Volume One, Chapter 157: Are You Jealous?

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“A-Ye!”

At the sound of that clear, bright voice, Lou Ye and Sang Wan turned around. From the center of the crowd, Lou Yue called out, “Go greet the uncles and elders. I’ll accompany Grandfather for a while!”

“Oh!”

Lou Ye looked thoroughly unwilling.

He set down his champagne glass, and as he turned, he did not forget to tug Sang Wan along by the wrist, making it clear that wherever he went, she was expected to go too.

Beyond the crowd, Ming Qing’s expression was grim.

How dare he bring Sang Wan to a gathering like this!

The invitation from Old Master Lou had been delivered to the Ming family three days ago, directly into Old Master Ming’s hands.

For the vast Ming family, Old Master Lou had invited only Old Master Ming.

After making a few inquiries, it became clear that the other guests were all members of the most prominent families in the capital’s elite circle—without exception, venerable patriarchs held in the highest regard.

Once they learned of the recent developments within the Lou family, it was not difficult to guess what Old Master Lou intended to do.

The older generation valued personal ties, while the uncles of the Lou family were both elders and shareholders of the Lou Corporation.

Almost everyone had arrived today.

Yet no one had expected that Lou Jing would not even have the chance to make an appearance before Lou Yue and Lou Ye joined forces to drive him out of the house.

As they watched Old Master Lou leave with one arm supported by Lou Yue and bodyguards following behind, everyone exchanged knowing glances.

They all understood that the Lou family was about to undergo a dramatic change.

Then they looked toward Lou Ye as he approached, and each of them came to the same conclusion.

The phone in Sang Wan’s clutch began to buzz. She quietly informed Lou Ye and turned toward the corridor.

It was Lu Jinnian calling.

“Wanwan, I heard you’re going to Paris to compete. I’ve arranged a private jet. Would you like to travel with us?”

The Lu Corporation was also participating in this international architectural design competition.

According to the practice of previous years, it would have been enough for a vice president or the director of the project design department to lead the team.

But this year, after learning that Sang Wan was on the list of competitors, Lu Jinnian immediately instructed his assistant to apply for a flight route and arrange a private jet.

“Wanwan, I’ve gotten Xiaomu leave from school. He’s really looking forward to the trip. Why don’t we go together?”

The refusal already on Sang Wan’s lips stalled because of Lu Xiaomu’s participation.

She glanced back.

Lou Ye had one hand in his pocket and was chatting animatedly with a raised glass. She knew that, starting tomorrow, he would return to the Lou Corporation. She simply did not know whether he would accompany them to the competition this time.

After a moment’s hesitation, Sang Wan said, “Let me think about it and get back to you.”

There was a brief pang of disappointment on the other end of the line.

He did not need to think hard to know that Lou Ye was the reason Sang Wan hesitated.

But Lu Jinnian also knew he had no choice.

“…All right.”

After ending the call, Sang Wan turned to leave.

A bright, melodious voice sounded behind her.

“Sang Wan!”

She looked back and saw Ming Qing emerging from another doorway.

With her curvaceous figure draped in a lustrous white cheongsam, Ming Qing appeared especially graceful and gentle. Paired with her striking features, she looked like a refined young lady stepping out of a traditional Chinese painting.

“Miss Ming, hello!”

Sang Wan inclined her head.

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Ming Qing approached with elegant steps. Her gaze traveled from Sang Wan’s face down to the dark green cheongsam she wore.

“I heard from Fangfei that there’s been some unpleasantness between the two of you. She has more than a dozen formal dresses made to your measurements, and now they’re all sitting unused. What a pity. If you don’t mind, perhaps you could find some time to visit Fangfei and let bygones be bygones. What do you say?”

“I’m sorry…”

The moment Sang Wan began to speak, the smile on Ming Qing’s face stiffened.

Sang Wan continued, “There’s never been any unpleasantness between Miss Mu and me. The person she offended was A-Ye. If you want to reconcile us, shouldn’t you first make sure you have the right people in mind?”

A-Ye.

A flash of hatred crossed Ming Qing’s eyes.

They had grown up together, and she and the older members of the Lou family had always called Lou Ye A-Ye.

But in the blink of an eye, A-Ye had become a form of address reserved exclusively for Sang Wan.

Even Ming Qing was no longer allowed to call him that.

They had shared more than twenty years of friendship. What right did Sang Wan have?

“What are you two talking about?”

The voice came from behind them.

Sang Wan turned around, and Lou Ye naturally came forward to slip an arm around her waist. Looking at Ming Qing, he said, “Sister Qing, Grandfather Ming says he’s ready to leave.”

“All right!”

Ming Qing turned and walked away.

Lou Ye withdrew his gaze, then pressed Sang Wan against one of the corridor pillars.

“If I hadn’t asked you, when were you planning to tell me?”

“Tell you what?”

Sang Wan feigned innocence, but the amusement in her eyes betrayed her.

“Director Cheng said that in the enormous Lou Corporation, with all its branches and departments, the project division is what President Lou cares about most. Xiaobai said that President Lou is brilliant and all-knowing, and there’s nothing inside or outside the company that could escape his notice. I believe him!”

So Lou Ye must have known long ago that Old Master Lou had sought her out.

Yet he had not asked.

Either he trusted her and believed that no matter what terms Old Master Lou offered, she would never change her mind—

or he was waiting for her to walk straight into his trap.

She refused to give him the satisfaction.

If he did not ask, she would not tell him.

She would prove it to him through her actions.

Clutching her white fox stole tightly, Sang Wan poked his tie.

“Are you satisfied now, Young Master Lou?”

“Mm. Not bad.”

Lou Ye lowered his head and kissed her lips.

“Your reward.”

!!!

Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, the banquet hall was filled with guests, all of them elders from the capital’s most powerful families.

Wherever Lou Ye went, their eyes followed.

He had actually dared to kiss her in front of so many people!

He had no shame, but she still had some left…

She raised a hand to strike him, only to have him catch it and hold it tightly in his palm.

Enfolded in Lou Ye’s arms, Sang Wan lifted her eyes. Over his shoulder, she met Ming Qing’s gaze as the other woman turned her head.

Resentment.

Indignation.

And, above all, a profound sense of injustice—for Lou Ye.

Thinking of Old Master Lou’s words, Sang Wan felt a sour ache in her heart and could not help asking in a low voice, “Lou Ye, did you ever… like Miss Ming? Even a little?”

“Ming Qing?”

Lou Ye raised an eyebrow and lightly bit the tip of Sang Wan’s nose.

“You don’t actually think I’m hopelessly obsessed with relationships between an older woman and a younger man, do you?”

If not, then what was it?

Sang Wan looked up at him.

Lou Ye smiled.

“I simply like you, and you happen to be a little older than me. That’s all. It has nothing to do with the age difference.”

I simply like you.

And you happen to be a little older than me.

It was an ordinary endearment, yet it struck Sang Wan’s heart like a boulder thrown into a small lake, sending ripples across its surface.

Lou Ye seemed to suddenly realize something. He turned back, the amusement in his eyes deepening.

“Sang Wan, are you jealous?”

???

“I am not!”

In her haste to deny it, she forgot that they were standing in the corridor of the Lou family’s old residence.

Sang Wan turned to leave, intending to hide in the study or bedroom.

Lou Ye caught her around the waist and pulled her back into his arms halfway there.

“Ahem…”

A cough sounded behind them just as Lou Ye’s lips brushed against Sang Wan’s.

She hurriedly dodged away.

When Lou Ye turned around, he saw a wheelchair at the entrance to the banquet hall.

Lou Yue’s eyes gleamed with amusement.

“Sorry. Is it still in time for me to disappear?”

“I’ll see you out!”

Lou Ye shot him an exasperated glare, picked up the stole Sang Wan had dropped on the floor, and draped it around her. Then he took her hand and led her forward.

Sang Wan had never imagined that her first greeting with Lou Yue would take place under such circumstances.

She wanted nothing more than to hide inside the hollow of the ornamental rock beneath the railing.

Then Lou Yue said, “Hello, sister-in-law. I’m Lou Yue!”

Big Brother?

Brother Yue?

Before Sang Wan could decide how to address him, Lou Ye asked Lou Yue, “Have you prepared the meeting gift?”

Lou Yue froze.

Lou Ye nudged Sang Wan.

“Don’t rush to call him that. We’ll change the way we address him after he prepares a gift another day. We can’t let him take advantage of us!”

Sang Wan: …

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