Chapter 15: Arrogance

Meng Yuqi had long grown accustomed to his beloved’s deep-seated narcissism. Lately, it seemed to have grown even stronger.

He was starting to seriously suspect that one day, she might fall in love with herself!

“Yes, you’re the most beautiful,” Meng Yuqi agreed with a grin.

“Wow, that sounded so sincere,” Tong Yue chuckled. “Of course, in Yuqi’s eyes, I have to be the most beautiful.”

Tong Yue (thinking): Hah, it’s all lies.

Meng Yuqi decided it was best to focus on his documents for now. His beloved’s acting was impeccable. What she said out loud and what she thought inside were completely different. Outwardly, she seemed delicate and sweet, but inside… well, to be fair, she was still a soft and gentle girl, full of warmth and charm.

Tong Feng followed Meng Yuqi to the study, carrying a stack of documents. Once inside, he couldn’t help but steal a few extra glances at the boss.

“Marrying Yueyue is the best option for me,” Meng Yuqi remarked, noticing Tong Feng’s curious gaze. “I can protect her, and I can give her the resources she needs.”

“Yes, you still have eight months and ten days left in your contract,” Tong Feng replied with a nod.

Meng Yuqi’s lips twitched—Tong Feng sure had the dates memorized.

“According to your agreement, after the divorce, you’ll both limit contact to avoid any misunderstandings with future partners,” Tong Feng continued. “The Meng family also can’t suppress her career and must provide assistance when necessary.”

Tong Feng felt his sister was incredibly smart for outlining everything so clearly in the contract. She made sure there would be no room for misunderstandings. After the divorce, she wouldn’t meet with Meng Yuqi unless absolutely necessary, nor would she rely on him for any further resources.

There were few people like his sister, who could separate things so cleanly.

With his sister’s clarity and the contract in place, there was no need to worry about her clinging to the boss after the agreement ended.

“Are you thinking of ending the contract early?” Tong Feng asked.

“No!” Meng Yuqi shot back, suspecting Tong Feng was teasing him. Why would he want to end the contract early? “Stop pretending you don’t know.”

Meng Yuqi didn’t believe for a second that Tong Feng was unaware of his true feelings. The whole reason he had entered into the contract marriage with Tong Yue was that he was hoping it would become real.

Marriage was a sacred thing to him. How could a marriage be based on a contract?

Unlike other domineering CEOs who played manipulative games, Meng Yuqi prided himself on being devoted and genuine when it came to matters of the heart.

“Alright,” Tong Feng said with a shrug. “But as things stand now, my sister only sees you as her boss.”

Just as Tong Feng viewed Meng Yuqi as his employer, though his sister’s situation was different—being a woman, sparks could easily fly between them.

“You still have a banquet to attend tonight,” Tong Feng reminded as he placed a thick stack of files in front of the boss. Even with a date lined up, work had to be done.

Meng Yuqi thought, Tong Feng’s wings are growing strong, but he still had to handle these documents. After all, he needed to make money to buy his beloved dresses, jewelry, and let her indulge in shopping.

Meanwhile, Tong Yue was admiring flowers with Mrs. Meng in the greenhouse.

Ah, the luxury of the wealthy, having a private greenhouse filled with all kinds of blooms.

Tong Yue loved places that reeked of money—oh wait, no, places that smelled of faint floral scents like this one.

“The succulents on my balcony died,” Tong Yue remarked as she gazed at the beautiful flowers, remembering her own. The succulents had been growing well at first, sprouting from tiny seeds, even blooming eventually. But in the end, they withered.

Maybe it was because she’d been over-watering them recently. In the past, she was always busy filming, so she’d water them sparingly. But these past few days, with more time on her hands, she’d been watering them too frequently, causing the leaves to rot.

Ah, even gods aren’t all-powerful. Gods aren’t meant for ordinary gardening; they should use divine powers to make plants sprout and bloom instantly, she thought with a smile. Killing a few plants wasn’t a big deal. After all, she was practically a goddess and a master gardener in her own right.

Fortunately, Meng Yuqi wasn’t around. If he had heard her inner thoughts just now, he probably wouldn’t have been able to hold back his laughter.

“Succulents are tricky. They don’t always bloom,” Mrs. Meng said, not criticizing Tong Yue, nor offering any tips on how to garden. Instead, she suggested, “Cacti are easier to grow. Why not try growing cacti?”

“Cacti?” Tong Yue pondered. Cacti indeed seemed like a safer bet.

“If Yuqi ever upsets you, just make him kneel on the cactus,” Mrs. Meng joked.

“I thought it was durian?” Tong Yue asked, amused.

“That works too. You can snack on durian while he kneels. When there’s no durian, use the cactus. The thorns are so fine—who knows if they’ll break off or dig in,” Mrs. Meng teased.

“That might require a doctor…” Tong Yue mused. Mrs. Meng was more ruthless than she was. She could never dare make her boss kneel on durian or cactus.

“What doctor? Let him pick out the thorns himself!” Mrs. Meng laughed. “Besides, you wouldn’t make him kneel for long anyway.”

Not that I wouldn’t, I just wouldn’t dare, Tong Yue added silently.

Mrs. Meng continued chatting cheerfully with Tong Yue, clearly fond of her. What she loved most was that Tong Yue wasn’t obsessed with high-society rules. Mrs. Meng had never wanted a stiff, proper daughter-in-law; she wanted someone who brought comfort and joy.

Ever since her son married Tong Yue, he’d been smiling a lot more.

From early on, Mrs. Meng noticed that whenever Tong Yue was around, her son made sure to come home early, just to catch a glimpse of her. On days when he couldn’t, it was either because he was tied up elsewhere or due to important business matters.

Her son had even used excuses like losing important files or having a headache to rush home and rest… all kinds of reasons to come back early. But most of the time, no one questioned him.

“Make sure to dress beautifully tonight, so everyone knows you married into the Meng family by sheer beauty,” Mrs. Meng said, eyeing the vibrant flowers. Her gaze shifted to her daughter-in-law, knowing she would attend a banquet with her son later. “Those people are just jealous that they’re not as pretty as you.”

People often gossiped, saying Tong Yue had only married into the Meng family because of her looks. But Mrs. Meng didn’t care. Who doesn’t like a beautiful girl?

“Exactly. With a face like mine, why would I need talent?” Tong Yue wholeheartedly agreed. “Even when I act, I prefer to be a vase.”

Of course, a pretty vase came with expectations. To make more money, she still reluctantly relied on her acting skills.

“Vases can be valuable,” Mrs. Meng said. “Antique ones, like blue-and-white porcelain, are especially so.”

“Blue-and-white porcelain, huh? I think I’d rather be someone causing a scandal,” Tong Yue joked, her eyes twinkling. “Getting into scandals helps you blow up.”

“Why didn’t you stir up some scandal with Yuqi before getting married? Why wait until after?” Mrs. Meng sighed playfully. If her daughter-in-law had stirred things up sooner… no, wait, her son probably would have been the one causing a scandal.

“Because I’m a decent person,” Tong Yue replied with a laugh.

Whether or not scandals happened, Mrs. Meng and Tong Yue were enjoying themselves, talking freely without any serious discussion about the flowers. They didn’t even bother arranging them properly; they were just chatting joyfully.

After the conversation, Mrs. Meng felt completely at ease.

Indeed, a beautiful daughter-in-law is a blessing, she thought.

Meanwhile, the Monster Management Bureau had started organizing a plan to have one of their staff get close to Tong Yue and act when the time was right.

That afternoon, after basking in the compliments of the stylist, Tong Yue was ready. She found these stylists’ flattering words amusing—each one praising her skin, her youth, and her beauty.

It was much better than her old days at the hair salon. Back then, when she wasn’t as famous, she’d go to a salon to get her hair cut, and the stylists would either criticize her hair texture or tell her it was too unruly. They’d push for all sorts of expensive hair products and suggest perms.

It was annoying. Why couldn’t they just compliment her beauty?

Of course, if they had praised her hair, she might not have gotten a perm. Hmph! Like she’d ever let them get their way so easily. No way she’d let them take her money.

“So, how do I look?” Tong Yue purposefully spun in front of her brother, Tong Feng.

Meng Yuqi, watching this, thought, Did my beloved approach the wrong person? She should be spinning in front of her husband, not her brother!

With a soft cough, Meng Yuqi cleared his throat. If we’re maintaining professional decorum, shouldn’t she be twirling in front of her husband instead?

“Oh, Yuqi’s here,” Tong Yue said with a teasing grin, deliberately going to her brother first.

The magical power of love… twirling in circles.

How is this possible? That phrase was too catchy.

Though he found the phrase funny, Meng Yuqi still preferred that Tong Yue show off her charm for him alone.

“That dress looks great,” Meng Yuqi commented before picking up a sheer shawl from the hanger and wrapping it around her.

The sleeves were too short, the shoulders too exposed—it needed some coverage.

Meng Yuqi didn’t want anyone else admiring his beloved’s beauty. He preferred to enjoy it privately at home.

“Mm, this way I won’t have to worry about the air conditioning being too cold,” Tong Yue mused. Ah, the boss is secretly a tease. He loves the sheer, seductive look.

Tong Yue was used to it by now. Many of the dresses he gave her were in this style. Imagine a woman wrapped only in thin chiffon, lying on a white bed… how tempting!

But I’m his little sister, Tong Yue thought.

Sister? Meng Yuqi mentally corrected himself. No, no, you’re more than just a sister—you’re my beloved.

Tong Feng, feeling out of place, thought he might just be the giant third wheel in this scene. Maybe he should stand behind the door instead?

“Do you need me to drive?” Tong Feng asked.

“No need,” Meng Yuqi declined. Tong Feng should head home quickly—whether he watches a movie alone or does something else, it’s better if he’s not here between me and Tong Yue.

He suspected that if Tong Feng stayed, Tong Yue might just find more reasons to talk to her brother, leaving him, her husband, feeling neglected.

“Don’t waste your paycheck,” Meng Yuqi added. After all, he wasn’t paying Tong Feng to be a third-wheel chauffeur.

“I thought so,” Tong Feng said, turning to Tong Yue. “Yueyue, enjoy yourself.”

Tong Yue nodded, thinking, Brother, I’m just attending a banquet, not heading to the guillotine.

Meanwhile, the Monster Management Bureau staff had already set out. Today, they planned to deal with Tong Yue and send a message to other spirits. Just because she was famous didn’t mean she could avoid registering with the bureau.

Then just stay silent, choose silence, and wait for the fake death. Once her fame crumbles into nothing, let’s see how arrogant she can still be.