The figure by the window was the third daughter of the Lu family, Lu Xiaolu!
Lu Xiaolu couldn’t sleep! Leaning against the headboard, she stared blankly into space.
Hua Rui’s older brother, Hua Wuque, was an anomaly in the elite circles. He was a master of all forms of indulgence—eating, drinking, and merrymaking!
The Lu family already had the second son, Lu Jianshen, who was renowned far and wide, while the Hua family was still firmly under the control of the old chairman, Zaitian Hua.
There was no way around it!
The only young master of the Hua family had no interest in family affairs. Instead, he frequently appeared on the front pages of entertainment news.
One day, he would be partying wildly with several female celebrities at a bar; the next, he’d be punching some second-generation heir and ramming his luxury car into theirs.
The day after, he’d unexpectedly show up in a TV drama for a cameo, stealing the spotlight from the male lead…
Yet, the refined and well-bred Lu Xiaolu had taken a liking to that frivolous and unrestrained Hua Wuque ever since she first awakened to love.
Of course, she had never spoken of these feelings to anyone.
Her own brother, Lu Jianshen, was like a deity in the elite circles.
Meanwhile, his good friend Hua Wuque was the eccentric playboy of the wealthy set…
This did nothing to affect the brotherly bond between Lu Jianshen and Hua Wuque, but it would absolutely impact Hua Wuque’s prospects for a good marriage…
Lu Xiaolu didn’t need to think hard to know that her father, Lu Yuanting, would never agree to marry his daughter into the Hua family.
There was another reason: the Lu and Hua families were already connected through the marriage alliance between her second brother, Lu Jianshen, and Hua Rui.
Lu Xiaolu’s duty was to marry into another family favored by her father.
From the moment she understood such things, she knew that her marriage had nothing to do with her own wishes!
Tears slowly traced down the woman’s fair face.
Suddenly, she felt an indescribable sense of oppression and grievance!
She knew perfectly well that the Hua Wuque whom others saw as a dissolute playboy was simply straightforward, free-spirited, and lived freely and true to himself.
He loved to have fun, but he always knew where to draw the line!
He was cleaner and more discerning than any of those other playful scions of wealthy families!
That was why, like her second brother Lu Jianshen, he was still a genuine, untouched virgin!
The untouched virgin Lu Jianshen boarded a flight to Italy early the next morning.
Wearing a light-colored shirt with two buttons undone, his prominent Adam’s apple was faintly visible.
It intertwined with his clean jawline, creating a sharp, undeniably sexy silhouette!
Having lived abroad for many years, he had been approached countless times by talent scouts—whether to become a male model or to be groomed as a superstar.
There were even offers from world-class clubs for him to serve as a high-end male attendant… (Blind fools, asking the richest man to be a high-end escort.)
Blessed with looks fit for the gods, he was born into the wealthiest family, a legendary, domineering, and brilliant heir of the Nth generation…
His excellence stemmed from his strict, even harsh, self-discipline and meticulous planning.
At that moment, seated on the plane, he was attentively conducting a video conference, listening to reports from senior executives in China.
After the video conference ended, he took a short break before his assistant opened another video call to review project proposals jointly presented by several major companies in Italy.
And he was the investor!
By the time the two video conferences concluded, three hours had passed.
The man removed his gold-rimmed glasses and gently rubbed the space between his eyebrows.
His assistant approached with a slight bow. “Mr. Lu, would you prefer coffee or tea?”
“What teas did you bring?” Lu Jianshen asked in a calm tone.
“Premium Lushan Cloud Mist and Junshan Silver Needle, both of which you enjoy!”
“Cloud Mist Tea!” He opened his eyes, and a glimmer of starlight suddenly flashed in his hawk-like gaze. “What time is it?”
“Mr. Lu, which country’s time are you referring to?”
Lu Jianshen smiled. “Beijing time!”
“It’s exactly eleven forty-five now!”
In the time it took Lu Jianshen to nod, another assistant had already brought over the Cloud Mist Tea.
He picked up the cup and took a gentle sip.
The rich aroma of the tea made him think more and more of Beijing, and of that young girl in Beijing!
That bright and radiant young girl, with a peach blossom birthmark between her eyebrows!
That birthmark was like a heart-shaped lock, firmly locking his heart in place!
A man like him, who could command the wind and summon the rain, never lacked for beautiful women throwing themselves at him.
Yet, for that touch of peach blossom red in his heart, he had remained chaste for 25 years!
“Demon!” He looked at her photo and whispered softly.
His cold, pale, slender fingers gently traced the peach blossom mark on the young girl’s forehead in the photo.
In his heart, it felt as if a fire had ignited, burning him into a state of restless confusion!
He picked up his phone, opened WeChat, and searched for her number.
On the screen appeared a beautiful fairy-like profile picture, with a name consisting of three peach blossom hearts.
It was undoubtedly his Rui Rui!
Without hesitation, he clicked to send a friend request and added four words: “Deep Forest, See the Deer.”
At a high-end mall in Beijing, Hua Rui was accompanying Lu Xiaolu on a shopping trip.
“Xiaolu, are you okay?”
Hua Rui looked helplessly at the two bodyguards following them, their shoulders and hands laden with dozens of shopping bags, all packed to the brim.
“What’s wrong? It’s just stocking up on clothes for the new season!” Lu Xiaolu pointed to a formal suit. “Wrap it up!”
“Stop!” Hua Rui quickly stopped the sales assistant.
“Xiaolu, you’re a doctor! What do you need a formal suit for? Wearing it to perform surgery? Using your personal charm to ease the pain of the operation?”
Hua Rui blinked her adorable deer-like eyes, playfully staring at Lu Xiaolu.
“Can’t I just buy it to hang up and admire?” Lu Xiaolu reached out to pinch Hua Rui’s little nose again.
“Such a spendthrift!” Hua Rui pouted.
“I’m tired. If you don’t treat me to the new mango ice cream, I’m going on strike—no more shopping!”
Hua Rui deliberately sat down on a leather chair, striking a pose that even ten oxen couldn’t drag her away.
“You sure are easy to please—just a good meal can win you over! Your future husband is my second brother, the richest man, okay? You could sit at home throwing money around all day and it wouldn’t be a problem!”
“Shut up! That’s not true!” Just as Hua Rui was being stubborn, her phone rang.
She opened WeChat and saw the friend request.
The four words “Deep Forest, See the Deer” immediately made her realize who was adding her.
Should she accept it or not?
The young girl’s eyes darted around, and she silently deleted the friend request.
No, she wouldn’t accept it! Not for any particular reason—she just felt like being mischievous.
She had a very unique feeling toward that cold-faced, icy uncle.
Before, she didn’t know him well and only thought he was impressive based on what others said about him.
So much so that when Hua Rui was younger, she thought that uncle was an omnipotent “Ultraman” who could save all of humanity ^_^
During their few meetings, he carried an aura about him and didn’t interact much with her.
Because of that, she sometimes felt afraid of him.
But ever since they got engaged in a muddled way and spent time alone together, a very special feeling began to sprout in her heart.
Sometimes, one just wants to let their true nature loose, unable to suppress the urge to be a little mischievous.
Like refusing to add him on WeChat!
Sooner or later, she would have to add him anyway, but she just didn’t want to agree directly!
Lu Xiaolu noticed the stunning beauty with a curved smile at the corner of her lips.
“Sweetie, what are you giggling at with your phone?”
“Nothing!” Hua Rui hadn’t even realized she was smiling and quickly composed herself.
“Let me guess… could it be my second brother?” Lu Xiaolu tried to snatch the phone.
…
Chapter 15: I’m Thinking of You!
Hua Rui handed over her phone with a sidelong glance:
“Go ahead, search! If you find even the slightest trace of Uncle on here, I’ll buy you two sets of that formal outfit from earlier!”
Lu Jianshen waited for a while but didn’t receive any notification that Hua Rui had accepted his friend request.
He was someone who valued efficiency and productivity. Wasting time on restless waiting was not his style—not Lu Jianshen’s style!
Picking up his phone, he sent a message directly:
[Ruirui, accept the friend request on WeChat!]
Lu Xiaolu was busy searching Hua Rui’s phone for evidence when she suddenly saw a message come in. The sender was “Uncle.”
With a smile on her lips, the young woman silently opened WeChat and searched through it, but found no friend request notification.
Well then…
Lu Xiaolu decisively searched for Lu Jianshen’s number and sent a friend request!
“Ruirui, come here!”
Lu Xiaolu walked over triumphantly, holding up the phone in her hand.
On the screen, she had successfully added a nameless contact with a luduan as the profile picture.
“You… you…”
Hua Rui stood up, her face flushed, and her deer-like eyes began to mist over again!
Alright, alright! I give up! I’m scared!
Lu Xiaolu quickly pulled the furious, breathtakingly beautiful girl into that old-fashioned dessert shop.
The moment she took a bite of the mango ice cream, the mist in those deer-like eyes finally cleared!
On her phone, a message from Lu Jianshen was already waiting.
He said: “Ruirui, I’m drinking Chinese tea and thinking of my home in China!” (What he really wanted to say was: I’m thinking of you!)
Hua Rui glanced at it and replied:
“Uncle, I’m eating Chinese mango ice cream and wondering which piece of land could grow such sweet mangoes!”
Seeing the message, Lu Jianshen’s lips curved into a faint smile.
He hadn’t expected the delicate Miss Hua to be such a mischievous girl!
Someone had already sent him photos of Hua Rui—that someone was Lu Xiaolu.
Lu Jianshen stared at the image of the girl eating ice cream on his screen.
Today, the girl wore her long, seaweed-like hair loose, and her soft, snow-white skin outshone the creamy white of the ice cream.
Her lively, deer-like eyes sparkled with the girl’s cleverness and playfulness.
The faint crimson peach blossom petal at the center of her forehead hinted at an ethereal charm and allure.
The corners of her lips were curved, her small dimples faintly visible, and a trace of pale cream lingered on her lips…
Lu Jianshen gently raised his slender index finger, and his fingertip slowly traced over those flower-like lips…
“Mr. Lu, there are some confidential and important documents that require your attention!” The assistant approached respectfully.
The tenderness on Lu Jianshen’s face vanished instantly, replaced by a stern expression. “Bring them here!”
“Yes, sir!”
Before looking at the documents, he quickly replied to Hua Rui:
“Little one, I have work to do. Have fun!”
Soon, a cute “thank you” emoji appeared on the screen.
Still so polite. Well, there was no helping it. He would take it slow.
He quickly sent a message to Lu Xiaolu:
“Take good care of Ruirui. Spoil her, but don’t indulge her! The ice cream is cold—don’t let her eat too much.”
Lu Xiaolu replied, “Yes, second brother, don’t worry!”
Lu Jianshen sighed softly, took the documents handed over by his assistant, and continued with his work…
When the little girl was about to order her third cup of mango ice cream, Lu Xiaolu promptly stopped the shop assistant.
It was baffling! How could Hua Rui, who loved food so much, never gain weight no matter how much she ate?
Even her mother, Madam Hua, was a noblewoman who loved baking and indulging in delicious food.
A beauty in her early forties, tall and curvaceous, she was the center of attention wherever she went.
Although she had long left the modeling industry, her legend still lingered in the circles.
So, Madam Hua and Madam Lu, Jiang Rou, becoming close friends wasn’t just because of their powerful husbands’ reputations.
Lu Xiaolu patted Hua Rui’s little belly: “Two cups are enough. This is cold—have you forgotten how your stomach hurts during your period?”
“I’ll worry about it when it hurts,” Hua Rui said stubbornly, but she obediently followed Lu Xiaolu’s advice.
Her phone rang, and Hua Rui answered: “Brother!”
Lu Xiaolu’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
“Sweetheart, I heard you’re wandering around a mall. I happen to be passing by—let me pick you up!”
Hua Wuque’s words were always filled with affection for Hua Rui.
“Come on, I’m tired! I don’t want to take another step,” Hua Rui began to slack off.
“Who else is with you?”
“There’s also an absolutely stunning beauty—you’ll definitely like her!”
Hua Rui grinned mischievously at Lu Xiaolu, who glared back fiercely.
“Alright, my dear, you know what your brother likes. Send me the location, I’ll be right there!”
Dressed in trendy clothes, Hua Wuque looked every bit the dashing young nobleman.
Soon, he arrived at the dessert shop, attracting countless admiring glances from beautiful girls along the way!
“So it’s the Third Miss of the Lu family!” Hua Wuque’s handsome eyebrows lifted slightly.
Though her heart stirred, Lu Xiaolu’s face remained calm: “Hello, brother!”
The word “brother” made Hua Wuque feel immensely pleased.
He called over the shop manager, settled the bill, and packed two signature desserts from the shop for each of the girls.
Lu Xiaolu remained expressionless, her eyes silently fixed on the tall, upright figure, her emotions complicated.
She thought again of last night, of that man and Liu Ruyan leaving together.
Today’s shopping spree suddenly made sense.
She watched as the man handed the desserts to his assistant and walked straight toward Hua Rui:
“I know you’re feeling lazy again. Come on up!”
Hua Wuque crouched beside Hua Rui, clearly intending to carry the little girl on his back.
“You can’t!” Lu Xiaolu suddenly stood up.
The Hua siblings both looked up, staring in surprise at the delicate-faced young woman.
Lu Xiaolu felt a bit flustered, but her expression was serious:
“Rui Rui is already engaged to my second brother. How can she be carried by a man in public? Besides, Rui Rui is eighteen now—she’s not a child anymore!”
Hua Wuque didn’t care about such rules.
What was wrong with carrying his own sister? She was the treasure he had cherished since childhood!
He acknowledged the formalities and etiquette of high society, but he dismissed the unnecessary ones as nonsense.
Hua Rui looked at Lu Xiaolu’s flushed, anxious face and then at her brother, who was still crouching stubbornly, and laughed.
She nudged Hua Wuque with her foot:
“Get up, brother! I ate a bit too much earlier and actually want to walk around to move a little!”
Then she glanced at Lu Xiaolu:
“I just lost the bet, so let’s go buy those two outfits right now. As for payment, Young Master Hua, that’s on you!”
“Little brat, you just treat your brother like a walking ATM, don’t you?” Hua Wuque grumbled as he stood up from the ground.
“You’re spending money for the Third Miss of the Lu family! How many people in China are lining up to buy things for Sister Xiaolu? If you had to queue up, would you even make it to the front?”
Hua Rui playfully pushed Hua Wuque toward Lu Xiaolu:
“Sister Xiaolu, I want to rest for a bit. Go buy the clothes we saw earlier, and make sure to bring my brother, the payment machine, with you!”
Lu Xiaolu’s face grew slightly warm. She stood there, momentarily at a loss.
Hua Wuque snapped his fingers: “Let’s go. Any later, and the ATM might run out of cash!”
Lu Xiaolu shot Hua Rui a glare, her face flushed, and pretended to be composed as she followed Hua Wuque out…