Volume One Chapter 1 The Husband Who Had Been Missing for Years Returned

“Don’t come into my house, you wicked woman!”

When Qiao Ye returned to the villa, a four-year-old brat suddenly rushed out and pointed at her nose, shouting insults.

She curled her lips in amusement. “Your house?”

The child stood with hands on his hips, not very tall but full of bravado. “Yes, this is my house! So hurry up and get out!”

Qiao Ye instinctively assumed this must be the child of one of the servants; after all, such things had happened before.

But she had no interest in wasting time with a little rascal.

“Little one, manners are the most basic virtue. Too bad, you’re still lacking.”

She chuckled and slipped one hand into her pocket, preparing to go upstairs.

“Stop right there! You can’t go up!”

Unexpectedly, the child shouted and barreled toward her.

“My mommy and daddy are upstairs! You can’t go bother them!”

Qiao Ye was pushed back a few steps, her expression darkening. “Whose child is this, brought into the house?”

“Don’t, sister!”

Suddenly a woman’s startled voice rang out, and the next moment, a woman in silk pajamas hurried down the stairs.

“Yuanbao!”

Chu Yun’er rushed down, shielding the child in her arms. “Are you alright? Did you get hurt?”

Then, with reddened eyes, she looked at Qiao Ye, biting her lip as if she’d been terribly wronged.

“Sister, do you truly not welcome us? Yuanbao is still young. If you have any grievances, take them out on me. Why hurt him?”

Qiao Ye’s eyes narrowed sharply. Before she could respond, her gaze shifted—and unexpectedly, she locked eyes with a familiar figure, stunned.

Wasn’t that her husband Lu Qi’an, missing for five years?

Fifteen years ago, her father died saving the old master of the Lu family. To repay the debt, Lu’s grandfather arranged a childhood engagement between Qiao Ye and Lu Qi’an.

She and Lu Qi’an grew up together. Because of her father’s dying wish—that she live well in the Lu family so he could rest in peace—she gave Lu Qi’an all her devotion.

She was so good to him, she even forgot she didn’t truly like him.

Later, she naturally became Lu Qi’an’s fiancée, but on their wedding day, Lu Qi’an ran away and disappeared.

After that, she became the laughingstock of the entire capital.

Everyone knew the Lu family had a living widow; even the dogs barked at her.

All these years, if not for her father’s last wish, Qiao Ye would have long since packed her bags and left.

Thinking of this, she took a deep breath, as if trying to suppress five years of bitterness.

“You’ve been gone five years, and you return with such a grand surprise?”

Lu Qi’an was indifferent.

He descended the stairs step by step, lofty and unapproachable.

“I lost my memory before. Yun’er saved me. She’s not only my savior, but the mother of my child. You’d best show her some respect when you speak.”

“And this is my home. I can bring back whoever I wish. It’s not your place to refuse.”

Qiao Ye smiled lightly.

Five years, and he hadn’t changed at all.

Empty-headed, yet arrogant.

Watching her husband embrace another woman and child, she showed no embarrassment, not even a wrinkle in her brow.

“So you mean, my husband brings home a woman and child, and I’m supposed to greet them with joy?”

“Qiao Ye!”

Lu Qi’an’s expression changed. “Have I been gone so long you forget who owns this house?”

“Sister, Yuanbao is still young. If you’re upset, take it out on me. How could you say such harsh words to him?”

Chu Yun’er’s tears fell instantly, her delicate appearance inviting pity. “Qi’an, it’s all my fault. I didn’t meet you sooner. I never wanted to ruin your family. Maybe I should take Yuanbao and leave.”

Lu Qi’an frowned deeply, gently wiping her tears. “Yun’er, what are you saying? If not for you, I’d have died abroad. You and Yuanbao are my life. How could I let you wander outside?”

Then, he turned a cold gaze to Qiao Ye. “There was never any affection between us. You insisted on clinging to me. Now I have a wife and child—it's time for you to vacate the position of Mrs. Lu.”

Qiao Ye’s expression remained calm. “And how do you suggest I do that?”

“Divorce, of course!”

Lu Qi’an arrogantly raised his chin. “But considering you loyally played the widow for five years, I might give you some money, so you won’t end up destitute after the divorce.”

Qiao Ye’s face showed no reaction.

Lu Qi’an sneered. “Stop pretending. I know you still love me. If you want to cry, go ahead. But after you’re done, I’m still divorcing you.”

Divorce?

Qiao Ye laughed coldly inside.

All these years, she’d fought to survive in the Lu family, making sacrifices others couldn’t imagine.

Now that she’d finally made a mark in the Lu Group, they wanted her to give it up so easily?

Impossible.

She wouldn’t accept it.

“Do you know how many imposters pretended to be Lu Qi’an over these years?”

Qiao Ye’s voice was steady. “You return, wanting to take over with your woman and child. How can I be sure you’re really who you say?”

“So wait until Mother returns. You’ll need to do a paternity test first.”

Lu Qi’an’s face changed instantly, furious.

“Qiao Ye, if not for your father saving my grandfather, would you ever have ties with the Lu family? What right do you have to speak to me like this? After a few years here, you really think you’re the mistress? You’re not worthy!”

“You want me to do a DNA test? Who do you think you are? I was even considering giving you money, but now, not a cent! Every extra penny would be wasted!”

After he finished cursing, he looked at Chu Yun’er, and all his anger vanished. He put his arm around her and led her upstairs.

“Yun’er, don’t worry. I’ll draft the divorce agreement right now, kick her out of this house, and then welcome you and Yuanbao home in style.”

Chu Yun’er nodded in his arms, deeply moved. “Qi’an, you’re so wonderful.”

She thought, it was worth spending five years by this fool’s side, bearing and raising his child. At last, she was getting her reward. Once she entered the Lu family as the legitimate Mrs. Lu, untold riches would be hers!

“Wait!”

Qiao Ye turned to look at them.

“Your identity isn’t confirmed. You’d better stay in the guest house for now.”

“The guest house?!”

Lu Qi’an raised his voice. “Qiao Ye, are you crazy? That’s where the servants used to live!”

“I can hardly let someone move into the master bedroom without proof, can I?”

Qiao Ye’s attitude was firm as well.

Until Lu Qi’an proved his identity, she had the upper hand.

Lu Qi’an laughed in disbelief, pointing at Qiao Ye. “Fine, fine. You want a paternity test? Just wait. When the results come out, I’ll kick you out as Lu family’s heir, you ignorant woman!”

With that, he pulled Yuanbao and Chu Yun’er away.

“Sir?”

The butler met him in the hallway. “Where are you going?”

Lu Qi’an said nothing, his face dark with anger.

Qiao Ye spoke calmly.

“Uncle Li, please see the three of them out for now. Next time, don’t let just anyone in without proof of identity. If Madam comes home and blames us, we won’t have an explanation.”

“Proof of identity?”

Uncle Li’s face was tense. “The young master was missing for five years. He’s finally come home, and now you’re doing this? His face is right there—how could it be fake? I think you’re being deliberately difficult!”

“Deliberate?”

Qiao Ye smiled. “With the advances in plastic surgery, didn’t your son just say a few days ago he wanted to look like Lu Qi’an? The Lu family is wealthy. Who knows if it’s real or not? If something goes wrong, can you bear the consequences?”