After a farce concluded, Su He found dealing with people like Zhao Yafeng tiresome. Abandoning her initial intention, she found a maid instead to inquire about the art studio.
"The second young master gave the order," the maid replied truthfully. "He said you've already divorced, so Miss Su's belongings can no longer be kept in the house."
"Where did he tell you to throw my paintings?" Su He asked, frowning.
"I'm not sure about that. They were just left at the doorstep. Perhaps the scrap collectors picked them up."
Both angry and vexed, Su He rushed to the security room to retrieve the surveillance footage. Coincidentally, the villa area was undergoing its routine power outage inspection that day, right around the time the paintings were discarded.
Therefore, Su He's trip was destined to be in vain.
"Calm down, calm down..." Su He took deep breaths, otherwise, she truly didn't know what she might do.
As she was sulking, Lu Yanbei's familiar voice sounded from behind her. "Do you want to get those paintings back?"
Su He turned around abruptly. "You know where they are?"
Lu Yanbei glanced at her. "Roughly."
Just as Su He was about to inquire further, she heard Lu Yanbei say cheekily, "I don't do business at a loss."
Su He choked, instantly recalling what he had said before.
Heh, truly taking advantage of a crisis!
No wonder people say no merchant isn't cunning!
Su He consoled herself in her heart: It's just a few paintings. If they're gone, they're gone. They aren't worth much anyway. She could just leave and not be controlled by anyone.
But the moment she turned away, she felt a pang of reluctance.
How many nights did she stay up, how much effort did she pour into completing those paintings? How could they be gone just like that! Those paintings were like her children; how could she, their mother, casually abandon them!
After much thought, Su He finally compromised.
"Why me?" Su He asked him, pouting.
Lu Yanbei's handsome eyebrows slightly raised. "Because you're the only woman who won't covet status or wealth! And I need a shield."
Su He scoffed.
"Thank you very much!"
"Aren't you afraid outsiders will gossip and call you immoral?" Su He snorted.
"If others say so, do you think I care?" Lu Yanbei sneered.
Su He was so choked she couldn't speak.
After a while, she managed to find her voice. "Then what will be my job description?"
"Live with me, take care of my daily life, be obedient, and come whenever I call," Lu Yanbei said casually.
"There won't be any physical contact, right?" Su He bit her lip and asked the embarrassing question. She didn't want to be taken advantage of for nothing!
"It depends," Lu Yanbei's answer was ambiguous.
Su He subconsciously flinched back.
"We'll need it for appearances from time to time. But don't worry, in private, I will never touch you first." A playful curve appeared on Lu Yanbei's lips. But if she made the first move, that would be another story.
Of course, these thoughts hidden in his heart, he wouldn't tell Su He.
Su He felt slightly relieved.
"Last question, how long do I have to play this role with you?" Su He asked.
"Three years," Lu Yanbei said.
"No, that's too long! One year at most!" Su He was sensitive to the number three now and resolutely refused.
Lu Yanbei's words almost made Su He spit blood. "Your annual salary isn't high enough for that."
"Two years! Two years will do, right?" Su He glared at him.
"Deal!" Lu Yanbei's lips curved upwards in a good mood.
He agreed so readily? Su He looked suspicious.
She thought he would hold firm and refuse to budge.
*
Su He's divorce from Lu Jingyang remained on the hot search for two days before fading away. Before the onlookers could fully process it, news of Song Yan's pregnancy spread like wildfire, capturing all the netizens' attention.
Lying on her hospital bed, Song Yan watched the constantly refreshing comments and likes, her lips unconsciously curving upwards.
"You forced me!" Song Yan said, clutching her phone. After testing Zhao Yafeng's attitude at the Lu family's home, Song Yan had anonymously contacted a reporter and leaked the news of her pregnancy. Although she wasn't a major star in the entertainment industry, she had produced works. Coupled with the label of a prominent family like the Lu family, reporters naturally wouldn't pass up such explosive gossip.
Just as Zhao Yafeng found her and offered fifty thousand yuan to force her to have an abortion, the reporters arrived. Song Yan took the opportunity to once again play the role of a fragile woman oppressed by a wealthy matriarch, gaining a great deal of public sympathy.
"Oh my god, Madam Lu is too heartless! She doesn't even want her own grandson!"
"Poor Yan Yan! She endured for so many years for love, and finally, Lu Jingyang is divorced, only to be treated so cruelly by her future mother-in-law. She's too pitiful!"
"Compared to Miss Su, Song Yan has beauty, a career, and good character. What else is Madam Lu unsatisfied with?"
"The person upstairs might not know, but prominent families like the Lu family are mostly formed through arranged marriages. It's not that easy for a celebrity like Song Yan to marry into a wealthy family."
"It seems that children aren't a universal solution!"
Zhao Yafeng was cornered by the reporters, and the sharp questions came one after another, leaving her utterly helpless.
"Madam Lu, please tell us why you don't accept Song Yan and the child she's carrying? Young Master Lu has already stated that he won't marry anyone else!"
"Is Madam Lu looking down on Song Yan's background? But as far as I know, you yourself don't have a noble background. You even remarried into the Lu family with children from your previous marriage..."
Zhao Yafeng's face was losing its composure, her face turning from green to pale, so angry her hair felt like it was about to smoke.
Song Yan, at this moment, stepped forward to speak for Zhao Yafeng. "It's not what you think... Auntie means that my pregnancy condition isn't very good this time, and she's worried that if there are any problems with the baby when it's born, that's why she advised me to abort..."
"Then what about this fifty thousand yuan?" The reporters were not easily fooled.
"It's for my nutritional expenses. After all, if I abort the child, it will take a long time to recover my health." Song Yan said, affectionately linking her arm with Zhao Yafeng's. "Auntie can't bear to part with this child either, right?"
Although Zhao Yafeng disliked Song Yan, with so many cameras pointed at her, she couldn't possibly push her away. For the sake of her reputation, she had no choice but to follow Song Yan's lead.
"That's right, I'm doing this for the young couple's own good."
After dismissing the reporters, Zhao Yafeng's expression immediately changed. "You'd better remember what you said! Get the surgery to abort the child immediately! Otherwise, don't even think about working in the entertainment industry anymore!"
Throwing the fifty thousand yuan check at Song Yan, Zhao Yafeng left with her stomach full of anger.
Song Yan picked up the check, not crying or making a fuss, nor feeling any embarrassment.
She reached out and touched her flat abdomen, a triumphant smile curving her lips. "Fifty thousand yuan is a bit little, but why refuse free money!"
A moment later, a male doctor in a white coat walked into the ward with a blank expression. "I've made the fake pregnancy test report you asked for. I hope you'll keep your word and never come to me again!"
Song Yan gave him a charming smile. "Don't worry, we're even now!"