Chapter 22: Has the Madam not returned yet today?

Wen Ying and He Xichen stood together, engaged in conversation. Anyone with eyes could see that the scarves around their necks were a matching pair.

What kind of relationship would lead a grown man and woman to wear couple scarves?

Lu Jinchuan lifted his gaze to look at them.

Just then, Wen Ying raised her hand and patted He Xichen on the back; the two appeared remarkably close and comfortable with each other.

Cheng Mu let out a cold laugh. "I really underestimated her! She lacks any real substance, but she certainly has a knack for handling men."

Huo Jinran frowned, casting another look at Wen Ying.

He recalled the cold, loathing look Wen Ying had given him that day. Comparing it to the way she looked at He Xichen now, it was clear that he was different to her.

"No way? How does she even know He Xichen?" Cheng Mu couldn't wrap his head around it.

Although He Xichen’s company, Feixi, had only recently stabilized its growth, his background was solid and his capabilities were top-tier in the country. By all logic, someone of Wen Ying’s status shouldn't have had the opportunity to make a connection with him.

"Jinchuan?" Cheng Mu looked toward Lu Jinchuan.

Lu Jinchuan glanced at his watch indifferently, seemingly uninterested in the scene. "I’ll take Su Nian home first."

Su Nian fell into deep thought for a moment.

Today, Lu Jinchuan had brought her to network with industry titans, yet Wen Ying had appeared, seemingly with a significant connection to He Xichen, and it just so happened that they had witnessed it...

With so many coincidences, it ceased to be a coincidence.

"No wonder President He wouldn't see me today," she remarked.

Cheng Mu and Huo Jinran looked at her. "What do you mean?"

Su Nian said calmly, "If Wen Ying knows President He, then it all makes sense."

"Is Wen Ying settling a personal score?" Cheng Mu immediately guessed what Su Nian had left unsaid. "Because she holds a grudge against you, she’s been whispering in He Xichen’s ear?"

"Is He Xichen the type of man to lose his head and judgment over a pretty face?" Huo Jinran asked, slightly surprised.

Su Nian shook her head. "It doesn't matter. My abilities will make him cast aside his prejudices."

Cheng Mu gave a thumbs up. "That’s why it has to be Su Nian—so poised and magnanimous."

Lu Jinchuan didn't speak, just cast a faint glance in that direction.

Over there, Wen Ying felt a sharp gaze land upon her. She didn't turn around. Even though she knew it came from Lu Jinchuan, she no longer cared.

After dropping He Xichen off at his home, He Xichen, who had drunk a bit of alcohol, waved a hand and walked upstairs, still wearing his scarf. Wen Ying watched for a moment, said nothing more, and drove home. She felt that her life now was very relaxed and free.

9:30 PM.

Lu Jinchuan returned to their marital home.

The domestic worker, who hadn't finished her shift yet, immediately stepped forward to take his coat. "Sir, shall I draw a bath for you?"

Lu Jinchuan paused. In the past, these things were always done by Wen Ying.

"Yes."

The worker hurried upstairs with nimble movements. Lu Jinchuan followed, hooking his index and middle fingers into his tie knot to loosen it. Entering the bedroom, only the bedside lamp was on; he hadn't been back in days.

The worker finished drawing the water and came out.

Only then did Lu Jinchuan narrow his eyes. "Has the Madam not returned today?"

The worker was stunned. "The Madam?"

"The Madam hasn't been back for several days."

Lu Jinchuan’s brow furrowed for an instant. He pulled off his tie and looked at Wen Ying’s vanity. "When did this start?"

As he asked, he took out his phone, intending to send Wen Ying a message.

The worker thought back. "Probably last Tuesday."

Lu Jinchuan lowered his eyes, pondering which day that was. He finally determined it was the day after Su Nian’s birthday.

From that day on, she had frequently "acted differently," as if she had become a completely new person. After thinking for a long while, he just curled his lips in an ambiguous expression.

He exited the chat window with Wen Ying, no longer intending to ask about it.

He went into the bathroom. Looking at the warm water in the tub, he recalled how in the past, whenever he took a bath, various essential oils were always added to the water, often with soothing properties.

Today, there was nothing in it.

He suddenly lost interest.

Just then, his phone, resting on the vanity, vibrated. He glanced at it, then turned and headed for the door.

The worker asked, "Sir, are you going out?"

Lu Jinchuan looked down, replying to his message. "You all can clock out. I’ll be staying elsewhere tonight."