My Queen, My Rules - 81

Jiang Chun was a strange one. Sometimes she was sharper than a tack, picking up on a cue with just a glance. Other times, she might as well have been legally blind, completely oblivious even when someone was standing right in front of her.

Ji Mingshu watched helplessly as Cen Sen came to a stop behind Zhou Zhen and his ABC fiancée. He met her gaze meaningfully for a moment, then looked at Jiang Chun, seemingly listening with genuine interest to the effusive, lavish praise pouring from his self-appointed fan.

Zhou Zhen and his fiancée were starting to look uncomfortable.

They weren't fools. Jiang Chun's extravagant, over-the-top praise of Cen Sen was clearly meant to tell them: her husband leaves you in the dust without even trying. Please don't have such a high regard for yourselves, thank you very much.

Compared to his fiancée's sour expression, Zhou Zhen had better control over his emotions. Of course, this was also because he didn't quite believe Jiang Chun's exaggerations.

He'd been abroad for years and didn't know Ji Mingshu was married, let alone that her husband was Cen Sen from the Cen family—the one who could move mountains with a word. That's why he'd wanted to show off in front of her.

Hearing this news from Jiang Chun was indeed a bit awkward.

But what Jiang Chun said was just too over-the-top. The Cen–Ji match was obviously a marriage of convenience. How well could Cen Sen possibly treat Ji Mingshu?

He knew of Cen Sen unilaterally, of course. Cen Sen had been a legend in their high school days. Plus, his own cousin had been in the same class as Cen Sen, and they'd even been roommates for a time.

The Cen Sen he remembered was definitely not some paragon of a husband who'd do laundry and cook for his wife.

Jiang Chun finished one segment of her praise and paused for breath.

Zhou Zhen smiled, seizing the moment to interject. “I had no idea you married Senior Cen, Mingshu.”

Ji Mingshu couldn't be bothered with him. Her mind was racing: Is it because we're outdoors that no one can feel Cen Sen's built-in refrigeration aura? Jiang Chun's too invested to see him, fine, but are these two just not going to turn around?

Zhou Zhen genuinely seemed to have no intention of turning around. His mind was wholly occupied with saving face in front of his fiancée. He even took the opportunity to show off, suddenly launching into a spiel about his cousin's connection with Cen Sen, subtly positioning the Zhou and Cen families on a somewhat equal level in his speech. He even alluded, with careful vagueness, to Li Wenyin, then concluded with a smile, “So you could say Senior Cen and I are connected by fate.”

Connected by what fate?

The fate of having stepped in the same pile of shit?

Ji Mingshu rolled her eyes internally. She really couldn't stand this guy's knack for bringing up sore subjects. The politely slight curve of her lips suddenly widened into a full-blown smile, her eyes sparkling as she called out sweetly in Zhou Zhen's direction, “Honey!”

Both Zhou Zhen and his fiancée froze for a second. When they realized, they turned around in unison, following her gaze.

Cen Sen didn't look at them. He merely lifted his eyes, his gaze meeting Ji Mingshu's midair.

From the bright sparkle in Ji Mingshu's eyes, he inexplicably read a threat that screamed: If you don't play along with this act, I'll make sure your lineage ends with you.

After a moment, he gave a slight nod and walked over to Ji Mingshu as if it were the most natural thing in the world, gently tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

Ji Mingshu just as naturally slipped her arm through his, her voice a blend of coquettishness and complaint. “Why are you here so early? Is your work done?”

Cen Sen replied without changing expression, “Mhm. Not much on this afternoon, so I thought I'd come pick you up early.”

He turned to greet Jiang Chun, then looked at Zhou Zhen, asking mildly, “And you are?”

Before Ji Mingshu could introduce him, Zhou Zhen announced himself. “I'm Zhou Zhen. Hello, Senior. I also went to the affiliated high school, one year below you, one year above Mingshu.” He added, “I wonder if you remember Zhou Xian? He was your roommate. He's my cousin.”

Cen Sen corrected him. “Only roommates for those three days of military training.”

Zhou Zhen's expression stiffened slightly.

Cen Sen continued, “But I did just meet your cousin this morning. We discussed a partnership.”

Zhou Zhen relaxed, about to speak.

Cen Sen went on, “It didn't work out.”

Zhou Zhen looked embarrassed, finally managing after a pause, “That's... really too bad...”

“Not at all,” Cen Sen said lightly.

Zhou Zhen: “...”

He clearly had no idea what expression to wear now.

Cen Sen's mocking intent was so obvious that only an idiot wouldn't get it. Zhou Zhen's fiancée looked mortified. She tugged at his arm twice, hurriedly pulling him away.

Jiang Chun, standing to the side, was struggling mightily to hold in her laughter. Once they were gone, she nearly doubled over right there. It was only after Ji Mingshu pinched her, warning her to mind the occasion, that she barely managed to rein herself in.

Perhaps because he'd heard Jiang Chun's one-woman hype-squad performance, Cen Sen seemed to have extra patience today and exchanged a few more words with her. But Jiang Chun felt she didn't deserve such an honor and quickly excused herself, citing that she needed to find Gu Kaiyang, and retreated from Ji Mingshu's side.

The event had actually just begun. They hadn't even brought out the customizable new pieces for VIPs yet. Ji Mingshu couldn't very well leave with Cen Sen right away either. So, arm in arm, the two of them wandered casually around the venue. Though they looked intimate, a strange silence hung between them.

“...The classic element of this piece is the iconic quilted diamond pattern on the bag surface. It requires ninety-five precise steps to create, with hidden stitching...”

The brand presenter was introducing the innovations in this season's classic bag line, surrounded by a circle of guests and reporters.

Ji Mingshu finally couldn't stand it anymore. She nudged Cen Sen, looked up, and asked quietly, “You met with Zhou Zhen's cousin about a partnership this morning? What did... what did his cousin say?”

“You tell me.”

Cen Sen deflected effortlessly.

Ji Mingshu fell silent, understanding. With him showing up like this, practically ready to demand explanations, it meant the cousin probably hadn't said anything good.

She felt a little pleased that Cen Sen might be jealous over her, but more than that, she felt an awkward reluctance to explain. After all, nearly being added to someone's “aquarium” wasn't exactly a glorious chapter.

“Don't listen to nonsense. There's nothing between me and Zhou Zhen.”

That was the only explanation she offered, and she didn't elaborate.

Mainly because Cen Sen hadn't shown excessive concern either, her rushing to vehemently clear her name seemed unnecessary.

For the rest of the event, Cen Sen acted perfectly normal. He even helped her select some seasonal new pieces.

Later, there was a small auction of the brand's vintage bags. Ji Mingshu hadn't really fancied any, but Zhou Zhen's fiancée had her eye on one. Zhou Zhen, eager to impress, kept bidding against another lady, acting very determined to win.

Seeing this, the other lady eventually stopped bidding. But just before the hammer fell, Cen Sen, without batting an eye, directly doubled Zhou Zhen's bid.

The price was now obviously and absurdly high. Not only was Zhou Zhen unwilling to pay, his fiancée couldn't bear it either. In the end, they could only watch in dismay as Cen Sen won the bag.

Ji Mingshu hadn't expected Cen Sen to pull such a move. “I don't need this one. I already have it,” she said, surprised.

Cen Sen was unruffled. “Just bidding for fun. If you don't like it, you can give it to a friend.”

Zhou Zhen and his fiancée were sitting not far away. Hearing this, they almost choked on their own blood.

Jiang Chun was also sitting nearby, just one row in front of them. She turned around in delighted surprise, gazing at Ji Mingshu with pleading, puppy-dog eyes, hinting madly.

In the end, Ji Mingshu still couldn't bear to give that particular bag away. After all, Cen Sen had won it for her. But she promised to give Jiang Chun the same model from her own previous collection.

For this, Jiang Chun showered her with three solid days of lavish praise, showing off to Gu Kaiyang like a primary school kid.

Gu Kaiyang didn't bother competing, but Ji Mingshu, ever fair and impartial in her treatment of friends, carefully picked out a different style and gave it to Gu Kaiyang.

The best-friend jealousy war triggered by a single bag shall be set aside for now. That day, when they returned home, the paragon-of-a-husband Cen Sen had prepared a sumptuous dinner and uncorked a very fine vintage red.

Cen Sen had been swamped with work recently and hadn't had time to cook. It had been ages since Ji Mingshu had enjoyed such a treat.

This meal featured many of her favorite dishes, including, of course, the long-missed braised pork ribs.

She ate with immense satisfaction—so satisfied that she'd long since tossed the minor annoyance caused by Zhou Zhen to the back of her mind.

After the meal, she even played the part of the virtuous wife, donning an apron alongside Cen Sen to help wash the dishes.

Though the moment the little ribs appeared she'd known what was coming that night, and had even felt a twinge of anticipation, she had no idea the price for tonight's ribs would be far higher than usual.

It was as if Cen Sen had become a different person entirely, none of the daytime gentleness in sight.

Before, when she couldn't take it anymore, a few sweet words, a bit of yielding, and Cen Sen would soften.

But tonight, that didn't work at all. He was completely dominant, allowing no resistance. She cried and begged to no avail.

Ji Mingshu shuddered, sweat pouring down, finally detecting Cen Sen's displeasure in her repeated, utter defeats. She proactively confessed the barely-worth-mentioning history between her and Zhou Zhen.

Cen Sen's dark hair at his temples was damp, his eyes tinged with red. He asked in a deep, hoarse voice behind her, “You had a crush on him?”

“In... in those days,” she gasped out between breaths, “he was good-looking. A little... a little crush… wasn't that normal? I've had... crushes on lots of male celebrities too. And I only had a crush… not like you... you actually dated Li Wenyin...”

The moment she finished, Ji Mingshu knew she shouldn't have spoken. Bringing up old scores in a moment like this wouldn't win her any prizes.

Sure enough, what followed was another round of sheer torment.

She had long since given up resisting. Whimpering softly, clutching the curtains, she sobbed and hiccupped her repentance, swearing she never wanted to eat braised ribs again, never again be greedy for good food.

But even so, Cen Sen showed no sign of letting up. She felt utterly hopeless.

In these matters, it was usually the woman who suffered more. For a stretch in the middle, Ji Mingshu still had some backbone. Later? Backbone? Nonexistent.

Out of options, she switched from repenting for the ribs to proclaiming her endless love for Cen Sen, saying things like she only liked him, only loved him, without any psychological burden.

Not only that, she went on a crazy rant about Zhou Zhen—

“With a guy like that, what could possibly have happened?”

“He's not as tall, not as handsome, not as rich as you.”

“What would I want him for? His ability to chat with five girls at once and watch Harry Potter six times?”

Surprisingly, this tactic was quite effective. At the very least, Cen Sen suddenly became much gentler, though it couldn't be ruled out that he was simply running out of steam.

Finally, just as things were nearing the end, Cen Sen suddenly leaned close to her ear and asked in a hoarse whisper, “Let's have a baby. Okay?”

Ji Mingshu: “...?”

I'm still a baby myself!!!

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