Lu Zhengting stood under a large tree outside the public restroom, frowning as he listened to Xia Yan's frantic voice over the phone.
"Lu Zhengting, if I could buy it myself, would I be asking for your help?"
Hearing this, Lu Zhengting naturally thought of Yang Jinkuan's matter. Could it be that Xia Yan had already found a solution, which was why she hadn't come to him for help?
"Lu Zhengting, are you really going to stand by and do nothing? I really need that thing right now." Xia Yan paced back and forth in the cramped stall. Of course, she knew asking Lu Zhengting to buy sanitary pads was a tall order, but did she have any other choice? With that thought, she covered the phone's microphone, deliberately lowered her voice, and added a hint of a pleading tone, "Lu Zhengting, help me out, please..."
As soon as the words left her mouth, goosebumps broke out all over Xia Yan's body. She moved the phone aside and let out a gag.
Hearing Xia Yan's coquettish voice, Lu Zhengting's hair stood on end. Was this girl trying to torture him just to get his help? Everyone knew he hated nothing more than a woman's whining. Just as Xia Yan was about to speak again, he cut her off, "Wait."
Oh? It worked that easily? If she'd known, she would have used this trick earlier. She wouldn't have been stuck in the bathroom for so long.
Following Xia Yan's directions, Lu Zhengting crossed the alley and found the small supermarket she'd mentioned. With a cold face, he walked straight to the feminine hygiene aisle. Staring at the dazzling array of sanitary pads, his head began to ache. Which brand did she use? He stepped closer and noticed they were even divided into day and night use. Puzzled, he paced back and forth, catching the attention of a nearby saleswoman.
"Sir, is there anything I can help you with?"
"No need."
Lu Zhengting refused coldly, grabbed a few random packs, tossed them into his shopping cart, and pushed it to the checkout with a straight face. Feeling the cashier's astonished gaze, he decided Xia Yan owed him compensation for this ordeal. He bought the items as quickly as possible and had a little girl deliver them into the restroom.
Outside, Lu Zhengting received a call from his secretary, who informed him they were already waiting at the intersection. He glanced at his watch—twenty minutes until the meeting.
When Xia Yan came out, her stomach pain hadn't eased; in fact, it was worse. She shuffled slowly over to Lu Zhengting, fine beads of sweat on her forehead. "Lu Zhengting, let's go back."
"Hmm, feeling better?"
"Yeah." Xia Yan instinctively reached for Lu Zhengting's hand, and when he drew closer, she let out a sigh of relief. Every time her period came, she suffered from severe cramps that left her in agony.
Lu Zhengting supported Xia Yan, sensing something was off. After a moment's thought, he suddenly scooped her up in his arms.
"Lu Zhengting, what are you doing?"
"Shut up!"
"Put me down, there are so many people around."
"I'm not embarrassed, so why are you?"
"Are you stupid..." Before Xia Yan could finish, she heard a child in cartoon-themed clothes nearby point at her and say to his mother, "Mommy, look at that lady. She's so big and still being carried."
At that, Xia Yan lost all desire to speak. Hearing that from a child—how could she save face? Lu Zhengting carried her as if no one else was around, refusing to put her down no matter what she said. Under the streetlights, their overlapping shadows stretched long as they passed through the narrow, bustling snack street to the wide intersection. Spotting the Maybach parked at the curb, Lu Zhengting strode over.
Secretary Zhou's eyes widened in shock at the woman in Lu Zhengting's arms. Wasn't that Xia Yan?
Lu Zhengting carried Xia Yan into the car and directly ordered the driver to head to the hospital.
"Mr. Lu, there's still a meeting later."
"Go to the hospital first."
"But..." Secretary Zhou hesitated, seeing the murderous look on her boss's face, and ultimately chose to stay silent.
Xia Yan struggled out of Lu Zhengting's arms and sat quietly to the side. She had heard what the secretary said. Her cramps were a chronic issue, and going to the hospital over this would be mortifying. Mustering her strength, she looked at Lu Zhengting. "Mr. Lu, this is an old problem. I don't need to go to the hospital. I'll be fine after resting a bit."
The secretary in the passenger seat was still puzzled about why Xia Yan, who had seemed fine earlier, was now pale. Seeing her clutching her stomach with a resigned expression, she instantly guessed it was something every woman faced. After a moment's thought, she decisively turned to look out the window. It was best to stay quiet, especially with so many questions swirling in her mind—like who bought the sanitary pads, and whether Lu Zhengting knew the real reason for Xia Yan's pallor.
Xia Yan was adamant about not going to the hospital. Lu Zhengting wanted to be domineering, but seeing her bloodless face softened his heart. He ordered directly, "Back to the villa."
Xia Yan squinted at Lu Zhengting, confirming he wouldn't force her to the hospital, then let out a soft breath and leaned back against the seat. She didn't want to say anything—more accurately, even speaking felt exhausting. It was as if someone was twisting a sharp object inside her abdomen, relentlessly churning, pushing her to the brink of collapse.
The driver sped up, racing back to the Lu residence. Lu Zhengting glanced at Xia Yan and, without hesitation, carried her into the villa and straight to his room. Xia Yan was docile the whole way, not struggling like before. Lu Zhengting couldn't help but steal a few more looks at her. Secretary Zhou, following behind, felt a twinge of melancholy.
Her boss's taste was truly unconventional.
Although Xia Yan refused to go to the hospital, back at the Lu residence, Lu Zhengting was in charge. He had the secretary call the family doctor immediately.
The family doctor rushed over, expecting a major emergency, only to find a strange woman writhing in pain on the bed. Surprised, he sneaked a glance at Lu Zhengting's expression. After learning the situation, he was a bit speechless.
"Mr. Lu, it's a reaction to her menstrual cycle. More precisely, it's caused by uterine cold. She just needs some painkillers and rest."
"Does this happen every time?"
"Generally, yes. With proper care, it can be alleviated."
"Hmm, you may go."
Secretary Zhou watched as Lu Zhengting fed Xia Yan the painkillers before speaking slowly, "Postpone the meeting to tomorrow at eight in the morning."
"Mr. Lu, that's not ideal."
"Hmm?" Lu Zhengting shot her a sidelong glance, his voice light with a nasal tone.
"Yes, I'll handle it right away."
Xia Yan lay drowsily in bed, half-opening her eyes to look at Lu Zhengting standing by the bedside. Mumbling, she said, "Go ahead if you have things to do. I'll be fine after lying down for a bit."
With that, she hugged the blanket, rolled over, and turned her back to him, closing her eyes again.
Seeing this, Lu Zhengting furrowed his brow and said to the secretary, "Aren't you going to prepare?"
"Yes, I'll get on it immediately."
Lu Zhengting dimmed the lights in the room before heading to the study. The meeting with Im Corporation mainly focused on how to break into the European market with the Lu Group. The discussion dragged on for three hours, but Lu Zhengting was still unsatisfied with the final proposal. The faces on the video call grew tense.
Im Corporation wanted to use the Lu Group to enter the Chinese market—a mutual exchange of benefits. But the problem was their differing opinions on cooperation. Lu Zhengting was never one to take a loss. Seeing the project on the verge of collapse, he laid out his final concession. After deliberation among Im's top brass, they agreed to his terms.
Ye Yunchen was currently in Europe, and his contributions to securing this project were undeniable. After briefly outlining a few things on the video call, Lu Zhengting ended the meeting.
By the time he left the study, it was already past one in the morning. The oppressive heat blanketed every corner of Jiangcheng. Dark clouds filled the sky, and the moon was hidden behind thick layers, nowhere to be seen. Lu Zhengting returned to the room, where Xia Yan seemed to be asleep. He changed into loungewear and stood by the window, his silk robe loosely draped over his shoulders, his collarbones sharply defined. One hand crossed over his chest, the other held a nearly burnt-out cigarette. He took a deep drag and slowly exhaled.
Xia Yan, lying in bed, sniffled and furrowed her brow slightly. Slowly opening her eyes, she saw a blurry silhouette. Lifting her head to look at the ceiling, she realized this wasn't her dorm or the Xia family home. She quickly threw off the covers and sat up, scanning the room's decor—a mix of blue and black that revealed the owner's dark and unfathomable temperament.
"Awake?"
Xia Yan rubbed her eyes and followed the voice. Lu Zhengting stood with his back to her by the curtains, the dim light almost hiding him in the shadows. She frowned and got out of bed.
"Is this your room?"
She had some memory of what happened earlier, so had Lu Zhengting's meeting already ended? The air conditioning was a bit strong, sending a chill through her. She grabbed a small blanket and wrapped it around herself, then tiptoed to the window, standing shoulder to shoulder with Lu Zhengting.
"Doesn't it hurt anymore?"
"It's better, not as bad as before. Thanks for today." As soon as she finished speaking, Xia Yan slapped her forehead. How had she not noticed it was already past midnight—a brand new day?
Lu Zhengting stared out at the night, or rather, the pitch-black, hopeless sky, silent. The trail he had been secretly investigating had gone cold. Continuing would be exponentially harder, especially since years had passed, adding a time constraint.
Xia Yan sensed that Lu Zhengting seemed different tonight. She stole a glance at his profile and was instantly captivated by his striking features, her heart beginning to race wildly.