Lulu did nothing wrong.

She was just a victim of capitalism.

sobs

Since Shang Xinglu was still in her work clothes, the lighting was poor, and after a full day, the light makeup on her face had worn off a bit.

Le Hao tried adjusting the camera, but she felt it wasn’t quite right. The shot she casually took earlier looked much better.

Le Hao said, “President Lu, if you don’t mind, can you let me take you home? I’ll help you freshen up and then we can do another shoot?”

Shang Xinglu replied, “Are you in such a rush? Why not take the shots tomorrow?”

Le Hao really got anxious now, “No, the fans on Weibo broke a million too quickly. I didn’t even have time to organize a repost giveaway. When we hit two million, we must do one.”

Shang Xinglu thought about it and felt that made sense.

It would be a waste not to take advantage of the traffic. It would be foolish not to sell products—doing a repost giveaway for a new product would also be a great idea.

Shang Xinglu said, “Actually, the new whitening series is about to launch. It’s not on the market yet, but how about we give that away?”

Le Hao said, “Anything’s fine! I mainly want to give the fans a beautiful photo of President Lu as a benefit.”

Shang Xinglu: “…………”

You… You’re honestly the cheapest official Weibo manager! Not even coupons, just a direct photo of me?

Le Hao thought Shang Xinglu wasn’t willing, but in fact, Shang Xinglu was just not very eager.

In the past, she was just a salted fish among the research academy’s big shots. She wasn’t famous, not even having a name in the crowd.

A gossip post that details everything about your family can be quite terrifying.

At this moment, Le Hao fiddled with her phone for a bit, pulled up the business version of Taobao, and handed it to Shang Xinglu.

“President Lu, take a look at this! The sales are all from your beauty fans. Are you really not going to take some photos?”

Shang Xinglu leaned in, skeptical.

…What the heck?

What the heck, what the heck, what the heck???!!!

Then her eyes immediately turned into RMB symbols.

Shang Xinglu instantly sat up straight, “Please go ahead!”

Le Hao: “…”

Indeed, the RMB is the world’s greatest weapon.

If it doesn’t work, it’s definitely because there wasn’t enough RMB.

Shang Xinglu cleaned up with even more energy than she did in the morning, and this time Le Hao used a “casual” angle to record Shang Xinglu having dinner.

It looked very casual, like a random shot, with no significant editing.

In reality, this was Le Hao’s scheme!

She did it on purpose! She wanted this seemingly casual, but actually very refined effect.

After taking the photos, Le Hao slung the camera over her shoulder, “President Lu, I’m off now. I won’t let down the mission the organization entrusted me with!”

Shang Xinglu was worried about her safety since the office was in the suburbs, so she had the driver take Le Hao home.

Le Hao was moved to tears. She said, “President Lu, I’ll make sure to edit the photos well! I’ll make sure you outshine the little stars and stomp on those influencers!”

Shang Xinglu: “…”

No, I don’t want to.

…

The next day, Shang Xinglu arrived at the office for the morning meeting. The sales manager reported on the online sales from the previous day.

Everyone cheered, “Wow, amazing!!!”

Then Accountant Xiao Zhang said, “Looks like we’re getting our year-end bonuses!”

Designer Xiao Wu added, “I don’t have to worry about the company shutting down anymore!!!”

Shang Xinglu: “…”

Yin Yao: “…”

The boss is still here, hey!

The sales manager, Xiao Ai, continued, “After the last ordering session, we received feedback from major retailers. Customers generally said the product is cost-effective and even better than many imported brands, so they’ve been placing repeat orders.”

This meant that Bichen now faced a very important decision: expanding the production line.

Yin Yao had already contacted some familiar manufacturers, but production schedules were tight, so that wasn’t a long-term solution.

Still, Yin Yao remained confident in Bichen’s future, so the expansion was steadily moving forward, though it urgently needed to speed up.

Shang Xinglu had previously been responsible for coordinating with the raw material suppliers.

Thanks to Xiao Zai’s help, Xin Simi solved Bichen’s problem last time. However, Shang Xinglu had been considering switching suppliers and had contacted a few companies from her list.

None of these suppliers were as large as Xin Simi, but after comparing them and doing some field visits, Shang Xinglu finally settled on two.

After the contract with Xin Simi ended, Bichen would split its raw material needs between these two suppliers. Given the sales growth at Bichen, the managers of these suppliers were quite straightforward and offered even better prices than Xin Simi.

After she finished speaking, Shang Xinglu noticed everyone in the meeting room staring at her in admiration.

“This sense of reassurance… Is this really President Lu?”

“Our President Lu has finally matured into the boss we’ve been waiting for!”

“Mom is so proud!”

Xiao Wu said, “I thought President Lu would eventually take over Mr. Ye’s work and handle product development… Didn’t expect this!”

“Our President Lu really has grown up!!!”

Shang Xinglu: “???”

Watch out, I might cut your bonuses!

Ye Jiaping: “???”

What’s wrong with product development?!

At this point, Shang Xinglu added, “By the way, for our amino acid cleanser, Mr. Ye and I discussed it and decided to change the amino acid ingredients to a high-quality Japanese version. Mr. Ye has a few friends who are quite familiar with it, so we’ll be going on-site for an inspection soon.”

The morning meeting continued with some more discussions before wrapping up.

Shang Xinglu sat down at her desk, unable to resist checking the sales figures again.

Wow… so happy.

A sense of satisfaction slowly filled her heart, bringing joy that no other form of happiness could replace.

Not even Lin Heng.

It was like back when she was in the research academy—life was tough, and there wasn’t much money. But when results were achieved, that joy, that sense of pride, filled her heart completely.

Although she often joked about wanting to be a pig that lived without worry, that was just an excuse before she found what she truly wanted to do.

People need to have some goals in life.

At this moment, Lin Heng called.

Shang Xinglu hesitated for a moment.

She had just been complaining about Lin Heng in her mind, saying that he could never replace the sense of fulfillment that work brings… and then he called immediately.

Yingyingying (whimpering), mind-reading Lin Heng is so scary!

She picked up the phone and greeted him.

Lin Heng asked, “What are your plans for the week before Christmas?”

Shang Xinglu replied expressionlessly, “Any holiday that isn’t a national statutory holiday but still demands time off is just nonsense!”

Lin Heng: “……”

Then, Shang Xinglu suddenly remembered—Lin Heng’s family had always been very Westernized. Most of their business was overseas, their main residence was in New York, and everyone in the family spoke fluent English.

Even that so-called “fiancée” of his wasn’t fluent in Chinese.

In the West, Christmas is an important holiday, almost equivalent to the Spring Festival in China. It’s a time when people take long breaks.

So, is he planning to…?

Shang Xinglu had several thoughts racing through her mind but couldn’t be sure.

Lin Heng said, “Can you take time off? Let’s go on a vacation.”

A vacation? With Lin Heng?!

She had never gone on a vacation with him before!

Shang Xinglu was thrilled. “Let me check, let me check!”

She flipped through her schedule.

If she had a cowlick on her head, it would have drooped instantly…

“…I have to go to Japan with Engineer Ye for an inspection…”

Lin Heng fell silent on the other end.

Shang Xinglu carefully examined her schedule again. “But if I calculate it properly, I’m only in Japan for the first two days of that week. After that, I can take leave.”

“How about… you come on the business trip with us? And we can explore while we’re there?”

She asked so cautiously, and given how excited she had been before, Lin Heng couldn’t say no even if he wanted to.

In fact, he simply replied, “Okay.”

Shang Xinglu’s eyes curved with joy. “Hehehe, then we’re going on vacation!”

Both of them were busy with work, so they hung up.

As soon as she ended the call, her phone rang again. Thinking Lin Heng had something else to say, she answered instantly, her voice soft and sweet, “Hello?”

The person on the other end paused in shock, looked at the caller ID again, and confirmed they hadn’t dialed the wrong number.

Manager Chen said, “President Shang, hello, hello. I’m Manager Chen from Xinsimei. I was wondering if you have time to discuss the contract renewal.”

Contract renewal?

Shang Xinglu frowned. The gentleness from earlier vanished, replaced by irritation.

She let out a flat “Oh,” instantly shifting from warm to cold.

Manager Chen: “???”

If her tone had stayed pleasant, he could at least assume she was in a good mood from making money. But this sudden change—what was that about?

Shang Xinglu said, “I’m quite busy lately. I’ll call you when I confirm my availability.”

Hearing this, Manager Chen felt uneasy.

He was already regretting things—first, he hadn’t realized she wasn’t someone to offend, and second, given her current sales growth, she was becoming a major client.

Manager Chen said, “The price is negotiable. We’ve always worked with Bichen. President Shang, please prioritize our company. Some suppliers may seem good, but their raw material quality is lacking. How about we discuss this over tea on the 21st?”

Honestly, badmouthing competitors like this was just low…

And, wait—the price is negotiable?!

Didn’t she say this before? Karma sure works fast!

Shang Xinglu wasn’t warm or cold; she simply replied, “Sorry, I’ve already booked my tickets for vacation. It’s Christmas, after all. Let’s talk when I get back.”

Manager Chen: “……”

---

On the day of departure, Shang Xinglu and Lin Heng arrived at the airport, where Ye Jiaping and his apprentice, Yu Na, were already waiting.

Shang Xinglu didn’t know how to introduce Lin Heng, so she vaguely said, “This… is Mr. Lin.”

Lin Heng glanced at her before shaking hands with Ye Jiaping and the others.

Ye Jiaping wasn’t one to follow online gossip, but Yu Na was definitely a gossip enthusiast. Seeing the legendary ex-husband of President Shang in person left her stunned.

However, in the end, she didn’t ask anything. She just assumed all the online rumors were fake and held back from prying.

After all, this was her first time on a private jet!

She was so excited!

She wanted to livestream it!

She wanted to flex on social media!

A few hours later, they arrived at Narita Airport.

Suddenly, Yu Na got her period.

From inside the restroom stall, she called Shang Xinglu for help.

Shang Xinglu rushed to buy supplies for her, handed them over, and even asked if she wanted something warm to drink.

Yu Na said, “I don’t get cramps, but thanks, President Shang.”

Shang Xinglu replied, “It’s nothing.”

But the moment she finished speaking, her eyes widened.

Wait a second—what’s today’s date?

December 21st.

…And when was she supposed to get her period?

Shang Xinglu checked her phone.

Damn.

She was supposed to get it on the 17th. She was four days late!

She prided herself on having a period as punctual as clockwork!!!

---

Shang Xinglu’s menstrual cycle was always on time.

Maybe not to the minute, like an alarm clock, but still within a two-day window.

But now—two days, plus another two days…

This was seriously unsettling.

If she were still single, she’d just go for a gynecological checkup.

After all, a single woman can’t suddenly become the Virgin Mary, nor can she reproduce like an amoeba.

She had never needed to worry about anything growing in her stomach.

…If anything did, it was definitely just fat.

But she isn’t now. Even though she and Lin Heng were practically the perfect couple, always taking precautions, not every precaution has a 100% success rate.

What if…?

She hadn’t even had time to think it through when Yu Na came out of the restroom, slightly embarrassed, and said, “Thank you, Lou Zong, for earlier.”

Shang Xinglu replied, “There’s no need to thank me, it was nothing.”

They each got into separate cars.

As soon as Shang Xinglu saw Lin Heng, she felt a bit uneasy.

To be honest, she hadn’t really thought it through.

Her mind was just all over the place right now!!!

So, Shang Xinglu nervously flipped through her basic Japanese book for a bit.

She skimmed a few pages, closed the book, and shut her eyes to sleep.

At that moment, Lin Heng noticed something was off with Shang Xinglu.

Before boarding the plane, she had been so determined, swearing that she would finish memorizing the thin book in two hours.

Lin Heng knew that when Shang Xinglu read, she would focus entirely, rarely giving up midway. It was very unusual for her to only flip through a couple of pages and then sleep.

Lin Heng took the book from her and flipped through a few pages, asking, “Why aren’t you reading?”

Shang Xinglu closed her eyes and said, “Because I’ve mastered the essential vocabulary.”

“So fast?” Lin Heng raised an eyebrow.

She must not only have speed reading skills but possibly also some kind of supernatural ability.

Shang Xinglu said, “I’ve learned ‘hello’, ‘goodbye’, ‘please go over there’, ‘how much is this’, and ‘this’. I can now greet people, order food, pay the bill, and find the way to my destination. Doesn’t that mean I’m done learning?”

Lin Heng: “…”

Such nonsense.

Shang Xinglu closed her eyes and thought deeply.

She thought she would ponder the big, philosophical question of “Can I really be a good mother?” but as soon as she closed her eyes, her mind was filled with TED talks she’d watched before, the topic being—”How did humans evolve?”

Shang Xinglu: “???”

What the heck?

… I’m such a strange woman, thinking about humanity’s evolution.

By the time they arrived at the hotel, she didn’t even have time to think about evolution anymore. They met with the hired translator, and the four of them got in a car to visit a supplier.

Lin Heng had some matters to attend to as well, so he left shortly after.

Shang Xinglu ended up working nonstop for two days.

The whole reason for this was that she had planned a vacation with Lin Heng, but they had condensed a four-day trip into just two.

They spent their days negotiating with suppliers and their evenings in video conference calls with employees back in China.

The raw materials were excellent, as Ye Gong said, they could improve the product’s user experience.

However, the process involved customs and tariffs for international trade, which required lengthy discussions.

Back in China, it was hard work too.

To accommodate their schedule, they had meetings until midnight. Due to the time difference, it was already 1 AM when they finished.

After freshening up, Shang Xinglu was exhausted. She collapsed into bed with a towel around her head, not even bothering to dry her hair.

The next day, they continued to be busy. By the afternoon, after the contract was signed, Shang Xinglu treated Ye Gong, Yu Na, and the translator to a meal, finally allowing everyone to relax.

Yu Na noticed something. “Hey, Lou Zong, don’t you drink?”

It wasn’t like Shang Xinglu never drank with her colleagues; she wasn’t one of those people who completely abstained.

When happy, she would often open champagne for celebrations.

Actually, Yu Na had first seen a champagne tower because of Shang Xinglu.

Afterward, not just Yu Na, but many others were amazed—so, champagne towers are real!

But today, Lou Zong had opened champagne but didn’t drink. That was strange.

Shang Xinglu waved her hand, saying, “Not drinking today.”

Yu Na stared at her for a while.

Then Ye Jiaping also looked at her oddly for a while.

Shang Xinglu immediately broke out in a cold sweat.

What? Could it have been exposed already?

Yu Na seriously asked, “Come on, Lou Zong, what embarrassing thing did you do after drinking?”

Shang Xinglu: “…”

“Otherwise, I really don’t get why you’re not drinking.”

Shang Xinglu: “… I’ve converted to Buddhism, is that okay?”

The answer was two scoffs.

After the meal, they went back to the hotel. Tomorrow, Shang Xinglu’s schedule would be separate from theirs.

Ye Gong and Yu Na would stay to tour for two days, which was a small company perk.

Shang Xinglu didn’t return to the hotel with them.

She went to a pharmacy downstairs and, in her not-so-fluent Japanese, bought several different brands of pregnancy tests, saying “I want this, this, and this.”

It wasn’t convenient to see a doctor abroad. She still wanted to have blood tests done when she got back to China.

The past couple of days had been so busy, she didn’t have time to even think about it. Now, with a bit of free time, Shang Xinglu decided to… at least take a test.

She had to know for sure before telling Lin Heng.

Shang Xinglu threw the bag in her pocket, stuffing all the pregnancy tests inside.

Her coat was fitted and didn’t have pockets, so she stuffed them all into her pants pocket, filling it to the brim.

Thankfully, her long coat covered it all.

She planned to quietly and calmly go to the restroom, take the test, and then calmly tell Lin Heng… or maybe she didn’t need to tell him at all.

That was her plan.

However, as soon as she entered the room and sneaked into the bathroom, she opened the door and bumped into Lin Heng, who was tying his tie.

Shang Xinglu: “!”

What the heck!

Wasn’t Lin Heng busy too? Why was he here?!

He put on his glasses and said, “You’re back just in time. Have you eaten?”

Shang Xinglu: “I ate… I ate already…”

She looked so guilty…

Lin Heng squinted his eyes and beckoned her over with his finger.

Shang Xinglu looked down at her pocket.

Hmm, her coat covered it well.

She was so clever!

She walked over.

Lin Heng calmly asked, “Aren’t you going to take off your coat?”

The room was warm, and Lin Heng wasn’t cold in just his shirt, but Shang Xinglu was still in her outdoor clothes.

Shang Xinglu: “… I was cold earlier, let me warm up before I take it off. Ah, let me go to the bathroom first…”

She bent down to sneak past Lin Heng and into the bathroom, but before she could, Lin Heng grabbed her and expertly pinned her to the wall.

Lin Heng said with certainty, “What’s hiding inside your coat?”

Shang Xinglu couldn’t believe it.

Oh my God, Lin Heng! Why don’t you just become a detective!

No, maybe he’s just tricking me!

Shang Xinglu said, “Nothing. Look, my coat doesn’t even have pockets.”

Lin Heng glanced at it quickly, and indeed, she was right.

Shang Xinglu decided to act first. “What? Is that the first thing you say when you see me? Lin Heng, you’re such a straight man, you don’t miss me, do you?!”

Lin Heng remained unmoved, “Don’t change the subject.”

Shang Xinglu: “…”

Damn it.

Damn calm Lin Heng!

Shang Xinglu decided to go all in. She said, “But I missed you.”

With that, she cupped his face and kissed his lips.

… First, distract him, then figure things out.

Seduction was a form of distraction, right?

If she could even be said to be seductive.

Her plan was to kiss him and then sneak away, but she once again overestimated her own abilities…

Ugh, those private tutor lessons really didn’t do much.

They hadn’t seen each other for a while because they had been so busy. Lin Heng had been preparing to leave, but as soon as he kissed her, his rationality snapped.

The kiss quickly deepened, becoming intense. Lin Heng pressed her against the wall and pulled her close, their bodies now touching.

The kiss spun Shang Xinglu’s head, her ears turning red. But she wasn’t able to make Lin Heng dizzy like her.

Lin Heng realized something wasn’t right.

There was something hard pressing against him.

Lin Heng: “…?”

A moment later, Lin Heng: “…………”

So much for saying there was nothing hidden.

He quickly reached into her pants pocket, pulling out the pregnancy tests.

“What’s this?” Lin Heng’s expression was unreadable.

It was Director Lin at work.

Now, he finally had the chance to see the packaging.

Lin Heng froze.

He fumbled, and two pregnancy tests fell to the ground.

Thud.

Shang Xinglu’s face went through several expressions before she tilted her head and pretended to be relaxed.

“Congratulations, you discovered my phantom limb that I’ve been hiding for years?”