72: Brother Lu Chen is in a meeting

Lu Chen adjusted his tie, a smile on his face, and with a meaningful look in his eyes, he said to Liu Ruyan:

"Not bad, I quite like it."

Liu Ruyan also smiled charmingly, her voice soft and alluring:

"It's good that you like it. I hope you can be lenient with our Liu family in the future and not make things too difficult for our family's company."

She slightly lowered her head, seemingly respectful, but in reality, she was subtly adjusting the angle of her glasses, ensuring she could clearly capture Lu Chen's every move.

Her hands were subtly clenched at her sides, her heart a mix of nervousness and excitement, anticipating the scene about to unfold.

Lu Chen smiled faintly and said, "Don't worry, as long as you behave, the Liu family won't have any problems."

Liu Ruyan was smiling, but inwardly, she sneered.

She raised her hand to adjust her glasses, her finger inadvertently touching a small protrusion on the frame—the button that controlled the miniature camera.

She pressed it lightly, adjusting the view to the optimal position, ready to record Lu Chen's unsightly behavior.

At the same time, her other hand quietly reached into her bag, tightly gripping the pepper spray.

She was constantly prepared, ready to pull it out immediately if Lu Chen made any untoward moves towards her!

Meanwhile,

Outside the door, Gao Xuewei had gradually walked away, but her mood remained heavy.

The corridor lights were bright and brilliant, reflecting on her distraught face, as if casting a thin veil of sorrow over her.

Liu Ruyan's image kept flashing in her mind, and the bitterness in her heart grew stronger.

Gao Xuewei didn't know if the situation inside the room was as she feared, she didn't even understand what she was worrying about.

In fact, she knew very well that with her identity, status, and... physical condition, she shouldn't have any fantasies about Lu Chen.

But Lu Chen had burst into her life like a brilliant and scorching meteor, saving her and her daughter with a heroic gesture.

She recalled Lu Chen's domineering yet gentle gaze, those direct confessions, like a double-edged sword, stirring up a thousand waves in her calm heart.

Surely no woman could remain unmoved by such straightforward declarations, could she?

Gao Xuewei thought.

Unfortunately... she was "second-hand goods."

Gao Xuewei's heart was filled with bitter sadness.

She no longer held any lingering affection or feelings for Xiao Tianyu; her emotions for Xiao Tianyu had long since vanished during the years of hardship and trials.

But the harm he inflicted upon her was indelible.

This made her begin to hate her former self, wondering why she had been so blind as to fall for such an irresponsible man?

Gao Xuewei's steps grew heavier, each one feeling like it was treading on her own heart, leaving deep imprints.

She passed by closed doors, as if she could hear her lonely heartbeat echoing in the silent corridor.

After returning to her room, Gao Xuewei sat on the edge of the bed, staring blankly ahead.

The room was a bit dim, with only a faint ray of light filtering through the gap in the curtains, and dust motes danced in that beam of light.

Her hands rested weakly on the side of the bed, her fingers trembling slightly.

At this moment,

Xiao Xi, lying on the bed, seemed to sense her mother's mood.

She very considerately crawled from the head of the bed to the foot, massaging Gao Xuewei's shoulders, and softly asked, "Mommy, what's wrong? Are you feeling sad?"

Gao Xuewei shook her head, not speaking, but forced a smile, pressing Xiao Xi's hand and saying with a smile:

"With Xiao Xi being so obedient, how could Mommy be unhappy? Are you hungry? Shall Mommy go find you something to eat?"

Although she said this, her voice still carried a hint of undeniable weariness and desolation.

Xiao Xi gently shook her head and said, "Mommy, I'm not hungry. Shall we go find Brother Lu Chen?"

Gao Xuewei's expression froze for a moment, then she slowly said, "Brother Lu Chen is busy right now. Let's not disturb them, okay?"

Her heart felt as if it had been pricked by something, and that sour feeling surged again.

Xiao Xi tilted her head, asking innocently, "Them? Who is Brother Lu Chen with?"

Gao Xuewei was stunned, momentarily unsure what to say, and finally could only reply, "He's in a meeting."

Xiao Xi then gently nodded and softly said, "I understand. Then I'll go read."

Gao Xuewei nodded and smiled gently, "Go ahead."

Then Xiao Xi obediently put on her shoes and went to the desk in the room, turning on the lamp.

Warm yellow light instantly filled the desk, and Xiao Xi sat there, quietly reading a book.

Gao Xuewei looked at her daughter's obedient back, a hint of relief in her eyes, but the sorrow in her heart followed like a shadow.

Meanwhile, inside the room, Liu Ruyan was continuing with her plan.

She looked at Lu Chen, and a hint of doubt began to appear in her eyes.

The aphrodisiac perfume on his tie was something she had asked her best friend to buy.

According to her best friend, this perfume worked very quickly, taking effect in just 5 minutes. The person inhaling the scent would have a flushed face, eyes full of desire, and a strong urge to take off their clothes.

But she saw clear understanding in Lu Chen's eyes, and his handsome face showed no ripples of emotion. He lay quietly on the bed, completely devoid of the symptoms her best friend had described.

Liu Ruyan secretly wondered, had the drug failed? Or was the dosage insufficient?

Her brows furrowed slightly, and a hint of anxiety flashed in her eyes.

But truth be told, when Lu Chen's oppressive aura wasn't strong, he was indeed quite likable.

Especially when combined with his handsome features, he looked so appealing that one would want to take a bite.

Liu Ruyan's gaze unconsciously roamed over him—his broad shoulders, firm chest, and the faint outlines of his abdominal muscles defined by his shirt.

She felt her mouth go dry, and her heart rate suddenly quickened. An uncontrollable impulse spread through her heart.

This impulse made her a little flustered; she didn't understand why she was having such a reaction.

Liu Ruyan felt her breathing become heavy, and the hot air she exhaled seemed scalding.

Looking at Lu Chen, he appeared even more handsome and refined. Her mouth felt parched, and she had an urge to devour him, to meld him into her body.

What was happening? What was wrong with her?

Liu Ruyan's delicate brows furrowed slightly, a little confused. Having never experienced this situation before, she didn't understand what was happening.

Was the room too hot? Liu Ruyan thought this.

Her gaze unconsciously swept towards the air conditioner in the room, but the displayed temperature was clearly very comfortable.

So she unbuttoned one button of her top.

But it still seemed unable to quell the inner heat and the scalding sensation on her body.

So she couldn't help but unbutton another. Her fair skin was slightly flushed under the light, and her eyes became a little hazy.

"I... what's wrong with me?"

Liu Ruyan felt her thoughts becoming muddled, her whole person dazed, as if she had been placed in a scorching hot steam room, steaming her thoughts into a stupor.

Her body swayed slightly, and her steps were a little unsteady, as if she were drunk.

She tried hard to clear her head, but that inexplicable heat continued to spread through her body.

She looked at Lu Chen, only to find him watching her with a half-smile, his eyes holding a playful look that saw through everything.

"You... what did you do to me?" Liu Ruyan struggled to utter these words, her voice trembling with a hint of anger.