42

Luo Li finally finished her work, rubbing her neck as she looked up to see that it had already gotten completely dark outside.

Suddenly, she understood why Lu Cixue always said working overtime wasn't just a polite excuse.

But it had only been two days since Director Lu's business trip, and they still had a whole week before they could see each other again.

Luo Li dejectedly knocked her head against the desk.

At first, staying in a room by herself felt like a liberating freedom, a joy of not being supervised by her family.

But ever since she occasionally managed to trick the kitty into living with her, every time she came home alone, it felt like nothing looked right.

Someone gently knocked on the door outside, and Luo Li immediately straightened up and composed herself.

"Come in."

"Manager Luo, the board has approved the new quarter's business plan, so I've brought you a copy." The man who entered had a polite, professional smile, but his eyes were full of contempt.

No need to ask how she knew—when she used to follow Lu Cixue around, the Director would wear that same smile whenever someone on the other side of the deal did something stupid.

Luo Li squinted her eyes and gave him a similar smile in return.

Tsk, this guy really thinks he's something. Although He Qinian had poor character, at least he had work ability. Even Luo Li, at her worst, had helped Lu Cixue secure several contracts.

But this guy? He was just here to coast through his job. Holding a cushy, idle position, he relied on his elderly uncle, a senior figure on the board, to act with impunity.

Luo Li suddenly understood where the hostility she had felt since coming to this department was coming from.

"Thank you for your hard work."

Li Lvtong looked at the woman in front of him, younger than himself yet carrying an air of arrogance. His inner disdain deepened.

But thinking about the news he had just received, his expression remained perfectly controlled.

Once he left, Luo Li's smile vanished instantly. She grabbed her bag and car keys, left the company, and returned home to eat, take a bath, and then relax, sprawled on the couch.

Checking the time, she figured Lu Cixue should be at the hotel by now, so she took out her phone and initiated a video call.

Carefully selecting the perfect angle, she waited eagerly for the call to connect.

The call was quickly declined.

Huh? That's strange. At this time, she should already be getting ready for bed, right?

Luo Li tried again, dialing the number.

Lu Cixue, who had been typing, paused her hands, about to reject the call again, but a drop of water from her wet fingers accidentally hit the green accept button.

Luo Li's eyes locked onto the half-dried hair of the woman on the screen, her gaze becoming unusually heated as she noticed something.

The bathrobe hadn't been properly tied yet, and it had slipped down her shoulders, revealing pale skin with faint, almost invisible red marks. Lu Cixue took one look at the unhidden gaze on the screen and bit her lip lightly before flipping the phone upside down onto the bed.

"Ugh…"

The person on the other side, now blocked from view, made a dissatisfied whimper.

"Wife, we haven't seen each other for thirty-eight hours and forty-three minutes. I don't want to look at the bed!"

They were surprisingly in sync when it came to counting the time.

While one person took a big gulp of cold water to cool the heat rising to her face, the other remained oblivious, babbling on about wanting to see her wife.

Perhaps she had indulged her a bit too much.

Finally, the screen brightened again, and Luo Li's face lit up with a wide smile as she saw that cool, beautiful face reappear on the screen.

She asked about the hotel, whether she had eaten properly today, and gossiped a bit about Ji Qiubai and Jing Yao. Then she mentioned the amusing expression Li Lvtong had made earlier when he was furious but didn't dare to lash out.

"Every time he sees me, he usually sends an assistant. Today was the first time he came in person, looking so annoyed but unable to act out. It was hilarious."

The person on the other end seemed to be enjoying herself after teasing someone, and for some reason, Lu Cixue found herself smiling faintly too before quickly dropping it.

"He seems to really dislike you. He's already reported your unprofessional behavior to the higher-ups several times. Have you thought about what to do?"

That subtle warning went in one ear and out the other for Luo Li, who was oblivious to the implications. She shrugged, her sunny attitude undeterred, "Well, stuff like that is inevitable at work. I can't make everyone like me."

"As long as you like me, that's enough," she added proudly.

Lu Cixue silently closed her eyes, feeling exasperated.

Now she understood why Luo Zhining always looked both regretful and stressed when talking about her.

"Don't worry about her, and don't pity her either. We've protected her too well since she was young. She needs to stumble and fall, or else someone will sell her, and she'll thank them for it."

"Besides, this is a good chance to uproot some long-standing problems."

Luo Li would never guess that Li Lvtong had connections even reaching Lu Cixue.

"Director Lu, I know about you and that person, but hiding things is easy for a family like theirs. What you see might not be the real her."

"What are you trying to say?"

The man on the other side sent over several photos and videos.

"Director Lu, consider working with me. My uncle has a foolproof plan. If you agree, your share... will not be small."

"My second uncle has always admired you. After seeing these, I hope you'll give it some thought."

Cunning. There was nothing left in the call record to pin him down.

The photos showed Luo Li with people she'd met while abroad, where physical contact wasn't given much thought. She certainly wasn't going to get angry over those.

But what unsettled her mood were the photos showing the gaze Luo Li had once directed at someone she had a high school crush on—photos from graduations, events, and candid moments on the school field.

[If these don't convince you, just wait. I guarantee she'll reveal her true colors soon enough.]

[I think Director Lu is ambitious. Even if you're deceived, are you really willing to work for them?]

Lu Cixue lowered her eyes, her thoughts unreadable, and a small, barely noticeable smile curved her lips.

—Someone is getting impatient.

[I'll consider your offer, but why are you so certain she'll slip up?]She wanted to see what method this person would use.

[Don't worry. Just wait a few days, and I'll deliver you a gift.]

Lu Cixue didn't press further; asking more would seem too deliberate, and this person definitely wouldn't reveal much.

Returning her thoughts to the present, Lu Cixue looked at the screen again, where the clueless Luo Li was still complaining about how much she missed her. The lingering irritation faded.

She always trusted what she saw with her own eyes more than anything else she heard.

Gently tapping the screen with her pink finger, Lu Cixue suddenly asked, "Are you going abroad with your mom soon?"

"Yeah, but I'll be back long before you get back."

The other person seemed to be seriously considering something, typing a few messages to Luo Zhining on the computer.

"Don't wander off alone, okay?"

Luo Li looked puzzled at the seemingly out-of-place warning. "That's silly. I know this place better than my mom. I won't get lost," Luo Li said, obedient but with a touch of defiance. "I won't talk to strangers either, and I definitely won't take food from them."

Lu Cixue was briefly at a loss for words.

—How obedient. Even though Luo Li hadn't caught her meaning, this was good enough.

Besides, with Luo Zhining around, nothing major would go wrong. Even if someone tried to harm them, she could react immediately.

After all, Luo Zhining was a seasoned capitalist, with both the skills and ruthlessness to match.

Looking at the lively, naive person on the other end of the call, Lu Cixue's lips curled into a smile.

She couldn't understand how these two had raised someone like Luo Li.

"Alright, behave, and there will be a reward."

"What reward?" The moment she heard "reward," Luo Li perked up.

"You'll see when I get back. Now go to sleep."

Luo Li nodded, but she didn't end the video call, placing the phone next to her pillow instead. She told Lu Cixue to keep it on until she fell asleep.

In the end, Luo Li dozed off first, sleeping soundly, while Lu Cixue gazed at her tenderly for a while before finally disconnecting the call.

——

Luo Li sat next to Luo Zhining, glancing around nervously. She lowered her voice, "Mom, we're just here for an inspection. Why do we need so many bodyguards?"

"Better to be safe than sorry. Didn't you learn that as a child?"

"That's what I call overreacting and worrying too much—ow!"

Her arm got a light pinch.

In the hotel lobby, a woman wearing a beret pulled her hat down lower, her eyes quickly locking onto the mother and daughter as they entered together. She tapped a few times on her phone and sent a message.

[Proceed as planned, and be careful.]

The woman casually stood up, adjusted her mask, and walked out of the hotel, brushing past a large group of people.

Luo Li spent the afternoon following Luo Zhining around, and by the evening, her mother announced she was going to visit an old mentor at the hospital, leaving Luo Li to stay in the hotel alone.

Luo Li thought it was unfair.

"I've got friends here, too. They've been asking to meet up all morning."

"They can come here," Luo Zhining said as she dressed, exchanging a look with the bodyguards. "But keep your guard up. People's hearts are hard to read, even those of your friends. You never know what they're really thinking."

—Why was she suddenly getting a lecture on life?

"Fine, I'll just stay in the hotel and chat with them," Luo Li sighed, thinking everyone around her was acting weird lately, constantly warning her to be more cautious.

So, she only invited two or three close friends. They rushed over and gave her a big hug, though the last one seemed particularly preoccupied.

"What's wrong? You seem upset."

It was one of her classmates, a shy girl who had struggled financially due to unforeseen circumstances. Luo Li had helped her privately in the past.

"I'm fine. I didn't get a chance to congratulate you yet." The girl forced a smile, though she seemed anxious.

"Thank you. Come on in," Luo Li said, still feeling something was off but unable to pinpoint what.

A masked server brought in some drinks, which the bodyguards inspected carefully before allowing them inside.

No one noticed that the server looked identical to the woman from the lobby, nor did they see her swift, covert hand movements.

The drinks were passed to the girl sitting on the outside, who hesitated before handing one to Luo Li with her left hand.

"Thanks." Luo Li took the cup without much thought and took a sip.

The girl holding the cup felt her heart race as her trembling fingers tried to maintain a normal appearance, engaging in conversation with everyone.

After a while, Luo Li felt stifled, the room stuffy despite the open windows, so she made an excuse to step out and make a phone call to get some fresh air.

The bodyguards followed closely behind, unwilling to leave her side.

—Why do I feel dizzy? Luo Li thought, growing more uncomfortable with the men behind her, a sudden sense of unease washing over her.

"Stay away from me," she snapped, her tone irritated.

Zhao Ge hesitated for a moment. "But…"

"Luo Luo, what's wrong?"

One of the girls from earlier ran out, her face full of concern as she rushed to support Luo Li.

"I'll stay with her," the girl offered eagerly.

Luo Li shook her head, trying to stay alert. "I'm fine, just dizzy. Can you call a doctor for me? I'll sit in another room for a bit."

Zhao Ge hesitated, realizing he couldn't do much even if he stayed. He turned to leave, calling Luo Zhining and fetching a doctor.

"Who's with her right now?"

"It's one of Miss Luo's friends."

"Get back there now. Don't leave them alone."

It was too late. Zhao Ge's realization hit just as a group of people rushed over, panic-stricken.

"She has a knife! She's holding Miss Luo hostage! The door's locked, but we're getting the key now."

Inside the room, Luo Li was powerless, pinned down by the girl, whose eyes were wild with both lust and madness. Knowing time was running out, the girl frantically tried to tear off Luo Li's clothes.

"Luo Luo, I'm sorry, but I couldn't help it. I'm so jealous. How can you be with someone else? She doesn't deserve you…"

"Get off…" Luo Li's head throbbed, and she clung tightly to her jacket.

—What should I do? How did this person turn out like this?

With great difficulty, Luo Li turned her head, spotting the knife lying nearby. In that moment, a burst of strength surged within her, and she grabbed the knife, slashing it across both herself and the girl's arm.

Pain brought clarity. Pain would keep her awake.

The girl yelped in pain, the trembling tip of the knife now pressed against Luo Li's chin.

"Don't touch me..." Luo Li muttered through tears, feeling incredibly wronged and suddenly desperate for Lu Cixue.

If no one came soon, she might truly end up taking a life.

Just then, the door was forcibly pushed open, and Zhao Ge rushed in, immediately restraining the girl. The knife slipped from Luo Li's fingers.

When Luo Zhining returned, her face was dark with anger. The doctor had already examined Luo Li, and the girl, exhausted from the shock, had fallen asleep.

It didn't take much for Luo Zhining to learn the girl's motive.

Someone had offered her a large sum of money—exactly what she desperately needed.

Moreover, she had always harbored unrequited feelings for Luo Li.

That was all it took for her to betray the one who had once helped her.

People's hearts were truly unpredictable.

"Manager Luo, Miss Luo is awake," the bodyguard reported before pausing. "She said she wants to go to Xicheng."

"Let her go. It's a good way to keep her travel plans hidden. I'll handle things here." Luo Zhining glanced at the camera and the half-finished photos, her expression growing darker.

This time, they had indeed been careless, but now that the evidence was in hand, there was no need for secrecy anymore.

——

Xicheng, night.

"Go over all of this carefully and try to sign the contract early. That way, they won't have a chance to back out." Lu Cixue instructed as she walked alongside Ji Qiubai.

"Understood. I'll have it sorted by morning."

"No need to rush. Just have it ready by noon. Get some rest."

After handing the final document to Ji Qiubai, Lu Cixue exited her room.

As she turned, she noticed someone squatting in front of her door, wearing a hat and mask, head lowered, looking insecure.

Beside them was a small suitcase.

Lu Cixue frowned and cautiously approached. "Excuse me…"

Before she could finish, the person suddenly stood up and threw their arms around her. Pulling down the mask, their eyes glistened with unshed tears, red at the corners, and without a word, they fiercely kissed her.