Shang Wu was stunned, her eyes widening slightly.

Through the thin sugar coating, she felt as if Lu Rang's lips had kissed her fingertips.

It has a warm and soft touch.

Shang Wu blushed instantly, as if her heart had been gently gripped by an invisible hand, giving rise to a rare and subtle feeling.

Lu Rang tasted the spicy and cool flavor of the mint candy and very slowly released Shang Wu.

"good."

He said, "I do feel better."

Shang Wu opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.

Her hands were coated with a light pink icing. The person had already left, but she remained standing there, stunned, unable to come to her senses for a long time.

Shang Wu only hurriedly went downstairs after Zhou Yanci sent her a message.

Lu Rang has disappeared without a trace.

She breathed a sigh of relief for no apparent reason, her burning fingertips curled slightly, and she perked up to follow Zhou Yanci to socialize.

On the way back, it was Shang Wu's turn to become absent-minded.

She couldn't resist picking up her bag and rummaging through it to find some mints.

Seeing her eating this again, Zhou Yanci chuckled: "Are you addicted to mints? I didn't know you had this hobby before, but I've been seeing you eating them a lot lately."

"Yeah, I've been under a lot of pressure lately, so I like to suck on this to stay awake," Shang Wu replied casually.

Zhou Yanci gave her a deep look: "You've worked so hard, Awu. You have no idea how chaotic the company has been since you took over the project team and then resigned. I haven't found the most suitable person for the project team yet, and it just so happens that you've been here these past few days..."

"I'm going to meet with a few fashion bloggers in the next few days to see if they're willing to do promotion for the branch."

Shang Wu interrupted him and then changed the subject: "By the way, my dad's closed treatment has ended, and I'm planning to rent a house and bring my parents to live with me."

Zhou Yanci's eyes sparkled.

He stopped the car and said softly, "I was just about to tell you this. Uncle's health is very weak, so it would be best if he stayed in the nursing home for a while longer. We've all been quite busy lately, so once your branch office is more stable, we can bring him and Auntie back together, okay?"

Shang Wu pursed her lips and remained silent, her gaze gradually darkening.

Zhou Yanci truly lives up to his name.

He was able to beat out others and stand out to become the heir of Chengzhou Group back then; his mind was exceptionally meticulous.

Even if she seems extremely loyal and devoted to Zhou Yanci, Zhou Yanci still needs to keep her parents under control, just in case.

"Awu, don't worry. Once Uncle is fully recovered, we will immediately take him and Aunt to the Zhou family home so that both families can sit down and discuss the wedding date."

Zhou Yanci got out of the car and opened the passenger door for her.

Shang Wu slowly exhaled, calmed her emotions, and revealed a subtle smile.

"Okay, I'll do as you say."

She pretended not to see Zhou Yanci's outstretched hand and walked directly towards her front door.

Zhou Yanci walked to the door, intending to follow him inside.

Shang Wu turned around and grabbed the doorknob, blocking him outside: "I'll find the company's legal team myself, so you don't need to worry about it. Thank you for bringing me back. Good night."

As soon as she finished speaking, she closed the door, shutting Zhou Yanci out.

Zhou Yanci stood outside, raising her eyebrows slightly.

He could sense that Shang Wu's attitude had become somewhat cold.

Is it because she's unhappy that her parents can't be picked up in time?

As Zhou Yanci turned to go down the steps, her cell phone rang in her pocket.

He took out his phone and saw a message from Chenmian.

Why are you going to the party with Shang Wu again? You said you were breaking up with her soon, so why are you bringing her into public again?

【Ah Ci, I'm following you now without any official status or recognition, all because I love you. I'm willing to sacrifice everything—my reputation and innocence—I can't let you down.】

This time, I absolutely refuse to be separated from you, and you're not allowed to leave me!

The message from the dormant man started as aggrieved accusations, but eventually became increasingly forceful.

Between the lines, there is a palpable sense of urgency, a fear of losing what is being lost.

Zhou Yanci felt a surge of irritation after reading the message.

Since getting back together, Chenmian seems like a completely different person.

She doesn't look as pitiful as before.

Zhou Yanci initially wanted to force Chen Mian to return, but seeing her desperate pleas in front of him, her obsession had completely vanished.

He had thought that his first love, whom he had once been smitten with, had returned to China for him, and that getting her back was what he truly wanted. But now…

Zhou Yanci glanced back at the apartment.

The curtains on the living room's French windows were closed, and there were vague figures moving around inside. It was clear that Shang Wu was going to the kitchen to get a drink of water.

He slowly frowned, then walked into the night without looking back.

In the living room.

Shang Wu held her water glass, drinking as she opened Lu Rang's chat window.

Can we meet at Dingfeng tomorrow?

Two minutes later, Lu Rang replied: 【No.】

Their conversation was so natural that it was as if they hadn't even talked about eating candy.

Or perhaps Shang Wu is overthinking things, imbuing the action with too many inappropriate connotations, which is why she feels there's an unnatural ambiguity about it.

Shang Wu seemed lost in thought, gripping her phone tightly.

She didn't understand why Lu Rang's refusal was so resolute this time.

...

The next day.

Shang Wu still went to Dingfeng.

After all, Yan Yue said that Lu Rang's approach of being persistent and shameless should work.

She went to the front desk.

"I'm looking for Lu Rang."

The receptionist pointed upstairs.

"Do you have an appointment in the office?"

Shang Wu smiled and said, "No, can I call Lu Rang? He should let me go up directly."

The receptionist looked at her in surprise and pushed the landline over.

Shang Wu made a phone call: "Attorney Lu, I'd like to come up to you now, is that convenient for you?"

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