Addicted after marriage - CHAPTER 8:
Luo Shu spent the whole night debating what to do, and in the end,
she decided to face Yu Zhan directly.
After all, this involved his business as much as her reputation.
She didn’t want to tear things apart with Wen Qi if she could avoid it.
Better to leave the girl a little dignity in front of the company.
When she walked back into the office the next morning,
she could still hear people whispering.
She ignored them. Her ears had learned to filter out noise long ago.
Sitting at her desk, she dialed Shen Yan’s number.
It took him a while to answer.
Help me find out if President Yu is free today, she said.
I’d like to make an appointment.
Just come up, he replied instantly.
She could tell he hadn’t even needed to think about it.
When the elevator opened on the thirtieth floor,
Shen Yan was already waiting to press the access button for her.
Before heading into the president’s office, she glanced sideways at him.
Was the boss there when I called?
He grinned. What’s your brain made of? You’re too sharp for your own good.
She sighed. So the call had been on speaker. Of course it had.
That meant Yu Zhan had heard every word.
She didn’t like that feeling like ever since that night,
the invisible thread between them had been pulled tight,
and he was the one holding the other end.
Her heart thudded nervously as she knocked on the door.
Come in.
He was in black again. She sometimes wondered if he even owned another suit.
Something you need? he asked, setting down his pen and meeting her eyes.
Luo Shu explained everything, from the stolen drafts to the edited footage.
Yu Zhan listened quietly, then said simply, I’ll handle it.
I need an apology, she replied. A real one. In person.
But I don’t want to harm the company’s reputation.
Yu Zhan leaned back in his chair, his voice low and thoughtful.
Whatever decision you make won’t affect the company.
Are you sure you don’t want to go public?
Wen’s Logistics works closely with Yuse, she said. Any scandal could ripple outward.
Better to keep things contained.
Worried about me?
Her breath caught. He always had a way of twisting professional talk
into something else entirely.
No.
He said nothing for a moment, then murmured,
She’s a girl too. Maybe she had her reasons.
Don’t make things harder than they need to be.
As you wish.
The way he said it felt intimate too intimate.
She cursed herself silently. She shouldn’t have come here.
Moments later, Shen Yan entered with Wen Qi, and Luo Shu sat down on the sofa.
When Wen Qi saw her, she stiffened. Y–Yu ge, you wanted to see me?
The words made goosebumps crawl up Luo Shu’s arms.
What did you just call me?
Yu Zhan hadn’t even looked up until then. His tone was quiet
but sharp as he raised his eyes to her.
Wen Qi faltered. She had counted on her father’s connection to buy her some leniency,
but his expression was colder than she expected.
She swallowed hard. President Yu.
He nodded slightly, returning to his paperwork.
It wasn’t me who called you here, he said. It was her.
Wen Qi turned toward Luo Shu, her lips trembling.
Hello, Teacher Wen, Luo Shu said pleasantly, waving a hand.
Her smile was flawless, almost dazzling and entirely fake.
Luo Shu, what is it? You couldn’t handle this privately?
You had to disturb President Yu for something so trivial?
Wen Qi’s tone shifted, testing the waters.
Yu Zhan exhaled through his nose, that same title President Yu grating in his ears.
But before he could speak, Luo Shu cut in.
I didn’t want to trouble President Yu either, she said sweetly.
But if I’d brought this up in front of the design team,
you might not have been able to handle the fallout.
She tapped her phone and played the video.
Wen Qi’s face went white. Her legs shook. Her fingers clenched tight.
Yu Zhan glanced at her, expression unreadable.
Wen Qi could barely breathe. You… how did you find this so fast?
Do you even care about your reputation as a designer?
Luo Shu’s tone stayed calm. If it weren’t for President Yu stepping in,
you’d already be out of the department.
Yu Zhan frowned slightly, his gaze shifting from
Wen Qi to the woman sitting so calmly across from her.
Wen Qi, apologize and leave, he said at last.
Yu ge! Wen Qi’s voice cracked, sulky and pleading.
Call me President Yu.
She pouted. She can call you Yu ge, why can’t I?
You can’t either.
He pointed at Luo Shu without thinking, his voice a little too sharp.
Luo Shu’s eyes widened slightly, but she kept quiet, lips pressed together.
Wen Qi’s shoulders slumped. She had no choice but to bow her head.
I’m sorry, Teacher Luo. I shouldn’t have accused you. It won’t happen again.
Got it, Luo Shu said lightly, a hint of satisfaction in her smile.
Yu Zhan waved a hand, clearly done. The argument had given him a headache.
Wen Qi turned on her heel and stormed out.
Wait.
Yu Zhan looked up again. One more thing. The night you left the office
did you see anyone else around?
Luo Shu’s pulse skipped. So he had noticed. He’d seen her.
Wen Qi hesitated, her eyes flicking toward Luo Shu. No, she said coldly.
Yu Zhan nodded. You can go. Close the door behind you. Luo Shu, stay.
Wen Qi shot Luo Shu one last glare before slamming the door.
Luo Shu’s stomach tightened. President Yu, is there… something else?
Come here.
She stepped forward obediently until she stood at his desk.
Yu Zhan leaned back in his chair, one hand resting lazily on each armrest.
His voice was deep and slow.
So, you’re certain I won’t scold you. Is that it?
I don’t know what you mean, she said, playing dumb.
Of course she knew. She just wanted to see what he’d do
to see if his teasing talk about making her Mrs. Yu had been serious or
just the guilt of a man who’d crossed a line.
He gave a low chuckle. So now you call me President Yu.
But earlier, it was Yu ge. Rolls off the tongue quite naturally, doesn’t it?
She looked caught between embarrassment and laughter,
eyes darting anywhere but his face.
Sorry, she said quickly. It won’t happen again.
Her gaze flicked downward to the open collar of his shirt.
And just like that, yesterday’s accident flashed through her mind:
the torn fabric, the broken buttons, the heat of his skin beneath her hands.
Yu Zhan followed her eyes, then looked down at his shirt.
What’s that look for?
She shook her head immediately.
His lips curved. He leaned back, voice low and lazy.
What’s this then? Hungry for my body?
Her face turned scarlet. N–no! If there’s nothing else, President Yu, I’ll go.
Before he could say another word, she bolted out the door.
He laughed quietly to himself, eyes glinting with amusement.
Interesting.