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*Huayu Group*
The building was nearly empty, with only the chairman’s office still brightly lit.
“Sir, Miss Ming has safely exited,” reported the bodyguard in a black suit, standing to the side.
“…In addition, she slipped a sedative into Young Master Xiao’s pocket.”
The bodyguard poured out everything he had witnessed, as if he were spilling beans from a bamboo tube.
Listening to his account, Zhou Tingyun continued to sign documents without pause, calmly asking, “Have you arranged for the reporters?”
The bodyguard nodded. “Miss Ming has already contacted reporters from Xinghua Entertainment, Huanrui Entertainment, and Chenyu Media in advance.”
Upon hearing this, a faint smile flickered in the Zhou Tingyun’s eyes.
“Go contact Beixin News Agency as well,” he instructed.
The bodyguard took a moment to process before quickly nodding. Just as he was about to leave, he hesitated and turned back.
“Sir, um…”
“What is it?” Zhou Tingyun asked, flipping to the next page of the document.
“President Gu from Lianfeng Technology is blocking Miss Ming at the entrance of the club…”
Zhou Tingyun looked up at him.
“Of course, Miss Ming completely ignored him and drove away herself!” the bodyguard quickly added.
The man withdrew his gaze, replying with a faint, “Hmm,” indicating he was already aware.
…
The moonlight gently spilled into the courtyard, casting a serene glow on the stone slabs, while the pond shimmered with ripples, occasionally disturbed by the movement of fish.
By the time Zhou Tingyun returned home from the company, it was already late, and silence weighed heavily in the air.
As he stepped inside, he noticed that the living room lights were still on.
The warm glow spread outward, dispelling the darkness of the night.
His charming younger sister stood at the entrance, arms crossed, glaring at him.
“You’re back so late! Where have you been fooling around?”
She questioned him loudly, her bare face appearing fresh and translucent under the light.
Her displeased expression made it seem as if he were some irresponsible scoundrels.
Zhou Tingyun unbuttoned his suit jacket and loosened his tie, responding calmly, “I’ve been working hard to earn money to buy you a bag and some jewelry.”
Ming Zhao perked up at that.
With zero shame, she exclaimed, “Wow, you’re so lucky! I really envy you for having such a generous sister willing to spend money on you.”
“Indeed,” he nodded. “That’s why I also bought the diamond-studded high heels you liked a few days ago.”
High heels?!
“Are you serious?!” Ming Zhao’s eyes lit up in delight. “How did you know I wanted them?”
A smile appeared in his eyes. “They’re already in your wardrobe.”
Before he could finish speaking, Ming Zhao launched herself at him, elongating her voice excitedly. “Brother—”
The man instinctively steadied her, his hands sinking into the softness of her form.
Before he could say anything, the overjoyed girl suddenly leaned in and planted a forceful kiss on his cheek.
Her soft lips were slightly cool, catching him off guard.
“You’re so good to me!” she cooed, her voice sweet and flattering. “You truly are my dearest, dearest, dearest brother.”
Zhou Tingyun frowned. “You…”
Before he could finish, she planted another kiss on his right cheek.
“…”
“I really, really, really love those shoes! I want them so badly!” Ming Zhao squealed. “Thank you, Brother.”
Zhou Tingyun had intended to scold her, but seeing her glowing expression, he could only sigh. “Zhao Zhao, get down now.”
Ming Zhao clung to his neck, pretending not to hear.
“Come on, come on, come on! Take me to see my precious high heels now.”
Her legs, wrapped around his waist as she moved restlessly, and she tugged lightly at his hair, to urge him.
With no other choice, he steadily carried her upstairs like a koala.
…
The walk-in closet, which Zhou Tingyun had renovated after Ming Zhao moved in, was filled with luxury goods.
On the shelves, beautifully cut diamonds lined up in neat rows, refracting dazzling starlight under the ceiling lights—brighter than the Milky Way.
Only then did Ming Zhao finally let go, picking up the diamond-studded high heels and clutching her chest.
“So beautiful,” she whispered.
Her emotions overflowed, her tone rising and falling dramatically.
“Sir, I don’t know how to repay your kindness. In my next life, I’ll be willing to…” She trailed off.
Zhou Tingyun pinched her face, cutting off her last few words.
“Stop with those ridiculous remarks.”
He raised her for so long just for her to say something like that?
Ming Zhao stubbornly retorted, “I was just joking! I could offer myself in return, you know.”
“Offer yourself?” Zhou Tingyun released her, smirking. “I think you just want me to work like a servant for you for the rest of my life.”
“And what’s wrong with that?” she said, looking pitiful.
“Am I not your most beloved baby?”
Zhou Tingyun chuckled. “You think you’re a baby at your age?”
No matter the context, the word ‘baby’ coming from him still had a powerful impact.
Ming Zhao’s ears turned slightly red. She sat down in a chair and playfully kicked his knee.
A clear hint.
Zhou Tingyun knew better than anyone what her little gestures meant.
He crouched slightly in front of her, gently grasping her slender ankle, and placed her foot on his knee.
Then, he picked up the high heels and carefully helped her put them on.
Ming Zhao looked down at his composed and handsome face, with a high nose and deep-set eyes framed by long lashes, cast delicate shadows.
His fair fingers meticulously fastened the straps.
He was the eldest son of the Zhou family, the sole heir, and the esteemed chairman of Huayu Group.
Calm, polite, gentle, and humble—praised by all as the perfect gentleman.
Yet here he was, kneeling before her, helping this willful young lady to put on her shoes.
Ming Zhao had encountered countless admirers eager to please her.
Some were handsome in their own right, but when compared to Zhou Tingyun, they all felt like a significant downgrade. She couldn’t help but feel a little speechless.
After living such a good life, she had only just realized this?
What a shame.
He released her ankle, and Ming Zhao remained standing on his suit pants, her diamond-studded heels gleaming.
She shifted slightly. “Do they look good?”
“They look good,” he replied.
Zhou Tingyun always told her she looked good.
Ever since she was a baby—crying in a high chair, her face covered in food, rolling in the mud, or even when she broke out in hives and looked like a piglet—he had always held her and said she looked good.
Ming Zhao thought for a moment and suddenly recalled that night when she was eighteen.
What had made him so angry back then?
She initially believed it was her questioning that annoyed him—because he was tired of her clinging to him, thinking she was being ungrateful.
But now, it seemed it wasn’t that simple.
Ming Zhao gazed around, resting her chin on her hand, her tone filled with frustration.
“I feel a bit scared sleeping alone on the second floor; I keep having nightmares.”
Recalling how she had cried pitifully last time, Zhou Tingyun frowned slightly.
“Brother, can I sleep with you…”
She quickly hit the brakes and rephrased.
“Can I stay with you?”