"This woman is the Secretary's mistress. She's been collecting evidence against him in secret. Once it goes public, the Secretary won't just lose his position—he'll end up in prison. Our boss's project in Nanhu Village has been held up by him. If the boss doesn't do something to repay the favor, how can they talk about continuing their partnership?"
So this cooperation came at the cost of a life.
"Then we just need to find the evidence she collected," Wang Si said. "There's no need to kill everyone."
Wang Si couldn't help but roll his eyes.
"Even if we find it, we'd still have to use it. But even after we get the evidence, this woman is still a liability. If you've got the guts, I'll handle it."
Wang Si was losing patience. Lu Xuzhe knew that if he wanted to become Wan Weize's trusted man, he had to do something to prove his loyalty.
In terms of seniority, he couldn't compete with Wang Si. He had to find another way to quickly earn Wan Weize's trust.
He thought about his future—about how he could finally compete with Situ Hao for Jian Yunwei once he had a chance. His heart hardened. He walked toward the woman.
A splash.
The woman didn't even have time to scream before Lu Xuzhe mercilessly pushed her into the sea. A burst of water bubbled up, then quickly sank to the bottom.
Lu Xuzhe stared at his hands. He hadn't expected killing to be so easy.
Wang Si nodded in satisfaction and patted him on the shoulder. "You'll get used to it."
Lu Xuzhe smiled and followed Wang Si off the beach.
Three days later, Nanyin saw Lu Xuzhe appear in Jiangnan with Jian Xi'er. She couldn't help but feel disgust rise in her throat.
They say a man has a face and a tree has bark, but Lu Xuzhe clearly had no shame. It was bad enough that Jian Xi'er came, but he dared to show up with her?
Wasn't this just rubbing salt in Yunwei's wounds?
But before she could teach these two shameless people a lesson, Jian Yunwei grabbed her arm. She leaned in and whispered the whole story to Nanyin. Nanyin reluctantly swallowed her anger.
Still, Lu Xuzhe's arrival caught Jian Yunwei off guard. Jian Xi'er hadn't even told her they were coming.
Now that they were here, she couldn't just leave. Even though she couldn't stand the sight of Lu Xuzhe, she still had to have dinner with them.
Otherwise, they might think she still couldn't let go of the past.
"Yunwei, you've lost weight," Lu Xuzhe said, unable to help himself. He completely ignored Jian Xi'er sitting beside him.
The smile on Jian Xi'er's face froze. The smile on Jian Yunwei's face disappeared entirely.
"I feel like I've been gaining too much weight lately, so I'm dieting."
"How could you be fat? You don't need to lose weight at all. Besides, I think you look better when you're a little fuller."
Lu Xuzhe's words left Jian Yunwei speechless. She couldn't help but wonder—was this the same Lu Xuzhe who had been praised by professors for his outstanding performance in school? She had already made it clear she didn't want to talk. Couldn't he take a hint?
Especially with Jian Xi'er sitting right there. And he was already a married man. What did he mean by saying things like that?
At that moment, Jian Yunwei deeply regretted not calling Situ Hao earlier. She should have told him to come have dinner with her since he wasn't going home tonight.
She realized she hated Lu Xuzhe more and more.
Now all she could do was sigh. Who hadn't met a few scumbags when they were young and naive? At least she had only run into Lu Xuzhe. Otherwise, it would have been unbearable.
During the meal, Lu Xuzhe completely ignored Jian Xi'er. He kept trying to serve Jian Yunwei her favorite dishes. Nanyin, while playing hostess, kept glancing at the three people in the private room. She could see Jian Xi'er's pale face turning green with anger.
But Jian Xi'er still forced a smile.
Faced with Lu Xuzhe's excessive attention, Jian Yunwei grew impatient. She picked out every dish he had put in her bowl and placed them in an empty white porcelain dish. Her voice was like an ice spring from a snowy mountain—pleasant to hear, but completely devoid of warmth or emotion.
"I don't like these things anymore. Lu Xuzhe, I have my own hands. I think you should focus on taking care of your girlfriend."
Jian Yunwei's reminder finally made Lu Xuzhe remember Jian Xi'er sitting beside him. He glanced at her, seeing the pitiful, aggrieved look on her face. A flicker of guilt crossed his mind. He served her a few dishes, but couldn't help glancing back at Jian Yunwei.
"Yunwei, when did your tastes change?"
"What's wrong with changing? Otherwise, how could I have found a husband who truly loves me now? People have to look forward. What's the point of dwelling on the past?"
Jian Yunwei put a piece of broccoli in her mouth and spoke casually. Lu Xuzhe's face changed. After a moment, he forced a smile.
"As long as you're happy."
Beneath the table, Jian Xi'er's hand was gripping the edge of her chair so hard that she broke a fingernail without even noticing. She was furious.
So, Lu Xuzhe, you dare to fawn over your ex right in front of me? Are you that desperate to get back together with Jian Yunwei?
Just wait. One day, you'll regret this for the rest of your life.
Jian Xi'er screamed silently in her heart.
Jian Yunwei wanted to leave as quickly as possible. She didn't want to waste any more time being polite with them. She finished her meal in record time. Since she was driving, she didn't drink a single sip of wine, and quickly ended the unpleasant dinner.
"Yunwei, let me drive you home."
At the door, Lu Xuzhe didn't see Situ Hao's car or any driver waiting for her. He thought that Situ Hao wasn't being considerate enough, which gave him a perfect chance to show off.
At that moment, he felt that Jian Xi'er was nothing but a nuisance. If only he and Yunwei could be alone.
But he knew that was impossible.
Jian Yunwei didn't even want to look at Lu Xuzhe. She pulled out her car keys from her bag.
"No need. You and Xi'er go home and drive carefully. I have my own car. I can drive myself."
Lu Xuzhe was disappointed. He had no excuse to spend more time with her.
"Jian Yunwei, you wicked woman!"
Just as they were about to part ways, a seventeen-year-old boy appeared out of nowhere. He was holding an open glass bottle in his hand, his young face twisted with anger.
Jian Yunwei had no idea what was happening. She only heard Nanyin shout, "Yunwei, watch out!"
Then she was yanked aside by Nanyin. The liquid from the glass bottle in the boy's hand splashed onto part of Nanyin's back.