Chapter 213 Jealousy

Shang Wu answered the phone, her tone cheerful: "Hi, Mark, yes, I just saw the email and was just about to reply to you..."

She was engrossed in talking about work with the other person, unaware that Lu Rang was glued to the romantic movie on TV. Her expression gradually darkened.

Especially when she heard the man's enthusiastic and even slightly solicitous voice on the other end of the phone, and then thought about the chat history she had seen during the day.

Lu Rang held back for two minutes with cold eyes, then suddenly reached out and began to make some restless little moves.

He first gently pinched Shang Wu's earlobe, and when she didn't react, he lowered his head and his warm lips brushed against her neck.

Shang Wu was ticklish, so she instinctively shrank her neck and covered the microphone with her hand.

She whispered to Lu Rang, "Stop fooling around, I'm on the phone."

Looking at her slightly flushed cheeks, Lu Rang felt a surge of jealousy mixed with mischievous thoughts.

Instead of stopping, he intensified his efforts, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her even closer into his embrace.

Shang Wu had no choice but to switch hands to hold the phone and push him with the other.

Lu Rang grabbed her hand, his tone ambiguous and languid, "Awu, I've been taking a bath for ages, how much longer are you going to chat?"

His voice was deep and magnetic, carrying a clear hint.

Mark on the other end of the phone had obviously heard this, and his words faltered instantly. He paused for several seconds before saying somewhat awkwardly, "Shang Wu, you seem to be a bit busy? Shall we talk another time?"

Shang Wu's face turned completely red.

She was both embarrassed and annoyed, and quickly said into the microphone, "Sorry, Mark, let's schedule a time to talk in detail next time. Goodbye."

Shang Wu hurriedly hung up the phone. Before she could even confront Lu Rang, she was suddenly flipped over and pinned to the sofa.

What are you doing?

Shang Wu shoved his shoulder angrily, "I'm talking about serious business. People will misunderstand if you say things like that."

Lu Rang looked down at her, his eyes dark, filled with possessiveness and a hint of grievance: "Does it really take this long to talk about serious business? Was he laughing so loudly on the phone? The whole building could hear him. And besides, he used to pursue you?"

Shang Wu was surprised that he had seen the chat history and kept it in mind. She said helplessly, "That was so many years ago. He just said it casually. Besides, I only contacted him for work. You heard the whole thing."

"Even work is not an option."

Lu Rang bit her lip domineeringly, the force not strong, but with a hint of punishment.

"I don't like the way he talks to you."

His hand gently caressed her waist, sending a shiver down her spine.

"You stingy, jealous brat!" Shang Wu glared at him, but her voice trembled slightly because of his touch.

"It's just vinegar."

Lu Rang, feeling perfectly justified, lowered his head and kissed her.

...

This night belongs to the ambiguity and intimacy between lovers.

...

The next day.

Sunlight streamed gently through the sheer curtains, illuminating the large bed in the bedroom.

Shang Wu was fast asleep in Lu Rang's warm embrace, her cheeks still flushed with the lingering blush of last night's intimacy.

Suddenly, a rapid cell phone ring broke the silence.

Shang Wu groggily reached for her phone on the bedside table, her eyes not yet fully open.

Lu Rang was awakened by her movements, frowned in displeasure, stretched out his long arm, and grabbed the phone before she could.

Cheng Zhou's name was displayed on the screen.

Lu Rang raised an eyebrow, his expression instantly turning cold.

He answered the call without hesitation, not even giving Shang Wu time to react, his voice hoarse from just waking up and filled with undisguised displeasure.

"What's up?"

Cheng Zhou, on the other end of the phone, was clearly surprised that Lu Rang answered. He paused for several seconds before stammering, "Why is it you? Where's A-Wu?"

"She's still sleeping." Lu Rang's tone was icy, with an air of dismissal. "Get to the point if you have something to say, otherwise I'm hanging up."

"Well, it's nothing serious..." Cheng Zhou's voice sounded a little guilty. "I just developed a new matcha mousse and wanted to invite A-Wu over to try it and give me some feedback."

here we go again.

It's dessert again.

Lu Rang was about to reprimand her coldly when he felt Shang Wu in his arms stir.

Shang Wu opened her sleepy eyes and met Lu Rang's disapproving gaze.

She blinked, seemingly understanding what was going on. Instead of getting angry, she looked at him with clear, bright eyes, a hint of sleepiness in them.

The harsh words that Lu Rang was about to say were instantly swallowed back, and the jealousy and anger in his heart strangely dissipated by more than half.

He took a deep breath and said coldly into the phone, "Awu has an important interview today and is busy. Is the food ready? I'll come over and try it."

"Huh? You, you come here?" Cheng Zhou's tone sounded a little disappointed and a little scared.

"What? Not welcome?" Lu Rang raised an eyebrow.

"Welcome! Of course you're welcome!" Cheng Zhou dared not say no.

After all, Lu Rang will most likely be his brother-in-law in the future.

After hanging up the phone, Lu Rang tossed it back onto the bedside table and pinched Shang Wu's cheek in annoyance.

"Satisfied now? All you know is how to help him."

He knew from just one glance that Shang Wu meant to avoid being hostile to Cheng Zhou.

Shang Wu smiled and snuggled into his arms: "Cheng Zhou isn't a bad person. His sister Yi Ting is quite sincere. You should try it and give her your opinion."

Lu Rang didn't say anything, which was taken as an agreement.

After getting up and washing up, he first took Shang Wu to the studio, and then turned around and went to the restaurant.

It was during the morning's off-peak hours, and there weren't many customers in the restaurant.

Cheng Zhou, dressed in a pristine white chef's uniform, was intently decorating cakes behind the counter in the open kitchen.

The warm yellow light shone on his serious profile. His fingers were nimble, his movements fluid and graceful, striving for perfection in every detail.

Lu Rang narrowed his eyes and watched quietly.

Cheng Zhou's focus on what he loves and the confident glow he exudes are indeed quite charming.

He watched quietly for a while.

When Cheng Zhou looked up, he saw Lu Rang with a cold and aloof aura, and was so startled that he almost threw the piping bag away.

The few customers sitting in the store also sensed the oppressive atmosphere and hurriedly paid their bills and left.

"Lu Rang, why didn't you say anything when you arrived?" Cheng Zhou put down what he was holding and walked over.

Lu Rang glanced at the mostly empty restaurant and said coldly, "What kind of magic do your desserts have that can scare away all the customers?"

Cheng Zhou: "..."

It's all because you look like you're here to cause trouble!

He muttered under his breath, "You look like you've just been released from prison and are here to settle scores with your enemies."

Lu Rang gave him a cold look, and Cheng Zhou immediately shut up, making a zipping motion with his mouth.

"Where's the stuff?" Lu Rang was too lazy to waste words with him and went straight to a booth to sit down.

Cheng Zhou quickly brought over the exquisite matcha mousse and watched him taste it with great care.

Lu Rang took a sip and, objectively speaking, the flavor was rich and layered, the matcha aroma was strong and refreshing, and the sweetness was just right—it was impeccable.

But he only gave a curt comment: "It's alright."

Cheng Zhou breathed a sigh of relief; as long as no one said it tasted bad, that was fine.

He hesitated for a moment, then moved closer to sit opposite Lu Rang, looking as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.

"Is there anything else?" Lu Rang put down the small spoon and looked at him.

Cheng Zhou asked, "Besides not liking things that are too sweet, what other flavors does Sister You like? Or is there anything she particularly likes? I'd like to make more and send it to her."

Lu Rang looked at his cautious yet expectant expression and remained silent for a moment.

He leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the window, seemingly lost in some memory, his tone calm and devoid of emotion.

“Lu You was adopted by my father when she was very young. My mother has a mental state problem because of some things. Seeing Lu You always reminds her of some sad memories, so they are not close.”

Cheng Zhou was stunned; he hadn't expected to hear such inside information.

"Lu You is very smart and ambitious. She knows her place and has always been exceptionally low-key since childhood. She studies hard and never causes trouble for her family."

"Later, she went to school and built her own investment company on her own. She did well, but she didn't flaunt it."

Lu Rang finished speaking, then turned back, his gaze sharp as he looked at Cheng Zhou, carrying a clear warning.

“She’s not a hothouse flower that needs to be pampered. She’s been through far more than you can imagine, Cheng Zhou. I don’t know if you’re just being whimsical or something else.”

"But I'm warning you, if you're just playing around, or if you're as fickle as you were with Shang Wu before, stay away from her as soon as possible. She doesn't have time for you, and she doesn't need to play this kind of game with you."

Lu Rang's words were like a bucket of cold water, chilling Cheng Zhou to the bone.

He opened his mouth, wanting to refute, wanting to say that he was serious.

But under Lu Rang's all-seeing gaze, all words seemed pale and powerless.

Cheng Zhou lowered his head and looked at the exquisite matcha mousse on the table.

For the first time, he felt so clearly that there seemed to be a real difference between him and Lu You.

Seeing his preoccupied look, Lu Rang didn't say anything more and stood up.

"Put the cost of the dessert on my tab."

After saying that, he turned and left the restaurant.

Cheng Zhou sat alone in front of the dessert, lost in a long silence and deep thought.

Lu Rang returned to the law firm, and Shang Wu called him.

"How are you? Nothing happened to you?"

Shang Wu sounded quite worried, as if she was afraid that Lu Rang would bully Cheng Zhou.

Lu Rang said helplessly, "I'm not going to eat him."

“…I’m afraid you’ll hit him.” Shang Wu changed the subject. “Sister You just said that she’s going on a business trip tomorrow and will come by on her way. She told me not to tell Cheng Zhou.”

Lu Rang paused, and his displeasure vanished instantly.

He didn't interfere with their contact, but deep down he didn't want Cheng Zhou to get involved with them.

How steadfast can someone who suddenly appears out of nowhere and has a past crush on Shang Wu be in his love for his sister?

Fortunately, his sister had already made a point of distancing herself from Cheng Zhou.

Lu Rang smiled slightly.

"I'll pick you up from get off work later."

at the same time.

Lu You had already arrived in Yecheng ahead of time.

She pulled her suitcase and went straight into the Day and Night Restaurant.