Chapter 51: Walk Slowly, Think Deeply

The greatest folly of mankind lies in their attachment to hatred that ought to have faded away.

Chen Sang knelt on the ground, a puppet whose soul had been stripped away, watching her turn and leave with slow but resolute steps. That departing figure was truly merciless.

Her footsteps quickened, and in the end, she nearly ran into the elevator. The gleaming walls reflected her tear-stained face as she wept, the numbers descending steadily. When the elevator doors opened, her heart dropped abruptly at the sight of the face reflected in her eyes.

“Miss Xue, the car is waiting outside. Please, allow me to escort you.” Chu Ci’s businesslike tone was so cold that she could almost hear the wind whispering through the last leaves on the branches.

He stepped ahead to open the passenger door for her, glancing through the rearview mirror at the shadow lurking by the flowerbed.

Xue Zuining wiped the last traces of tears from her eyes as she turned away. Before getting into the car, she glanced at the nearby building, worry flickering in her gaze.

Chu Ci immediately understood her concern, and feigned casualness as he said, “What happened in the corridor just now can easily be explained as an accident, provided you cooperate. I’m sure President Lu won’t pursue it further.”

“Thank you.” As Xue Zuining settled into the passenger seat, she nodded lightly.

The car door closed, and he walked around the front to get in himself. Just as she wondered why he was driving today, she heard him murmur, “Forgive me, Miss Xue. It’s a crisis management tactic, and I trust you’ll understand.”

Soon, the car sped away, leaving behind an ambiguous silhouette for the world to ponder.

Xue Zuining looked at Chu Ci seated beside her, astonished. Were they planning to shift the rumors onto Chu Ci, using him as a diversion for the media and public attention?

But such manipulation of public opinion, if exposed, would surely lead her to ruin.

The black car, like a panther galloping across the wilds, soon faded into a mere dot in Chen Sang’s troubled gaze. Lost in thought, he was startled by a stranger’s voice behind him.

“Mr. Chen Sang?”

Chen Sang turned and nodded. “May I ask who you are?”

The visitor did not answer, but smiled politely. “My mistress wishes to meet you.”

++++

When Xue Zuining hurried back to Sunshine Residence, Lu Huaining was nowhere to be found.

A day spent waiting, anxious as an ant on a hot pan, left her fearing that tomorrow’s headlines would be even more scandalous.

But when she received the latest entertainment news the next day, the coverage far exceeded her expectations: her two-day reign on the front page had been replaced by an insider’s explosive report about Dong Qian’s rise in the entertainment world!

Xue Zuining dialed Lu Huaining’s number, but he merely gave her a location. When she arrived, she found only the impeccably dressed Chu Ci waiting.

Another performance, it seemed.

Chu Ci set aside the newspaper he’d been reading, and as he invited her to sit, whispered in her ear, “Just a few photos for the media, nothing too extravagant.”

Xue Zuining smiled knowingly, raising her brows at him. “Assistant Chu, you’re a natural performer. Have you ever considered joining the entertainment industry?”

Chu Ci looked up, his lips curving into a smile. He ordered their meal, and waited until the attendants had withdrawn before speaking slowly. “As the ancients said: ‘When the monarch commands a subject to die, the subject cannot refuse.’ Since President Lu requests it, I must do my best. But you know, those three drama classes I took from a Central Academy professor have benefitted even an outsider like me.”

She knew he was joking and did not expose it, responding instead, “Then Assistant Chu must be that teacher’s prized pupil.”

They exchanged a meaningful smile, her gaze falling on the newspaper beside his hand.

Chu Ci smiled and explained, “Rest assured, Miss Xue. President Lu has coordinated with the media. Before long, all negative rumors about you will vanish.”

“But you…”

“Don’t worry, Miss Xue. President Lu has given me the role of the unrequited admirer. As a dutiful actor, I’ll never cross the line.” Chu Ci took a sip of tea and handed her the newspaper.

Xue Zuining accepted it, and as she gazed at the large photos spread across the pages, she realized they were even more entertaining than a comic strip. Such scandalous images were certain to capture public attention.

In the Lu residence, the old Madame Lu watched the colorful reports on the television, nodding approvingly. “It seems my Huaining has not only mastered ‘The Art of War’ in business, but also the Thirty-Six Stratagems in matters of the heart. Even I, an old woman, must admit his tactic of covering up the truth is beyond my skill.”

The butler glanced at the screen and bowed, “The young master’s strategy is impeccable. Had I not known the inside story, I too would have been fooled.”

“That’s right, each of them has performed a fine play for this old bag of bones.” Madame Lu suddenly set down her porcelain teacup, spilling tea onto the corner of the dossier lying on the table. After a long pause, her thoughtful gaze drifted from it and she said calmly, “Tell the driver to prepare the car. It’s time I met with those old acquaintances separated by decades.”