A Twisted Love Affair
Chapter 136 - 135 picked begonias, gave her _1

Chapter 136: 135 picked begonias, gave her _1

Meanwhile, two people were released late at night from the city’s Commercial Investigation Department.

One was Wei Sulin, the young master of the Wei Family, and the other was Wenxin, a young lady from the Wei Family’s second branch.

Inside the Maybach.

Zhou Luchen glanced out the window, rubbing his brow, a hint of fatigue still lingering. "Let’s go."

Zhuang Ming nodded to the rearview mirror and drove away from the department headquarters.

Wenxin instantly spotted the departing Maybach. She recognized the familiar license plate; it was one of only two custom models in Shanghai, both belonging to that man.

She picked up her phone and dialed Zhou Luchen’s number, but it didn’t connect.

She ran out, shouting, "Zhou Luchen!"

The Maybach had already merged onto the expressway. Even with minimal traffic in the early hours, it soon vanished from sight.

If she had reined in her pride and not provoked Zhou Xiangqun, their ending wouldn’t have been like this. The Zhou Family had liked her, and he had liked her too. She had clearly taught him how to pamper and cherish a woman, yet he had turned around to indulge in a life of hedonistic pleasure with someone else.

Wei Sulin looked at his sister with little patience. "He said it himself, he doesn’t go back to old flames. Unless she’s a rose—are you?"

Wenxin had no desire to speak with Wei Sulin and got into the car that had arrived to take her home.

「-」

The Maybach headed to the airport, and Zhou Luchen took a private jet to Beijing.

This business kept him occupied for ten days to half a month.

During this time, Old Master Zhou, deeply disappointed in him, had summoned him back to the family compound for a dressing-down. Every word was a sharp reprimand.

Zhou Luchen didn’t utter a single agreeable word in response. He leaned silently against the bookshelf, quietly listening.

He tilted his head slightly, his gaze falling on the white begonia blossoms outside the door. They were dazzlingly vibrant.

Uncle Li was using a broom and dustpan to sweep up fallen leaves and withered blossoms.

The white begonia tree was hundreds of years old, planted when this courtyard was first established. No matter how the compound was later renovated, whether it became a wealthy family’s grand estate or a stately mansion, this tree was never cut down. This particular white begonia was, naturally, somewhat special. It was tended to by dedicated staff, its temperature and environment meticulously controlled year-round, allowing it to bloom in any season. If they didn’t want it to bloom, it wouldn’t dare.

In this world, what was there that he couldn’t do, couldn’t obtain, couldn’t control?

"Are you listening?" Old Master Zhou demanded sharply.

Though advanced in years, his voice was resonant and powerful, enough to make any ordinary listener tremble.

But Zhou Luchen remained utterly impassive. His gaze drifted back from the window as he said, "I wasn’t really listening."

"Your ears?" the old man shot him a look. "Where did you leave them?"

Zhou Luchen replied calmly, "I was admiring the begonias."

Enraged, Old Master Zhou snatched up a paperweight and hurled it in his direction. Even though Zhou Luchen maintained his stance without dodging, it still didn’t touch him.

"You rebellious son! For generations, the Zhou Family has produced countless distinguished talents, and yet we’ve raised a wastrel like you, Zhou Luchen!"

"Calm down," Zhou Luchen picked up the paperweight and unhurriedly placed it back on the table. "Second Grandmother can hear you."

Old Master Zhou’s gaze turned stern. "Does she dare protect you?"

"Why wouldn’t I dare? Let’s see who lays a finger on Luchen today."

The old lady stepped over the threshold, gently flicking the Buddha Beads in her hand.

Zhou Luchen bowed his head slightly. "Second Grandmother."

With a fond smile, she beckoned, "Come stand behind your Second Grandmother. He’s getting old, and his temper is worsening. Better you’re here so he doesn’t hurt you."

Zhou Luchen didn’t flinch. He gave a light chuckle and a thumbs-up, his demeanor casual, his expression and smile both faint and detached.

Old Master Zhou, hands clasped behind his back, said coldly, "It’s precisely because you all spoil him that he has such a rotten temper."

"If I don’t spoil him, who will I spoil?" the old lady replied leisurely. "Hasn’t he just changed his approach? Everyone in the industry praises his competence. What mistake could he possibly make? Don’t we know his capabilities and methods? He knows his limits. I trust my Luchen. If you have so much energy to spare, go practice your boxing outside."

Zhuang Ming, waiting outside the door, looked up at the squarely framed sky above the courtyard.

This was truly a child favored by the heavens. Adored, exalted, superior from birth. The Second Madam of the Zhou family was truly no ordinary figure. Even amongst the highest echelons of nobility, she would be offered the seat of honor. It was just that, accustomed to a secluded life, she preferred watching operas and listening to Buddhist scriptures, uninterested in going anywhere. While others eagerly sought connections here, she wouldn’t even open her door to welcome them. As for anything more, Zhuang Ming couldn’t know.

After a good while, Zhou Luchen emerged from the study, his demeanor relaxed but listless.

Zhuang Ming followed him. "Returning to Shanghai, sir?"

Zhou Luchen was in no hurry to return.

"Should I inform Miss Shen?" Zhuang Ming asked.

Zhou Luchen found it amusing. "Why tell her?"

Zhuang Ming walked behind him along the long corridor. The sunset light on the Glazed Tile roof cast his retreating figure in an even more somber light.

The further they walked, the quieter it became, the silence so profound it was almost unnerving.

Then, Zhou Luchen asked lightly, "Did she ask about me?"

"Not at all. It’s the tourist season, so her teahouse has been busy lately," Zhuang Ming replied, shaking his head.

Passing by the white begonias, Zhou Luchen paused. After admiring them for a moment, he stepped down from the corridor steps and said, "Find me some flower shears."

"What do you plan to do, sir?" Zhuang Ming asked first.

Zhou Luchen wanted to pick the white begonias.

Zhuang Ming brought the flower shears, a sharp tool. He didn’t let Zhou Luchen take them, saying, "Allow me, sir. Is there a branch that hasn’t grown well and needs trimming?"

Zhou Luchen reached for the shears without a word. He specifically chose the most vibrant, splendidly blooming branches and snipped them. The whole white begonia tree swayed, blossoms scattering down, their petals brushing against his broad palm. He paid little heed, cutting whichever branch struck him as beautiful and tossing it into Zhuang Ming’s arms. He even cracked a slight smile.

Zhuang Ming held the flowers, unable to fathom his master’s intentions.

"Have them transported back to Shanghai for her." Zhou Luchen, hands in his trouser pockets, started towards the door. "Take good care of them. Don’t let my flowers wither and fall apart."

His air was one of nonchalance, yet possessed an undeniable, rakish charm.

Zhuang Ming immediately understood the Second Young Master’s intentions. "Should I add roses as well?"

Zhou Luchen didn’t answer. He opened the car door, settled into the driver’s seat, and lazily held an unlit cigarette between his lips, the very picture of untamable wildness.

The engine roared to life, and the black sedan vanished from the compound gate in an instant.

He’s probably off to figure out where to squander his money next, or which friend to go carousing with, Zhuang Ming mused.

「Five hours later.」

Shen Jing received a bouquet of white begonias, as elegant and pure as jade.

They hadn’t seen each other in a long time. Not a single word of concern, just a few sprigs of intensely blooming white begonias.

Shen Jing handed them to the female attendant to arrange in a vase. Learning that Zhou Luchen wasn’t coming back and having some time off, she snuck out to have some fun with Chen Yao and the others.

As soon as they met, Chen Yao asked with concern, "Your account hasn’t suffered any losses, has it?"

Shen Jing nodded. "Mm, thanks to Zhou Luchen reminding me not to panic."

Chen Yao was visibly stunned. He seemed lost in thought for a moment, as if wanting to say something but then swallowing it back. He then said casually, "That was quick, then."

Shen Jing smiled. "You have to be patient."

One of the young masters, who often thought of Zhou Luchen and would bring him up, asked, "I haven’t seen Achen in over a month. What’s he busy with?"

Chen Yao bit into an apple. "In Beijing."

Shen Jing paid little attention, getting up to go to the restroom to touch up her lipstick.

Just as she left, the group began to murmur softly.

"Do you know how the Wei siblings got out? Achen provided the evidence. And guess who Achen eventually sent to prison?"

"Who?"

"Wei Sulin’s old man," that person whispered. "But he’s critically ill, so the sentencing is deferred."

"Achen has always been ruthless. He doesn’t care which big shot it is."

Chen Yao’s eyes darkened. "Alright, enough about Wenxin. His actual girlfriend is right here. Do you think she’ll be pleased to hear Wenxin’s name constantly on your lips? Are you going to be the ones to pacify her?"

"Got it, we won’t mention her again."