The Foolish Wife Turned Scheming After Her Recovery - Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Spend Less Time Online From Now On

In the lounge, the three of them were seated in different directions—Lu Zhili and Chu Jiayan sat facing each other, with the studio’s owner, Yu Yao, seated between them.

Before Yu Yao could speak, Chu Jiayan stood up and handed her the bouquet of roses he had brought.
“Yu Yao, these are for you. I hope you like them.”

Yu Yao didn’t take them. Instead, she said mildly, “It’s not a holiday or anything. What’s with the sudden flowers?”

Chu Jiayan’s ears turned a bit red. Without waiting for her to accept them, he stuffed the bouquet into her arms.
“Aiya, I just felt like giving you flowers, no reason! Just take them, please!” he said, then pulled a single rose out from the bouquet and looked up at Yu Yao, clearly hoping she’d ask why he took one out.

But Yu Yao didn’t say anything. Not giving up, Chu Jiayan turned toward Lu Zhili, only to find her looking at him warily, clearly unimpressed.

Awkwardly, Chu Jiayan coughed and explained on his own, “I’m keeping this one. When this rose wilts, I’ll know it’s time to give you a new bouquet.”

Yu Yao: “…”

“Pfft.” Lu Zhili couldn’t help laughing out loud.

Yu Yao pressed her fingers to her temple, feeling a headache coming on. She placed the bouquet on the coffee table and muttered,
“Spend less time online from now on.”

Chu Jiayan’s face flushed crimson. He looked like steam might start coming out of his ears, holding the single rose awkwardly with nowhere to put it.

“But still, thanks for the flowers. The studio’s vase was empty anyway,” Yu Yao added.

Chu Jiayan knew she was throwing him a bone, so he nodded sheepishly and sat back down quietly.

“Why wait until the flower wilts to give a new one?” Lu Zhili asked, resting her chin on her hand and blinking. “You could just give a different flower every day. Or is it because giving flowers every day is too much trouble?”

Chu Jiayan jumped in immediately. “Hey! Don’t twist my words! Not only would I not mind giving flowers every day—I’d give them three times a day if I could!”

“Alright, alright,” Yu Yao cut in. “What’s the point of so many flowers? The studio doesn’t even have enough vases for them all.” She rubbed her temples again. After enduring a noisy argument in the meeting room earlier, she was in no mood for more chatter.

Seeing that Yu Yao didn’t look well, Lu Zhili stopped teasing the boy and instead leaned in close to Yu Yao, gently taking her arm and asking softly,
“Yu Yao, are you not feeling well?”

Yu Yao shook her head, closed her eyes to relax her tense nerves, and then turned to the girl beside her.
“You said on WeChat you had something for me. What is it?”

Lu Zhili immediately sat up straight and excitedly pulled out a golden-embossed envelope from her bag. Holding it with both hands, she offered it to Yu Yao.
“This is an invitation to my mom’s birthday party. She said I could invite my friends too. Let’s go together, okay?”

She looked at Yu Yao with wide, amber-colored eyes that sparkled like crystal-clear marbles. It was honestly hard to say no to that face and those eyes. Yu Yao hesitated, then reached out her hand. Lu Zhili, faster than lightning, placed the envelope in it.

Yu Yao stared at the envelope lying quietly in her palm, her emotions mixed.

She and Lu Zhili’s mother were barely in the same industry. Yu Yao’s studio was nowhere near the level of Fu Shuang’s independent brand. Yu Yao had been striving for a breakthrough and hoping to collaborate with a top-tier name. And “LURI,” Fu Shuang’s brand, was as top-tier as it got.

Yu Yao knew all about Fu Shuang’s so-called birthday party. It was more like a networking event to maintain business relationships and scout future collaborations. All the attendees were either already working with Fu Shuang or part of the same industry circle.

She had been struggling to find a way into that circle.

Now, Fu Shuang’s daughter was handing her that opportunity directly.

Lu Zhili was watching her expression closely, waiting for an answer.

Yu Yao met her gaze. After a few seconds, she quietly put the envelope away and said,
“I need to check if I have work that day. I’ll get back to you later, okay?”

“What party? Can I come?” Chu Jiayan had been listening in and now stuck his head over, clearly trying to get involved.

Lu Zhili’s expression went blank. She glanced at him coolly and said nothing.

Chu Jiayan didn’t take it to heart. He hadn’t held a grudge about being teased earlier and was just eager to be part of the conversation.
“You’re Yu Yao’s friend, which means you’re also my friend. Can I get an invite too?”

“I don’t even know you,” Lu Zhili muttered.

Chu Jiayan waved his hand and said with a straight face,
“My name is Chu Jiayan, I’m 25 years old. Ever heard of Xingmin Bank? My family owns it. If anyone gives you trouble in Yanjing, just tell them my name!”

Lu Zhili wasn’t expecting such a sudden self-introduction. She opened her mouth in surprise but then replied politely,
“My name is Lu Zhili, I’m 26. My dad owns a company.”