“Regret what?”
“The divorce!”
Lou Ye turned back to look at her. “If you hadn’t divorced, you’d still be the pampered Mrs. Lu. On a rainy day like this, the three of you would be at home chatting, laughing, building Lego, watching cartoons- what a happy scene, isn’t it?”
Yes, it was happiness. Only now, the one by Lu Jinnian and little Lu Xiaomu’s side would be Lin Zhaozhao. As for her…
“I don’t regret it!” Sang Wan smiled as she rose, walked slowly to the window, and sat down. Turning her head toward the torrential rain outside, she said, “I’m especially grateful for today’s storm. It’s heavy enough, cold enough, to tear away the black cloth covering my heart. It lets me clearly see the true faces of those around me. They don’t deserve the way I gave myself up for them. They’re not worth it!”
“No regrets then, that’s good!” Lou Ye seemed in high spirits, raising his coffee cup. “Then, here’s to you—may everything go your way from today onward, may your path be filled with blossoms!”
“Thank you!” Sang Wan clinked her cup in return.
They talked about how the capital had seen unusually heavy rains this year—perhaps, as folk sayings go, because of unresolved grievances. They talked about the rising stars in the architectural design world, and the outstanding talents drawing the industry’s attention.
The more Sang Wan spoke, the more animated she became. It had been so long since she’d spoken this much to anyone.
Lu Jinnian never had time to listen. Her former classmates and colleagues had all gone their separate ways after graduation. And those who did reach out to chat—after a few pleasantries, there would always come that inevitable turn: “By the way…” and the conversation would slide naturally into asking for money.
To be able to chat so freely, without distraction, without the slightest awkwardness—aside from Xu Yiyi, only Lou Ye could make that happen in this moment.
“What about you?” After talking shop for too long, Sang Wan shifted the topic. “Back then, you were also one of the star graduates of our architecture school. I remember you even had that golden credential from Yale’s School of Architecture. I always thought you were destined to become a world-class architect.”
The moment the words left her mouth, Sang Wan knew she’d misspoken.
With Lou Ye’s family background, his path was always going to be business. No matter how much he loved his dream, it was bound to be nothing more than a flower in water, a moon in the mirror—something to pass the time.
Sure enough, Lou Ye shrugged. “I thought so too. But life is unpredictable; fate loves to play tricks!!!”
Faced with his exaggerated lament, Sang Wan was speechless. “That’s too much! Peak-level Versailles bragging!”
“Versailles?” Lou Ye burst out laughing, set down his coffee cup, sat cross-legged, and looked straight at her. “I know, you won’t believe me if I just say it. How about this—you come work at Lou Corporation with me.”
“Three years!” His eyes shone, his smile bold. “I promise you, in three years, the international architecture scene will know the names Sang Wan and Lou Ye. What do you say?”
Sang Wan couldn’t help but laugh. “Lou Corporation is full of talent. I don’t believe you can’t find someone else to help you.”
“But I only trust you!” Lou Ye tossed out the words casually.
Sang Wan froze.
The living room fell briefly silent.
Lou Ye lowered his head, took a sip of coffee, and shifted the topic. “And you? What are your plans for the future?”
“Find a job, work hard, and then realize my own dreams.”
“If I—”
“Lou Ye!” As if she had already guessed what he was about to say, Sang Wan cut him off. “Thank you! Just having this chance encounter today feels like it’s already used up most of my luck. Truly, thank you!”
Though she hadn’t said anything outright, Lou Ye seemed to catch the meaning between her words. He nodded, a rakish grin tugging at his lips. “Senior, you really are just the same as back then!”
Sang Wan blinked.
Back at Imperial University, Lou Ye had teased her countless times, saying she had some kind of special ability—always able to guess what he was about to say, then deftly steering the conversation away before he could speak it aloud. Years apart, and she was still the same.
Sang Wan lowered her head with a small smile. “I never used to believe in luck, or in fate. But now I do.”
If everyone’s good fortune is limited, then after surviving a brush with death and escaping danger again today, hers must already be more than half used up. She couldn’t afford to waste it anymore! Good luck should be saved for when there’s truly no way out.
Lost in conversation, she only noticed now that the rain had stopped.
Sang Wan rose to her feet. “I’ll head back first; I won’t intrude further.”
“Alright!” Lou Ye didn’t try to keep her. “I’ll have the driver take you.”
Sang Wan nodded, stood again—and froze. Her gaze fell on the orange tabby crouched obediently at the edge of the carpet. Freshly bathed and checked, its fur was clean and fluffy, looking like a little mascot.
Remembering that hotels don’t allow pets, Sang Wan hesitated. “Lou Ye, could you help me one more time? I…”
Before she could finish, the cat stretched lazily, placing its plum-blossom paw on the sofa armrest. That cream-colored sofa in the center of the living room—she’d seen it in luxury catalogs. A master’s handmade piece worth millions. One swipe of those claws could cost tens of thousands.
Sang Wan hurried forward, scooping the cat into her arms before it could scratch. “Never mind!”
“But I do mind…” Hands in his pockets, Lou Ye’s eyes glimmered with amusement as he looked at the cat nestled against her. “I already made an appointment with the vet—once its fur dries, they’ll come for deworming. And tomorrow it needs its vaccinations. If you take it away now, won’t the doctor be left waiting?”
“How about letting it stay here for now…” Lou Ye suggested, “Once it’s had its vaccinations and you’ve settled down, you can take it back. How does that sound?”
“Alright.” Sang Wan nodded, bent down, and set the orange tabby on the carpet, gently stroking its head. “Be good, okay? After a while, Mommy will come pick you up.”
The cat nuzzled her cheek affectionately, as if in agreement. Then it brushed against Lou Ye’s trousers, tracing an S-shape. Soft fur swept across the top of his foot, ticklish and tender. That softness sank straight into his heart.
Lou Ye lowered his gaze. In his ears, in his chest, lingered Sang Wan’s voice calling herself “Mommy.”
When he looked up again, Sang Wan had already changed her shoes.
Moments ago she’d been a drenched little waif in the storm; now she was a radiant, stylish beauty with striking poise.
Thinking of that uncanny coincidence—the kind he himself could hardly believe—Lou Ye, who had always hated the rain, suddenly found his mood lifted.
The delicate lambskin sandals were chic yet comfortable; even the ache in her soles seemed soothed.
Sang Wan placed the slippers back in the cabinet, then looked at him. “Why don’t you just give me Jiang Ke’er’s WeChat? It’s better to reach out directly than have you relay messages.”
“Sure.” Lou Ye pulled out his phone and sent her Jiang Ke’er’s contact card.
Sang Wan stepped into the elevator. Lou Ye scooped up the orange tabby that tried to follow, waved at her, and called, “See you, Senior Sister!”
The elevator doors closed, hiding Sang Wan from view. Lou Ye let go, and the cat leaped back onto the carpet. He messaged Jiang Ke’er: 【Don’t ask what you shouldn’t, don’t say what you shouldn’t!】
[Why should I? My mouth is mine—who says I can’t use it as I please?]
On the other end, Jiang Ke’er replied with a smug, swaying sticker while accepting Sang Wan’s friend request. Exiting the chat screen, she spotted Lou Ye’s transfer: a red packet of 666,666 yuan.
!!!
In the dim gaming room, Jiang Ke’er’s eyes lit up with excitement. A huge scoop was brewing!!! Sudden wealth was just around the corner!!!