Volume 1, Chapter 158: You are such a goddamn bastard!!!

Sang Wan did not recall until bedtime that there was a minor matter she had forgotten to mention to Lou Ye.

"I’m leaving for Paris on Monday. Are you going?"

"I still have some matters to handle at the company. I’ll likely depart on Wednesday or Thursday, just in time for the start of the competition... Why do you ask?"

"Well... would you mind if I traveled with someone else?"

"Of course I wouldn't..."

Before the word "mind" could even leave his lips, Lou Ye sensed something was off. His gaze turned dangerous as he looked at Sang Wan. "This 'someone else' you mentioned—it wouldn't be Lu Jinnian, would it?"

Sang Wan remained silent.

Lou Ye turned over and pinned her beneath him. "Can I refuse?"

"Of course." Sang Wan nodded, not daring to move a muscle. "I actually refused when Lu Jinnian suggested it, but he said he didn't want to disappoint Xiaomu, so I..."

As the danger drew nearer, Sang Wan stopped speaking. A blush crept from behind her ears all the way down to her neck. Lou Ye’s breath hitched. He carefully released her and buried his face in the pillow. However, the calm he expected did not come. The pillow was filled with her scent—a delicate, lingering fragrance that now felt like countless soft hooks tugging at his heart.

Lou Ye abruptly sat up. "You go to sleep first. I’m going to the study."

He wanted to go sleep upstairs, but in the end, he didn't have the heart. He left the room without looking back. On the large bed, Sang Wan slowly calmed down, her eyes filled with emotion. In the past, Lou Ye wouldn't have hesitated for a second; he would have already taken her, likely multiple times over. But since her mother’s passing, she hadn't spoken of it, and he hadn't brought it up. It was as if they had reached a silent, unspoken understanding.

The next morning, Sang Wan was woken up by Lou Ye’s gentle biting.

"Sang Wan..." He nibbled softly at her neck, his voice husky. "I do mind you taking Lu Jinnian’s private jet, but I don't mind you bringing Lu Xiaomu along."

"Alright." Sang Wan turned around. "Mr. Lou, may I take a week of leave? After the competition ends, I’d like to stay in Paris for an extra week."

???

Caught in the throes of desire, Lou Ye’s muddled thoughts cleared instantly. The Lou Corporation was participating in the competition, and so was the Lu Corporation. Even if Lu Jinnian hadn't originally planned this trip, he would have surely added it for her sake. In his mind, he pictured a happy scene—even if Sang Wan were reluctant, she would be forced by Lu Xiaomu’s pressure to travel with Lu Jinnian, the three of them standing beneath the Eiffel Tower or walking down the Champs-Élysées.

Lou Ye gripped her soft, slender waist tightly. "Why are you asking for leave?"

Sang Wan leaned in and kissed his Adam's apple. "I'm taking Xiaomu on the way there, and after the competition, I’ll have Lu Jinnian take him back. I want to... stay an extra week to spend the holiday with my boyfriend. Is that okay?"

The end of the competition coincided with Christmas.

Lou Ye realized what she meant, and the displeasure in his eyes vanished completely. "Granted!!!"

***

When Lu Jinnian received Sang Wan's call, he was in the middle of a meeting. Signaling for everyone to continue, he stepped out of the conference room with his phone. "Wanwan..."

Upon understanding her intention, even though he had been mentally prepared, his expression darkened. "Sang Wan, it’s not even certain whether you and Lou Ye have a future together. You’re just dating. Do you really care about him that much? The more you care, the less he’ll take you seriously, do you know that?"

"Lu Jinnian, are you talking about yourself?"

Sang Wan asked in return. A dial tone followed.

Lu Jinnian froze. In the past, Sang Wan had poured all her heart into him, their son, and their home. He disliked eating out, so she meticulously prepared every meal. But he had forgotten those nights when he had business dinners and the food sat cold on the dining table. He disliked having strangers in the house, so the nanny was treated more like a day laborer. He had forgotten that Sang Wan could get tired too, often complaining that she was nagging whenever she voiced her fatigue. And there were countless other moments when he had criticized her for losing her figure or for not being as elegant or refined as the ladies in high society circles.

How had she responded back then? He thought he had long forgotten. But as he recalled it now, Lu Jinnian realized he clearly remembered the look of confusion and disappointment that had flickered across her face. She had opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end, she hadn't uttered a word.

On the large screen in the conference room, the project director was speaking passionately about the PowerPoint, and the room alternated between silence and thunderous applause. Yet, all Lu Jinnian could see in his mind was the indifference on Sang Wan’s face and her disappointed back as she turned to leave. She must have been very disappointed back then. In him. In that home. And in the life she was living at the time.

"...Mr. Lu? Mr. Lu?"

Lu Jinnian returned to his senses, realizing the meeting had ended and everyone was waiting for his input.

"Let’s proceed as planned! I wish you all a result that satisfies both yourselves and the company!" Lu Jinnian said as he stood up.

Perhaps he had come to terms with it. Or perhaps he couldn't bear to disappoint Lu Xiaomu.

When they departed on Monday morning, Lu Xiaomu held Sang Wan’s hand as they boarded the Lou Corporation’s private jet. After a brief bout of turbulence, the plane glided smoothly into the clouds. The Lu Corporation employees, experiencing a private jet for the first time, opened the window shades, taking photos and selfies, their excitement clear for all to see.

In the lounge, Lu Jinnian looked dejected. Was Sang Wan doing the same thing right now? After all, it was her first time on a private jet, too.

*Lu Jinnian, you really are a complete jerk!!!*

***

"Mom, why are the clouds golden?"

"...Are there immortals up there?"

"...When it gets dark, will I be able to see the Jade Rabbit on the moon?"

Lu Xiaomu, also on a private jet for the first time, chattered away excitedly. Throughout it all, Sang Wan answered him with gentle patience. After a flight of over ten hours, it was the middle of the night in Paris when the plane landed.

"Wanwan..."

"Dad!"

Lu Xiaomu looked toward the distance in surprise. Sang Wan turned back to see Lu Jinnian striding toward them.

"Wanwan, get in the car. I’ll take you back to the hotel!"

He had waited at the airport for over half an hour, yet there was not a trace of impatience on his face as he gestured toward a black sedan parked nearby.

"No, thank you," Sang Wan said.

Ever since Lu Jinnian had invited her to travel to Paris, although Lou Ye hadn't said anything on the surface, he seemed like a different person. He had transformed into "Lou the Passive-Aggressive." Thinking back on his petty behavior in the past, Sang Wan wasn't about to invite any trouble.

The driver waiting at the side stepped forward. "Miss Sang, please this way."

Sang Wan thanked him and turned to get into the car, holding Lu Xiaomu’s hand. Before the door had even closed, her phone rang. One look at her smiling expression told everyone it was Lou Ye. In the darkness, Lu Jinnian’s face grew somber.

"Have you arrived?"

On the video call, Lou Ye was in his office, wearing a white shirt that he managed to make look effortlessly dashing. Sang Wan nodded, but before she could say "we just landed," Lu Xiaomu chimed in brightly, "Uncle Ye, you look so handsome today!"

Lou Ye paused, then smiled. "Tell me then, which day am I not handsome?"

He was speaking to Lu Xiaomu, but his eyes were fixed on Sang Wan. Sang Wan looked away to avoid his gaze.

***

Three days later, Lou Ye arrived in Paris.