Chapter Twenty-Eight
The next morning, as the sun rose, soft light filtered through the thin clouds and gently bathed the earth.
The person sleeping peacefully on the gray bedding suddenly woke up from her dream, sat up abruptly, looked at the leaves fluttering outside the window, and took a deep breath.
What a bizarre dream!
She even dreamt that Lu Runxu was cheating on her and wanted to kill his wife to cover up the evidence.
It's all Lu Runxu's fault for staying up until the wee hours last night, causing her to not get enough sleep.
It drizzled for a while in the middle of the night, and the temperature dropped noticeably. As soon as Xing Bei stepped out of her room, she felt a chill and couldn't help but shiver.
She tugged at her clothes and slowly walked downstairs, holding onto the glass handrail.
In the living room downstairs, sunlight streamed through the windows and fell on the soft carpet, creating dappled patterns of light and shadow.
Lu Runxu, dressed in loose and comfortable loungewear, sat upright at the coffee table in front of the sofa, focused on his work. He lowered his head slightly, his deep eyes fixed on the laptop screen in front of him.
Hearing footsteps coming from upstairs, he turned around and looked at her: "It's still early, why don't you sleep a little longer?"
Xing Bei shook her head, walked over and sat down next to him: "I can't sleep."
Lu Runxu handed over a glass of warm water: "What do you want to eat? I'll make it for you."
With her mouth full of water, Xing Bei mumbled, "Fried dumplings."
She gently placed the water glass on the table, got up, and was about to go upstairs to get her tablet when the doorbell suddenly rang. She pulled back and walked toward the door.
A man dressed in a well-tailored, streamlined black suit stood tall at the door, clutching a simple black briefcase.
His face was sharply defined, as if sculpted by a master sculptor, with sword-like eyebrows and bright, deep eyes that exuded a righteous and upright aura.
Xing Bei looked the strange man who had suddenly appeared up and down with curiosity: "Excuse me... who are you?"
The upright-looking man took out a business card from his pocket, bowed slightly, and handed it to her: "Madam, I am a lawyer from the Lu Group. I am entrusted by Mr. Lu and Madam to discuss some matters with you."
lawyer?
To talk to her about something?
Does being with Lu Runxu mean I have to abide by some kind of agreement?
Xing Bei took the business card from his hand and glanced at it carefully.
The Lu family's logo was clearly printed on it, and below the black business card, the three large bank-colored characters stood out prominently.
Zhang Songhao.
She might not know who the Lu Group's lawyers are, but she certainly knows Zhang Songhao, a prominent figure in the legal field who has never lost a case.
Xing Bei stepped aside to lead him inside, just as Lu Runxu came out of the kitchen carrying fried dumplings.
"Hello, Mr. Lu." Zhang Songhao nodded to Lu Runxu.
Xing Bei jogged over and tugged at his sleeve, asking in a low voice, "What's going on?"
Lu Runxu smiled faintly and led her to the sofa, saying, "Perhaps the old man felt that I didn't value you, so he prepared some more gifts for you."
Zhang Songhao, who was standing to the side, opened his black briefcase and took out a large pile of documents and placed them on the table: "These are all documents that the old man and his wife asked me to prepare. They are real estate, jewelry, and the Lu Group share transfer contract."
“They have both signed the papers. Please have Madam review them.” He paused, then added, “If Madam does not trust me, she can consult another lawyer she trusts.”
Xing Bei thought to herself: This lawyer Zhang is too modest. How could she not believe a well-known lawyer?
She picked up the contract on the table. Without even flipping through it, she knew it was worth a fortune. Whenever Old Master Lu made a move, he was always generous, not to mention with Lu's mother on the side.
Lu Runxu sat leisurely on the soft, comfortable sofa, turned slightly to the side, and casually cast his gaze in her direction.
His tone was somewhat lazy and nonchalant, as if he were just chatting with an ordinary person, and he said softly, "Please accept these; they are all the kind gestures of the elderly."
Upon hearing this, Xing Bei, who was sitting to the side, frowned even more deeply.
Xing Bei's delicate face was full of worry. She bit her lip, glanced at Lu Runxu with a complicated look, and then turned her gaze to the so-called "gifts".
Lu Runxu suddenly thought of something, and the smile on his face instantly faded: "Why don't you take it first? Anyway, we don't have much time left. We can return it after the divorce."
Zhang Songhao, who was sitting on the other sofa, stiffened when he heard the word "divorce" and cautiously observed them.
Did he just hear something he shouldn't have?
Didn't Mrs. Lu say that she and her husband were very loving?
How come it's suddenly become a divorce in just a few months as soon as he comes here today?!
Before he could react, he noticed a barely perceptible bitter smile on Lu Runxu's lips. He then looked at Xing Bei on the other side, whose brows were also furrowed.
This scene makes it seem like neither of them really wants a divorce. Could it be that they were arguing and saying hurtful things?
Xing Bei casually picked up a contract and said in a nonchalant tone, "Let me take a look first."
Zhang Songhao: "..."
Xing Bei casually flipped through the thick stack of documents, her gaze sweeping over the dense text. After only turning two pages, her thoughts began to wander.
Despite her repeated reminders to concentrate, a flood of distracting thoughts overwhelmed her, making it impossible for her to focus on reading.
She sighed softly and slowly put the contract that was bothering her back in its place.
“Lawyer Zhang, I suddenly remembered I have something to do today. Can I sign this contract in a few days and have Lu Runxu give it to you?” Xing Bei asked softly.
Zhang Songhao glanced at President Lu, who had no expression on his face, and nodded to her: "Of course."
Xing Bei looked away, picked up her phone from the table, and left without looking back. Zhang Songhao sat nervously to the side.
The moment she turned to leave, Zhang Songhao felt as if the air around him had suddenly dropped several degrees, and a chill ran down his spine.
Watching her walk away until she disappeared from sight, he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of regret and remorse.
If I had known it would turn out like this, I shouldn't have so easily agreed to this arduous task.
Lu Runxu had a cold and aloof demeanor. His deep and sharp fox-like eyes were as cold as icy stars, making people afraid to look directly at him. His thin lips curled up slightly, and a faint, cold smile slowly spilled from the corner of his mouth.
Zhang Songhao carefully observed Lu Runxu's expression. Lu Runxu had his head down, and the stray hairs on his forehead covered his eyes. Zhang Songhao couldn't figure out what Lu Runxu was thinking.
After an unknown amount of time, Lu Runxu looked up at his side and said, "Lawyer Zhang, you go back first."
Zhang Songhao pursed his lips: "Okay, contact me if you have any questions."
As Zhang Songhao walked to the door, he couldn't help but look back. He saw the people in the living room carefully reading through the contract.
He sighed softly; the relationships within these wealthy families were far too complicated.
In the afternoon, sunlight filtered through the trees and fell on the window. The chill in the air had long since disappeared, and the sycamore leaves along the roadside were gradually gilded with a layer of gold.
After leaving Zhuqing Bay, Xing Bei sat in the Yunjian Coffee Shop for a long time.
She never imagined that she had spent so much time with Lu Runxu without realizing it. When she heard the word "divorce" from his mouth, she was somewhat dazed.
After spending so many days together, Xing Bei felt a little reluctant to part ways. Just yesterday they had said that they would have many firsts, but now there were only two months left.
She thought she wasn't the only one who was moved by this relationship, but seeing Lu Runxu's indifferent attitude still stung her heart.
Xing Bei watched the leaves falling outside the window, and a tear silently slid down her cheek. She looked up and quickly wiped it away.
That night, she didn't plan to return to Zhuqing Bay, but instead went to the Platinum Mansion where she had been before, which would also be a good opportunity to think about how to deal with her relationship with Lu Runxu.
As the night passed, the temperature dropped a few degrees, and Xing Bei took a light blue plaid shirt jacket from the closet and drove off.
Perhaps it was because she hadn't slept alone for so long, but Xing Bei actually felt a little uncomfortable; the Ruitian Mansion felt so empty.
She went to Yunjian because she had some different ideas about some parts of "Yin Qiu" before. Since both of them had time today, they met in Yunjian.
Sunlight streamed through the window, bathing the room in a soft golden hue, and filling the air with a warm and tranquil atmosphere.
It was already afternoon when she finished talking with Tian Yue. She grabbed a quick bite outside and rested at Platinum Rui Tianfu. She started working as soon as she got sleepy.
Unexpectedly, after washing up at home and lying in bed, she instantly became wide awake and sat up abruptly.
So annoying.
She was just wondering what kind of feelings Lu Runxu had for her, so why didn't she just ask him directly? When did she become so timid?
She got up, walked out of the room, and then stopped.
No, what if I'm just imagining things? Wouldn't that be incredibly embarrassing for you?
No, no, she has to wait for Lu Runxu to come to her.
She sat on the sofa, getting more and more agitated. She picked up a cigarette from the table, but choked as soon as she took a puff.
Xing Bei looked at the scarlet stain in her hand, which reminded her that she hadn't smoked in a long time. She sighed and stubbed the cigarette out in the ashtray.
During her three-day stay at Platinum Mansion, Xing Bei suffered from insomnia for all three nights. She thought that perhaps going out for a few days would help.
Chi Qingtang had recommended a resort to her before, but she hadn't had time to go. This would be a good opportunity for her to escape temporarily.
It was already afternoon when she arrived at her destination. She found the guesthouse where Chi Qingtang had stayed by following the photos on her phone. After everything was settled, she went to a deserted courtyard and found a suitable spot to watch the purplish-red sunset.
The guesthouse is decorated with warm yellow lights, complementing the ancient wooden architecture. There is a small round table in the courtyard, with a moderately sized oil-paper umbrella next to it.
There's a swing not far away, and there's a very peaceful feeling here. Even the sign at the entrance reads "Three Teas, Four Seasons".
Xing Bei thought that the owner of this shop must be a person who likes to live a secluded life and knows how to enjoy life.
She leaned back in the swaying chair, feeling the breeze, and in an instant, Xing Bei felt that all the fatigue of the past few days had been carried away by this breeze.
Perhaps it was too peaceful here, because Xing Bei leaned back in her chair and fell asleep without realizing it.
When she woke up again, it was already dark. Xing Bei raised her hand and found that she was covered with a fluffy blanket.
Just as she was looking around in confusion, an old lady came over with a cup of tea and smiled at her when she saw that she had woken up.
"You're awake, little girl." The old lady poured her a cup of osmanthus tea and handed it to her. "It's a bit cool in the mountains. Next time you feel sleepy, go back inside and be careful not to catch a cold."
The old lady's voice was gentle and soothing, like a babbling brook in the mountains, instantly making people feel warm and familiar. Xing Bei's mind automatically conjured up the image of her grandfather, who had passed away long ago.
Xing Bei accepted the gift and gently thanked her, "Thank you, Grandma. Are you the owner of this guesthouse?"
The old lady smiled and nodded: "It's just something to pass the time because my husband passed away."
She glanced sideways at the old lady, and from her every move, she could tell that the old lady had been a pampered young lady in her youth.
Xing Bei took a small sip of tea and asked curiously, "Grandma, don't you feel lonely living in such a quiet mountain village?"
"No." The old lady looked up at the starry sky, her smile deepening. "It's peaceful here, and I can visit my neighbors. I can join in the fun. In the city, I can only watch others have fun."
She turned her head to look at Xing Bei: "And here, I can have a chance encounter with the travelers who come here, just like we are now. We can talk about whatever we want without having to deliberately find out about each other's opportunities."
Spiritual communication seems like a good idea.
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