The Billionaire's New Wife in Chief-Chapter 297 - 187: How much money do you want to let Miss Zuo go?

Chapter 297: Chapter 187: How much money do you want to let Miss Zuo go?

Lu Jingchen did not continue speaking, and though Song Qiao wanted to leave, ultimately, she sat back down directly across from him due to the man’s threats, visibly unhappy on her face.

The waiter quickly brought over their ordered dishes. The service was so fast; it was unclear if it was because of Lu Jingchen’s presence.

Midway through the meal, Song Qiao couldn’t hold back and directly looked up at Lu Jingchen across from her, instinctively asking, "You and Zuo Yuqing..."

Lu Jingchen was in the midst of taking a sip of water when he paused upon hearing her begin to speak. His eyebrows lifted slightly as he asked, "What?"

Song Qiao brushed the hair that had fallen in front of her behind her ears. Her gaze became a touch more indifferent, but her lips parted lightly, and her voice was as soft and warm as ever, "What did Zuo Yuqing mean just now? Wasn’t she... wasn’t she in love with you?"

Ever since Zuo Yuqing returned to the country and appeared before them, to all the incidents that followed, it was constantly evident that Zuo Yuqing harbored feelings for Lu Jingchen, especially considering she was Lu Jingchen’s first love, and they had been together for so many years during their most youthful days. Even after being apart for so many years, there would inevitably be some lingering affections.

Song Qiao knew that she didn’t really have much right to interfere with their matters, but Lu Jingchen had just mentioned that their wedding was scheduled for the 15th of next month, indicating plans to make her identity public.

Even if she didn’t know exactly what Lu Jingchen felt for her, whether he was only using their relationship to deal with Lu Family issues instead of genuine affection.

Song Qiao was unclear and even more uncertain.

Therefore, often times, she simply did not know how to stand in this position.

These questions had always been lingering in her mind. She had long wanted to ask Lu Jingchen about his relationship with Zuo Yuqing, of course... her questions were solely about the present, and had nothing to do with the past.

After all, she was slowly falling for Lu Jingchen now. If there were a possibility of reuniting as she suspected, she could retreat in time before falling in too deep.

"Song Qiao, remember one thing, you are now the Young Mistress of the Lu Family, my wife. As long as you are here, I will not be involved with any other woman, so you need not overthink," said Lu Jingchen, lowering his eyes to cut his steak, and only after he finished did he look up to continue, "You should know, I am a businessman, I never do business at a loss."

Song Qiao still didn’t understand, also feeling very perplexed. If that was the case, there was no need to make so many complications between them.

Even before, during the incident at Hua Yi Media, when Lu Jingchen pushed her aside to carry Zuo Yuqing to the hospital, he clearly appeared as though he had feelings for Zuo Yuqing. frёeωebɳovel.com

Song Qiao played with the glass in her hand, a faint smile on her lips, saying softly, "I understand."

Lu Jingchen took a deep look at her, uttered a sound of agreement, and then lowered his head to continue cutting and eating his steak.

Throughout the meal, despite a lack of appetite, Song Qiao still forced down a few bites until she couldn’t eat anymore and stopped.

Leaving the restaurant, Lu Jingchen didn’t take her to the hospital but drove straight back to the villa. His explanation was that it was almost dark and visiting hours at the hospital would soon end. If she wasn’t going to stay the night there, they might as well go back to sleep, as there were caregivers and nurses at the hospital.

Song Qiao had originally wanted to visit the hospital, but when she glanced over and saw the man beside her with a somewhat somber expression, she held her tongue, the words stuck in her throat.

After sending Song Qiao back, Lu Jingchen did not get out of the car but sat in the driver’s seat and spoke to the woman preparing to open the door, "I have some things to take care of tonight and might return very late. You should sleep first if you’re tired, don’t wait up for me."

Song Qiao hesitated as she opened the car door, but obediently nodded her head, and upon closing the door, she called out to him, "Lu Jingchen."

Lu Jingchen’s eyebrows rose slightly as he looked at her, "What is it?"

Slightly tugging at the corner of her mouth, Song Qiao’s voice was soft and pleasant as she said with a faint smile, "Lu Jingchen, if you plan to get back together with Zuo Yuqing, could you let me know in advance? I don’t want to be the bad person who destroys a couple’s relationship."

After finishing, without waiting for Lu Jingchen’s reply, Song Qiao turned and walked towards the interior of the villa.

She did not see that after her words, the man’s expression grew inexplicably dark and unpleasing.

Only after the woman entered the villa and disappeared from his view did Lu Jingchen withdraw his gaze and start the car to leave the villa.

Inside the villa, the servants had already gone downstairs, leaving the living room mostly empty apart from Maid Chen.

Seeing Song Qiao return, Maid Chen immediately greeted her, taking out a pair of slippers from the shoe cabinet and placing them beside her, her face wearing a kindly smile as she said, "Madam, you’re back? Should I prepare dinner for you?"

Song Qiao’en gave a nod and spoke casually as she changed her shoes, "No need to prepare dinner, I’ve already eaten outside. Chen Ma, there’s nothing for you here, you may go rest now."

"Alright, madam." Chen Ma didn’t say much, simply replied affirmatively and left.

After Song Qiao changed her shoes, she directly headed for the bedroom on the second floor. While passing the stairs, however, she stopped and turned to call out to Chen Ma, "Chen Ma, wait a moment."

Chen Ma halted and looked back at her, all respectfulness, "Madam, is there anything you wish to instruct?"

"Does Jingchen have allergies to cats and dogs?" Song Qiao paused to think, then explained, "A friend of mine is going abroad, and no one can adopt her cat and dog. I am considering adopting them."

The villa is sometimes too quiet. Whenever the servants leave, it feels eerily empty. She has always loved small animals, especially pets like cats and dogs. Back when she and Ning Wan were renting a place together, they even raised a Husky that brought them endless joy.

But then, that Husky was stolen by dog thieves. They searched for a long time to no avail and gradually became reluctant to keep pets again.

After all, their love for that dog was profound, and they were very fond of it. Having it stolen so abruptly caused considerable distress. The thought of experiencing such loss again was something they could hardly bear, so they decided not to continue keeping pets.

However, sometime earlier, she met an old friend who apparently was about to leave the country. With a dog and two cats in her home, all very sensible and obedient, she asked Song Qiao if she could take them in, for she didn’t trust leaving them with anyone else. Song Qiao saw them and took a liking at first glance, especially since one was a Husky and the other two were Scottish Fold cats.

She had always thought that cats and dogs couldn’t get along and would fight, but seeing this dog and two cats was different—they even slept together.

Chen Ma was taken aback, but soon smiled and spoke, "Young Mistress, if you wish to keep them, you certainly can adopt them. The master isn’t allergic to them, and he also likes them quite a bit. In fact, the master once raised a Tibetan Mastiff, but it passed away due to old age, and he hasn’t kept any pets since then."

Tibetan Mastiff...

In Song Qiao’s mind, an image inadvertently emerged of a large breed dog that was heavier than a human, with an intimidating appearance, making her shiver involuntarily.

Tibetan Mastiff...

Indeed, a fitting pet for a man like Lu Jingchen.

Chen Ma continued to look at Song Qiao and then spoke with a smile, "However, Young Mistress, it’s still better to inform the master ahead of time. He hasn’t been around these pets much in recent years, so it’s unclear whether he will still like them."

Song Qiao nodded, then smilingly said to Chen Ma, "It’s alright now, Chen Ma, you can go. Thank you."

"Alright, madam. Do have an early rest as well."

...

Inside a certain bar in An City, Lu Jingchen passed straight through the dance floor towards a private room.

As he walked past the dance floor, numerous women dressed in provocative outfits noticed Lu Jingchen and couldn’t help but have their eyes light up, wanting to approach him. However, upon seeing the man’s displeasing expression, they were frightened off before they could muster the courage.

He walked directly to a particular private room and pushed the door open. The sounds of some rock music similar to that in the main dance area met his ears.

The people inside the private room stood up hastily when Lu Jingchen appeared, several middle-aged men who had been seated greeted him enthusiastically, "President Lu, you’re finally here. We thought you weren’t going to make it."

Lu Jingchen casually glanced over everyone in the room—four middle-aged men and a younger man who didn’t seem that old. Each had one or two young ladies sitting beside them.

To such a scene, Lu Jingchen was no stranger; he had seen it all before, given that he was here for business and some bosses preferred this kind of setting.

However, Lu Jingchen somewhat disapproved of this way of conducting business and would usually bring his secretary to ward off any unsolicited advances.

He lifted his wrist to check his watch, then lowered it without changing his expression from beginning to end, and went straight to the middle-aged man with a beer belly seated in the center. Extending his hand, he shook hands with the man, his cold voice carrying a trace of detachment, "Director Zhao, long time no see."

Director Zhao’s face was full of smiles, one hand wrapped around the shoulder of a young woman while the other shook Lu Jingchen’s. He nodded, "President Lu, indeed, it’s been a long time. We thought you’d forgotten all about us."

Upon hearing his words, Lu Jingchen’s eyes flashed with an obscure darkness, but his face remained as indifferent as always, betraying no change throughout, and he got straight to the point, "You jest, Director Zhao. How could I forget you? I am here today for a reason, which I believe you are aware of. So, how about it? Just name your price, how much money will it take for you to let go of Miss Zuo?"