The Favored Heiress
Chapter 650: Sensible Zong Yue

Chapter 650: Chapter 650: Sensible Zong Yue

After dinner, the moon fell behind the willow branches, and the night breeze was slightly cool.

Second brother Li Yan dragged Li Qiao to the upstairs balcony. The art tycoon, whom he had not seen for a long time, looked somewhat haggard.

"You just registered your marriage like that, aren’t you afraid you’ll regret it in future?"

Li Yan’s impression of Shang Yu was still stuck on the identity of the Overlord of the South Sea. The sudden change to being his brother-in-law filled him with trepidation.

Li Qiao crossed her arms and sized him up in the light of the porch lamp. "Why don’t you ask me that in front of him?"

Li Yan’s breath caught, and he gave a sheepish smile, "I’m not ready to die yet."

"Then don’t be nosy," Li Qiao said indifferently, tossing out a few words and preparing to head back to her bedroom.

Li Yan called out ’Qiaoqiao’ twice, and, hesitantly holding her arm, asked, "That... what about Mo Jue?"

Li Qiao didn’t answer immediately, but instead raised her eyebrows with interest. "Still thinking about her?"

"What are you saying? She’s in her predicament because of me..."

Before he could finish, Li Qiao heard a series of steady footsteps coming from the staircase. She curved her lips and withdrew her wrist. "Don’t go around asking about her whereabouts. You never know, she might return soon."

Li Yan was skeptical, "Really?"

"Believe it or not."

Li Qiao didn’t want to waste more words with him, and walked towards the man climbing the stairs.

Li Yan watched them go back to the master bedroom together, utterly dejected.

Little Mo Jue had been sent away a long time ago. He had inquired about her whereabouts everywhere but to no avail.

How could a living breathing person just vanish so completely?!

Recently, without her chattering by his side, life had become increasingly dull and boring.

...

Downstairs, in the living room, Zong Yue handed Li Jun a cup of sober-up tea. Watching his slightly drunken cheeks, she said softly, "Drink some of this to sober up. I’ll drive later."

Li Jun leaned against the sofa, took a sip from the cup, and placed it on the coffee table before uncomfortably massaging his brow.

Shortly after, Duan Shuyuan came from the dining room carrying post-dinner fruit. Seeing Zong Yue standing behind Li Jun massaging him, she smiled knowingly. "Xiao Yue, stop fussing over him. Let him massage himself. Come have some fruit to aid digestion."

Zong Yue was about to decline when Li Jun pulled her hand from his forehead, "Go ahead, I’m fine."

Seeing this, Zong Yue could not refuse and walked over to sit beside Duan Shuyuan. Just as she picked up a grape, she heard her suggest, "It’s almost ten; why don’t you two stop putting yourselves through this and spend the night here? You can go back tomorrow."

Li Jun rubbed his forehead and said nothing, while Zong Yue glanced at him and agreed, "Alright."

Duan Shuyuan nodded with relief, stood up, and said, "The room is ready. The eldest had quite a bit to drink tonight; you all should rest early."

"Got it, Mom."

Zong Yue watched Duan Shuyuan go upstairs, then set down the fruit fork in her hand, and returned to Li Jun’s side. "Ready to go up?"

"Yeah, let’s go," Li Jun said, pushing himself off the sofa. Perhaps having had too much to drink, he swayed slightly, and Zong Yue quickly wrapped her arm around his, cautioning, "Be careful."

Li Jun took a deep breath and looked at Zong Yue’s bright eyes.

She was always like this, gentle and delicate, like the spring rain that nourishes everything.

No matter the time or place, she was always within reach, offering the most genuine care.

Li Jun’s slightly intoxicated gaze fixed unstirred on Zong Yue’s face, observing her support, his usually stern features softened somewhat. "You didn’t seem to have much of an appetite tonight, you didn’t eat much."

Zong Yue supported him as they walked toward the staircase. Hearing him, she looked up and smiled faintly, "It’s nothing serious, just a bit of gastroenteritis."

"Gastroenteritis?" Li Jun suddenly stopped in his tracks, his brows furrowing deeply, "Why didn’t you tell me?"

Zong Yue casually tugged on his sleeve, unconcerned, "You’ve been away on business trips these past few days, and it really wasn’t a big deal. I’ve already gotten medicine from the hospital; there’s no need for you to worry."

Her face was calm, and her tone light as if she had no intention of sharing these matters with Li Jun.

In her heart, Zong Yue didn’t believe he was willing to listen to her complain about such trifles.

He was very busy, so she gradually became very well-behaved. Life was mundane, but that wasn’t necessarily bad.

Not every marriage is full of dramatic ups and downs.

Even if she once harbored passionate fantasies, they ultimately were not the essence of life.

In that moment, Li Jun realized that he could no longer see any expectation in Zong Yue’s calm eyes.

She seemed to still love him, but that was as far as it went.

A sudden, indescribable melancholy welled up in Li Jun’s heart because he read the word ’sensible’ in her behavior and manner.

A woman becoming increasingly sensible in his presence could only mean he had failed terribly.

Li Jun even began to reflect on whether his actions were indeed inadequate.

Perhaps he was lost in thought for too long, Zong Yue, puzzled, tugged at his arm, "What’s wrong?"

Li Jun pressed his lips tightly, his mouth set in a straight line.

He followed Zong Yue and took another step forward, feeling heavy-hearted.

Back in the bedroom upstairs, Li Jun lay on the bed, right arm draped over his forehead, his eyes closed in discomfort.

Zong Yue thought he was suffering from the effects of too much drink. As she undid the buttons at his collar, she said, "Having drunk so much, let’s skip the bath tonight. I’ll just wipe you down with a wet towel."

After speaking, she attempted to get up, but her wrist was suddenly grasped by Li Jun’s hot palm.

Zong Yue’s body tilted, barely propping herself on the edge of the bed, her eyebrows lifted in surprise, "What’s the matter? Feel like vomiting?"

It wasn’t the first time she had taken care of a drunken Li Jun.

He had too many social engagements, and there were always a few days each month he’d come home reeking of alcohol.

Having dealt with such situations often, she could almost understand his intentions from his subtle expressions.

Li Jun slowly lifted his eyelids, looking at Zong Yue in the soft light, "How many days have you had gastroenteritis?"

Zong Yue was taken aback, and couldn’t help but laugh, "I’ve already told you, it’s nothing. Why are you still fixating on it?"

Li Jun pulled her wrist, drawing her closer and forcing Zong Yue to half-lie on his chest, bringing her scent closer.

He wrapped his arms around her back and patted her gently twice, "I’m your husband; it’s only normal for me to worry about you."

Zong Yue stiffened in his embrace, surprised to hear such words from him.

Her hands rested on his shoulders, her gaze softened, but the words that came out couldn’t hide a tinge of emotion, "You usually don’t even call me, and now you say you’re worried?"

Li Jun watched her with half-closed eyes, their looks intertwining, one blurred, one teasing.

Zong Yue had no expectation of any change from him, knowing well he was a workaholic with little understanding of romance. She had gotten used to it, and let it go.

Then, Li Jun pulled her closer by her back, "If I called you, would it interfere with your work?"

"Not at all, our company is not like a secretary’s office, it’s not that strict."