Volume One, Chapter Three: Call My Name

Gu Yan chuckled, “If the Young Madam Lu can’t manage it, how could I possibly become the Fourth Madam?”

“You don’t understand, do you? The Young Madam can’t because she has a bunch of demons hovering over her head. But as the Fourth Madam, you’d be second only to one person—no one would dare to challenge you.”

Of course, Gu Yan understood this; she had fantasized about it herself before.

But—

“Lu Wentian has someone he likes.”

Gu Yan had known this for a long time. He was someone she neither dared nor could hope for.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have agreed to be with Lu Ye in the first place.

Now, how could Lu Wentian possibly be interested in a woman rejected by his nephew?

“So why did he sleep with you last night?”

“I slept with him,” Gu Yan corrected, then added, “Don’t tell anyone… I have to hang up first, there’s a call coming in.”

Seeing the number on the screen was from the Lu family’s old mansion, Gu Yan had no choice but to answer.

“Gu Yan, why didn’t you return to Manting last night?” Old Master Lu’s voice was stern and forceful.

Gu Yan skillfully moved the phone away from her ear.

“Why is Lu Ye so sick he can’t even go to work?”

“You’re grown up, how can you not even take care of him properly?”

“Why aren’t you saying anything?”

“I’m listening, Grandfather.” Gu Yan’s expression was neutral. Lu Ye was really good at the ‘bad guy complains first’ tactic; he probably just spent the whole night playing and was too tired to go to work.

“Don’t just listen—come back to Phoenix Garden now.”

Gu Yan frowned. “Can I come another day? I have something to attend to…”

She didn’t want to run into Lu Wentian.

“Lu Ye is already at Phoenix Garden. What else could you possibly have to do?”

Gu Yan clenched her phone. Before the engagement, Old Master Lu treated her like a lucky charm; after the engagement, the Lu family only saw her as an accessory to Lu Ye.

She used to think it didn’t matter—after all, no matter what, she’d still be a Young Madam.

But today, she suddenly felt a strong aversion.

Just as Gu Yan opened her mouth to speak again, the butler He Bo spoke to Old Master Lu, “Fourth Master said he’s tied up with business and won’t be coming back today.”

Lu Wentian wasn’t coming back today?

Hearing this, Gu Yan quickly changed her tone. “Grandfather, I’m coming over now.”

The matter of the engagement did need to be discussed openly with the Lu family. After today, it would be hard to find another opportunity.

When Gu Yan was leaving Nandu by car, He Baizhuo was there.

Naturally, Lu Wentian was also present.

He Baizhuo smiled, “Rarely sleeping in late?”

Lu Wentian turned and headed upstairs. Assistant Cong Wen had already been waiting there early and followed him inside.

“Any business?”

He Baizhuo went upstairs with them and asked Cong Wen, who said Lu Wentian was conducting two business negotiations today.

One in the morning.

One in the evening.

After finishing the morning deal, Lu Wentian had lunch in Nandu and took a short rest.

Cong Wen helped him organize the documents needed for the evening. “Fourth Master, Huatai wants to discuss things with you again tonight. I think you can sign the papers directly this evening.”

Lu Wentian folded his arms behind his head, silent.

“Oh, by the way.” Cong Wen added unconsciously, “Lu Ye and Gu Yan both returned to the old mansion. They said they broke up yesterday—truly fighting at the head of the bed and making up at the foot…”

“What’s wrong?” Cong Wen sat up when Lu Wentian stirred.

Lu Wentian shook out a cigarette from the pack and looked for a lighter on the table.

His voice escaped from between his lips, “The evening engagement is postponed; I’m going back to the old mansion.”

Cong Wen stopped. “Didn’t you say you were busy these days and wouldn’t return?”

Seeing Lu Wentian couldn’t find a lighter, Cong Wen handed him his own and leaned closer to light it.

But Lu Wentian’s deep eyes glanced sharply at him.

“Did I say I wanted to smoke?”

Cong Wen blinked and pointed at the cigarette at his lips. “Then are you just… playing with it?”

The man’s expression seemed to dare him to continue.

Cong Wen didn’t hold back. “Moreover, tonight’s Huatai matter is urgent. If the two billion fund transfer comes through…”

Out of the corner of his eye, Cong Wen saw Lu Wentian pass over the private seal.

He reached out to take it—his hand already extended.

“This CEO—are you going to do it yourself?” Lu Wentian’s tone was cool and indifferent.

Hearing this, Cong Wen immediately withdrew his hand.

Who dared to take it now?

Then he realized that Lu Wentian’s warning was already given when he lit the cigarette—he was meddling too much.

Understood!

Cong Wen nodded. “I’ll call He Bo again. I’ll return to the old mansion tonight.”

Lu Wentian lit his cigarette himself. “I’ll return this afternoon.”

Cong Wen: …

Fine.

At the Lu family’s old mansion.

Gu Yan only came after moving her things. He Bo was already waiting at the door, perfectly timed.

“The Young Madam is back?”

Gu Yan found the title awkward and said, “Just call me by my name from now on.”

He Bo was puzzled, but Lu Ye, who was holding an ice pack to reduce his fever, raised his phoenix-like brows and said, “She’s in a bad mood with me; don’t mind her.”

Gu Yan walked over and went straight to the point before Lu Ye could put on a show. “Grandfather, please cancel my engagement with Lu Ye. We’ve broken up.”

Old Master Lu didn’t even look up, apparently unsurprised, tapping the chessboard. “Your turn. How come you haven’t improved at all?”

Gu Yan frowned, then met Lu Ye’s probing gaze.

Last night he went downstairs looking for someone but didn’t find Gu Yan.

Instead, he ran into his uncle.

A doorman said she was sent away by a man, but Lu Ye couldn’t find out who he was.

A little annoying.

“I’m done playing!” Lu Ye regretted his move and threw down a chess piece. “My wife’s here. How could I focus on playing chess with you, old man?”

No respect! Old Master Lu glared at him but didn’t seem angry.

“I’m serious.” Gu Yan sat properly, speaking sincerely, “I’m grateful that you hold me in esteem, but I can’t handle being the Young Madam. Please find someone else.”

Old Master Lu was displeased. “Nonsense. You and Lu Ye are perfectly matched. In the future, Lu Feng Financial will thrive. The value of the Young Madam will be immense. Don’t complain about any grievances.”

Sure enough, her words carried no weight.

Later in the afternoon, at an unknown hour, several people happened to be in the living room.

“Old Master,” He Bo interjected, “Fourth Master is back.”

Old Master Lu nodded. “I have business with Fourth Master. You go help in the kitchen.”

He was speaking to Gu Yan.

Gu Yan’s mind went blank. Wasn’t Lu Wentian not coming back?

Lu Wentian had already entered, hanging his coat as he came in. He Bo reached out to take the coat.

The man casually draped it over his arm, so He Bo withdrew his hand, not thinking much.

Lu Wentian entered the living room and handed the coat to Gu Yan.

Her body stiffened.

Usually, when she came to the Lu family, she played this role. But today was different.

Now, with Lu Wentian’s coat lying across her lap, his earlier gesture was like that of a man naturally handing his coat to his wife upon returning home.

She suddenly thought of what Hua Lili said about being “second only to one person.” Her mind was filled with last night’s scenes.

Sensing that refined, restrained woody fragrance, Gu Yan couldn’t connect the Lu Wentian who had asked on the bed, “What’s it like to be my woman?” with the man before her.

At this moment, she couldn’t recall a single word of her line about wanting to cancel the engagement.

Lu Wentian stretched his pants and sat down, speaking lightly, “Lu Feng Financial wants to merge with Ruitong—that’s fine—but it has to bear my name.”

He was speaking to Old Master Lu.

Lu Feng Financial was the current Lu Corporation, founded by the old man’s grandfather, a solid pillar of the capital’s aristocracy.

Ruitong was the largest domestic investment bank and belonged to Lu Wentian.

When Lu Corporation faced a crisis, Lu Wentian returned from overseas and directly brought back an investment bank, resolving the crisis.

That was when the legend of Lu Wentian began.

Old Master Lu chuckled, “You’re not afraid of indigestion?”

Lu Wentian sipped his tea.

Seeing his confident demeanor, Old Master Lu was suspicious. “Where were you last night?”

Lu Wentian’s eyes glanced faintly over at Gu Yan, who remained seated without moving.

“I made a big move.”

Calm, steady, and unhurried.

But Gu Yan’s heart leapt—he made a big move last night...?