Zhou Wanning quickly averted her gaze.
Her heartbeat involuntately quickened.
“Le Yu, let your sister pick one too. We’ll give it to her when she gets married someday.”
These were all high-end custom wedding dresses, each costing hundreds of thousands, even millions.
For some reason, Zhou Wanning felt that the way Lu Jinzhou called her “sister” carried an ambiguous undertone.
She politely declined, “Thank you, but it’s too extravagant. I really don’t need it.”
Mother Zhou shot her a sharp look, thinking she didn’t know what was good for her. If he was offering, it meant he didn’t care about the money, yet she still refused.
“Sis, we’re all family. Don’t be so polite.”
“I really don’t need it.”
“It seems Sister doesn’t consider me family,” Lu Jinzhou said calmly.
Mother Zhou forced a smile. “How could that be? Wanning has always been like this since she was little. Just pick one—it’s Jinzhou’s kind gesture.”
Her eyes held a warning, telling her not to be ungrateful.
Zhou Wanning had no choice but to randomly select one that looked relatively simple, thinking the plainer the style, the cheaper it would be.
Lu Jinzhou took a call and, after hanging up, informed them that the flight route had been approved. The private jet would depart at 7:30 the next morning, and he had already arranged for a car to take the family to the airport.
Mother Zhou sighed inwardly. They must have really burned incense in a past life for her precious daughter to find such an exceptional man.
“Jinzhou, this must have cost you a fortune.”
Though she didn’t fully understand, she knew a private jet had to be incredibly expensive.
“As long as you all enjoy yourselves, that’s what matters most. Don’t worry about anything else.”
“Jinzhou, you’re so wonderful.”
Lu Jinzhou gently stroked Zhou Leyu’s hair.
When that large hand reached over, Zhou Wanning instinctively leaned closer to Mother Zhou.
Since Zhou Leyu was standing so close to her, she even felt that if Lu Jinzhou’s hand extended just a little farther, it might brush against her ear.
Lu Jinzhou didn’t stay long. Citing work matters, he left the Zhou residence.
Zhou Leyu went downstairs to see him off.
As soon as the two left, Mother Zhou tapped Zhou Wanning’s temple.
“What were you thinking? He was kindly offering you something, and you kept refusing. What are you trying to do?” Mother Zhou suspected Zhou Wanning was doing it on purpose.
She even wondered if Zhou Wanning was jealous that Zhou Leyu had found such a remarkable man—so jealous that she didn’t want to give Lu Jinzhou face.
Zhou Wanning avoided Mother Zhou’s hand and stepped aside. “I don’t want something so extravagant.”
“He’ll be your brother-in-law in the future, and part of our Zhou family. Don’t embarrass him again. If you affect his relationship with Le Yu because of this, I won’t let you off.”
“What are you talking about? If Le Yu and Lu Jinzhou’s relationship can be shaken by something so trivial, then they shouldn’t be together in the first place.”
Mother Zhou placed her hands on her hips. “What do you know? Is Lu Jinzhou an ordinary man? The Lu family is the wealthiest in Haicheng. You couldn’t find a family like this even with a lantern.”
How could they not cherish such an opportunity!
Father Zhou snorted. “Seems like all you care about is money.”
Mother Zhou was displeased. “You don’t care about money? What can you do in this world without money? Without money, could you stay in a VIP hospital room? Could you receive such excellent care?”
Zhou Wanning really didn’t want to listen to her parents’ argument anymore. She retreated to her room.
Zhou Leyu returned, tried to calm her parents for a while, and then knocked on Zhou Wanning’s door.
“Come in.”
Zhou Leyu walked in, “Sis, when are you coming to see us? I’ll buy your plane ticket.”
“I’m not sure yet. I’ll buy it myself when the time comes.”
“Jinzhou said he’s covering all the expenses for our family trip, so your share should be on me too.”
Zhou Wanning replied, “The plane ticket isn’t that expensive. I can pay for it myself.”
She didn’t want to owe Lu Jinzhou anything.
Even for a trip, it wasn’t like she couldn’t afford the ticket herself.
“Sis, you’re really treating us like outsiders.”
Zhou Wanning explained, “Le Yu, I’m not. It’s precisely because we’re family that I’m not being polite. It’s just a matter of a few hundred yuan—no need for that.”
Zhou Leyu sighed, “Alright then. I’ll let Jinzhou know.”
“Mm, thank him for his kindness on my behalf.”
After Zhou Leyu left, Zhou Wanning slumped in exhaustion.
She actually felt a bit guilty just now. Zhou Leyu knew nothing and was kept in the dark like this, while she, out of cowardice, couldn’t bring herself to tell the truth.
Frustrated, she tugged at her hair. Now that Lu Jinzhou was willing to treat Zhou Leyu well and seemed intent on marrying her, how could she speak up and ruin Zhou Leyu’s happiness?
After having dinner at home, Zhou Wanning returned to her own place.
While packing her clothes, she received a call from Gao Yanchu.
“Wanning, you and Liang Yunzhen need to bring a swimsuit.”
“A swimsuit? We’re not going to the beach. What do we need a swimsuit for?”
“There are hot springs there. I heard the newly opened ones are really nice. Just bring one—it won’t take up much space, just in case we need it.”
“Alright.”
After hanging up, she sent a voice message to Liang Yunzhen.
“This Gao Yanchu, why didn’t he say so earlier? All my swimsuits are at home. I’ll have to go back and get one tomorrow morning.”
Liang Yunzhen gave a mischievous suggestion, “Wear something sexy.”
“We’re not going to the beach. For hot springs, do I really need to wear a bikini?”
“Hahaha, then Gao Yanchu would definitely get a nosebleed.”
Zhou Wanning paused for a moment, “Don’t talk nonsense.”
“What do you think of Gao Yanchu?”
“Him? He’s pretty nice.”
“Have you ever considered him?”
Zhou Wanning thought she was trying to play matchmaker, “Consider what? We’re just classmates. He doesn’t have that kind of interest in me either.”
Liang Yunzhen pouted, “Only you would be so clueless.”
“You’re the clueless one.”
“Get some rest early. I’m off to find my sexy swimsuit.”
Zhou Wanning finished packing for the trip, took a shower, and went to bed.
The next day, by the time she returned to the Zhou family home, they had already left. As she entered, the house was quiet.
She left her suitcase by the door, changed into slippers, and went to her room to search for her swimsuit.
Thinking she’d leave as soon as she found it, she didn’t close the door and failed to notice a figure slowly approaching her from behind.
She found her swimsuit in a drawer of the wardrobe. Just as she stood up, a strong arm wrapped around her waist.
She let out a startled cry, but before she could scream again, a handkerchief with a strange smell was pressed over her mouth and nose.
“Mmph.” She grabbed the hand covering her face, trying to pull it away.
Her body struggled frantically, but she soon lost consciousness.
Her entire body went limp like soft clay, leaning against the person behind her.
She didn’t know how much time had passed when Zhou Wanning woke up. It was pitch dark around her, and she couldn’t see anything.
She wanted to reach out but found her hands and feet were bound.
She had been drugged unconscious at home, and for some reason, when she tried to recall, that hand felt somewhat familiar.
No, it couldn’t be. Lu Jinzhou had already let her go.