Chapter 11: Intriguing

Location: Xiangjiang Tower.

When Tang Yu arrived by the roadside, Lou Xizhou was standing at the side of the entrance, on the phone. The long summer day bathed him in the golden glow of the setting sun from the side, casting a red hue over him. His features were more sculpted in the dusk light, and his tall shadow stretched long and slanted.

After waiting a few minutes and seeing he was still talking, Tang Yu honked to get his attention. Lou Xizhou finally noticed her, ended his call as he approached her car, and then gestured for her to get out. Thinking he was politely offering to drive, Tang Yu turned off the engine and stepped out, handing him the keys.

But to her surprise, he said, “I’ve reserved a table. We’ll eat first, then head back.” He was already getting into the car, closing the door and motioning for her to stand back. “There’s a parking spot over there. I’ll park, and you wait for me at the entrance.”

“President Lou, I didn’t say I wanted to eat!” Tang Yu hurried to protest, but the car had already started moving. She had only agreed to pick him up! How could he...?

“Or do you want to go back and work first?” Lou Xizhou glanced sideways at her. Seeing hesitation on her face, he understood immediately and began to drive slowly toward the parking spot.

Tang Yu felt utterly helpless, watching from afar as he backed into the space and strode briskly toward her. As she turned, she unexpectedly noticed Zhou Yuancheng’s car parked across the street, with him sitting inside, looking in her direction.

His gaze was complicated—Tang Yu read it as a mixture of anger upon realizing she had been unfaithful and disbelief that she would have private dealings with another man besides him.

She could only sneer inwardly—delusional.

As Lou Xizhou approached, Tang Yu turned to walk alongside him, deliberately pushing Zhou Yuancheng out of her mind.

Their table was in a two-person booth behind a screen in the lobby on the first floor. Although a bit noisy, the lively atmosphere soothed their weary hearts.

“Last time we were upstairs; this time downstairs. Quite a different experience, isn’t it?” Lou Xizhou casually hung his suit jacket on the screen, sat opposite Tang Yu, and poured her some tea.

Tang Yu, who had been quietly observing the dining environment since sitting down, nodded honestly. “I don’t come here often—too busy working.”

In the three years since joining the newspaper, she had buried herself in work, determined to achieve something.

Now, looking back, it seemed she had given most of her free time to Zhou Yuancheng. At first, he had even complained about the lack of time, telling her not to push herself so hard.

But she believed that this was the age for striving; romance shouldn’t consume life entirely. She encouraged him to work hard alongside her to realize their personal values.

Zhou Yuancheng worked diligently, and they grew accustomed to this shared struggle.

Later, when Yu Shuang entered their lives, Zhou Yuancheng gradually devoted most of his attention to helping Yu Shuang. When Tang Yu mentioned it, he accused her of being petty.

Alright then—his excellence came from his own efforts, and his stagnation stemmed from his own complacency.

Tang Yu stared blankly into space.

Lou Xizhou sipped his tea, watching her absentmindedness with growing amusement.

Only when the dishes arrived did he ask, “What were you thinking about so deeply?”

Huh?

Tang Yu snapped back from her reverie to find herself caught by his affectionate, deep smile. Her heart fluttered wildly, and she quickly averted her gaze, lowering her eyes and taking a sip of water to hide her embarrassment.

Four dishes and a soup were served.

Tang Yu glanced over—again, they were dishes she liked.

This time, surely he hadn’t just ordered casually?

“President Lou, did you just pick these dishes at random again?” she asked suspiciously.

Lou Xizhou lied without batting an eye, “Last time’s menu was recorded. I just picked a few from there. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Tang Yu smiled, thinking she might have overthought it.

“Then let’s eat.”

“Mm.”

Lou Xizhou served two bowls of soup and casually asked, “I heard from Lou Huainan that you’re preparing for certification exams?”

Tang Yu covered her face, not expecting Lou Huainan to have told him. It was a bit annoying.

“Yes. I should finish the CPA this year,” she said shyly. “I hope to complete the CFA this year as well.”

Lou Xizhou chuckled softly. “You can ask me for help.”

“No need. You’re so busy, I won’t take up your time. I can manage on my own.” Tang Yu glanced at him quickly before lowering her head to eat.

Sensing she didn’t want to discuss further, Lou Xizhou changed the topic to business districts, which interested Tang Yu, and she warmed up quickly.

Their meal ended in pleasant conversation.

When it came time to pay, Tang Yu wanted to split the bill, but Lou Xizhou had already paid and suggested she treat him next time.

On the way to get the car, Lou Xizhou received a work call, so Tang Yu drove.

Unbeknownst to her, Zhou Yuancheng followed closely behind.

When they reached the gated wealthy community, Zhou Yuancheng couldn’t enter. He watched helplessly as Tang Yu drove in with Lou Xizhou sitting beside her.

She had rented a place inside to avoid him.

Yet now she was living with Lou Xizhou?

Zhou Yuancheng hoped it was the former; the latter was unacceptable.

How could she dump him, after he had already decided they would marry, just because Lou Xizhou was richer and more powerful?

Back at her home, Tang Yu had no idea of Zhou Yuancheng’s dark thoughts. After getting out of the car, she planned to part ways with Lou Xizhou and go home separately.

But as she turned, she was unexpectedly pulled into Lou Xizhou’s arms, embraced gently.

When she tried to push him away, he released her just in time.

“Thank you for bringing me home.”

Tang Yu was speechless.

Inside, Tang Yu received a call from Mo Xixi—who had run off to another city again, unable to stay put.

“Guess why I’m calling you, dear?” Mo Xixi still loved her guessing games.

Tang Yu put the phone on speaker, tossed it on the counter, and went to make some juice.

“Got a new boyfriend?”

“No!”

“Fired your boss?”

“No!”

“Don’t know?”

“Correct! It’s something you don’t know!”

Tang Yu was exasperated.

Mo Xixi, however, was thrilled and rattled off, “Zhou Yuancheng just called me, asking for help! I told him why help a jerk like you? My bestie already has a new boyfriend, one who’s way better than you by millions. If you dare bother her, I’ll come at you with a 50-meter-long knife!”

“Mo Xixi!!” Tang Yu yelled in frustration, full name and all. “I told you, Lou Xizhou and I are just neighbors—neighbors! Got it?!”

“Alright, alright!”

“If you forget again, I’ll come over, break your neck, and use your head as a ball to kick!”

“So scary! Bye-bye!”

After finishing her juice, Tang Yu returned to work.

The next day at the newspaper office, Zhou Yuancheng’s sister, Zhou Ruanwen, showed up. She found a quiet spot to speak with Tang Yu respectfully.

“My brother got drunk last night, and all he could talk about was you! He loves you so much and only has you in his heart. How could you cheat on him and break up?”

Zhou Ruanwen’s words were filled with sympathy for her brother.

“Tang Yu, you can’t be so heartless. He devoted himself to you for three years!”