After leaving the Zhonghai Exhibition Center, it took a while before Yang Zhen'er finally emerged from the fear she had just experienced.
"Don't envy those so-called glamorous celebrities."
As they walked along the sidewalk with traffic rushing by, Lu Li suddenly spoke in a calm tone.
"To be worth tens of millions—or even billions—just by relying on your appearance, there must be a price to pay in dignity and bottom lines," Lu Li said.
"Those people are controlled by capital, playing with the law, laundering massive amounts of money..."
"Celebrities are merely commodities. Behind each of them stands someone powerful."
"The one who hit you today—Zhao Manzhi—is one of the few who managed to clean up and cross over into the world of capital. But even then, she's just average among them."
They continued walking, while Lu Li spoke evenly, occasionally offering guidance.
Yang Zhen'er lowered her head and listened silently.
That world was far too terrifying for her.
…
Not long after.
Seeing that Yang Zhen'er had calmed down somewhat, Lu Li raised his hand and hailed a taxi.
"Driver."
"Green City, Jianghewan."
Lu Li said in a deep voice.
The car merged into the river of traffic.
…
Meanwhile, in the main hall of the Zhonghai Exhibition Center, which Lu Li had left earlier—
"Everything that happened here today—please keep it to yourselves."
Zheng Yaoru rested his hand on the armrest of his father's wheelchair. With an air of authority, he swept his gaze over the surrounding guests and spoke in a solemn voice.
Upon hearing Zheng Yaoru's words, the crowd all nodded and responded affirmatively.
"You may leave."
Zheng Yaoru waved his hand.
"Don't even think about seeking revenge. Even those behind you won't be able to help."
Zheng Yaoru looked at the disheveled Zhao Manzhi before him—her hair scattered, cheeks swollen, and blood dripping from the corner of her mouth—and advised her:
"This time, I saved you. Otherwise, the consequences could've been unimaginable…"
With that said,
Zheng Yaoru pushed his father Song Shixiong forward.
"Where is Mr. Guo? Father wants to see him…"
Song Yaoliang came rushing over at the sound. Guo Yaoru looked at his half-brother and asked in a low voice.
"Mr. Guo just went into the lounge to rest."
Song Yaoliang replied quietly.
"Take us there."
Guo Yaoru said.
"Alright."
"Is Father's condition alright?"
"Normal…"
The brothers exchanged a few concise words.
Soon, the group stopped in front of a modest lounge.
Knock knock knock… knock knock…
Song Yaoliang stepped forward and knocked, saying in a low voice, "Mr. Guo, my father is here."
The door opened.
The three men of the Song Family were invited into the meeting room.
Zheng Yaoru and his father Song Shixiong wore dark expressions as their eyes fell on Guo Anbang.
Although Guo Anbang didn't know exactly what had happened, he could guess—it was likely related to that Mr. Lu.
"I have a rough idea of what you want to ask."
"But the details, I'm afraid I'm not clear on…"
"In the family, only my father and grandfather are truly informed…"
Guo Anbang said in a low voice.
…
Green City, Jianghewan.
Yang Zhen'er had gone to shower. Lu Li carried a cup of coffee onto the balcony, gazing into the distance.
At that moment, the corner of his eye caught a glimpse—
From here, he could just see his neighbor's balcony and part of their living room.
He saw Zhu Xueqing in a simple loungewear outfit, bending over and struggling to move a large potted plant.
She wasn't strong enough, and the plant was heavy. Her cheeks were flushed red from the effort, and she barely managed to shift it a little.
Lu Li smiled, turned, and walked back into the living room.
He put down the coffee, then opened the door and stepped out.
He went to his neighbor's door.
Ding-dong…
He rang the doorbell.
Soon, Zhu Xueqing opened the door, looking at Lu Li with confusion.
"I was having coffee on the balcony just now and saw you moving something. I thought I could lend a hand," Lu Li said, looking at her.
Zhu Xueqing, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and a sheen of sweat on her forehead, reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. Her cheeks were rosy, and she was slightly out of breath.
"No need, no need, I can manage…"
"Well… alright…"
"Thank you so much!"
After a moment of refusal, Zhu Xueqing stepped aside and let Lu Li in.
She bent down to get him a new pair of slippers.
After changing into them, Lu Li entered the room.
He glanced around. The decor was a clean and minimalistic European style.
The master bedroom door was tightly shut, while the door to the side room stood open...
Lu Li looked inside through the open door—it was clearly a woman's room.
"Your husband's not home?"
"He's already resting…"
Zhu Xueqing replied.
Lu Li nodded, then walked toward the large fiddle-leaf fig plant.
"Where do you want it moved?"
Lu Li asked, turning his head.
"Just over there is fine!"
Zhu Xueqing pointed to another spot.
"Alright."
Lu Li responded, then squatted down and spread his arms. As he exerted some strength, the muscles in his arms visibly tensed.
He lifted the fiddle-leaf fig and carried it to the designated place.
Behind him, Zhu Xueqing watched his movements, her breathing subtly quickening…
In all the years of her marriage, her husband had always been lifeless. It had been far too long since she had seen a man display strength like this in front of her.
"Would you like something to drink?"
"A bottle of mineral water is fine…"
After moving the plants, Zhu Xueqing handed Lu Li a bottle of mineral water.
Lu Li held the cup as they chatted a bit in the living room.
"My husband isn't in good health. He's a very light sleeper, so when we renovated, we used soundproof materials in his room."
"I usually sleep in the side room. If he needs anything, he presses the bell, and I'll know…"
There was a hint of sorrow in Zhu Xueqing's expression as she spoke softly.
She had just turned thirty—an age when a woman is at her most mature and radiant.
"No housekeeper?"
"Yes… but he doesn't like having a housekeeper around. Only when I go out do I ask the housekeeper to come and look after him."
As Lu Li listened, he glanced with some regret at the charming and sensual woman before him.
"In that case, I'll take my leave. If you need anything, just let me know. After all, we're neighbors—it's only right to help one another."
Lu Li stood up and said with a smile.
Zhu Xueqing walked Lu Li to the door. Her eyes followed him the entire way until he entered his own home.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。