Chapter 1 [01]

Luo Qingyue x Lu Mingxiao

Deepest Affection

By Mu Xiaobu

2025.06.10

Exclusively published; reproduction in any form is prohibited.

——

【01】

The temperature in Dongchuan City in May is comfortable and pleasant.

Sunlight filters through the gaps in the leaves of the plane trees on both sides of the road, casting soft, shallow shadows on the ground.

Luo Qingyue turned the steering wheel and drove the car into the Lanyang Creative Industrial Park.

This place is lined with all kinds of shops and is known for its industrial-style architecture, which makes it a popular spot for taking photos. In the past two years, it has become a newly popular spot for internet celebrities to check in.

It was 3 p.m., and it was Sunday. The park was packed with people.

The noise of the band performance and the voices of people scattered across the lawn were incessant.

It was a bit noisy. Luo Qingyue frowned slightly.

The car window was closed and it drove forward at a snail's pace for four or five meters. A little boy suddenly appeared from nowhere and ran past the car.

With the road so close, Luo Qingyue instinctively slammed on the brakes, stopping abruptly in the middle of the road. A chill ran down her spine, and she broke out in a cold sweat.

Cars kept passing by on the left.

Luo Qingyue steadied herself, gently pressed the accelerator, kept a close eye on the road ahead, and became even more cautious.

As she walked through a narrow section of road, she activated the 360-degree panoramic view until her line of sight opened up and the familiar shop logo came into view—

Hi coffee&car.

It combines a coffee shop and a car wash.

It rained yesterday, and the car is covered in mud.

If she hadn't been so unable to bear it, she could have dragged it out for much longer.

Luo Qingyue parked her car in front of the car wash and then realized that both workstations were being cleaned.

Fortunately, she wasn't in a hurry. She handed the car keys to the car wash attendant and went to the coffee shop next door to find Jingxi.

The store is jointly opened by Jingxi and her cousin.

As her best friend, Luo Qingyue signed up for a membership card and topped it up, showing her the greatest support through her actions.

The cafe has a high-ceiling design with gray cement as the main color and is dotted with green plants everywhere.

The huge floor-to-ceiling windows made the space bright and airy. Luo Qingyue pushed open the door and entered, and the wind chimes on the eaves tinkled crisply.

Jingxi stood in front of the bar and immediately spotted the familiar "sugar daddy".

A white knee-length skirt as a base layer, topped with a beige rainbow-sleeved knit top.

Her long, slightly wavy hair falls to her shoulders, and her skin is so smooth and fair it glows. When it comes to looks, her "sugar daddy" has never lost.

It's pleasing to the eye. The fatigue from being busy instantly disappears.

Jingxi took the prepared coffee to the customer and moved a high stool to the left side of the bar.

That was the special seat she reserved for Luo Qingyue. It was close to the cash register, so it wouldn't interfere with her work, and it would also be convenient for the two sisters to chat.

Jingxi returned to the bar and instructed the barista to prepare a glass of iced Belgian dark chocolate.

Every time Luo Qingyue comes over, she orders it, plus a small cake depending on her mood.

Luo Qingyue sat down on the high stool and chose pistachio Basque.

A while ago, she was invited by major brands to travel abroad to watch fashion shows, and she hadn't seen Jingxi for more than half a month.

Jingxi took a cake from the dessert counter and placed it in front of her.

Luo Qingyue hurriedly stretched out her hands to show her her newly done manicure.

It is purple, inlaid with butterfly patterns and rhinestones, and it is beautiful and fairy-like.

This is Luo Qingyue's masterpiece, created after sitting in the nail salon for three hours yesterday afternoon.

Jingxi gave a thumbs up, but Luo Qingyue held her chin and couldn't help complaining to her.

"I just wanted to find a quiet place to relax, but the store manager kept changing his pitch to trick me into recharging my account."

"I'm so tired of sales pitches. No matter how well you do it, there's no second chance. My ears are buzzing, and it still gives me a headache just thinking about it now."

Jingxi took the dark chocolate from the barista, inserted a straw, and handed it to Luo Qingyue.

“His car is a Pamei, and he’s dressed in M&D from head to toe. ‘I’m rich’ is written all over his face.”

"With the current economic climate so sluggish, no store manager would pass up such a lucrative opportunity as you, who have walked right into their trap."

M&D is a well-known high-end luxury brand and also Luo Qingyue's favorite brand.

As Jingxi spoke, she picked up the Hi coffee&car store QR code standee and handed it to Luo Qingyue.

Without saying a word, Luo Qingyue prepared to recharge another 10,000.

Jingxi smiled and pressed down on her hand as she was about to pay, indicating that she was just making a little joke.

Luo Qingyue put down her phone, took a sip of dark chocolate, and thought about what Jingxi had just said.

"From what you said, it turns out it's not my problem."

Jingxi was about to answer "What's your problem?", but Luo Qingyue continued: "The overall economic environment is bad, and people will spend less on food, drink and entertainment, so it's reasonable for me to fail in my business."

After graduating from university, Luo Qingyue had the idea of ​​starting her own business and opened a Western restaurant.

They invested a lot of time, energy, and money, but after only six months, the business failed and went bankrupt.

Jingxi didn't expect the topic to jump so quickly and was surprised.

"I went on a trip and still haven't forgotten about it. I'm still holding a grudge about it."

"At the beginning, I was full of ambition and vowed to achieve great things, so I feel particularly frustrated."

Even though two months have passed, Luo Qingyue's mood is not particularly pleasant when she thinks about it.

“Many things, including starting a business, require the right timing, location, and people,” Jingxi comforted. “The environment is only one factor, and you can’t blame it entirely, but you don’t need to worry too much about it. Sometimes you need a bit of luck, and you never know.”

Speaking of luck, Luo Qingyue became even more angry.

Before the restaurant opened, she went to a temple to have a fortune told by a high monk, who said she was the chosen one to start a business.

In her excitement, Luo Qingyue spent a lot of money renovating the temple, but now she realizes it was a complete scam.

A customer came in and ordered a hot latte. Jingxi greeted him with a smile and invited him to wait at an empty seat by the window.

Jingxi runs this shop quite well; it's always packed with people whenever Luo Qingyue comes.

It would be a lie to say I'm not envious. She was originally the business partner Jingxi was looking for, but she refused without hesitation for the sake of the restaurant.

After Jingxi returned from delivering coffee to the guests, Luo Qingyue expressed the sentiment that "comparison is the thief of joy."

Jingxi joked, "Do you regret the choices you made?"

Luo Qingyue nodded and let out a long sigh: "I regret it now."

Jingxi raised an eyebrow: "I'll give you a way to undo your mistake. It's not too late to invest now."

"never mind."

Luo Qingyue picked up a spoon and started eating Basque cake. "My failed business experience taught me that I was born to enjoy life. It's better for me to be a lazy bum and live a peaceful life."

Luo Qingyue is a rich second-generation. Not only are her parents good at making money, but her brother is also good at making money.

There are many successful business people in the family, so she doesn't need to follow the crowd. In the future, she can only make their business acumen more valuable by working hard to spend money.

With that in mind, Luo Qingyue opened WeChat, contacted a beauty consultant, and booked a spa appointment for tomorrow night.

She remembered something, put down her phone, and jokingly told Jingxi, "My brother is extremely disgusted by my idea of ​​being a lazy bum, and actually said he would arrange a job for me."

Jingxi was extremely surprised and pricked up his ears: "And then?"

The incident happened a week ago. It was so unbelievable that Luo Qingyue still remembers it vividly.

"I asked him in return, 'Are you crazy to send your precious little sister to be a beast of burden?'"

"It doesn't necessarily have to be cattle or horses."

Jingxi retorted, "Your brother just waved his hand and parachuted you in to manage the branch office, and then assigned you a tall and handsome male secretary. Our CEO Luo immediately reached the pinnacle of his life."

Luo Qingyue disagreed with Jingxi's words: "He has money and plenty of free time. I'm already at the peak of my life. Lying down is the best way. Even if he begs me to come to him, I won't grant his wish."

Jingxi roughly understood the ending: "So, your brother also realized he was crazy, and from then on, he let you have your freedom."

Luo Qingyue gave an affirmative answer, with a completely relaxed attitude: "I am the apple of my family's eye. We don't even have time to treat me well. If he dares to betray his own family, our ancestors will never let him get away with it."

——

Luo Qingyue stayed in the coffee shop until dark.

The bag I ordered earlier has arrived, according to a message from the salesperson.

Having some free time, she planned to head straight to the M&D flagship store, located in Wanheng Plaza.

Jingxi brought over freshly baked cookies and packed them in a brown paper bag.

Pecan brownies and salted cheese combos are both flavors that Luo Qingyue likes.

"There's road construction going on all around here, so please drive carefully. I won't see you off."

Business was busy, and Jingxi was naturally unable to attend to everything. Luo Qingyue responded and took the brown paper bag.

"I'm a very good driver. I've had the car for three months now and haven't had any accidents or scratches."

Jingxi pressed down on her shoulder and earnestly reminded her, "Congratulations on entering the newbie inflated state. Remember, you must not let your guard down."

Luo Qingyue said, "Don't worry," and then said goodbye to Jingxi.

She stepped out with light steps, her skirt billowing in the breeze.

The moon is bright and the stars are few; the neon lights are just beginning to illuminate the night.

The park remains bustling and vibrant with people and vehicles.

Luo Qingyue went next door to pick up her car.

Her beloved car is an Ice Berry Pink Panamera, possessing both beauty and an innate sense of luxury.

Whenever passersby walk by, they are involuntarily drawn to it and cast envious glances at it.

The car was thoroughly cleaned inside and out, and it looked brand new.

Luo Qingyue was satisfied after the inspection and opened her phone to pay the car wash guy a small tip as a reward for his labor.

But the other party refused to accept it no matter what she said, so she had no choice but to take a picture and send it to Jingxi, manually giving her a five-star review.

Luo Qingyue placed the brown paper bag in the passenger seat and fastened her seatbelt.

Navigate to Wanheng Plaza, randomly select a song to play, turn the steering wheel and drive away.

There was still some distance to the park exit, but a traffic jam appeared ahead.

Luo Qingyue frowned slightly, followed the pace of the car in front, and stopped patiently.

Time passed, but the traffic flow showed no sign of changing.

Unlike other drivers who got out of their cars to investigate, Luo Qingyue leaned her head against the car window, lazily reaching out to play with the aromatherapy ornament hanging below the rearview mirror.

It smells nice and citrusy, but not overpowering; it's a very refreshing scent.

The next instant, the phone rang.

Luo Qingyue glanced at the car's infotainment screen; it was a call from an M&D sales representative.

She pressed the answer button on the steering wheel, and an apologetic voice sounded in her ear.

The salesperson said that due to a mistake by the store, bags that had arrived for other customers were registered under her name.

They tried to source stock from stores nationwide, but none had any in stock, so she would have to wait another half month.

The vehicle ahead began to move, and Luo Qingyue gripped the steering wheel, lightly pressed the accelerator, and slowly followed.

Perhaps because she hadn't responded for too long, the salesperson tentatively asked, "Ms. Luo, are you listening?"

Luo Qingyue gave a soft "Mmm," and the car drove through the barrier and out of the park.

Just as she was about to say something, a bright white light suddenly shot straight towards her from not far away.

My eyes were stinging from the light, and I couldn't see anything clearly.

Luo Qingyue held the steering wheel with one hand and raised the other to shield herself.

A few microseconds later, the bright light faded, and in her line of sight, a food delivery worker in uniform was speeding towards her on an electric scooter.

Instinctively, Luo Qingyue swerved to the right to avoid the obstacle.

Unfortunately, a black SUV was parked in a roadside parking space. The parking lights were on, and it was obvious that someone was inside.

Luo Qingyue instinctively stepped on the brakes, but it was too late.

Her car tilted forward and crashed into the rear of the other car, accompanied by a strong jolt and a loud "bang".

Her mind went blank for a moment, and Luo Qingyue sat in the driver's seat with her back stiff.

The coolness on her palms hadn't fully registered what was happening before the door of the black SUV opened first.

A man could be vaguely seen approaching under the streetlights, his tall figure gradually becoming clearer.

He stopped beside her car door. Luo Qingyue also woke up, took a deep breath, unbuckled her seatbelt, got out of the car, and stood in front of the man.

He was wearing a long black trench coat, over which he wore a white shirt and black trousers. A very elite socialite's attire.

A defined jawline and well-defined facial features make this face...it's just so handsome.

Luo Qingyue prided herself on having seen countless men, and the handsome appearance of the man before her was truly a once-in-a-century find.

The two cars were close together, but her attention was focused on him. She looked up and met his deep gaze.

Luo Qingyue smiled and waved at the man, intending to greet him familiarly.

The other person spoke first, asking in an almost icy tone, "Did you buy your driver's license?"

[Author's Note]

Friends, I'm back for our appointment! [Sprinkling flowers][Sprinkling flowers]

This story is, as always, a fun and sweet treat (*^▽^*)