C21 Chapter 21

Chen Dong had settled comfortably into the Yang family's apartment, thanks to Yang Guogang arranging for cleaning assistance. His days were quite pleasant and relaxed.

With no scheduled activities, Yang Qi didn't require his company, allowing Chen Dong to enjoy a day of rest at home. The special interview was fast approaching, now just two days away.

Given the circumstances, Chen Dong wasn't in the mood to ask Lee Susu to accompany him as his date. Yet, having made a promise to Yang Guogang, he was committed to attending the interview, even if it meant going alone.

After retrieving the bank card he received from the photography team leader, Chen Dong called the bank to inquire about the payment. He was stunned into silence. He hadn't anticipated the lucrative nature of modeling; merely assisting Yang Qi with some poses the previous day had netted him 1.5 million yuan.

Yang Qi had claimed a share, but Chen Dong had to admit that he owed some of his windfall to her good fortune.

The doorbell chimed several times, prompting Chen Dong to rise and answer it, expecting a visitor from the Yang family.

To his surprise, it was his wife, Lee Susu, standing at the threshold with a scowl, arms folded. "Seems like you've found a cozy little hideaway here."

"What brings you here?" Chen Dong asked with a cold glance. No longer dependent on the Lee family, he felt no need for pleasantries. "If Director Lee is just here for a visit, she's welcome."

"Have you forgotten your status?" Lee Susu barged past Chen Dong, surveying the apartment's interior. "Yang Qi seems to be treating you quite well," she said through clenched teeth.

Chen Dong shut the door and followed her, replying simply, "Indeed."

"I don't care about your current relationship with Yang Qi," Lee Susu snapped, turning abruptly and grabbing the collar of Chen Dong's shirt, pulling him close with a look of fury. "Remember, we are legally married. You're coming back with me now."

Chen Dong effortlessly wrapped an arm around Lee Susu's waist and lifted her, a challenging smirk on his face. "Since we're husband and wife, shouldn't we be doing something?"

Lee Susu's pupils contracted in shock. She had never expected this good-for-nothing to act this way towards her. Panic flickered in her eyes as she hastily pushed against the man's chest. "I'm warning you! Let go of me!"

"Our mom said we should have a big, healthy boy, didn't she?" Chen Dong was quite pleased with Lee Susu's reaction. He tossed her onto the sofa and loomed over her.

Lee Susu was clad in a white gauze dress. As she struggled, her long legs swung in an attractive arc. "Chen Dong, I'm warning you! If you dare lay a hand on me, I'll..."

"You'll do what?" Chen Dong caressed her long legs, which felt as smooth as silk, and cursed silently as he felt himself respond.

Disgusted by her expression, as if she had swallowed something vile, Chen Dong's desire waned. Releasing her, he grumbled, "Leave."

Just like that, he released her? Lee Susu unexpectedly felt a twinge of disappointment. She berated herself internally. Was she going mad?

To feel this way about a loser... Lee Susu's face flushed with embarrassment, and she was at a loss for words.

Rising from the sofa, Lee Susu straightened her disheveled dress and hair. She moved a bit further away, still shaken. "You need to come with me."

"Looking for another round?" Chen Dong took a sip of cold water, trying to suppress his arousal. If they went at it again, he wasn't sure he'd let her go. His gaze lingered on her casually.

Her chest had slipped down slightly after their scuffle, revealing a subtle, enticing sway. Noticing where Chen Dong's eyes had landed, Lee Susu shot him a glare and quickly covered herself, saying, "Mom's at home waiting for you to return. Why else would I come looking for you, you waste of space?"

Considering that Lee Susu and her sister would rather see Chen Dong dead than come looking for him, his silence was understandable.

When Chen Dong remained quiet, Lee Susu kicked his leg. "You need to realize that you're married now, living with the Yang family. Are you content living off the Lee family's charity and now the Yang's?"

The words stung, but to Lee Susu, it was the harsh truth. If she were Chen Dong, she'd rather work on a construction site than live off someone else's generosity.

"I'm not living off anyone," he asserted. His role as a bodyguard for the Yang family was a testament to his hard work. Lee Susu's repeated insinuations were grating to the ears.

Lee Susu winced as she placed the bank card on the table, internally cursing Chen Dong. "I haven't touched the three million. As for the one million from Zhang Qi, given our relationship, it wouldn't be a problem if I didn't pay it back."

"Our relationship?" Chen Dong scoffed, his gaze steady. "What kind of relationship could you possibly have with him?"

Having been betrayed in a past life, Chen Dong could empathize with the sting of infidelity, which he felt could shorten a man's neck by ten inches. He grabbed Lee Susu's hand, along with the bank card, and said, "Come on."

With Chen Dong's emotions running high, Lee Susu recoiled, asking nervously, "Where are we going?"

"We're going to Zhang Qi's company to return the money," he replied. He knew Zhang Qi had started a company and was collaborating with Lee Susu, and he was suspicious of their motives.

"He's not at the company; he's at home."

At her words, Chen Dong's expression darkened, and his voice rose sharply, "Did you actually bring that man into our home?"

After a struggle, Lee Susu freed her hand, massaging her wrist. She retorted, "What do you mean 'that man'? He's a colleague who came over for a visit. He's been to our place before, and you never had an issue with it."

What happened in the past was irrelevant; the previous Chen Dong had no say. But now, in control of this body, he was determined that no one would make a fool of him.

"Come with me!"

At the entrance of the Yang family apartment, where a camera had been installed, Yang Qi had been watching when Lee Susu arrived to see Chen Dong.

Xu relayed a message, "Brother Chen said he needs to sort out some family issues. Miss, if you plan to go out, just give him a call to let him know."

"Understood," Yang Qi responded, dismissing him with a wave before settling into a new position on the sofa. She called out to Xu again, "Who did Lee Susu bring as her plus-one to Dad's interview?"

"Actually, I only invited them out of respect for Mr. Chen. I didn't expect Director Lee to refuse to let Mr. Chen attend, opting instead for someone named Zhang Qi. From what I've seen, Zhang Qi doesn't strike me as a reputable character."

"Really?" Yang Qi was familiar with Zhang Qi, who frequented Susu Fashion every other day. If it weren't for the business collaboration pretext, one might suspect Zhang Qi was there to woo Lee Susu.

Yet, Lee Susu was already married.

Yang Qi's fingertips grazed her red lips, a spark of inspiration flashing in her eyes. "Xu, what do you think about me partnering with Chen Dong for the interview?"

"Well..." Xu hesitated, "Shall I ask Director Yang on your behalf?"