Chapter 31: Provocation

Lina looked smug.

Shen Yue continued, “Today is Lina’s first day. I specially invited her to dinner. Changqing, we’re in the next room. Come over for a drink?”

Fu Changqing didn’t look up. He took a sip of tea and said coldly, “Sorry, not convenient.”

Having been snubbed, Shen Yue felt very unhappy, but she maintained a smile. “Then another time. I won’t disturb you.”

Shen Yue didn’t go directly to her reserved private room but took Lina to the restroom.

“We absolutely cannot let Lu Yunshang win this Fu Corporation bidding competition, understand? Otherwise, you’re fired.”

“Don’t worry, Manager Shen. I’ll make sure Lu Yunshang leaves Huacheng.”

Shen Yue sneered. “That would be best.”

As the two were about to leave the restroom, Lu Yunshang entered.

Ignoring them, she went straight to the sink to wash her hands.

Lina stopped, deliberately saying to Shen Yue, “I heard the competition for the Fu Corporation bidding competition is fierce. Companies from other places have also signed up. I wonder if it’s fair. Some perfumers might use their beauty to seduce Mr. Fu and get Fu Corporation to pre-select them.”

Shen Yue glanced at Lu Yunshang. “Changqing and I grew up together. I know him best. He won’t be seduced by beauty. To tell you the truth, Changqing and I are getting engaged soon.”

“I can guarantee the bidding competition will be fair and just. Just do your job well.”

“Then I’ll rest assured,” Lina said, giving Shen Yue a look. The two clicked their heels and left the restroom.

Lu Yunshang looked at herself in the mirror and muttered to herself, “Did you hear that? Lu Yunshang, they’re getting engaged. You should wake up and keep your distance from Mr. Fu.”

Back in the private room, Lu Yunshang looked at the dishes but had no appetite.

Fu Changqing noticed her unusual expression and picked a piece of meat for her. “This fish is fresh and delicious. Eat more.”

“Thank you, Mr. Fu. I can do it myself,” Lu Yunshang said flatly.

Fu Changqing’s chopsticks paused in mid-air, and after a moment, he put them down and picked up his cup to drink tea.

Tang Tang also noticed Lu Yunshang’s pale face and leaned closer to whisper, “What’s wrong? Is it because of that woman just now? Didn’t Mr. Fu ignore her?”

Lu Yunshang shook her head. “No, I’m probably just tired from going to the suburbs today.”

“Okay, if you don’t want to eat, drink the soup I brought,” Tang Tang said, taking out her thermos and pouring a full bowl of soup for Lu Yunshang. “It’s still hot. Drink it quickly.”

Lu Yunshang, fearing Tang Tang would overthink, drank the soup.

When it was time to leave after dinner, Lu Yunshang called Liu Jingting aside and returned the car keys. “Senior brother, can you take Tang Tang and me home later?”

Liu Jingting readily agreed. “Of course. Even if you hadn’t asked, I was going to do that.”

Lu Yunshang returned to the table to say goodbye to Fu Changqing. “Mr. Fu, that’s all for today. We’ll go back now.”

Fu Changqing wanted to say something, but seeing Lu Yunshang turn and leave, he shut his mouth.

Huzi leaned over. “Boss, shall we go too?”

Fu Changqing nodded and stood up.

As Lu Yunshang stepped out of the private room, Shen Yue rushed over and went straight to Fu Changqing. “Changqing, I’ve been drinking and can’t drive. Can you give me a ride?”

She deliberately glanced at Lu Yunshang provocatively.

“Let’s go,” Fu Changqing said and started walking.

Lu Yunshang felt a pang in her nose. She pulled her coat tighter and quickly followed Liu Jingting.

After saying goodbye to Tiantian and Xiao Ke outside the restaurant, she opened the car door and sat in the back seat. Before she could settle, Fu Changqing squeezed in. “Manager Liu, please give me a ride.”

Liu Jingting froze. “Mr. Fu, where are you going?”

Fu Changqing glanced at Lu Yunshang. “Drop me off at Mudan Garden.”

Tang Tang watched for a while, thinking she was seeing things. Fu Changqing asked her, “Miss Tang, is it okay if you sit in the passenger seat?”

“Oh, okay. I like the passenger seat,” Tang Tang said, opening the passenger door and sitting down.

Fu Changqing closed the back door. “Let’s go.”

“Mr. Fu, why aren’t you taking your own car?” Lu Yunshang couldn’t help but ask.

“I have someone to send,” Fu Changqing said.

“It’s just one person. Mr. Fu can sit with us,” Lu Yunshang persisted.

Fu Changqing looked directly at Lu Yunshang. “You don’t like me riding in this car?”

Lu Yunshang stammered, “That’s not what I meant.”

“Then that’s fine,” Fu Changqing said, leaning back and closing his eyes.

“Mr. Fu, you wouldn’t be comfortable in my senior brother’s cheap car, would you?” Lu Yunshang muttered.

Liu Jingting, driving in front, was unhappy. “Yunshang, you’re embarrassing me.”

Fu Changqing said with his eyes closed, “I’m comfortable. I can tell Manager Liu is a clean person. The scent in this car is also very pleasant. What perfume do you use, Manager Liu? Give me some.”

“It’s iris balm, our studio’s product. I’ll give you some later,” Liu Jingting said excitedly.

At Mudan Garden, Fu Changqing was the first to get out of the car.

Liu Jingting leaned out. “Mr. Fu, let me take you home. It’s so cold. Are you going to wait for Huzi on the roadside?”

Fu Changqing waved his hand. “Go ahead. I have my own arrangements.”

Lu Yunshang and Tang Tang got out of the car and said goodbye to Liu Jingting, who then drove away.

Fu Changqing kept looking at Lu Yunshang, making her confused. “Mr. Fu, is there something wrong?”

“It’s so cold. Are you going to let me wait for Huzi on the roadside?” Fu Changqing asked pointedly.

Lu Yunshang had a look of black lines. Didn’t you do this to yourself?

She forced a smile. “Then please come to my house for some hot tea and wait for Huzi to pick you up.”

“Thank you,” Fu Changqing said and walked towards the gate.

Tang Tang pulled Lu Yunshang and smirked. “Mr. Fu is so cunning.”

Lu Yunshang rolled her eyes at Tang Tang. “Hurry up and make tea.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Back home, Tang Tang immediately ran into the kitchen to prepare tea and fruit, leaving Lu Yunshang to accompany Fu Changqing.

Lu Yunshang didn’t know what to say, so she turned on the TV to find a movie.

“Mr. Fu, what movie do you want to watch?”

“Anything,” Fu Changqing replied.

Lu Yunshang flipped through the pages and stopped. “This is a movie I watch every year when it snows, The Holiday. It’s a very heartwarming movie.”

“Let’s watch this one then,” Fu Changqing said.

Lu Yunshang pressed play, and the two watched the movie quietly.

About five minutes into the movie, Tang Tang brought the tea and placed it on the table. “The tea is here. Drink slowly. I’m going to take a shower.”

“Go ahead,” Lu Yunshang got up and poured tea for herself and Fu Changqing.

“Mr. Fu, have some tea.”

“Thank you,” Fu Changqing reached for the cup and accidentally touched Lu Yunshang’s hand. A current ran through him.

“Sorry,” he quickly withdrew his hand.

Lu Yunshang covered her burning cheeks, embarrassed.

She silently cursed herself, Lu Yunshang, stop being lovesick. Stop overthinking.

After watching for half an hour, Fu Changqing suddenly said, “It’s an interesting movie. Miss Lu can find inspiration for your perfume from it.”

Lu Yunshang looked at Fu Changqing, puzzled.

Fu Changqing smiled gently. “Think about what Teacher Bai said today. What is love?”