The news of Lu Zhengting's injury ultimately couldn't be hidden from the old man. Ning Xi arrived at the hotel with a worried expression, startled to see Xia Yan by his side. His face quickly shifted into a smile aimed at Xia Yan, but remembering his purpose here, he averted his gaze.
"Zhengting, the old man already knows you're injured."
Lu Zhengting nodded calmly. Such a serious injury could hardly escape the old man's notice. As he lifted the covers to get out of bed, Xia Yan shot up from the sofa like a startled bird, rushing to his side. "You're injured, don't you know that? And you're getting out of bed?"
Pausing, Lu Zhengting glanced at Xia Yan, then expressionlessly returned to bed. This move startled Ning Xi—he'd known Lu Zhengting for quite some time, but when had he ever seen him so obedient? And obedient to a woman at that?
Ke Yaru had been by his side for years, yet he'd never shown her such gentleness.
Ning Xi couldn't help but stare curiously at Xia Yan as he plopped down, smiling. "Yeah, since you're injured, it's better to stay in bed."
Xia Yan nodded seriously, speaking slowly, "Lu Zheng... Mr. Lu, since the company sent me to take care of you, I naturally have to do a good job, right?"
"Zhengting, since when does your company offer this service?" Ning Xi found it amusing, looking at Lu Zhengting. Truly strange.
Lu Zhengting narrowed his eyes, casting a faint glance at Ning Xi. "How's the investigation going on your end?"
"Same as before. We only know the identities of those who attacked you."
"This needs to keep being investigated."
"Of course it does. It has to be, otherwise this hidden threat is too dangerous."
Xia Yan listened, confused. As Ning Xi left, he couldn't resist teasing Lu Zhengting, "Take it easy on your body. Don't push yourself."
Ning Xi left the hotel laughing, and Xia Yan's expression shifted slightly. That guy was too wicked.
A week passed in Beicheng. During that time, Xia Yan went from sleeping in the living room to the bedroom, from sleeping alone to sharing a bed with Lu Zhengting—the process was a humiliating ordeal for her. As Lu Zhengting's injuries gradually healed, Xia Yan began preparing to return to Jiangcheng.
Ning Nan always visited the hotel to see Lu Zhengting at night after his schedule. Whether by coincidence or fate, the actress he'd been rumored to be involved with was also staying at this hotel. Paparazzi, who tracked him day and night, caught wind of this and immediately leaked the news. The rumors about Ning Nan grew rampant, suggesting a stable relationship between them. Ning Nan was used to such tabloids and didn't care, but Xu Su suffered, turning cold and unapproachable every time she saw those reports.
Ning Nan finished his schedule early today and arrived at the hotel ahead of time. When Xia Yan opened the door and saw him, she beamed like a flower. Seeing this, Ning Nan's hairs stood on end. He grinned and quickly slipped through the gap into the room.
"Ning Nan, why are you here so early today?"
"Work ended early. I heard you're heading back to Jiangcheng tomorrow?"
Xia Yan sneaked a glance at the man still working, lowering her voice. "Yeah, ten o'clock flight tomorrow morning."
Ning Nan frowned. "That soon?"
"Mr. Lu's injuries are almost healed. Staying any longer would raise suspicion." Having spent these days with Lu Zhengting, watching him handle company affairs and his ruthless methods, Xia Yan realized that this man, injured or not, was still a devouring tiger.
Lu Zhengting listened to the audio from his computer, nodding occasionally and frowning now and then. Xia Yan unconsciously shifted her gaze to him. Every time he frowned, she seemed to follow suit.
Sensing a gaze on him, Lu Zhengting looked up. Xia Yan couldn't dodge in time and met his eyes directly. His clear, dark eyes seemed to hold a glimmer of light. She silently turned her attention to Ning Nan, only to find him staring at her with a teasing look. Her cheeks flushed red.
Ning Nan, intending to call her out, opened his mouth but caught Lu Zhengting's sharp, warning glare. He paused—was this bullying him because he had no backup now?
A wise man knows better than to fight when outmatched. He still wanted time off soon. If he angered Lu Zhengting, the man would definitely use his authority to send him to some godforsaken place.
This thought left Ning Nan feeling a bit stifled.
After finishing his work and ending the meeting, Lu Zhengting walked over to Xia Yan and sat down without hesitation in the empty seat beside her. His hand rested on the armrest, long fingers tapping rhythmically, producing a dull sound. Seeing this, Ning Nan casually glanced at Lu Zhengting, who seemed intent on driving him away. "Am I in the way?"
"No, not at all." Xia Yan looked at the serious-faced Lu Zhengting and quickly replied. She'd been having such a great time chatting with Ning Nan.
Lu Zhengting glanced at Xia Yan and said flatly, "Hmm, still not leaving?"
"Don't go yet, let's chat a bit more?" Xia Yan cut in. Once Ning Nan left, she'd be back to enduring Lu Zhengting's torment. Plus, she'd seen in the entertainment news that Xi Xi had signed with Lu Group's entertainment company, and she wanted to get info about her idol from Ning Nan.
Ning Nan smirked mischievously, nodding toward Lu Zhengting. "If you want to know, ask Lu Zhengting. He's the boss."
With that, Ning Nan patted his butt and left, leaving Xia Yan looking reluctant. Seeing her reluctant expression, Lu Zhengting grew irritated. Here he was, a living person, completely ignored by this little girl. He was far more charming than Ning Nan.
Autumn in Beicheng was entirely different from Jiangcheng. Jiangcheng, in the south and close to Shucheng geographically, had weather that swung between hot and cool, especially in late summer and early autumn—hot during the day, cool at night, with a big temperature difference. Beicheng was the opposite: early autumn was cool, never hot.
The room had no air conditioning or heating on. Xia Yan sat quietly beside Lu Zhengting but felt a chill emanating from him. She shivered, then cautiously glanced at his cold face, confused.
Was this man's mood like a woman's period—unpredictable and unfathomable for a few days each month?
That was Xia Yan's summary of Lu Zhengting's behavior over the past few days. Then she thought again—it seemed to happen every time after Ning Nan left. She paused, looked up, blinked, and asked weakly, "Lu Zhengting, are you missing Ning Nan?"
"..."
At that, Lu Zhengting's mouth twitched. He felt like cracking her head open. What was there to miss about a grown man? He rubbed his aching temples. "Did you enjoy chatting with him?"
"Quite a bit. Ning Nan's really funny." As soon as Xia Yan finished, she saw Lu Zhengting's face turn as black as charcoal. She had one more thing to say: Ning Nan wasn't as moody and hard to read as Lu Zhengting.
Of course, she wouldn't dare say that. She feared she wouldn't make it out of Beicheng alive.
"Funny? How funny?"
"Well, shouldn't you know better than me?"
"What did you find out from him?"
Seeing Lu Zhengting's serious expression, Xia Yan wanted to laugh. Was he asking about what Ning Nan had said before leaving?
Suppressing her laughter, Xia Yan thought for a moment. "I heard Xi Xi signed with the company?"
Lu Zhengting glanced at her and hummed in acknowledgment, the sound seemingly coming from his nose. Xia Yan nodded earnestly. "Can I apply for a transfer to the entertainment company?"
"No."
Xia Yan had asked purely for fun. She noticed Lu Zhengting's expression growing darker but without real menace. Feeling bold in her good mood, she decided to tease him. She hadn't expected such a firm refusal.
Lu Zhengting cleared his throat, adjusted his sleeves, and caught a flicker of cunning in Xia Yan's eyes. Realizing her game, he paused and said coldly, "Given your excellent performance this time, I'll promote you when we get back."
"Promotion?" Xia Yan cupped her ear, eyes wide with disbelief as she stared at the man. "Really?"
Xia Yan initially thought Lu Zhengting's mention of a promotion was just a joke and didn't take it seriously. Given her current qualifications, a promotion would be hard to justify to others, and she didn't think she deserved one. Plus, Ke Yaru was watching her like a hawk at the company. Who knew what would happen when she returned?
Jiangcheng.
Ke Yaru stared at the date circled in red on her calendar. Xia Yan had spent a full week in Beicheng. She recalled hearing rumors at the company about Xia Yan and Lu Zhengting's relationship when she first got back, but she'd been busy with contract details then. Now that she had time, how could she let things develop against her interests?
cOcO was baffled when she got a call from Ke Yaru's secretary. She didn't react until she learned Ke Yaru wanted to see her. After hanging up, she didn't dare delay, quickly tidied her desk, and went to find Ke Yaru.
In Ke Yaru's office.
coco knocked and entered to find Ke Yaru smiling at her. When she first joined the company, she'd been assigned to the finance department under Ke Yaru. It should have been a good thing, but after she inadvertently revealed her fantasies about Mr. Lu, Ke Yaru had her transferred to another department with just one word. Now, seeing that knowing smile fixed on her, coco's courage faltered.