A Twisted Love Affair
Chapter 139 - 138 He’s not coming back?

Chapter 139: 138 He’s not coming back?

Behind the scenes, Zhou Luchen was secretly pulling strings regarding the Wenxin matter.

Who could find out?

Only Wei Sulin understood.

Wenxin told Wei Sulin this, "I will eventually go to the Zhou Family, and sooner or later, the Wei Family’s estate will be divided among you."

"Are you going to be the mistress?"

Having held grudges, Wei Sulin was particularly venomous.

Was she the mistress? Only Wenxin herself didn’t feel she was.

"I can wait," Wenxin said. "Once I marry into the Zhou Family, I can ensure smooth sailing for you as well. The first wife and second wife are fighting, but you and I shouldn’t. We should collaborate."

"You’re deceitful." Wei Sulin didn’t like to play dirty; at least his upbringing didn’t permit him to be despicable and mean.

"So what if I am? The Wei Family gave you such a good project in Tong Village, and you managed to mess it up," Wenxin said coolly. "What makes you think you deserve the shareholders’ support? Interests, Young Master. How could they dare to entrust their own interests to you? You had already lost from the very beginning."

Her words were unpleasant.

Wei Sulin wasn’t afraid of her and retorted carelessly, "If you’re going to be a mistress, don’t share a surname with me; it’s disgraceful."

Wei Sulin did admire Wenxin’s ambitiousness to some extent, her willingness to resort to any means to achieve her goal. However, she unfortunately had the same disposition as her mother, favoring the position of mistress, which he detested.

His own mother had suffered depression for many years over such a matter.

He admitted defeat.

What he didn’t understand was that, in the end, Zhou Luchen still chose to stand with Wenxin.

What did Zhou Luchen say? "Alin, you’re not there yet. My 20 billion can’t go down the drain."

In the end, was it because of the 20 billion, or because he entertained the thought of having a Mrs. Zhou, supporting her to reach the pinnacle with the ambition of being evenly matched? Who knew?

Conceding that he was no match for Zhou Luchen, Wei Sulin didn’t rebut. Instead, he offered his thanks, as Zhou Luchen had truly helped him out a great deal.

Sometimes, when United Bank’s top-level executives were reluctant to issue loans to support a business, Zhou Luchen indeed had the capability to fund it himself.

「That time.」

Wei Sulin happened to bump into Shen Jing, his feelings complicated.

"Can I buy you a milk tea?" Wei Sulin asked, unsure what else to say. That should be a normal enough greeting, he thought.

"I have to go to class," Shen Jing hurried into the car. "Next time, okay? Don’t be too discouraged, Young Master Wei."

Wei Sulin cracked a smile. He was just a second-generation rich kid enjoying a fleeting moment of luxury.

As Shen Jing stepped on the gas and adjusted the rearview mirror, she saw Wei Sulin standing there motionless, seemingly lost in thought.

Shen Jing didn’t have time to ponder other people’s family affairs and turned the car to leave.

She was diligent in attending her classes, no longer relying on Chen Yao and the others for teaching and analysis.

Why had she suddenly fallen for it? It began purely as a diversion, something she did with Chen Yao for fun. But once she delved deep into finance, it was like an ocean from which her mind, though chaotic, found joy and never emerged.

The teacher was good-natured. She later learned he was from the executive team of Zhou Luchen’s company.

Everyone at United Bank was top talent, as if mass-produced by Stanford. They patiently taught her, a rookie in their field, and the knowledge became increasingly specialized, leaning towards control and management.

Shen Jing clicked her ballpoint pen repeatedly. "Teacher, aren’t these topics you wouldn’t normally teach even for a fee? I saw a report about you in a financial publication; it said your industry never shares its expertise."

The teacher replied politely, "If you want to listen, then listen. Even if you don’t, I still have to teach. Mr. Zhou has paid the fee."

Better not to mention Mr. Zhou. In her eyes, he was practically a missing person.

She took out her phone and sent a text message: "Zhou Luchen, do you still remember what I look like?"

Could he even remember?

Shen Jing packed up and went home.

The White Begonias had long wilted and dried, replaced by fresh white roses in the vase.

Although Zhou Luchen loved spending the night at Yunding, he never left any important belongings behind—apart from things he wore or used, there was basically nothing else.

Whenever Zhou Luchen wasn’t around, not the slightest trace of a personal touch could be found in the lavish room. It was as if he might disappear at any moment, never to be found again.

After dinner, the housekeeper brought over some juice. "Freshly squeezed green apple juice. Please have a taste."

Shen Jing took it and stood up. "Don’t fuss, you can go home now."

"Alright." The housekeeper nodded politely and untied her apron. "If you’re afraid of the dark, you can call me anytime. I can come over."

Shen Jing found it amusing. Afraid of the dark? How could she be? She had lived alone night after night in Su City.

Initially, she had only teased Zhou Luchen for fun. Who knew he would actually believe it?

As she passed the study, the door was tightly shut.

She rarely stepped into Zhou Luchen’s private domain.

The study bore too many memories of their tumultuous nights together. There wasn’t a single place she could look at directly.

The kitten often barged in too, interrupting them in their nakedness.

Whenever she showed shyness towards the cat while they were exposed, Zhou Luchen would become even more wicked.

Hence, the study began to be locked—she had locked it herself.

She didn’t dare to indulge so freely with the noble young master; she was a little afraid she would fall into depravity with no cure in sight.

Feeling bored, Shen Jing pushed open the door and walked in, looking at the items on the desk.

Since moving in, she had taken the liberty of changing many of Zhou Luchen’s things without asking—his pen, ashtray, and lighter.

They weren’t too expensive, but all were finely crafted.

Zhou Luchen would occasionally complain if something didn’t feel right to use, but eventually, he let her do as she wished.

When she opened a drawer, her arm accidentally brushed against a wallet.

Shen Jing grew more curious about what was inside.

She opened it.

There were many brand-new banknotes, and the drawer itself was also stacked with cash. He was always so careless with money.

A photo was tucked inside as well.

His grandfather was holding his hand.

He was a very young Zhou Luchen, probably only three years old, with fair skin, naturally thin lips, thick eyebrows, and delicate features. He wasn’t looking at the camera but at the heavy snow. He already had an aloof air about him, even from such a young age.

The genes of an elite family, she thought. Zhou Luchen’s future children will definitely be just as handsome and adorable.

But when she saw the plaque on the grand entrance in the photo, which squarely read ’Headquarters,’ Shen Jing felt her hands tremble as she held it.

Shen Jing leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes, deep in thought.

There were many branches in the Zhou Family’s lineage. No matter the industry, Zhou Luchen’s uncles and other senior family members were all prominent figures.

With such a background, could Zhou Luchen’s marriage really be his own decision? Wouldn’t it be scrutinized at every level?

She put the wallet back and tidied up the desk.

She ran a bath, hugged the cat, and went to sleep.

「The next day,」 Zhuang Ming came to pick Shen Jing up for work.

As soon as she got in the car, she asked, "Is he not coming back?"

Zhuang Ming shook his head. "I don’t know. I’m only responsible for taking you to and from work."

Shen Jing still couldn’t help but ask, "Was he really punished, like Chen Yao said?"

Zhuang Ming was silent for a few seconds. "The Second Young Master did indeed break the family rules."

The Zhou Family had thought Zhou Luchen wouldn’t go too far.

He was seen frequenting hotels with that person from the Wei Family and, although it was supposedly just for drinks, no scandal had emerged. Then there was the suspension of the Wei Family’s shares, which he was tasked to reorganize, with an application for relisting after the stipulated 12-month period.

Indeed, many things had happened.

「...」

「On the outskirts of Beijing.」

At the old site of a hunting ground, sika deer bowed their heads to graze in the green shade.

A few luxury cars were parked in a straight line by the road, yet the one driven by Zhou Luchen was the most inconspicuous.

Every time Xie Qinyang met Zhou Luchen, he was driving an unassuming black sedan.

It wasn’t that Zhou Luchen lacked luxury cars. He owned properties along the canal in Beijing—out of only 55 exclusive residences, he held three. Yet, he preferred staying in hotels.

Xie Qinyang’s heart blossomed with delight. The Second Young Master is here to give me some business! he thought.

He didn’t bring the family driver, nor did he allow bodyguards to follow. Zhou Luchen simply went wherever he pleased. If you weren’t in their circle, you’d never know his true identity.

To those who knew him, he didn’t need to do anything. Merely standing there, his status as Old Master Zhou’s direct grandson was enough to make people wary and give way.

Whether in a CBD Building or a hotel, his noble air often made people turn their heads to look at him.

Xie Qinyang got out of his car, locked it, and approached Zhou Luchen.

"Has that quiet ex of yours left?"

Leaning against the car door, Zhou Luchen casually scrolled through his phone. "What about it?"

"What could I want? Just curious," Xie Qinyang said, pinching the end of his cigarette as he took a drag. "With the Second Young Master making a move, it’s all settled, isn’t it?"

In every major economic zone in the country, United Bank had branches, and Zhou Luchen was busy here too.

Busy with what, you ask?

Busy reviewing contracts, busy with inspections and providing guidance.

And busy with the Wei Family’s affairs.

Zhou Luchen himself had stepped in, working his network of connections and resources, resulting in business tycoons from Beijing partnering with the Wei Family.

The Wei Family’s main businesses were in the film, television, and tourism industries.

The biggest film and television resources, along with the industry’s major investors, were all in Beijing.

For the Second Young Master, it was no easy feat.

It was a game of power, something that couldn’t be explained in just a few words.

Xie Qinyang felt his trouser pockets.

Zhou Luchen glanced at the cigarette case Xie Qinyang offered with his other hand.

He didn’t smoke Huanghe Building cigarettes; they were too mild.

This reminded Zhou Luchen of a pair of fair, slender hands pinching a Huanghe Building cigarette, stealthily taking a puff to taste it.

Just then, he scrolled to that WeChat message.

"Zhou Luchen, do you still remember what I look like?"

What did she look like?

Delicate and charming.

Her twenty-third year... truly a beautiful age.

A self-deprecating smile touched Zhou Luchen’s lips. And she was with him, their relationship so ill-defined.

He blanked his phone screen and fell silent.

As a deer drew near, Xie Qinyang, seemingly with all the leisure in the world, fed it some grass and gently touched its antlers. "If I may say so, are you really thinking of getting married? She’s so set on marrying into your Zhou Family, plus she’s managing the Wei Family’s affairs, and she’s only tender towards you."

Zhou Luchen opened the car door, took out a bottle of mineral water, twisted off the cap, and took a drink.

"What tricks can she possibly play?"

Xie Qinyang said, "She has the entire Wei Family under her thumb now, not even sparing her own mother." He paused. "You need to make back that 20 billion, otherwise it’s too great a loss."

Even if one had money, it couldn’t be squandered so recklessly. Zhou Luchen knew this all too well.

Xie Qinyang, preoccupied with feeding the deer, dropped the cigarette from his lips. He took out another, but his lighter seemed to be out of fluid and wouldn’t light. "Got a lighter?"

Zhou Luchen didn’t even bother to check his pockets. "Didn’t bring one."

"Could you at least check your pockets?" Xie Qinyang insisted, the cigarette dangling from his lips as if he absolutely had to smoke it.

Young Master Zhou watched the deer graze, utterly unfazed. "Don’t have one."

Xie Qinyang curved his lips into a smile. "Not even carrying a lighter? Are you quitting smoking to have kids or something?"

Zhou Luchen shot him a look. "You’ve got some nerve."

Xie Qinyang just gave a faint "Oh?" and didn’t press him further. He walked over to ask another friend for a lighter, not forgetting to add cheerfully, "Luchen’s been raking it in lately; he’s definitely paying tonight!"