Chapter 123: Lin Chu Felt a Palm Rested on Her Shoulder
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Lin Chu did not reply him, instead, she told Lu Weining directly, “Hear that?”
Looking miserable, Lu Weining could not utter a single word at this moment.
Yan Beicheng’s voice transmitted from the phone, “Lu Weining is still there?”
Lin Chu switched off the phone’s speaker and started to walk out holding her phone. She could hear Lin Chu replied with a grunt, “She said that I’m not fit to be with you because I’m vulgar and that I’m two-faced and show you a different look when I’m in front of you.”
Yan Beicheng smirked, “What sort of different look?”
“A shrew, I suppose.” Lin Chu herself smiled as well, “Yep, I was indeed a shrew just now.”
“It’s alright, bullying people is better than being bullied. You knowing how to bully people will save me from being worried that you cannot defend yourself when you’re being bullied outside.” Yan Beicheng held the phone as he left the elevator. “If you bully someone, I’ll cover for you. I’ll see who dares to say it’s you.”
It just so happened that the workers in his surroundings were all about to leave for lunch when they saw Yan Beicheng on a phone call with his head up and chest high. The expression on his face, however, was very gentle; his lips curled upwards and the way he looked speaking softly into the phone was truly shocking.
The ones who were closer in the vicinity with Yan Beicheng could not help but shiver upon hearing what Yan Beicheng said.
…
Lin Chu did not expect that Lu Weining still did not change her original aspiration after having an unpleasant argument in the coffee shop. She still insisted to collaborate with her group on a long term basis.
Lin Chu wondered, could it be that Lu Weining still wanted to show her generosity and nobility?
She went to Xing Chuang’s office at B City with Zheng Yuntong and Lu Lixin. Although a studio was established for Shu Yuxin, she still had not left Xing Chuang.
Xing Chuang had set up an office for Shu Yuxin’s studio at their own office and rented the office space back to her based on market price. Such was the quality of a businessman, where Xing Chuang earned back a portion of its investment on Shu Yuxin.
After signing the contract, Shu Yuxin’s manager wished that both parties could meet to understand and align on expectations as that they would be working together in the future after all. Given that celebrities would always have something in the news regardless of significance, they need to have good support and tight connection in public relations.
“Yuxin is currently shooting a commercial at the studio on the third floor. She’ll be done a while later. Why don’t we go and have a look together?” Shu Yuxin’s manager, Madam Lan, suggested.
Lu Lixin nodded and brought Zheng Yuntong and Lin Chu down to the studio.
Upon entering the studio, they saw the studio was in a busy and chaotic state and everyone was minding their own business. Shu Yuxin was doing different kinds of poses in front of a white cloth background. The lights were shone strong and bright to let her skin looked translucent, but it was still not as good as the photoshopped pictures posted online.
Nowadays, regardless if it was meant for print or television, all pictures would be photoshopped until the skin looked smooth, fair and flawless. But in reality, Shu Yuxin’s facial pores were rough and big due to her hectic working schedule and private life. The dark circles under her eyes could not even be covered by concealer.
After shooting a set of photos, Shu Yuxin stepped down to change her outfit and touch up her makeup. She met up with Lin Chu and team during this interval and had a simple conversation.
Although she was quite polite with them, it was safe to say that she was not warm and all that friendly with them.
Suddenly, Shu Yuxin stood up and called out enthusiastically, “President Lu.”
Lin Chu turned around and saw Lu Weining walking towards them with her assistant. She paired a light blue suit with her white blouse, making the originally stern office outfit looked unexpectedly extra charming. It also made her look much younger than her real age.
Lu Weining smiled while she came over as if the unpleasant incident she had with Lin Chu never happened.
“I heard that a few personnel from Lin Yi visited so I came to have a look,” Lu Weining said. She smiled and nodded politely towards Lin Chu.
She was willing to pretend. Lin Chu did not want to make herself appear rude as well at this moment so she also smiled and nodded as a gesture to greet Lu Weining.
“You should know that Lin Yi and their people are all elites. Have a good chat with Mr. Lu and his team to familiarize with them as you will be in contact with them often later on. They are also your public relations team and they will help to settle whatever issues that we may have. Hence, it’s important for you to get along well with them to make work easier,” Lu Weining said. She got some crew to bring some chairs so they could all sit down and chat.
Lin Chu looked unenthusiastic; she would reply politely when she needed to talk. The team leader was Lu Lixin after all. Talking lesser and letting Lu Lixin leading it was the proper way and Lu Weining could not say much as well.
“Eh? Whose phone is ringing?” Zheng Yuntong turned her head and asked as she heard a faint ringtone.
Lu Weining was holding her phone in her hand; Shu Yuxin’s was with her assistant. Lin Chu then opened her bag to check. Sure enough, it was hers.
Discovering that it was a call from Yan Beicheng, she apologized, stood up and left to pick up the call.
“Have you return to the company?” asked Yan Beicheng.
Since she would be going to Xing Chuang this afternoon, she was worried that she would return to Lin Yi late and that Yan Beicheng would need to wait for a long time by the gate. Hence, she mentioned to him beforehand.
“No, I’m still at Xing Chuang, talking to Shu Yuxin. Lu Weining is here too.” Lin Chu said and turned around to take a look, and caught Lu Weining looking at her.
Despite being caught looking, Lu Weining was not diffident and instead nodded at her and gradually turned her head back, as if the gaze was not spying on her just now.
Lin Chu bit her lips with taunt.
“It’s about time to get off work. Why haven’t you left yet?” Yan Beicheng glanced at his wristwatch. His eyes narrowed when he heard the name of Lu Weining, feeling displeased.
“The conversation is taking up a long time,” Lin Chu said. The studio was bustling with activity and it became very noisy. Lin Chu decided to walk out but she still covered her ears and subconsciously lowered her voice. “I’ll go back directly from Xing Chuang a while later. You don’t have to come to pick me up.”
Yan Beicheng did not reply. After a while, when she was about to start talking, she heard him saying, “Wait for me there.”
He hung up, not intending to let Lin Chu speak anymore.
Even though he knew Lin Chu would not put herself in an unfavorable situation and that Lu Lixin and Zheng Yuntong would help prevent that from happening, he still did not feel comfortable as long as Lu Weining was present.
Lin Chu blinked her eyes and stared blankly at her phone. She thought to herself, what would happen if she left a while later and would have to confront Lu Weining again and Yan Beicheng had not arrived yet?
She would not put herself in an adverse situation voluntarily but that did not mean that she would be willing to deal with Lu Weining.
When she returned, Shu Yuxin was talking about how she was being cyberbullied on the Internet and discussing on how to redeem her image. She was envious with some female celebrities who managed to make a comeback after being cyberbullied by the netizens. Lu Lixin gave a few recommendations for her to try.
“This has been accumulated for a long time. You cannot rush through it otherwise it’ll cause an opposite effect,” Lu Lixin said.
The stylist called for Shu Yuxin to change her outfit. Lu Weining proposed buying dinner for the three of them. Lu Lixin was about to decline when Lin Chu felt a palm rested on her shoulder.
Turning her head in surprise, she unexpectedly saw Yan Beicheng. When did he arrive?
“How did you come over so fast?” Lin Chu asked in a hushed tone, pleasantly surprised.
“I finished my work long ago today and wanted to pick you up earlier. When I called you, it just so happened that I was nearby.”
As he spoke, his hand that rested on her shoulder fell naturally to hold her hand. His distinctive long fingers weaved and intertwined with her soft thin fingers.
Lin Chu’s soft fingertips could not resist pressing on the back of his lean hand. “Don’t call while driving in the future, even wearing earphones is also dangerous.”
“I’ll listen to you.” A faint smile hung on Yan Beicheng’s attractive lips, his voice sounded clear and rich. He did not conceal his affections when he looked at Lin Chu, completely ignorant of the people and their eyes around them.
Lu Weining was watching on the side with a hand in the pocket of her pants. Her action seemed free and confident but in reality, her fist was gripping tightly in the pocket.
Until a piercing pain could be felt from her palm, did she snap out of it and swiftly let go of her grip. Removing it from her pocket to take a look at it, her palms had bruised from the finger marks with blood veins appearing faintly.
Lu Weining walked towards Yan Beicheng and Lin Chu and stood in front of them, greeting while smiling at Yan Beicheng, “Master Yan, I didn’t expect that you’ll come here.”
The way she spoke made it sound like he was here for her.
But no matter what, she finally did not call him Beicheng.
Yan Beicheng narrowed his eyes coldly at her, “I’m here to pick Lin Chu up.”
Lu Weining felt somewhat awkward by his cold attitude. Her finger bent slightly to push some of her hair behind her ear but leaving her sideburns that curved into an attractive arc beside her ear, making her appealing yet cheeky.
Lu Weining bowed her head slightly, she was aware of which angle and manner that she looked the best and smiled lightly and politely at Yan Beicheng and said, “It was rude and brazen of me to visit your place suddenly last time. I even said some inappropriate words that caused both of you to misunderstand…”
“There wasn’t any misunderstanding, we’re fine. Don’t worry, Lin Chu didn’t take your words to heart,” Yan Beicheng said indifferently. He appeared to be somewhat annoyed for he kept turning his head around to observe the studio.
Lu Weining choked for a moment and immediately responded, “I am relieved to hear that but it was my bad no matter what. If Master Yan and Ms. Lin don’t mind, I’ll buy you two dinner to apologize officially. Is that alright?”
Although Yan Beicheng did not say anything, his expression had the word ‘disgusted’ written on it.
Lin Chu’s expression remained the same, merely thinking that Lu Weining said that she was two-faced in front of Yan Beicheng. This talk ought to be given to Lu Weining instead.
A camera’s shutter sound caught their attention. As they turned their heads, the photographer, who was waiting on the side to shoot Shu Yuxin, was holding a camera toward them.
Seeing the trio turned around, he chuckled and strode to them. “The way that President Wei and this Mister laughing and gazing at each other looked really good on camera. I took the shot because I’m a photographer after all.”
Yan Beicheng extended his hand and took the photographer’s camera. His action was so sudden and smooth that the photographer did not even have time to react. The photographer then realized that the camera was taken away without resistance.
Yan Beicheng’s slender and lovely fingers pressed on the camera button a few times until the particular picture appeared and deleted it.
“Mister, you…” The photographer’s eyes opened wide and he glared at him angrily.
It was his work and he believed that it was a great shot. Why on earth did he delete his picture?
“Ms. Lu is single but I have a fiancée who’s right beside me. Not only does your taking that picture and uttering such words do Ms. Lu no good, but it has also angered me and my fiancée.” Yan Beicheng lifted his hand to show that he was holding hands with Lin Chu. “It’s not difficult to distinguish my relationship with my fiancée. How can you take a photo of me with another woman? I thought photographers should be observant and detailed.”
Yan Beicheng mocked, then glanced at Lu Weining and continued, “Besides, my fiancée and I are the ones who are well-matched, not with Ms. Lu.”
Lu Weining’s face was drained of color in an instant by Yan Beicheng’s blunt words. Both of her fists clenched and she could no longer maintain her smile.
Yan Beicheng did not give a damn about Lu Weining and told Lin Chu, “Let your colleagues know that we’re leaving in advance.”
Lin Chu nodded, and both of them went to inform Lu Lixin.
Since Lu Lixin was planning to leave as well, he left together with Zheng Yuntong.
Only after did the figures disappeared from the studio’s doorway that the photographer averted his gaze. “Ms. Lu…”
It was Lu Weining who told him to do that, yet it was unexpected that Lu Weining would end up being humiliated.
Lu Weining turned around and left with a livid look. Her face looked dreadfully down and dark.
When she returned to the office, her phone rang.
Lu Weining’s eyes twinkled seeing the name on the phone. The corner of her lips drew a seemingly happy and calculating smile as she picked up the call, “Zhiqing.”
…
Coming out from Xing Chuang, it was fifteen minutes earlier than the time to get off work.
After getting into the car, Yan Beicheng was preparing to drive when he got a call from the Family Mansion.
Lin Chu saw a subtle change appeared on Yan Beicheng’s face. The corners of his mouth curved upwards and his face was filled with joy that could not be hidden despite him trying to control it.
Yan Beicheng told Lin Chu after ending the call, “Grandmother wants us to go back. My sister has come over.”
Lin Chu was so shocked that she was speechless for a while with both of her lips slightly opened.
Yan Beicheng looked at her and found her funny. He extended his hand and pinched her lips together, making her look like a small duck.
Lin Chu glared at him and pulled his hand down with both of her hands. She felt that her lips had become swollen from his pinching.
Staring at her lips that were now full and plump, Yan Beicheng’s fingers rested on her soft lips and lightly pressed on them for a moment. His pupil color turned darker.
Lin Chu’s brain became numb from his caress. Thinking that he still wanted to tease her at this moment, she bit his thumb in resentment.
She merely wanted to express her embarrassment and did not bite on it too hard but instead just sucked gently on it. Yan Beicheng’s eyes turned darker.
He did not bother with what he said just now. He threw himself at her straight away, pressing her against the car door and kissed her soft lips. His hands found its way to her waist subconsciously, lifting her and pressing her onto his abdomen. Her back figure arched beautifully, and his kiss became deeper as she was propped up against the car window.
Lin Chu could not breathe properly due to his kissing. She could only feel his strong smell staining between her lips and teeth. She struggled to control herself amidst his heavy masculinity and absolute strength.
With great difficulty, Yan Beicheng released her lips slightly though his hands continued to grip her tight and strong. Looking at her pretty lips glowing with a tint of glittering scarlet, he could not help but dawdle on her lips again gently.
He kissed her again heavily, only letting go when they both had to take a breath. Seeing that he was about to kiss again, Lin Chu quickly raised her hand to cover his lips.
Yen Beicheng had a strong urge and was suddenly stopped by her. He found it happy and funny at the same time. He raised his eyebrow at her and pulled her hand down from his lips.
“I just want to kiss you. You provoked me when your teeth nibbled just now,” said Yan Beicheng. He kissed delicately on her palm and tickled it suddenly.
Lin Chu’s palm became hot and itchy. She quickly clenched her palm into a fist but her distinct knuckles were caressed by him.
“Stop playing around, tell me about your sister.” Lin Chu flung her hand to put a halt to his actions. “You did tell me that you have a sister. I don’t know anything about her other than that. I don’t even know what her name is. I’ll be meeting her for the first time today. Tell me about her so I can be fairly prepared.”
Yan Beicheng finally stopped fooling around with her. Despite seeing how uncomfortable she was sitting in her current posture, he was still reluctant to let go of her. He hugged her soft body and found it comfortable speaking to her in this state.
He pushed the chair back straight away, fished her up and hugged her full on.
“…” Lin Chu blushed as she smacked his arm, which felt sturdy even under his shirt. “Speak properly.”
“I am speaking to you properly.” Yan Beicheng embraced her tighter.
Lin Chu reckoned that he did not plan to talk about matters properly, so she just obediently let him hug her.
Seeing how docile she looked and that she was no longer opposing, Yan Beicheng could not help but smile. His eyes became very gentle. He could not help it and kissed her lips again, and only then said, “Didn’t I tell you that my sister was born after that person went to Ning City?”
Lin Chu nodded, indicating that she remembered.
“Her name is Yan Zhiqing. She should be 18 years old by now. Ms. Jiang would always bring her back every year to meet my grandparents. Although Zhiqing is brought up at Ning City, it may be assumed that Ms. Jiang did not want to give up Yan Family who is such a great resource. Therefore, she still allowed Zhiqing to keep in touch with the Yan Family. As she did not grow up around my grandparents and only comes back once a year, the feelings that they shared is not strong. However, the elders have always felt sorry for her given that she’s the biological child my father left behind and they don’t meet often. Hence, their care for her stems from wanting to compensate her other than the instinctive family love.”
“But this type of fondness is different in comparison to you, your great uncle, and Ningbai, right?” asked Lin Chu.
Yan Beicheng nodded. The way his grandparents treated him, Yan Huaian and Yan Ningbai were unconditional love from the heart. They were willing to do anything for them, like how parents would be willing to sacrifice anything and suffer hardships for their own children’s wellbeing.
As for Yan Zhiqing, they felt sorry and compensatory more. Plus, she was by Jiang Changdai’s side since young. The fact that Jiang Changdai was someone that his grandparents loathed caused further unfamiliarity between them and Zhiqing.
With Jiang Changdai’s sort of personality, the grandparents were more or less concerned that Yan Zhiqing would be influenced since young. They, thus, certainly did not treat her like how they treated Yan Bei Cheng and others with great care and love.
If the children did something that broke the parents’ hearts, the parents may not abandon and ignore the children yet they would not be completely loving like before.
Let alone this type of emotion that harbored repentance. If the child was good, the feelings would become stronger; but if the child was naughty, this type of sentiment would be exhausted sooner or later.
Lin Chu, however, was aware that she was Yan Beicheng’s biological sister after all.
If Yan Beicheng could still call Jiang Changdai ‘mother’ in her presence, he would also have more tolerance for his biological sister, so much so that his heart wanted to get closer to her.
As Yan Beicheng gazed at the beautiful lady in his embrace, the irritation he felt at first from mentioning Jiang Changdai had vanished.
Planting a kiss on her eyebrows, he then said, “Each year, Ms. Jiang would always bring Zhiqing back but Zhiqing would be the only one returning to the Mansion. She’s ashamed to go back. Perhaps stemming from the heart of redemption, she once returned bringing Zhiqing along who was just a newborn after my father passed away for a year. Zhiqing was in her embrace at that time, and my grandparents were not willing to meet her. They then only agreed to let Zhiqing visit and wanted someone to bring her over.”
“She was afraid that Zhiqing would not be returned after taking her away and that my grandparents would simply say that Zhiqing has disappeared,” Yan Beicheng explained. Seeing how her ear cartilage looked pretty blushing red, he kissed it while talking.
Lin Chu’s cheeks burnt hot. Rather than talking about matters seriously, this man stubbornly wanted to kiss her after articulating a few sentences. He would even smell the fragrance of her face from time to time, kiss her ear cartilage and earlobe. He just could not stay still for a moment.