Hmm? News about me?
I was taken aback. My flesh has been pulped and smeared onto a statue. What could he possibly find out?
Lu Shiyan looked unusually happy and quickly asked, "Where is Wanwan?"
"During the period Mrs. Lu disappeared, over thirty women vanished simultaneously across several provinces and cities. They were smuggled overseas via sea routes and have already left the country. It's highly possible Mrs. Lu was among this group."
Lu Shiyan's brow furrowed. "It's still not confirmed?"
"No. Recently, these overseas telecom fraud rings have become increasingly brazen, drawing attention from the authorities. They've temporarily ceased operations, so the women already taken cannot be exposed. Boss Gao has made contact with the leader overseas. The other party has one condition: they want you, Mr. Lu, to go personally to identify her."
Assistant Lin added, "Oh, and Mr. Lu, Boss Gao also brought some good news. Mrs. Lu might not have been... violated yet. Because this group of women was transported by sea, which takes much longer than land routes, and they encountered a tsunami mid-journey, they were only just delivered to the compound. Boss Gao made contact immediately. It's a stroke of luck amidst the misfortune."
The furrows on Lu Shiyan's brow smoothed out. He breathed a sigh of relief.
"Good. First, transfer a sum to Boss Gao to secure things on their end. Whatever amount they want, I'll pay. They must not harm Wanwan. I'll go immediately to retrieve her."
"Understood."
"However, Mr. Lu, quite a few matters have piled up at the company recently. You've been too preoccupied to handle them. If you're leaving, you'll likely need to sort out company affairs first."
"I'll return to the company now."
Lu Shiyan hung up the phone, his previously haggard complexion gaining a touch of color.
He placed a photo of us on the nightstand.
Sunlight gently fell on the bouquet of vibrant roses. The photo frame sat in their shadow.
This wasn't our wedding photo, but one from years ago, before anyone came between us.
Back then, both he and I were smiling brightly, hearts free of resentment.
But I knew deeply that his hopes were ultimately destined to be dashed.
This time, he wouldn't be bringing me back.
Lu Shiyan returned to the company and handled business with much more decisiveness.
He was busy in meetings late into the night, not resting for a moment the entire day.
Around 2 a.m., Assistant Lin brought him some supper.
It was his favorite shrimp and crab clay pot porridge and some stomach-warming pastries. He took one bite and stopped.
"What's wrong, Mr. Lu? Is it cold? Should I go heat it up?"
"No."
Lu Shiyan stared at the richly colored porridge for a long time, finally pressing his lips together and saying, "Wanwan knew I had a weak stomach. She often used to make warm, comforting porridge for me. It's been a long time since I've had her cooking."
I knew he liked the seafood porridge from Li's place. I even paid for the recipe and learned from the owner for half a month. How much I loved him back then.
Not just that, I sought out old Chinese medicine practitioners for his stomach condition, brewing his medicine and delivering his meals every day.
His stomach trouble gradually improved under my careful care.
But later, he told me to my face he was tired of it, then turned around and ate the crayfish Su Ning'an brought, even though his stomach couldn't handle it. From then on, I never bothered with him again.
Lu Shiyan stared at the spot where I used to stand and said to Assistant Lin, "That night, she stood right here, her eyes full of hope, wanting me to eat the porridge she made. But I refused."
"Mr. Lu, you'll find Mrs. Lu soon..." Assistant Lin noticed Lu Shiyan's extremely unstable mood. His eyes were darting around, which was worrying.
Lu Shiyan continued, "Actually, that night, my stomach acted up. I found the stomach medicine she had prepared for me in the drawer. Wanwan was always thinking of me. And I, chasing a bit of novelty, repeatedly put her in awkward situations."
"Mr. Lu, it's all in the past. You and Mrs. Lu have so many years of shared history. No matter what happened, she will surely forgive you."
"Right. She loves me. That's an indisputable fact. When I bring her back, I will treat her well, never hurt her again."
Lu Shiyan took out the wedding ring from the drawer—the one he hadn't had time to put on at the wedding. "I will give her a happy marriage."
Assistant Lin also nodded with relief. "Mr. Lu, that's right. You and Mrs. Lu are family."
"It's a pity I only understand this simple truth today. If I had realized it earlier, I wouldn't have driven Wanwan away."
Lu Shiyan's gaze grew more profound. "By the way, I need you to investigate someone for me."
"Who?"
Lu Shiyan said, word by word, "Su Ning'an. I want to know what else she has done all these years!"