Chapter 6: A Woman Must Be Obedient

“Yes, yes, yes, it was a slip of the tongue, Master Ma, I apologize.” Huang Yunmei patted her own lips, implying all the fault lay with her mouth and had nothing to do with her personally.

Jiang Wenhe, for his part, had no intention of excusing Lu Fei. After flattering Ma Xinyuan, he fixed a stern gaze on Lu Fei. “Such a flawless piece of jadeite—you couldn’t possibly have brought it yourself. Speak up, where did you get it from? Did you steal it, or rob someone?”

Lu Fei smiled. “Uncle, if you really think it was stolen or robbed, you’re welcome to call the police and have them investigate.”

“You—!” Jiang Wenhe clenched his jaw in anger.

But Ma Xinyuan had already concluded that Lu Fei was no ordinary man. Earlier, when Jiang Wenhe had deliberately tried to embarrass Lu Fei, the young man had remained utterly unruffled, as if Jiang Wenhe’s presence meant nothing to him. Ma Xinyuan could tell then that Lu Fei was destined for far greater things.

Now that such a rare Imperial Green jadeite had come from Lu Fei, and the Jiang family still treated him like a thief, it only proved their ignorance. The Jiang family wouldn’t get far; no need to cultivate ties. As for Lu Fei, he was worth befriending at all costs.

“Young man, I was out of line earlier. I shouldn’t have asked about the origin of your treasure,” Ma Xinyuan apologized.

His words made Jiang Wenhe’s face flush with embarrassment, as if he’d been slapped. Lu Fei, assuming the role of host, said, “It’s nothing. We’re all hungry, let’s eat.”

“Yes, yes, we should eat,” Ma Xinyuan agreed.

“The food is ready—please, everyone, take your seats. Master Ma, please, the seat of honor!” Jiang Wenhe finally composed himself and invited the guests to the table. Ma Xinyuan, however, pulled Lu Fei to sit beside him, leaving Jiang Wenhe, the host, completely ignored.

During the meal, Jiang Wenhe tried to converse with Ma Xinyuan, but was met only with perfunctory replies. In contrast, Ma Xinyuan was effusive in his praise of Lu Fei.

After dinner, Jiang Wenhe escorted Ma Xinyuan out, while Jiang Meijia pulled Lu Fei into her room.

It was her boudoir, filled with a girl’s delicate fragrance.

“You’ll sleep here tonight,” Jiang Meijia declared.

Lu Fei’s eyes lit up, recalling the night they’d spent together—it had been wonderful. But this was her parents’ house.

“Are your parents okay with this?”

“So what if they’re not? I want them to know about us!”

No sooner had she spoken than a knock sounded at the door.

“Meijia, where’s your boyfriend? I haven’t seen him,” called Huang Yunmei, searching for Lu Fei.

Lu Fei replied, “Auntie, I’m here. Did you need something?”

Hearing his voice come from Meijia’s room, Huang Yunmei’s blood pressure soared. “What are you two doing in there? Both of you, come out at once!”

Lu Fei responded, “Auntie, this is a matter for us young people. Perhaps you should let it be…”

Jiang Meijia shot him a fierce glare, then opened the door. “Mom, Lu Fei is sleeping in my room tonight. You should get to bed yourself.”

“My daughter, what are you saying? You want to share a room with him?”

“He’s my boyfriend. What’s wrong with sharing a room?”

“What boyfriend? Your father and I haven’t given our consent. Don’t be so headstrong!”

Huang Yunmei would never allow her daughter to marry a country bumpkin.

Jiang Meijia just sneered. “Hmph, only I decide my own affairs. Either he stays with me tonight, or I’ll leave with him right now.”

Lu Fei, watching the spectacle, found this family truly amusing.

At that moment, Jiang Wenhe returned. Seeing his wife and daughter quarreling, he felt a headache coming on.

“Enough fighting. Let’s all go to bed,” he said, dragging Huang Yunmei away.

She glared at him. “Are you out of your mind, Jiang? Meijia’s letting a country bumpkin spend the night in her room, and you’re dragging me away?”

Jiang Wenhe rolled his eyes. “This is hardly the first time. Can you really stop her? Come to bed.”

The words left Huang Yunmei speechless.

Only then did she realize that with Meijia’s personality, if she’d publicly declared Lu Fei as her boyfriend, the relationship was already set in stone.

Back in their room, Huang Yunmei was still unwilling to relent. “No! Our daughter must not marry a country bumpkin. We have to break them up!”

Jiang Wenhe, smoking and frowning, said, “It’s not that simple. For now, we need to find out where that jadeite came from.”

He held the piece of jade Lu Fei had given him.

It was indeed the finest Imperial Green.

But whether it was a blessing or a curse, he couldn’t say.

…

Inside Meijia’s room, Lu Fei lay on the soft pink bed, arms open.

“Wife, come to bed.”

Jiang Meijia rolled her eyes and tossed a pillow onto the floor.

“You sleep on the floor!”

Lu Fei was taken aback. What did she mean?

Separate beds?

It felt like a teenage romance.

“What are you waiting for? Get down!”

Jiang Meijia wore a haughty expression. The last time she’d slept with Lu Fei was only because she’d been feeling down. With her status, she couldn’t let herself be so easily conquered.

Reluctantly, Lu Fei lay down on the floor. But with his eyes open, he could see Meijia’s long, fair legs. How could any man resist?

Jiang Meijia dangled her legs on purpose, determined to train him into obedience. Otherwise, she might as well keep a dog.

Yet as she noticed Lu Fei behaving himself, a different feeling stirred within her. She remembered that night and the pleasure it had brought. Whatever her demeanor, Lu Fei’s looks and physique were certainly more than adequate—his taut muscles could make any girl swoon.

“No, I can’t let my thoughts wander. Tonight, I mustn’t let him get his way, or he’ll think I’m some wanton woman,” she told herself, switching off the light.

But as soon as the room was plunged into darkness, Lu Fei flipped up and pressed her beneath him.

With such a feast before him, how could any man resist?

“What are you doing?” Meijia gasped, shocked at his boldness, so at odds with his usual docile manner. Her face flushed and her heart raced—a strange thrill coursed through her.

“What do you think? A woman should be obedient.”

“Get off! If you keep this up, I’ll be rough with you!”

“Still need some discipline, I see.”

“You… mmph… you’re impossible… you’re such a pain…”

Outside, Huang Yunmei listened at the door, teeth clenched in fury. Her precious daughter, a princess in her eyes, was really being ruined by that boy!

An hour later, her legs numb from standing, she couldn’t believe they still hadn’t quieted down.

“Is that boy a man or a bull? How is he still going?” she muttered, thinking of her own aging husband and feeling even more frustrated.

At least now she understood why her daughter liked Lu Fei.

Her daughter was truly a handful.