Chapter Sixty-Six: A Rat Scurrying Across the Street

Just moments ago, the man who had been so tender and loving toward her seemed to change his demeanor in an instant. Chu Qingzhu's clothes were almost completely stripped from her body, and a crowd had gathered, pointing and gossiping. Finally, Lu Yu stood up.

He walked to his wife's side and gently squeezed her shoulder.

“Darling, this is a family matter. If it gets any bigger, it won’t look good.”

Mrs. Lu’s face was cold. “So when you two make it onto the trending topics, that’s fine?”

Lu Yu had already paid to suppress the trending news. Most of the discussion focused on Liang Wenru, but somehow, someone had let slip the rumors about him and Chu Qingzhu, and they’d been seen just in time by those women.

“You little vixen, even beating you would be too lenient. Spending a man’s money must feel so good, doesn’t it?” Mrs. Lu sneered. “You really think there are so many rich men in the world just waiting for you? That everyone else is a fool, is that it?”

“I wonder who the real fool will be in the end.”

After a bout of biting sarcasm, Mrs. Lu waved her hand decisively.

“That’s enough for today. If anyone else saw this, they’d think I’m bullying you. Remember, next time, stay away from men you shouldn’t touch—at least don’t be so blatant about it.”

With the restraints gone, Chu Qingzhu collapsed like a rag doll. Mrs. Lu squatted down, pulled out a check with the sum already written, and slapped it against Chu Qingzhu’s face as if it were a scrap of paper.

“Take this money. You know what should and shouldn’t be said. If I hear any rumors that shouldn’t exist, forget the money—you’d better watch your worthless life, and whether you’ll live to spend it.”

Mrs. Lu stood up, straightening her outfit. Despite the chaos, not a single corner of her attire was out of place. Chu Qingzhu stared at the number on the check: a hundred thousand yuan—not even worth as much as the two bags she’d chosen earlier.

Humiliation.

This was deliberate humiliation.

Chu Qingzhu’s eyes burned red. The bystanders had been cowed by Mrs. Lu, reluctant to film her or Lu Yu, but Chu Qingzhu was different.

A mistress was like a rat crossing the street—everyone wanted to beat her. Cameras pointed at Chu Qingzhu, and just an hour ago, she had mocked Liang Wenru, only to be driven out like a stray dog.

Now, she was the stray dog.

“What are you filming? I can sue you for this!”

Chu Qingzhu snatched the check from the floor, gathered her bags and jewelry, and fled the scene, leaving behind a chorus of sighs.

…

Lu Yu paid to suppress all subsequent news. Zhou Haoyue finished her work and remembered the incident, hoping for an update. But when she checked again, the topic had already cooled.

“Boring.”

It was obviously the work of a wealthy patron; the aftermath would never be seen online.

Pei Susu shook her head and handed Zhou Haoyue the rebooked plane ticket. “Let’s go. We’ll be working overtime tonight on the project proposal, and you still have time to care about other people’s gossip.”

At the mention of overtime, Zhou Haoyue wilted instantly.

“How can you not feel sad when overtime is mentioned?” she wailed. “President Pei, are you some kind of work robot? If you keep working late, you won’t see your precious spouse at home.”

“You’ve been apart so long—don’t you miss him?”

Mentioning Fu Zhichen made Pei Susu feel a bit guilty.

They hadn’t been apart that long at all. Fu Zhichen had simply left on an earlier flight out of Wanjiang, less than an hour before, so there was no time for longing.

“Don’t worry about my personal life. Focus on this quarter’s financial report instead.”

Zhou Haoyue looked at Pei Susu plaintively.

“Sometimes I really think the Fu Group should be yours. I’ve never seen such a dedicated employee.”

Fu Zhichen belonged to her, and in some sense, so did the Fu Group. Pei Susu cleared her throat, banishing the remnants of infatuation from her mind.

After a few hours’ flight, the group returned to the entrance of Fu Group, all somewhat wistful.

“I’ll go buy some coffee. Tonight’s going to be a long one.”

One employee volunteered, and others said they’d go to the convenience store for supplies. Soon, only Pei Susu and Zhou Haoyue were left at the company gates.

Pei Susu was contemplating which old established company to choose when suddenly a man’s voice sounded beside her, gentle and filled with longing, calling her name.

“Susu, you’re finally back!”

Liang Wenru appeared out of nowhere, holding a bouquet of roses. The vivid colors drew the eyes of everyone nearby.

What scene was this?

Pei Susu frowned, instinctively stepping back, but Liang Wenru hurried to keep up.

“I’ve been waiting for you outside your company these past days. Susu, I know it’s hard to explain over the phone, but I’m serious. Let’s start over!”

Zhou Haoyue stepped in front of Pei Susu.

“Are you out of your mind? Pei Susu divorced you long ago. Why start over?”

“Do you want her to juggle your company and home again, and put up with your manipulations?”

Liang Wenru’s gaze turned fierce and hateful as he looked at Zhou Haoyue, then back to Pei Susu, who remained silent.

“This is between Susu and me. What business is it of yours?”

Pei Susu hadn’t expected Liang Wenru to be so deranged—chasing her down to Fu Group for a frenzied confession.

Was it just seeing Chu Qingzhu’s infidelity that triggered such a reaction?

If so, his tolerance for adversity needed serious improvement.

“Sorry, Mr. Liang, I believe I made myself clear before. We are divorced and have nothing to do with each other anymore.”

“And I have a new boyfriend now. Our relationship is very good, so I doubt there’s room for a mistress.”

Shock swept across Liang Wenru’s face.

Pei Susu had a new boyfriend?

Impossible!

He was convinced Pei Susu loved him deeply, that she should wait for him in heartbreak. Now that he’d come back and recognized her worth, shouldn’t she be overjoyed?

“I know, Susu, you’ve always been angry with me, but you don’t have to make up someone out of nowhere. I know—it was all my fault before.”

Liang Wenru’s eyes reddened. “Give me another chance. Don’t be spiteful. Let’s not miss each other again…”

Zhou Haoyue mercilessly interrupted him. “Sorry, Pei Susu really does have a boyfriend. She has no reason to lie to you.”