Chapter 18: The Scumbag CEO’s Pursuit (Part 9)

After reaching an agreement about their divorce, Lu Wanrong moved back in with Yu Liuxue, embracing a life of unabashed intimacy. As for her previous residence, Lu Wanrong left it for Lu Qian, and also brought her long-suffering mother, Zhang Guilan, to stay there.

Zhang Guilan delightedly surveyed the beautiful home but hesitated aloud, “How much does a place like this cost each month?”

Yu Liuxue chimed in supportively, “Mom, no matter how great the house is, it can’t compare to Wanrong’s love for you! With Wanrong so filial and Qianqian on the brink of stardom, many would envy your blessings.”

Beaming at the praise, Zhang Guilan couldn’t help but express, “Wanrong has been obedient since she was little, and now that she’s working, she shows such respect.”

“But Qianqian…” Zhang Guilan sighed, although her smile remained.

Catching Lu Wanrong’s glance, Yu Liuxue signaled subtly to her, and she said, “Mom, Fu Yu and I have work this afternoon. We should get back to the office.”

Zhang Guilan smiled, retrieving two bags of cured meat from the floor, “These are from your third aunt. Take some home, eat them, or gift them.”

Yu Liuxue took the bags on Lu Wanrong’s behalf. Once outside, sitting in the passenger seat, Lu Wanrong remarked, “You’ve been particularly attentive to Qianqian’s affairs lately.”

How could I not be?

Gently buckling Lu Wanrong’s seatbelt, Yu Liuxue leaned closer, an almost tangible warmth lingering. Just as Lu Wanrong anticipated a kiss and began closing her eyes, Yu Liuxue gallantly returned to her seat.

“When Qianqian’s busy, she’ll have no time to interfere with our issues.”

Lu Wanrong’s fingers tightened on the belt, her heart slightly disappointed.

After starting the car, Yu Liuxue suddenly leaned over for a quick peck on her lips when Lu Wanrong was off-guard.

Calmly gripping her seatbelt, Lu Wanrong suppressed a smile deepened by the dimples on her cheeks.

Yu Liuxue, dissatisfied, voiced frustration, “It stops her from constantly calling to set up meetings with that Lin fellow.”

At Lin Hong’s mention, Lu Wanrong’s eyes turned cold, “There’s nothing between us.”

“Still, I dislike it.”

“Moreover, every call arrives when we’re…intimate.” Yu Liuxue fumed inwardly, itching to discipline Lu Qian for being an obstruction to her pursuit of a fulfilling romantic life, as the system had warned she would be.

However, Yu Liuxue had quite the setup for Lu Qian, a plan soon to keep her preoccupied.

Pouting slightly, Yu Liuxue complained, “You always shush me…”

Blushing, Lu Wanrong softly countered, “Yet you always end up making noise.”

I do that on purpose, of course.

Lately, Lu Qian’s luck soared. At first, upon hearing that the Fu family helped secure her a job, she thought it deceitful. Yet during the company interview, a glance sufficed to land her a contract. As they praised her beauty and stardom potential so extensively that it defied reason, doubt lingered.

Assured by Fu Yu’s recommendation, Lu Qian intended to storm the company if deceived, exposing Fu Yu’s true nature.

But Fu Yu hadn’t deceived her. As a newcomer, Lu Qian’s resources surpassed many established stars in the company.

Rumors spread within the company—Lu Qian was labeled a connection or worse, the CEO’s mistress, with some nasty remarks made.

But Lu Qian didn’t care; so long as she got famous and made money, who cared about rumors? Having grown up tough, she was seasoned for this challenge, having dealt with worse struggles in person.

Cast in several prestigious projects, her roles varied from sweet school flower, brainless villainess, to charming younger sister, each marked distinctively.

During filming, skepticism clouded her potential, overshadowed by seasoned peers. Yet, her performance stunned even strict directors, who touted her as an unparalleled genius, silencing earlier critics.

Lu Qian’s mind began questioning.

Am I really that talented?

Distracted, the system interrupted Yu Liuxue’s perusal of spicy magazines, “Host, why give the mission’s obstacle such an advantage?”

Plus, it had a timer.

Hurrying footsteps outside prompted Yu Liuxue to stash the magazine, assuming a stoic pose behind a newspaper just in time for Mu Huan’s arrival, “President Fu, this document needs your review and signature.”

Clearing her throat, Yu Liuxue brushed it off, “Got it, let’s discuss later.”

Once alone, her posture relaxed, “Thought it was Wanrong.”

Bewildered by her antics despite her evident apprehension, the system warned. Should the protagonist discover such behavior, the host faced inevitable teasing.

Ever since the protagonist embraced the wilder side, even the system, emotionless machine it was, found her scary.

Setting aside her newspaper, Yu Liuxue retrieved the magazine, resuming where she left off. “Raising her high only makes the fall harder, and either way, she’ll have no time to impede my relationship with Wanrong.”

“If she capitalizes and hones her skills, even when the advantage fades, success remains reachable.”

Her gaze lingered on the magazine’s featured body, her brows furrowed, “Regardless, you wouldn’t understand.”

The system chuckled servilely, “Of course, whatever you say, Host.”

Wait—

Something felt off.

In her peripheral vision, a black silhouette stood unattended, initially mistaking it for Mu Huan.

But wait—

Mu Huan lacks this allure, that subtly captivating air, right?

Raising her gaze slowly, before her was a composed, poised face, impeccably styled hair, showcasing elegance despite understated makeup.

Lu Wanrong’s indifferent gaze fixed on the magazine, “Is it that good? Let me see.”

Reaching over to grab it.

Yu Liuxue shuddered, tossing the magazine into the trash, “No, Wanrong, let me explain!”

“It’s not what you think! I had no part in this!”

Tilting her head curiously, Lu Wanrong asked, “Are you implying I’m involved?”

Yu Liuxue: “…” No, I, she, it, really has nothing to do with me!

Lu Wanrong half-dragged her onto the desk, ordering, “Close the blinds.”

Automatically reaching for the remote, Yu Liuxue shut out the world, plunging into privacy.

With palms on Lu Wanrong’s shoulders, blinking bashfully, “Wanrong, underneath me is a document needing signing by today…”

“Tell Mu Huan to prepare another.”

Yu Liuxue: “…”

“So, unwilling?”

“Willing, absolutely.” How dare I not be willing?

Pinned to the desk, she felt Lu Wanrong undo her buttons, hands slowly trailing downward.

Tearfully, she confided in the system, “Honestly, maybe we should’ve gone through with the divorce.”

Politely, the system’s do-not-disturb mode initiated, leaving Yu Liuxue with one parting thought: “Host, you manipulated this from the start, sacrificing yourself for fulfillment. Enjoy the fruits.”

Fine…

Afterward, Yu Liuxue tentatively inquired, “Wanrong, about the divorce… are you still considering it?”

Calmly tending to her nails, Lu Wanrong glanced up, her eyes cool, “Do you want it?”

“No, just asking.”

Her eyes narrowed, recognizing the unchanging nature beneath Fu Yu’s surface and suspecting wanderlust.

Unknown to Yu Liuxue, her casual remark led Lu Wanrong to lengthy introspection, which she regretted later.

Lu Qian’s fame and wealth surged, delighting Zhang Guilan into endless boasting, “Did you know? My eldest’s a TV host, and my youngest’s a star, famous beyond compare!”

“Wow! You’re blessed—with two accomplished daughters.”

“What’s your youngest’s name? What shows does she star in? We want to watch.”

As word spread, the internet soon unearths Lu Qian’s background. Her sister is the celebrated anchor Lu Wanrong, with sister-in-law Fu Yu, now head of the Fu Group. Realization struck: no wonder her resources were incredible from debut.

Yet soon, details of Lu Qian’s youthful antics—truancy, smoking, drinking, fighting—surfaced, prompting skepticism online: “Can such a person be a star?”

“I’m prettier than Lu Qian. I can be a star?”

“I too was a rebel in school. What separates me from success?”

“Maybe Lu Qian could write a book guiding us.”

Pale-faced, Lu Qian’s fears confirmed, she clung to her agent, panicking, “Sis, what do I do? If left unchecked, my reputation plummets.”

Immediately, the system prompted Yu Liuxue, who adjusted her glasses, “It depends on her intelligence.”

Lu Qian had been lucrative for the company, prompting her agent, “Relax. I’ll return to strategize.”

Agitated, she sent her agent off, avoiding home due to neighborhood notoriety; everyone awaiting her autograph. Alone, clasping her knees on the bed, doubts plagued her unprecedented success.

Every role turned blockbuster, a plot worthy of a heroine with supernatural luck.

Caught in thought, her phone rang.

Lin Hong’s attempts to reach her had failed recently due to her assistant declining calls, citing film commitments.

Finally, Lu Qian answered directly.

Excited, Lin Hong proposed, “Qianqian, bring your sister—let’s dine. My treat.”

Irritated, Lu Qian snapped, “I’m busy! Don’t bother me!”

Even as the tycoon he was, Lin Hong lacked tact. Certainly no match for Fu Yu.

At least Fu Yu knew to conceal any intimate marks when in a foul mood.

No matter the extent of their revelry, every time ended similarly. Frowning, Lu Qian pondered if her sister was perhaps too harsh on Fu Yu.