The next morning, Shang Wu prepared to leave for her studio as usual.
However, when she pressed the car key, the familiar car did not respond at all, and even the headlights could not be turned on.
The battery is completely dead.
"Really..." Shang Wu sighed helplessly. It seems that he has been so busy lately that he has not even had time to maintain his car.
She checked the time and, not wanting to miss her appointment with Qi Yan that morning to discuss design details, had no choice but to call Lu Rang.
Lu Rang: "Wait where you are, I'll come and take you right away."
He arrived from the law firm in less than fifteen minutes.
Lu Rang carefully inspected Shang Wu's car and was only slightly relieved after confirming that it was just a battery problem.
"It's alright, I'll have my assistant contact a towing company to handle it. We'll take you to the studio first."
On the way, Lu Rang asked casually while driving, "Is the studio busy today? Did you have an appointment with a client?"
"Yes, I made an appointment with Mr. Qi to finalize the gemstone selection and setting details for the brooch." Shang Wu fastened her seatbelt and looked at the street scene rushing past the window.
Lu Rang tightened his grip on the steering wheel, but his tone remained calm: "Qi Yan really does everything himself when it comes to design."
Shang Wu sensed the subtle jealousy in his words and couldn't help but chuckle, reaching out to touch his arm.
"Alright, Attorney Lu, it's just work. I'll treat you well after this case is finished."
The car came to a smooth stop downstairs at the studio.
Shang Wu unbuckled her seatbelt, leaned over and kissed Lu Rang on the cheek: "See you tonight."
Lu Rang returned her kiss, his eyes tender: "Go ahead, call me when you're done, I'll come pick you up."
Watching Shang Wu walk into the studio building, Lu Rang did not leave immediately.
He sat in the car, pondering for a moment.
An inexplicable intuition made him uneasy.
The timing and manner of Qi Yan's appearance were too coincidental. Although the other party had been impeccable during their last meeting, his vigilance had never been eliminated.
He opened the car door and decided to go up and take a look.
It's perfectly reasonable for her to say hello as her fiancé.
In the studio, Shang Wu had just made coffee for Qi Yan, and the two were about to sit down in the reception area to start their discussion.
The door was pushed open, and Lu Rang's tall and imposing figure appeared in the doorway.
"A-Rang?" Shang Wu asked in surprise. "Why did you come up here?"
Lu Rang walked naturally to Shang Wu's side, gently put his arm around her waist, and looked at Qi Yan who had stood up. He took the initiative to extend his hand: "Mr. Qi, I came to take A Wu to work. I just came up to say hello. I hope I didn't disturb your business conversation?"
A sharp glint flashed in Qi Yan's eyes behind his glasses, but it was immediately replaced by a perfectly polite smile.
He reached out and shook hands with Lu Rang, his grip moderate, his tone natural and gentle: "Attorney Lu, it's a pleasure to meet you. How could I be bothering you? Designer Shang and I just sat down."
The two men clasped hands, their eyes briefly meeting in the air. The scene appeared peaceful, but undercurrents were swirling beneath the surface as they subtly sized each other up, probing each other's true intentions.
Lu Rang spoke casually, as if chatting about everyday matters: "Mr. Qi is really attentive to A-Wu's design, coming over in person several times to discuss it. I heard that Mr. Qi's main business is not in Yecheng? Is this a long-term development plan?"
Qi Yan responded with a smile, her answer perfectly tactful: "Attorney Lu, you flatter me. Good designs deserve careful attention. The domestic market has huge potential, and Yecheng is a place of outstanding people and resources. We are indeed considering increasing our investment. Moreover, it is fate that we have met such a talented collaborator as Designer Shang."
He skillfully steered the conversation back to Shang Wu, avoiding Lu Rang's probing.
Lu Rang nodded, his gaze seemingly casually sweeping over the design drafts on the table: "Yes, I heard that Mr. Qi and an old acquaintance of A-Wu had some business dealings?"
He deliberately brought up the past and the Zhou family to observe Qi Yan's reaction.
Qi Yan's expression remained completely normal, even carrying a perfectly appropriate hint of emotion.
"The business world is like a battlefield. There are no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests. Past minor frictions are no longer worth mentioning. I am honored to be able to cooperate with Shang designers today."
He deftly deflected the criticism, glossing over past clashes with such composure that no one could find fault with him.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Lu Rang realized that he couldn't find any flaws in the other party's demeanor; the other party was as experienced as an eel.
He didn't linger any longer, and said softly to Shang Wu, "Then you two go ahead with your work. I have things to do at my law firm. Call me when you're done."
"Okay." Shang Wu nodded.
Lu Rang nodded to Qi Yan again, then turned and left the studio.
The moment he turned around, the gentle smile on his face vanished, replaced by a deeper solemnity.
This Qi Yan is too calm and too perfect, which makes him seem unreal.
His doubts not only did not disappear, but deepened.
After Lu Rang left, the atmosphere in the studio seemed to subtly change.
Shang Wu sat down again and steered the conversation back to design: "Mr. Qi, shall we continue? Regarding the choice of the main stone, what do you prefer..."
However, Qi Yan seemed somewhat distracted.
He picked up his coffee, took a sip, glanced at the studio's layout, and suddenly changed the subject.
"Designer Shang's studio is in a good location, quiet despite being in a busy area. Speaking of which, the Zhou family used to own a few nice old houses in the west of the city. I wonder what they are like now? Does Designer Shang remember them?"
Shang Wu's heart sank suddenly, and her fingers holding the stylus stiffened slightly.
She looked up at Qi Yan, trying to find a clue on his face, but he still had a casual, conversational expression.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
