“The military will never tolerate or overlook any act of betrayal that endangers national defense. But neither will we wrong an innocent person.”
“Miss Shen, you’re a smart woman. I don’t need to tell you how serious this matter is.”
Of course Shen Shuhe understood.
The crisis had escalated from merely losing everything financially to the destruction of her entire family.
She set the phone down and stated firmly,
“I and the Shen Group will fully cooperate with your investigation, Mr. Lu. We look forward to the day the truth comes to light.”
Lu Yanzhou nodded.
“Mm.”
Only then did Shen Shuhe feel as though the invisible hands around her throat had loosened slightly, allowing her to breathe again.
Taking the initiative, she asked,
“What do you need me to do next, Mr. Lu?”
Holding her breath, she waited attentively for his instructions.
There was absolutely no room for mistakes.
Lu Yanzhou answered honestly,
“Actually, today wasn’t the time I’d planned to meet with you.”
“I’ll arrange another meeting to discuss everything in detail.”
Realization dawned on Shen Shuhe.
The invitation she had received really had been for the birthday party.
She hadn’t come here because he had invited her.
Everything he had said before the guests had been true.
He genuinely had business to discuss with her.
And he had genuinely stepped in to help her.
That was why, when she’d thanked him, he’d said he hadn’t been helping her only to get her out of trouble.
The person who had truly “invited” her here was probably Jiang Wanqing.
As for whether Lu Mingshu knew about it…
That remained uncertain.
Understanding the situation, Shen Shuhe replied calmly,
“I understand.”
“Thank you again for helping me earlier.”
“I’ll wait to hear from you regarding our formal meeting.”
“I won’t disturb you any longer today.”
“Until next time.”
Since he wasn’t prepared to discuss official matters yet, staying here would only make things awkward.
Rather than remaining under constant pressure while wondering whether Jiang Wanqing and Lu Mingshu would return to cause more trouble, she’d rather leave early and sort through everything she’d just learned.
Lu Yanzhou didn’t stop her.
He simply said,
“Wait five minutes.”
Shen Shuhe nodded.
Taking out another phone, Lu Yanzhou made a call.
“Come to the tea room.”
After hanging up, he explained briefly,
“I’ve asked someone to escort you to your car.”
“All right.”
She nodded again.
“Thank you.”
Silence settled over the room.
Shen Shuhe felt every second stretch into eternity.
She silently counted the passing seconds in her head.
A few moments later, someone knocked on the door.
Relieved, she stood up.
But whether it was because of the overwhelming tension or the crushing news she’d just received, her entire body felt weak.
As she took her first step…
…she somehow stumbled on perfectly flat ground.
Instinctively, she reached toward the tea table for support.
But just before her hand landed, she noticed the delicate tea set resting there.
Oh no.
I can’t break his tea set!
The thought made her reflexively pull her hand back.
Unfortunately…
The movement completely threw off her balance.
Just as despair washed over her—
A strong hand caught her firmly around the waist.
Pulled forward by her own momentum…
She landed squarely in Lu Yanzhou’s arms.
Wrapped in the unfamiliar scent of a man, Shen Shuhe looked up.
His handsome face suddenly filled her vision.
Her mind went completely blank.
There were no romantic butterflies.
Only an overwhelming desire to disappear.
Her eyelashes trembled.
Unable to explain herself, she could only say mournfully,
“Mr. Lu…”
“I’m really not that kind of manipulative green-tea woman!”
Ahhh!
He isn’t going to think I’m trying to use a honey trap to avoid his investigation… is he?!
I really didn’t mean to throw myself into your arms!
A faint smile flickered in Lu Yanzhou’s dark eyes.
His voice lowered.
“I know.”
Like a startled rabbit, Shen Shuhe sprang out of his embrace.
Embarrassment flushed her fair complexion crimson.
Her skin had always been delicate and porcelain-white.
Even the slightest touch left it blushing.
Lu Yanzhou’s gaze fell to the arm he’d grabbed to steady her.
The place where he’d held her had already turned red.
His eyes slowly traveled upward.
Without drawing attention to it, they lingered thoughtfully on her neck.
She was wearing a high-collared emerald qipao.
It concealed her slender neck completely.
…Was she hiding the love bites from yesterday?
Shen Shuhe had never felt so mortified in her life.
She didn’t even dare meet his eyes.
Otherwise she’d only look more like a woman deliberately flirting with him.
Forgetting all manners, she hurried straight toward the door without waiting for him, wishing she could put the distance of an entire galaxy between them.
The corners of Lu Yanzhou’s lips curved upward.
He stood and followed after her.
They reached the door almost simultaneously.
From behind her, he reached past and opened it.
Standing outside was a young man in a dark suit.
His assistant.
Chen Lin.
Lu Yanzhou was tall, broad-shouldered, and narrow-waisted—nearly a full head taller than Shen Shuhe.
Even standing directly in front of him, she couldn’t conceal his imposing figure.
As he reached past her to open the door, their bodies never actually touched.
Yet it looked as though he had her enclosed within his embrace.
Chen Lin was visibly stunned.
Especially because Shen Shuhe’s face was as red as a boiled lobster.
T-This…
This looks way too intimate!
What on earth were the two of them doing inside the tea room?!
He was so shocked that he couldn’t say a word.
Even more surprising…
Lu Yanzhou made no attempt whatsoever to explain.
Instead, he simply instructed,
“Escort Miss Shen to her car.”
Before Shen Shuhe had fully recovered from her embarrassment, another familiar sound of high heels echoed down the hallway.
Turning her head, she saw Lu Mingshu approaching from the other end of the corridor with Jiang Wanqing, who had already changed into a clean evening gown.
They were clearly heading straight for her.
These two really never quit…
Shen Shuhe had no interest in dealing with them.
Her mind was completely occupied by the shocking revelations about the Tianshu Project.
She simply didn’t have time for another confrontation.
Quickly, she said,
“Thank you, Mr. Lu.”
Then she turned to Chen Lin.
“Sorry to trouble you.”
Without waiting any longer, she headed downstairs.
Before she could leave—
Lu Yanzhou caught hold of her slender wrist.
She stopped and looked up at him in surprise.
He nodded toward the corridor opposite the one Lu Mingshu and Jiang Wanqing were approaching from.
“Take the elevator.”
Gratitude filled her eyes.
“Thank you.”
She sincerely meant it.
Lu Yanzhou gave a quiet “Mm.”
Then, with perfect restraint, he released her wrist.
Without lingering another moment, Shen Shuhe followed Chen Lin toward the private elevator at the end of the hallway.
It was reserved exclusively for the family.
There was no waiting.
She stepped inside.
As the elevator doors slowly began to close, the turmoil in her mind finally settled somewhat.
Just before the doors shut completely, she caught sight of Lu Mingshu and Jiang Wanqing being stopped by Lu Yanzhou.
Lu Mingshu frowned in confusion, clearly about to argue with her brother.
Jiang Wanqing, meanwhile, was staring directly at Shen Shuhe.
The resentment and unwillingness burning in her eyes bore no resemblance to her usual gentle, fragile appearance.
Shen Shuhe raised an eyebrow.
A faint, provocative smile curved her lips.
…
You lost, Miss Jiang.