Even after three years, the man's attractiveness had only increased. The moment he entered, all eyes, both male and female, turned towards him.
The man was tall and imposing, impeccably dressed, as if he had stepped out of a magazine, a male model who commanded attention and made it impossible to look away.
*Pah.*
Zhao Shuyao silently cursed him in her heart.
All glitter and no substance.
She continued with her work, pretending not to see Qin Yusheng.
Fortunately, it wasn't her shift to handle the cash register today.
Qin Yusheng walked up to the counter. The girl at the register, blushing, stammered, "Sir, what would you like to order?"
Qin Yusheng's gaze remained fixed on Zhao Shuyao. "A latte. I want her to make it for me."
As soon as Qin Yusheng spoke, all the coffee shop employees looked at Zhao Shuyao.
Zhao Shuyao felt like she had thorns in her back and cursed silently.
Turning around with a forced smile, she said, "Sir, my lattes aren't very good. We have other staff who can make one for you!"
"No, I want you to make it for me." Qin Yusheng remained unyielding.
He's doing this on purpose!
It's absolutely intentional!
"Then if it's not to your liking, please don't complain to our store, sir!"
Zhao Shuyao forced a smile and reluctantly agreed.
While making the latte, she grew increasingly angry and added a generous amount of salt to the cup.
Let him drink this!
"Sir, here is your latte. I've put the milk and sugar here for you."
Zhao Shuyao maintained her smile and placed the latte in front of Qin Yusheng.
Qin Yusheng glanced at it. "Mm."
The latte was iced. The man directly opened the lid and took a sip.
Zhao Shuyao had just turned to leave and taken two steps when she heard a "plop" behind her.
The man spat out the coffee.
So much salt had been added that the entire latte had become salty.
Zhao Shuyao inwardly chuckled with delight.
She quickened her pace and returned to behind the counter.
As soon as she stepped inside, Qin Yusheng, holding the coffee cup, came looking for her. "Where's the person who made the coffee? Come out!"
The manager hurried over. "Sir, what's wrong?"
"Who made the coffee? Have her come out." Qin Yusheng scanned the room.
Zhao Shuyao had already vanished without a trace.
"Zhao Shuyao made this coffee," a female employee replied.
The manager started to look for Zhao Shuyao, but another employee said, "Manager, Zhao Shuyao left early."
Zhao Shuyao quietly slipped out through the back door.
She glanced left and right, confirming that the man was nowhere in sight, before patting her chest in relief.
It's good he didn't follow!
Zhao Shuyao hummed a little tune, jingled her car keys, and walked towards her car with her hands in her pockets.
Before she even reached her car, she saw someone standing beside it from a distance.
Recognizing the figure, Zhao Shuyao knew it was bad news and turned to leave.
"You seem to be in a good mood? Zhao Shuyao!"
Bad luck!
Zhao Shuyao cursed silently.
She turned around, a bright smile plastered on her face.
"Mr. Qin, do you need something from me?"
"Mr. Qin?"
Qin Yusheng straightened up, his already tall and imposing frame appearing even more upright.
He stood directly in front of Zhao Shuyao.
Even though Zhao Shuyao was nearly 1.7 meters tall and wearing four-centimeter heels, she still had to look up at him.
"We are legally married. You should call me husband."
Qin Yusheng's words stunned Zhao Shuyao.
Husband?
On their wedding day, she hadn't hesitated to use that word.
But what followed was the man's stormy humiliation and torment. Those two words had become a deeply painful memory in her mind.
Zhao Shuyao pursed her lips tightly. "What I call you is my freedom. You cannot control me."
"Zhao Shuyao..." Qin Yusheng frowned.
"Mr. Qin, why aren't you with your little lover? What are you doing here? If your little lover finds out, she'll be jealous!"
After her sarcastic remark, Zhao Shuyao started walking towards her car.
Her wrist was grabbed by the man.
"Must you always be so confrontational with me?!"
Qin Yusheng's grip was strong.
A red mark immediately appeared on Zhao Shuyao's wrist.
Zhao Shuyao stared at her wrist, held by the man, and inexplicably started to laugh.
This was the man she loved. He was always gentle and considerate to Huo Yanxue, even holding her hand with such a light touch.
All his harshness was reserved for her.
"Qin Yusheng, if one day you discover that your so-called truth is nothing but a joke, will you regret all the harm you've caused me today?"
Zhao Shuyao tilted her chin up, looking into the man's eyes.
Despite her neck aching, she didn't move.
A deep, dark glint flashed in Qin Yusheng's eyes. "What nonsense are you talking about?"
"Forget it! What's the point of me asking? It's all just my one-sided longing!"
Tears suddenly welled up in Zhao Shuyao's eyes and rolled down her cheeks.
She quickly wiped them away.
As if they had never appeared.
"Yaoyao?"
A voice, warm as a spring breeze, sounded from the other side.
Liang Xiang opened his car door and got out. The moment he saw them, he froze.
"Why are you here?" Zhao Shuyao was startled to see Liang Xiang.
Qin Yusheng also looked over.
The two men's gazes clashed in the air, as if sparks were flying.
Zhao Shuyao tried to pull her hand away from Qin Yusheng, but he tightened his grip.
Liang Xiang frowned, stepped forward, and grabbed Zhao Shuyao's other hand. "I'll take you to lunch."
Zhao Shuyao wanted to leave, but she couldn't move at all.
"Zhao Shuyao is my wife. What are you?"
Qin Yusheng's voice suddenly turned cold.
As the man spoke, the surrounding air seemed to become thin and frigid.
"I heard Yaoyao is often subjected to domestic violence. I happen to have a lawyer friend. I wonder how many years domestic violence is punishable by?"
Liang Xiang smiled gently, like a spring breeze. Even facing the cold and brutal tycoon Qin Yusheng, he showed no sign of backing down.
Zhao Shuyao felt a chill run down her spine, surprised by Liang Xiang's composure.
"You can try? My family matters don't require outside interference." Qin Yusheng said, then yanked hard, pulling Zhao Shuyao directly into his embrace.
Liang Xiang could have held onto Zhao Shuyao, preventing Qin Yusheng from taking her, but fearing that Zhao Shuyao would be hurt by the forceful pull, he reluctantly let go.
"Mr. Qin, allow me to offer a piece of advice: cherish the person in front of you."
"Heh, no matter how much I no longer cherish something, if I discard it, it won't be for someone else to pick up!"
Qin Yusheng sneered and, dragging Zhao Shuyao, walked towards his car.
Zhao Shuyao stumbled along, looking back at Liang Xiang.
The man stood there, his eyes filled with tenderness and helplessness.
Zhao Shuyao's eyes welled up.
She knew very well that Liang Xiang had let go not because he couldn't overpower Qin Yusheng, nor because he lacked strength.
It was because Liang Xiang was afraid of hurting her!
Zhao Shuyao felt the pain in her wrist. Qin Yusheng was gripping her so tightly, as if he wanted to crush her bones.
A wave of bitterness washed over her.