Hangover-ridden Lu Shiyan slept until late afternoon, finally waking with a throbbing head and dizzy senses. His eyes still closed, he caressed the smooth back of the woman in his arms, murmuring repeatedly, "Wanwan…"
But when he opened his eyes, the sight of the woman before him gave him a start. He pushed Su Ning'an away abruptly.
"Why is it you?"
And I sat on a nearby table, lightly swinging my legs, watching this farce with detached amusement. Seeing such a scene again, I felt no trace of the initial anger, only calmness and indifference.
As sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling window and fell upon me, I noticed my body had faded slightly.
I seemed to understand a truth: why my spirit appeared by Lu Shiyan's side after death. Perhaps it was because most of my life was entangled with this man.
Even if he hurt and betrayed me, I couldn't easily let him go.
My spirit, bound by deep obsession, was involuntarily imprisoned near him.
But as I witnessed his true nature, my once-restless heart gradually settled into peace.
I thought, perhaps the day I truly let him go would be the day I vanish from this world.
On the bed, Su Ning'an wore a wounded expression. Lu Shiyan's first reaction upon seeing her was to push her away, his eyes filled with pain.
"Brother, I was so worried when I saw your expression as you left yesterday… so I came to check on you. Who knew you'd mistake me for sister after drinking… We…"
Lu Shiyan rubbed his temples, his face contorted in agony, as if he hadn't wanted this with Su Ning'an.
I found it laughable. If a man is truly drunk, he can't get hard. Last night, he held Su Ning'an and did it several times, each session lasting longer than the last. He seemed quite happy to me, so why the act of innocence now? Su Ning'an wept softly beside him. "Brother, I never meant to ruin your relationship with sister. I didn't want this… but you were drunk, calling her name… I felt so sorry for you, so I…"
Lu Shiyan, ultimately unable to bear her tears, pulled her into his embrace. "It's not your fault. It's mine."
Su Ning'an leaned against Lu Shiyan's chest, a slight smile curling her lips – the trophy of a victor.
"Brother, when sister comes back, you should…" "Why didn't you remind me? I missed my flight." His assistant had long sensed his relationship with Su Ning'an was overly ambiguous. Last night confirmed it. A man and a woman alone together, add alcohol and it was obvious what could happen. He wasn't so tactless. "I'm sorry, President Lu. You were very drunk last night. I was afraid of disturbing your rest."
"You're becoming more useless by the day."
Lu Shiyan sighed. "Fine. Change the flight to the neighboring city, then find another route into Yuncheng." "Yes, President Lu."
Su Ning'an, clinging to his hand, said, "Brother, this time I'll go with you to pick up sister. I want to apologize to her in person. Letting her vent her anger might help her come back."
Lu Shiyan looked at her with relief, his eyes filled with tenderness and pity. "If your sister were half as sensible as you, she wouldn't give me such headaches."
"Brother, I think sister is just too angry and deliberately used that other man to provoke you. If you talk properly, you can definitely reconcile."
She knew exactly what men cared about most, repeatedly mentioning that man in front of Lu Shiyan.
A cold glint appeared in Lu Shiyan's eyes as he stared at her. "Do you know something?"
"I was worried about sister, so I called a friend last night. It happened that he knows the man sister was dancing so intimately with. He said…"
"Said what?" Lu Shiyan gripped her wrist tightly, leaving red marks.
"That man is a notorious playboy. He attracts many women with his handsome looks. He's… quite skilled in that area, so many women get hooked after just one try, willingly degrading themselves, even becoming his mistress… But I'm sure my sister wouldn't do that."
Lu Shiyan's features twisted with rage. He was undoubtedly picturing the scene from the dance video: the woman pressed against the man's body, swaying her hips, the man's fingers trailing up her slender waist.
"Ah! Brother, you're hurting me!"
"Sorry."
Lu Shiyan released her hand and swiftly got out of bed, heading into the bathroom.
Su Ning'an watched his retreating back, a triumphant smile playing on her lips.
That same day, the two boarded a flight to Liushi, which bordered Yuncheng. From Liushi, it would take over ten hours by car through mountains and rough terrain to reach Yuncheng.
It seemed the video had truly provoked Lu Shiyan. Accustomed to a life of luxury, he actually chose this arduous land route just to find me immediately. I sat in the passenger seat, feet propped up, admiring the mountain scenery