CHAPTER 221: CHAPTER 223: TOGETHER AS A COUPLE

Speaking of which, Xia Ranran glanced disdainfully at Su Xingyu: "And you? What do you even count for?"

Su Xingyu suppressed her anger: "What I count for is none of your business. As long as you know—you don’t even count as anything, that’s all."

Xia Ranran, Fang Luohua: "...!!"

They didn’t expect Su Xingyu to have such a sharp tongue; usually looking easy to bully, yet she could occasionally choke people to death with one remark! Fang Luohua couldn’t help but burst into laughter; he found himself increasingly fond of this cute new apprentice. Although she hadn’t been in the company for long, and although there were unclear entanglements with the big boss of the company, her cuteness was simply irresistible!

Unable to argue with Su Xingyu, Xia Ranran turned her head to glare at Fang Luohua: "You’re still laughing!"

"Okay, I won’t laugh, I won’t laugh." Fang Luohua struggled hard to suppress his laughter, awkwardly covering his mouth, shoulders trembling as he returned to his seat.

Xia Ranran fumed quietly, thought for a moment, and simply got up to grab Yun Xi and gossip in the break room: "Do you think Su Xingyu has a thing for Mr. Lu? Last time she pretended to find money in the parking lot, and this time, who knows what means she employed to arrange her flight with Mr. Lu through the administrative department. Should we give Miss Zhuang a heads up?"

"Miss Zhuang didn’t look pleased just now," Yun Xi said, "You might not have noticed, but as soon as Anna went to talk to Su Xingyu about the flight, the lens cap Miss Zhuang was holding fell to the ground. She picked it up and hurried off, certainly not wanting to see Su Xingyu’s smug face! If you ask me, Miss Zhuang probably knows what’s up."

"Knows what’s up?" Xia Ranran exaggeratedly gasped, "Su Xingyu is really going to steal Mr. Lu?"

Yun Xi said, "Who knows? Ever since the rumors about Mr. Lu keeping a woman started circulating, who knows how many women are itching for a chance. Even if they can’t be a proper wife like Miss Zhuang, being a mistress has great benefits too."

"We better keep a close watch," Xia Ranran said nervously, "We can’t let Su Xingyu succeed, regardless of who Mr. Lu’s mistress is, it definitely shouldn’t be her! I just can’t stand her."

"I’m the same," Yun Xi said, a fierce light shining in her almond eyes, "We need to kick her out, clear the path for Miss Zhuang, only then will Miss Zhuang start seeing us differently."

"Alright!"

The two of them huddled together to plot.

Su Xingyu packed her luggage at home and took a flight to Hanyu with Lu Shifeng.

This was their first trip together; throughout the journey, he took great care of her, not letting her carry heavy items, keeping her in front while queuing, and in first class, he thoughtfully provided her with a pillow.

His attentiveness made her feel a bit uncomfortable, and she said: "Lu Shifeng, I can do it myself."

Lu Shifeng insistently settled her comfortably, telling her: "At home, you handle the household chores; outside, I should take care of you."

His words were firm, yet Su Xingyu felt a warmth in her heart. Though this man was undeniably chauvinistic and stubborn, she was slowly discovering that his machismo was built on sincere confidence rather than the empty bravado of those who are incompetent yet want to show off in front of girls. He didn’t speak sweet romantic words, but conveyed his affection through actions.

Her delicately beautiful face couldn’t help but show a smile, her body relaxed, and she quietly nestled beside him.

After a two-hour flight, they arrived in Hanyu.

The staff from Hanyu came to receive them and first took them to the guest house within the research center.

Though named a guest house, the standards here were no less than a five-star hotel. With a post-modern sci-fi architectural style exuding streamlined aesthetics, surrounded by lush trees, it’d resembled a star-ship about to take off from a primeval jungle. This reflected Hanyu’s long pursuit: exploring the stars, investigating the ultimate mysteries of the universe.

Staff welcomed them to a luxurious suite on the second floor: "Mr. Lu, this room is specially prepared for you, with central views that overlook the distant forest and lake."

Then, turning to Su Xingyu saying: "Miss Su, please follow me, your room is on the other side."

"Hold on," Lu Shifeng spoke calmly, telling Su Xingyu, "You stay." Then he addressed the staff, "You take me to the room on the other side."

The staff was momentarily stunned: "But Mr. Lu, this is the best room..."

With just one glance from Lu Shifeng, his elongated, deep eyes imparted an invisible pressure that made the staff instinctively close his mouth. He didn’t understand why Mr. Lu would give the best room to Miss Su. According to the info he received, Miss Su’s rank wasn’t high, merely a junior employee...

However, these things were not for a mere attendant to comment on.

Judiciously, he altered their accommodations and walked away.

Su Xingyu settled into the best scenic room, only hastily putting down her luggage before being called away by Hanyu’s liaison to attend a meeting. Exhausted and frazzled, she followed them to view numerous newly developed optics equipment and data, filling her mind with new tech concepts and validations, tasked with a heap of assignments...

Busy till night, she returned utterly worn out.

Once back in the scenic suite, completely drained, she collapsed onto the soft big bed without even bathing.

A few moments later, a noise came from the door.

"Who?!" Su Xingyu sat up alertly; could it be a thief?

Unexpectedly, it was Lu Shifeng who entered, impeccably dressed in his suit, radiating vitality.

The tension in Su Xingyu’s heart vanished instantly, yet she couldn’t help but blame him: "Why do you just barge in without knocking? You scared me."

"Scared?" Lu Shifeng walked to the bedside, as if returning home daily, opened his arms in front of her, indicating she should remove his jacket.

Su Xingyu struggled to sit up, weary limbs from flying earlier erasing any goodwill accumulated; seriously, capitalist, big villain, dictator... She’s practically dead from exhaustion, yet he expected her to serve and remove his jacket?! A limp hand rested on his shoulder, another fiddled with his suit button but failed to unfasten it.

Su Xingyu despondently stared at the suit button, looking utterly disenchanted.

"Tired?" He noticed the signs.

"Not tired, you try?" She was furious, "Do your people here all have workaholic tendencies, completing so much every day? How is such busyness manageable? I’m on the verge of falling apart!"

In her angry complaint, he grabbed hold of her soft, delicate hand.