Volume One, Chapter 122: Get Out With Negative Points

Ding-dong!

The doorbell rang just as Xu Yi was stir-frying at the stove.

She glanced back toward the study and caught a flash of fear in Sang Wan’s eyes.

For a brief moment, both of them froze.

Other than Xu Yi and Lou Ye, only Jiang Ke’er and Jiang Huai knew about this place. Without Lou Ye’s permission, those two would never come here and disturb Sang Wan on their own accord.

So who else could it be?

The thought that Sang Dawei might be outside filled Xu Yi with dread. She immediately tossed aside the spatula and grabbed the cleaver used for chopping bones.

She strode to the door and saw Lu Jinnian’s face on the video screen.

Xu Yi let out a sigh of relief and yanked the door open. “What do you want?”

Lu Jinnian frowned, his gaze flickering from the knife in Xu Yi’s hand to her apron, his tone impatient. “I’m here for Sang Wan.”

“How did you get in?” Sang Wan appeared, her face equally displeased.

Lu Jinnian’s lips curled. “Wanwan, did you think a word to the property management would keep me out? There’s a saying in this world: ‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way.’”

He hadn’t even needed to pester anyone. All it had taken was a word to his secretary, who bought a unit in Wanxin Apartments, and everything was settled.

Sang Wan gave no sign of letting him in. She scooped up the bristling 2S and ushered Lu Jinnian out into the corridor. “What do you want?”

“I’ve settled our father,” Lu Jinnian said, and Sang Wan’s expression changed subtly.

Oblivious, Lu Jinnian continued, “Wanwan, I know he was reckless when he was young. But now he’s had a change of heart. In a little while, Mom will be out too.”

“When she’s released and sees that you’re doing well and Dad has come back, she’ll be happier than anyone. It’ll finally be... light after the long darkness.”

Seeing Sang Wan blanch, he thought he’d struck a chord.

Lu Jinnian took a step closer and said softly, “Wanwan, let’s not talk about the past anymore. Isn’t it best for the family to be safe and together? As long as you—”

“Lu Jinnian!”

He was cut off by Sang Wan’s shout, looking straight into her eyes.

Lu Jinnian was momentarily stunned.

Those eyes, always so calm and composed, now burned with anger.

Sang Wan’s face was distorted with a fury he’d never seen before, as if he’d committed some unforgivable crime.

“If you’re so filial, then I’ll give him to you!” Sang Wan’s voice was icy. “Whether you want to change your surname to Sang for him, or have him change his to Lu for you, do as you like!”

Lu Jinnian’s face changed instantly.

Sang Wan looked at him as if she’d seen something filthy. “What right do you have to forgive him on my behalf, to accept him? Lu Jinnian, you’re revolting!”

Bang!

The door slammed in his face.

Sang Wan’s rage was palpable, her eyes brimming with profound disappointment.

Lu Jinnian’s heart sank.

Sang Dawei hadn’t told the truth!

“Find out everything Sang Dawei has been up to these years...”

Turning away, Lu Jinnian made a call. “And also, look into what happened back then.”

Only now did he realize, in hindsight, that Sang Wan had always avoided the topic, and Sun Yueqing had bluntly declared Sang Dawei dead—most likely they both truly wished he was gone for good.

It seemed to dawn on Lu Jinnian only then that he’d never really known Sang Wan.

He remembered their first meeting in high school, making small talk and asking after her father.

She had answered coldly that he was dead.

Anyone could see she didn’t want to talk about it, but he, blind to the signs, kept pressing, asking if she missed her father.

When they started dating in college, for their first Father’s Day, he even asked if she wanted to visit the graveyard together.

It wasn’t until Sang Wan lost her temper that he promised never to bring it up again.

Even then, he hadn’t thought there was anything amiss. For years, he really believed Sang Dawei was dead and never mentioned him again.

When Sang Dawei reappeared, he naively tried to mend the broken father-daughter bond and win Sang Wan back.

He left the apartment and gazed at the pitch-black night sky.

Lu Jinnian suddenly realized he might have made a ridiculous mistake.

Inside the apartment living room, Xu Yi rattled off a few cold jokes, but Sang Wan was too distracted to laugh.

Xu Yi couldn’t hold back any longer. “What did that bastard want this time?”

“Maybe... he’s missing a father in his horoscope,” Sang Wan answered blandly. “I’ve handed Sang Dawei over to him. I hope they can hold hands and walk shoulder to shoulder, and disappear from my sight for good.”

Xu Yi was speechless.

She wanted to curse Lu Jinnian for being an idiot, but that would spoil her appetite.

She wanted to wish Sang Dawei ill, but was afraid some passing immortal might overhear and bring disaster to Sang Wan.

Seething, Xu Yi lost her appetite, picked up her phone, and started furiously typing.

Lu Jinnian received three long, impassioned rants from Xu Yi.

[Lu Jinnian, has a donkey kicked your brain? Who are you pretending to be, some bleeding-heart philanthropist? Where were you when Sang Wan was being beaten every other day as a child? If that old bastard couldn’t be struck down by heaven, you think you can fix him? If you’ve got money burning a hole in your pocket, go donate it! Are you that desperate for something to do?]

[Where were you when he gambled Sang Wan away as collateral? Where were you when her mother was almost beaten to death by that old bastard? Do you really think you’re the savior of the world? Bah! Nine years of compulsory education wasted on someone who uses their eyes for nothing but venting hot air! What a waste!!!]

[I kept you in my contacts just to see how brainless you could get, and you never fail to break new ground for humanity’s stupidity. I’m truly amazed!!! You’re nowhere near on the same level as Lou Ye. Having you both in my contacts is an insult to Lou Ye! Blocked! Negative points, get lost!!!]

It was hard to say whether Xu Yi’s comparison to Lou Ye was more infuriating, or Sang Dawei’s past actions were more despicable.

The car rolled to a halt in front of the Lu family villa, and Lu Jinnian felt his temples pounding.

In his mind’s eye was Sang Wan’s look of disappointment and disgust.

In his ears lingered Sang Dawei’s shameless lies.

Clutching his phone, he felt as if the words in the chat had leapt out to slap him across the face.

“Take him to the docks,” he ordered in a call.

Without even getting out of the car, Lu Jinnian spun the Mercedes around and roared into the night.

Sang Wan was busy until eleven before she finally finished.

When she looked up, she saw Xu Yi slumped in a corner, fast asleep with her foam roller in her arms.

Sang Wan dragged Xu Yi back to the bedroom.

She glanced at 2S, sprawled upside down and snoring behind the curtains.

Returning to the master bedroom, she stopped in the doorway before even turning on the light.

The air was thick with the cold scent of pine—Lou Ye’s scent.

The indigo bed was perfectly made, without a wrinkle, yet at a glance Sang Wan could see Lou Ye lying there, even in deep sleep, holding her close.

Her eyes stung. She stood there a long time, stunned, before finally dragging herself forward.

The quilt smelled like him.

The pillow still carried his scent.

Sang Wan pulled the blanket over her face.

In the silent darkness, sorrow flowed unchecked.

In the living room of the mountainside villa, Lou Ye paced from the window to the kitchen island and back, restless as a caged lion.

He’d lived here for over ten years.

After just a month away, coming back felt strangely alien.

Nothing felt right.

[Are you asleep?]

He sent Sang Wan a WeChat message.

A second later, he saw the red exclamation mark.

Lou Ye froze.

His phone rang.

“Boss, we’ve found him!”

The voice on the other end was clear.

Lou Ye’s eyes flashed with menace. “I’ll be right there!”