But before the words reached her mouth, Xiao Luyan realized she didn’t dare to ask. Yesterday, she hadn’t wanted to ask either; it was only because Lu Yuezhi provoked her into an emotional loss of control that she blurted it out. Now, with her rationality still holding the reins, she couldn’t repeat the same mistake.
Seeing her hesitant to speak again, Lu Yuezhi recalled what had happened before they left the house that day.
Though she didn’t know exactly what was going on, she couldn’t just ignore it.
“Are you…” Lu Yuezhi pondered how to phrase it more tactfully.
Xiao Luyan suddenly tensed, as if afraid she would see through something, and hurriedly cut in: “I’m a bit tired. I’m heading back to my room first.”
Lu Yuezhi paused and swallowed her unfinished words.
As she passed by her side, on the verge of brushing past, Xiao Luyan stopped.
Lu Yuezhi instinctively turned her head. They were very close—close enough that a bit more force would let them feel the warmth of each other’s breath.
“Good night.” Xiao Luyan gazed at her for a moment before saying softly.
Lu Yuezhi’s heart began to race. She mustered all her strength to stay composed: “Good night.”
Xiao Luyan lowered her eyes and returned to her room.
That heavy-hearted look again. Lu Yuezhi watched Xiao Luyan’s back disappear down the corridor, her worry deepening.
Hesitant to speak, only to give up at the last moment—could it be because she felt helpless to assist and thus didn’t want to bring it up? Lu Yuezhi analyzed it carefully. Lately, the only major matters were Old Master Quan’s Birthday Banquet and Madam Li’s Touring Exhibition. It had to be related to the Touring Exhibition.
After returning to her room, Xiao Luyan had planned to shower first, but once she leaned back in the chair, the sense of powerlessness only grew heavier.
Rationally, she kept reminding herself that maintaining the status quo was best. Accepting reality would banish those troubles. With Lu Yuezhi now pulling back on her own, she didn’t need to force a blunt refusal that might hurt her.
But…
She just felt off—like something was missing everywhere. Their conversation felt truncated, her concern lacked depth, and even the good night had come out mechanical and flat from Lu Yuezhi.
Xiao Luyan recalled the wedding night and that “good night” from the hotel suite’s sofa—especially Lu Yuezhi’s shy, thrilled tone in the darkness. A pang of sourness hit her heart.
Today, with Cheng Yanran around, she hadn’t been able to check the posts. Now alone, she could examine them one by one without restraint. This time, though, she focused solely on Virgo-related emotional topics.
She read more and more slowly, even pausing at times to mull over and analyze. Sometimes it matched; other times, it didn’t.
She lost track of time until the outraged comments under the posts made her flare up with anger. Only then did Xiao Luyan exit.
Unexpectedly, Le Yu had posted something new right then. Still fuming, Xiao Luyan took a glance.
It was posted at the airport. Clearly a group photo, but Le Yu had deliberately blurred the person beside her.
The caption was simple: looking forward to the upcoming big exhibition.
Xiao Luyan noted the airport and estimated the flight times. She guessed the hidden figure was from Trans—probably Su Yiqui.
They were on the same flight?
Coincidence, or had Le Yu arranged it? Xiao Luyan knew the “big exhibition” meant Madam Li’s Touring Exhibition. The exhibits were already renowned; no redundant appraisals needed. Le Yu and Deyounian had no formal collaboration on this.
Yet her private ties to the Trans team were strong, which left Xiao Luyan feeling depressed.
She wasn’t worried about the Touring Exhibition itself, but what if Le Yu learned she planned to recommend Lu Yuezhi to Trans? Would she try to sabotage it?
This woman couldn’t bear to see her succeed—Xiao Luyan was certain of that. She didn’t expect Le Yu to suddenly change her tune, but given Trans’s stature, she opted to watch and wait.
Lu Yuezhi saw Le Yu’s post too. Her first reaction was to gripe: posting such a coy group photo was just lame. Either show everyone clearly or crop it clean for a solo shot. Half-assed hiding, like she was some idol!
But once her focus shifted to “big exhibition,” the griping stopped. Her sixth sense screamed it was Madam Li’s Touring Exhibition.
Deep down, she was already aligned with Xiao Luyan—Le Yu was no friend. Xiao Luyan hadn’t mentioned any joint projects with her this time, so this random hype reeked of ulterior motives.
The more Lu Yuezhi thought about it, the more she linked it to Xiao Luyan’s hesitation that day. And since Le Yu had sparked arguments between them before, she was subconsciously dodging the topic.
That had to be it. Lu Yuezhi frowned. With Quan Ruiyu staying out of trouble, why was Le Yu stirring things up again?
The next morning at breakfast, Lu Yuezhi kept a close eye on Xiao Luyan’s condition. She looked like she hadn’t slept well, but it wasn’t severe.
Somewhat relieved, she debated whether to ask about Le Yu.
Xiao Luyan knew Lu Yuezhi was watching her—and not just once. She seemed to have words on the tip of her tongue, hesitating all the way to now.
Xiao Luyan had slowed her porridge to a crawl; any longer and only a thin layer of broth remained. Yet Lu Yuezhi still said nothing. Xiao Luyan figured she wouldn’t.
She set down her spoon and wiped her mouth: “I’m full. Time to head out.”
Lu Yuezhi noted how cleanly she’d eaten today and felt pleased. Still, she decided Le Yu warranted checking on—the Touring Exhibition was too crucial.
“Is the Touring Exhibition prep going smoothly?”
Xiao Luyan had been about to rise when Lu Yuezhi spoke. Her hands braced the table edge; she lingered before standing.
“Pretty good.” If only Le Yu didn’t make trouble, it would be even better, she thought.
Hearing that, Lu Yuezhi figured Le Yu hadn’t caused real damage. Even so, she added: “Annoying stuff is just part of the job sometimes.”
Even Quan Ruiyu’s creepy harassment hadn’t broken Xiao Luyan. Le Yu’s antics would blow over too.
Xiao Luyan gave a faint smile: “Okay.”
With that, she stood decisively and prepared for work.
Lu Yuezhi rose too but didn’t trail right behind or open the door for her.
Just like yesterday, she stood there, watching and waiting for her to leave.
Xiao Luyan’s hand paused on the doorknob. She didn’t turn back with yesterday’s reminder.
Since Lu Yuezhi had retreated, she should respect it and adjust.
She’d hoped for a steadier mood today, but busyness only offered temporary forgetfulness. Idle moments brought the irritation right back.
So frustrating! Yet she couldn’t pinpoint why—just a general stuffiness.
Xiao Luyan’s expression grew icier. Work talk only; she had zero interest in small talk.
Someone asked Cheng Yanran: “What’s with President Xiao? Touring Exhibition changes?”
“Don’t speculate—the Touring Exhibition project’s smooth as can be!” Cheng Yanran clamped down tight, wary they might be fishing for Jason.
But she shared the question, and puzzled harder.
Master’s moods swung randomly—good one minute, bad the next. At first, she’d blamed work, but checks ruled that out.
Had to be emotional stuff.
That morning before the meeting, she’d caught Master lost in thought, twirling her wedding ring. Last time she’d eyed it like that, she’d been smiling!
Cheng Yanran’s heart twinged. Unbelievable—married such a short time, and already so downcast?
Whether from today’s overload or last night’s poor sleep, Xiao Luyan found the workday dragged on forever. She barely endured until quitting time.
The torment of waiting felt alien, and overtime held no appeal.
She got home on schedule—and right on time, so did the other one.
Lu Yuezhi smiled: “Not busy today?”
Xiao Luyan looked away: “Can’t turn into an overtime bot every day.”
Lu Yuezhi kept smiling, saying nothing more.
Xiao Luyan sat at the dining table waiting, thinking that in the old days, Lu Yuezhi would’ve jumped in with gripes about overtime’s ills. Why the silence now?
Lu Yuezhi emerged after changing and saw her staring at the table.
“Starving to death?”
Normally, Xiao Luyan would’ve rolled her eyes. But hearing the proactive tease now actually felt nice.
She pursed her lips: “Not that hungry.”
Seeing her drained, Lu Yuezhi figured they’d eat quick so she could crash early.
“Then just have a little.” She sat and dug in with her chopsticks.
Just a little…
Xiao Luyan frowned in irritation, tempted to make her rephrase.
Lu Yuezhi saw her unmoving and ladled half a bowl of soup for her: “No appetite? Soup first then.”
Wouldn’t leave her stomach empty even if she slept right after.
Xiao Luyan took the soup, her lips curving up a touch. The warmth slid down her throat, easing the day’s pent-up frustration for the moment.
Lu Yuezhi had a good appetite; watching her eat brought its own satisfaction.
Xiao Luyan’s lips curved a bit more. Time to bring up Trans—they’d arrive soon.
Better prep Lu Yuezhi early for a smoother first impression.
“This Touring Exhibition’s photography team’s top-notch.” Xiao Luyan opened slowly.
Lu Yuezhi perked up at the sudden Touring Exhibition mention tied to photography, assuming she needed help.
She listened intently for what came next.
“The team’s lead is a photographer with killer skills and credentials.” Xiao Luyan figured even without meeting Trans, she’d get Su Yiqui to give Lu Yuezhi a leg up somehow.
So she’d lead with Su Yiqui, temper expectations—no big letdowns.
For whatever reason, she just couldn’t bear seeing disappointment on Lu Yuezhi’s face.
Lu Yuezhi blinked, caught off guard. Great photographers abounded; she felt no cutthroat rivalry—just eagerness for a friendly matchup.
But those words from Xiao Luyan’s mouth unraveled her calm. She remembered that rainy night when Xiao Luyan had openly admired top photographers.
Seeing her quiet, Xiao Luyan elaborated: “Deyounian pulled out all the stops to snag her. Rare chance.”
Lu Yuezhi’s brows knit; this photographer clearly held a special spot in Xiao Luyan’s view.
Feigning nonchalance: “That impressive?”
Xiao Luyan nodded: “Very.”
Lu Yuezhi bristled a little: “How exactly?”
Seeing her spark of interest, Xiao Luyan thought chatting this would draw her out more.
“Young achiever, brimming with talent. Chief photographer for multiple luxury giants. Iconic works under her belt, solid industry network.”
This pitch ought to hook Lu Yuezhi, she figured.
A run-of-the-mill photog wouldn’t catch her eye anyway. And to enlist Su Yiqui’s aid meant highlighting peak creds—irrefutable.
