Su He had been sitting in the art studio for two hours, but she couldn't focus on her work. Her mind was brimming with ideas, yet she couldn't grasp a single one, wasting hours at her desk.
Frustrated, Su He kicked the leg of her desk, shut down her computer, and crawled back into bed.
No more thinking.
Sleep, just sleep. Perhaps everything would become clear by morning.
Due to insomnia, Su He overslept for the first time in her life, waking up at nine in the morning. Clutching her head, Su He glanced at her phone's alarm, which had been mysteriously turned off.
Supporting her tired body, Su He brushed her teeth and washed her face, taking a while to fully wake up.
While cleaning Lu Yanbei's study, she once again saw the magazine featuring his scandal with Rong Qiao.
Its presence there was rather abrupt.
Su He stared at the large cover for a long time, then quietly tucked it under other folders, choosing to avert her eyes.
After finishing her chores, Su He's takeout arrived. She quickly wolfed down a few bites and then locked herself back in the art studio. She became deeply engrossed in her work, only standing up to stretch her back when she had finished everything.
Just then, Jiang Xiaoxiao called. "What are you doing? You haven't answered your phone all day!"
Su He rubbed her stiff neck, looked at her phone, and indeed saw several missed calls. "I was working on a draft, didn't hear it. What's up?"
"Did you see the news about your man and the actress?" Jiang Xiaoxiao, knowing Su He never paid attention to entertainment gossip, had called specifically to inform her.
Su He lazily grunted in response.
"Just a grunt? Do you know the internet is exploding right now? Everyone's saying Rong Qiao is your man's destined soulmate, gushing about how perfect they are together. It makes me so angry!" As Su He's best friend, Jiang Xiaoxiao was incredibly worried.
Su He rubbed her forehead and said, "This kind of news is all speculation. It'll die down in a while. Why are you so upset?"
"That's not what I'm upset about," Jiang Xiaoxiao said indignantly. "I'm upset about the Lu Corporation's reaction. Usually, whenever there's gossip involving Lu Yanbei, the Lu Corporation either takes down the trending topics or issues a clarification. They never let it drag into the next day. But this time, the Lu Corporation has done nothing."
"What does that prove?" Su He asked casually.
"It proves your man is up to something! Maybe he really is involved with that actress!" Jiang Xiaoxiao was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.
Su He paused. "Perhaps they just don't think it's important, so they're ignoring it."
"Are you foolish! A man suddenly changing his habits means there's a problem," Jiang Xiaoxiao lectured earnestly. "A man's heart doesn't change overnight; it begins with the small details of everyday life."
"Sister, I'm only trying to help. Regardless, you two are legally married. If he's secretly involved with another woman behind your back, that's infidelity."
"We're in a marriage of convenience, don't get too invested," Su He said with a wry smile.
She didn't care, but Xiaoxiao was taking it seriously.
Jiang Xiaoxiao was almost driven to fury. "It's a marriage of convenience now, but who knows about the future. Let me tell you, it's not just love at first sight that matters; a slow, enduring affection is even more precious. You live under the same roof, seeing each other all the time; who knows if sparks won't fly one day?"
"That actress interfering between you two at this moment is clearly the work of a mistress, infringing on your rights, don't you understand?"
"Even if it's just a contractual marriage, during its subsistence, you are officially Mrs. Lu and have the right to demand that he stay away from those flashy vixens."
"Xiaoxiao... I don't plan on developing feelings for him," Su He maintained her clear head.
What was better than making money?
She had already been through one failed marriage and didn't want to go through it again.
Jiang Xiaoxiao choked, almost spitting blood from anger. "Why are you so stubborn! If you can secure Lu Yanbei, that long-term cash cow, won't you have everything?"
Su He: ...
It did sound somewhat reasonable.
"Do you misunderstand Lu Yanbei's net worth?" Jiang Xiaoxiao continued her nagging. "He's the future successor of the Lu family! Do you know how much the Lu family assets are worth? Trillions!"
"This means, no matter how much you spend, you'll have endless money for the rest of your life!" Jiang Xiaoxiao became more excited as she spoke.
Su He thought for a moment and replied, "But I enjoy the process of earning my own money."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaoxiao couldn't help but roar on the phone, "Heh... the little money you earn isn't even a fraction of what leaks from his fingertips! Who are you working for anyway? Just consider him your boss. Serve him well, and you'll get everything you desire. Why not?"
Su He felt she was almost convinced.
"He... is not easy to serve," Su He maintained the last shred of her rationality.
"What are his quirks?"
"None."
"He doesn't like women?"
"Not exactly."
"Then what are you worried about!"
"He... likes to engage in 'casting couch' situations on impulse..." Su He muttered softly. "Bosses don't just make passes at employees..."
"What did he do to you?" Jiang Xiaoxiao swallowed, her gossip-fueled fire igniting.
"No..." Su He covered her face in embarrassment.
"We've been friends since kindergarten, and you won't even tell me? Meow Meow, I think you're not treating me as your good sister anymore!"
"I..." Su He found it too embarrassing to say.
"Are you shy? Did you... sleep together?" Jiang Xiaoxiao's words were shocking and unyielding.
Su He quickly denied it. "No, don't make wild guesses."
"So, you kissed?" Jiang Xiaoxiao's eyes sparkled with excitement.
Su He stammered, effectively admitting it.
"How did he kiss you?"
"What did kissing feel like? Tell me quickly."
Su He couldn't bring herself to say it and made an excuse to hang up.
"Tsk tsk tsk, it seems proximity does have its advantages," Jiang Xiaoxiao chuckled freely on the phone. "Sister, I'm rooting for you! Try harder and aim to win him over!"
Su He felt her cheeks flush, her mouth dry, as if she had heatstroke. "I'm hanging up, I have important things to do."
"Ah, right, I almost forgot to tell you something. Do you remember Li Li, our classmate from high school? She's getting married and sent me an invitation. Since she didn't have your contact information, she gave me your invitation too. Saturday noon, Jinjiang Hotel. Don't forget." Before hanging up, Jiang Xiaoxiao remembered the important matter.
Su He searched her mind and vaguely recalled a girl with thick eyebrows, big eyes, and small tiger teeth that showed when she smiled.
Then, the problem returned to its origin.
She could remember even a distant high school classmate, but why couldn't she recall any information related to Lu Yanbei? This didn't seem logical! Even if they hadn't known each other before, given his prominence, she should have some impression.