“Is Jinzhou inside?” Zhou Leyu calmly asked when she saw Zhou Wanning come out.
Zhou Wanning nodded, her cheeks flushed.
Lu Jinzhou had an excellent physique—broad shoulders, a narrow waist, well-defined muscles, a distinct chest contour, and even the lines of an Adonis belt at his waist. Zhou Wanning had only seen men with such a good figure in short videos.
“He might be looking for something. You can wait a bit.”
Zhou Leyu set the breakfast on the dining table.
When Lu Jinzhou came out of the bathroom, he glanced at Zhou Wanning, who was hanging her head as if she had done something wrong. “You can go in now.”
Zhou Wanning bit her lip and didn’t look at him, keeping her gaze lowered as she walked into the bathroom.
By the time she came out, Zhou Leyu was already sitting at the dining table with Lu Jinzhou. “Sis, come quickly. We’re waiting for you to eat.”
Zhou Wanning sat to Lu Jinzhou’s right, as that was the only place with utensils set.
Zhou Leyu didn’t seem to notice anything amiss and cheerfully asked, “Sis, how was the calming incense from yesterday?”
For some reason, what came to Zhou Wanning’s mind was that dream—an all-too-real… erotic dream.
She could only say, “It, it was good. I slept very soundly.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the corner of Lu Jinzhou’s mouth lifted ever so slightly.
The faint curve went unnoticed by anyone.
“I’ll bring you a few more boxes later. There are other scents too. You can try them all then.”
Zhou Wanning murmured her agreement.
Lu Jinzhou said, “Le Yu, let’s eat.”
Only then did Zhou Leyu fall silent, and the three of them ate breakfast quietly.
Zhou Leyu ate quickly. “Sis, I have to work overtime today, so I can’t go home with you. I won’t be able to see you off. Jinzhou, could you help me take my sister home?”
Zhou Wanning was about to refuse, saying she could go home by herself.
But Lu Jinzhou had already spoken. “Sure.”
“There’s no need. I can go back on my own.”
“Don’t be like that. You came over last night to deliver the documents, so I must have you escorted home today. Jinzhou, I’m entrusting my sister to you.”
With that, Zhou Leyu stood up, walked to the entrance, grabbed her backpack, and left.
Zhou Wanning had finished eating too. “I, I can go back by myself.”
Lu Jinzhou set down his utensils. “I promised Le Yu. Wait for me a moment. I have something to do anyway, and I’ll be passing by the Zhou residence. It’s on the way.”
Since he put it that way, Zhou Wanning felt too embarrassed to refuse again.
Lu Jinzhou went to change his clothes, and Zhou Wanning’s phone rang.
It was Luo Shuhang.
“Hey, Wanning, what are your plans for today?”
“Nothing.”
She hadn’t made any plans for the weekend.
“I’m not busy this week. Do you want to go to the neighboring city for a couple of days?”
Luo Shuhang made the suggestion on a whim. In the past, he usually only had one day off, but this time he had a two-day weekend and wanted to go out for a day and a night. He also wanted to win Zhou Wanning over.
His friends had been teasing him, saying he was playing the pure love game and still hadn’t slept with Zhou Wanning.
“A couple of days? Would we have to stay overnight?” she asked softly.
Lu Jinzhou happened to come out just as he heard this.
Zhou Wanning didn’t notice he was already out. “I’ll have to ask my mom.”
She wasn’t exactly a mama’s girl, but Mother Zhou’s words were like imperial decrees to her.
Ever since she was little, she had been afraid of Mother Zhou. Even as an adult, Mother Zhou still controlled and managed many aspects of her life.
“Just one night. I’ll take you home tomorrow after we’re done.”
Zhou Wanning bit her lip, feeling conflicted. How should she bring up the fact that she needed to ask her mother for permission?
Zhou Wanning had been quiet since childhood, and her timid nature was further suppressed by Mother Zhou. Even after growing up and starting work, she still held a deep reverence for her mother.
Moreover, she had always yearned for Mother Zhou’s approval and more affection, an emotion etched like a brand into the depths of her heart.
That was why she was willing to listen to her mother.
“I’ve already asked your aunt and uncle, and they agreed.”
This surprised Zhou Wanning a little—she hadn’t expected Mother Zhou to agree.
In the past, whenever she got close to any boy, she would be scolded upon returning home, accused of improper behavior and the like.
“You asked my parents?” she confirmed again.
“Yes, I thought it was important to let parents know and get their consent. Wanning, pack your things. I’ll come pick you up soon.”
“Oh, okay. See you then.”
After hanging up, she seemed to feel a cold gaze resting on her back. She turned around.
Lu Jinzhou was looking down, adjusting his cuff.
He raised his head and met her eyes, his voice indifferent. “Let’s go.”
When they reached the underground garage, Lu Jinzhou opened the passenger door for her. Zhou Wanning glanced at it, wanting to say she’d sit in the back, but she was afraid he might think she was treating him like a driver.
“Won’t Le Yu be upset? The passenger seat is usually reserved for girlfriends.”
“No, she usually sits in the back.”
Right—someone of his status would normally have a driver.
Zhou Wanning got into the car. By the time Lu Jinzhou got in, she had already fastened her seatbelt.
The car started smoothly. Zhou Wanning glanced around—Yunding Yihao was indeed extraordinary. Even the underground garage looked luxurious and grand, far from a place ordinary people could afford to live in.
Halfway through the drive, Zhou Wanning’s phone rang. It was Luo Shuhang.
“Hello.”
Luo Shuhang’s apologetic voice came through the receiver. “Wanning, I’m sorry. A client just showed up unexpectedly, so our date might have to be canceled.”
Zhou Wanning actually felt relieved. “It’s fine, work comes first. We can always go out another time.”
The veins on Lu Jinzhou’s hand, gripping the steering wheel, bulged. Was she still thinking about going out with him in the future?
“You’re so understanding, Wanning. I have to go now. Let’s go out for dinner tonight—wait for me.”
“Okay.”
After hanging up, she heard Lu Jinzhou ask, “Boyfriend?”
Zhou Wanning glanced at him. His profile was sharp, cold, and stern, every line meticulously carved.
“Yes.”
She looked away and went back to fiddling with her phone.
“Your relationship seems good. Admirable.”
Zhou Wanning wasn’t quite sure what he meant. Wasn’t his relationship with Le Yu good?
But was her relationship with Luo Shuhang really that good?
Luo Shuhang could be a bit arrogant, but he treated her well. Still, she found it hard to truly like him.
If Mother Zhou hadn’t agreed to let her date Luo Shuhang, she would have refused.
After half a year together, she only thought Luo Shuhang was decent, but the idea of marriage made her resistant deep down.
She sighed softly. How could she get Mother Zhou to agree to let her break up with Luo Shuhang? Suddenly, she didn’t want to continue the relationship—she didn’t want to hold him back.
That faint sigh still reached Lu Jinzhou’s ears. He turned slightly to look at her. “What’s wrong?”
She shook her head. “Nothing.”
When they arrived at the Zhou residence, Lu Jinzhou parked the car by the roadside.
Zhou Wanning unfastened her seatbelt and looked at Lu Jinzhou. “Thank you for driving me back.”
“It was no trouble.”
She opened the car door to get out, but Lu Jinzhou suddenly called her back.
“Wanning, can I add you on WeChat? It would be convenient for me to ask you some things about Le Yu.”
Lu Jinzhou had already held out his QR code in front of her, so Zhou Wanning had no choice but to reluctantly add him.