“Crab meat is cooling in nature, so it’s best to eat it only occasionally.”
The soy milk steamed with warmth, and a golden soft-boiled egg was nestled between slices of toast.
“I’m going on a business trip to England tomorrow,” he reported, “for about two weeks.”
Shen Nanyin nodded, holding her cup. “Have a safe trip.”
The late spring breeze carried a hint of summer’s restlessness. A rain had just passed, leaving the air tinged with dampness and the scent of earth.
“Yinyin!”
Mother Lu rolled down the car window, waving happily at her.
A few days earlier, Mother Lu had contacted her, saying she had a surprise in store.
As they chatted casually in the car, Mother Lu suddenly raised her voice excitedly.
“You like him too?!”
Shen Nanyin followed her gaze and realized her phone’s lock screen had lit up.
It was a photo of a recently popular idol—wavy hair, a pointed canine tooth.
On stage, strumming a guitar, radiating energy.
This was actually Fang Yunran’s idol, but she claimed using him as a wallpaper brought good luck and insisted Shen Nanyin give it a try.
After watching a few of Fang Yunran’s recommended videos, Shen Nanyin indeed felt he had a magical ability to lift one’s spirits.
Lu Minghui seemed to have found a kindred spirit, eagerly pulling her aside to share amusing stories about her “darling.”
“He’s really adorable, look how sweetly he smiles! I once dreamed of having a son just like him!”
The image of Lu Jingyan’s aloof, cold, and slightly arrogant face when expressionless flashed in her mind, and she nearly burst out laughing.
“I happen to have tickets to his concert but couldn’t find anyone to go with. Yinyin, would you accompany me?”
Unable to refuse Mother Lu’s hopeful request, she agreed.
The car didn’t travel far before stopping in front of a beautiful Suzhou-style residence.
She looked up to see a plaque inscribed with the words “Nanyuan.”
Mother Lu smiled warmly, taking her hand as they walked inside.
“That rascal was supposed to bring you here himself, but he ended up having to attend a meeting abroad.”
White walls and dark tiles, sparse shadows slanting across.
In April, the magnolias had not yet fully fallen, while vast clusters of pink and white roses swayed in the breeze, filling the garden with spring colors.
Following the winding paths, each step revealing a new scene, she felt as though she had returned to Gusu.
“He had all the flowers and plants here replanted and refreshed, and it’s close to your school too.”
Shen Nanyin was momentarily lost in thought.
Xu’s crab roe buns, today’s Suzhou-style residence.
Was it just a coincidence?
Observing Shen Nanyin’s expression, Mother Lu assumed she didn’t like it and silently scolded Lu Jingyan a few times.
He didn’t even ask for her opinion.
She patted the back of Shen Nanyin’s hand, her voice gentle. “It’s alright. If you don’t like this one, there are other similar residences, villas, and river-view apartments. We can look at them all later.”
Shen Nanyin quickly spoke up, “I like it, I really do.”
She explained that it was simply too beautiful, and she was momentarily overwhelmed.
Once the decision was made, Mother Lu contacted the old residence to send over a housekeeper and a maid. All the luggage was quickly rearranged.
The evening breeze rustled the bamboo leaves in the courtyard, creating a soft, rustling sound.
Lying in bed, lost in thought for a while, she picked up her phone and sent a message to Lu Jingyan.
【Nanyuan is beautiful. Thank you.】
Lu Jingyan replied just as quickly as before: 【Glad you like it.】
The rain in London was different from that in Jingbei—gray and gloomy skies, with continuous drizzle filling the air with the damp, woody scent of moisture.
The man wore a black overcoat, his pale complexion standing out starkly against the gray gloom.
He lowered his gaze to his phone, where Lu Daiqing had sent a string of links from a certain social media platform.
[Ultimate Guide to Souvenirs from the UK / Heart Girlfriend Will Love It / Heart]
[Perfume Only Available in London #LondonSouvenirs]
[London’s Largest Jellycat Store with the Most Complete Selection]
Lu Daiqing was not the kind of wealthy young lady who lived in an ivory tower; on the contrary, she loved social media and had millions of followers on her accounts.
Even though she knew about Lu Jingyan’s situation, she still found it a bit hard to imagine when he asked her about these things.
[There are also some snacks. There’s a brand of butter-flavored potato chips that’s really good. Let me find it and send it to you.]
Lu Jingyan noted everything down one by one, then casually declined a banquet invitation from a business partner.
Felix was somewhat surprised and said with a smile, “After so many trips to London, this is the first time I’ve seen Mr. Lu buying souvenirs.”
In his eyes, this businessman from China was cold and aloof, with a deep and calculating mind, yet also harboring a hint of madness. He was not an easy person to deal with.
He never expected to see this domestic side of him.
Then he saw the man curl his lips slightly. “Yes, I’m buying them for my wife.”
Felix’s expression turned exaggerated. “Mr. Lu is married?”
“Oh… No wonder you made time to attend the auction.”
The highlight of yesterday’s auction was the “Rose Heart,” the world’s most expensive flawless pink diamond.
He had wondered why Lingyue Group, whose jewelry division focused on understated luxury and design, would buy such a large diamond.
So it was for an engagement ring.
Felix was very tactful and, seeing the opportunity, began recommending many other items that business partners often brought back when traveling.
Sure enough, the man before him seemed more patient than before.
The next day was another packed schedule.
Felix noticed him suddenly pick up his phone, his previously expressionless face breaking into a faint smile.
[The South Garden is beautiful. Thank you.]
[I’m glad you like it.]
Felix teased meaningfully, “Your wife checking in on you?”
The man let out a short laugh. Usually unreadable, he now offered a few more words.
“Getting a text is already good enough.”
“Still waiting for her to catch on.”
For several days in a row, Shen Nanyin lived alone in the South Garden, experiencing an unprecedented sense of freedom.
In her free time, she could lounge on the deck chair as she pleased, basking in the sun and letting the breeze brush past her.
The only thing was, whenever she wanted to do something—like watering the flowers or picking roses to make rose cakes—the housekeeper would stop her.
“Madam, you can leave these things to us.”
So she had no choice but to lie back on the deck chair and play on her phone.
In the class group chat, the volunteer guidelines required everyone to wear formal attire and gather at the school the next day before heading to the venue together.
Under clear, cloudless skies, on the bus, the counselor was handing out work badges.
Liang Wan, holding the attendee list, nudged Shen Nanyin.
“Girl, I just remembered that Lingyue Group will definitely be at the venue. Your hus… ahem, your significant other should be there too, right?”
Shen Nanyin blinked. Lu Jingyan hadn’t mentioned when he would return.
The volunteers’ tasks were mostly about receiving foreign guests, guiding them to their seats in the venue, handing out water, and similar duties.
But it was indeed a rare opportunity to interact with top entrepreneurs from both China and abroad.
“Though it seems like you’re in contact with top Chinese entrepreneurs every day?” Liang Wan teased.
Like most others, regardless of her personal opinion of Lu Jingyan, Liang Wan couldn’t deny his formidable strength in business.
After receiving a group of foreign guests, the volunteers stepped aside and took a moment to drink some water.
“This is really testing my English skills, my goodness. I’m racking my brains for words, afraid of embarrassing the school.”
“My palms are sweating. I feel like I’ve never had to think this hard in my entire life.”
Just as she was reflecting, a sudden commotion erupted outside.
Shortly after, the team leader hurried in and randomly selected the lucky one, Shen Nanyin.
“Come with me.”
As they walked, the leader quickly instructed, “Lingyue Group is in Row A, Zone A. You just need to guide them to their seats.”
With no time to think it over, Shen Nanyin followed the leader, jogging to the entrance to wait.
Moments later, a car slowly drove in.