission is to be happy every day. Why waste your time and energy on a man?" Meng Shutan had never been in a relationship and knew nothing about matters of the heart.

All she knew was that Zhao Jingnian had admitted his mistake and sent a wonderful apology gift, and that was enough.

"Fufu, do you really want to divorce him?"

To be honest, it seems I don't really want to.

"If you don't want a divorce, then make up."

However, she didn't want to reconcile with Zhao Jingnian immediately, as she always felt that the conflict between the two of them had not been truly resolved.

But she really couldn't figure out what the conflict between the two of them was.

Meng Shutan had a sudden inspiration. "I know! The reason you're unhappy is because he didn't coax you enough, so you have to keep him out of the picture for a few more days and let him remember it. That way, he won't dare to make you angry so easily in the future."

After hearing her words, Ruan Fu also felt that she might have been very angry with him that night, and her resentment had not subsided, which was why she had been holding a grudge.

"So that's the reason. I thought she had fallen for Zhao Jingnian."

Only those who truly care will experience anxiety and fear of loss.

Meng Shutan chuckled, "You've only been married a short time, how could you suddenly fall for him? Besides, you said Zhao Jingnian isn't your type, and you wouldn't develop feelings for him over time."

She hung her head listlessly, having neither eaten nor slept well for the past two days, and her eyes were slightly dark.

"Have you not been sleeping well these past few days? If you keep staying up like this, your face will sag."

Meng Shutan suggested, "Let's have a little wine tonight to get a little tipsy, and then get a good night's sleep. Princess Fufu, don't be upset."

------

(Waaaaah~ Silly Fufu has a silly best friend. Listening to them talk about their relationship problems feels like the worst student is lecturing the second-to-last student. Fufu, my dear, you're falling for someone, but you don't even realize it!)