[DU] was located overseas, and Zhou Du had entrusted its sale to an international real estate agency. The only way Chu Luyao could have learned the news so quickly was if she had approached that very same agency herself.
Zhou Du lifted his eyes, his gaze piercing. "You're looking to purchase property abroad?"
Chu Luyao's expression froze, and her eyes shifted away, avoiding his contact. "Yes. I saw that you've been tired from work lately, so I wanted to buy a villa abroad for us to go on vacation and relax."
Zhou Du, however, instantly recalled a photo Song Yuhuan had posted on his WeChat Moments not long ago—a picture of a holiday resort in France.
Zhou Du suppressed the surging emotions in his heart and turned his body sideways, offering a cold profile. "The company's wine business needs an upgrade. This estate is too small; I simply intend to swap it for a larger one."
There were only ten days left until his departure.
Perhaps because a man near death has no energy for trivialities, he didn't want to waste time arguing with her about meaningless things.
Hearing this, Chu Luyao visibly relaxed. She stepped forward and handed him a file that had been carefully protected. "It's not like we lack money. Even if we want to change to a bigger estate, there's no need to sell [DU]. After all, it is the witness to our journey and our love."
"I bought it back. In your name."
She placed the file in his hands, then wrapped her arms around his waist from behind. Her curvaceous body pressed tightly against his back as she whispered in a voice that was soft, sugary, and full of invitation.
"Ah Du, it's so cold. Let's take a shower together, okay?"
As she spoke, her slender, tender hands were already reaching to unbuckle his belt, sliding down inch by inch...
However, what flashed before Zhou Du's eyes was the image of her in the company stairwell, burning with lust for Song Yuhuan.
He grabbed her hand, stopping her movement. Meeting her confused and bewildered gaze, he casually made up an excuse.
"I have an emergency meeting in a bit."
Inside, however, he was smiling bitterly.
Chu Luyao, how are you such a consummate actress? Your body carries the marks of another man, and your heart is occupied by him, yet you can still act as if you love me this much.
That night, the gnawing pain from his late-stage stomach cancer kept Zhou Du in a light, fitful sleep. Through the haze, he saw Chu Luyao standing by the window, talking on the phone.
"No, I made Ah Du angry today. I have to stay home and keep him company these next few days."
"What do you mean 'whipped'? Ah Du is my husband; of course, I have to prioritize him in everything. You guys go have fun; just bill the expenses to the law firm's finance department!"
Chu Luyao caught a glimpse of Zhou Du waking up out of the corner of her eye. She paused for a moment, then walked over openly to explain.
"It's the people from the law firm. That big headache of a case finally wrapped up, and they're calling me to go celebrate, but I need to stay with you."
The people on the other end of the phone heard this and started jeering loudly.
"President Zhou, come along too! Everyone is waiting. It's no fun if our great hero Attorney Chu isn't here!"
"Yeah, President Zhou! It's a perfect chance for the new interns to meet you. After all, we've heard plenty about the loving story between you and Attorney Chu!"
Seeing Zhou Du's somewhat pale face, Chu Luyao frowned and snapped at them.
"That's enough. Ah Du isn't feeling well. Don't make things difficult for him!"
Sounds of disappointment came from the phone. Zhou Du rubbed his forehead. Since he wouldn't be able to sleep tonight anyway due to the pain...
"Let's go."
When the two arrived at the private room for the law firm's gathering, a table laden with alcohol had already been opened.
Before they could even sit down, a group of people started clamoring for a toast.
Before Zhou Du could speak, Chu Luyao blocked them like a shield. "I'm warning you all, Ah Du has a bad stomach. No one is allowed to force him to drink tonight, or else you'll have me to answer to!"
A few people in the firm were already a bit drunk. Hearing this, they booed playfully.
"Attorney Chu, you're being too protective of President Zhou. When men go out to socialize, how can they not drink? If word gets out, President Zhou will lose face."
"Exactly! Today is your celebration banquet, Attorney Chu. And President Zhou is famous for doting on his wife. How can he not drink? At the very least, you two should have a 'cross-cupped' lovers' toast!"
"Drink one! Drink one!"
The crowd chanted.
Chu Luyao's pretty face turned cold. "Don't bring that toxic drinking culture here. Ah Du only came along to give me face. If anyone dares to pressure him to drink again, we'll cancel this celebration right now!"
The private room instantly fell silent. The atmosphere turned awkward.
Chu Luyao, ignoring them, asked the waiter for a pot of hot tea. She poured a cup herself and handed it to Zhou Du. "Ah Du, you drink this."
Then, seeing that Zhou Du wasn't adapting well to the flashing colorful lights in the room, she directly ordered them to be switched to a soft white light.
She even had the DJ, who was there to hype up the atmosphere, switch to soothing light music.
In an instant, the atmosphere and the people in the room became much more disciplined. Aside from the sound of eating, the room was so quiet one could almost hear a pin drop.
Someone with a bit more courage couldn't help but tease, "Attorney Chu, it's no wonder President Zhou was captured by you. If I had your spirit of relentless devotion—your 'simp' energy—wouldn't I have bagged my dream guy long ago?"