Volume One, Chapter 22: New Year's Gifts, He Bought Two

“I’m not interested in this matter,” Cheng Qian replied calmly.

“Do you know that sex accounts for eighty percent of the emotional connection between spouses?” Li Zhinan spoke with a quiet intensity that bordered on madness.

Cheng Qian pressed her lips together for a moment, then apologized, “I really don’t know.”

“Do you have any issues in that regard? If so, you should see a doctor.” With that, Li Zhinan turned and walked back to his master bedroom.

Cheng Qian found his behavior inexplicably strange.

Which couple lives their life together with such disdain?

If Li Zhinan always acted so high and mighty, that would be the normal part.

That night, Cheng Qian held her son close and fell into a deep sleep.

---

The next day at noon.

Li Zhinan was off work today. In the morning, he took their son for a stroll around the park outside the villa. Cheng Qian was still holed up in her study working. At twenty-nine, she was busier than ever.

Li Zhinan felt somewhat displeased; his wife was a workaholic.

At lunchtime, Cheng Qian finally emerged from the study. Without any makeup, her fair complexion held a delicate, refined beauty.

Li Zhinan mashed some food for their son while asking her, “The New Year is coming soon. What gift do you want? You can give me a list.”

Cheng Qian ate as she spoke, “No need. I lack for nothing.”

Li Zhinan was not surprised by her answer, as she had said the same thing for the past three years.

Cheng Qian’s needs were simple in life; she valued her professional achievements more.

“Let’s go out for a walk this afternoon. It’s been a long time since the family has done something together,” Li Zhinan suggested.

Cheng Qian could refuse, but he couldn’t—otherwise, on New Year’s Eve, he wouldn’t be able to explain to his mother.

After thinking for a moment, Cheng Qian nodded, “Alright.”

Shortly after one, just after lunch, Li Zhinan received a call.

The living room was quiet. Cheng Qian sat across from him and, as he answered, she caught the voice of a woman on the line.

Li Zhinan stood up immediately and stepped outside to take the call.

Jiang Yan’s frustrated voice came through, “Zhinan, Dr. Qiao is really hard to invite. We’ve offered the highest conditions in the industry, but he flatly refused.”

“What reason did he give for refusing?” Li Zhinan’s brow furrowed deeply.

Even if he was a top physicist, wasn’t academic research about money? He had no reason to refuse.

“He said… he didn’t want to associate with people of a different path. That was a very polite refusal,” Jiang Yan’s voice sounded a little saddened. “I tried every way to persuade him, said all the right things, but he remained unmoved.”

“Zhinan, I was so confident yesterday, but now this. Maybe I should reflect on myself,” Jiang Yan’s tone was full of disappointment.

“That’s not your fault,” Li Zhinan comforted her. “Does he know that my company is behind the investment?”

Jiang Yan hesitated for a moment, then said, “Dr. Qiao certainly knows about your company’s recent investment. But logically, even if he knows, he wouldn’t use that as a reason to refuse unless… he also knows about your relationship with your cousin.”

Li Zhinan glanced toward the dining room, “Did Cheng Qian admit to him about our relationship?”

Jiang Yan panicked immediately, “Zhinan, I didn’t mean that. I just… can’t understand why Dr. Qiao would refuse to join our team. We currently have the top implementation platform in the country, capable of supporting any experiment he wants. No one else offers such a good platform.”

Li Zhinan pondered deeply, “I understand. I’ll handle this.”

He stood outside the courtyard for a while before turning back into the living room.

---

Cheng Qian had already dressed their son in his coat and put his favorite little car backpack on him. Seeing Li Zhinan come in, she said, “We can leave now.”

But Li Zhinan’s voice turned cold, “Sorry, I’m not free this afternoon.”

Cheng Qian was stunned. Just one phone call and suddenly no time?

“Alright, then I’ll take Xiao Ye out for a walk.” Cheng Qian held her son and went to get the car.

Li Zhinan’s fickleness was quite unsettling.

Cheng Qian took her son to meet her close friend Lin Si.

Lin Si hurried over and joined the mother and son, “Tomorrow’s the Spring Festival. Has your husband given you any gifts?”

Cheng Qian shook her head, “No, he’s been quite busy.”

Lin Si immediately grew angry, “Busy is just an excuse. I think he just doesn’t care. Xiao Qian, I’m not being cruel, but where a man spends his time and money is where his heart truly lies.”

Cheng Qian nodded, “That makes sense.”

“So… aren’t you going to fight for something?” Lin Si asked.

Cheng Qian hugged her son tighter, “I only want to fight for custody. As for money, I don’t lack it.”

Cheng Qian’s parents left her a sum of money, and when she married Li Zhinan, her mother-in-law gave her a hefty bride price, which she had saved.

Lin Si was helpless but respectful. Some people’s pursuits were destined to be different.

They shopped until nightfall, then ate before returning home.

Upon arrival, they saw piles of gift bags on the coffee table in the living room.

The housekeeper smiled warmly, “Madam, these were all sent by your husband as New Year’s gifts.”

“I want gifts too!” Xiao Ye jumped up happily.

Cheng Qian walked over and saw on top a rectangular box wrapped in blue velvet with faint golden patterns—luxurious and precious.

Inside was a sapphire necklace.

Cheng Qian was stunned by the sparkling gem, like a vast ocean of blue waves hiding countless stars.

She also noticed some bags contained toys for Xiao Ye, who immediately started playing happily nearby.

That night, Li Zhinan did not come home.

The next morning, Jiang Meng called, telling them both lunch and dinner would be at the old family estate today.

Cheng Qian changed into a modest dress and hung the sapphire necklace Li Zhinan gave her over a white sweater.

Every Spring Festival day, her mother-in-law would use subtle details to test the marriages of her eldest and youngest sons.

For years, Cheng Qian wore a gift from Li Zhinan on this day; last year it was a diamond ring, this year, the sapphire necklace.

That morning, Cheng Qian styled her son’s hair neatly and dressed him in a little black suit. Small as he was, he carried a lively spirit.

They arrived at the old estate. Upon entering the living room, Xia Mengjiao, holding a child, greeted them. Her eyes widened when she saw the sapphire necklace around Cheng Qian’s neck.

“Oh my goodness, isn’t that the Ocean Heart? Only ten were made worldwide, quite valuable. Though not the most expensive, these sapphires are extremely rare.”

Cheng Qian glanced down; she knew little about luxury goods.

“Sister-in-law, big brother is really generous,” Xia Mengjiao said, glancing sideways at Li Zhishi, grinding her teeth, “Big Stone, what do you think?”

“Big Stone” was Xia Mengjiao’s pet name for Li Zhishi, but now it carried a different tone.

Li Zhishi’s back twitched; he gave a dry laugh, “Yes, yes, big brother has always been generous to sister-in-law. It’s not like you’re just finding out now.”

“And you?” Xia Mengjiao moved closer, out of Cheng Qian’s sight, pinching Li Zhishi’s flesh. “What New Year’s gift did you prepare for me?”

Li Zhishi was no fool. Smiling brightly, he pulled a small silver box from his pocket.

Xia Mengjiao’s face lit up, “Open it! How many carats? You dare to give this?”

“A pigeon’s egg?” she exclaimed with delight.

“Wife, thank you for your hard work,” Li Zhishi said sincerely, half-kneeling as he placed the diamond ring on her ring finger.

“Big Stone…” Xia Mengjiao’s eyes reddened with joy. The next moment, they kissed passionately right in front of Cheng Qian.

Cheng Qian immediately lowered her head to shield her son’s eyes and quickly took him to the small parlor.

Inside, Jiang Meng and the matriarch were seated at a table arranging flowers.

Li Zhiwei sat in a wheelchair, his face pale yellow, the yellow even spreading into his pupils.

He had gained another round of weight.

A large screen nearby showed a beautiful figure—Cheng Yan—who was remotely teaching the matriarch the art of flower arranging.

Cheng Qian paused at the doorway, hearing Cheng Yan’s gentle voice.

She looked up and glanced at the screen.

There, Cheng Qian saw herself sitting at the table with many fresh flowers, scissors in hand, trimming branches.

Cheng Yan had not noticed Cheng Qian’s arrival.

But Cheng Qian could see her clearly.

Cheng Yan wore a pale yellow low-neck sweater, her fair skin adorned with a striking blue sapphire.

Cheng Qian only glanced once but immediately noticed that the sapphire Cheng Yan wore was exactly the same as the one hanging from her own neck.

The discovery pierced Cheng Qian’s heart sharply.

So, the globally limited edition jewelry—Li Zhinan had bought two pieces.

Cheng Qian put down Xiao Ye, who happily ran to his grandmother and great-grandmother.

She turned and went to the nearby bathroom, closing the door behind her.

In the mirror, the blue gem shone dazzlingly.

She reached up, took it off, wrapped it in a tissue, and slipped it into her pocket.

At eleven-thirty, Li Zhinan returned.

Lunch officially began. At the long table, the matriarch sat at the head. On the left were Li Zhinan and his two siblings, on the right Jiang Meng and the two daughters-in-law, while the housekeeper served dishes nearby.

After the meal, during fruit time, Cheng Qian took Xiao Ye to play in the playground outside the door.

Jiang Meng brought over a plate of fruit, scrutinized Cheng Qian up and down, then asked directly, “It’s the end of the year. Has Zhinan prepared any gifts for you?”