Li Li couldn't help but confess, "You'll want to have intimate contact with him!"
Xu Yan: ...
Sometimes she would run into affectionate couples at school, and she would often see them in movie theaters and restaurants. She always wondered why these people could be like conjoined twins, sticking together all the time, without feeling disgusted or nauseous.
Xu Yan felt that Li Li was wrong; she would never experience that kind of "heart-fluttering" feeling in her entire life.
Leaning back in his chair, Xu Yan's thoughts were interrupted by the vibration of his phone on the table. It was Wang Anjing calling.
"Are you all ready? I've assigned Xiaolu's driver, Lao Wu. He's very reliable; he's my driver and will be at your disposal anytime. As for your meeting, I can personally take you there. But Xiaoyan, I feel things are going a little too smoothly and coincidentally. Could there be some details we haven't noticed? Could there be any unexpected events?"
Wang Anjing said with some concern. She was a few years older than Xu Yan and Zhou Luming, and since they both called her "Sister Anjing," she addressed them as "Xiao Yan" and "Xiao Lu" respectively, which she found more affectionate.
Xu Yan frowned. "How reliable is Lao Wu?"
Wang Anjing said, "He's a retired veteran who used to be a free-fighting coach. He's been driving for over ten years without ever having an accident. His driving and reconnaissance skills are top-notch. He could take on ten people at once and is perfectly capable of protecting our Miss Lu."
Xu Yan didn't completely believe in the idea of one person taking on ten. She instructed, "Tell Lao Wu not to let Zhou Luming out of his sight, especially not to let her be alone with Luke."
"I understand. I know you're worried about Xiaolu. I'll have Lao Wu look after her."
“I’m not worried about her.” Xu Yan glanced at his watch. “You should come out now. I’ll wait for you at home.”
"Okay." Wang Anjing hung up the phone with a smile.
Xu Yan was undoubtedly stubborn but soft-hearted. He said he didn't care, but in reality, he arranged for Lao Wu to be Zhou Luming's driver and bodyguard, and also equipped him with a listening device to keep track of Zhou Luming's movements at all times.
Catching a glimpse of the monitor, Xu Yan's heart skipped a beat. Even through the screen, her breath caught in her throat at the vibrant colors on it. Zhou Luming, dressed in a perfectly pressed white gown, gracefully stepped out of the room, tilting her head slightly to wink at the monitor by the door. Her lips, painted with a dark red matte lip gloss, made a silent shape, exuding an indescribable allure and delicate charm, like a white swan on a calm lake, her elegant exterior reflecting a burgeoning, dark heart.
Acting before thinking, Xu Yan rushed downstairs, but paused slightly at the last few steps. Standing on the stairs, Xu Yan looked down at Zhou Luming, who was sitting on the sofa rubbing his ankle.
"You're going to wear high heels?"
"You're wearing such a pretty dress, of course you should wear high heels with it," Zhou Luming said dismissively.
Xu Yan stared at the shoebox beside her feet, opened it, and his voice turned cold. He frowned and said, "You're injured and you're still wearing 10cm stilettos. Don't you have feet?"
Zhou Luming chuckled, "You feel sorry for me?" His voice rose slightly at the end.
At this moment, Xu Yan was squatting, while Zhou Luming was sitting. Xu Yan turned her head and looked up with a slightly blank expression. Zhou Luming also turned her head and looked down with a faint smile on her lips. The two looked at each other.
Xu Yan was still holding Zhou Luming's custom-made high heels in her hand. The shoes were inlaid with white diamonds, sparkling and beautiful, and matched Zhou Luming's white fairy-like silk dress perfectly.
Xu Yan's gaze darted away from Zhou Luming's face, catching sight of her chin, neck, and collarbone, before quickly sweeping over her ample chest and finally settling on the shoes in her hands.
His throat felt a little dry, and his voice was slightly hoarse. "Whatever."
Zhou Luming gave a soft "Oh?" and stretched out his injured foot. Compared to his other slender ankle, this one was still slightly swollen, and a plaster on it emitted a faint herbal scent.
“Miss Xu, could you do me a favor—please help me put on my shoes, it’s not very convenient for me to do it myself…” She slightly lifted her eyelashes, her gaze becoming slightly fixed. Her voice was soft, carrying a seductive smile, and she twirled her feet twice, swaying them alluringly in front of Xu Yan.
Zhou Luming reached out and gently placed her hand on Xu Yan's shoulder, leaning closer to her. She found teasing Xu Yan like this quite amusing; at least her ears would turn bright red, making her look very cute.
From her perspective, Xu Yan seemed unimpressed by such ostentation. She silently lowered her head, and just when Zhou Luming thought she was going to refuse again, she unexpectedly picked up her shoe, held it in her hand, and then used her other hand to lift Zhou Luming's ankle. The cool fingertips touched the skin of her foot. Although it wasn't that cold, it made Zhou Luming gasp. She almost wanted to back away, but Xu Yan held her ankle firmly.
"Don't move," she said seriously, gesturing as she gently put the shoes on, but she gave up halfway because Xu Yan heard Zhou Luming hiss.
"Don't wear them anymore, change into another pair."
"It's too late, I didn't prepare any other shoes..." Zhou Luming had a sudden inspiration and looked at the rabbit slippers on Xu Yan's feet, saying, "Why don't you wear yours?"
Xu Yan stood up and went to the bathroom to wash her hands. She had almost suffocated and couldn't breathe. Her heart was beating very fast, and she was about to have a heart attack.
Zhou Luming smiled slightly as he watched her hurriedly flee.
When Xu Yan came out, she found that Zhou Luming had already put on those high heels. Her already tall figure became even more slender and graceful. Today, Zhou Luming looked like a princess, dazzling and radiant.
Xu Yan narrowed her eyes, but still couldn't help but remind him, "Be careful of Luke."
Upon hearing those four words, Zhou Luming was momentarily stunned and lost in thought.
Xu Yan looked at her with a puzzled expression, "What's wrong?"
Zhou Luming said, "No, it's nothing. I'm off now, remember to come home early."
"Okay, you should go home early too."
Chapter 37
===================
Zhou Luming sat in the car, watching the scenery rushing past the window. She lowered the window a little, and the wind rushed in from outside, ruffling the stray hairs at her temples.
Zhou Luming wore her hair in a bun, possessing a long, swan-like neck and beautiful, sexy collarbones. A silver chain hung around her neck, embedded in a ditch, faintly shimmering with a silver light.
She wore simple yet elegant pearl stud earrings, her earlobes delicate and petite. Her lip gloss was a slightly vibrant color, but not jarring. She gazed absently out the window, her eyes slightly narrowed, seemingly lost in thought.
The driver, Lao Wu, was a calm middle-aged man. He had been entrusted to take care of Zhou Luming. He originally intended to remain silent, but seeing that Zhou Luming was being blown by the wind, he couldn't help but say, "Miss Zhou, it's still a bit chilly outside. If you're hot, I'll turn on the air conditioning and close the car windows."
Zhou Luming smiled and said, "No need, Uncle Wu, how long will it take?"
"It'll only take half an hour," Old Wu said.
Zhou Luming was still thinking about the words Xu Yan had said before leaving. Their voices were completely different, and the feeling they gave was different, but for some reason, Xu Yan at that moment reminded her of Q. They had just happened to say the same thing, not a word more or less, yet they were so similar.
Zhou Luming felt a jolt of realization, but quickly dismissed her bizarre idea. Xu Yan couldn't be Q; Q was just a con artist who conspired with her to swindle the Zhou family's inheritance from Xu Yan.
Such a promise—
Zhou Luming's heart trembled as he recalled Xu Yan squatting on the ground, putting shoes on him. A row of thick eyelashes drooped, his face remained motionless, as cold as ever.
How could Xu Yan possibly be Q?!
Zhou Luming dismissed the jumbled thoughts in his mind. The most important thing right now was to stall Luke and, if possible, extract clues from him.
Before his death, Lu Gang, the client, swallowed a USB drive and a chess piece. The USB drive contained a simple suicide note. Later, Xu Yan and Wang Anjing used media hype to create a scandal, and Luke eventually auctioned it off, gaining significant attention and a fortune. This fortune will be offered as a reward for anyone who can provide crucial clues about what happened back then. Xu Yan is currently on his way to meet this person.
As for the chess piece Lu Gang swallowed, Zhou Luming and Xu Yan both believed it represented his daughter, Lu Qi. Lu Gang was declaring to the world that his death was related to Lu Qi, to Luke, and to the events of that year.
From the moment he was released from prison—no, perhaps even earlier, from the moment he went to prison—he had been planning everything. From donating his body after his release, and then resolutely standing on the top floor of the Lu's Building and calmly jumping to his death…
All of this put him in the spotlight, and everything he did was a declaration to the world of his anger and resentment, challenging the Lu family's high position and power.
Fatherly love...
Zhou Luming gave a self-deprecating smile.
What kind of feelings are they?
Subconsciously, Zhou Luming touched the emerald gem at the top of the silver necklace. This was something Q had sent by courier. Zhou Luming felt that there was something strange about this necklace. He looked at it over and over again but couldn't figure out Q's purpose in sending it. However, he had a good eye, so he accepted the gift and hung the necklace around his neck.
At this moment, Wang Anjing's equipment was hidden in her lower back. Zhou Luming felt uncomfortable, but there was nothing she could do. Wearing a skirt always had its inconveniences. She understood why Xu Yan always chose to wear suit pants. Although skirts were beautiful, they were always treated as vases and playthings. Xu Yan did not want to be treated like that, nor did she want to be restricted in her movements.
A sudden burst of electronic static came through the headphones, followed by Wang Anjing's voice, "Have we arrived?"
"Soon," Zhou Luming said. She could already see a secluded stone building ahead, a villa in the suburbs. The villa was surrounded by cars, all luxury vehicles. Guests were queuing to go in, in twos and threes, almost all of them young and beautiful men and women.
Zhou Luming got out of the car, and Lao Wu, also dressed in formal attire, followed beside Zhou Luming, only half a step behind.
Passing through the gate and entering the interior, you are greeted by a magnificent scene with marble floors and bright chandeliers overhead, just like a palace from a fairy tale.
Zhou Luming narrowed his eyes, thinking to himself that Luke had really gone to great lengths this time.
Her arrival attracted the attention of many young men. The young men who were gathered together discussing certain topics all turned their heads to look at this person who looked innocent and pure yet had a sexy air about her.
Zhou Luming's identity was kept secret, and Luke never mentioned it to outsiders. However, those who accepted the invitation to the banquet were all important figures. Several young men hesitated whether to strike up a conversation. A man in a sharp suit who was standing closest to Zhou Luming patted her on the shoulder and greeted her.
"Hi, cousin."
Zhou Luming looked at him in surprise. Sun Ren had almost disappeared after the accident at the mall, and he never expected to see him here.
How dare he even come to greet me? Has he forgotten how badly he hurt her and Xu Yan back then?
Sun Ren looked down at her ankle, frowned, and said, "How's your foot? You were still limping just now. Is it still not healed? Do you want to sit down?"
Zhou Luming looked at him suspiciously, keeping her distance. "What are you doing here?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Sun Ren smiled and said, "Luke invited me here. I didn't expect to see you here." He looked around Zhou Luming but couldn't find the person he was looking for, so he asked, "Didn't Miss Xu come with you?"
Zhou Luming was displeased when he heard him looking for Xu Yan. "She had other things to do and didn't come. You're looking for her?"
Sun Ren said disappointedly, "Oh, so she didn't come. You've been staying at her house recently, and we wanted to thank her for taking care of you."
Zhou Luming thought, "You must hate her to death." He could imagine her aunts' gnashing teeth and helpless expressions towards Xu Yan.
"There's no need to thank her specially. I'll work and support myself. It's a mutually beneficial partnership between us," Zhou Luming casually declined on Xu Yan's behalf.
Sun Ren touched his nose, unsure of what to say.
Just then, a clear and excited voice rang out, "So you guys were secretly chatting here. What are you talking about that made you so happy? Let me hear too!"
Luke, dressed in a dark double-breasted striped suit, was tall and handsome with a smile on his face. He held a wine glass filled with champagne, about a third full, and joined their conversation as if listening with curiosity.
Inside, a live band was playing classical and melodious music, with the gentle sound of violins creating a sense of tranquility and serenity.
People lowered their voices, afraid of disturbing the melodious music.
Zhou Luming never expected that a playboy like Luke would arrange such a thoughtful and high-quality dinner; she thought she was about to face a noisy disco.
Luke then extended his hand to Zhou Luming like a gentleman, "May I have this dance?"
Sun Ren was stunned for a moment, then consciously stepped aside.
Zhou Luming readily agreed, "Great! I'd be delighted."
She knew someone was listening in her earphones, and she was waiting for that person's voice.
Sure enough, Xu Yan's voice came through, "Lu Qi also met Luke for the first time at the graduation ball. Luke was very gentlemanly and a good dancer."
Hearing Xu Yan's voice, Zhou Luming's lips curled into a smile. Luke was right beside her, and she couldn't reply to Xu Yan, but in her heart, she thought Luke was probably using the same old trick—his way of winning a girl's favor. He thought he was another Lu Qi, but she wasn't; she wasn't even Zhou Luming.
She put her arm around Luke's shoulder, and Luke placed his hand on her lower back. The two danced gracefully to the melodious music, but Luke's expression quickly changed because Zhou Luming stepped on his instep.
"Ah, I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with the dance steps," Zhou Luming said apologetically.
Luke gritted his teeth, forced a smile, and said, "It's okay, let's continue."
Zhou Luming continued, her ankle still aching, but she was good at enduring this pain; compared to before, this pain was nothing.
But Xu Yan couldn't help but say, "You don't have to force yourself..."
Zhou Luming raised her eyebrows, secretly pleased. Before her now was not Luke, nor a lavish banquet, but Xu Yan's aloof, cold, yet beautiful and delicate face, faintly visible in the darkness.
Luke could clearly feel Zhou Luming's gaze soften and become alluring. A thought struck him, and he tightened his grip on her lower back, wanting to move his hand down.