Chapter 259 Finding a way to get close
Why are you here?
Shang Wu's voice was calm, without surprise or resistance.
She simply placed her pen on the blueprints, her gaze fixed on the documents in his arms.
"I heard you're looking for a parking lot renovation team."
Lu Rang placed the documents on the corner of his desk, his fingers still slightly warm.
“I have worked with these companies before, and their project schedules and quality are guaranteed. If you think they are suitable, I can help you arrange a meeting with them.”
Shang Wu picked up the top document, ran her fingertip over the photos of the construction cases, and said without looking up, "Thank you, I'll take a look first, and I'll contact you again if I need anything."
Her tone was too polite, as if she were talking to an ordinary business partner.
Lu Rang stood by the table, not leaving, his gaze fixed on her fingers clutching the documents.
Those hands used to always hook around his wrist, and in winter they would get so cold that he would always put them in his coat pocket to keep them warm.
"Have you been sleeping well lately?" He hesitated for a long time before finally asking the question, his voice very soft, as if afraid of disturbing something.
Shang Wu paused in her page-turning motion, then finally looked up at him.
Her eyes were clear, and she could see the caution in his eyes, but she didn't expose it. She simply said, "It's fine. The old house is quiet and suitable for resting."
"Did the kitchen make soup? Lu Zheng looks cold, he probably won't forget to have the kitchen make soup for you."
Lu Rang then started another topic.
Before, the two of them could stay together without feeling awkward even if they didn't talk, but now they have to rack their brains to find things to talk about.
"It's stewed. Uncle Zhang brought a bowl to the study." Shang Wu pointed to the thermos on the corner of the table. "I haven't had a chance to drink it yet."
Lu Rang looked in the direction she was pointing: "Shall I heat it up for you? Where's the microwave in the old house? I'll go get it."
"No need, it'll cool down in a bit and be ready to drink." Shang Wu said, reaching for the thermos, but Lu Rang snatched it away first.
"I'll do it."
He opened the lid of the thermos, and a rich aroma of chicken soup wafted out.
Lu Rang stirred it with a spoon to make sure the temperature was just right before handing the thermos to her, saying, "Be careful, it's hot."
Shang Wu took the thermos and took a sip.
The chicken soup was stewed until very soft and tender, with a hint of medicinal fragrance, just like the taste she used to enjoy.
Lu Rang didn't say anything more, just stood there watching her drink the soup.
The sunlight fell on her profile, making her eyelashes appear very long.
He suddenly realized that even just quietly watching her was much better than sitting anxiously in the law firm.
Shang Wu drank about half a bowl, then closed the thermos and put it back on the corner of the table.
"Thank you. I'll contact you after I've reviewed the information. If you're free, you can head back now."
The order to leave came unexpectedly.
Lu Rang's heart sank, but he didn't refute it; he simply nodded.
"If you have any questions, feel free to call me anytime. I'll always be here for you."
He walked slowly, and even looked back once he reached the door.
Shang Wu had already lowered her head to look at the documents again, her expression very gentle.
He clenched his fist, but ultimately closed the door gently and left.
As soon as Lu Rang entered the living room, he bumped into Lu Zheng, who had put down his newspaper with a hint of mockery in his eyes.
"Finished talking? Didn't get kicked out?"
Lu Rang ignored him and walked straight to the door.
"Lu Rang".
Lu Zheng suddenly called out to him, "Don't let her suffer any more grievances."
Lu Rang stopped in his tracks, his back stiffened, but he didn't turn around. He simply pushed open the door and walked out.
Back at the law firm, Lu You was waiting for him in his office. Seeing him return, she smiled and asked, "How did it go? Did you see A-Wu?"
"I saw her." Lu Rang sat on the sofa and rubbed his temples. "She's still the same, very polite to me."
"What's the rush?" Lu You handed him a cup of coffee. "It's already very good that you're allowed in and we can talk to you for a bit. Take it slow, things will get better."
Lu Rang took a sip of coffee.
He knew Lu You was right, but he couldn't help missing her and wanted to hold her in his arms right away and explain everything to her.
The next morning, Lu Rang took a plane to the old house again.
This time he didn't bring any documents, but instead carried a bag of fresh strawberries.
Yesterday, he passed by a fruit shop and saw that the strawberries looked very fresh, which reminded him that Shang Wu used to love eating them.
He had just reached the door when he saw Shang Wu returning from outside, holding a folder in her hand, probably having just come back from the dock.
"Ah Wu." He went up to her and handed her the strawberries. "I saw that the strawberries were very fresh, so I bought some for you."
Shang Wu stared at the strawberries in his hand, paused for a moment, and then took them: "Thank you. Why are you here again?"
"I..." Lu Rang scratched his head and made an excuse, "I just came to check on things. Did you just come back from the dock? How was the situation there?"
"Not bad, the talks with the shipping company went smoothly." Shang Wu said, walking towards the old house. "If you're free, come in and sit for a while."
Lu Rang's eyes lit up slightly, and he quickly followed her inside.
In the living room, Lu Zheng was reading a newspaper. When he saw Lu Rang follow Shang Wu in, his expression darkened, but he didn't say anything.
Shang Wu placed the strawberries on the coffee table and said to Lu Rang, "Sit for a while, I'm going to wash my hands."
"Okay." Lu Rang sat on the sofa, feeling uncomfortable all over, especially under Lu Zheng's gaze.
After washing her hands, Shang Wu picked up a strawberry and handed it to Lu Rang: "Try it, it's very sweet."
Lu Rang took the strawberry and put it in his mouth.
The strawberries were indeed very sweet, so sweet that they warmed his heart.
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 the 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?"
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