MY VERY BRAVE WIFE
Chapter 3

"I don't like this dress, Qinqin ... It looks weird to me." Zhao Lifei frowned, rubbing her hair with tired hands. There was a bag under his eyes from the night endlessly rolling around on his bed and never falling asleep.

Ever since he became Shenbei's laughingstock, his confidence was at its limit. The haughty sparkles in his eyes as being engaged to Zheng Tianyi had disappeared a long time ago.

From losing everything in the span of just one night, the attitude of divas, arrogant grin, and confident buffers are all gone. Before the fall of the legendary Zhao Lifei, she was known as Shenbei's top socialite. The women always crowded around him, hoping to curry favor with the rumored Madam Zheng.

Whatever she wears, eats, and does, everyone imitates her. She is a trendsetter, a single woman whom every socialite aspires to be.

His parents swore they loved him. His friends praised him too much. People are always trying to be friends with him. It was all over when Zheng Tianyi blacklisted him and threw him away. But after two long and life-changing years, Zhao Lifei did not blame them. He finally understood how horrible she was.

He turned women against women, used people as if they were pawns in his little chess game, insulted girls to tears, and tried to sabotage the innocent Xia Mengxi. Most would say he got what he deserved, but one never saw the truth behind the arrogant and spoiled heirs.

No one saw how much Zhao Lifei was crushed at night, drinking wine alone in a cold, empty room, until his tears put him to sleep. No one saw the broken child reach for anything that showed his love.

Zhao Lifei could only return to reality when Yang Ruqin shook him violently. "Feifei, I hope you don't daydream anymore!" Yang Ruqin snorted.

He curled Zhao Lifei's hair in hopes of making her look presentable.

"I'm not ..." Zhao Lifei timidly lied.

Yang Ruqin rolled her eyes. "Sure, and I'm the ugliest girl this world has ever seen." Yang Ruqin used her usual sarcasm.

Zhao Lifei chuckled. "Don't be too dramatic, Qinqin."

"I was supposed to be a diva, my job was too dramatic." Yang Ruqin laughed, wrapping Zhao Lifei's fine hair strands over the curling irons. "In addition, my dear. You look amazing, don't doubt yourself anymore." He smiled, putting his hand onto Zhao Lifei's shoulder.

"God ..." Zhao Lifei fell silent, hugging her stomach as she always did. It makes him feel safe. It had become a bad habit after the last two years, years of severe torment.

Yang Ruqin's eyes softened. When Zhao Lifei experienced her worst fall, Yang Ruqin was at the peak of her career. The manager and his family forced him to work hard and he often traveled around the world.

He did not hear about what happened to Zhao Lifei until he returned two years later. Since he was rarely in the countryside and frequently traveled from country to country, he barely had time to chat with Zhao Lifei.

Zhao Lifei did not say anything about his downfall. When Yang Ruqin returned, she expected a wedding invitation in her hands, instead, she got the shell of the cheerful woman she used to know.

After a while of styling Zhao Lifei's hair, Yang Ruqin finally spoke up again. "Today would be nice. I've booked a seat at your favorite restaurant, La Roche."

La Roche is a very popular and luxurious restaurant that was rated five Michelin stars a few months after it opened. It is very difficult to make reservations there; restaurants never pay attention to A-List celebrities, influential politicians, or wealthy socialites. However, Yang family could enter easily. The owner was good friends with Yang Ruqin's father and allowed them unrestricted entry in the window with the best view.

"My favorite? It always seems to be your favorite." Zhao Lifei teases. He remembered the memories of his youth where he was dragged to a restaurant whenever Yang Ruqin wanted to ditch.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Yang Ruqin giggled, clearly lying through her teeth. His eyes sparkled with excitement when caught off guard.

Zhao Lifei gave him a sharp look, forcing Yang Ruqin to show a shy grin.

"Okay, maybe I'm too addicted to their cooking, but hey! Don't blame me, their appetizers are amazing!" Yang Ruqin tried to defend herself.

"Don't think too much about facts! The driver is waiting!" Yang Ruqin giggled, dragging Zhao Lifei out of her room.

As soon as Zhao Lifei came out of his room, he groaned in annoyance. The living room is very modern and there are large windows from the ceiling to the ground. The sun was at its highest peak today, and Yang Ruqin had to open all the curtains.

"One day, I thought you were trying to bake me alive." Zhao Lifei pouted childishly.

"You need sunlight, or rather, Vitamin D in your life\~" Yang Ruqin teased him, nudging him the whole time they walked into the elevator.

"Haha, that's funny." Zhao Lifei snorted in the most disrespectful manner.

Yang Ruqin chuckled at her friend's lack of humor, then wrapped her arms around Zhao Lifei's arms - clinging to her like she always did.

The elevator door rang to reveal the beautiful woman of the elevator. He smiled and bowed before them. "To the ground floor, Miss Zhao and Miss Yang?"

Had this been Zhao Lifei before, she would not have bothered to acknowledge someone like the hostess of the elevator. But this is the prize. He was not as childish and disrespectful as before.

"Yes, please ground floor." Zhao Lifei nodded, offering a polite smile.

"So soon, Mom." Said the hostess of the elevator, quietly pressing the button and averted her gaze.

The hostess of the elevator house could not help but admire Zhao Lifei from a distance. For the two years he had known Zhao Lifei, the woman had always been very polite and warm. There had never been a time where Zhao Lifei treated him as harshly as he was air, as most people in this wealthy apartment complex did.

The hostess did not know Zhao Lifei's tainted past and if anyone told her, she would not trust that person. This woman is too good to do something so terrible...

As the floor rang and signified the ground floor, Yang Ruqin pulled Zhao Lifei out of the elevator. "Thank you," Zhao Lifei secretly told the hostess before she was dragged away by Yang Ruqin.

As they walked into the lobby and headed for the entrance, they quickly attracted attention. With each step Yang Ruqin took, her hair would sway and bounce as the wind ruffled the tip of her red dress. Due to the cat-like shape of her eyes, they always look flirting unintentionally.

Those people glanced at him and glanced at him a second time, their eyes widened in astonishment. They practically drool.

Zhao Lifei silently laughed to herself. He had already gotten used to this appearance every time he walked with Yang Ruqin. As Zhao Lifei chatted with Yang Ruqin, she did not realize that the men also admired the beautiful woman beside the supermodel Yang Ruqin.

Zhao Lifei thought they had only seen his best friend, and no one else.

He did not expect them to look at him either.

With his high nose with clear wealth, naturally reddish-filled lips, and sharp eyes, Zhao Lifei's appearance was the opposite of submissive and reserved. Instead, she looked like a strong woman that men seemed to fear but secretly admired.

Regardless of what Zhao Lifei thought of her and her calmness, her outer appearance did not match her mind. It might be due to years of training and experience, but Zhao Lifei always walked with confidence. His shoulders were straightened back and his head was raised high.

"What's the rush for?" Zhao Lifei asked as Yang Ruqin hurriedly dragged him into the car.

"I just love to eat, that's all. You know I love food, almost as much as I love you." Yang Ruqin teased, pinching Zhao Lifei's nose.