Disabled Childhood Sweetheart: A Humble Puppy Begs for the Young Lady's Pity

The door to the adjacent tea room was ajar, and several hushed whispers drifted in with the breeze.

"Have you heard? Our company is probably preparing to go public within the next two years."

"That's right, Mr. Zhou has put in so much effort for this."

"He's keeping a very close eye on things now, scrutinizing every detail inside and out, and he won't tolerate the slightest mistake before the IPO."

Zhou Jingchen's company is actually going public?

He's a big CEO, yet he squeezes into his tiny, run-down apartment every day, so much so that two people are practically side-by-side sitting on the sofa.

She felt sorry for him just thinking about it.

in the afternoon.

When Zhou Jingchen returned to the company from outside, he saw that Liangji Dessert bags were placed on the employees' seats.

He didn't stop, turning straight into his office, his fingers flying across the keys on his phone:

Did you come to the company today?

After a long while, the other end finally replied with a single word: "Hmm."

Why didn't you contact me?

You're busy.

Zhou Jingchen stared at the screen, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly. [No matter how busy I am, I think of you every day. You come here and don't even bother to say hello...]

While he stared at the chat box waiting for a reply, there was a gentle knock on the office door.

"Go in." He closed his phone and looked up.

Qiao Yue was standing at the door.

Zhou Jingchen's gaze lingered for a moment. She rarely came to him on her own initiative; most of the time, she came with her grandmother.

"Jingchen, are you busy?" Qiao Yue asked gently.

"I'm fine." Zhou Jingchen leaned back in his chair, his fingers interlaced on the edge of the table, his tone indifferent. "Is there something you need?"

The two were separated by a large desk, behaving as politely as business partners negotiating for the first time.

Qiao Yue walked straight to the chair in front of the table and sat down. Her skirt swept across the chair, carrying a strong scent of perfume. "I was just passing by and thought I'd drop by to see you."

Zhou Jingchen didn't have much patience to play games with her and went straight to the point: "Just say what you have to say."

Qiao Yue suddenly smiled, her red lips curving upwards: "Can't I come to see you if there's nothing wrong?"

"We don't seem to have much of a personal relationship."

"Don't say that. Your grandma and my parents are about to arrange our marriage."

Zhou Jingchen gave a disdainful laugh; his refined and handsome face held eyes as dark as pools.

"I thought Miss Qiao was a person of her own mind and would not succumb to the old-fashioned custom of arranged marriages from childhood."

"Yes, I really don't like being told what to do." Qiao Yue nodded frankly, but her gaze was fixed on him with an air of unwavering certainty. "But, I kind of like you. This arrangement doesn't seem so bad."

"I'm sorry, but I don't like you." Zhou Jingchen's voice was cold.

"It's okay, it doesn't matter at all."

Qiao Yue elegantly crossed her legs, her posture proud and flamboyant. "My parents have given me everything I wanted since I was little. If they couldn't give it to me, I would do everything I could to get it myself."

After she finished speaking, she stood up, straightened her skirt, and as she walked to the door, she suddenly turned back, her tone light and airy:

"You can have fun now, after all... these days of freedom won't last much longer."

.....

Inside Liang's Dessert Shop.

There weren't many guests at the moment, so Wenxi sat by the window to rest.

It's quite hot today; even the wind feels warm.

She lowered her eyes, repeatedly considering the matter Zhou Jingchen had mentioned a few days ago—moving into his house.

Her place didn't have air conditioning, so climbing the stairs in the summer was very hot, and the house was stuffy. Wenxi was wondering whether she should take Zhou Jingchen's advice and move to his house.

Actually, it's not just about moving; she's been thinking lately about finding a suitable time to tell him about her parents.

This matter had been lingering in her mind for a long time.

The mixer hummed, and the cookies in the baking pan smelled of butter.

The store manager appeared beside her at some point and handed her an order form: "There's a dessert table job at Imperial Garden, could you make an errand for that?"

"Okay." Wenxi took off her gloves. "Will Master Li take me there?"

"Yes, he'll drive you." The store manager then carefully instructed, "The client has high standards, so the table setting must be exquisite; don't make any mistakes."

"Hehe, don't worry." Wenxi waved his hand.

The Jinbei van drove smoothly on the road, and the four characters "Dijing Yuyuan" kept circling in my mind. Wenxi felt a strange sense of familiarity.

It wasn't until the car turned into the gate of the villa area and she saw the imposing, ornate iron gate that she suddenly froze.

Isn't this Zhou Jingchen's parents' home?

The car wound its way through the streets before finally stopping in front of a villa that made her heart clench.

This place... Wenxi will never forget this place in his life.

Her hand rested on the car door handle, her heart pounding like a drum, and her palms were damp with a thin layer of sweat.

"We're here, let's get out and unload!" Mr. Li pushed open the car door and jumped out with practiced ease.

Wenxi hurriedly pulled down her mask, lowered the brim of her baseball cap, took a deep breath, and then got out of the car.

She didn't dare to show herself directly, but instead had Mr. Li take the orders to meet with the clients. The contact person on the orders was listed as "Ms. Qiao".

The villa door opened, and standing in the doorway was Qiao Yue.

Wenxi stopped in her tracks. What was she doing here?

Then she remembered that Zhou Jingchen had said that their parents were acquainted, so it didn't seem strange that she appeared at the Zhou family home.

The dessert table was set up on a long table in the corner of the living room. It was clear that a banquet was going to be held in the villa. There was a carpet at the entrance, and the crystal chandelier was dazzling. Everywhere exuded an exquisite and luxurious atmosphere.

It took Master Li and Wenxi two trips to unload all the desserts from the truck.

He helped with unpacking, while Wenxi was in charge of setting up the table.

"Put it up nicely for me, I'm very picky."

Wenxi stiffened slightly, looking at Master Li with pleading eyes. He immediately straightened up and said respectfully:

"Don't worry, we'll definitely make it look beautiful for you."

Qiao Yue hummed in agreement, crossed her arms, raised her chin slightly, and walked away.

Not long after, an old lady came from the backyard, took Qiao Yue's hand, and the two stood not far from Wenxi chatting. Their voices were not loud, but every word went straight into Wenxi's ears.

"You silly child, how could we let you spend money on these things when we're having a banquet?" The old lady's tone was full of laughter.

That voice... it's that old hag! Wenxi instantly gritted her teeth.

"Grandma, what are you saying? We're all family, no need to be so polite." Qiao Yue's voice was gentle, with a hint of deliberate intimacy.

She had already made up her mind. Since Zhou Jingchen liked to play around with other women, she would let him have his fill. His family would absolutely not allow him to marry that kind of woman.

A while ago, Qiao Yue's cousin got into trouble, and her parents took her to their home for help. Zhou Jingchen's mother worked at the procuratorate, and out of respect for the old lady, she eventually stepped in to help, and her cousin was released safely in less than three days.

Although the Qiao family was a wealthy business family, they never had any political connections and could only resort to spending money to pull strings when they encountered problems.

If they could marry Zhou Jingchen, everything would go smoothly for the Qiao family, from their businesses to everything else in the future, thanks to the Zhou family's connections.

Now, whether it's Zhou Jingchen himself or his family background, he's the best choice and the most readily available resource for Qiao Yue, so she naturally won't let him go easily.

The old lady gently patted Qiao Yue's hand and said softly:

"The reason I'm hosting this small banquet today is to formally introduce you to all my relatives and friends."

"You and Xiaoze have been together for more than half a year now. I think it's about time."

Wenxi was placing a pink macaron onto a porcelain plate when her fingertips suddenly stopped.

She knew that the "Xiao Ze" the old woman was talking about was Zhou Jingchen.

"I consulted a master and chose an auspicious date. The second day of next month is the day you and Xiaoze will get engaged. Once you two are engaged, his heart will be at peace."

With a "clatter," Wenxi lost her grip on a fork and it fell onto the porcelain plate on the table, making a crisp sound.

The servants were bustling about in the living room, while two people nearby were chatting animatedly, completely unaware of what was happening here.

Wenxi pursed her lips, her beautiful eyes now as sharp as snow.

Engaged? How could they be engaged? Zhou Jingchen and Qiao Yue?

"Grandma, isn't this... a bit too fast?" Qiao Yue lowered her eyelashes, worried that Zhou Jingchen wouldn't give her an answer.

The old lady smiled kindly and said, "You two have known each other for more than half a year, what's so fast about that? I think that's too slow. I wish you would give me a big, healthy great-grandson right now."

Qiao Yue's face flushed instantly, and she called out coquettishly, "Grandma—"

"Alright, your parents are coming today, and I'll formally discuss this with them. Don't worry, I'll take care of everything."

Qiao Yue immediately followed up on the conversation, her tone intimate and considerate:

"By the way, Grandma, my dad asked me the other day if Jingchen's company was about to go public. My second uncle works at the China Securities Regulatory Commission, and my dad said he would definitely give him a heads-up to make sure Jingchen's business goes smoothly."

"That would be too much trouble for your parents." The old lady smiled broadly.

"Don't be so polite. Jingchen's business is my business."

As soon as the dessert table was set up, Wenxi and Chef Li hurriedly left.

As the car drove away from the villa area, the scenery outside the window rushed past, but her mind was filled with the words she had just heard.

She knew better than anyone how clingy and doting Zhou Jingchen was to her.

His family probably doesn't know about their relationship yet.

As for the engagement... Wenxi gritted her teeth and sneered inwardly, thinking it was probably just that old woman's wishful thinking.

She suddenly recalled the scene when she and Zhou Jingchen ran into Qiao Yue while shopping. Now that she thought about it, Qiao Yue's gaze was not just polite; it clearly hid some undisguised hostility.

Qiao Yue's shy tone just now clearly showed that she liked Zhou Jingchen. When she mentioned Zhou Jingchen, she smiled like a cheeky flower.

Ha, sure enough, that little cripple's appearance is enough to attract attention.

He had admirers even when he was lame, and now that his leg is healed and he's become the handsome and wealthy CEO Zhou, he's become even more sought after.

That old hag is even planning to force him into an engagement.

As Wenxi gazed at the passing shadows of the trees outside the window, a pang of heartache inexplicably welled up within him. It seemed that he hadn't been living a comfortable life in that home either.

Remembering what the old lady had said to Qiao Yue earlier—that she wanted a big, healthy great-grandson…

Wenxi twitched the corners of her mouth, revealing a smile tinged with malice.

Heh, you old hag, keep dreaming.

All your great-grandchildren have been tied up and thrown into the trash by your grandson. I don't know how many have been thrown away these days.