Chapter 41: He Really Does Tease Her Anytime, Anywhere

No matter what problems might be lurking beneath the surface, Song Mi would never step forward personally.
A million?
—That didn’t seem like something the Shen family would do.
As soon as she spoke, Qiao Weiwei’s attention snapped to her. Once Song Mi hung up, Qiao Weiwei hurried over, asking, “Mi’er, what’s the matter?”
“It’s nothing,” Song Mi replied, unwilling to explain further. Qiao Weiwei, despite being new to Jinzhou, had managed to secure a bar in such a prime location—clearly, she was resourceful.
Still, sometimes less is more.
Besides, if anything happened to Miss Qiao, it would be far more complicated than just dealing with a few ruffians.
But Qiao Weiwei was undeterred. “Mi’er, that’s not right. We’re both in a foreign city; we ought to stick together and look out for each other!”
Song Mi laughed, her eyes curving with amusement. “Then lend me Xiao An for a few days.”
Qiao Weiwei patted her chest, “No problem!”
Just then, someone knocked at the door, saying a delivery downstairs needed the owner’s signature. Qiao Weiwei grumbled as she left, “Ah, I really need a competent assistant here!”
“Oh, Mi’er, ask Assistant Lin to help me find someone, won’t you?”
For once, Song Mi didn’t refuse. “Alright.”
As for Xiao An, she thought, artificial intelligence might be advanced, but it couldn’t serve tea or water.
Once she was recovering in bed post-surgery, Xiao An could not only look after her, but also help massage her injured foot—a win-win situation.
Having settled it with Xiao An, Song Mi prepared to leave.
She had to admit, after Xiao An’s massage, walking hurt much less.
At the door, Song Mi turned and gave Xiao An a sweet smile. “Thank you, Xiao An.”
The girl immediately became flustered. “You’re welcome!”
Bar Street was a pedestrian zone—no cars allowed. Ye Zhao waited at the entrance and accompanied her as she walked out.
Although there was still nothing suspicious uncovered about the car accident in the capital, Song Mi’s guard had never lowered.
Better safe than sorry.
After getting in the car, she received a call from Assistant Lin, who was clearly reluctant to make it.
“I’m sorry, Chairwoman, but something’s happened—Madam Shen suddenly felt unwell and can’t attend tonight’s charity gala…”
Song Mi was aware of this and had tacitly approved. The antique auction, hosted by an international women and children’s foundation, was, in essence, just a show of status.
Since Tang Lishi couldn’t go, there were plenty of Shen family heiresses to choose from—why bother reporting to her?
“…Miss Shen herself called, asking how you’d like to arrange things.”
So, Tang Lishi, fearing bad luck, faked illness and passed the duty to Shen Ruwei, who, not wanting to be her stepmother’s pawn, called to probe her intentions?
The women of the Shen family… truly remarkable!
If they didn’t believe so deeply that she and Old Master Shen were involved in some indecent relationship, would it have come to this?
But were they really so cautious of her?
The “gifts” she’d sent out before hadn’t included the Shen siblings or Tang Lishi.
Seeing their current wary, deferential attitude, Song Mi was genuinely… puzzled.
After a moment’s thought, she replied directly, “I’ll go.”
Whatever trap or olive branch these two women were planning, she’d find out soon enough.
In any case, she would have to confront them sooner or later.
With her answer, Assistant Lin quickly responded, “Alright, Chairwoman. I’ll send you the time and address shortly.”
There was still time; remembering she was pregnant and plagued by occasional nausea and a poor appetite, she knew her complexion would inevitably suffer.
Vanity was second nature to women—especially for an event in the public eye. So without hesitation, she told Ye Zhao to drive her to Yunshang.
If she was going to get a beauty treatment, it had to be the best. Yunshang was every woman in Jinzhou’s dream destination.
As for the inevitable news leak to Shen Ruming the moment she entered, it was annoying, but inconsequential.
She truly didn’t care about Shen Ruming at all.
The dress, shoes, and jewelry were also specially delivered by Assistant Lin, along with detailed information about the foundation and previous auction items, complete with images and descriptions.
Assistant Lin’s efficiency often made Song Mi feel a sense of reassurance—the money was well spent.
As the final touch, when her hair was being styled, Song Mi was unusually patient, letting the stylist put her hair up.
…
At 7:25 PM, in front of the Four Seasons Junting Hotel.
Ye Zhao got out first to open her door, while the driver parked the car.
Since he was accompanying her inside, Ye Zhao wore a sharp suit.
Seeing his discomfort, Song Mi smiled carelessly and reached out to straighten his bow tie. “A man who isn’t afraid of blood and blades—can a suit really tie you down?”
Ye Zhao stiffened. “I’m not used to it…”
“You’ll get used to it if you wear it more.” Song Mi’s gaze swept over him, openly appreciative. “Wow, you look great in a suit.”
Ye Zhao looked even more ill at ease.
Song Mi laughed again, entirely unguarded.
Everyone appreciates beauty; her good mood was like opening the window to a bright sunny morning.
While Ye Zhao was still adjusting, Song Mi calmed herself and walked forward. “Let’s go in.”
Unbeknownst to her, not far away, a pair of eyes as deep as midnight watched this scene, surging with dark, turbulent emotions.
In the depths of that gaze, a massive vortex seemed to form, ready to swallow that graceful figure whole.
Wen Yanli watched as the two walked through the glass doors.
Nearby, Lu Zhizhi was delighted to have run into him here—it must be fate. Yet her joy lasted less than five minutes before his gaze, fixed on Song Mi’s retreating figure, left her aching in body and soul.
Ever since he left her on the roadside that day, she hadn’t found a reason to contact him. She’d thrown herself into preparing for the art exhibition just to keep busy and fight the growing sense of loss.
But the moment she saw him in the parking lot, her defenses crumbled.
Elegant brows, poised bearing, and that noble air—she couldn’t look away.
How could she let go of such an exceptional man?
Her brother kept telling her to wait for the right moment, that the entire Shen family was scheming to drive Song Mi out of Jinzhou, but that patience was essential.
But how could she not be anxious? A woman like Song Mi, so flirtatious, kept attracting men—if she waited any longer, all the men around her would be gone.
Tonight, she was determined to see Song Mi lose face and reputation.
Swallowing her resentment, Lu Zhizhi suddenly said, “I’m sorry.”
“Last time, I acted on my own.”
Wen Yanli replied indifferently, “It’s in the past.”
His brief words were a clear rebuff, leaving Lu Zhizhi at a loss.
They walked inside together, not too close, through the glass doors.
Along the way, Lu Zhizhi kept stealing glances at him, with only one thought: she had to secure him soon.
The elevator lobby was crowded. After Song Mi and Ye Zhao missed a full elevator, before the next one arrived, the pair arrived behind her.
Ye Zhao was the first to notice. “Miss Song.”
Song Mi glanced sideways to see the man in a black suit, accompanied by a lovely woman.
She’d only told him at lunch that if he was interested, he could spend time with Miss Lu.
Now, here was this scene.
Should she call him indiscriminate or praise him for following her advice so faithfully?
Amusement flickered in Song Mi’s amber eyes. “Lawyer Wen, what a coincidence.”
Her gaze drifted from the man’s face to Lu Zhizhi’s. “Miss Lu.”
Lu Zhizhi replied first, “Miss Song.”
Then Wen Yanli spoke, “President Song.”
The words were polite, but Song Mi could hear the underlying chill.
Well, she still owed him a return call.
Just then, the elevator doors opened. A little boy ran out first, and Song Mi, in her evening dress and naturally in high heels—thin and tall—was caught off guard when the child bumped into her.
Both men reacted simultaneously, but Ye Zhao, being closer, grabbed her arm. “Careful.”
Song Mi quickly steadied herself, though her right foot twinged painfully as it touched the ground.
The boy’s mother hurried over, apologizing, “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry!”
“Zizai, slow down.” The boy who’d bumped into her didn’t care, bouncing off and running away.
Song Mi was startled—indeed, it’s better to focus on one thing at a time.
She’d just been debating whether to ask the man to speak privately in front of Lu Zhizhi, which had distracted her from the approaching child.
This man was always… stirring her up.
What Song Mi didn’t see, Lu Zhizhi noticed clearly—the man had started forward but withdrew when Ye Zhao stepped in.
If that was gentlemanly conduct, she couldn’t believe it herself. Who knew what had already passed between them, for him to be so anxious about Song Mi?
That thought gnawed at her like thousands of ants.
After the incident, the four entered the elevator together.
Song Mi stood to the right of Lu Zhizhi.
After pressing the button, Lu Zhizhi said, “Miss Song, you’re here for the charity gala too?”
Song Mi, disinterested, replied, “Yes.”
And said no more, all the way to the banquet hall.
At the entrance, an emcee welcomed guests and assigned seats. After that, Song Mi didn’t encounter the man again.
Not until he raised his paddle and bid a high price for a snowy landscape painting from the late Ming-early Qing dynasty. When the host’s gavel fell, the spotlight shone on him, and Song Mi looked over.
That painting had quite a reputation in recent years, but Song Mi was certain the one on stage was nothing but a counterfeit among counterfeits.
Of course, the host never claimed it was a genuine antique. If such a low price could buy the real thing, she’d jump off a building.
Wen Yanli knew exactly what the painting was—he was bidding on someone else’s behalf, just doing his job.
He should have left after the auction.
Running into Lu Zhizhi was unexpected; seeing Song Mi was even more so.
But one thing was clear: no matter how careless she was with her health, she wouldn’t have come straight from surgery in a new dress unless—
The child was still there.
He knew this the moment he saw her at the door.
But there was something else he didn’t know. If he left now, would there come a day when he’d regret it?
And so, his hesitation lasted until the post-auction cocktail party.
Lu Zhiyuan arrived just before Lu Zhizhi raised her paddle. He hadn’t told his cousin he’d be coming, so of course, he had to greet him in person.
Clearly, the feeling was mutual.
“Ali,” Lu Zhiyuan quickly approached. “Here on behalf of a client?”
Wen Yanli nodded. “President Lu.”
Lu Zhiyuan assumed his cousin was still sore about that media sensation involving Lu Zhizhi and the trending ‘perfect couple’ headline, so he was extra formal.
Still, they were classmates and partners, more than just acquaintances. He didn’t want their friendship strained. “If you’re going to be so formal, should I call you President Wen? Wenyuan has been depending on you these past years!”
He grinned and offered a glass of champagne. “I’m just a figurehead!”
Wen Yanli held his gaze for a moment, then took the glass.
After they clinked glasses, the matter was put to rest.
What needed to be said had already been said at the courthouse; Wen Yanli believed Lu Zhiyuan would convey the message to his sister.
The Lu family was a prominent clan; they wouldn’t force anything.
They chatted a while, then mingled. Back at the refreshment area, Lu Zhizhi approached with two glasses of champagne. “Brother, can you come with me to greet Miss Song? She treated me and A Ming to breakfast once!”
“Really?” Lu Zhiyuan didn’t know what his sister was up to, but if that were true, it was only right to greet her.
It was proper etiquette.
Besides, he should formally meet the newly prominent president. “Ali, let’s go over.”
Suppressing the shadow in his eyes, Wen Yanli nodded as usual.
He had noticed that the man who’d accompanied Song Mi all evening was gone.
Following the siblings’ line of sight, he easily spotted her amid the crowd.
Tonight, she wore an ash-rose dress, off-shoulder, revealing a slender, graceful neck. Her fair skin, highlighted by the rich color, was dazzling.
Her makeup was light, perhaps to let the dress shine; even her lipstick was muted.
Golden high heels, the heels so high and thin they made him frown.
No doubt, she and the dress complemented each other perfectly—an unforgettable beauty.
Earlier, when she won her bid, the spotlight caught her, and he clearly heard the admiring gasps from the men and women around, even the host on stage was transfixed for two seconds.
He’d never understood why some men, mad with passion, would lock their lovers away, confining their every move.
Tonight, in more than one moment, he seemed to understand.
On Song Mi’s side, because contact had been lost with those sent to ransom Xia Yuan with Ming Hao, Ye Zhao had hurried over.
Though they were all trained bodyguards, there were only four of them.
With strict regulations in the country, bodyguards had to be cautious in all things. Facing a band of desperate thugs, being constrained or even overpowered was very possible.
Moreover, there could be hidden parties with their own agendas behind Xia Yuan’s abduction.
Ye Zhao’s phone GPS could track them, and Assistant Lin had notified the Four Seas Group’s security team for backup.
The car that brought her had been taken by Ye Zhao, so she only needed to wait for Assistant Lin to send another to pick her up.
Song Mi was growing impatient.
Just as she’d finished dealing with two people who came to chat, and was about to find a place to sit and wait, a familiar voice called from behind, “Miss Song.”
Impatience flickered across her face, which she made no effort to hide. But when she turned, she saw Lu Zhiyuan first. “President Song, your reputation precedes you!”
Song Mi’s eyes curved in a polite smile. “President Lu, I’ve long heard of you.”
Lu Zhiyuan had met all sorts of people, seen all kinds of faces; how could he not notice the hint of arrogance in her expression before she spoke?
Clearly, she had no fondness for his sister.
Lu Zhiyuan pretended not to notice and extended his hand. “I didn’t expect you to know Zhizhi first.”
Song Mi also extended her hand calmly, their handshake brief and to the point.
“Miss Song, thank you for breakfast the other day.” With perfect debutante poise, Lu Zhizhi casually handed her a glass of champagne. “I hope you’ll honor our art exhibition this weekend.”
It was the first time Lu Zhizhi had done something underhanded—of course she was nervous.
But as long as Song Mi drank the drugged champagne, everything would fall into place, and she’d never have to worry about losing her beloved again. With that thought, she feared nothing.
Song Mi’s hands were empty; although she didn’t want to accept, it would be rude to refuse, especially with Lu Zhiyuan present. As the future head of the Lu family, she had to show some respect. “You’re too kind, Miss Lu.”
As Song Mi reached for the glass, Lu Zhizhi smiled sweetly and raised her own. “It’s only fruit wine—it won’t get you drunk.”
“Brother, let’s have a toast together!”