CHAPTER 257: WRONGED TO THIS EXTENT"_1

Some people were just oblivious, failing to notice Young Master Zhou’s indifferent and distant expression. They even tried to offer him advice, "Girls just need to be coaxed. When I pursued Aya, I used 500 drones to apologize. I had them up for two nights and even borrowed the screens in Sanlitun."

Zhou Luchen, his eyes still closed, scoffed twice. "And you still didn’t win her back."

Utter contempt.

His embarrassing failure dredged up, Young Master Liang didn’t bother to argue with Zhou Luchen.

Young Master Liang sighed, trying to salvage some pride. "I don’t like Aya anymore; I’m already married."

And it was true. Unable to win over his Aya, he had hastily complied with his family’s arrangements and married a lady from a prominent family.

He didn’t stay long. Zhou Luchen grabbed his suit jacket and left.

Xie Qinyang suddenly sat up. "Leaving already? She’s still working overtime."

No response. A servant closed the door from the outside.

「Before long, the black Rolls-Royce was heading through the Eastern District towards Taihe Middle Court.」

Zhuang Ming focused on driving.

In the car, Zhou Luchen took a call. His tone was indifferent as he gave instructions, the sullen demeanor he’d worn at the gathering already gone. Every now and then, the corners of his lips lifted slightly, a picture of calm detachment as he plotted his strategies.

"Intercepted."

The phone conversation was brief.

The Cheng Group had earlier lost a partnership with a financial powerhouse and had subsequently tried, without success, to expand its AI computational chip licensing into Europe and America.

Zhou Luchen had the opportunity intercepted with a single phone call. The rights were given to the tech market in the Eastern District Business Center.

Zhuang Ming mused that it wasn’t just that Beijing might not need the Cheng Family in the future; even now, it would be difficult for the Cheng Family to make any significant moves in the business world.

「As the car approached the International Trade Center, Zhuang Ming’s phone rang, and he connected his earpiece.」

"Umm... are you busy?"

It was Shen Jing’s hesitant, husky voice. Zhuang Ming was a bit surprised. "Go ahead, Miss Shen."

Shen Jing picked at her phone case. "Oh, I just saw your car near the International Trade Center. Are you driving?"

Her voice trembled, and Zhuang Ming, somewhat concerned something might have happened, said, "Please wait a moment, Miss Shen. Young Master Zhou is on an important call."

After a couple of seconds, Zhuang Ming addressed the aloof, distinguished man on the phone in the backseat.

"It’s Miss Shen."

Zhou Luchen put down his pen. "Where?"

Zhuang Ming relayed the question and then repeated Shen Jing’s words, "By JG Avenue."

"Turn around."

Zhuang Ming turned the steering wheel, rerouting to JG Avenue.

Vehicles bustled along the great thoroughfare.

Her small white Mercedes was pulled up against the guardrail. She was crouching by the roadside, head down, scrolling through her phone.

She looked up, tear-filled eyes fixed on the car that had stopped before her. Watching the man walk towards her, she suddenly found the official family car’s license plate less detestable; it was certainly easy to recognize.

Zhou Luchen’s tall figure slowly approached and stopped before her. His dark eyes lowered slightly. "Bullied?"

Usually so gentle and docile, she pouted, displeasure written all over her face. "The other driver aggressively cut into my lane. Their aggression scared me, and I yanked the steering wheel."

She looked quite pitiable.

A corner of Zhou Luchen’s lip twitched. He leaned down, placed her hands on his shoulders, then smoothly gripped her waist and effortlessly lifted her into his arms.

Shen Jing’s unhappiness immediately vanished. Instinctively, her hands wrapped tightly around Zhou Luchen’s waist. She snuggled softly into his embrace, her head unintentionally brushing against the taut line of his jaw. Her body curled tightly into him, as if she had found a safe haven.

His palm pressed firmly against her slender back. Zhou Luchen looked down at her, his voice extremely soft. "Why so upset?"

Zhuang Ming, standing nearby, overheard and discreetly went to the Mercedes to retrieve the dashcam footage.

The streetlights cast a soft, hazy glow.

Held in Zhou Luchen’s embrace, he looked down at the top of her head. "Does it hurt anywhere?"

Shen Jing shook her head, murmuring very softly that it didn’t hurt.

She pressed closer to him. A faint scent of rose perfume wafted to her nose, evidently picked up from some place of pleasure he’d been.

Shen Jing frowned in displeasure. "Where have you been? Why do you have perfume on you?"

"Xie Qinyang’s," he said frankly and smoothly.

Hesitating even for a second wouldn’t be the Zhou Luchen she knew.

Shen Jing laughed, tilting her head back.

"You’re lying. He doesn’t use women’s fragrance."

The next second, Zhou Luchen freed a hand to lift her face, his gaze very faint. "Jealous?"

She pursed her lips, remaining silent.

Her jealousy was so palpable. Zhou Luchen, pleased, murmured, "Good girl. I absolutely haven’t been dallying with other women."

Zhou Luchen genuinely couldn’t recall where the perfume scent had come from; he only remembered not having touched any woman. Perhaps a hostess in the private room had brushed against him while pouring drinks, or maybe it was someone else’s female companion.

It was worth picking up the scent, he thought. He enjoyed her emotional fluctuations, liked seeing her display such possessiveness.

Zhuang Ming handled the aftermath of the accident. The dashcam footage showed no problems on their end; it was simply an arrogant McLaren driver who had aggressively cut lanes, provoking Shen Jing’s outburst.

「Zhou Luchen personally drove her back to Taihe Middle Court.」

Zhou Luchen didn’t tell Shen Jing how the accident was subsequently handled. However, she saw him leaning in the back garden, on the phone, his lips moving as he spoke—likely discussing how to sue the McLaren owner.

After hanging up, having long noticed Shen Jing’s presence and her eavesdropping, Zhou Luchen turned around, his arm guiding her closer.

She was wearing his white shirt, which showcased her long, slender legs. On her feet were a pair of oversized slippers. Her beautiful eyes blinked as she gazed up at him.

"The ex-boyfriend did well."

At her praise, the tension at the corners of Zhou Luchen’s lips eased slightly.

Shen Jing stood on her tiptoes, smiling along.

She let Zhou Luchen’s warm fingers caress the back of her neck.

She couldn’t recall if Zhou Luchen had slept the previous night or napped during the day. As she looked up, he was also looking at her, his gaze weary, almost shattered by fatigue.

She wasn’t foolish.

No matter when—whether during her time at Yunding or after they had separated—he had always treated her exceptionally well.

If love wasn’t a requirement, and if one overlooked his inherent roguishness and his life of hedonistic pleasure, Zhou Luchen would undoubtedly be the best protector and partner.

She suddenly understood Wei Wenxin’s fixation on becoming Mrs. Zhou. If his love wasn’t necessary, couldn’t Zhou Luchen protect everyone around him and provide them with the best of everything?

Besides, even the Zhou Family didn’t care whom he loved; they only needed a partner who could accompany him to the apex of success.

The more she looked at him, the softer Shen Jing’s heart grew. "Um, I asked the housekeeper to prepare dinner. Are you going to eat?"

He supported her waist with his palm as he accompanied her downstairs.

Downstairs in the villa, it was empty. She realized Zhou Luchen didn’t keep countless servants; only two or three housekeepers came occasionally, and they would leave after finishing their tasks. He cherished quiet above all.

Zhou Luchen sat to one side, watching her eat. "You really like working overtime?"