Chapter 79 Confined Again
Wen Chu originally wanted to sleep for three days and three nights straight, but she couldn't withstand the barrage of questions from her parents and brother, so she went home the next day.
The housekeeper had prepared a lavish feast. Everyone except her was already seated at the table, as if they could begin celebrating this joyous occasion as soon as she sat down.
She walked in listlessly, greeted Wen Shiyang, Yang Lan, and Wen Heng, ignored Wen Xue, and sat down in a place far away from everyone.
The atmosphere was strange, and everyone knew exactly what was going on.
Wen Xue spoke up first: "This news did come very suddenly, but I can assure you that it was definitely not done by Lu Ming and me. It was really an accident. Maybe the paparazzi originally wanted to photograph Lu Ming and me going into the club to talk about work, but they didn't expect that you would get injured while playing ball, and Si Yan would carry you out, and that's when they were photographed, which led to this headline."
Wen Chu replied calmly, "So you should thank me, otherwise the headline would have been changed to 'Baiyue CEO cheats on Wen family's second daughter,' or 'Wen family's second daughter hooks up with her sister's boyfriend as soon as she returned to the country.'"
"Wen Chu! Watch your words!" Wen Shiyang slammed his hand on the table, unable to tolerate such words.
Wen Chu remained unmoved: "Did you call me back to criticize me, or to enlighten me? In any case, you're just trying to persuade me to give up and let her and Lu Ming be together?"
After she finished speaking, she looked up at Wen Xue and asked, "As soon as the news came out, did you two get together at lightning speed?"
"Of course not! We're not in such a hurry at all... but it's only a matter of time."
Wen Chu let out a cold chuckle.
Wen Xue frowned and said earnestly, "Xiao Chu, how persistent do you have to be? He didn't like you even after I was gone for so long, which is enough to prove that you two are really not suitable. If someone doesn't like you, you can't force them no matter what. Si Yan is a good person. If you're willing to spend more time with him, you'll find that he's really interesting."
Wen Chu twitched the corner of her mouth, thinking to herself, who wants to be persistent? If this were real life, and a guy told her that he still had a white moonlight he couldn't let go of, she would turn around and drive away. Saying another word would be a waste of breath.
Isn't it purely out of necessity that I'm here in jail, suffering?
Given this trajectory, she began to doubt whether the system truly intended to let her go back, or whether it was merely giving her an impossible goal to keep her looking forward to, so she could diligently serve as "emotional training data" for the rest of her life.
Every time she convinced herself to continue, the situation would take a sharp turn for the worse, clearly indicating that they didn't want her to have an easy time.
She has no contact with Lu Ming anymore. If they actually get together, she might as well just die and start over.
She didn't want to see that couple hugging, kissing, or even sleeping together in front of her.
"Since you know that feelings can't be forced, why are you forcing me to like someone else?" she questioned coldly.
"Alright, stop arguing!" Yang Lan rubbed her temples. "Our family was perfectly fine before, but it's all been ruined because of Lu Ming! Wen Chu, we've let you be willful before, and even your sister has been put in a difficult position because of you! But we can't let you be like this anymore."
Wen Shiyang continued, "I was wondering how you two would handle this, but now it's all settled. There's no need to worry about it anymore. We've already come to this point, so let's not clarify anything. Let outsiders think what they want. Anyway, the headline was quite tactful, and there were no moral or legal issues. Come to think of it, no matter how eager a news agency is to get a headline, they wouldn't dare to really mess with us."
Wen Chu remained expressionless: "So what do you mean?"
Seeing his daughter like this, Wen Shiyang felt heartbroken, angry, and helpless. He hesitated for a long time before finally speaking with a heavy heart: "What I mean is, starting today, you stay home and don't go anywhere! Baiyue, you shouldn't go either. I don't think that brat Lu Ming would dare ask me for any breach of contract fees. Especially, you're not allowed to see him again, and don't get involved in his and your sister's affairs!"
Wen Chu looked at Wen Shiyang in disbelief, then glanced at the others. Wen Heng kept his head down and ate his meal in silence, without saying a word.
Everyone's faces showed tacit agreement, as if they were all worried that she might not understand the situation, go out and make a scene, or make some random statement, which would only escalate the matter further and make things unbearable.
Her eyes darkened again, then she chuckled and conceded, "Okay, no problem."
Everyone present was surprised by her quick agreement; the expected uproar didn't happen. Seeing his daughter's unusual behavior, Wen Shiyang still worriedly said, "Don't get any more ideas. Even if you cause trouble, you need to be mindful of our family's reputation. Don't let strangers gossip about our private affairs!"
"No, I have no idea, don't worry," Wen Chu said obediently and calmly.
Wen Shiyang and Yang Lan exchanged a glance, unsure of what was going on. They felt a lump in their throats, and finally could only let out a sigh.
The first half of the meal was rather dull, but in the second half, Wen Chu suddenly seemed to come alive again. She dragged her chair and sat down between Wen Shiyang and Yang Lan, chatting with them casually.
She leaned against Yang Lan one moment and Wen Shiyang the next, serving them food.
Wen Heng and Wen Xue both thought she was trying to plead for them and soften their parents' hearts, but she never mentioned Lu Ming again.
After the meal, she even offered to accompany Wen Shiyang for tea.
"Where's that Zijuan from last time? I want some tea. Brew it for me and see if your tea-brewing skills have improved."
"It would be a miracle if you could taste it," Wen Shiyang said, but still went to get the tea leaves.
Wen Chu said, "Take several! I want to try them one by one."
Wen Shiyang first introduced the characteristics of four varieties of tea: Tieguanyin, Da Hong Pao, Zijuan, and Biluochun.
Then, very patiently, he brewed each one for Wen Chu to taste, to see if Wen Chu could remember their flavors.
Wen Chu confidently said she remembered, so Wen Shiyang shuffled the order and gave her the drinks again, asking if she could tell which were which. Wen Chu gave a very detailed evaluation, but she only managed to identify Da Hong Pao because its color was easier to distinguish than the others... which made Wen Shiyang roll his eyes.
After playing around with the others for a while, Wen Chu went to Yang Lan's study to cause trouble. She ground her own ink, picked up a brush, and wrote several large characters that filled the entire scroll. They were crooked and unrestrained.
Yang Lan can only be praised against one's conscience and with one's eyes closed.
After fussing with her mother and her writing implements, Wen Chu went to the living room to start mixing drinks herself. She chipped ice cubes on the table with a clattering sound, meticulously controlled the amount of each liquor, shook the shaker with all her might, and then tasted and adjusted the color little by little.
She drank glass after glass of the drink Lu Ming taught her, but she just couldn't get the "heart-fluttering" effect right. In the end, she stuffed all her failed attempts into Wen Heng's mouth, who was watching the spectacle with her, and then went back to her room and locked herself in, finally calming down.
For some reason, she suddenly thought of Lu Ming in real life at this moment, wondering what he was doing at that moment.
She's been here for so long, she doesn't know how much time has passed in reality, or whether the other person has noticed anything unusual about her.
If the other person were by her side, they would definitely use that icy face of everyone owing them money and having to work for them to say something that would comfort her.
Perhaps he would speak up for her and use his wealth and power to teach that despicable couple a lesson.
When the news broke, Baiyue was in complete turmoil. Consultant Wen didn't come to the company without saying a word, and even the boss disappeared for two days. It was said that he was called back home by Chairman Lu that day.
People echoed each other's opinions, and various versions of the love triangle emerged one after another.
Lu Ming returned to the company on the third day. When the HR personnel saw him, they took the initiative to tell him that Wen Chu had not come to the company or asked for leave. He only received a "I know" and told them not to worry about it.
The HR person looked at their boss with a hint of resentment after hearing this, but dared not say anything. They quietly left and relayed the news to everyone, so that they could all condemn the other party.
Even Luo Wen couldn't believe that his boss was so heartless and fickle. He felt there must be some hidden reason. But several days passed, and the news was still up there. Not only was it not taken down to refute the rumors, but it was as if it was announcing to the world that they had no relationship anymore.
Just then, the jewelry manufacturer finished making the necklace, and he took the finished product and knocked on their office door.
"Enter."
Despite the rumors circulating outside, Lu Ming's office remained frozen, isolated from all the outside noise. He remained unmoved and unaffected for days, seemingly ignoring all public opinion.
Luo Wen walked in, and Lu Ming was working as usual. He placed the gift box on the man's desk and said, "Boss, the necklace I designed for Miss Wen Chu is finished. Please take a look and see if there are any problems."
He deliberately mentioned Wen Chu's name, intentionally trying to provoke her.
Logically, having served as the other party's assistant for four years, he should know that he should avoid mentioning Wen Chu's name at this time. However, he also felt indignant on Wen Chu's behalf and tried to awaken the other party's conscience and feelings for Wen Chu through this method.
However, Lu Ming simply stopped what he was doing, glanced at the gift box, and without even opening it, mumbled an "Mmm" and said to leave it for now, without making any further comments.
Luo Wen was surprised that the man could change so quickly. He had previously put so much effort into designing the first drafts of the bracelet and necklace for Miss Wen Chu, racking his brains and making repeated revisions, and even awkwardly asking him if the girl would like them. But now he seemed to be looking at something unimportant, completely indifferent.
But he had no right to say anything, so he could only shut his mouth and leave.
The office fell silent again. After a while, Lu Ming stopped what he was doing and opened the box.
He stared at the dazzling and exquisite necklace inside, then pulled open the drawer on his left.
There are many versions of the design drafts on display. After more than a month of meticulous work, they have been transformed into the physical object in front of us, which is almost a one-to-one replica.
He didn't tell Wen Chu about the other necklace, nor did he intend to give it away.
He was surprised that he had gone to such lengths to fulfill a verbal promise. The diamonds he obtained at the auction were already valuable enough; he didn't need to expend any more effort to do this himself.
If the design in front of him wasn't undeniably his own work, he wouldn't have believed it.
Lu Ming lowered his eyes, staring blankly at the ethereal dot on the table.
He tried to recall the state of mind he had when he sketched the approximate shape of the ornament on paper with a pencil, stroke by stroke, and then refined it little by little.
But the recollection ended calmly, without any major upheavals.
It was simply to fulfill his promise to Wen Chu.
On a whim, he reviewed his college design course; he enjoys creating new things by hand.
Once he decides to do something, he will definitely do it with great care and try his best. This has nothing to do with love; it's just his obsessive-compulsive disorder.
But he clearly didn't do any of these things for Wen Xue.
He didn't want to think about it anymore; he wanted to let bygones be bygones, and now, this necklace was no longer necessary.
He closed the gift box again and placed it, along with the original design, in the bottom drawer.
Wen Xue said that the other party was locked up at home by Chairman Wen, for fear that she would cause any more trouble.
He has no right to say anything more about others. Perhaps this will allow the other person to calm down and let him go completely. He has already been judged as a bad person, so let him remain bad.
The injury on his back caused pain with the slightest movement. Lu Ming moved his uncomfortable arm slightly and let out a breath.
When Lu Mingxiao learned of this, he was furious and assumed that Lu Mingxiao was the one who did it. He immediately called Lu Mingxiao back, scolded him for a day, and then locked him up for another day without food or water, hoping that Lu Mingxiao would fix the hole. But Lu Mingxiao was unmoved.
The cane left conspicuous bruises on his body again, but this time no one rushed forward to protect him, defend him, or apply medicine to his wounds.
Because the person who had once defended him and applied medicine for him now stood against him and became the one attacking him.
Lu Ming did not resist or explain; the pain emanating from his limbs actually made him feel a little better.
Perhaps Qi Siyan did the right thing. He had been too indecisive and hesitant all along, which led to the situation being the way it is today, causing both women to be sad because of him.
Although it's still not exactly respectable, it's a pretty good way to end things now.
He had once felt pity for Wen Chu because she had blocked the blows aimed at him, which led to what happened later. This time, it was a matter of repaying kindness with kindness, letting the pain remind him of the mistake he had made.
He still feels indebted to others, but this is all he can do.
-
Recalling the last time she was grounded, Lu Ming came to visit her the very next day, causing a misunderstanding and making Wen Chu's heart fluctuate wildly. But in the end, the surprise outweighed the disappointment, and the happiness outweighed the sadness.
But more than a week has passed, and Lu Ming is still nowhere to be found.
Everyone tacitly avoided mentioning the name in front of her. Wen Xue didn't say anything, and Wen Chu knew nothing about it. In fact, Wen Xue hadn't been home for the past few days, and no one knew where she had gone.
She finally had some peace and quiet.
The only person she could contact was Qi Siyan.
The other party expressed deep remorse and apologized to her many times.
Wen Chu actually felt that this news was not so simple. The previous two news stories were intentionally orchestrated by the Lu family. Apart from that, no other paparazzi had ever dared to report their private affairs so openly.
Wen Xue said that Lu Ming and she did not do that, and that this was only the other party's side of the story. Unfortunately, she has no way to verify it herself now.
She could only ask Qi Siyan to investigate which party instructed the news agency, but after several days of investigation, she found nothing. It was just like a paparazzi who were so eager to get a headline that they came up with a sensational headline that wouldn't completely offend either side.
It's not impossible. All the outcomes here are subject to random predictions by the system's algorithm. Not to mention suddenly being published in the newspaper, it's not impossible to be hit by a car and die the next second.
Of course, Wen Xue and Lu Ming are both very cautious people. If they don't want others to find out about them, they have a hundred ways to cover up their identities.
Now that things have come to this, it seems that who did it is no longer so important.
Later, during a casual chat with Qi Siyan, she learned that Wen Xue had gone abroad to sign a contract and handle financial matters, and Lu Ming had gone with her and had not returned yet.
They were inseparable; anything could happen between them.
She could almost picture the two of them being all lovey-dovey and inseparable.
Would the same meticulous care the man once showed her be reserved for Wen Xue? Perhaps even more so.
She didn't want to think about it anymore; she was almost ready to give up. But the system's tasks and her past memories kept her clinging to a last shred of hope, leaving her feeling stuck and heavy-hearted.
She stayed home "well" for two more days, leaving the backyard in a terrible state after her pruning. She drank most of her father's tea, which cost over 100,000 yuan per gram, and her mother's study was filled with her "masterpieces." A few of the better-written pieces were actually collected by Yang Lan.
Wen Heng also suffered quite a bit at her hands.
She would deliberately put a lot of sugar in his breakfast porridge, and the next day she would put a lot of pepper in it, making him feel nauseous and his face contort. Then she would steal his treasured wine and drink it. She would cut his expensive suit into the shape of a skirt and hang it by his bedside to ask for praise. She would disassemble his mechanical watch and hide the parts, and then draw a picture for him to guess where the parts were hidden. She would also implant a virus on his laptop, so that as soon as he opened a file, a cartoon character would appear and push away his file window.
Wen Heng was either chasing her or on his way to chase her whenever he was at home.
The family sighed repeatedly because of her, worrying about her mental state while also worrying about their own.
Qi Siyan listened to the funny stories Wen Chu shared and laughed so hard she could hardly breathe on the other end of the phone: "Wen Chu, how are you so funny? Brother Wen has been complaining about you to me every day these past few days, and I can tell how much of a headache he's had."
"I was so bored. They wouldn't let me go out, so I had to play pranks on them," Wen Chu said without any remorse.
Qi Siyan said with a smile, "Then I have a way to get you out early."
"What?"
"My birthday is in three days. How about I take you out to sea?"
Wen Chu was surprised: "It's your birthday? Why didn't you tell me sooner? How could I have prepared a gift?"
"Are you going to prepare a gift for me?" Qi Siyan's tone was full of surprise. "I think your presence alone is the best gift."
"Of course I'll prepare, but I don't know you very well and I don't know what you like."
"How about I give you a chance to get to know me? I'll pick you up tomorrow and personally help you choose a birthday present for me. Considering how much trouble you've caused them lately, I'd like to take you out for a break. Uncle Wen will definitely agree."
Wen Chu's eyes lit up: "That's a great excuse! It's a deal then! I hope it works!"
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