Wang Anjing interjected at this moment, "After this turmoil, it's certain that Luke can't be your fiancé, and you don't have to marry him."
Zhou Luming breathed a sigh of relief. Although she was an imposter, if he needed to continue playing the role of Zhou Luming, he would have to face that scumbag Luke, who was truly disgusting. Fortunately, Luke was now disgraced, and he only had himself to blame.
Xu Yan answered a phone call, but hung up after only a few words. Zhou Luming heard a man's voice on the other end and wanted to ask Xu Yan whose call it was, but Xu Yan didn't seem inclined to answer. Wang Anjing asked for Zhou Luming, "Whose call was it?"
“Sun Ren,” Xu Yan said.
"What did he want to call you about?" Zhou Luming seized the opportunity to ask.
Xu Yan said, "Luke was beaten in the police station's detention room last night," she paused, considering how to explain, "He was hit in a sensitive area and has been taken to the hospital for treatment."
Zhou Luming was about to say, "The divine retribution came so quickly," but after thinking about it carefully, he realized it might not be divine retribution. So he asked, "Xu Yan, this has nothing to do with you, right?"
Xu Yan replied indifferently, "Of course it's irrelevant."
"Is it really such a coincidence?"
"I can't be bothered with you." Xu Yan leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and pretended to doze off.
Wang Anjing chuckled to herself, a slight smile playing on her lips.
She simply sent an anonymous text message to Lu Gang's former cellmate, as instructed by Xu Yan, saying that Lu Ke was at a certain police station...
Chapter 46
===================
Lu Qi's matter has basically been settled. The aid fund that Xu Yan set up in Wang Anjing's name has received positive feedback, with many applicants coming in one after another. Wang Anjing told Xu Yan that this job is more tiring than she imagined. Fortunately, her newly written AI customer service can screen and process most of the invalid applications. In the end, the ones that come to Xu Yan are girls who really need help.
After quickly reviewing and filtering a batch of applicants' profiles, Xu Yan extracted some cases related to Luke, compiled them, and sent them to a local lawyer he knew, asking him to follow up and handle these cases.
The lawyer said that a class-action lawsuit should be possible. Lu Qi lost his chance to get justice, but the other girls could still be fought for. If one didn't work, then two, and if two didn't work, then three. This kind of back-and-forth battle would wear down Luke's energy and physical strength, and break his spirit. At least the legal means could be used to let Luke know that he could not get away with it.
With the matter settled, Xu Yan took white flowers and presented them to Lu Gang's portrait. After Lu Gang was cremated, his ashes were placed in a funeral hall, where Xu Yan and Wang Anjing came to pay their respects.
Xu Yan, wearing a black overcoat, stood silently with his hands in his pockets, staring at Lu Gang's portrait with a grim expression.
Seeing her like this, Wang Anjing knew that she must still feel guilty for not accepting Lu Qi's request, so she comforted her, saying, "I believe that if Lu Gang knew what you did and the punishment Luke suffered, he would be gratified."
Xu Yan said, "I am an atheist, but at times like this, I can temporarily believe that there are souls in the world."
Lu Gang was powerless before. In order to seek justice for his daughter, he lost his job and his source of income. His house was mortgaged and sold. He gave everything for his only precious daughter, including his time, energy and health. In the end, he was wrongfully imprisoned and lost his freedom.
After his release from prison, he still had nothing, so he chose an extreme way—to commit suicide by jumping off the top of the Lu's Building in the most flamboyant way, using his death to declare the injustice of that year.
With a USB drive and a chess piece, he left behind a brief last message, which was full of accusations of unfair treatment and declarations of the humiliation suffered by Lu Qi.
"Sister Anjing, could you put the photos of Lu Qi on the USB drive on the aid foundation's official website?" Xu Yan asked.
Wang Anjing was taken aback. "It's possible, but wouldn't that reveal the relationship between the foundation and Lu Qi? Won't that invite Luke's targeting and retaliation?"
Xu Yan calmly retorted, "I'm not afraid, are you?"
Wang Anjing was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "What a joke. Why would I be afraid of a little brat who only knows how to bully others? Without his father, he is nothing. Besides, as the perpetrator, it should be him trembling with fear, not us."
Wang Anjing's confidence stemmed from the company's market capitalization, and she also had strong legal counsel. She certainly had nothing to fear. Yet, she subconsciously felt afraid, which, upon reflection, might be due to her long-term living environment and the prevailing societal views on women.
Putting myself in Lu Qi's shoes, I can only imagine how difficult and courageous it must have been for her to speak out after being assaulted. Yet, instead of helping her, those around her attacked her after she revealed Luke's name. One can only imagine the pain and helplessness a young girl would feel after suffering such a double blow to her body and mind.
Wang Anjing turned her head and suddenly asked, "That's strange, why didn't Xiaolu come out with you? Didn't she always stick to you and want to follow you? I guess she won't stay at home obediently."
Xu Yan said, "She said she was going to the hospital for a follow-up visit."
“It’s been two months already. Her foot injury wasn’t serious, and given her youth, she should have recovered by now. But she’s been limping around and refusing to leave your house…” Wang Anjing looked at Xu Yan with amusement. “Don’t you know what she’s trying to do?”
Xu Yan frowned and thought about the question seriously. Before her Q identity was exposed, she could still know Zhou Luming's real purpose in approaching her. However, now she was a little confused. Could it be that he wanted to eat, drink, and live in her house for free?
Hmm, that's possible.
After all, her original house was dilapidated and old, and there was no elevator, so it was more comfortable to stay at her own home.
“Zhou Luming went to the same hospital as Luke,” Xu Yan said finally. “Let’s go home. Zhou Luming and I need to go to the Zhou family’s old house.”
Before Wang Anjing could recover from the first half of the sentence, she heard the second half, "The Zhou family finally couldn't hold back and made a move?"
"Hmm, maybe they saw that Zhou Luming and Luke's wedding fell through and came up with some other ideas. Anyway, let's go to the old house first and see what happens. I believe that person from back then will make a move again soon, and this time we definitely won't let him escape." Xu Yan's eyes were firm, his tone was resolute, and although his voice was low, it revealed a cold and ruthless edge.
Since taking over Xu Yan's affairs from Li Li, Wang Anjing has spent a considerable amount of time learning everything about Xu Yan. She knows that in addition to her identity as Xu Yan, she also has a hidden identity as Q, and she also knows about her cooperative relationship with Zhou Luming. It can be said that Wang Anjing is the person who knows Xu Yan's background best besides Li Li, and she is willing to carry on Li Li's last wish and cooperate with Xu Yan to continue their estate management business.
At first, Wang Anjing had some reservations about Xu Yan, but after spending some time with her, she believed that someone who could become friends with Li Li must be worth getting to know better, and Xu Yan's actions confirmed her premonition. Although they hadn't known each other for long, Wang Anjing felt as if she and Xu Yan had known each other for a long time, and their interactions were as familiar as those with old friends. More specifically, she felt that Xu Yan was like her younger sister.
"I hope Xiao Lu won't go too far," Wang Anjing said with a sigh as she started the car.
It was no coincidence that Zhou Luming went for a follow-up visit at this time, and the fact that she chose the same hospital as Luke meant that she was clearly going there for Luke.
When she got home, she saw Xu Yan sitting on the sofa reading a book. The cover was a foreign historical novel. Xu Yan turned a page, glanced at Zhou Luming standing in the doorway, and casually asked, "What did the doctor say? Is your foot injury healed?"
Zhou Luming touched his head, "It's basically better..." His eyes darted around, "But it's not completely healed. Driving is no problem, but don't walk too much, especially don't climb stairs."
Her apartment is on the sixth floor, and there is no elevator.
Xu Yan smiled and said, "I understand. You can continue to live here, but take care of your own life. I don't have the energy to help you with all that stuff."
Zhou Luming beamed, "I promise I won't cause you any trouble."
Xu Yan closed the book. "I'll go to the Zhou family's old house tomorrow."
"Hmm? What are you going to do?" Zhou Luming tilted his head.
"It's probably a trap. Now that your marriage with Luke has fallen through, they want to keep you, so they'll frantically try to introduce you to different men. Miss Zhou, you're a rare commodity now," Xu Yan said casually.
Zhou Luming gazed deeply at Xu Yan, then changed into slippers and walked up to her. He took the closed book from her and placed it on the coffee table beside her.
Xu Yan was wearing a white silk shirt, with all the buttons at the collar neatly fastened. The shirt hem was tucked into her trousers, revealing her slender waist, and she was wearing fluffy rabbit slippers.
Zhou Luming bent down closer to her, narrowed his eyes, and said, "Since I'm a rare commodity, and you're the person closest to me, why don't you try to curry favor with me in the slightest?"
Xu Yan leaned back on the sofa. "Because you're not the real Zhou Luming."
“I am the real one until you expose me as a fake.” Zhou Luming’s tone was unusually domineering this time. “And with you here, no one will expose me.”
The curtains, which had been lowered, were fluttering in the breeze that blew through the cracks in the window. Suddenly, someone's heart began to beat wildly and restlessly.
Xu Yan chuckled lightly. Feeling a bit stuffy, she unbuttoned a button at her collar with one hand to let herself get some fresh air. "That's robber logic."
Since things had come to this point, Zhou Luming didn't give herself a chance to hesitate, straddling Xu Yan's lap and facing her. Xu Yan was stunned by his boldness; she had never encountered such a situation before, and she had never been so close to another person.
Zhou Luming wrapped his arms around Xu Yan's neck, sat on her lap, and stared intently at her with his bright eyes. An ambiguous atmosphere immediately arose and became uncontrollable.
"Do the people at the Zhou family's old house not know Zhou Luming's orientation? Otherwise, why would they try to find a man to go on blind dates with for her? If I were them, I would definitely cater to their preferences, investigate Zhou Luming's orientation, and then pick a beautiful older sister for her... As for the template, I think it's fine to choose one like you."
As Zhou Luming spoke, he reached out and lifted Xu Yan's chin, forcing her to look up slightly and meet his gaze.
"They really didn't know that Zhou Luming actually liked women. The Zhou family was deeply influenced by traditional family values, and in addition to their preference for sons over daughters, they particularly disliked this kind of special relationship. If Old Master Zhou knew about Zhou Luming's situation, he would probably be so angry that he would disqualify her from inheritance. Acknowledging Zhou Luming's status as his granddaughter was also his reluctant choice, because his other children were all girls, and only Zhou Luming's father was a man. After thinking it over, he still had to leave all his property to someone with the same surname."
Xu Yan realized that she didn't know where to look. If she looked up, she would meet Zhou Luming's burning gaze. If she looked straight ahead, she would see places she shouldn't be looking at. So she had to turn her face away and look to the side.
"Get off my lap," Xu Yan said in a deep voice.
“I won’t,” Zhou Luming said stubbornly. She realized that Xu Yan was only responsive to gentle persuasion and she couldn’t do anything about her as long as she was shameless and stubborn. “I’ve been hiding at your house for so long, they must be getting anxious. I have to show up eventually. Since I have to go sooner or later, I’ll visit them tomorrow, but you have to come with me.”
Xu Yan had originally planned to go with her, otherwise who knows what earth-shattering things this girl might do, and having him there would at least keep her in check.
However, Xu Yan still had a vague sense of unease in his heart.
Chapter 47
===================
Zhou Luming was eager to know the little secrets of Xu Yan's dark room. There were two locked places on the second floor of the house that she had never explored: one was Xu Yan's study, and the other was Xu Yan's room.
Of course, a bedroom is a very private place and outsiders shouldn't be allowed in easily, but Zhou Luming felt that she would eventually get permission to freely enter and exit Xu Yan's bedroom, just like last time, when she had already successfully entered once. It was just a pity that everything around her was dark, and she couldn't tell which way was which, nor did she know what was in the bedroom, only that there were various photos on one wall.
Zhou Luming lowered his eyes and stared at Xu Yan's face, as if possessed, "Xu Yan, you wouldn't happen to be some kind of psychopathic serial killer, would you?"
The photos in her bedroom are evidence of her perversion.
Xu Yan almost rolled her eyes. "Boring. If anyone's going to be a pervert, it should be you."
"Fine, go ahead and try to seduce me if you dare." Zhou Luming flirted openly, mainly because she was flexible, versatile, and used her pretty face and good figure to charm Xu Yan.
Xu Yan felt goosebumps all over his body. He had chosen this person from among many candidates, thinking that he was the most suitable, but now he was starting to regret it.
She felt that this woman, with her cunning and treacherous nature, must have ill intentions. But for a moment, she couldn't figure out her intentions. The two stood face to face for a while, then Xu Yan said, "Get down."
"I won't."
"I don't like women, so don't waste your energy."
How will you know if you like it if you don't try? Maybe you will?
Xu Yan was speechless. "If you don't come down, I'll—"
Zhou Luming blinked slowly, composed. "So what?"
Xu Yan, supporting her waist, suddenly tried to get up, taking the opportunity to flip Zhou Luming off as well. Zhou Luming saw the situation and jumped away even faster than Xu Yan, saying, "You really don't know how to be gentle with women."
Xu Yan looked at her ankle and said, "I think you're fully healed."
Zhou Luming chuckled, "Oops, I accidentally gave myself away." He wasn't surprised at all.
Xu Yan went upstairs without saying a word, and Zhou Luming followed her without hesitation. Xu Yan knew she was following behind but did not stop her. The two of them went straight to Xu Yan's locked study.
Xu Yan pressed his fingerprint to unlock the door. After hearing the sound of the lock opening, Xu Yan, holding the doorknob, suddenly turned to Zhou Luming and said, "Let's make a deal. From now on, I'll answer one question you want to know, and you'll answer one question I ask you."
She spotted Li Ruo impersonating Zhou Luming among many candidates at a glance. When the introducer asked her why, she couldn't explain. Actually, there was another candidate competing with Li Ruo at the time, also a girl of marriageable age with yellow skin and black hair, and the price and profit sharing were more favorable, but she chose Li Ruo without hesitation.
The matchmaker also asked her if she knew Li Ruo. For both parties in the transaction, if the selected people know each other, it will pose a risk to the transaction.
Xu Yan replied to the matchmaker that Li Ruo did not know her, which reassured the matchmaker and led to the transaction.
At this very moment, the two of them were standing at the door of Xu Yan's study. The door was clearly unlocked, but Xu Yan stood still, waiting for Zhou Luming to join the question-and-answer game.
Zhou Luming readily agreed, "Sure, I'd be happy to oblige."
Xu Yan pushed open the study door and led Zhou Luming inside. Zhou Luming immediately noticed six monitors, stacked in two tiers on a large square wooden desk. The desk was spotless, with nothing on it. On the left wall of the desk was an even larger screen with a roller blind. A projector lamp was pointed directly at this wall, presumably for projection.
Zhou Luming touched the wall and found it was covered with a thick layer of soundproofing foam.
"Xu Yan, this doesn't look like a study, it looks more like a karaoke room. Tell me the truth, do you usually sing karaoke here?"