Xia Liyang’s smile froze.

She wasn’t sure why Lu Huaicheng was asking her this question out of the blue.

She could only vaguely reply, “I’ve heard about Wujin Xia from Song Jinhe, but I don’t really know the author personally.”

“Really? I thought you two were pretty close.” Lu Huaicheng’s gaze was deep as he glanced at her, his tone indifferent.

“No, not at all!” Xia Liyang forced a smile, nervously adding, “I’ve never even read Wu Jinxia’s novels.”

“Aren’t they the same genre as your favorite Agatha Christie’s novels? And you’ve never read them?” Lu Huaicheng raised an eyebrow slightly.

“…No, I haven’t.” Xia Liyang blinked lightly, her gaze wandering as she said, “I generally only read foreign literature, since my major is in foreign literature studies.”

“Oh, I see.” Lu Huaicheng’s narrow eyes slightly squinted, his dark pupils lingering on her somewhat unnatural expression for a moment.

“Yes.” Xia Liyang swallowed lightly and tried to steer the conversation toward him. “Mr. Lu, have you read any of Wujin Xia’s novels?”

“I’ve read one,” Lu Huaicheng replied indifferently.

“Let me guess, was it the most popular one, Temptation and punishment?” Song Jinhe interjected.

“Yes.” Lu Huaicheng nodded slightly.

“That one is really good, and the movie adaptation was well done too. Xia Xia, you should watch it when you have time. I highly recommend it!” Song Jinhe quickly blinked at her.

“Mm…” Xia Liyang lightly pursed her lips and glanced at Lu Huaicheng, who was still staring at her. As if seeking his opinion, she asked sincerely, “Mr. Lu, do you think this book is worth reading?”

“It depends on personal preference.” Lu Huaicheng lowered his gaze and calmly picked up some food from the table.

Perhaps out of consideration for Song Jinhe being the author’s friend, his response was somewhat vague.

He didn’t say it was worth it, but he didn’t say it wasn’t either.

“Oh, I’ll make time to check it out then.” Xia Liyang curved her eyes slightly, but a faint sense of disappointment welled up inside.

While it was a good thing that Lu Huaicheng no longer suspected any connection between her and Wujin Xia (her pseudonym), she still somewhat wanted to hear his genuine opinion about her book.

She didn’t know why she felt this way.

Maybe it was simply because she rarely had the chance to hear people’s feedback about her novels in real life.

It definitely wasn’t because she cared about him.

During the entire meal, Lu Huaicheng didn’t eat much, and even took two or three phone calls.

After hanging up the last call, he lightly frowned and put down his chopsticks. “I have something to deal with, I’ll be leaving first.”

“Take care,” Xia Liyang said, pausing slightly as she lifted her eyes. “Don’t forget to clear your plate.”

“I know,” Lu Huaicheng stopped briefly, his low voice tinged with a trace of displeasure. “It’s not like I didn’t go to college.”

“Oh.” Xia Liyang lowered her gaze slightly, feeling a bit awkward.

She always subconsciously thought of him as someone aloof and detached from the mundane world.

She completely overlooked the fact that he, too, had gone through student life.

It was hard to imagine what kind of person he was as a young man.

Maybe it was because of the situation with his mother happening early on, but she always felt there was a heaviness about him that didn’t match his age.

Even his rare smiles rarely reached his heart.

“What are you thinking about, sitting here in a daze? He’s already left the cafeteria,” Song Jinhe tapped her chopsticks on the edge of her tray.

Only then did Xia Liyang snap back to reality and smile. “Nothing, I’m just glad we got through that. I really thought I was going to slip up earlier.”

“When he suddenly asked if you knew Wujin Xia, I was startled too. You better keep that pseudonym hidden tight!” Song Jinhe said, still feeling anxious.

“Of course, but I didn’t expect that he had read my book.”

“That’s not too surprising, your book is a bestseller! Plus, it was adapted into a popular movie,” Song Jinhe laughed. “What really surprised me was that he turned out to be the incredibly handsome guy I didn’t get to show you at the author’s conference!”

“Really?” Xia Liyang was stunned. “What a coincidence?”

“Exactly! I was shocked when I saw him suddenly appear next to you,” Song Jinhe clicked her tongue. “No wonder you always said he was handsome. Guys at that level are rare. You should try harder, maybe you can win him over.”

“No way. Just thinking about it makes me tired. I’ll gather a bit more material and then I’m planning to slip away,” Xia Liyang chuckled.

“How much material are you planning to gather?” Song Jinhe teased, her eyes curving.

“Uh… maybe after a kiss,” Xia Liyang hesitated.

“Not going to go all the way? His body looks quite impressive,” Song Jinhe winked playfully.

Xia Liyang blushed slightly and stirred the food on her plate. “I’m not writing those kinds of stories, what’s the point?”

“Heh, once you try, you’ll understand,” Song Jinhe grinned mischievously.

“Just finish your food. We still need to find someone to help us take a group photo later,” Xia Liyang said, lowering her eyes.

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Song Jinhe replied before suddenly remembering something. “By the way, did he think the flowers were from another guy and just threw them away?”

“Probably,” Xia Liyang nodded.

“He seems like such a refined guy on the outside,” Song Jinhe clicked her tongue.

“That’s just appearances. He’s not as easygoing as he seems,” Xia Liyang paused before continuing, “The other day, he asked if I had time to come clean on Saturday. You told me to respond later, but I forgot, so I replied a few hours late. When I went to his place, he didn’t even answer the doorbell and made me wait in the pouring rain. It was so petty.”

“Yeah, that’s harsh,” Song Jinhe frowned.

“But I’ve pretty much figured out what makes him angry now. As long as I go along with him, he’s still a pretty good source of material,” Xia Liyang laughed.

Hearing this, Song Jinhe was briefly taken aback before her expression relaxed. “I was about to join you in cursing him for being so cold-hearted, but now I feel like you two are equally matched!”

Xia Liyang just smiled noncommittally.

After seeing her mother Li Qingying betray her family for so-called true love, switching boyfriends one after another and still not settling down, she had become indifferent to such things.

She had lost all expectations for love. 

After all, it’s just a product of hormonal secretion. 

There was no such thing as true love. 

She neither could nor had any interest in trying to fall in love with anyone. 

….

At the private club by the river, Wen Yuchen raised his eyelids in dissatisfaction, glancing at Lu Huaicheng, who had just pushed the door open.

“You, brat, stood me up without a word!” 

“You don’t lack company,” Lu Huaicheng shrugged.

“Do you see anyone beside me?” Wen Yuchen spread his hands. 

The empty private room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. 

“Didn’t you say you arranged a gathering?” Lu Huaicheng nonchalantly walked over to the sofa next to him and sat down.

“Can’t I arrange a private gathering just for you?” Wen Yuchen smirked, giving him a sidelong glance.

“…Has your brain short-circuited?” Lu Huaicheng’s lips twitched.

“You’re the one who’s lost it.” Wen Yuchen withdrew his playful smile and reminded him, “Didn’t you ask me to investigate that piece of land Lu Mingyu acquired in the northern suburbs?”

“You found something?” Lu Huaicheng finally remembered.

“Yeah, there’s definitely someone taking kickbacks in the middle. It’s a guy named Li Yuan,” Wen Yuchen said.

“Li Yuan?” Lu Huaicheng frowned slightly, feeling like he had heard the name before.

“Yeah, I checked. This guy isn’t related to Zhou Yuling. Maybe your brother was just inexperienced and got swindled.”

Lu Huaicheng stayed silent, the crease between his brows deepening. 

Although Lu Mingyu had only been with the company for two years and lacked experience, he wasn’t a fool. He had competent people around him, so how could he have been taken for millions in kickbacks so easily?

“Huaicheng, let me say something you won’t like. It’s been almost ten years since your mother’s situation— isn’t it time to let go of your obsession with Zhou Yuling?” Wen Yuchen said slowly.

“Now even you think she’s innocent?” Lu Huaicheng looked at him calmly, but his sharp jawline tensed.

“No, I just think you can’t convict her without evidence, and the only one suffering from your refusal to let go is yourself!” Wen Yuchen hurriedly explained, looking pained.

Lu Huaicheng lowered his gaze, staying silent for a moment before looking up and asking, “Have you seen Temptation and Punishment?”

“That movie that was really popular recently? Yeah, I saw it,” Wen Yuchen replied, looking confused.

“Right. In it, the husband led his wife to fall off a cliff at the ski resort, severely injuring her, and leaving her in a coma. There was no evidence pointing to his crime, but in the end, he was still sent to prison,” Lu Huaicheng reminded him casually.

Wen Yuchen was stunned for a few seconds before suddenly realizing, “You’re not planning to do something like that, are you…?”

“Yes,” Lu Huaicheng nodded slightly, his eyes dark and voice cold, “Push her to the brink, and give her a seemingly flawless chance to act again.”

“Then you’ll need to plan carefully. One small mistake could ruin everything,” Wen Yuchen said seriously.

“I know. If you don’t want to help, I completely understand. I can find someone less conspicuous to handle it…” 

“Understand my ass! Of course, I’ll help. If you keep talking nonsense, we’re done as friends!” Wen Yuchen scowled, interrupting him.

“… ” Lu Huaicheng’s thin lips moved slightly. His expression shifted, as if he had more to say, but in the end, it was reduced to two simple words.

“Thank you.”

“Why are you being polite with me?” Wen Yuchen slung an arm around his shoulders and teasingly asked, “Now be honest, why did you stand me up at lunch?”

“… Something came up.” Lu Huaicheng smiled warmly.

“What came up? So mysterious,” Wen Yuchen snickered, teasing, “Don’t tell me it was a woman.”

Lu Huaicheng was momentarily speechless.

“What? No way! Did I actually guess right?” Wen Yuchen sat up straight, shocked as he stared at him in disbelief.

“No. I honestly thought there’d be a crowd at your lunch gathering. Then I ran into an old acquaintance and just had lunch with her,” Lu Huaicheng explained.

“An acquaintance?” Wen Yuchen raised an eyebrow. “Do I know her?”

Lu Huaicheng hesitated for two seconds. “No.”

“Fine,” Wen Yuchen smirked. “So where did you two have lunch?”

After a brief pause, Lu Huaicheng, slightly embarrassed, replied, “The cafeteria.”