As the year-end approaches, work at the company always becomes increasingly hectic. Yet, Xia Yan's attendance this month could be counted on ten fingers. However, given her current status as Lu Zhengting's official girlfriend, everyone in the company, no matter how dissatisfied, could only keep it to themselves or find a quiet moment to vent to each other.
Ke Yaru, as the head of the finance department, had been so busy during this period that she barely had time to catch her breath. Now that she finally had a chance, she wasn't about to let it slip by. Lu Zhengting had long planned to expand the company's business into Europe, but breaking into the European market was no easy feat. According to his timeline, the latest would be by mid-next year.
Lu Zhengting dialed the internal line and instructed Secretary Zhou to call a meeting for all department heads. Secretary Zhou smiled as she hung up the phone and relayed the message one by one.
Everyone gathered in the conference room. Lu Zhengting, dressed in a black trench coat, sat expressionless in the chairman's seat. His long fingers alternately clasped and separated as he surveyed the crowd below. Suddenly, he tapped the table, producing a dull sound.
Ke Yaru sat just below him. She adjusted her collar, folded her hands on the folder, and her gaze never left Lu Zhengting since he appeared. Occasionally, she bit her lower lip. Her charm only vanished completely in front of Lu Zhengting; in front of other men, if she wanted, she could be as alluring as a poppy.
She watched his cold profile, his sharp and deep features—the man she had treasured in her heart for years. All her best sides were reserved only for him.
Lu Zhengting tapped the table again, glancing at the distracted Ke Yaru. "Manager Ke, submit the budget for the year-end party by next Monday."
"Manager Ke..." When she didn't respond, he called her name again in a cold tone. Ke Yaru snapped back to reality, her expression slightly off. She withdrew her gaze.
"Okay."
Hearing this, Lu Zhengting lowered his eyes indifferently. "Continue."
After the meeting, Lu Zhengting walked out first. Ke Yaru quickly gathered her documents and followed him out. Ever since that night when Lu Zhengting asked if she knew Yang Jinkuan, she had been harboring a lingering worry that the long-buried matter might resurface.
She caught up to Lu Zhengting and stayed close behind him. Walking quickly in high heels caused some pain in her heels. She let out a soft gasp. Lu Zhengting frowned, turned around, and glanced at her shoes. He paused and asked, "Something on your mind?"
"Zhengting, Auntie called me yesterday and said we should spend the New Year together this year."
"Hmm?..."
A cheerful melody suddenly rang out, interrupting Ke Yaru's words. Lu Zhengting answered the phone, his expression shifting slightly. "We'll be right there."
With that, he directly said to Ke Yaru, "We'll talk about it when I get back."
Ke Yaru watched his retreating figure without a hint of hesitation. She was curious about who had called him. Could it be Xia Yan? What kind of matter could make his expression change so drastically?
Lu Zhengting arranged the next few days' affairs while ordering a private plane. When Xia Yan received Lu Zhengting's call, she had just returned to her room from the back garden. Looking at her dusty reflection in the mirror, she found it both amusing and exasperating. Sweat mixed with dirt made her skin sticky. Carefully, she used one hand to undress, mindful not to let water touch her wound.
The mirror was fogged up. After removing her last piece of clothing, Xia Yan slowly stepped under the shower. When she came out wrapped in a towel, she was startled to see Lu Zhengting sitting by the bed. She couldn't help rubbing her still-damp eyes to make sure she wasn't seeing things. Hadn't this man left in the morning? Why was he back at noon?
"Want to touch?"
"Yes." Xia Yan walked over to Lu Zhengting without hesitation and grabbed his collar. "Confess honestly—did you miss me? Is that why you came back at noon?"
"Yeah, get changed. We're going to North City."
"Now? So urgent? Did something happen in North City?" Whenever she heard "North City," Xia Yan couldn't help but recall her first trip there to take care of an injured Lu Zhengting. This time, she instinctively assumed something had gone wrong again.
Lu Zhengting looked at Xia Yan with a mix of amusement and seriousness, saying nothing, which made the atmosphere even more tense and strange. Xia Yan didn't dare delay and quickly went to the wardrobe to change.
"Come help me quickly. My hand makes it hard to dress."
Hearing this, Lu Zhengting walked over and saw Xia Yan's head trapped in her clothes, her arms in an awkward position. He let out a low laugh and helped her into the outfit. After a pause, as Xia Yan turned her back to him, he suddenly asked.
"What did you do? Showering at noon?"
Xia Yan paused, then smiled. "Lu Zhengting, didn't you know I love taking showers?"
"Is that so?"
"What else would it be?"
"Is there anything you want to tell me?"
"What's wrong with you? You're acting strange. I have nothing to say. Come on, let's go. Aren't you in a hurry?" Xia Yan turned and pushed Lu Zhengting out, her heart racing.
Lu Zhengting took Xia Yan directly to the airport. Seeing that the plane had been inspected and was ready to take off but hadn't moved, she looked at him in confusion.
"Is someone else coming?"
"Yeah, Ning Xi."
Speak of the devil. Ning Xi arrived at the airport as fast as he could. Seeing Lu Zhengting's dark expression, he was at a loss for words. He walked straight to Xia Yan and was about to put his hand on her shoulder, but before it could land, he felt the chill radiating from Lu Zhengting. Ning Xi glanced at him and silently withdrew his hand.
Xia Yan watched Ning Xi, who seemed restless, and frowned. She suddenly leaned forward, getting close to him as if sensing something suspicious. She took a deep breath, her eyes fixed on him. "Ning Xi, confess and get leniency, resist and get strict. Are you going to come clean, or should I let Lu Zhengting interrogate you?"
"Little sister-in-law, your stare gives me the creeps. What am I supposed to confess?" Ning Xi clutched his chest in mock fear, winking at her as he spoke softly.
"Playing dumb?" Xia Yan knew that the sudden trip to North City was because Xu Xiao's due date had come early. The baby had been eager to come out since morning, making Ning Dong a first-time father. He was so excited that he called everyone one by one. She only found out from Ning Xi on the plane, realizing Lu Zhengting had tricked her. She had imagined all sorts of scenarios.
"Little sister-in-law, where is this coming from? When did I play dumb?"
"Ning Xi, you have a woman!" Xia Yan pointed at him, grinning slyly.
Hearing this, Ning Xi froze for a moment, then quickly recovered. "I'm a golden bachelor. Where would I get a woman?"
"Not giving up until you hit the wall? Having a woman isn't shameful. Why hide it? Afraid someone will steal her?"
"Impossible! A woman like her, I bet no one else could handle her!"
"So who is she?"
"Little sister-in-law, you... you set a trap!" Ning Xi looked at Xia Yan, torn between laughter and tears. It was his own fault for speaking too quickly. Lately, whenever Zhan Meng was involved, his 180 IQ dropped to 80.
"Spill it. Who is she? How did you meet?"
"First, tell me how you found out."
"Because you smell of a woman's perfume."
"That works?"
"Yeah, and I guessed. You're too easy to fool."
"..." Ning Xi's emotions were complicated. He felt his intelligence had been crushed. After a pause, he crooked his finger at Xia Yan and whispered in her ear, "Her and I... it was a coincidence many years ago. You know fate—once it finds you, it's all..."
Xia Yan rolled her eyes and said with a fake smile, "Get to the point."
"The point is, if we keep this up, I'll get beaten..." Ning Xi glanced sideways toward Lu Zhengting.
Hearing this, Xia Yan stepped back indifferently, putting distance between them, and shot him a disdainful look. "Aren't you ashamed? Giving in to tyranny?"
"Tyranny?" Ning Xi's mouth twitched. Was that the right word for it?
Xia Yan was still holding a grudge against Lu Zhengting for tricking her earlier, so she completely ignored him. Seeing this, Lu Zhengting frowned, reached out, and effortlessly grabbed the back of Xia Yan's collar, pulling her to his side.
"Stay put."
"Lu Zhengting, let go of my collar. It's embarrassing!"
"If you know it's embarrassing, stay here and don't move."
"Then tell me, do you admit you were wrong?"
Hearing this, Lu Zhengting's face darkened. He raised an eyebrow and glanced at Xia Yan, who was staring at him seriously. Seeming to read her thoughts, he said, "Fine, you're right about everything."
"And you won't lie to me anymore?"
"I won't."
"Alright, I don't know how much of that is true, but I'll be magnanimous and not hold it against you."
"One hundred percent true." Lu Zhengting held Xia Yan's hand in his, squinting as he spoke.
Ning Xi watched Xia Yan's sulking like a child's game, and she still had the nerve to look down on him. In no time, Lu Zhengting had coaxed her with just a few words. She had no principles at all. He shot her a contemptuous look, but Xia Yan didn't even glance his way. He suddenly understood.
These two were just here to flaunt their love.
Suddenly, he felt a pang of longing for that messy, clueless Zhan Meng. But it was just a tiny spark—he wouldn't let it grow. He didn't want to suffer Zhan Meng's torment every day. Once in a while was enough as a bit of fun.
Still, he wondered what Zhan Meng was doing right now. Sleeping? Editing? Sleeping was more likely.