Chapter 31: What Kind of Relationship?

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Seeing Lu Qiqi genuinely fired up, her eyes slightly reddened and her voice trembling with restrained anger, Si Qinyu’s heart softened a bit after all.

To be fair, he still had feelings for Lu Qiqi. After all these years, even if some of it had been acting, the more they played the part, the more it became real. Besides, Lu Qiqi was outstanding in every way, enough to stir his heart.

“Qiqi, don’t be angry. I’ll leave now so you can calm down here. I promise I’ll make it up to you later.” Si Qinyu softened his voice, soothing her with his usual gentle affection. Only when he saw her expression ease somewhat did he leave the office.

Once they were gone, the sadness and grievance on Lu Qiqi’s face vanished completely, replaced by a cold, resolute bitterness laced with hatred.

“Wifey, I came to pick you up after work. Look, do you like it?” That evening, Si Qinyu greeted Lu Qiqi at the company entrance holding a large bouquet of roses. Many female employees watched enviously, whispering among themselves, wishing the flowers had been for them.

Lu Qiqi deliberately turned her head away, letting out a coquettish hum through her nose, as if still sulking with Si Qinyu. Seeing this, Si Qinyu felt a weight lift from his heart, knowing she was no longer upset with him.

“Wifey, come on, let’s go have a candlelight dinner tonight. Work’s been busy lately, and I’ve neglected you.” Si Qinyu gallantly opened the car door, gesturing for her to enter.

Lu Qiqi took the flowers and got into the passenger seat, placing the bouquet between herself and Si Qinyu. The vividly blooming roses pricked her eyes like blood.

Roses symbolize love, yet her love felt utterly ridiculous.

On the way to the restaurant, a light rain began to drizzle outside. By the time they arrived, the rain had intensified, with thunder and lightning rumbling overhead.

“Waiter, we’re ready to order.” Si Qinyu snapped his fingers to call over the waiter. Just as he was about to place the order, his phone rang. Glancing at the screen, his expression changed.

He looked toward Lu Qiqi and then hung up, but the caller persisted and called again. Lu Qiqi asked, “Why aren’t you answering? Is it inconvenient?”

If he didn’t answer, Lu Qiqi would start to suspect, so Si Qinyu quickened his pace, stepping away from both the waiter and Lu Qiqi to take the call.

“Mr. Si, I’m so scared. The power tripped in my apartment, it’s pitch black, and there’s thunder outside. Boohoo...” On the line, Shen Manli’s tearful voice came through, accompanied by thunderclaps and her terrified screams.

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“Ah! Help!” The call abruptly ended. Si Qinyu tried calling back repeatedly but couldn’t get through. Anxiety gnawed at him. He glanced at Lu Qiqi and finally steeled himself.

“Sorry, Qiqi. There’s an urgent matter at the company. I have to leave first. You go ahead and eat.” Saying that, he grabbed his suit jacket from the chair back and hurried away.

Watching the unmistakable worry etched on his face and his unyielding retreating figure, Lu Qiqi couldn’t help but sneer. Looks like Shen Manli called again.

She hadn’t expected Si Qinyu still harbored some genuine feelings for Shen Manli. But alas, even that sincerity came second to his own interests. Otherwise, why would he have allowed the woman he loved to be the other woman?

At that moment, Lu Qiqi had lost her appetite. As she was about to leave, she saw Chu Linchen entering. Recalling the contract she had painfully declined and Si Qinyu’s scheming, she paused.

“President Chu, what a coincidence. Are you alone too? If you don’t mind, shall we share a table? Eating alone is so boring.” She approached him proactively.

Before Chu Linchen could refuse, Lu Qiqi had already sat down boldly, counting on her shamelessness. Sure enough, Chu Linchen didn’t embarrass her by asking her to leave.

“President Chu, what a coincidence—not only the dining spot but also that port you’re interested in. Someone just approached me about a partnership there.” Lu Qiqi deliberately tested the waters with that port.

“But I’m still uneasy. I’m not very familiar with that person, and I always trust working with those I know well.”

Lu Qiqi was a blank slate before Chu Linchen, yet she fancied herself a master of disguise. Chu Linchen immediately saw through her lingering hope to collaborate.

Normally, Chu Linchen might have engaged her in more conversation, but today he wasn’t in the mood. He merely replied perfunctorily, glancing at his watch now and then, his face tinged with barely concealed impatience.

However, Lu Qiqi observed his expressions keenly, catching the brief flash of irritation on his face.

“Chen-ge~”

Just as Lu Qiqi’s curiosity peaked, a petite, adorable girl appeared at the entrance, waving playfully like a little kitten toward Chu Linchen.

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“Miss Lu...” Chu Linchen raised an eyebrow but said no more. Lu Qiqi immediately understood the unspoken message—it was a subtle sign to leave. So Chu Linchen wasn’t alone today; he had a date.

Lu Qiqi wasn’t oblivious. She stood and apologized, “Sorry to disturb your date.”

As she left, she brushed past Qin Xi, who clearly glared at her with strong hostility. Lu Qiqi felt wronged, swearing to the heavens that she really had come purely for business today.

Had she known Chu Linchen was meeting Qin Xi, she wouldn’t have been so tactless to butt in. Besides, Chu Linchen hadn’t explicitly said anything!

Still, Lu Qiqi was curious about the relationship between Chu Linchen and Qin Xi. If they were a couple, they didn’t seem that intimate; if just friends, it felt like they’d crossed some boundaries.

Just then, Bai Yu called. The moment Lu Qiqi answered, a torrent of cursing came through.

“Ahhh! I’m so mad! Guess what—I saw your scumbag soon-to-be ex-husband at Shen Manli’s apartment! I waited downstairs forever and saw them through the floor-to-ceiling window, just holding each other and kissing! How shameless!”

“Don’t get worked up. They’re both scoundrels; no outsider can stop them. Don’t let it ruin you.” Lu Qiqi smiled wryly—Bai Yu was even angrier than the wife here.

“I can’t stand it. I’m going to dig through the legal clauses and see if I can make him leave with nothing!” Bai Yu vowed.

“Enough about them. I just ran into Chu Linchen and Qin Xi. Something feels off about their relationship. Next time I’ll keep my distance from Chu Linchen. And you should stop making those kinds of jokes.” Lu Qiqi recounted what she had seen.

On the other end, Bai Yu frowned. She was sure Qin Xi didn’t have a boyfriend, but she was indeed too close to Chu Linchen.

Since Chu Linchen was Bai Yu’s chosen future brother-in-law, she decided to investigate further.