Chapter 38 Why the Blush?

Chapter 38: Why the Blushing Face?

Ji Yunyin was having lunch with Xie Qinghe when Jiang Ning called. Jiang Ning had gone to Fu Corporation today for a meeting about a proposal, and Ji Yunyin wondered how it had gone.

She answered the phone, "Hello, Jiang Ning, how did the proposal turn out?"

Jiang Ning’s voice was tinged with apology, "Sorry, A-Yin. Everything was going well until the Fu Corporation representative, Minister Zhou, found out Lu Jingtang is my cousin. I merely mentioned that Yunshang collaborates with Fu Corporation based on its own merits and made a couple of remarks about Lu Jingtang. Minister Zhou suddenly turned hostile and demanded we redo the proposal."

Ji Yunyin and Jiang Ning had been close friends since high school and university. After her rebirth, Ji Yunyin immediately sought out Jiang Ning to join her company.

Jiang Ning had earned scholarships throughout her academic life and climbed the career ladder through sheer hard work. In contrast, Lu Jingtang seemed to effortlessly reach the pinnacle that others could only dream of, simply by virtue of her family. This made Jiang Ning disdainful of those who relied on family connections.

She preferred Ji Yunyin over her cousin.

Ji Yunyin wasn't surprised by the news. She didn't believe Lu Jingtang hadn't deliberately interfered—such tactics were all too familiar from her past life. She let out a soft snort and comforted Jiang Ning, "It’s alright, don't worry about it for now. I have a way to fix this."

After hanging up, she recounted the incident to Xie Qinghe. Xie Qinghe was silent for a moment, then asked somewhat awkwardly, "A-Yin, are you sure Lu Jingtang is involved in this?"

Since returning to his wealthy family, the young man no longer hid his brilliance like a pearl veiled in dust. Dressed in an expensive, well-tailored black summer outfit, his features were exquisite, and every movement exuded aristocratic grace.

Ji Yunyin was taken aback, not expecting Xie Qinghe to ask such a question. She couldn't tell him she had been reborn and thus knew these things. The suffering of her past life was a burden she had to bear alone.

Sensing her low spirits, Xie Qinghe’s heart wavered. He thought, *A-Yin never lies. Xie Qinghe, why are you hesitating?*

*Forget it. I’ve already promised to help A-Yin. Even if that person is as bad as A-Yin says, considering she once helped me, I can let it slide.*

With that thought, he grew even more curious about her reaction when she discovered his true identity at the birthday banquet.

"Uncle, over here."

Lu Jingtang, wearing a beige coat and a white scarf, waved at Jiang Cheng as he emerged from the arrival gate.

Jiang Cheng was staying in Beijing for a few months to work with a film crew and decided to visit Lu Jingtang.

When Fu Xiaqing learned Jiang Cheng was in Beijing, he invited him to their home. Jiang Cheng thought it was a good idea, as they were his niece’s adoptive parents, and he ought to pay them a visit.

Lu Jingtang’s car was parked outside. When Jiang Cheng saw her confidently take the driver’s seat, he remembered her questionable driving skills and immediately tensed up.

"Switch seats, I'll drive."

Lu Jingtang pouted, gripping the steering wheel stubbornly. "What kind of man can't handle such a small setback?"

Jiang Cheng stood his ground and firmly pulled her out of the seat. "Thanks, but we all value our lives."

Lu Jingtang retorted, "My driving isn't that bad, is it?"

Jiang Cheng didn't hold back: "It's terrible."

Before the car even entered the Fu family villa, Jiang Cheng took a quick glance and let out an admiring sigh. "It seems the wealthy families I write about in my scripts are still too conservative. This is a palace, isn't it?"

It was already dark, and the villa was bathed in warm orange light. The guard immediately opened the gate upon recognizing her car.

After parking, Lu Jingtang spotted a tall figure standing at the entrance from a distance.

Fu Nanyu was dressed in light-colored loungewear, looking much more relaxed than in his formal suits. Hearing the sound of the suitcase rolling across the ground, he looked up.

"Who's that? You seem so happy," Jiang Cheng suddenly asked.

Lu Jingtang looked puzzled. "What makes you think I'm happy?"

Jiang Cheng chuckled. "As a screenwriter, I'm most sensitive to emotional shifts. Don't tell me you're not happy—you were practically bouncing like a rabbit earlier."

"Really?" Lu Jingtang felt a little embarrassed at his remark. Was she that happy to see Fu Nanyu? Could it be... the so-called imprinting effect?

"Mr. Jiang, hello. I'm Fu Nanyu."

Fu Nanyu extended his hand and shook Jiang Cheng’s. Jiang Cheng smiled and said, "Jiang Cheng. We've met once."

Fu Nanyu naturally took Jiang Cheng’s suitcase, his demeanor warm, restrained, and polite. "Yes, we have."

But the two weren't familiar with each other, and neither was particularly talkative. After the introductions, they ran out of things to say. Fu Nanyu walked between them, then suddenly tilted his head toward Lu Jingtang, looked down at her, and asked softly, "Are you feeling unwell?"

Lu Jingtang shook her head. "No, not at all."

Fu Nanyu’s long lashes lowered, staring at her slightly flushed cheeks. "Why is your face so red?"

Jiang Cheng kept peeking over with a teasing look. Not only was Lu Jingtang’s face red, but her ears were turning red too. She tugged at her scarf and laughed awkwardly. "Haha, it's a bit hot."

As she loosened her scarf, it revealed a section of her fair, delicate neck, contrasting sharply with her increasingly red earlobes.

Fu Nanyu’s throat felt a bit dry, and he uncomfortably averted his gaze.

Fu Xiaqing and Ye Xixi had been waiting inside. As soon as they entered, Fu Xiaqing beamed with joy at seeing his old friend. "Jiang Cheng, long time no see!"

"Brother Fu, Sister-in-law, it's been a while."

Ye Xixi smiled. "Jiang Cheng, you're amazing—almost twenty years and you haven't changed a bit."

Before Jiang Yue left, Fu Xiaqing and Lu Jingtang’s biological father had been very close, often visiting each other, so Jiang Cheng also had a good relationship with Fu Xiaqing and his wife.

Jiang Cheng laughed. "I'm forty and still single, Sister-in-law. Don't make fun of me."

As Lu Jingtang watched them talk and was about to change her shoes to go inside, her wrist was suddenly grabbed. Fu Nanyu bent down slightly, his dark eyes narrowing. A warm palm pressed against her forehead. He was standing quite close, and his voice sounded deep and magnetic, "No fever. Why are your ears red too?"

As he spoke, his fingertips lightly touched her soft earlobe.

"Boom!"

Lu Jingtang’s face turned even redder.