The Foolish Wife Turned Scheming After Her Recovery - Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Like a Witch Clutching an Apple, Luring You to Take a Destructive Step Into Her Carefully Laid Trap

The spring chill lingered. In early April, the evening breeze in Yanjing still carried a biting cold. Pedestrians on the roadside pulled their too-thin coats tighter around themselves, annoyed at their morning bravado of leaving home without long johns.

While people walked home braving the wind, Yu Yao, sitting inside a car, had already shed her coat thanks to the warm air conditioning. She wore a thin off-shoulder top, a long black camisole dress underneath, and a wide leather belt loosely wrapped around her waist, with its eyelets studded with sparkling ornaments.

Outside the window, streetlamps and pedestrians blurred past. Yu Yao leaned her head on her hand, eyes unfocused, watching the scene without really seeing anything.

The black private car finally stopped in front of a bar. Yu Yao withdrew her gaze, casually draped her coat over her shoulders, and said faintly before pushing open the door, “Thanks.”

It wasn’t until she was standing outside that the driver realized how tall this passenger was. But the surprise lasted only a second before she hit the gas and merged back into traffic—either heading home for dinner or picking up another fare to support her small family.

Yu Yao stood outside the bar. Even from a distance, she could hear the thumping dance music inside. She raised an eyebrow slightly, then walked through the doors like she owned the place.

Perhaps only through the numbness of alcohol could her tight, monotonous life feel a little more exciting and lively again.

Yu Yao was something of a regular at “Naiye.” Every bartender on rotation knew this legendary sister—gorgeous and bold, always down for a drink, but no one ever got to take her home.

Though still niche, the bar wasn’t seedy. Despite the booming music, it lacked the murky undercurrent of illicit dealings. The rule banning men from entering gave the female patrons a sense of complete ease.

Yu Yao gave a slight nod to the familiar bartender as a greeting, and before long, a drink was slid toward her.

“Why haven’t you been around in a while? This one’s on me,” the bartender said with a smile. Her long hair was neatly tied back as she guessed, “Still hiding from that last one?”

Yu Yao chuckled. Her expression instantly came alive, a touch of pride lifting her chin. “She? Please. At best, just a weirdo.”

The bartender laughed, respecting her silence on the subject and shifting the conversation to today’s real weirdo in the bar.

“I’ve seen people watch the evening news in internet cafes, but someone came to the bar today to watch cartoons. Over there, in the booth behind you—total knockout, brought a tablet and headphones just to watch anime.”

Yu Yao raised her brows, intrigued. She turned around but only caught a glimpse of a profile—a high nose bridge, the rest hidden by falling strands of hair.

In the booth.

Lu Zhili sat with her elbows on her knees, cupping her face with both hands, her body curled up like a child. In front of her, a glass table barely reached her knees. The tablet played animated shows, and she stared at it intently, completely absorbed.

Dim spotlights swirled around. The purplish-red light fell on her face, giving her an air of mystery and allure, like a witch holding out an apple—tempting you to take a fatal step into her pre-set trap.

Her face was stunning—sharp nose, deep-set eyes, thick lashes, a sleek jawline, and a delicately pointed chin. But what stood out most were her eyes—large pupils framed by glassy light brown irises, with slightly upturned outer corners that, when emotionless, gave off an aloof disdain.

But now, those foxy eyes were wide open in focused innocence as she watched her cartoons, exuding a strange purity.

The bartender wasn’t wrong—Lu Zhili was a beauty. Even in an industry full of stunners, her looks were top-tier.

Yet no one dared approach, no one even asked for her contact info.

Not that Lu Zhili cared. Her pale fingers reached out, tapped the screen twice, and paused the video.

“Why’d you stop? The prince is about to show up,” Qin Yue asked, sitting next to her, clearly bored. She didn’t feel like dancing, so she stayed to watch the anime in silence, lacking headphones.

Lu Zhili gave her a weird look. “Xiao Yue, how could a prince compare to a princess?” She removed her headphones and rubbed her sore ears.

Qin Yue: “…”

Seeing no response, Lu Zhili handed over her tablet and headphones. “Watch this for me, okay? I’m going to the restroom. I’ll be quick. Don’t mess with my stuff.”

“I’ll go with you,” Qin Yue said, standing up.

Lu Zhili frowned in displeasure and pushed her back down into the sofa with one hand. “I can go by myself. The restroom’s just over there.” She pointed toward the corridor, where a sign marked the way.

Lu Zhili was stubborn like a kid. Qin Yue figured the bar was safe enough, so she let her go. As Lu Zhili walked off, she called, “If you’re not back in ten minutes, I’m coming to find you!”

Lu Zhili glanced at her watch and shouted back, “Hey! I’ve got nine minutes and fifty-two seconds left!” Then she sped up and disappeared around the corner.

The restroom trip went smoothly. She didn’t run into anyone. Humming a tune, she walked over to the sink and carefully washed her hands using all seven recommended steps.

Warm water rinsed off the foam, but then she heard hurried footsteps—heels clicking sharply on the tiled floor.

Lu Zhili wasn’t one to care about things that didn’t concern her. She figured someone just needed the bathroom urgently. But then, the footsteps stopped, replaced by a low female voice.

“Xiaoyu, why are you rushing off like that? You’re in heels. Be careful.”

“Young Miss Zhao, don’t you think grabbing me like this is inappropriate?” another voice replied, annoyed and tense.

Lu Zhili ignored them, pulled some paper towels to dry her hands, and glanced at the time—two minutes left. Perfect.

The argument continued behind her, but she was disinterested and turned to leave—only to freeze when she saw the two women pulling at each other.

The first thing she noticed was the eye-catching red hair—like a wave of crimson cascading down someone’s back, glossy under the overhead lights.

Smack—
A sharp slap broke the silence and snapped Lu Zhili out of her daze.

She instinctively moved closer, eyes fixed solely on the woman with her back to her, ignoring the other completely.

The closer she got, the clearer their voices became.

“Young Miss Zhao, you’re a regular here. Aren’t you worried about your reputation, following someone into the restroom like this?” The woman sneered. “We’re all adults, so I’ll be blunt.” She raised her chin and sized Zhao up.

“You’re just not my type.”

The disdain in her tone enraged Zhao. “Yu Yao, who the hell do you think you are? Just a pretty face, and you dare talk to me like that?”

Yu Yao knew her face had opened many doors for her, but it had also attracted too many pests. And right now, she looked utterly disgusted.

The raised hand caught her off guard. She didn’t expect someone from the bar to lash out physically like this. She couldn’t dodge in time.

But at that critical moment, a slender hand grabbed Zhao’s wrist—pale, short-trimmed nails, clean and neat.

With a firm grip, Zhao shrieked, “Ah—let go of me! Let go!”

The sudden hero was none other than Lu Zhili, freshly dried hands and all. She stared wide-eyed at Yu Yao, silent, deaf to Zhao’s screaming.

Yu Yao recognized her immediately—this was the same beauty watching cartoons in the booth.

From her features to her outfit, everything hit Yu Yao’s aesthetic dead-on. If Zhao was “not her type,” this woman was a full-course banquet made just for her.

So, Yu Yao’s dark expression brightened instantly. Her full red lips parted—

“Princess…”

The word stopped Yu Yao mid-sentence—and silenced Zhao’s shouting.

Huh?

Yu Yao had seen plenty of stunned reactions to her face, but this woman’s gaze held no desire or possessiveness—only surprise and… worship?

Lu Zhili’s foxy eyes sparkled. The woman she adored had stepped out of another dimension, breathing and real. She could smell her ocean-scented perfume.

“Who the hell are you?! Mind your damn business and let go!” Zhao screamed, her carefully styled hair now a mess.

Yu Yao snapped back to reality, eyeing Zhao with disdain. Her messy mullet and all-black getup, topped with 5cm platform shoes, made her look like an angry T. rex next to the graceful beauty pinning her down.

Lu Zhili said nothing. She tightened her grip and, when Zhao tried to struggle, flipped her effortlessly to the ground.

“Zhao Xihan,” Yu Yao said coldly, “Consider this a warning. I know what you tried to put in my drink. I’m no naive little girl. Try anything again, and we’ll be settling things at the police station.”

Zhao paled. She thought her trick was flawless. Though she liked Yu Yao’s face, it wasn’t worth ruining herself over. She scrambled to her feet and fled.

Once the nuisance was dealt with, Yu Yao turned to her savior.

“Thanks for helping me. May I ask your name?” Yu Yao tilted her head, all her earlier defenses gone.

To Lu Zhili, the world fell silent except for the princess’s voice, magnified and glowing.

She blinked blankly for a few seconds until Yu Yao waved her hand in front of her face. Finally, she returned to her senses and murmured, “My name is Lu Zhili.”

“I’m Yu Yao. Thanks again,” Yu Yao smiled. “Why are you staring like that? Am I really that pretty?”

She expected the pure-looking girl to shy away, but instead, Lu Zhili replied earnestly, “Yes! You’re beautiful—like a princess!”

Yu Yao froze. She’d been called pretty plenty, but never “like a princess”—someone cherished and raised with love.

Uncomfortable with the praise, she changed the subject. “Anyway, thanks again. If you hadn’t stepped in, I probably would’ve taken a slap.”

“No need to thank me. It’s my duty to protect the princess. I’m very strong—she can’t beat me,” Lu Zhili grinned, her eyes childishly bright.

Yu Yao found it strange, but let it go. “Since you helped me, how about I buy you a drink?”

Lu Zhili nodded blankly, captivated by Yu Yao’s face. She followed obediently to the bar, forgetting entirely what she had originally come to do.

Two minutes later, Qin Yue arrived anxiously at the restroom, only to find it empty.

“What the heck? Where’s my girl?!”