Chapter 25
“What did you guys lie to me about?”
The living room fell into complete silence. Just moments ago, these two had been loudly advocating for honesty and leniency, yet now, not a single one of them dared to make a sound.
Chi Suinian held the medicine box, his gaze sweeping over the two of them. “Speak.”
Who the hell would dare to speak? Certainly not Tang Jin. He shrank his shoulders and nudged Lu Heng forward by two steps.
Chi Suinian’s gaze landed on Lu Heng with a light but piercing intensity.
Lu Heng: “…”
Damn it.
Under Chi Suinian’s probing stare, Lu Heng felt extremely uneasy. The mix of fear and guilt gnawed at his heart, tormenting him from the moment Chi Suinian woke up. It was driving him insane.
At a certain point, Lu Heng craned his neck and thought, Maybe I should just confess everything. Even if Chi Suinian beat him up, that would be better than lying awake night after night, unable to sleep.
Lu Heng squeezed his eyes shut and braced himself. “I—”
Before he could finish, Lu Zhiyue suddenly walked out from the corner, still holding his phone from a recent call. He quickly said, “The hospital isn’t far, but the ambulance will take time to arrive. I’ll have Uncle Zhang drive you there instead…”
After speaking, he paused, sensing the strange atmosphere in the room. “What were you guys talking about? Why does it feel so tense?”
No one answered.
Two of them even buried their heads like quails.
Chi Suinian said calmly, “They just confessed to me about a certain deception.”
Tang Jin and Lu Heng simultaneously looked up.
What the hell?
He can twist it like that?
“They said you were the mastermind,” Chi Suinian continued, staring at Lu Zhiyue expressionlessly. His dark eyes gave away no emotions.
But those who knew him well understood—when Master Chi got mad, the calmer he seemed, the more dangerous he was. He was like a dormant volcano, storing up molten rage inside, waiting for the perfect moment to erupt and burn everyone in its path.
Lu Zhiyue froze for a moment, then turned to Tang Jin and Lu Heng. “You both confessed?”
Chi Suinian’s eyelashes narrowed slightly.
Lu Zhiyue thought for a second and shrugged. “Well, since you’ve already confessed, it doesn’t really matter. It’s not a big deal anyway.”
Tang Jin and Lu Heng: ???
Chi Suinian sat quietly, but his hand slowly clenched at his side, his breathing growing heavy.
So he had really been deceived.
But what was the lie? When did it start? And what was the purpose…?
A flurry of thoughts raced through his mind in an instant.
“We were planning to tell you later,” Lu Zhiyue said as he sat beside Chi Suinian, his voice soft. “But since you already found out, I’ll just say it now.”
Chi Suinian sat up straighter, his fists tightening. If Lu Zhiyue dared to admit to some real deception, then he could forget about walking out of here today—he’d be leaving horizontally, just like Tang Jin.
Lu Zhiyue said calmly, “Three days from now is our wedding anniversary. I had Tang Jin and Lu Heng help me prepare a surprise for you. I asked them not to tell you. Sorry.”
Chi Suinian’s face turned black instantly. Those five words shattered every ounce of his logic. He snapped his head up and glared at Lu Zhiyue. “What did you just say?”
Lu Zhiyue met his gaze and smiled. “Three days from now is our one-year wedding anniversary. I prepared a surprise for you.”
Surprise, my ass.
Chi Suinian nearly lost his temper. “You know very well what our real relationship is. What the hell are you playing at?”
Lu Zhiyue blinked, confused. “After what happened the night before last, I thought our relationship had—”
Chi Suinian’s brow twitched violently. He shot up, clamping a hand over Lu Zhiyue’s mouth, his eyes narrowed dangerously. “Lu Zhiyue, if you dare to say a word about that night, I’ll drag you down with me!”
Lu Zhiyue stared at him blankly, unresponsive.
Chi Suinian gritted his teeth. “Say something!”
Lu Zhiyue’s thick lashes lowered slightly, brushing against the hand covering his mouth. He blinked.
Chi Suinian, in his fury, forgot about the situation and quickly released his hand.
“…Got it.”
Chi Suinian was barely satisfied, letting go and stepping back. But as his focus returned, he suddenly noticed a subtle pressure on both sides of his waist.
Looking down, he saw Lu Zhiyue’s hands casually resting on him.
At first glance, it almost looked like they were embracing.
Out of the corner of his eye, Chi Suinian caught sight of Tang Jin and Lu Heng staring in shock.
Lu Zhiyue even had the audacity to ask, “So, are we still celebrating the anniversary?”
“…………”
To hell with that.
Lu Zhiyue was a walking disaster—nothing good ever came from being around him.
Chi Suinian wanted to tell him to shove his anniversary, that if he kept spouting nonsense, his memorial service would be in three days instead.
But before he could open his mouth, something clicked in his mind. His gaze swept over Tang Jin, who looked incredibly guilty. Slowly, he repeated, “Wedding anniversary?”
Lu Zhiyue nodded. “Mm.”
Tang Jin’s heart nearly stopped.
Crap.
A month ago, in the hospital room, Tang Jin had told Chi Suinian something similar.
“Why are you embarrassed around Dad? Next week is your wedding anniversary. You woke up just in time. Lu Zhiyue even called this morning—he’s catching a flight back this afternoon…”
After leaving the room, Tang Jin had belatedly realized—he had messed up the date.
But to be fair, who could remember a date that didn’t even exist?
Still, Chi Suinian hadn’t seemed to care, and no one had brought it up again. So Tang Jin had assumed his slip-up was forgotten.
Who knew it would come back to haunt him?
Shit…
Does my brother really have such a good memory?
Noticing Chi Suinian’s gaze, Lu Zhiyue frowned. “What’s wrong?”
Chi Suinian’s voice was ice-cold. “Are you sure about the date?”
Lu Zhiyue answered with complete confidence, “Of course. How could I forget the day we registered our marriage?”
Chi Suinian’s expression twisted. “…Why are you giving such a detailed answer? Who asked for all that?”
Lu Zhiyue straightened his posture and obediently said, “Oh, okay.”
“……”
Chi Suinian couldn’t be bothered to look at him anymore. He turned to Tang Jin. “Didn’t you say this damn date was a week after I woke up?”
Tang Jin was stunned.
Three pairs of skeptical eyes locked onto him.
Even Lu Heng, who had been silent, looked at him suspiciously. “You said that?”
Tang Jin exploded. “Damn it, this isn’t even my anniversary! I’m allowed to mix up the date! And I’m still recovering, can you all stop scaring me? My legs are shaking!”
It was true. Tang Jin was just glad he was sitting—otherwise, with all these shocks, his legs would’ve given out long ago.
Chi Suinian finally remembered that Tang Jin was still injured. He didn’t press further and immediately took him to the hospital.
After running some tests, it was already noon. Thankfully, nothing was broken—just a mild sprain. He could be discharged in the afternoon.
Tang Jin, still shaken, insisted on borrowing a wheelchair, acting like a critically ill patient as Lu Heng pushed him out of the consultation room.
Just then, a phone rang in Chi Suinian’s pocket. Without checking, he answered.
“Hello, Mr. Lu. This is Heartfelt Wedding Services. Would you like us to prepare flowers for your anniversary event? We have several color options…”
Chi Suinian froze. Looking down, he realized—it wasn’t his phone.
In the chaos earlier, he must have accidentally grabbed Lu Zhiyue’s instead.
Which was fortunate.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have known about Lu Zhiyue’s ridiculous plans.
Chi Suinian said, “Cancel everything.”
The staff hesitated. “But Mr. Lu, our team has already begun setting up. If you cancel now, we won’t be able to refund the deposit…”
Chi Suinian interrupted, “Is there a penalty fee for canceling midway?”
“No, sir, but the deposit is non-refundable. Are you sure you want to cancel?”
Chi Suinian scoffed. “No penalty? What kind of amateur contract is this?”
Lu Zhiyue should be losing money over this.
Staff: “…”
Not having a penalty fee is a problem now?
As soon as they stepped out of the hospital, Chi Suiyan spotted Lu Zhiyue standing at the parking lot entrance, standing upright, neither leaning nor slouching. His strikingly handsome face drew blushes from several young women passing by.
In front of him stood a man and a woman, engaged in an animated conversation.
“Damn!” Lu Heng, pushing a wheelchair, suddenly halted his steps and blurted out, “Isn’t that that sly fox? What’s Lu Zhiyue doing mixed up with him?”
Chi Suiyan narrowed his eyes and looked over. The man in the black shirt happened to turn his face slightly, revealing a pair of familiar fox-like eyes.
His name was…
Chi Suiyan thought for a moment but couldn’t recall it. He only remembered his surname was Ding.
Not that it mattered.
That sly fox wasn’t harassing him.
The atmosphere at the parking lot entrance was gloomy, far from the harmonious scene that Chi Suinian and his companions portrayed.
Lu Zhiyue remained silent the entire time, with only Ding Xuxing chattering away.
“…What a coincidence. Zhouzhou just mentioned how much she admires you, and here we are running into you today. Looks like you two are really fated to meet.” Ding Xuxing squinted his eyes mischievously as he smiled. “Actually, I have a project in hand and have always wanted to invite President Lu to invest. Why don’t we find a quiet place to sit down and have a good chat?”
Ding Zhouzhou was a young girl with a pure and delicate beauty. She wore a floral dress and carried a strong student-like aura. A faint blush crept onto her unmade-up cheeks as she gazed at Lu Zhiyue with a shy, girlish admiration.
She stomped her foot lightly. “Brother… what are you saying?”
“Still feeling embarrassed?” Ding Xuxing chuckled, then turned to Lu Zhiyue. “My cousin here is a bit shy. Seeing someone she admires makes her a little flustered. I hope you don’t mind, President Lu.”
Hearing this, Ding Zhouzhou looked up expectantly. “I know a nice Chinese restaurant nearby. The ingredients are fresh, and the place has a high spending threshold. There should still be private rooms available if we go now.”
“No need,” Lu Zhiyue replied indifferently. “I don’t have time.”
His rejection was so direct that he didn’t even bother coming up with an excuse. Ding Zhouzhou was momentarily stunned. “…Oh.”
Lu Zhiyue had long grown tired of these two pestering him. Just then, he spotted Chi Suinian walking out of the hospital. Without even saying goodbye, he turned to leave.
“Oh, what a coincidence! Young Master Chi is at the hospital too?” Ding Xuxing also noticed Chi Suinian. His narrow eyes brightened slightly as he smiled, stepping in to block Chi Suinian’s path.
Chi Suinian glanced at the hand in front of him and said coldly, “Move.”
Hit with a face full of ice, Ding Xuxing awkwardly withdrew his hand. “Young Master Chi, President Lu and my sister were just about to have a meal together. Why don’t you join us? The more, the merrier.”
Chi Suinian stopped in his tracks and turned his gaze toward the dainty girl beside Lu Zhiyue.
She was indeed pretty and pure, with a gentle, demure air. Her eyes were filled with admiration as she looked at Lu Zhiyue, as if he were a god.
Chi Suinian had no particular opinion of the girl, but he really disliked Ding Xuxing.
Always scheming, always probing, everything he did carried a sleazy undertone. Lu Zhiyue, on the other hand, was at least openly shameless.
At first, Chi Suinian had only intended to leave quietly, but since Ding Xuxing insisted on provoking him, there was no need to hold back.
He happened to have some pent-up frustration with nowhere to vent it.
Chi Suinian smirked. “Sure, I’m actually hungry. Where’s the restaurant?”
Ding Xuxing: “……”
·
No one had any appetite.
Ding Xuxing sat stiffly, not touching his food, and turned to Lu Zhiyue. “So, President Lu, what do you think? This project is really promising—guaranteed profits.”
Ding Zhouzhou also looked over expectantly.
Lu Zhiyue glanced at the person sitting beside him, the corners of his lips curling up. “In my household, my husband makes the decisions. If it’s about investments, you’ll have to ask him.”
Chi Suinian: “……”
Can you go one day without bringing this up?
But he had to admit, seeing Lu Zhiyue lower himself like this in front of him did give him a bit of satisfaction.
Ding Xuxing’s expression stiffened, and he forced a smile. “President Lu and Young Master Chi are truly affectionate.”
Lu Zhiyue smirked. “Always have been.”
Chi Suinian’s face darkened. “Are you leaving or not?”
“President Lu.” Ding Xuxing suddenly pushed the girl next to him forward. “You and Zhouzhou really seem to get along. Why don’t you add her on WeChat? She just returned from abroad and isn’t too familiar with things here. I hope you can look after her.”
Without even glancing at the girl in front of him, Lu Zhiyue replied, “My phone is with my husband. You can ask him.”
Ding Xuxing: “……”
How the hell was he supposed to ask?
Should he say, Hey, my cousin wants to steal your man. Hand over his phone so she can add him on WeChat?
Is he an idiot?
Ding Xuxing was getting frustrated.
He had seen Lu Zhiyue and Chi Suinian escorting a patient into the hospital earlier and had deliberately waited outside to create a chance encounter.
Not for anything else—he just wanted to mess up their marriage.
Chi Suinian was exactly his type. After being used to plain, boring women, encountering someone as fiery as Chi Suinian was a breath of fresh air. He couldn’t take his eyes off him.
Ever since their encounters at the bar and the auction house, he hadn’t been able to sleep properly. His mind was filled with ways to win over the beauty.
Finally, he managed to find an opportunity, but he had been too hasty—like a clown jumping around.
Ding Zhouzhou, on the other hand, silently glanced between Chi Suinian and Lu Zhiyue. Her beautiful eyes shimmered with a misty disappointment.
Chi Suinian saw it all clearly. Being rejected so directly, this girl was probably heartbroken.
He glanced at the man beside him, scoffing coldly. This girl must be blind.
Lu Zhiyue was scheming, infuriating, and utterly insufferable. Other than his face, he had absolutely no redeeming qualities. Bringing a man like that home would be like a death sentence—he’d drive his partner to madness before the honeymoon even ended. What was there to like about him?
The more he thought about it, the more irritated he felt.
Chi Suinian pulled out Lu Zhiyue’s phone and tossed it to him, not wanting to be involved in this mess any longer.
Just as he turned to leave, he suddenly felt a tug at his fingertips. His brows twitched, recognizing the familiar touch. The next second, he was pulled back into place.
The bold, familiar scent of men’s cologne enveloped him.
“Don’t be mad.” His fingers were gently tugged in a placating manner.
“What does this have to do with me?” Chi Suinian frowned, trying to yank his hand away—only to find that he couldn’t.
“Let go!”
Lu Zhiyue held on tightly, his brows furrowed slightly in what looked like nervousness—like a wronged wife fearing abandonment. “I really wasn’t planning on adding anyone.”
Chi Suinian: “……”
Are you seriously putting on a show even out here?!
How did he never realize before that this man was so utterly shameless?
