Chapter 20: I Bought This Place for You

“So that’s how it is, you went through the back door.” Li Qingying assumed He Haoxuan knew someone inside the villa—perhaps a janitor or some such—so they’d been given a spare room.

Li Qingying had heard before that the villas in Tenglong Manor were numbered from 1 to 20. She’d just checked the place they were in: there was no number, only an ‘A’ sign.

Still, the house was excellent, like a private estate. Here they could dine, barbecue, hold meetings, fish, row boats, and swim.

No wonder the price was so high; they couldn’t see any other houses, all hidden behind the surrounding trees. Such secrecy was clearly appealing to the wealthy.

At the entrance stood a security guard and two female attendants, all dedicated to their service. Li Qingying found this uncomfortable.

There were more people serving them than were being served—truly awkward.

“We should try to spend less and keep it under ten thousand. I’ll settle the bill in a bit,” Li Qingying said, knowing that He Haoxuan had little money. In the past six months, her family hadn’t given him a cent.

But He Haoxuan shook his head. “I told you, today’s expenses are on me. You don’t have to pay. I’m a man—let me have a little dignity.”

Li Qingying was at a loss for words. He was so poor, yet still cared about dignity—honestly.

But she let him have his moment. If he wanted to show off, let him.

“It’s a pity we have to leave soon and can’t really enjoy it,” she sighed.

At Tenglong Manor, stays were counted by the day: you checked in at noon, and by noon the next day you had to leave.

Even if you didn’t eat or drink, you’d still have to pay ten thousand.

She’d looked over the house’s features: two floors, with a dining room and lounge downstairs, and bedrooms upstairs.

“Who said we’re leaving soon? We can sign the contract with Quange Trading tomorrow,” He Haoxuan said.

“No way. I have to sign the contract this afternoon, or my grandmother will scold me,” Li Qingying protested, shaking her head.

Seeing her so insistent, He Haoxuan didn’t want to dampen her spirits. The Li family exploited her, and yet she still treasured them.

“Then call Wu Shaorong and have him come here to sign,” he suggested. The thought of the large bed upstairs made his heart itch.

It had been half a year since he’d touched the beautiful and charming Li Qingying. Tonight, perhaps he could try his luck.

He was no saint—failing to win over his own wife just seemed wrong.

“Besides, I’ll buy this place for you and give it to you. We’ll build a courtyard on the mountain behind, accessible only by helicopter—no roads at all,” He Haoxuan mused, already planning the transformation of Tenglong Manor’s back hill.

“Stop bragging. Do you know how much Tenglong Manor is worth?” Li Qingying shot him a look.

She’d heard that the land and buildings here were worth at least a billion.

A billion—the equivalent of ten Baili Groups.

If He Haoxuan had that kind of money, the Li family wouldn’t call him useless, and his father wouldn’t have missed surgery over a debt of just a hundred thousand.

He Haoxuan simply smiled, saying nothing.

Money didn’t matter—as long as his wife liked it, that was enough.

Being with Li Qingying felt wonderful. She seemed so cold, yet with just a little teasing, she’d blush and become coy. He was growing increasingly fond of this feeling.

As for that one-year divorce agreement—forget it.

What’s more, he carried a bank card covered in English. It looked ordinary, but was issued by the World Bank. He had no idea how much money was in it.

But he knew that buying a hundred Tenglong Manors wouldn’t be an issue.

Persuaded by He Haoxuan, Li Qingying reluctantly called Wu Shaorong. “Director Wu, hello, this is Li Qingying. I’m at Tenglong Manor now and was hoping to sign the contract with you today. Are you available? I can come to Quange Trading to meet you.”

“Ah, Miss Li, don’t trouble yourself coming to Quange Trading. I’ll come straight to Tenglong Manor. Just let the guard at the gate know,” Wu Shaorong replied, jumping up from his office chair where he’d been enjoying a massage from his secretary.

“Oh, I couldn’t possibly trouble you. I’ll come to Quange Trading instead,” Li Qingying replied shyly.

Tenglong Manor was some distance from the city—at least an hour’s drive.

He Haoxuan snatched the phone from her hand and said coolly, “Come over now. Just tell them you’re here for the guests in Room A.”

“Ah, Mr. He!” Wu Shaorong was so excited he nearly lost his footing. “I’ll be there within the hour, I promise!”

The big boss had told him to comply with Mr. He’s requests unconditionally.

Wu Shaorong knew that the only reason the boss was working with Li Qingying was because she was He Haoxuan’s wife.

“That’s settled,” He Haoxuan said curtly, hanging up.

Li Qingying scolded, “He Haoxuan, Wu Shaorong is an important client! How could you hang up on him? Besides, we’re the ones begging him to sign, not the other way around.”

He Haoxuan found it funny. In truth, it was Shage who was eager for her to sign. She was just too naïve to see it.

People called her the Ice Queen, but in reality, she was just a bit clueless.

“What are you looking at?” Li Qingying crossed her arms over her chest, wary as she noticed He Haoxuan’s lingering gaze.

“Oh, please. What’s there to be embarrassed about? That night, I saw everything. Besides, I’m your husband, remember?” He Haoxuan teased.

“Ah, you liar! You said you didn’t see anything—you’re a pervert!” Li Qingying exclaimed, swinging at him in outrage.

He Haoxuan dodged and yelped as he ran, “Help! Someone’s trying to murder her husband!”

“If you’ve got guts, stop running!” Li Qingying panted as she chased him.

“If you’ve got guts, stop chasing me!” He Haoxuan called back, taunting her as he easily stayed ahead.

Meanwhile, Wu Shaorong pushed his secretary aside. “Tell the driver to have the car waiting by the elevator. We’re going to Tenglong Manor to sign with Miss Li.”

“Director Wu, is it really necessary to humor Li Qingying this much? We could sign tomorrow,” the secretary suggested.

A sharp slap resounded as Wu Shaorong struck her. “You think just because you’ve slept with me, you can tell me what to do? If you speak out of turn again, you’re fired.”

This foolish woman had no idea what Room A at Tenglong Manor meant.

Ordinary wealthy folks only knew about the twenty numbered villas, but the truly powerful knew about Room A. It wasn’t available for reservation—it was for the owner’s private use only.

Even if you spent a million a night, the owner wouldn’t necessarily let you have Room A.

Only someone of Mr. He’s caliber was worthy of such a place.

And that secretary had dared to speak about Mr. He’s wife—she must have a death wish.

Frightened, the secretary hurried off to fetch the contract, and together they rushed to Tenglong Manor.