Using power to force marriage

The kiss lasted a long time, until she couldn't hold back any longer and reached out to pat the man's shoulder.

Zhao Jingnian then finally let go of her.

Ruan Fu was exhausted from the kiss and leaned on his shoulder, panting, her chest heaving violently.

Zhao Jingnian chuckled softly. His Xiao Fu was such a fool; she always made herself blush with embarrassment when they kissed.

To be honest, her kiss was truly magical, successfully sweeping away most of his bad mood from before.

After a while, Ruan Fu's breathing gradually became steady.

She looked up from him, her eyes sparkling, her lips glistening with moisture.

Zhao Jingnian's gaze involuntarily fell on her lips again, wanting to kiss her once more.

"What's wrong with you? Why do you suddenly want me to comfort you?"

She had barely uttered those words when her lips were captured again.

What's gotten into that old man tonight? Her tongue was still numb; she hadn't recovered yet.

When asked what was wrong, he didn't say anything.

Zhao Jingnian pressed his lips against hers, their breaths mingling as they caressed each other.

This kiss was just as passionate as the last one.

Ruan Fu sobbed and begged for mercy, "I won't kiss you anymore... Brother, I can't take it anymore..."

She was really struggling to cope; her lips were practically swollen shut.

Zhao Jingnian heard her pouting and let go of her.

His eyes were still brimming with lingering passion, and he kissed Ruan Fu's forehead again.

One kiss wasn't enough to completely appease him, but two kisses would.

Zhao Jingnian felt completely relieved; his Xiao Fu was so sweet.

"You kissed my lips so hard they hurt."

Hearing Ruan Fu's irritating accusation, the man smiled lazily and called her a "spoiled brat".

"Hmph~ You're annoying."

Zhao Jingnian cupped her face in his hands and patiently coaxed her in a low voice, "Where does it hurt? Let me rub it for you."

Ruan Fu nestled lazily in his arms, refusing his touch.

"You're acting strange today. Why are you suddenly asking me to comfort you?"

Ruan Fu was teased by his lips twice, but she still couldn't figure out what was wrong with him.

"It's alright, you've made me feel better."

Although he was reluctant to admit it, he felt that he was indeed a bit petty and couldn't stand hearing his Xiao Fu praise other men.

"Have you calmed her down?"

"Um."

"Are you so easy to coax?" Two kisses are all it takes.

"She's a bit easier to appease than me."

He was too embarrassed to tell the reason why he was feeling unwell, afraid that his little Fu baby would laugh at him.

-

The week-long China Economic Summit has ended, and Zhao Jingnian can finally relax.

Gu Qingyue invited him and several business partners with whom she had a good relationship to have a small gathering at "Mingyuan".

After lunch, Zhao Jingnian changed his clothes and prepared to go out.

"Are you coming home tonight to have dinner with me?"

Ruan Fu straightened his collar and said expectantly, "If you come back and have dinner with me, I'll eat more."

He calmly agreed, "Okay, I'll come back and have dinner with you."

Where are you meeting? Is it far?

"Let's meet at the tea garden."

"Mingyuan" is a traditional courtyard house with three courtyards in the old city, full of antique charm. On weekdays, it is frequented by the upper class and dignitaries who come and go, listening to music, drinking tea, and enjoying their leisure time.

Zhao Jingnian informed her, "Gu Qingyue is insisting on playing cards."

Ruan Fu saw him to the door, and when she heard him mention playing cards, a sly glint flashed in her eyes.

She took the man's hand, lowered her head, and kissed the back of his hand. "My kiss will bring you good luck. You'll keep winning today!"

Zhao Jingnian was charmed by her words and his heart softened.

He offered his other hand, saying, "This one hasn't been kissed yet."

Ruan Fu indulged him, kissing his other one as well, "Satisfied now?"

Satisfied.

The courtyard house is elegant and noble, with a roof covered with gray tile, wind chimes hanging from the eaves, and century-old crabapple and pomegranate trees planted outside the carved nanmu windows.

It was the height of summer, and the view outside the window was lush and verdant.

In the superior private room, Zhao Jingnian sat down at the ebony square card table and played cards with others for amusement.

He was dressed casually today, wearing a silk smoky gray shirt with two buttons undone at the collar and the cuffs casually rolled up to his forearms, revealing his sharp wrists and an understated yet expensive Rolex.

After a few rounds of cards, the atmosphere became relaxed and comfortable, and the conversation shifted from business to personal relationships.

Zhao Jingnian was newly married, so he became the focus of attention.

When asked if his new wife was as spoiled as rumored, Zhao Jingnian casually picked up a card, lowered his eyes and chuckled, "She's delicate and hard to please, she's a real little troublemaker."

These words instantly piqued everyone's interest, their eyes filled with amusement at the prospect of a good show.

Gu Qingyue sighed, "Your new wife seems difficult to deal with. It's better to be single. My family has been pressuring me to marry someone these past two years, but I'm more principled than you and haven't given in. Otherwise, I would also have to marry a pampered young lady to take care of."

He started boasting to himself, "It's no use you envying me now, it's too late. I'm free from love, carefree and at ease, I can do whatever I want."

Zhao Jingnian gave him a mocking look. "Well, I wish you a lifetime of single life."

He won another round while chatting and laughing.

Of the four people at the card table, Gu Qingyue lost the most.

He complained bitterly, "I'm really impressed, Old Zhao, how come you're having such good luck today?"

Zhao Jingnian lowered his eyes and stared at his hands, at the spot where she had kissed him. "I borrowed some good luck from my wife before I left."

Gu Qingyue was already in a bad mood after losing a series of hands, and then the person who won against him forced him to eat dog food (a Chinese slang term for witnessing public displays of affection). How was he supposed to play anymore?

"Let's go again, I don't believe I can keep losing today."

After two more rounds, the sky outside the window suddenly darkened.

Summer is a time of frequent rain, and the weather has been very muggy these past few days. Zhao Jingnian sensed something was wrong with the weather when he went out; the air was thick with the oppressive atmosphere of an approaching downpour.

Then, a muffled rumble of thunder rolled across the horizon.

At the mahjong table, Zhao Jingnian's movements as he caressed the mahjong tiles suddenly froze.

Gu Qingyue: "It's going to rain."

Some joked, "Good fortune comes with water. Boss Gu should go outside and get soaked in the rain; maybe his luck will improve."

He laughed and retorted, "Get lost! It's clearly because Lao Zhao had such good luck that it makes me look like I had bad luck."

It's definitely going to rain.

Zhao Jingnian felt a pang of worry when he remembered that Ruan Fu was afraid of thunderstorms like this.

Although Aunt Sun is at home, his daughter Xiao Fu is probably more willing to rely on him.

Without saying a word, Zhao Jingnian pushed the mahjong tiles aside, "I'm not playing anymore, let's go home."

Gu Qingyue was still waiting to turn the tide and win back the game, but he actually wanted to go home.

"You win the game and then run away, that's not fair, Lao Zhao."

Zhao Jingnian stood up. "My wife is afraid of thunderstorms, so I have to go home and be with her."

Gu Qingyue was amused by this and didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "What's there to be afraid of on a rainy day?"

The perfectly good card game was suddenly interrupted, and he felt disappointed. "Sigh, your little troublemaker is really troublesome enough."

When Gu Qingyue's words reached Zhao Jingnian's ears, the atmosphere around him became tense.

Noticing his cold gaze, Gu Qingyue was puzzled. "Why are you glaring at me? You said yourself that she's a little troublemaker."

He can say the words "little troublemaker," but others can't.

Zhao Jingnian parted his thin lips slightly, "I like trouble."

He likes trouble, so what?

Gu Qingyue laughed in exasperation, then overturned the mahjong tiles beside her with a speechless expression. "I'm the clown? I'm just a pawn in your couple's play?"

-

(Princessies, this book has been released for rating today, and it only has a 6.7 rating so far, sob sob~ Please, princesses who haven't rated it yet, help to give it a five-star review, let's quickly raise the rating so that more people can see our cute little Fu baby~)