Looking at Shang Wu, he suddenly realized that perhaps their relationship wasn't as bad as he had imagined.

Just then, Shang Wu's phone rang.

She glanced at the caller ID, her expression changed slightly, and said to Lu Rang, "I'll go answer this call."

Lu Rang nodded and watched her walk into the yard to answer the phone. He noticed her brows furrowing and her complexion worsening, and a bad feeling suddenly crept into his heart.

After a while, Shang Wu hung up the phone, walked into the living room, and said to Lu Rang, "I have something to do and I have to go out for a bit. If you don't have anything else, you can go back first."

"What happened?" Lu Rang quickly stood up. "I'll go with you."

"No need, I can go by myself." Shang Wu said, picking up the folder and walking towards the door.

Lu Rang watched her retreating figure, his heart filled with worry.

He wanted to follow her, but he was afraid she would be unhappy.

Just as he hesitated, Lu Zheng spoke up: "Don't follow her. She doesn't want you to follow her. Even if you do, it won't make a difference."

Lu Rang stood there, watching Shang Wu's figure disappear through the doorway.

...

For the next few days, Lu Rang continued to visit the old house every day. Sometimes he brought documents, sometimes fruit, and sometimes he simply stood in the yard, watching Shang Wu's busy figure in the study from afar.

Shang Wu's attitude towards him gradually softened. She no longer chatted with him about the dock business occasionally or invited him to stay for dinner, unlike before.

That evening, Lu Rang stayed at the old house for dinner.

At the dinner table, Lu Zheng didn't say much, only occasionally putting food on Shang Wu's plate.

As Lu Rang watched this scene, he suddenly remembered that his relationship with Lu Zheng hadn't always been this bad.

However, their relationship deteriorated later due to family issues.

After dinner, Shang Wu went to the study to handle some work, and Lu Rang offered to help.

Shang Wu hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

In the study, the two sat at the desk, looking at information about the dock together.

The light fell on them, and as Lu Rang looked at Shang Wu's serious profile, a sudden impulse welled up in his heart.

He wanted to reach out and hug her, apologize to her, and explain everything to her.

Just as he was about to take action, Shang Wu suddenly looked up at him and said, "Lu Rang, there's something I want to talk to you about."

Lu Rang's heart tightened, and he quickly withdrew his hand, looking at her: "Go on."

"About the child." Shang Wu's voice was calm, but with a slight, almost imperceptible tremor. "I know you mean well, but I still can't let go right away."

Lu Rang's heart sank. He knew that this was the biggest rift between him and Shang Wu.

He looked at Shang Wu, his eyes filled with guilt: "A-Wu, I'm sorry, I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have made the decision without discussing it with you. Please give me another chance, okay?"

Shang Wu felt terrible seeing the guilt in his eyes.

She understood Lu Rang's actions, but she couldn't let go of the fact that her child was gone.

"I need time." She remained silent for a long time before finally saying this, "I need time to process this, and I also need time to get to know you again."

Upon hearing this, Lu Rang felt a glimmer of hope.

He knew that as long as Shang Wu was willing to give him a chance, things hadn't reached the worst point.

“Okay.” He looked at Shang Wu, his eyes filled with determination. “I will wait for you, no matter how long it takes.”

That night, when Lu Rang left the old house, his steps were much lighter.

He knew that his relationship with Shang Wu had finally made some progress.

Although the road ahead is long, he is confident that he can reach the end.

Meanwhile, in a hotel in a neighboring city, Lin Ruan was looking at a photo on her computer screen, a cold smile playing on her lips.

She picked up her phone and dialed a number: "Wait a little longer. We'll make our move once Shang Wu has completely trusted Lu Rang and their relationship has improved."

"When the time comes, I will ruin their reputations and make them pay the price for my cousin's death."

A deep voice came from the other end of the phone: "Okay, I'll do as you say."

Lin Ruan hung up the phone, looked at the photo on the computer screen, and a ruthless glint flashed in her eyes.

She knew that this game had only just begun.

Night falls.

On the night Shang Wu said it would take time, Lu Rang stood under the sycamore tree at the entrance of the old house for a long time.

The wind swirled fallen leaves onto his shoulders, but he didn't feel cold at all.

Compared to his previous indifference and aloofness, he could see a glimmer of hope in Shang Wu's softened attitude.

From then on, Lu Rang's reasons for going to the old house became more legitimate.

Instead of forcing his way in with the documents, he sent a message to Shang Wu in advance.

[Ah Wu, I've compiled the contract details with the dock partner. Shall we go over and review them this afternoon?]

"You mentioned yesterday that you wanted to eat roasted chestnuts from the south of the city, so I just happened to buy some on my way here. Shall I bring them over now?"

Shang Wu would usually reply "okay", and occasionally say "I'm a bit busy today, maybe tomorrow", but no matter what, she never deliberately avoided him again.

That afternoon, when Lu Rang took the contract to the old house, Shang Wu was drawing on the stone table in the courtyard.

The sunlight stretched her shadow long, and the pencil in her hand moved quickly across the paper, occasionally pausing to frown as she gazed at the distant dock.

"What are you looking at?"