Chapter Sixteen: Disbelief, Ignorance, and Reluctance
The atmosphere in the elevator was strange. Lu Li was sandwiched between Wen Hupo and Chu Jingyi, the receptionist staring fixedly at the floor, lost in her own world. As a mere employee, she didn’t care about the complicated relationships of these privileged youngsters.
Chu Jingyi puffed out her cheeks like a little frog, her hands clasped behind her back, her fingers fidgeting nervously. This was supposed to be a special day, a rare opportunity to spend time alone with Lu Li, but Wen Hupo’s sudden appearance had ruined it. Silly Goose, with her simple and straightforward nature, couldn’t hide her emotions.
Wen Hupo wore a sharp, dark pantsuit, her golden hair styled in an elegant updo, looking every bit the sophisticated urban woman. Her naturally cool features, combined with the serious attire, gave her an intelligent, alluring aura.
“I don’t think having one more person along will cause you any physical harm,” Wen Hupo said jokingly. Lu Li knew she was worried about him walking into a potentially dangerous situation, using her presence and status to add weight to his visit.
He was touched by her concern, but he didn’t feel threatened by this meeting.
He suddenly felt a warmth on his right hand. Silly Goose had taken his hand, pulling him closer, not wanting him to be too close to Wen Hupo. His left hand felt cool; Wen Hupo had silently taken it, perhaps as a gesture of encouragement. Their reflections, Lu Li holding hands with two beautiful girls, appeared on the polished elevator walls. The receptionist lowered her head even further.
The elevator reached the top floor. The entire 22nd floor was Wen Shengmin’s office, although it resembled a suite more than an office, complete with a living room, bathroom, kitchen, and study. The receptionist bowed as they reached the door. “Please wait a moment. Mr. Wen is currently meeting with an important guest.”
An important guest? Lu Li thought of Yan Jun, the man he’d seen on the first floor. Was it him?
After the receptionist left, the three of them sat on a bench outside the office, the atmosphere awkward. Lu Li rubbed his hands; he had been gripping the girls’ hands too tightly, and they were damp with sweat. He wondered how to ease the tension between Chu Jingyi and Wen Hupo.
Wen Hupo spoke first. “Jingyi, thank you for persuading my father. Otherwise, I might not have been able to stay in Shenzhou… and I might have missed out on many things… Thank you.”
Chu Jingyi blinked, glancing at Lu Li before replying, “You’re welcome. I didn’t do much. Baili was the one who helped me.”
“Do you regret it?” Wen Hupo’s sudden question made Lu Li break out in a cold sweat. Classic Wen Hupo, so direct and to the point. Such blunt questions could easily catch someone off guard. If Wen Hupo had asked him that question, he would have been flustered and speechless. That was probably a sign of guilt.
Silly Goose, however, answered without hesitation. “No, I don’t.”
She continued, “Although I’m not thrilled about you living with Lu Li, that’s a separate issue. You wanted to stay in Shenzhou; it was a major life decision. I didn’t want to stop you from pursuing your dreams for selfish reasons. If I had to choose again, I would still help you. I would never forgive myself if my selfishness made you unhappy.”
Lu Li was stunned, as was Wen Hupo.
Some say that the more one thinks, the more selfish one becomes, that knowledge breeds dissent. There was some truth to that. At least Lu Li and Wen Hupo couldn’t have given such a selfless answer. Wen Hupo asked herself, if she were in Chu Jingyi’s position, would she have offered help so readily? Perhaps, but not without a significant internal struggle.
In Lu Li’s eyes, Silly Goose’s image grew, rising to the clouds, radiating a brilliant light.
She’s not stupid, he told himself. Jingyi is smarter than she seems, more perceptive than anyone realizes.
Just then, the door to Wen Shengmin’s office opened with a creak. Wen Shengmin bowed obsequiously, holding the door open for the person behind him. “Please, take care… Safe travels…” A tall, elegant figure emerged, a wave of fragrance washing over Lu Li.
Lu Li froze. He hadn’t expected to see her here.
Zhu Xi frowned, her long, slender eyebrows framing her fox-like eyes, her expression unreadable. “Lu Li? What are you doing here?”
They weren’t the only ones surprised. Chu Jingyi’s heart sank the moment she heard Zhu Xi’s question. Did the princess and Lu Li already know each other? When did they meet? Why didn’t Lu Li tell her?
Lu Li instinctively grabbed Zhu Xi’s wrist. “Don’t go. I need to talk to you.”
Zhu Xi’s expression turned cold. “Don’t touch me.” No one touched her, not even her grandmother, only Zhu Qiao.
Lu Li quickly withdrew his hand. He had acted impulsively, startled by her sudden appearance. He turned to the two girls. “I need to talk to Zhu Xi. I’ll be right back.”
Chu Jingyi nervously clutched his sleeve. She hated this feeling, this sense of being kept in the dark. A coldness spread through her heart. Her intuition told her that there was something between Lu Li and Zhu Xi. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have grabbed her wrist so impulsively, and she wouldn’t have reacted with such a sharp “Don’t touch me.”
Lu Li’s mind was in turmoil. He needed answers from Zhu Xi. He gave Chu Jingyi and Wen Hupo a hasty explanation and followed Zhu Xi to a nearby tea room.
Wen Shengmin finally wiped the sweat from his greasy forehead. “Uh, are you the student council members from Chuanhai No. 1 High School? Did my son do something wrong at school?”
Chu Jingyi’s mood had soured considerably. “Wen You has committed serious disciplinary violations, repeatedly, and has reached the minimum threshold for expulsion!”
Wen Shengmin’s face paled. “What? How could this be? Please, come in, come in. Xiao Li, bring some tea. Let’s discuss this inside. Expulsion is out of the question!”
Lu Li and Zhu Xi sat facing each other, a tea set on the table between them. Lu Li didn’t know anything about tea ceremony. Zhu Xi glanced at him, then began warming the cups herself. “If you want to gain a foothold in this circle, you need to learn at least the basics of tea ceremony.”
After a long moment of silence, Lu Li began, “Zhu Xi, Your Highness…”
Zhu Xi held up a hand, interrupting him. “No matter what you ask, my answer will be the same: I know nothing.” Her delicate hand picked up a pair of tongs and placed some tea leaves in a cup.
“What about Shanzhu Village? Do you believe me now?”
Zhu Xi’s hand paused slightly, her fox-like eyes narrowing. “No.”
Lu Li felt a surge of frustration. She had almost been convinced during their last meeting. Why was she being so uncooperative now?
“Then do you know about the assassination attempt on me recently?”
Zhu Xi rinsed the tea leaves. “No.”
Desperate, Lu Li asked, “Then why did you stop contacting me?”
“I didn’t want to.” Her answer was still flat and indifferent.
Seeming to sense his anger, Zhu Xi raised an eyebrow. “I have only one thing to say to you today: no comment.”
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