The Foolish Wife Turned Scheming After Her Recovery - Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Steam Filled The Bathroom, White Mist Swirling In The Air, As Two Naked Bodies Entwined With One Another

Back home, Lu Zhili was in high spirits as she called Xie Yanqing, but no one answered for a while. She frowned at the screen when the call automatically disconnected.

Xiao Qing always replied instantly on WeChat—so why wasn’t she answering the phone?

Unable to figure it out, she sighed and suppressed her urge to boast about her day. Grabbing her clothes, she headed to the bathroom.

Even though she had already showered at the jiu-jitsu gym, Lu Zhili still felt grimy—especially when she remembered that little boy with snot nearly dripping into his mouth, completely unaware of it. The thought made her skin crawl.

The bathroom light turned on, followed by the sound of running water. At that moment, a message popped up on the phone by the pillow.

Don’t Call Me Kindergarten Teacher: ?

…

In a downtown hotel room, Xie Yanqing wore only a hotel bathrobe over her underwear. Her eyes were still moist as she stared closely at her phone screen, her lips slightly swollen. The bathroom light was on, and behind the frosted glass, a graceful silhouette could be seen inside.

Just moments ago, she had been passionately entangled with someone when her phone suddenly rang. Initially, neither of them planned to answer—nothing was more important than s3x at that moment.

But then she caught a glimpse of the caller ID—Lu Zhili.

Left with no choice, she gently pushed the other person away and sent her into the bathroom to shower, then turned back to pick up the call. But before she could, it had already disconnected.

Knowing she’d be busy for the rest of the night, Xie Yanqing didn’t bother calling back. She was afraid her sister would start rambling and wouldn’t stop. Instead, she sent a few messages and even recommended someone else to chat with.

Don’t Call Me Kindergarten Teacher: “?”

Don’t Call Me Kindergarten Teacher: “Sis, I’ve got plans tonight and won’t be able to reply quickly. If you need to talk, go chat with Xiao Yue. She’s always short on someone to talk to at night.”

Don’t Call Me Kindergarten Teacher: “[Contact Card]”

After sending the three messages, she turned off her phone and tossed it aside, then got up and walked into the bathroom.

She dropped the bathrobe at the door and walked in barefoot.

“You’re back already? Finished the call?” The woman who was showering turned around and pulled Xie Yanqing close. Leaning down slightly, she kissed her swollen lips and asked softly, “Can you stay the whole night?”

Xie Yanqing smiled, eyes gleaming, arms draped around the woman’s waist. “My sister was calling. Don’t worry—I already turned off my phone.”

The two exchanged another kiss with a laugh.

Steam swirled once more as their naked bodies tangled together. Xie Yanqing reached up and brushed the damp strands from the woman’s face, revealing a face that was slightly plain—yet those deep, soulful eyes seemed to say she was loving Xie Yanqing with her whole heart in that moment.

If Yu Yao were here, she’d instantly recognize this woman—it was someone she met regularly: Jiao Qiu, the bartender from Naiye Bar.

“I’m a little cold,” Xie Yanqing said, arms wrapped around Jiao Qiu’s waist, head resting against her shoulder, her breath warm. “Let’s go to the bed.”

Even though the bathroom heater was on and hot water had been running for a while, it was hardly cold. She just didn’t want to stand anymore—she wanted to lie down and enjoy herself.

Jiao Qiu didn’t call her out. She shut off the water and gently dried her from head to toe, like someone grooming a kitten at a pet salon.

“By the way, didn’t you say you’d tell me about Yu Yao? Tell me now,” Xie Yanqing asked, obediently wrapped in a bath towel, seizing the chance to ask her question.

If she didn’t ask now, there wouldn’t be time later.

Jiao Qiu smiled as she dried herself and replied, “Yu Yao’s a regular at the bar. Everyone who frequents the place knows her. She’s pretty and has a great personality—a lot of people are into her.”

Xie Yanqing frowned warily. “A player?”

“Her?” Jiao Qiu chuckled. “She doesn’t have anyone.”

“No boyfriend, girlfriend, or even hookups. I’ve never seen her show special interest in anyone. She just sits at the bar, chats with me, has a few drinks, and leaves.”

Then, as if remembering something, Jiao Qiu paused and looked at Xie Yanqing with a smile. “Wait—there is one person she seemed interested in.”

Xie Yanqing had been nodding in approval—her sister shouldn’t befriend a player. But at those words, she frowned again. “Who?”

“That girl you came with last time—the one you called your sister. That was the first time I ever saw Yu Yao bring someone to the bar. She even bought her a drink.”

Xie Yanqing relaxed and smugly smiled. “See? No one can resist my sister’s charm.”

Jiao Qiu said nothing. She had seen Xie Yanqing’s sister—and yes, she was indeed stunning. But she personally didn’t care for that type. She preferred Xie Yanqing—the proud, spoiled little kitten type. Like the white cat in Tom and Jerry.

“You done asking? Can we get back to business now?”

“Jiejie, whatever you want to do, I’m down.” She leaned in and quickly kissed her lips again.

Sure, Xie Yanqing was helping her sister get the scoop on Yu Yao—but tonight’s romantic encounter was the real priority. The questioning was just a side quest.

…

The motion sensor lights flicked on in the stairwell as Yu Yao’s tired figure appeared at the door. It had been a long, busy day. Although dinner had been pleasant, the daytime workload was intense.

Once inside, she threw herself onto the bean bag chair and stared up at the dim ceiling, mentally replaying the day’s events.

She hadn’t expected Lu Zhili to be such a “dummy.” She’d had a whole rejection speech prepared but didn’t get a chance to use it. Even more surprising was that fluttering feeling she got during dinner—Yu Yao didn’t understand how she could’ve felt something like that. Was she really that emotionally deprived?

Still confused, Yu Yao opened WeChat and scrolled up through her chat with Lu Zhili, rereading each message carefully.

Every day, Lu Zhili would send her good morning and good night texts, with random bits about her life sprinkled in.

Aunt Chen had made her favorite cookies and hoped Yu Yao could try them too. Xiao Cake caught a ladybug in the yard but had to let it go because the butler was scared of bugs. Her parents had visited, but she fainted again, which worried them, and that made her a little sad.

Lu Zhili shared everything in detail with Yu Yao, who now read each message slowly, as if she had lived through it all with her.

These mundane, everyday things suddenly flooded Yu Yao’s mind, offering her a moment of quiet in an otherwise stressful life.

Who knew how long she read for. When sleepiness finally took over, she earnestly typed two words into the chat box.

Y: “Good night.”

…

Ever since that day they ran into Yu Yao at the mall, Lu Zhili felt she had grown a lot closer to her. Someone who used to go a whole day without replying was now sending her “good night” messages and pictures of new product samples at the studio.

They acted like normal friends, but everyone around Lu Zhili sensed it wasn’t so simple.

Housekeeper He had lost count of how many times she’d seen Lu Zhili sitting on the swing in the yard, playing with her phone. Xiao Cake lay lazily on her lap, sunbathing and napping. Watching the occasional smile on Lu Zhili’s face, Housekeeper He’s alarm bells were ringing.

This… this looked just like someone deeply into an online romance!

But her young lady was only eight years old! Who the hell was deranged enough to have an online relationship with an eight-year-old?!

Seizing the opportunity, Housekeeper He tiptoed behind the swing. Xiao Cake stirred warily, saw it was her, wagged its tail, and went back to sleep.

Housekeeper He was determined—she had to find out who was on the other end of this “romance”!

One glance at the screen revealed the contact: a crescent moon avatar, labeled “[🐟] Princess.”

What did that mean?

Fish Princess? Little Fish Princess?

Then it hit her—that was Miss Yu’s profile picture!

So… she was in an online relationship with Miss Yu?

Wait—SHE’S IN AN ONLINE RELATIONSHIP WITH MISS YU?!

Perhaps her reaction was too exaggerated, because Lu Zhili finally noticed her frozen behind the swing.

“Aunt He? Why are you here? You scared me…” Lu Zhili patted her chest in relief.

Housekeeper He: “…”

Miss, please—I’m the one scared here!

After all, she was the one who had given Lu Zhili Yu Yao’s WeChat in the first place. Feeling guilty, she hesitated for a long time before awkwardly saying, “Miss, online dating isn’t the way. If you want to date someone, you should do it in real life!”

Naturally, her words only earned her a puzzled pair of wide, innocent eyes.

Huh?

Housekeeper He knew her place—she was just a servant, after all. So instead of explaining to Lu Zhili directly, she told Fu Shuang about it when both Fu Shuang and Lu Zhusheng came to the villa.

“You’re joking, right?” Fu Shuang frowned.

Her daughter was only eight—and she was already online dating?

Housekeeper He said, “Madam, I don’t know if she’s really dating anyone, but I’ve never seen her care about someone this much in the past two years. She used to play outside with Xiao Cake, but recently she just sits on the couch waiting for messages. And when Ms. Chen made cookies, she asked for an extra batch to be wrapped nicely.”

Fu Shuang raised a brow. “Did she send them?”

“No, I think the other person didn’t respond.”

Fu Shuang folded her arms, tapping her fingers against her arm as she watched the father and daughter playing video games in the living room. A small smile appeared in her eyes. “He Jie, go to my car and bring me a blank invitation.”

Housekeeper He paused, clearly concerned. “You’re inviting her to the birthday party?”

It was Fu Shuang’s birthday in two weeks, which meant a business dinner with clients—not an event Lu Zhili normally attended. But this time, she was giving her daughter the choice.

“Yep. Looks like this girl’s got a little crush. Let’s give her the invite. Whether it gets delivered is up to her.”