Xia Yan returned to her room. Recalling the two awkward incidents that had happened before, she decisively locked the door. This wasn't because she thought Lu Zhengting wasn't a gentleman; she simply wanted to avoid any more misunderstandings.
She couldn't let Lu Zhengting think she deliberately left the door unlocked to secretly seduce him, could she?
Xia Yan's whole body ached, and drowsiness was creeping in. Her mind felt like a bowl of stirred rice paste—maintaining clear thoughts was a real challenge right now. She had worked up a sweat this afternoon and couldn't skip a shower. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she hesitated for a moment, then decided to wash up first. The strong smell of sweat and kitchen grease was unbearable even to herself.
After a quick shower, Xia Yan lay comfortably on the bed, sprawled out in whatever position felt best. After all, the entire room was now her private space. With that thought, she began to ponder the strange, slightly ambiguous relationship between her and Lu Zhengting. She reached for a pillow beside her, clenched her fist, and punched it a few times before letting out a soft sigh.
She felt a bit lost, almost as if her heart was starting to stir with springtime restlessness.
Hugging the pillow, Xia Yan rolled around on the bed a few times. Would a man like Lu Zhengting, who lacked nothing, ever like her? She put herself in his shoes and thought, why not? She had everything she needed. Though she was far from having a killer body, she still had the fresh, delicate look of a lotus blossom.
Lost in thought, Xia Yan hummed a little tune and sprawled out again on the bed. She had turned the air conditioning up a bit, and the cool breeze made her pull the blanket tighter to stay warm.
After finishing his video conference in the study, Lu Zhengting found himself walking to Xia Yan's door. This time, he had no intention of barging in. He stood upright at the entrance, noticing the faint light seeping through the crack under the door. He instinctively wanted to knock but heard Xia Yan humming inside. The little girl seemed to be in a good mood?
Forget it. There's plenty of time. Let her sleep well tonight.
The next day.
This was probably the best night's sleep Xia Yan had ever had at the Lu residence. She woke up without any interruptions, and her mood was exceptionally cheerful. Bounding into the living room full of energy, she saw the father and son simultaneously set down their milk glasses and stare at her intently.
"What are you looking at me for?" Xia Yan touched her cheek, blinked, and slowly walked over to Xiao Han. Despite his obvious resistance, she pinched his cheek. "So cute."
Xiao Han pouted, his clear eyes staring at Xia Yan with a hint of grievance.
"In a good mood?" Lu Zhengting picked up his milk glass again, raised an eyebrow at Xia Yan, and asked casually.
"Sleep well, feel good—isn't that obvious?" Xia Yan took the milk glass from a servant, checked its temperature, and took a big gulp.
"Today, you report to Lu Corporation."
"Not today." Xia Yan said without thinking. She had received a call from the Xia family estate this morning, demanding she return today.
Hearing her blunt refusal, Lu Zhengting frowned and glanced at Xia Yan, as if waiting for an explanation.
Xia Yan took another sip of milk. She had never had any hope when she submitted her resume to Lu Corporation. If Lu Zhengting fired her directly, wouldn't that perfectly fulfill her wish to avoid working there?
Lowering her head, a sly glint flashed in Xia Yan's eyes. "President Lu, since we're on the topic of reporting to the company, I have something to tell you. This morning, I got a call from the Xia family asking me to go back today. You see? I haven't been home in a long time, so I definitely have to go today..."
Lu Zhengting caught the cunning look in her eyes and watched her calmly. "Get to the point."
"The point is, I have to go back to the Xia family today, so I can't report to the company."
"I can give you another day off."
"The Xia family called me back for urgent matters. Since there's something to handle, I think one day might be a bit tight..."
"Three days."
"What if that's not enough?"
"One week."
Hearing this, Xia Yan felt like she'd been struck by lightning. Wasn't her reluctance obvious enough? She didn't believe Lu Zhengting couldn't see through it. After a moment's thought, she put down her milk glass and plopped down beside Lu Zhengting. "President Lu, I'm well aware of my own abilities. A company like Lu Corporation is something I wouldn't even dare to dream of. And look, I have a ton of things to deal with right now. Taking leave all the time isn't a solution, right? But I do have a good idea."
Lu Zhengting glanced at her expressionlessly. "Let's hear it."
"You could just fire me. Then I can focus on my own stuff without holding up your company's work." Xia Yan said with a smile.
Lu Zhengting paused, as if seriously considering her suggestion. Just as Xia Yan looked at him with eager anticipation, he curled his lips. "Do you know that with just one word from me, you won't find an internship at any company in Jiangcheng?"
"..." Xia Yan's face darkened. She desperately wanted to know who had actually hired her into Lu Corporation.
"Lu Corporation can afford to keep one idle person."
Hearing this, Xia Yan knew she hadn't convinced Lu Zhengting. She sighed in frustration and stood up from the sofa, realizing an important truth: every time she saw Lu Zhengting, her good mood was shattered.
She didn't dare to be angry or speak up.
Hadn't Lu Zhengting just said that with one word, he could make her jobless in Jiangcheng? Oh heavens, was she really going to have to work at Lu Corporation?
Xia Yan sat miserably on the other side. Lu Zhengting answered a call from his secretary about a nine o'clock meeting. He straightened his clothes, glanced at the dazed Xia Yan, and the corners of his eyes lifted slightly. Xiao Han, who had been sitting obediently on the sofa, caught this and opened his mouth in surprise.
Was Dad smiling? And because of a woman?
Catching Xiao Han's gaze, Lu Zhengting cleared his throat seriously, picked up his briefcase, and walked straight to the entrance. Xiao Han had a few days off from school, but the tutor Lu Zhengting had hired for him wasn't on break.
The Xia family estate and Lu Corporation were in different directions, so Xia Yan didn't ask Lu Zhengting for a ride. She walked a bit before hailing a taxi. Lu Zhengting had offered to let her pick a car from the garage to drive herself, but even though she had a driver's license, the thought of driving alone made her inexplicably nervous. Besides, if she drove Lu Zhengting's car back to the Xia family, who knew what they'd think about her relationship with him.
When she arrived at the Xia estate, Xia Yan saw rows of people in black suits standing at the entrance, their faces grim and imposing. The driver who had brought her took one look at the scene, then at Xia Yan, and his eyes filled with a hint of fear.
As soon as Xia Yan got out of the car, he sped off.
Seeing this, Xia Yan stood there, torn between laughter and tears.
Taking a deep breath, she walked to the door, pulled out her keys from her bag, and made her way smoothly to the living room. Besides the rows of black-clad men at the entrance, a few stood inside, and the aura they exuded made Xia Yan feel a strong sense of danger.
Frowning, she approached the Xia matriarch sitting in the center. Just as she was about to ask what was going on, she turned and saw Yang Jinkuan leering at her. She gasped sharply.
"What are you doing here?"
"Xia Yan, long time no see. You're getting more beautiful." Yang Jinkuan eyed her lustfully. Then, as if remembering something, he dropped the lecherous expression and turned serious, looking at the Xia matriarch.
"Madam Xia, whether you want to solve the Xia family's current problems depends on your decision."
"Let me think." Even under threat, the Xia matriarch maintained her dignity.
Hearing this, Xia Yan had a bad feeling. She was about to slip away when the matriarch's booming voice stopped her. "Xia Yan, come here."
"Madam Xia, what do you need?"
The matriarch took Xia Yan's hand and led her aside, her expression grave. "Xia Yan, I won't hide it from you anymore. The Xia family is facing some difficulties. As a daughter of this family, you need to do something for us."
Xia Yan frowned deeply. Last time, the matriarch had said the same thing before offering her as a gift to Yang Jinkuan. Was she planning to pull the same trick?
Suppressing her anger, Xia Yan said calmly, "Madam Xia, have you forgotten who I belong to now? Or do you think appeasing Yang Jinkuan is better than offending Lu Zhengting?"
"You little girl, always so clever. Since you know about your relationship with President Lu, shouldn't you put in a good word for the Xia family with him? Get him to help, and Yang Jinkuan will naturally back off."
Xia Yan's mouth twitched. So no matter what, it all came down to her.
"Madam Xia, let me get this straight. You're saying that if I don't go along with Yang Jinkuan, the Xia family is doomed? Or if I don't get President Lu's help, the Xia family is still doomed? Is that it?"
The matriarch nodded, expecting Xia Yan to choose the latter. After all, between Lu Zhengting and Yang Jinkuan, any woman would pick Lu Zhengting.
But reality was harsh.
Xia Yan furrowed her brows and looked at the matriarch with a troubled expression. "You know my relationship with President Lu. With my status, he won't listen to me. As for Yang Jinkuan? President Lu is a man with standards. If he finds out I... I don't think he'd let me off, or the Xia family. He can't afford the humiliation of being cuckolded."
"You!" The matriarch was furious, but Xia Yan remained calm and indifferent. She glared at Xia Yan and added, "Without the Xia family backing you, what do you have left?"
"The eldest daughter of the Xia family seems to be Xia Siyue, doesn't it? Isn't that what she's always wanted?" Xia Yan said slowly. Then, as if remembering something, she added, "Where's Xia Siyue? She's also a daughter of the Xia family. Maybe Yang Jinkuan would accept her instead?"