Chapter 97 Three Billion… Just Pocket Change?

Chapter 97 Thirty Billion... Just That?

Lu Jingtang only learned of it days later. Worried, she went to ask Fu Nanyu.

To her surprise, Fu Nanyu remained utterly composed. He picked up a piece of broccoli with his chopsticks and fed it to her, saying, "It's merely thirty billion. Consider it dog food for strays."

Lu Jingtang: "..." Thirty billion... merely?

Good heavens, the world of the wealthy was truly beyond her comprehension.

"Brother, what do you make of the Xie Group's proposal for the venture project?" Lu Jingtang grimaced, swallowing the bland broccoli.

The Xie Group's bid for the venture project was strikingly similar to the Fu Group's. By offering a three percent higher profit margin than the Fu Group, the Xie Group successfully secured the project. When comparable results could be achieved at a lower cost, the venture capital firm naturally knew which option to choose.

"All personnel involved in the initial project bidding have been investigated, and no suspicious activity has been found so far."

No one had leaked information, yet the two proposals were eighty percent identical. Who would believe there wasn't foul play involved?

While Fu Nanyu seemed at a loss, Lu Jingtang harbored a strong suspicion: Ji Yunyin!

As someone reborn with an omniscient perspective, who had worked at the Fu Group in her previous life, it wasn't inconceivable that she might have intentionally given the proposal to Xie Qinghe.

By sabotaging the Fu Group and spreading rumors of an impending marriage alliance between the Xie and Fu families, was Ji Yunyin trying to force the Fu family to marry her off to Xie Qinghe, so he could torment her in revenge?

The male lead's rival was truly devoted to the female lead, even willing to marry a woman he despised for her sake.

"Don't worry." Fu Nanyu gently pressed his thumb between her furrowed brows. "Anyone who takes a single penny from the Fu Group must be prepared to pay a heavy price. Just wait and enjoy the show."

Lu Jingtang was captivated by his commanding aura, her eyes sparkling as she nestled her cheek into his palm. "You're so handsome."

Fu Nanyu chuckled softly, pinching her cheeks and pulling them outward. "You little flirt."

Lu Jingtang raised her hand. "I'll give you money."

Fu Nanyu: "Your allowance comes from me. There's no need to transfer money from one hand to the other. I'll just cover it myself."

Lu Jingtang giggled goofily a few times.

Fu Nanyu, with his well-defined fingers, gently squeezed the back of her neck, a slight smile curling his lips. "Finish eating, then we'll nap."

Lately, Fu Nanyu seemed to enjoy sleeping with her—just sleeping together under the same blanket, nothing more.

Although Lu Jingtang quite liked it too, every time she woke up, Fu Nanyu would stare at her with an oddly intense look, as if gazing at some long-lost treasure.

He often asked if she remembered what she had dreamed, but Lu Jingtang never recalled dreaming at all.

Before their nap, Lu Jingtang reminded Fu Nanyu to set up the recorder, hoping to find out if she had been talking in her sleep again.

As usual, Fu Nanyu woke first, but this time his expression was far from relaxed. The strands of hair on his forehead were damp with sweat, and his chest rose and fell rapidly with each breath. It wasn’t until he felt the warm, familiar presence of the person in his arms that he came back to himself.

He held her tightly, as if wanting to press her into his very bones, leaving no space between them.

"Mmm... slow down..." Lu Jingtang struggled to breathe, her eyelashes fluttering. Before she could fully open her eyes, his lips sealed hers, his tongue scorching as it claimed her mouth. She grew lightheaded from lack of air.

She tried to push him away, but feeling the slight tremble in his body, she hesitated. Instead of resisting, she soothingly patted his back, over and over.

After a long, long time, Fu Nanyu released her. His eyes were slightly red as he tenderly kissed the corner of her eye. "Were you scared?"

Lu Jingtang shook her head and buried her face in the curve of his neck. "Don’t be afraid, brother. I’m here."

Fu Nanyu gazed at her deeply, kissing her cheeks like a man seeking reassurance, repeatedly confirming that Lu Jingtang would not leave him.

Lu Jingtang felt both pained and puzzled. What kind of nightmare could frighten someone as strong as Fu Nanyu so much?

Fu Nanyu wouldn’t tell her, only insisting that they pretend he hadn’t dreamed at all. Compared to the fleeting illusion of dreams, the person in his arms was what he needed to hold onto most.

He instinctively didn’t want Lu Jingtang to know the content of the dream—because in it, she had become a traitor to the family, leaking the Fu Group’s secrets before disappearing. No one believed her.

No matter how hard he searched, he couldn’t find her. It was as if Lu Jingtang had vanished from everyone’s lives.

No one remembered her—only he remembered how deeply they had once loved.