Chapter 21: Who Is He

It was rather warm in the hall, so she had stepped outside for some air. She hadn’t expected to interrupt someone else’s romantic moment. Fanning herself with her hand, she thought, it really was hot.

Xu Yancheng’s gaze dropped to the hem of her dress.

Lin Lu skirted around them, heading toward the fountain, thinking it would be cooler there.

“Let’s go in,” Xu Yancheng said, rising and re-entering the banquet hall.

Xu Mingchuan, having finished instructing Xu Jialang to entertain their distinguished guests, had just returned to the table. Glancing around at those seated, he didn’t see Lin Lu and asked Xu Yancheng, “Have you seen Lin Lu?”

He’d noticed she was sitting here just a moment ago.

“No,” Xu Yancheng replied, picking up his chopsticks to serve himself, not even raising his head.

“I saw her, she’s by the fountain,” Su Yi said, gesturing toward the backyard.

Just then, Xu Shanyi arrived, and Xu Mingchuan, who had started to rise, had to settle back in his seat.

Lin Lu had finished eating and didn’t return inside.

A while later, Yuan Ruoxia arrived in her little car to pick Lin Lu up—the two had planned a shopping trip. With the competition over, training was less intense, so it was the perfect time to relax.

Yuan Ruoxia had brought clothes and shoes for Lin Lu, who changed in the backseat.

“Are you really planning to get serious with Xu Mingchuan?” Yuan Ruoxia asked.

Lin Lu tied her hair up. “I haven’t considered it. His family is arranging blind dates for him.”

“He hasn’t liked any of them, isn’t that obvious enough?” Yuan Ruoxia teased. “Xu Mingchuan is one of the better young men in that crowd—ambitious and stays out of trouble. Honestly, you might want to think about it.”

“He is pretty good,” Lin Lu replied casually, her eyes on the rearview mirror.

The license plate from South City—she knew it too well.

“Xia Xia, speed up and take the side road,” she said.

“What’s wrong?” Yuan Ruoxia turned the wheel, tense. “Are we being followed?”

Lin Lu didn’t answer, keeping her eyes fixed on the mirror until the car disappeared from sight. Only then did she let out a breath.

Yuan Ruoxia parked by the mall’s back entrance. “What’s going on?”

“It’s fine now.” Lin Lu forced a smile. “Park in the underground garage. Let’s go shopping.”

Yuan Ruoxia eyed her suspiciously but started the car again.

All evening, Lin Lu was absent-minded, letting Yuan Ruoxia drag her from store to store, without showing the slightest interest.

Until someone pulled her into the men's restroom.

Lin Lu swore she had no desire to see Lu Xu’s face—no, in fact, she didn’t want to see any member of the Lu family.

“Lin Lu,” Lu Xu stared at her intently, his eyes bloodshot. “Qu Jing has run off.”

Lin Lu sneered. “Does that have anything to do with me?”

“She used to be closest to you—I just wanted to ask if she’s reached out.”

“No,” she snapped, shaking off Lu Xu’s hand with obvious distaste.

Lu Xu rubbed his hands, lowering himself further. “I’ve sent you so many private messages and you never responded, so I had no choice but to come find you.”

“I told you, no. Now you can leave,” Lin Lu said impatiently.

The light in Lu Xu’s eyes dimmed. He’d expected this outcome, but stubbornly added, “If she does contact you, you must tell me.”

With that, he didn’t linger, having seen the contempt in Lin Lu’s eyes.

He walked a few steps, then turned back. “Don’t worry—I won’t tell my brother.”

Lin Lu walked to the sink and washed her face. Raising her head, she stared at her reflection, remembering the promise she’d made with Qu Jing: if they were lucky enough to leave, they’d never contact each other again.

Those six years in South City—she never wanted to recall them.

Suddenly, another face appeared in the mirror—strikingly handsome.

“Who was he?” The man spoke coolly, his voice tinged with anger.