Chapter 230 Shameless Demand
upstairs.
Just as Shang Wu finished her discussion with A Ying about Qi Yanhe and was trying to refocus her attention on the design draft, her phone rang.
The caller ID showed an unfamiliar number, but the last few digits were quite fancy.
She answered the call with a puzzled look.
"Is this designer Shang Wu?" came an elegant yet authoritative female voice from the other end of the phone. "I am Cheng Zhou's mother."
Shang Wu's heart skipped a beat.
Mrs. Cheng? Why would she suddenly call? Is she apologizing for Cheng Keke's repeated offenses, or...?
She responded politely, "Hello, Mrs. Cheng, I am Shang Wu."
"I apologize for disturbing you." Madam Cheng's voice was unreadable. "After you finish your work this afternoon, would you do me the honor of having afternoon tea with me? I have already made a reservation."
Her tone was inviting, yet it carried a forceful quality that was hard to refuse.
Shang Wu pondered for a moment, thinking about Cheng Zhou's relationship with him, and perhaps he could take this opportunity to ease the tension with the Cheng family.
She agreed: "Mrs. Cheng, you're too kind. It's my honor."
In the afternoon, Shang Wu arrived at the appointment on time.
The rooftop garden restaurant boasts a luxurious ambiance and stunning views.
Madam Cheng has arrived, dressed elegantly, adorned with tasteful jewelry, and with exquisite makeup.
Upon seeing Shang Wu, she flashed an impeccable social smile.
However, what happened next completely exceeded Shang Wu's expectations.
Madam Cheng made no mention of Cheng Keke's various misdeeds. Instead, she warmly invited Shang Wu to order, and he ordered only the most expensive and exquisite dishes and snacks on the menu.
During the meal, she kept praising Shang Wu's designs, and even made a phone call on the spot to the editor-in-chief of a top domestic fashion magazine whom she knew, strongly recommending Shang Wu and saying that she wanted to do a feature article about her.
"Editor-in-Chief Li, I've discovered a gem of a designer! You absolutely must promote her... Yes, it's Shang Wu. Her designs are incredibly inspired..."
Mrs. Cheng smiled and chatted on the other end of the phone, as if Shang Wu were a junior she was trying her best to promote.
Shang Wu was taken aback by this sudden "favor" and could only thank him repeatedly, but she felt increasingly strange.
This doesn't look like a tea party for a daughter to apologize.
Sure enough, after several rounds of drinks and dishes, Madam Cheng changed the subject, sighed softly, and a hint of sadness appeared in her eyes as she began to reminisce about the past:
"Designer Shang, to be honest, I really envy you young people who are so successful and full of energy. Unlike me, I'm getting old... sigh, especially after having Coco, my health has deteriorated even more."
She stroked the rim of the teacup, her gaze unfocused, as if lost in memories: "When I was pregnant with Coco, I suffered terribly. I had severe morning sickness and was bedridden for seven months, receiving hundreds of injections to prevent miscarriage. It was only with great difficulty that I finally gave birth to her safely. At that time, her father's career was on the rise, and he was extremely busy. I was the one who got through it all. So, inevitably, I spoiled her a bit more afterward, which made her a little temperamental..."
As she spoke, she even picked up a napkin and wiped away non-existent tears from the corners of her eyes.
Shang Wu listened quietly, but the alarm bells in her heart rang louder and louder.
They laid the groundwork with so many expensive meals, valuable connections, and even played the emotional card.
What exactly is Mrs. Cheng trying to do?
She put down her teacup, looked calmly at Madam Cheng, and decided to stop beating around the bush: "Madam Cheng, I am very grateful for your invitation today, the expense you spent, the introductions you made, and the intimate words you shared with me. But please, if you have anything to say, just say it directly."
Madam Cheng paused for a moment as she wiped her eyes, seemingly not expecting Shang Wu to be so direct.
She put down her napkin, and the sadness on her face quickly faded, replaced by a shrewd scrutiny.
She remained silent for a few seconds, then finally couldn't keep up the act anymore.
"Designer Shang is a smart man. So I won't beat around the bush."
Madam Cheng leaned forward slightly and lowered her voice, "Keke, that child, really knows she was wrong this time. Zhou'er hit her, and I also punished her severely. She was greatly affected and is now refusing to eat or drink at home, threatening to kill herself. I only have one daughter, and I really can't bear it."
She paused, observing Shang Wu's expression, and continued, "I know what she's doing is absurd and very unfair to you, but as her mother, I really can't bear to see her tormenting herself like this. Could you perhaps take a step back for now and stop preventing her from contacting Attorney Lu?"
Shang Wu thought she had misheard, so she looked up and stared at Madam Cheng in disbelief.
Mrs. Cheng said to herself, "Anyway, Attorney Lu only has you in his heart and will never look at her. She's just a child. She'll make a fuss after hitting a wall, but she'll naturally calm down. Please have pity on my heart as a mother."
After hearing these words, Shang Wu could hardly believe her ears.
She thought Mrs. Cheng would at least come to apologize or discipline her daughter, but she never expected that Mrs. Cheng would come to make her, the victim, back down and tacitly approve or even condone Cheng Keke harassing her fiancé? The reason given was that parents always have the same heart for their children.
Anger surged through him instantly from feeling insulted.
Shang Wu was so angry she almost burst out laughing!
She stood up abruptly, her voice trembling with emotion, but she still tried her best to maintain her last bit of politeness and composure: "Mrs. Cheng, I thought you called me here today to express your apology and resolve the issue, but I didn't expect you to make such a request."
Her gaze sharpened: "Miss Cheng Keke is no longer a child. She needs to take responsibility for her mistakes, instead of letting others repeatedly give in to her."
"My relationship with Lu Rang is not a bargaining chip to be used to negotiate or settle things peacefully. I'm sorry, but I absolutely cannot agree to this request. I will not entertain you."
After saying that, she stopped looking at Mrs. Cheng's face, which had instantly turned extremely ugly, picked up her bag, turned around and resolutely left the suffocating restaurant.
Behind them, they seemed to hear the sound of Mrs. Cheng angrily smashing a cup.
Shang Wu didn't turn around or pay any attention, and returned to her apartment with a belly full of anger.
She told Lu Rang what had happened that afternoon.
Lu Rang's face also darkened instantly. He hugged her and comforted her, "Don't be angry. It's not worth it for someone like that. If the Cheng family continues to act this way, we should just have less contact with them in the future."
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Lu Rang went to open the door, and standing outside was Cheng Zhou, who looked haggard and had a guilty look in his eyes.
“Lu Rang, A Wu…”
Cheng Zhou's voice was hoarse, clearly indicating that he was also extremely stressed.
"I'm here to apologize on behalf of my mom and Coco. I know everything that happened this afternoon. I'm so sorry, I really..."
Before he could finish speaking, a cold and sarcastic voice came from behind him.
"Apologize? What good is an apology? Your Cheng family really knows how to play the good cop! The elders come out to play the bad cop and put on a show, while the younger ones stay at home acting like they're going to die! What? You think our A-Wu is easy to bully? You think my brother is your Cheng Keke's toy, something you can touch whenever you want?"
Lu You walked in in a flurry of activity.
She heard about what happened that afternoon and came over specifically for that.
Cheng Zhou was stunned.
Lu You crossed her arms, her eyes slicing through Cheng Zhou like knives, her tone extremely sarcastic.
"Let me tell you, Cheng Zhou! Tell your precious little sister to give up on that idea as soon as possible! As long as I, Lu You, am alive, she can forget about getting even a step closer to my brother! She's a born troublemaker! A vixen! She has absolutely no shame..."
"Lu You! That's enough!" Cheng Zhou interrupted her abruptly, his suppressed emotions completely ignited by Lu You's extremely harsh words.
His eyes were red as he glared at Lu You, his voice trembling with emotion: "Yes! It's my sister's fault! It's my mother's fault for failing in parenting. I'll apologize a thousand times, ten thousand times on their behalf! But I didn't come here today to persuade A-Wu and A-Rang to compromise!"
Shang Wu frowned: "Don't make a sound..."
Before she could finish speaking, Cheng Zhou interrupted her: "I came here to discuss how to completely resolve this issue. I came here to tell you that I will send my sister abroad and I will keep an eye on her. Can you please stop saying such hurtful and offensive things?"
Cheng Zhou seemed to have been pushed to the limit, and blurted out, "Now I'm actually glad I didn't really end up with you! With your mouth and your unforgiving personality, who could stand you? I, Cheng Zhou, can't afford to serve you!"
Lu You's face turned deathly pale instantly, her eyes filled with shock and hurt.
She stared intently at Cheng Zhou, her lips trembling, but she couldn't utter a single word.
"Cheng Zhou! What nonsense are you spouting!" Lu Rang immediately shielded his sister behind him and angrily rebuked Cheng Zhou.
The situation instantly spiraled out of control!
Shang Wu was also stunned by Cheng Zhou's sudden outburst.
But looking at Cheng Zhou's pained and angry expression, and recalling what he had just said, she realized...
He came to solve the problem, not to exert pressure.
While Lu You's words were cathartic, they were undeniably hurtful to Cheng Zhou.
Caught in the middle, Cheng Zhou is under immense pressure from both his family and his own feelings, and he is on the verge of collapse.
Lu You was so angry that she trembled all over and turned to rush out.
Shang Wu quickly chased after him.
"Sister You! Wait a minute!" Shang Wu stopped Lu You, whose eyes were red and who was about to cry, in the corridor.
Then, she glanced back at the apartment entrance.
Cheng Zhou was equally agitated.
At this moment, it is not one side that needs to remain calm.
Shang Wu sighed, "Our affairs are none of your business. Don't let this hurt your relationship."
"Feelings? I have no feelings for him at all, didn't you hear? He'd rather not know me."
Lu You crossed her arms and rolled her eyes.
Shang Wu gave Cheng Zhou a wink, signaling him to show his appreciation.
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