Chapter 15

So, the office was placed next to the production line without much attention to detail. 

As the business grew larger, more and more distributors came to negotiate deals.  

In China, appearances matter, so Lu Pengfei decided to purchase a plot of land near the factory and set up a separate office building. 

Lu Jiu wasn’t particularly interested in the business, but it was still her family’s company, and the older employees naturally recognized her. 

So, when she drove to the company building and saw the familiar faces coming and going at the entrance, she hesitated for only a few seconds before deciding to call someone. 

About two or three minutes later, a tall, cool-looking man strode toward her. 

Lu Jiu rolled down the car window. “Brother Fengming, it’s too hot outside. Get in the car, and we’ll find a place to eat while we talk.” 

Han Fengming looked at the eye-catching pink car and, for once, struggled to keep a straight face. “I’ll drive my own car.” 

“Alright, but I’m craving Sichuan food,” Lu Jiu replied, not pressing the issue, but making a request for lunch as he turned away. 

“Sure.” 

— 

This Sichuan restaurant in the city has been open for over two years. 

The food is good, the prices are reasonable, and it’s quite popular in Haicheng. 

When the two arrived, it was right during the lunch rush. 

Not only was the large restaurant packed, but there were also many people waiting at the entrance for a table to free up. 

However, Han Fengming was a college roommate of the restaurant owner and had even invested some money, making him a part-owner. 

So, they went straight through the back door to a private reserved room. 

While waiting for the food, Han Fengming sterilized the utensils and started talking about the Li family’s recent situation. 

For example, Li Ze’s secretary had been fired by his father, and it caused quite a stir—everyone in the company knew that Li Ze had cheated and was subsequently dumped by the Lu family. 

Or that Li Ze had tried to see Ms. Fang Wenyi again, but he wasn’t even allowed through the gate of her community. 

Or that after Li Ze was beaten up, his secretary, Han Anan, took the opportunity to console him, and the two had resumed their on-and-off relationship. 

And that Li Ze’s mother, Liu Yue, had gone abroad for a vacation yesterday… 

Not much time had passed, but a lot had happened. 

However, Lu Jiu, apart from expressing concern for Aunt Yue, showed little reaction to the rest. 

Seeing this, Han Fengming, who had been watching her emotions closely, finally felt at ease. 

Jun Jun was right—Peony is someone who knows when to hold on and when to let go. 

So, Han Fengming didn’t bring up the unpleasantness of the Li family anymore and instead started talking about the Zhaozhuang  Village case: “…You should’ve called home that night. Instead, you didn’t call, and you even stopped Uncle from calling. Your courage is growing.” 

Knowing she was about to be scolded, Lu Jiu internally complained that the icy image of a handsome man was hanging by a thread, but outwardly she obediently explained, “Dad was on a business trip, wasn’t he? If he found out, he would’ve rushed back overnight, which would’ve been too exhausting.” 

“I wasn’t on a business trip.” 

“But you were busy too, and besides, my cousins went home that night, so nothing would have happened.” 

Han Fengming frowned, clearly disapproving, and continued his lecture, “You can’t rely on luck…” 

“Ouch…” 

“What? Did you bite yourself?” 

Lu Jiu didn’t answer right away, instead grabbing her cup and downing several sips of ice-cold Fanta to soothe the burning in her mouth before saying, “I bit into a chili seed.” 

Han Fengming poured her more to drink, “Eat slowly, no one’s going to take it from you.” 

Lu Jiu: “Who told you to keep scolding me?” 

“I’ve only said a few words,” Han Fengming replied, though inwardly he was pleased. He was happy to see his sister becoming more lively; she had been a bit too obedient before. 

Thinking about this, he decided to indulge her and changed the subject. “So, tell me about that piece of land you’re interested in.” 

“Sure!” Lu Jiu’s mood instantly brightened. 

— 

After lunch, Lu Jiu drove home by herself. 

The fruits, chickens, and ducks that her uncle and aunt had packed were still in the car. 

To Lu Jiu’s surprise, Mrs. Fang Wenyi seemed to be in a bad mood. “What’s wrong?” 

Seeing her daughter, Fang Wenyi’s anger dissipated, and she smiled, beckoning her over. “You’re back? Have you eaten?” 

Lu Jiu sat down next to her mother. “I did, with Brother Fengming. How about you?” 

Fang Wenyi replied, “I’ve eaten too. Did you have some business with Brother Fengming?” The two were nine years apart, and though they had a good relationship, they rarely went out together. 

“I’ve taken a liking to a piece of land…” 

After hearing the reason, Fang Wenyi didn’t think much of it. Her daughter’s hobbies didn’t cost much, so she just reminded her, “Once the land is rented, hire a few workers to take care of things.” 

Lu Jiu nodded in agreement, as she had already planned to do that. “What were you upset about earlier?” 

At the mention of this, Fang Wenyi couldn’t help but feel irritated again. 

There are no secrets in their social circle, and ever since Peony and Li Ze had broken off their engagement, quite a few people had become interested. 

In the past few days, she had received countless phone calls. Some people were even bold enough to show up at her door, eager to make a match. 

But instead of feeling proud, Fang Wenyi found their behavior distasteful. After all, her daughter had only just ended her engagement a few days ago. 

Thinking of this, she turned to carefully study her daughter. 

She wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination, but it seemed like Peony had become even more beautiful in just a couple of days. 

Actually, that wasn’t quite right—her daughter had always been the most beautiful one in any crowd since she was little. 

She was the kind of person who could almost guarantee a 100% turn of heads while walking down the street. 

“What is it?” Lu Jiu asked, confused, as she noticed her mother staring at her without saying a word. 

Fang Wenyi snapped out of her thoughts and pinched her daughter’s cheek, deciding not to hide anything. “Everyone who should know about your broken engagement already does, and quite a few people are interested in meeting you.” 

Lu Jiu frowned. “I just broke off the engagement.” Isn’t this a bit too hasty? 

Seeing her daughter’s displeasure, Fang Wenyi comforted her instead. “It’s because you’re beautiful, have a good temperament, and come from a wealthy family.” 

Lu Jiu couldn’t help but laugh. After a moment’s thought, she said, “Mom, if it’s really hard to turn them down, meeting them isn’t a big deal. I’m not against finding a boyfriend.” 

Fang Wenyi hadn’t expected such a response, and her heart warmed. She pulled her daughter into a tight hug, playfully teasing her, “What are you thinking? It hasn’t come to that yet. Besides, anyone who’s that pushy about meeting you is probably no good.” 

“You decide then. As long as you know how I feel…”  

The afternoon was packed with tasks. 

But with her sister in a neighboring city and her father in Shanghai, Lu Jiu spent an hour with her mother before leaving.