When the door opened, a woman in a light beige dress with long hair cascading down her back stood outside.
Lu Jingyuan frowned slightly.
The moment she saw him, the woman's eyes lit up, and a faint blush spread across her cheeks."Are… are you Mr. Lu? Hello, I'm from Lin Group—"
Only after she finished introducing herself did Lu Jingyuan slowly speak.
"Did Madam Lu send you here again?"
"Ah…" The woman blushed even more. "Yes, Mr. Lu."
Lu Jingyuan frowned. For a brief moment, Ruan Xingchen's delicate, youthful face flashed through his mind. His gaze shifted slightly before he spoke again, tone calm but dismissive:
"She didn't tell you what I prefer?"
The woman froze, then awkwardly glanced at herself.
A few seconds later, she covered her face in embarrassment and hurried into the elevator.
Just as she rushed out, Ruan Xingchen was stepping out of it and nearly bumped into her.
Startled, Ruan Xingchen patted her chest.
That scared me…
Lu Jingyuan noticed her and paused, his gaze deepening slightly.
Ruan Xingchen gave a shy smile, dimples appearing on her soft cheeks.
"Sir, I think I left my phone here."
"Come in and find it yourself," Lu Jingyuan said, turning back inside.
She hesitated for a moment before slowly following him.
After a few steps, he turned slightly and noticed that she was keeping a careful distance from him, as if wary.
Was he really that intimidating?
A trace of displeasure flashed through his eyes.
Seeing him look over, Ruan Xingchen nervously twisted the hem of her dress and edged toward the sofa.
Xiaobai was right… her uncle really was a bit scary.
Better find the phone quickly and leave.
Lu Jingyuan stood still, silently watching her search around the sofa.
She seemed fond of wearing dresses—especially cute, doll-like ones.
As she bent down to look between the cushions, he quickly looked away, his expression tightening slightly.
Ruan Xingchen, completely unaware, finally found her phone wedged in the sofa.
Holding it up, she smiled as she headed toward the door.
"Sir, I found it. I won't disturb you anymore—"
"Wait."
Lu Jingyuan suddenly interrupted.
He stepped forward and reached out, catching her wrist and pulling her slightly back.
Caught off guard, Ruan Xingchen stumbled forward and bumped into him.
Her nose stung slightly, and her eyes watered.
She instinctively tried to push him away, but he steadied her briefly before letting go.
"Sir!" she protested, annoyed.
At that moment, a woman's voice suddenly came from behind them.
"M–Mr. Lu, I'm sorry…"
The same woman had returned, standing awkwardly at the doorway."I saw the door wasn't closed, so I came in…"
Ruan Xingchen frowned.
What's going on now?
Seeing Lu Jingyuan silent, the woman's gaze shifted to Ruan Xingchen in his arms. She hesitated before asking:
"Mr. Lu… who is this young lady?"
Ruan Xingchen froze.
With her extensive "experience" reading dramatic romance novels, her mind instantly jumped to conclusions.
Wait… did this woman misunderstand something?
She knew jealousy could be terrifying.
Should she explain this completely awkward misunderstanding?
Thinking this, Ruan Xingchen lifted her head—
But the moment she met Lu Jingyuan's gaze, she instinctively fell silent.
His expression turned cold as he looked at the woman at the door.
"Leave."
The single word carried an unmistakable chill.
The woman trembled, nearly losing her balance, and quickly fled in her high heels.
Ruan Xingchen shivered as well, standing stiffly in place.
After a moment, Lu Jingyuan released her and said calmly,
"Since you've found your phone, you can go."
Ruan Xingchen nodded obediently, thinking to herself:
This man is not only scary… but also really strange.
Lu Jingyuan watched her leave, his gaze lingering.
His hand slowly tightened.
In his palm, there still seemed to be the faint warmth she had left behind.