Volume One Chapter 74: Open Flirtation or Subtle Seduction

The phone on the central console rang continuously throughout the journey. On the screen, Lin Zhaozhao’s name stayed lit for a long time before the call ended, only to ring again moments later. The cycle repeated endlessly. Lu Jinnian never answered.

He couldn’t help but think of Sang Wan. For years, his late returns had been commonplace, yet Sang Wan would only call once and never again. If he said he’d be home soon, no matter how late he was, Sang Wan would wait for him to come back so they could eat together. At the dinner table, Lu Xiaomu would complain loudly about being starving, blaming him for not coming home earlier. Sang Wan would gently coax their son, serving him soup and handing him chopsticks. If he said he wouldn’t be coming home, what awaited him was always that warm orange lamp and a hot bowl of hangover soup. Day after day, year after year.

He’d once joked with her: “You trust me so much?” Sang Wan’s smile in his memory was gentle and calm: “Of course. You’re my husband. If I don’t trust you, who would I trust?” The warmth of those days lingered stubbornly in his mind. Yet now, at dinner time, she hadn’t even asked if they wanted to stay for a meal, ruthlessly sending them away.

He looked up—Lu Xiaomu sat in the safety seat in the back, for once not watching his tablet. The little one bowed his head, wilted like a frostbitten eggplant.

“What’s wrong?” Lu Jinnian asked.

Lu Xiaomu shook his head, saying nothing.

The car stopped in front of the villa. As soon as the engine was turned off, the door swung open and Lin Zhaozhao hurried out. “Where did you go? Why are you only just getting back?”

The kindergarten had called in the afternoon, saying Lu Xiaomu wasn’t feeling well. As Lu Jinnian had nothing urgent, he said he’d pick him up. She’d thought, since he rarely finished work early—especially on a Friday—he’d bring her along and they’d have a family dinner and maybe catch a movie. But he hadn’t. Lu Jinnian just told her she didn’t need to pick up Lu Xiaomu, then left.

Without any legitimate excuse, Lin Zhaozhao worked at the office until six, her normal finishing time. But when she rushed home, she found the house empty. Calls went unanswered, messages unreplied. Her mind was filled with images of Lu Jinnian taking Lu Xiaomu to see Sang Wan. Panic rose in her.

She studied Lu Jinnian’s expression carefully but saw nothing. Lin Zhaozhao opened the back door and reached for Lu Xiaomu’s hand. “Mu, where do you feel unwell?”

Usually, Lu Xiaomu would call her "Aunt Zhaozhao" with every sentence, but today he was tight-lipped and silent like a stubborn little gourd. He dashed into his room, ignoring her knocks and calls.

In the living room, Lu Jinnian stopped in his tracks. “You didn’t cook?”

The dining table was completely empty. The faint scent of food hung in the air, drifting from the takeout boxes in the trash.

Lin Zhaozhao’s face changed slightly, and she stammered, “I came home and saw nobody was here, so I thought you weren’t eating at home. I called, but you didn’t answer, so I…” She’d ordered takeout instead.

Lu Jinnian’s expression turned sour. Anger simmered in his chest. Not even a hot meal awaited him at home. Wonderful! Just perfect!

“Lin Zhaozhao, is this what you call living well together?” He opened the fridge, which was stocked with all kinds of vegetables and fruits, but the fruit tray was empty. Home-cooked meals were rarer still.

Lu Jinnian took a deep breath, turning to Lin Zhaozhao. “I know it’s hard for you to juggle both work and family. If you want, focus on your job and I’ll arrange for a housekeeper to handle things at home. You won’t need to pick up Xiaomu anymore.”

Her heart raced, fearing Lu Jinnian was about to throw her out. But then he said, “Or you could hand your work at the company to someone else and become a full-time homemaker.”

Lin Zhaozhao froze, but inwardly she was ecstatic. This week had been the most chaotic and overwhelming of her life. She’d wake up early to rouse Lu Xiaomu, then make breakfast for Lu Jinnian. After breakfast, they’d leave together for the company, and the chaos there was even greater. Only now did she realize how much Yang Yan used to handle. No matter how careful she was, mistakes kept popping up. In the break room, the restroom, the cafeteria… She’d heard endless complaints—everyone said she was biting off more than she could chew.

Exhausted and sleep-deprived, Lin Zhaozhao hadn’t had a decent night all week. Now, hope descended from the heavens! She wouldn’t have to worry about the company anymore—she could live the leisurely life Sang Wan had enjoyed every day. With Lu Xiaomu at kindergarten, she’d have hours to herself: nap, binge shows, meet up with friends for shopping and spa days. Life would be bliss. As for Lu Jinnian, with all that free time, she could drop by and check up on him whenever she pleased. Nothing mattered more than Lu Jinnian! If she could win him over and get their marriage license soon, becoming Mrs. Lu in name and reality, that would be her top priority.

“Jinnian, can I really?” Lin Zhaozhao stepped forward, holding Lu Jinnian’s arm. “I want to help you at work, and take care of you and Xiaomu at home, but I really… can’t be in two places at once!”

“Then next Monday, go to the company and hand over your tasks. After that, stay home,” Lu Jinnian said, seeing her eagerness and making the decision. He sighed, “Is there anything to eat? Xiaomu and I haven’t had dinner yet.”

“Yes, yes…” Lin Zhaozhao nodded. “Go ask Xiaomu to come eat.”

Lu Jinnian went to the children’s room. Minutes later, he looked at the dining table—two boxes of instant noodles, one large and one small.

Lu Jinnian’s frown was deep enough to crush a mosquito.

……

By the floor-to-ceiling windows of her apartment, Sang Wan was replying to Jiang Huai’s message: [No time like the present—how about tomorrow? Are you free, Young Master Jiang?]

Jiang Huai replied instantly: [Of course I’m free! Even if it rains knives, I’ll be there!]

They agreed to meet at noon the next day, and Sang Wan sent her the address. Then she messaged Xu Yiyi and Jiang Ke’er.

Xu Yiyi replied in seconds: [No need to wait till noon tomorrow—your darling is already on the subway, I’ll be there in half an hour!]

Sang Wan: …Close call!

Jiang Ke’er took over half an hour to reply: [Sounds great!]

Ten minutes later, in the living room of the hillside villa, Jiang Ke’er was stunned. The villa was spotless and new, as if no one had ever lived there. The air was thick with the scent of air freshener.

Where was everyone? Where was the cat? If she hadn’t come here last night to pet the cat, Jiang Ke’er would have thought she was hallucinating.

She called Lou Ye. The phone rang for ages before he answered, his voice cool, “Hello?”

“Bro, did you… move?”

“Mm.”

“Allow me to hazard a guess—you didn’t… move to the floor beneath Sister Sang Wan, did you?”

“No.”

“Oh.”

“Upstairs.”

“……”

“Tomorrow at 11:30, meet at my place first. Just say I’ll drive you over. And… if you blow my cover…”

Through the phone, Jiang Ke’er suddenly felt a chill on the back of her neck.

She quickly promised, “No way! I swear, absolutely not!”

“Good…” His voice was lazy. “See you tomorrow.”

She hung up, just as Sang Wan’s address arrived:

1901.

Her brother lived above Sister Sang Wan.

So that would be… 2001?

19.

20.

[Forever? Love you? Bro, is this overt or subtle flirting?]

[You really know how to play! I’m impressed!!!]