Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Nine: Lu Wenchuan Has Arrived

Li Siyi looked at Lu Wenchuan. The man’s expression was cold and stern. She didn't need to guess to know the outcome, but she wanted to ask for clarity, to give herself a definitive answer.

"Your work performance is excellent." Lu Wenchuan looked up, his index finger tapping rhythmically on the tabletop, as if weighing something.

Li Siyi furrowed her brows. "Mr. Lu, I can make adjustments."

"Isn't that what the leave of absence is for—to help you adjust?" Lu Wenchuan countered. "Once you finish handing over your current tasks, you should take your leave." He left no room for further argument.

Li Siyi understood. She lowered her gaze and said, "Understood, Mr. Lu. I won't disturb you further."

After stepping out, she took a deep breath. She didn't dare to think about whether the position of chief secretary would still be hers when she returned. But even if it wasn't, so what? Lu Wenchuan’s most capable assistant would still be Guan Zijin. Li Siyi smiled and walked back to her desk with composure.

"Doesn't seem like much happened," Su Panying remarked with a click of her tongue, disappointed that she hadn't had a chance to climb the ladder this time.

***

Eager to see Sang Yijia as soon as possible, Lu Wenchuan had arranged a private jet. He arrived at the airport at seven in the morning and reached the hotel by nine.

"You arrived so fast?" Yan Ningsi had assumed Lu Wenchuan would travel with Bian He, and she hadn't expected to see him at nine. She glanced at Sang Yijia and nudged her with her elbow. "You don't seem surprised at all."

"Mm," Sang Yijia nodded, calmly putting down her soy milk cup. "He told me the time yesterday."

"???" Yan Ningsi widened her eyes. "When?" She felt a sudden jolt, her gaze darting between the approaching Lu Wenchuan and Sang Yijia. "Since when have you two been in contact? Is there something I don't know?"

"No," Sang Yijia denied.

Lu Wenchuan arrived at the table. "Have you had breakfast?" Sang Yijia hadn't slept well. She had woken up at six, intending to go for a run, but she was unfamiliar with the surroundings and the fog was heavy. Instead, she spent half an hour in the hotel gym. Since she was filming a variety show, many guests kept trying to hover around her, so she stopped after half an hour. After a shower, she ran into Yan Ningsi, and they had come down to eat together.

They had been chatting for an hour. Lu Wenchuan sat down next to Sang Yijia and noticed there was still plenty of food on the table. "Not yet."

"These have gone cold. Let's order fresh ones." Seeing his gaze, Sang Yijia handed him the menu. "Leftover food doesn't taste very good."

"Thank you." Lu Wenchuan glanced at the menu, ordered two items, and then turned to Sang Yijia. "Are you getting used to it here?"

"It's alright." In truth, the seaside wasn't as pleasant as she had imagined; the breeze carried a salty, fishy stench. Sang Yijia detested the smell of fish, and the hotel sat right by the sea—she could see the ocean from her balcony, but she could smell that stench, too. It had kept her awake all night, leading to dreams of being swallowed by a salted fish.

Lu Wenchuan narrowed his eyes, his finger tapping the table. "So, you're not entirely used to it yet."

"A little, but it's fine," Sang Yijia replied.

Watching their exchange, Yan Ningsi found herself unable to break into the conversation. Even though they weren't discussing anything private or significant, she felt like an outsider. *What a terrifying realization,* she thought, covering her mouth in shock. "Jiajia, when did you and Lu-ge get so close? Am I not your best friend?"

Lu Wenchuan looked at her curiously. "I am not Jiajia's best friend."

Sang Yijia raised an eyebrow, waiting to see how he would answer.

Yan Ningsi had a sudden epiphany. "I understand. You're her boyfriend."

"Not yet," Lu Wenchuan replied politely. "Currently, I am just Jiajia's variety show boyfriend."

Yan Ningsi's mouth twitched. She suddenly missed Bian He. She sent him a message: *When are you arriving?*

Bian He replied instantly: *Soon. I'm boarding the plane, phone has to be turned off. Should be there by two.*

*When you get to the hotel, buy me a huge bouquet of roses,* she typed back. She then sent him a large digital red packet. Bian He responded with a series of question marks, confused.

*I want to show off my charm,* she replied.

Bian He chuckled upon reading the message, laughing out loud as he boarded, drawing attention from those around him.

On the other side, as Sang Yijia sat with Lu Wenchuan, Yan Ningsi felt that her presence was redundant. Remembering they were filming a romance show, she said goodbye to Sang Yijia and left.

Once Yan Ningsi was gone, Lu Wenchuan refilled Sang Yijia’s teacup. "What is it you're not used to?"

"The sea breeze," Sang Yijia admitted. "I can't get used to the smell."

Lu Wenchuan was silent for a moment. "Can you change rooms? The top-floor suites are equipped with specialized air purifiers. Previous guests have had trouble adjusting to the coastal environment, too."

"You know about that?" Sang Yijia asked, curious.

Lu Wenchuan paused, glanced at the camera crew behind them, and pressed his lips together. "This hotel happens to be owned by my company."

"Have you been here before?" Sang Yijia nodded, then asked, "Then you must know what the specialties are."

"I've been here a few times," Lu Wenchuan replied. The waiter brought their breakfast, and he placed a piece of dim sum into her bowl. "Try this."

Sang Yijia had already tasted it; it was good, but she was full. She didn't want to waste it, so she used her serving chopsticks to cut off a small piece. "I can only eat this much."

"Then I'll have the rest." Lu Wenchuan nonchalantly picked up the remaining piece from her bowl and ate it.