Chapter 188 Taking him home for the night?
A soothing piano melody played in the café.
Chen Chunzhi stirred the coffee in his cup, his eyes constantly fixed on Shang Wu, but his smile carried a hint of probing.
"Are you free tonight? A few friends are organizing a get-together, it'll be fun, wanna go join us? Let's relax."
Shang Wu wanted to refuse almost immediately.
She now has no interest in any noisy occasions and just wants to bury herself in her work or lick her wounds alone.
"No, thank you, but I have design drafts to finish tonight." Shang Wu took a sip of coffee and politely declined.
Anyone could see that she simply didn't want to drink with Chen Chunzhi.
A perfectly timed look of disappointment crossed Chen Chunzhi's face, then, as if remembering something, his tone became more serious.
"Don't be so quick to refuse. Actually, yesterday was my birthday, and I didn't even get to celebrate properly. I drove all night to come see you, so please do me a favor?"
Shang Wu paused slightly.
It's indeed difficult to refuse directly using birthday as a reason.
However, driving all night made her realize that this place was really too far from Lincheng.
Even though it seems like it's only separated by Wanhu Lake, it actually takes five hours to get there by highway.
Has she unknowingly drifted so far away from Lu Rang?
Seeing that her expression softened, Chen Chunzhi pressed his advantage, leaning forward slightly and lowering his voice: "Besides, I've heard some news about the Yu family and your former company in Lincheng. Do you want to know?"
The Yu family.
These two words were like a key, instantly unlocking the door to Shang Wu's heart that she had tried so hard to close.
She unconsciously tightened her grip on the cup.
I know I shouldn't, and I know that hearing any more news about him will only cause me trouble.
But that unyielding attachment grew wildly, constantly assaulting her reason.
Shang Wu desperately wanted to know how he was doing.
Even if it's just a few words overheard by someone else.
Shang Wu lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes concealing the turbulent emotions surging within them.
She was silent for a few seconds before she heard her own dry voice.
"...What news?"
Chen Chunzhi watched her subtle reaction, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
He laughed and said, "How about we chat at a bar tonight? Consider it my birthday celebration?"
Shang Wu struggled internally for a moment, but reason reminded her not to inquire about Lu Rang anymore.
In the end, she couldn't resist the temptation.
The last time I heard about Lu Rang's situation, I knew he was doing well, and I could finally give up on him.
Shang Wu nodded with difficulty: "...Okay."
…
night.
The music at the Labyrinth Bar was deafening.
Shang Wu sat in the corner of a booth, completely out of place with the festive atmosphere around her.
She almost held her breath as she listened to Chen Chunzhi raise his voice amidst the noise.
"Lu Rang is indeed impressive!"
Chen Chunzhi's tone carried a mixture of forced admiration and resentment, "You... oh no, it's his company now. After he took over, he swiftly reorganized it, and I heard that the performance has not only not declined but has actually improved, even better than before."
Shang Wu felt as if something had struck her heart, and a strange sense of comfort seeped through the bitterness.
He's doing well, and the company is doing well too.
That's good.
However, Chen Chunzhi's next words were immediately tinged with anger.
"But this guy is really vengeful and shows no mercy whatsoever!"
Chen Chunzhi complained, taking a sip of his drink, "The project that my family and you were working on before, he cut it off the moment he took over, without saying a word! The losses were considerable."
Shang Wu frowned, looked up at him, and hesitated before asking, "Chop it up?"
"Yes, the project is clearly sound and profitable, but I think he's only after me, because of what happened back then..."
Chen Chunzhi shut his mouth before he could finish speaking.
But the meaning is self-evident.
Because he was chasing after Shang Wu, Lu Rang mistakenly thought he was the one Shang Wu was cheating on.
Shang Wu's face paled slightly.
I see.
He not only hated her, but also sought to retaliate against anyone even remotely connected to her.
In his world, she who betrayed him, and everyone she knew, should be wiped out.
Shang Wu took another sip of wine, her mind a jumble.
She thought of her mother's dying confession.
Thinking of Lu Rang's cold hatred and the infidelity he had to bear helplessly.
And then there's the ending where she and Lu Rang can never be together.
Emotions surged like a burst dam, overwhelming Shang Wu's taut nerves.
She picked up the wine glass on the table, tilted her head back, and drank it all in one gulp.
Shang Wu couldn't help coughing; the spicy liquid burned her throat, making her feel very uncomfortable.
She saw that Chen Chunzhi seemed to still be saying something, but his voice had become indistinct and distant.
Shang Wu shook her head, signaling him to be quiet and that she needed some peace and quiet.
Soon, several of Chen Chunzhi's friends arrived, bringing gifts to wish him a happy birthday. They were all curious about the woman drinking alone next to him.
Chen Chunzhi sent his friend away and sat down next to Shang Wu for a long time before finally letting out a sigh.
"This is still the least lively birthday I've ever had. Shang Wu, you're such a troublemaker."
Shang Wu paid no attention to what the people around her were saying.
After an unknown period of time, she began to feel dizzy, and everything around her seemed to be spinning.
"I...I'm going back."
She stood up, supporting herself on the table, her body swaying slightly.
Chen Chunzhi tried to help her up, but she gently pushed him away.
Shang Wu insisted that she had called a designated driver herself and refused Chen Chunzhi's escort.
It was already late at night when I returned to the quiet street where the studio was located.
A gentle evening breeze stirred the effects of the alcohol.
Shang Wu's steps became even more unsteady.
She carried her bag, walking slowly forward, head down, fumbling for the keys in her bag, wanting only to quickly return to that little space where she could hide.
However, just as she was about to reach the door, she suddenly stopped.
Under the moonlight and streetlights, a tall figure stood in front of the studio.
The man, dressed in a black suit, stood in the shadows, almost blending into the night, exuding a cold and oppressive aura.
His face was obscured by shadows and could not be clearly seen.
Shang Wu felt as if struck by lightning, his blood almost freezing in his veins.
Her drunkenness dissipated somewhat from the shock.
Lu Rang.
How did he end up here?
Shangwu quickened its pace.
Lu Rang stood still, watching her stagger and unsteady her steps as she approached.
The strong smell of alcohol drifted in on the night breeze, mixed with a faint scent of roses emanating from her.
Lu Rang's eyes darkened almost immediately.
She was so drunk.
And it was just one person.
What about Chen Chunzhi? Did he just let her come back drunk and all by herself?
An unnamed fire ignited.
Lu Rang was already in a bad mood because he saw Shang Wu and Chen Chunzhi together.
Seeing her drunken state now, I felt an urge to immediately pull her over and ask her what had happened.
He suppressed the surging gloom in his heart and strode out of the shadows.
Shang Wu's eyes were misty. Her gaze lingered on his face for a moment, and then she suddenly laughed.
Her cheeks were flushed, with a drunken, dazed look and an unusual excitement.
This is completely different from her usual aloofness or feigned strength.
Lu Rang frowned slightly and stood a meter away from Shang Wu.
"why are you laughing."
Shang Wu didn't answer, but staggered forward a step, almost crashing into his arms.
She tilted her head back, extended her slender fingertips, and pointed vaguely at his face, her voice indistinct.
"you……"
Lu Rang froze, staring intently at her: "What?"
Shang Wu's voice was thick with a nasal tone: "Huh? You, you look just like the person I like..."
Lu Rang's movement to grab her froze in mid-air.
Shang Wu seemed oblivious to his increasingly dangerous gaze, continuing to laugh to herself and even boldly moving closer.
Her breath reeked of alcohol: "Handsome, are you alone? Want to come inside with me? I'll let you stay the night."
Shang Wu's tone was as if she were coaxing a stray cat, and she even tried to tug at his sleeve.
"Shang, Wu".
Lu Rang brushed her hand away, his voice icy with a hint of humiliation.
"Look carefully, you really don't know who I am?"
She actually extended such an invitation to a complete stranger?
How many men has she done this with during this period of time?
Shang Wu strained to open her eyes wide, scrutinizing Lu Rang's extremely gloomy face.
After looking at it for several seconds, she suddenly realized and nodded emphatically.
"I see."
Shang Wu's tone became aggrieved, tinged with a hint of loneliness.
"You are Lu Rang."
The moment she uttered that name, large tears fell without warning.
Lu Rang was taken aback, then pinched her chin, his tone softening slightly: "So, you're inviting me, inviting Lu Rang to spend the night?"
Their eyes met.
He had a faint hope.
Shang Wu suddenly covered her mouth, her expression changed, she quickly pushed him away, staggered to the nearby trash can, bent over and vomited violently.
Lu Rang wanted to step forward to support her, but stopped abruptly halfway through his outstretched hand.
He watched her painful vomiting in the moonlight and suddenly felt that the scene was familiar.
The blurry, fragmented images suddenly struck his mind.
It seems like a similar scene happened a long time ago.
She was also drunk, and he was holding her chin, asking her if she knew who he was.
In the end, it seems he didn't just stand there and watch coldly.
What is it?
Lu Rang frowned, trying hard to think, but suddenly his head started to ache.
The blurry image vanished instantly, leaving only a chaotic blank space and the drunken woman before him.
Just then, a soft creaking sound was heard.
The studio door was opened from the inside.
Ah Ying peeked out.
"President Shang? Is that you back? I think I heard a voice..."
Her words trailed off as her gaze fell in astonishment on the cold, aloof figure of the man standing at the doorway.
Lu Rang suddenly woke up.
All the chaotic thoughts suddenly ceased.
He glanced at Shang Wu, who was vomiting uncontrollably, and walked out of the alley without looking back.
The Lexus sped away and disappeared into the thick of the night.
Ah Ying was still in a daze.
She couldn't see the man's face clearly, but his silhouette and aura... were so similar!
Without thinking twice, Aying rushed over to help the exhausted Shangwu up.
"Mr. Shang, how are you? Why did you drink so much?"
Shang Wu leaned against her, her face pale and tears still clinging to the corners of her eyes.
Her consciousness was fading, and she murmured unconsciously, "Lu Rang..."
Aying struggled to support her, looking in the direction the car had disappeared, her heart filled with lingering fear and confusion.
Lu Rang? That's impossible.
How did he end up here?
Aying kicked open the studio door and led her to the rest area on the second floor.
Shang Wu was completely drunk and let A Ying help her take a bath. In the end, she fell into a deep sleep in the bathtub.
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