The mansion's dining area had now transformed from a battlefield into a haven of warmth and happiness. Showcasing her excellent cooking skills, Huan Jing had laid out a table full of delicious dishes—steaming dim sum, spicy Sichuan chicken, and the rich aroma of noodles filled the entire hall.
The four of them sat around the table. The "Emperor" Zhen and his most trusted "right hand," Qian, were on one side, while Aanya and her bubbly friend Huan Jing sat opposite them.
Scene: Silent Glances and Mischievous Whispers
Huan Jing picked up her chopsticks, glanced at Aanya, then slyly gestured toward the floor where Zhen and Aanya had fallen earlier. She leaned close to Aanya's ear.
Huan Jing (whispering mischievously): "By the way, Aanya… the floor polish was pretty good, huh? That excuse to get 'close' to Zhen was very filmi!"
Aanya's face instantly turned tomato red. Under the table, she stomped hard on Huan Jing's foot and nudged her sharply with her elbow.
Aanya (in a low voice): "Shut up, Jing! Eat your food or I'll shove these chopsticks into your mouth!"
Suppressing her laughter, Jing stuffed a piece of chicken into her mouth, while Aanya nervously adjusted her glasses on the bridge of her nose—her old habit whenever she was flustered.
Zhen's Quiet Ease and Qian's Loyalty
On the other side, Zhen and Qian were engaged in a serious but low-toned discussion.
Qian (calm and measured): "Boss, the Shenzhen project files are ready. The Liu Group is trying to apply some pressure, but our grip is strong."
Zhen nodded, but only half his attention was on Qian's report—the other half was on Aanya. He watched how she was twirling noodles with her chopsticks. When she drew a strand of noodles between her soft pink lips, Zhen's gaze stilled there.
Aanya innocently licked the sauce from her lips.
Somewhere inside Zhen's chest, a cold layer of ice began to melt. The old sparkle had returned to Aanya's eyes—the one that had been lost in the darkness of the past few days.
Zhen (inwardly): "For this sparkle… I could burn the entire world."
The Magic of the Moment
Qian noticed Zhen's silence and smiled knowingly.
Qian: "Boss? Are you listening to me… or conducting an inspection of the 'noodles'?"
Zhen abruptly looked away and shot Qian a sharp, icy glare—the same boss look that made powerful businessmen tremble. But Qian, who knew Zhen inside out, simply smiled and continued enjoying his soup.
When Aanya realized Zhen had been watching her, she quickly lowered her gaze and focused intensely on her bowl, as if conducting deep research.
Golden sunlight streamed through the windows that afternoon. The soft clinking of chopsticks and the group's laughter finally chased away the long-standing emptiness of the house.
But behind this peaceful moment… somewhere far away… that stranger was watching them.
A short while later, Zhen and Qian had to leave for an urgent business meeting. Zhen buttoned his expensive coat and glanced at Qian, who, with a single signal, deployed a new team of guards across the garden and entry gate.
Before leaving, Zhen cast Aanya a deep, protective look—as if silently saying stay alert—and then the two men departed.
Now only Aanya and Huan Jing remained in the house.
Scene: Chinese Drama and Friendship
Huan Jing switched on the large TV in the hall and started a popular Chinese drama. The two girls sat on the sofa, but Huan Jing was more interested in comparisons than the show itself.
Huan Jing (watching the hero on screen): "Aanya, look! This hero looks just like Zhen—so fierce all the time. And look at that sidekick… doesn't he look a bit like Qian? Cool and smart?"
Aanya only gave a faint smile.
Huan Jing's gaze suddenly fell on the white bandage tied around Aanya's forehead. Under the drama's flickering light, the bandage looked even whiter. Her teasing expression slowly faded into silence.
She slowly reached out to touch Aanya's bandage, but her hand trembled.
Scene: Emotional Turn and Apology
Huan Jing (eyes moist): "I am sorry, Aanya… because of me, you're in this condition today. If I hadn't run toward that gate that day, you wouldn't have gotten hurt. And… whatever I said about you and Zhen… I shouldn't have said any of it. I only made things more bitter between you two."
Her voice broke, and a tear slipped down her cheek onto Aanya's hand.
Aanya immediately set her phone aside and turned toward her.
Without saying a word, she pulled Huan Jing into a tight hug, resting her head gently on Jing's shoulder. The warmth of her body carried quiet reassurance.
Aanya (softly, soothingly): "Enough, silly… stop crying. What happened was an accident. And as for Zhen… our relationship was already a tangled thread—you didn't break it. You're my friend, my shield. This bandage will heal… but if something had happened to you, I would never have forgiven myself."
Aanya pulled back, wiped Jing's tears with her thumb, and adjusted her glasses.
They looked into each other's eyes—there was no resentment there, only old friendship.
Silence began to creep through the vast hall of the mansion, almost biting at Aanya and Huan Jing. The drama on TV now felt boring.
Huan Jing let out a long yawn and sprawled across the sofa.
Huan Jing (holding her stomach): "Aanya… I'm starving. I want something spicy. Does this 'palace' only serve boiled soup and noodles?"
A mischievous sparkle appeared in Aanya's eyes. She looked around as if about to reveal a great secret.
She knew Zhen absolutely hated her eating outside junk food—so she had created a special hiding place.
Scene: Snack Treasure and the 'Thief' Besties
Aanya slowly stood and carefully made her way to the large bookshelf. She slipped her hand behind a thick World History book and—
Click! —a secret drawer popped open.
Huan Jing (eyes wide): "Oh my God! Aanya… you're a full-on smuggler!"
Inside the drawer were stacks of Lay's chips, spicy makhana, Korean ramen cups, and chocolates.
Snapping her fingers, Aanya pulled out two large chip packets and some tangy snacks.
Aanya (grinning): "The wolf of Shenzhen thinks I only eat his 'healthy' food. If he finds out I hid these in his expensive bookshelf, he'll go crazy!"
The two tiptoed back to the sofa.
Huan Jing ripped open the chip packet—
Chrraack!
The loud sound echoed.
Both girls froze and looked toward the door. Were the guards coming?
When no one appeared, they burst into giggles.
Scene: Fun Moment (Webnovel Style)
Aanya popped a spicy chip into her mouth and closed her eyes. The taste felt like heaven.
Huan Jing stuffed her mouth too and continued watching the drama.
Huan Jing (mouth full): "Aanya… Zhen may be dangerous, but at least the snacks in his house are amazing!"
Suddenly, Aanya's gaze lifted to the CCTV camera mounted above the TV—now slowly turning toward them.
Her throat went dry.
She remembered that Zhen monitored every corner of the house from his phone.
Aanya (stammering): "Jing… Jing! Look at the camera… it's watching us!"
Aanya quickly shoved the chip packet under the pillow while Jing tossed her chocolate behind her back.
Both girls instantly sat upright like well-behaved students and began loudly discussing "history."
Huan Jing (speaking loudly toward the camera): "Yes, Aanya! I also think 18th-century politics was very… boring!"
Aanya facepalmed.
She was absolutely sure Zhen was watching their "theft" from his meeting—and smiling.
In a luxurious hall where the air was heavy with expensive champagne and power, Zhen Yan stood in a corner, eyes fixed on his phone screen. The live CCTV feed showed his naughty wife Aanya secretly eating snacks with Huan Jing.
Watching their panic and their overacting about "history," a rare smile appeared on Zhen's stern face. His heart softened at this simple scene.
The conference hall was silent. Shenzhen's top business tycoons were holding their breath, waiting for Zhen Yan's next decision.
Zhen's fingers tapped lightly on the table near his iPhone, where the live CCTV feed was playing.
Scene: Meeting Room Silence and Zhen's Smile
The moment Aanya reached behind the World History book on screen, one of Zhen's eyebrows lifted slightly.
When she pulled out the chip packets, a dangerous-looking smile appeared on his usually cold face—so unsettling that his partners assumed he was planning someone's destruction.
Qian leaned in and whispered, "Boss, the Liu Group papers are ready for signature…"
Zhen ignored him.
He watched as Aanya panicked at the camera and suddenly began lecturing about "18th-century politics."
For a brief second, his fingers tightened unconsciously.
Suppressing a laugh, he quickly typed on his phone.
Scene: Mansion Sofa and Aanya's Panic
Back at the mansion, Aanya and Huan Jing were still sitting stiffly like statues.
Suddenly—
Ting!
Aanya's phone vibrated loudly in her hand.
She jumped and picked it up with trembling fingers.
On the lock screen, a notification flashed from "My wolf husband" (Zhen).
Message:
"Behind my expensive World History books… a treasure of Korean snacks? I must admit, Mrs. Yan—your smuggling skills are impressive. Though next time you hide from the camera, try to make your 'history discussion' sound less fake… speaking louder doesn't turn lies into truth. 😉"
Aanya's eyes widened.
Slowly, she lifted her head and looked straight into the CCTV lens. It felt as if Zhen was standing right there, teasing her.
Huan Jing (stammering): "W-what happened? Whose message is it?"
Without a word, Aanya turned the phone toward Jing.
After reading it, Jing smacked her forehead.
Huan Jing: "Oh God! We're doomed! This man is omniscient. What will you do now?"
Scene: Aanya's Counterattack
Aanya's face first turned red with embarrassment—then a stubborn spark lit in her eyes.
She pulled the chip packet from under the pillow, looked directly at the camera, and deliberately crunched a loud bite.
Then she typed:
Aanya's reply:
"Smuggling? This is just survival kit, Mr. Yan! And if my history bored you, come home and teach it yourself. By the way… these snacks are about to finish, so bring new stock when you come. 😋"
Send…
In the conference room, an elderly businessman adjusted his glasses and said irritably, "Mr. Yan! Is your attention here? We are discussing Shenzhen's biggest deal, and you are smiling at your phone?"
Zhen finally looked up, though that calm softness still lingered in his eyes.
Zhen said coolly, "My attention is everywhere, Mr. Liu. Please continue."
Then he immediately replied to Aanya.
Zhen's message:
"I'll be a little late, so have dinner. But remember… don't eat too many snacks, or don't come complaining to me about stomach pain. I am watching everything."
Mansion View: Aanya's Attitude
As soon as Aanya read the message, she looked mischievously at the CCTV camera.
She deliberately pulled out a chocolate bar, opened the wrapper in exaggerated slow motion, and displayed it toward the camera as if tempting Zhen.
Huan Jing shrank behind the sofa in fear.
Huan Jing: "Aanya! You're playing with fire! He'll really get angry!"
But Aanya wasn't stopping.
She winked, picked up her phone, and sent a big smile sticker with a message.
Aanya's reply:
"I don't follow your 'Health Ministry' rules, Mr. Boss! And if I get a stomach ache, it'll be your responsibility—since you've practically imprisoned me in this house. Come home soon… or the rest of your World History books will also be filled with snacks! 😜"
After sending the message, Aanya made an innocent face toward the camera and resumed eating chips.
In the meeting, when Zhen read the message, his fist tightened under the table, though a deep smile curved his lips.
The meeting room fell into heavy silence. Zhen Yan leaned back in his chair, leisurely watching his wife's "theft" live.
He had thought she would be frightened after his message—but Aanya clearly had other plans.
Suddenly, on his screen, Aanya's face came very close.
She stuck out her tongue and then—
Smack!
A large, round yellow smile sticker was slapped directly over the CCTV lens.
The luxurious hall on Zhen's screen vanished—replaced by one big foolish grin.
The feed went dark.
Zhen's expensive pen stopped mid-motion.
Beside him, Qian turned his face away to hide his laughter.
Zhen (in a low, dangerous voice): "She… she actually turned off the camera?"
Qian (smiling): "Seems Mrs. Yan didn't like your 'watchful eye,' Boss."
Scene: Mansion Atmosphere — Victory Celebration
Back at the mansion, Aanya hopped down from the stool and dusted her hands.
Huan Jing was still crouched behind the sofa, eyes wide in shock.
Huan Jing (whispering): "Aanya! Have you lost your mind? You put a sticker on Zhen Yan's 'third eye'? He won't spare you!"
Aanya (confidently): "Relax, Jing. Now we can eat peacefully. At least I won't feel like some fierce wolf is counting my chopsticks."
Aanya picked up her phone and sent one final message to Zhen.
Aanya's message:
"Now it's dark, Mr. Emperor! Watch your files, not me. And yes… your camera looks very 'cute' now. Good night! 😇✨"