Flash Marriage: The Domineering Wife Chapter 443 Catching up

It was quite apparent that the hotel room had been disturbed. Edward, a man known for his meticulous nature, possessed an extensive experience with hotel accommodations and could readily discern the standard of room preparation.

The sheer number of misplaced items made it impossible for him to consider the room clean. He gave a slight shake of his head before closing the closet doors.

Following this, he proceeded to the bathroom. Although he anticipated Tai would grant him privacy and abstain from placing any cameras within the bathroom, Edward harbored a certainty that microphones were indeed present.

Their signals could be easily obstructed by simply turning on the water to its maximum pressure, but he wasn't even inclined to make that effort. If Tai Pin desired to eavesdrop on his shower, Edward resolved to make the experience rather entertaining for him.

He commenced disrobing.

"Sleep well, boys, you're going to need it," Edward murmured, before stepping into the bath and serenading himself with his own rendition of a popular Chinese song, albeit sung rather off-key.

***

The following morning, long before Edward stirred, the doorbell to his room chimed twice, followed by the distinct sound of a package being left. It remained untouched, just as the hotel staff had left it, until an unexpected visitor's arrival rousted him from his slumber.

Edward let out a groan as the doorbell rang for a third time. He cursed under his breath, briefly forgetting about the potential for hidden microphones, as he rose from the bed. After a brief stretch, he walked to the door and unlocked it.

"Hey there, Eddie Woman."

A blast from the past! It was all Edward Wu could do to restrain himself from shouting.

"Su Ya Pin, what a pleasant surprise." Edward chuckled before ushering his childhood friend into a warm embrace.

He paid no mind to the possibility that by nightfall, they might be pointing guns at each other's faces – he couldn't discount the chance that Tai's associates were involved in the entire scheme. He was simply overjoyed to see her again.

"When I heard you had arrived, I simply had to come for a quick look before the party."

Edward chuckled, shaking his head. "Of course."

"Plus, we placed a bet on it."

Why wasn't he surprised?

"How much and for what?"

"Five hundred each, for whoever was the first person to contact you."

"Five hundred, huh? Since when did you all become so affluent?"

It was meant as a jest, and Su Ya burst into laughter, just as she had done so many years ago.

"I didn't intend to stay long, but now that I've seen this generous breakfast your father sent you, I can't possibly leave."

"No?"

"You require assistance in finishing it."

Edward laughed. "Fine, but you're setting the table."

"Aye, aye, Woman."

He shook his head. Eddie Woman was the nickname the girls had bestowed upon him during their childhood. It originated when everyone observed how inseparable Edward had become from Song. They used to tease him for constantly being in her presence, and then one day, seemingly out of nowhere, someone – Edward suspected it was Su Ya herself – had exclaimed "Wu for Woman." From that moment on, he was no longer Edward Wu.

"So, tell me, Woman, how have you been?"

As Su wheeled the food cart into the room, she initiated a conversation. She positioned the cart beside the small table that had been provided in the room for dining purposes.

"Wonderful, actually. But I should be the one asking you."

Su offered a smile.

"When did you all return to the country?" he inquired, genuinely curious.

"We never left," Su replied, her attention still focused on setting the table, without looking at him.

The astonishment was palpable on his face. Su Ya glanced up at him when he remained silent and then smiled.

"We remained concealed in small towns on the outskirts, but we never departed, at least not as a unit," she explained.

Edward observed her as she picked up the wine bottle.

"Champagne for breakfast? Your father intends to get you inebriated before the festivities even commence."

It was an observation offered so casually, so innocently, yet Edward couldn't help but perceive a kernel of truth within it.

"Anyway," she continued, returning the bottle to the cart, "where was I?"

This was Su Ya, easily sidetracked by the slightest distraction. Edward could have sworn she possessed the shortest memory span in existence, but despite this, she remained his favorite.

"You were mentioning that you never left as a family?"

"Yes. Mai and I pursued our studies abroad. Chapa, naturally, wished to remain close to my parents, so she opted for online courses."

Edward listened with rapt attention. Su divulging this much information could only indicate one of two scenarios: either she was unaware of her father's machinations, or this was a deliberate revelation. Edward felt confident placing his wager on the latter.

"So, you returned after completing your studies?" It didn't sound quite like the Su Ya he remembered.

"Never. I returned a year ago," she stated, pausing and then turning to face him, "with a baby bump."

Edward's eyebrows shot up. He glanced at Su's fingers, attempting to ascertain if he had overlooked any subtle clues during his initial assessment of her.

"A baby bump, and no father in sight," Su clarified, preempting any potential questions.

"Oh. Well, that certainly is something. You must have quite displeased the old man."

"An understatement, truly. Dad almost blew the roof off with his yelling."

Edward let out a hearty laugh. Su, after placing the last dish, gestured for him to sit down, which he promptly did.

"What did you have?"

She furrowed her brow, responding, "A baby."

Edward rolled his eyes. "The gender, Su."

"Oh," she giggled, "A precious baby girl. She’s the spitting image of me."

"Then I can only imagine her beauty," he replied.

A blush crept onto Su Ya’s cheeks, but she deftly hid it by popping a shrimp into her mouth. Edward chuckled with barely contained amusement before also beginning to eat.

"So, from what I've gathered, you're not married either."

Edward looked up, shaking his head slightly and leaving it at that. He was not married, not yet, anyway.

"How come? I can't fathom a man like you not getting your way with women."

"Priorities, Su. I'm a very busy man."

Su Ya tutted, taking her turn to roll her eyes. "Not too busy to take them to bed, though."

Edward raised an eyebrow.

"I’ve heard about your conquests. Chapa has spies everywhere, and your name is frequently mentioned."

"Well, a man needs to unwind somehow, doesn’t he?"

"You’re a pig," Su Ya teased playfully.