Chapter 190: An Unexpected Confession! I Like You

Lu Shijing also saw the message just then. It was a video clip Lin Kai had sent over.

He had specifically edited the part where Gu Shengsheng and Lu Chaoyang were talking, when Lu Chaoyang told her she could seduce Mr. Ryan, and Gu Shengsheng slapped him in response.

Lu Shijing’s expression softened considerably after seeing it, and he unconsciously dragged the progress bar back to the beginning to watch it again.

’Does this count as Shengsheng defending me?’

Just then, Lin Kai sent a stream of messages: "Boss, the Young Madam’s attitude toward you has changed again! It’s not just your ’died-young’ status she likes; it seems she approves of your character too."

Lin Kai was thrilled. The ’ship’ was finally making progress. "Boss, you need to take this chance to comfort the Young Madam! She must be upset after arguing with Lu Chaoyang tonight."

But Lu Shijing simply replied, "She won’t be."

He knew Shengsheng’s personality. She wouldn’t get upset over something like this.

"..." Lin Kai was speechless. ’It’s not about actually comforting her, is it?’

’Isn’t this just an excuse to talk to her?’

’Forget it. He had no way of dealing with this stubborn, clueless mule.’

Then, Lu Shijing asked, "Has there been any progress with Lu Chaoyang’s medicine?"

"None! Boss, didn’t you give orders that no one was to sell him any medicine? He even made his way to the Ghost Market today. I figured he was smart enough to get his hands on some, but who would have thought he’d run into the Young Madam."

"The Young Madam scammed him out of tens of millions. Now that he has no other source, he’ll probably have to buy everything from her."

At this point, Lin Kai felt a little sorry for Lu Chaoyang.

"Boss, your cousin really has it rough, running into a pair of living demons like you and your wife."

His company was already being suppressed by Lu Shijing. He only approached the He Family because his own company was on the verge of bankruptcy, hoping to buy medicinal herbs to curry favor with them. But on one side, Lu Shijing was blocking him, and on the other, Gu Shengsheng was taking advantage of his desperation to fleece him for all he was worth!

If Lu Chaoyang found out what this black-hearted couple was doing, wouldn’t he just drop dead from anger?

Lin Kai was actually starting to look forward to seeing the expression on Lu Chaoyang’s face when he found out everything.

Just then, Lu Shijing received a message from Gu Shengsheng, asking to meet.

She suggested early the next morning.

Lu Shijing agreed immediately.

As long as it was her asking, he would go, no matter what it was for.

--

Meanwhile, the news online was blowing up fast!

Gu Shengsheng had appeared on several trending topics one after another.

#Lu Family’s Ward-Off-Bad-Luck Bride is an Antique-Appraisal Ace#

#Lu Family Infighting, Sister-in-Law Hits Brother-in-Law#

#Lu Group President Brutally Beaten by Purchased Sister-in-Law#

...

All sorts of tags were popping up one after another. Lu Shijing saw that they weren’t having much of an impact on Shengsheng. Instead, it was the Lu Group that was getting dragged through the mud. All kinds of messy affairs were being exposed, including the sordid business of Lu Chaoyang’s mother being a mistress, all dug up by netizens.

And what Lu Shijing needed to do was fan the flames, letting the scandal grow and ensuring more dirt on the Lu Family’s second branch was exposed.

Gu Shengsheng just glanced at the news. At home, Grandma was sitting beside her and said with great distress, "How can these people say you were bought? I’m going to tell them you are my rightful granddaughter-in-law."

"Shengsheng, don’t pay any attention to them."

Lu Linlin nodded as well. "I was going to ask Jin Ran to help suppress the trending topics, but he said someone is already helping you. He told me not to worry and that it wouldn’t harm you."

Gu Shengsheng nodded. "This incident is targeted at the Lu Family’s second branch. It really doesn’t affect me much. The only effect is that I’ve gained a lot of followers."

Lu Linlin burst out laughing.

Early the next morning, Gu Shengsheng was getting ready to go out when Grandma asked curiously, "Who’s asking you out so early?"

"It’s Mr. Ryan from across the hall, Grandma."

Grandma smiled happily. "Ah, that boy is a good one. You should wear some clothes you like and spend more time with him. Have fun making friends."

"..." Gu Shengsheng hesitated. She wanted to explain, but then thought she’d better clarify things after she got back from the meeting.

Then Grandma received a message and said, "Oh dear, it looks like we might have to go back to the old family estate tonight. Your Second Aunt says if we don’t go back, she’ll hang herself. Shengsheng, you have to go too."

"Alright." Gu Shengsheng loved a good spectacle, especially when it involved watching her Second Aunt make a fool of herself.

"This won’t take long. I’ll be back as soon as I’m done."

With that, Gu Shengsheng briskly left the house. When she arrived at the restaurant, Mr. Ryan was already waiting.

Lu Shijing was a little nervous. He had deliberately worn a suit he thought was particularly handsome, having gotten up at the crack of dawn to try on several outfits before coming over. He tried his best to make himself look more... vibrant.

Gu Shengsheng sat down across from him. "Mr. Ryan."

"Shengsheng," he responded. "I’m very happy you asked to meet me."

She could sense Mr. Ryan’s nervousness and had a faint feeling that he saw her as someone special. It was for this very reason that Gu Shengsheng didn’t want to drag him into her affairs.

"Shengsheng, I ordered some of your favorite dishes. Here’s the sweet and sour pork ribs, and this is the shredded potato stir-fry, and also..."

"Mr. Ryan, there’s something I need to make clear to you."

Lu Shijing clenched his fists. He knew what she was going to say, and he didn’t want to hear it.

"I’m married to Lu Shijing. Although we haven’t officially registered it, we signed an agreement. So, I am Lu Shijing’s wife. If we become too close, it will be bad for your reputation. I don’t want to affect you because of my own situation."

She had always been level-headed. Although, whenever she thought of Mr. Ryan, she always felt a confusing tangle of emotions inside.

But Gu Shengsheng didn’t want to drag others into her problems.

’It might be nothing this time, but what about in the future? What if more people start targeting me? Since I can already foresee the outcome, why should I let things develop in that direction?’

She said, "In the future, Mr. Ryan, it would be best if we interact less. It’s not good for you."

As she said this, she prepared to turn and leave. Lu Shijing stood up, no longer holding back, and grabbed her hand, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

Suppressing his emotions, he said, "Miss Gu, I’ve never cared about those rumors and gossip."

He had never, ever thought... that Shengsheng would avoid him because of his public persona.

’What if she knew I was Lu Shijing?’

The moment the thought surfaced, he pushed it down. ’If she knew he was Lu Shijing, she would probably divorce him immediately.’

She loved freedom, she loved antiques, she loved everything—except him, her husband. The status of ’husband’ was a shackle to her.

But he couldn’t bring himself to let go.

When it came to love, everyone was greedy, wanting to have their cake and eat it too.

He wanted to wait. Wait until Shengsheng fell for him, and then, only then, would revealing his identity feel natural.

’Now is not the right time.’

His lips moved, but no words came out as he held onto her.

Gu Shengsheng looked into his eyes. "Mr. Ryan?"

"Shengsheng." He tightened his grip, afraid that if she left, he would lose his chance.

Lu Shijing didn’t know any techniques or tricks. Everything he said and did right now was pure instinct.

"I’m here," she nodded.