Chapter 17: Pressing Forward

Song Mi was in her office, leaning back in her chair with her eyes closed, resting. Normally, she would do some light physical exercises every noon, but having sprained her ankle, she had to give up her routine. It seemed that people truly couldn't afford to be lazy, not even for a single day; she'd only paused for two days, and already found herself drowsy.

Qiao Weiwei's message arrived just in time, rousing her from her sleepiness. Watching Lu Zhizhi linking arms with Wen Yanli in front of the reporters, Song Mi wasn't surprised; even if nothing had happened between them that night, it didn't mean Lu Zhizhi had no interest in him.

As for why she didn't think Wen Yanli reciprocated Lu Zhizhi's feelings…

Wasn't it obvious? His face in the video was so gloomy it seemed ready to drip with darkness! Besides, if a man truly cared for a woman, how could he bear to push her into the spotlight at such a critical moment, just to divert public attention?

This Lu Zhizhi was probably trying to create a fait accompli, staking her claim. But whom was she declaring war against?

Unconsciously, Song Mi's lips curled into a cold, mocking smile. Her fingers moved, closing the video page.

She replied to Qiao Weiwei with two words: Understood.

…

Meanwhile, the car had already traveled some distance, yet the atmosphere inside grew heavier and heavier. Since getting in, Wen Yanli hadn't spoken a single word to her.

Lu Zhizhi knew full well that the moment she disregarded his refusal and chased after him, calling out to him, she had already angered him. Yet she couldn't understand it: even if he had climbed to the position of partner at such a young age through his own ability, even if he enjoyed the reputation of being the "invincible god" in the industry, he was still just an ordinary man with no family background.

In terms of looks, she certainly deserved to be called beautiful as a flower; in terms of family, the Lu family was considered elite not only in Jinzhou but even in the capital. As for personal accomplishment, she had returned from studying abroad and was about to hold her own art exhibition, with fame and prospects ahead.

Why, then, did he dare to treat her with such disregard?

Thinking this, Lu Zhizhi finally regained some confidence. "Perhaps you think this isn't the best solution, but it is the most convenient."

"Wen Yuan is the painstaking creation of you and my brother. I truly don't wish for the public to lose faith in the firm because of misunderstandings about you." She knew, of course, that her words carried a hint of leveraging her own status, but she no longer cared.

Men perhaps did not like women who were too docile; otherwise, that Song Mi who was bold and striking at the Shen family funeral—who reportedly never removed her sunglasses the entire time—how could she have caught his eye?

Yet after her words, about half a minute passed before Wen Yanli finally spoke again, his tone purely businesslike: "I will personally explain this matter to President Lu, and do my utmost to minimize any impact on the firm's reputation."

Even someone as composed as Lu Zhizhi, striving to maintain the demeanor of an elegant lady, was left speechless, her face drained of color.

The car was plunged into dead silence.

Wen Yanli held the steering wheel, his attention fixed on the road ahead, as if nothing had happened, not even glancing at the person beside him.

At last, Lu Zhizhi could no longer sit still. "I have some matters to attend to this afternoon, so I won't accompany you to the courthouse. Let me off at the next intersection!"

"Alright."

…

A few minutes later, Lu Zhizhi stood by the roadside, watching the endless stream of traffic, her emotions shattered beyond repair.

Yet, compared to hating a man, women are always more adept at resenting another woman, shifting the blame onto her.

At this moment, Lu Zhizhi wished she could return all the humiliation she'd suffered to Song Mi a thousandfold. "Brother, you must help me..."