Chapter Two: Taking the Initiative to Entice Her

The “Speed Racer” event was still underway, and the nanny car followed an “S” shaped route, forcing Mengnan Jiang to firmly grasp Lu Yu’s clothes to maintain her balance.

The situation was unbearably awkward. Afraid that Lu Yu might misunderstand her, Mengnan Jiang lowered her head, blushing, and whispered softly like a mosquito’s buzz, “Sorry, but right now...”

Lu Yu understood and reached out to steady the swaying Mengnan Jiang. Looking down at her, he said gently, “It’s nothing. Maybe we ran into some paparazzi.”

A pleasant fragrance emanated from Lu Yu, quickly soothing the unease in Mengnan Jiang’s heart.

It was the scent of Westin white tea, mingled with fresh citrus notes.

This fragrance was pure and youthful—just like Lu Yu himself.

Finally, after passing several intersections, the nanny car returned to a smooth ride.

Mengnan Jiang struggled to sit upright again, and Lu Yu instinctively released his hold.

The air inside the vehicle quietly warmed.

Both turned their heads to look out the window, and no one spoke.

Mengnan Jiang unconsciously touched her cheek, feeling a flush of heat.

Blushing, she wished she could dig a hole and hide inside.

Annoyed with herself, she fastened her seatbelt and stole a glance at Lu Yu.

He was still resting with his eyes closed.

After looking a few more times, she felt that Lu Yu’s ears were faintly tinged with red.

Could it be that he was shy too?

In the next moment, Mengnan Jiang shook her head in denial—how could one be shy around a stranger they had just met?

Twenty minutes later, the nanny car entered the underground garage of “Grain Rain Pavilion.”

This was a private club located in the suburbs, where Lu Yu had an exclusive suite that guaranteed complete privacy.

The personal butler had been waiting for some time.

Seeing the two step out, the butler smiled at Mengnan Jiang and promptly handed her a towel and some tea.

Lu Yu exchanged glances with the driver, Qin Jiu, frowned, wiped his hands, and then walked straight into the elevator.

Upon arriving at the suite, dinner was already prepared.

They sat facing each other, and due to the low-pressure atmosphere Lu Yu had emitted earlier in the garage, the mood was somewhat tense.

At that moment, the anger in Lu Yu’s eyes made Mengnan Jiang shiver.

Putting away his stern expression, Lu Yu took the initiative to speak: “Sorry about earlier.”

Mengnan Jiang waved her hand: “It’s not your fault. I didn’t expect being an artist to be so tough.”

Smiling faintly, Lu Yu didn’t elaborate.

His gaze fell upon the jade pendant around Mengnan Jiang’s neck, and he brought it up himself: “Looks like an antique.”

Mengnan Jiang lowered her head and gently touched the jade pendant, her eyes tinged with melancholy: “Yes, it is. It’s a keepsake from my mother. I’ve worn it since I was a child, and now that I’m grown, I just can’t bear to take it off.”

Lu Yu refilled her tea and apologized softly, “Sorry.”

Mengnan Jiang was indifferent: “It’s nothing.”

Rejecting the butler’s service, the suite was left to just the two of them.

During the meal, Mengnan Jiang noticed several times that when their eyes met, it seemed Lu Yu wanted to say something but held back.

Unable to contain her curiosity, she drank the tea in her cup in one gulp and boldly asked, “Lu Yu, the movie king, do you have something you want to say?”

Mengnan Jiang’s question was straightforward, but Lu Yu didn’t know where to start.

Though his mind was tangled with countless thoughts, on the surface, he calmly lifted his cup and took a sip.

Seeing Mengnan Jiang’s puzzled expression, Lu Yu casually deflected, “Do you know what tasks the production team arranged next?”

Mengnan Jiang caught on immediately.

So he had invited her to dinner as a way to “sneak a peek” at the tasks.

Unexpectedly, even the movie king had moments of uncertainty.

Suddenly inspired, Mengnan Jiang flashed a bright smile: “Lu Yu, how about we collaborate?”

Lu Yu raised an eyebrow: “How do you mean?”

Mengnan Jiang rested her chin on her hands, relaxing completely: “I help you complete the tasks, and after the show airs, you help me promote my bookstore. How does that sound?”

Hearing such a simple request, Lu Yu couldn’t help but chuckle lightly.

Looking at her with meaning in his eyes, he nodded in agreement: “No problem.”

For a moment forgetting their identities, Mengnan Jiang extended her pinky finger: “Pinky promise.”

After a slight pause, Lu Yu also extended his pinky and hooked it with hers.

The soft touch carried a faint sense of familiarity.

Mengnan Jiang looked up and met Lu Yu’s gentle gaze.

The atmosphere quietly became much livelier, and Mengnan Jiang couldn’t stop praising the exquisite dishes at Grain Rain Pavilion.

Especially the final dessert, “Ye Xie Soft Cake,” which she said she hadn’t tasted for many years.

“I remember the last time I had it was as a guest at someone’s house. Their soft cake had a unique pattern, shaped like an iris flower—so beautiful.”

At this, Lu Yu’s dark eyes contracted briefly.

His gaze involuntarily shifted to the high-quality jade pendant, deep in thought.

Seeing his silence, Mengnan Jiang wisely kept quiet and continued tasting.

After the meal, Lu Yu voluntarily offered to send Mengnan Jiang home.

She wanted to refuse, but looking around, there wasn’t even a bus stop nearby, let alone a taxi.

So, naturally, she got back into Lu Yu’s nanny car, making sure to fasten her seatbelt tightly.

Along the way, Mengnan Jiang kept marveling inwardly.

What a surreal day it had been.

After parting with Mengnan Jiang, Lu Yu finally opened the partition between the driver’s seat and the back.

“What was that just now?” he asked.

Qin Jiu glanced at the rearview mirror with a serious expression: “It was the eldest young master’s people.”

The eldest young master? Lu Yiqin?

As his half-brother, he had always looked down on Lu Yu.

Who knew what new tricks he was planning this time?

Lu Yu sneered, “He’s already taken the CEO seat of the Lu Group. What’s there to worry about?”

Qin Jiu scratched the back of his head, unsure how to sum it up: “I heard from Zhao Liu that the eldest young master has recently proposed a marriage alliance with the Song family in the capital.”

A marriage alliance?

Lu Yiqin is already married—why would he be thinking about marriage alliances?

Lu Yu suddenly had a bad feeling.

Among the three sons of the Lu family, the eldest, Lu Yiqin, was married; the second brother, Lu Tianyu, barely kept in touch with the family; and only he lived sheltered within the Lu household.

If the news about the alliance was true, then this “task” would fall on him.

The more he thought about it, the more wrong it felt.

Lu Yu commanded, “Turn around, head back to the Lu residence first.”

Qin Jiu looked at the rearview mirror, slowed down, “Yes, young master.”

Changing lanes and turning around, Qin Jiu immediately floored the accelerator, speeding off.

On one side, Lu Yu had unexpectedly gained a new source of trouble.

On the other, Mengnan Jiang was in high spirits.

Lying in bed, thinking that she was about to clear her debts and had the support of a top celebrity for her bookstore, Mengnan Jiang smiled as she drifted off to sleep.

Just when she thought her life was about to enter a glorious phase, a sudden blow from her family struck her back to reality.

The next morning, Mengnan Jiang was sound asleep.

Unexpectedly, a sharp doorbell rang and woke her.

She brushed her messy hair aside, stepped out into the garden, and opened the iron gate, only to find Manager Qiu from the property service.

Before she could greet him, Manager Qiu spoke first: “Miss Jiang, the time to vacate the house has arrived. We kindly ask you to move out of the villa today.”

Mengnan Jiang was baffled: “I haven’t even received the payment for the house yet. How can it be time to hand it over?”