Chapter 16 Scoundrel

Lu Zhizhi’s heart gave a jolt, and even her hands, busy setting out bowls and chopsticks, trembled slightly. But she recovered quickly. “Ah, that bottle of red wine!”

With a mix of regret and apology, she looked at the man standing by the sink. “I’m so sorry. I’ve been busy preparing for the art exhibition these past few days, my mind’s been all over the place!”

“That evening, Miss Song did have her assistant send a bottle of red wine to my room. But I was on the phone with my professor at the time. By the time I finished, it was already late, so I didn’t want to disturb you,” she explained earnestly. “I actually meant to bring it over to you today, and yet I’ve managed to forget again!”

At this point, her words trailed off as if she was about to say more but thought better of it.

The more one tries to explain, the more suspicious it sounds—sometimes words only serve to muddy the water.

Wen Yanli listened without much reaction. He hadn’t brought up the matter to get the whole story, nor did he care to distinguish truth from fabrication.

Besides, this wasn’t really an issue to begin with.

Out of the most basic sense of gentlemanly courtesy, he knew he shouldn’t make a young woman feel uneasy. When he spoke again, his tone softened almost unconsciously. “Let’s eat.”

When he walked toward her, Lu Zhizhi finally allowed herself to relax a little. “Alright.”

Yet she was unwilling to accept this, and a wave of sorrow washed over her at how cautious she had become in front of a man.

But what could she do? She liked him!

After all these years, she didn’t believe he hadn’t noticed. Maybe she just wasn’t his type, or maybe he didn’t want others to say he was aiming above his station.

But whatever the reason, she didn’t want to wait any longer—especially now that Song Mi had appeared!

They called it dining together, but the two of them were entirely out of sync. Wen Yanli ate quickly. Lu Zhizhi asked a few questions about the taste and seasoning of the dishes, which he answered honestly one by one.

Before putting down his chopsticks, he looked up at her. “Take your time. I have to be in court at two.”

As he rose, he added, “Zihao will come in and tidy up.”

“A’Li,” Lu Zhizhi could no longer sit still, “I think I saw reporters outside when I came up just now.”

Wen Yanli picked up his jacket and glanced at her as he walked out. “Mm.”

And that was all.

“I’ll go down with you!” Before he could step out, Lu Zhizhi caught up with him. “Maybe, that way the rumors will collapse on their own!”

Though time was tight, Wen Yanli paused, turned to look at her, and a shadow flickered in his eyes...

...

Downstairs at the law firm, Qiao Weiwei had just parked her car when she saw a crowd of reporters rushing past.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” She peered through her window. “Even the back entrance is swarming with people?”

“Anyone who didn’t know better would think he was some big celebrity!” Still, it was lunchtime—where could that handsome lawyer be going now?

Clicking her tongue, Qiao Weiwei simply pulled out her phone, ready to check the personal page of a well-known gossip blogger.

With so many people here, she refused to believe not a single one of them was sent by an internet personality to stake out the place. In this situation, there was no way she could squeeze in anyway.

And sure enough, there was something!

Qiao Weiwei immediately clicked into the livestream.

After a few moments, she realized something was off. If someone was filming live from the scene, how could it be from this angle?

And so clear, too!

Wait, what was going on now?

—A woman chased after the lawyer and took his arm!

The second Miss of the Lu family?

A perfect match—talented man and beautiful woman—dating now?

Damn it, the lawyer has a girlfriend and still dares to flirt with my darling Mi’er?

And to think my Mi’er specially asked me to come check out the situation here! What a... complete scoundrel!

“Mi’er, I’m here.” Fuming, Qiao Weiwei exited the stream, opened her chat with Song Mi, and sent a voice message. “I’m sending you the live video link—see for yourself!”