Chapter 41

“It was Lu Zheng.”

Yan Liang did not know why, but she felt that even though his tone was indifferent, there was a trace of hidden ferocity in it. She was gripped in this illusion for a few seconds before she roused herself from her reverie and saw him walk nonchalantly towards the bathroom.

Quickly she called out to him, “What did he say?’

Hearing this, Jiang Yu Nan paused.

He looked down, as if recollecting something very funny, then said mockingly, “ He said that he had come back to the country specifically for Ms Yan and that he would like to have a detailed discussion with you.”

But when Yan Liang looked closely at him, the mockery had been wiped off from his face; there wasn’t even a trace of it left.

Yan Liang had no time to worry about this. Although last night she had said that she would no longer bother to clean up the mess, now her brains were full of thoughts about the three day agreement with Lu Zheng.

Immediately, she jumped out of bed and ran towards the bedroom door. She was so eager she hadn’t even put on her slippers. Barefoot, she ran to the living room, picked up the landline, looked up the number of Lu Zheng and dialled him on her mobile phone.

As soon as the call connected, she eagerly identified herself,“ Mr Lu, this is Yan Liang.”

He had expected her to call. He wasn’t the least bit surprised.

Listening to her eager and humble tone, he answered “I am still on the highway, I will reach the city area in twenty minutes.”

Did he mean the highway from the airport?

Yan Liang had not expected this, had he called her as soon as he had landed?

She felt really ridiculous and helpless, even a bit ashamed, when she remembered her treatment of him when he had come to Xu Jin Fu’s home for lunch.

Now luck had turned, she was seeking help from the same person. She was overwhelmed by Lu Zheng’s attitude and his attentiveness towards her.

Naturally, her tone was even more earnest, “ I will go to the office and wait for you.”

He said, “ I haven’t had breakfast yet.”

“Which restaurant?”

Lu Zheng paused, he seemed to be thinking of something interesting; then he chuckled, “ Ms Yan , you had hired people to track me earlier.You should know which is my favourite restaurant.”

After she hung up the phone, she stood by the sofa for two seconds. Then she realised what he was talking about and rushed back to the bedroom.

With the fastest speed possible, she had a bath and went into the cloakroom to get dressed. Jiang Yu Nan was standing in front of the mirror on the wall, tying his tie.

Hearing the movement, he looked back and caught a glimpse of her ,all wet, and smiled, “ Who was saying yesterday that she didn’t want to clear up the mess anymore?”

Yan Liang just changed into a dress, and tiptoed towards the rows of shoes looking for her high heels, “ I don’t want to let go of the company that three generations of Xu have worked for.”

As soon as she finished speaking, she found the ones she was looking for. Taking the shoes in her hand, and dragging off a coat in the other hand, she hurried towards the door.

She had just gone two steps when she realised something. She rushed back to Jiang Yu Nan, pulled his tie (Miumiu : with which hand??err never mind!) , rose on tiptoes and smacked his lips with a kiss, “ All the best, husband!”

Jiang Yu Nan was surprised at first, then smiled, “ All the best, wife!”

He watched his wife disappear at the door. He quickly knotted the tie. His suit jackets hung on the left side of the closet. His face slightly cold, he stood in front of the row of jackets, but did not pick up any for some time. The cloakroom was silent . Then suddenly…

Bang!

With a sweep of his hand, all the jackets on the rail were dumped on the ground. Then another ‘bang’ and his fist hit the mirror with such force that the mirror fragmented into tiny pieces and fell to the floor.

The pain in his hand seemed to be transmitted through the blood stream in his veins straight to his heart; the pain there was fierce and unbearable.

He could see reflections of himself in every piece of the broken mirror.

A man fragmented, completely exposed….

*** ***

When Yan Liang came to the Ming court’s restaurant, the waiter seemed to have already been intimated, “ Good morning, Ms Yan.”

Then he led her to the table. Looking at the menu in his hand, she waved her hand, “ I will order when Mr Lu joins me.”

The waiter laughed, “ Mr Lu requested Ms Yan to start her breakfast.”

Yan Liang was feeling anxious. She casually picked up the glass of water, but gave back the menu to the water and did not even glance at the coffee that was placed at her side. She kept looking at her watch.

Lu Zheng finally entered nearly ten minutes later.

When he entered, he saw a woman looking down at her watch. He paused, then accelerated his pace and approached her.

Yan Liang also saw him and immediately bowed slightly.

“ I’m sorry you had to wait such a long time”, he said , “ I went home and took a shower and changed, and that made me a bit late.”

He was a man who was very conscious of his appearance. Yan liang shook her head, indicating that she did not mind. She was grateful that he was willing to meet her, how would she dare mind about this?

Involuntarily, she bit her lower lip. Determined, she stood up and bowed deeply to Lu Zheng, “ I had earlier said that I will solve the Ya Yan issue in three days. Obviously, I overestimated myself and underestimated the situation. My sincere apologies.”

She deliberately paused here, waiting for Lu Zheng to say something. He could make fun of her, or leave angrily or hesitate, or never give her another chance..

It was however clear that Lu Zheng wanted to hear more from her and he continued to stay silent.

Yan Liang could only bite the bullet, “I know I failed, but if Mr Lu gives us a little longer, another chance for Ya Yan..”

“Who says you have failed?” Lu Zheng suddenly interrupted her.

Yan Liang was surprised for a moment. She was still bowing to him, but saw Lu Zheng stand up. Not only did he stand up, but he also picked up her coat that she had hanged on the back of her chair. Yan Liang straightened and Lu Zheng put the coat on her, then he lifted his chin toward the exit, indicating that they should leave the restaurant together.

Yan Liang was even more puzzled, “ Where ?”

“ For brunch.”

Lu Zheng did not explain anymore and took the first step towards the exit.Yan Liang saw him move further and further away and rushed to keep up.

Soon, Yan Liang and Lu Zheng arrived at the city’s most famous brunch restaurant.This restaurant was less than a 5 minute walk from the Ming Ting club and was well known for its self service brunch. Many of the city’s wealthy loved to come here and spend money. The delicious food was one reason, the other reason was to talk business.

The waiter saw them and immediately came forward, “ Mr Lu.”

This was not the first time that Yan Liang had been to this restaurant, she was well aware of the fact that meals here often created advantages in business, She looked at Lu Zheng , it seemed.. he had brought here for the same purpose.

Lu Zheng looked back at Yan Liang, his arm slightly bent- this was a silent signal. Yan Liang understood the signal, hesitated, then reached out and took his arm.

They went arm in arm to the restaurant. They attracted a lot of attention at the door, even people who were earlier engaged in conversation stopped and looked at them. There was the same question on everyone’s faces.. was Lu Zheng actually with the scandal ridden , humiliated Xu Group’s number 2 lady ?

Yan Liang glanced around as she saw a lot of acquaintances. The nearest man to them was the largest cosmetics retailer Ding Chenhai.They had shops all over the country; at any point of time, they would have goods worth more than two thousand dollars on their shelves.

Seeing everyone here, Yan Liang firmly held on to Lu Zheng’s arm. Just when she had finally summoned the courage to play to the gallery, Lu Zheng abruptly stopped.

“ I need to discuss a private matter before we go home today”, he said.

Yan Liang suddenly felt nervous.

Being here with Lu Zheng in the presence of all these people gave only one message to friends and foes alike : that Xu will not collapse, they have the support of Ming Ting.

Thus when Lu Zheng suddenly proposed this, Yan Liang asked him in a distracted manner , ‘ What?”

He paused, his expression indicating this was a matter he found difficult to broach. But soon he regained his usual manner, “ Your relationship with Jiang Yu Nan.. it seems more intimate than what I had guessed earlier..”

Yan Liang was shocked. She finally regained her composure and looked at Lu Zheng.

Lu Zheng looked at the expression on her face , waiting for the answer. One second, two second, three seconds..

After three seconds, he suddenly laughed, “ Ok, I wont ask.”

Yan liang thought for a moment and said,” I..”

Lu Zheng immediately interrupted her: “If you tell me, I am afraid that I will not help, I may immediately turn around and leave.”

This warning was very effective; Yan Liang was now completely silent.

Lu Zheng seemed to be very satisfied with her reaction. He smiled at her, and then took her to meet Ding Chenhai.

Ding Chenhai warmly greeted them, “Good Morning Mr Lu. Good Morning, umm..” he paused and looked at the woman next to Lu Zheng, “ Ms Yan.”

Miumiu : I think now it is safe to say that both men are now vying for Yan Liang’s affection. There was no reason for Jiang Yu Nan to get upset if he had no feelings for YL, and there was no reason for LZ to help YL if he didn’t have feelings for her. He, not only gave her three days but is also helping her make important connections in business. Clearly he knows there is something between YL and JYN but is willing to try to win her over inspite of that…