Chapter 55: Likes to Seek Out Suffering

The camisole had already been torn to shreds.

Nanna's freshly applied makeup was ruined by her tears. She clutched his collar tightly, bearing a look of grim determination as if facing execution.

Because of Zhaoxiao's sudden bout of madness, the morning meeting had to be rescheduled to the afternoon.

When Lu Huaijin called, the temperature in the living room was climbing steadily. Zhaoxiao was intentionally playing tricks on her, forcing her to stifle her voice to brush him off.

Once it was over, Nanna took a comfortable nap. When she emerged, she found Zhaoxiao already fully dressed and sitting on the sofa, looking down at his phone.

Those impossibly long legs were casually spread apart.

His sitting posture was lazy. There was no telling whom he was texting, but his expression was entirely solemn.

Nanna walked into the kitchen. "What do you want for lunch? I'll make it for you."

Zhaoxiao didn't even lift his head. "I'm not hungry."

Nanna opened the refrigerator. "Let's have rice then."

Zhaoxiao: "..."

"Omurice. I just came across an instructional video, and it looked pretty good. But it definitely won't taste as good as mine. Just sit and wait."

Nanna talked to herself, beginning to tinker around.

When the finished product was ready, she waved him over.

Zhaoxiao really wasn't hungry. To show his support, he walked over, took a glance, and said flatly, "The presentation is decent."

Nanna handed him a spoon. "Give it a try."

Zhaoxiao was highly cooperative, breaking through the egg surface to scoop up a mouthful. Placing it in his mouth, his expression remained unchanged, offering no comment on whether it tasted good or not.

"Does it taste bad?"

"It's good." Zhaoxiao scooped up another mouthful. "You sit down and eat too."

Nanna was half-skeptical. After trying it herself, she had only two words: incredibly delicious.

Zhaoxiao finished the food without a word, then walked over to the refrigerator to grab some mineral water.

Nanna turned her head to ask, "Could it be that you can't handle spicy food?"

He had already downed over half the bottle of mineral water.

She had hit the nail on the head.

Nanna reminded him, "There's soy milk in the fridge, and hot water on the counter."

Zhaoxiao closed the refrigerator door and went to mix a cup of warm water.

Only then did Nanna notice the fine, dense beads of sweat on his forehead.

It seemed he really had been burned by the spice.

Zhaoxiao's voice sounded raspy: "You really do enjoy seeking out suffering, don't you?"

As everyone knew, spiciness wasn't a taste perception; it was a sensation of pain.

Nanna pouted. "Then you're far too incapable of enduring suffering. Just over this."

She turned her head back to continue eating her rice.

A short while later, Zhaoxiao's assistant arrived, wheeling a suitcase in his hand. He had likely just finished packing up items from upstairs and come down.

Before they left, Zhaoxiao leaned down to kiss her forehead, reminding her once more: "Remember what I told you last night."

"Okay." Nanna was currently sipping her soy milk, looking exceptionally well-behaved.

She questioned her assistant and learned there were no upcoming business trip arrangements, so barring any accidents, she would be staying in Hucheng.

As for whether she would answer his calls—that was another story.

It would depend on her mood.

Who told him to torment her this morning until her waist and back were aching? She was currently nursing a grudge.

In the afternoon, she arrived at the company.

The moment Nanna stepped out of the elevator, her assistant came running over in a flustered panic. "Director Lu has been sitting here all morning."

Nanna raised an eyebrow, intentionally teasing her, "Did he scare you guys?"

"You bet. Whenever someone from headquarters comes for an inspection, we lose a layer of skin, let alone Director Lu visiting today. The entire company didn't dare breathe a word."

The underlying meaning was that it was entirely because she had temporarily canceled the morning meeting; otherwise, Director Lu wouldn't have stayed until the afternoon.

This was Zhaoxiao's fault.

Nanna blinked with a hint of embarrassment. "Xixi, tell every department to prepare for the meeting."

Xixi acknowledged, "I'll go right away."

Once the person ran off, Nanna symbolically knocked twice on her office door.

"Come in."

Nanna opened the door to find the man sitting in the office chair she usually occupied. Unlike her lazy posture, Lu Huaijin was dignified, elegant, and meticulous.

The man behind the desk lifted his eyes, his gaze gentle. "Nanna, are you feeling unwell anywhere?"

Nanna knew he was asking about why she took leave this morning.

"I didn't sleep well last night." Nanna walked over, casually picking up a folder laid out on the desk. "But it's nothing serious. I feel much better now."

"You still need to pay more attention to your health. If you don't have plans tonight, come home for dinner. I'll have the house stew some soup to nourish your body."

"Sure." Nanna flipped through the documents, speaking as she did, "I just don't know if I'll suddenly drop dead from poison while eating."

The moment those words left her mouth, the atmosphere seemed to turn a bit awkward.

Lu Huaijin's dark eyes locked onto her.

Nanna looked at the files as if nothing had happened. "Just a joke. Hasn't Director Lu's white moonlight already been arranged to go abroad? Surely I won't die anytime soon, right, Director Lu?"

So, his solution to Zhou Xiaojie's murderous actions was simply to send the person away to escape the heat.

After all, the one who died was merely an innocent life.

She lifted her eyes, raising an eyebrow at him.

Her surface appeared normal, but her chest was tight with a lingering anger.

Lu Huaijin's gaze darkened. A moment later, he stood up and walked over, casting a shadow over the files in Nanna's hands.

It blocked her light. She shifted her body slightly and continued skimming through the contents.

"Today's meeting is primarily to report to you on the progress of the preparatory work for the southern district redevelopment project. By the way, the elderly population over there is massive, and we discovered they have recently taken a liking to an online gambling game.

I have already contacted the police to handle it. Additionally, I want to arrange a nursing home for them as soon as possible. Regarding this matter, what do you think, Director Lu?"

Lu Huaijin looked down at her. "I have no objections. Submit the proposal, and I will expedite the review for you. Regarding any other planning issues, as long as they can pass the approval of the Planning Bureau, you can propose anything else you wish to do."

Nanna glanced at her wristwatch. "It's almost time. Let's head over."

"Nanna..."

Nanna looked up, offering a standard, textbook smile.

The gaze falling upon her was gentle, deep, and restrained.

A man like him was effortlessly radiating charm at every moment, yet Nanna's heart remained completely tranquil.

Lu Huaijin said in a low voice, "You seem to have lost weight, and there are dark circles under your eyes. This past period of time must have been very hard on you, right?"

"Hmm..." Nanna was wondering if the unhidden hickey on her neck had been noticed by him.

"What does this bit of hardship count for? It's only just beginning."

Nanna's words carried a hint of feigned compliance. "Life after divorcing you hasn't been particularly easy, especially during those few days..."

Pausing for a moment, right until Lu Huaijin's hand rested on her shoulder, Nanna immediately continued, "But I didn't expect that she still refused to let me go, even wanting to put me to death. I managed to survive, but that little boy..."

At this point, she lowered her eyelids, her long eyelashes concealing the emotions deep within her eyes, which conversely made one want to see through them even more.

Before Lu Huaijin could step in for a hug, Nanna quickly retreated a few steps, her face lighting up with a smile once more. "Since the police didn't find any evidence to prove she was the one who poisoned the food, perhaps it really was a misunderstanding. Some people's lives are just that worthless—once they're dead, they're dead, and no one will care."

In an instant, Nanna actually spotted a flash of shame on Lu Huaijin's handsome face.

He hesitated to speak, but she said calmly, "Whatever you have to say, let's talk about it after returning home tonight."

She turned and stepped out first.

This meeting lasted for an incredibly long time. By the time it concluded, the night had grown as thick as unresolvable ink.

On the way back to the Palace of Sandalwood, Nanna dozed off in the car for a bit.

The moment she woke up, she suddenly remembered the matter of Zhaoxiao calling her tonight.

Consequently, she decided to blackball his number.

It wasn't that she didn't fear him; she simply held a stereotypical impression of him, believing he wouldn't truly act ruthlessly toward her—at most, he was just dynamic enough to scare her and use her for entertainment.

Returning to the Palace of Sandalwood, she followed behind Lu Huaijin into the dining room. Looking at the table full of delicacies, Nanna had absolutely no appetite.

As per routine, Nanna proactively drank the soup Lu Huaijin handed over.

The heavy taste of medicinal herbs left a sweet aftertaste; it wasn't unpleasant to drink.

Nanna picked up her chopsticks and questioned, "Why was this project shelved for so long before bidding reopened?"

"After that incident, the police received several reports of missing persons, suspecting they were connected to an operation. Therefore, the bidding was halted to focus entirely on a thorough investigation."

"Missing persons?"

"Yes, all young people," Lu Huaijin said gently. "The primary reason was still due to the public funds allocated for the redevelopment project..." He paused for a moment. "It was rumored to have been misappropriated for other uses by the official in power at the time. This sum of money remains missing to this day, and the person involved met with an accident, which is why the case has never been closed."

Nanna remained expressionless. "Then on what grounds did they claim it was misappropriated by him?"

"An informant happened to file a report, and immediately after, the money vanished into thin air. The informant accused him and his wife—who was executing a secret mission abroad—of maintaining covert contact over the years to perpetrate various illicit activities..."

Lu Huaijin hesitated before continuing, "Afterward, according to reports from other undercover agents embedded over there, his wife refused to follow orders to withdraw, even going so far as to betray her colleagues. Out of options and seeking self-preservation, her colleagues united to sell her out."

"Heh..." Nanna let out a cold laugh, but her heart felt as if it were being sliced into thin, delicate pieces by a razor-sharp blade. The taste of medicinal herbs filling her mouth gradually gave way to a creeping sensation of blood.

She picked up some food, her tone entirely casual: "A disaster like that truly deserved to die."

If these two people weren't her parents, she would have genuinely applauded. But her true feeling was an overwhelming, unbearable shame. Fortunately, she was no longer called Jinhuan; at least on the surface, she didn't have to carry such an immense sin.

Lu Huaijin lowered his eyelids slightly, and only after a brief moment did he speak: "She died an extremely painful death. Fully forty-eight hours of torture; she gritted her teeth without making a single sound, enduring every manner of gruesome punishment..."

"That's enough," Nanna interrupted without cause.

Lu Huaijin lifted his eyes. Seeing her deathly pale face, his heart tightened. "What's wrong?"

Chapter 56: Zhao Yuxiao is Really Not Human

Jiang Nan frowned, chiding, "We're eating!"

Lu Huaijin: "My mistake."

"It's fine, I forgive you." Jiang Nan then asked, "Since the news has been blocked, how did you know about it?"

And he seemed to know the details very clearly as well.

"The person who reported them, could it be..." A flash of craftiness crossed Jiang Nan's eyes, without any disguise.

Lu Huaijin smiled helplessly: "Of course it wasn't me, nor was it the Lu family."

"If it wasn't the Lu family, could it be the Zhao family?"

Until now, the biggest suspicion fell on the Lu family, because after five years, this project ended up in the hands of the Lu family; they are the vested interests.

And the Zhao family seemed to have never gained any benefits from start to finish.

Besides, Zhao Yuxiao saved her back then.

However, in Jin Xiuyuan's letters, he mentioned the Zhao and Lu families joined forces, which means this informant should be from either the Zhao or Lu family.

Lu Huaijin smiled and countered: "Why do you assume it must be either the Lu family or the Zhao family?"

Jiang Nan paused.

"I was just saying it casually. Perhaps they were wrongly accused."

Lu Huaijin nodded as if in agreement: "I'm not very clear about what happened behind the scenes; perhaps only the people 'above' would know."

"The people 'above'..." Jiang Nan's eyes darted around, "Do you know them?"

He must know them; after all, the Lu family is one of the three powerful families in Shanghai.

"Are you really interested?"

His counter-question made Jiang Nan feel inexplicably guilty.

She should stop while she was ahead.

She subconsciously denied it: "Not really..."

Lu Huaijin laughed: "I can take you to meet him."

Jiang Nan was surprised: "Ah~ wouldn't it be too strange to go see someone just to dig for this information? Forget it, I'm not that nosy."

"What's wrong with that?" Lu Huaijin said unhurriedly, "Knowing more people is good for you. Connections are the most important; you can't get anywhere without people."

"That's true." Since Mr. Lu wanted to introduce her to connections, Jiang Nan naturally smiled and complied, "Okay, I'll wait for your invitation."

"As it happens, this Saturday, we have an appointment to go mountain climbing and camping in the neighboring city together."

She hadn't expected it to be arranged so quickly.

"Mountain climbing, that's fine, I like sports." As if.

Her smile was truly forced.

Lu Huaijin said: "If you don't like this kind of activity, we can change the day. I'm very close with that person, and since everyone is in Shanghai, there will be plenty of opportunities."

Jiang Nan happened to have time on Saturday and Sunday: "It doesn't matter, I've been exercising lately. A small thing like climbing a mountain, I can handle it completely."

During those half a month when Zhao Yuxiao tricked her into going to Suzhou, she was forced to accept intensive physical training, which was absolutely exhausting.

Collapsing from physical exhaustion was something that happened every single day, yet Zhao Yuxiao felt no pity for her. If she fell, he would only let her rest for a moment before dragging her up to continue.

Thinking about it now, all her muscles went sore instantly; the aftermath was truly powerful.

Zhao Yuxiao really isn't human.

However, her physical stamina had indeed improved somewhat.

"I really didn't expect you to be exercising lately." Lu Huaijin couldn't quite believe it, "Didn't you advocate that life lies in stillness?"

"Uh..." That was just an excuse.

After eating, Jiang Nan did not stay at the Tan Palace overnight; she had to go back to find Shi Haoran.

Returning to Building No. 1, it was already late at night.

The dim light on the bar counter made people lose their energy. Jiang Nan rested her chin on the table, moved her hand away from the wine glass, and looked lazily at the man opposite her.

Shi Haoran was a few months younger than her and had a face that resembled a teenager's. She had always treated him like a younger brother and her best friend.

In front of him, she didn't care about her image at all.

"Mountain climbing?" Shi Haoran wasn't interested; he spent all year in front of the computer and didn't like outdoor activities.

However, "What if Zhou Xiaojie shows up halfway? I have to go with you!"

Jiang Nan raised an eyebrow, "I had the same intention."

Shi Haoran also said: "At least, two against one, there's a chance of winning."

...

Ever since she blocked Zhao Yuxiao's number, two days had passed, and Jiang Nan hadn't received any strange calls.

Tonight, Zhao Yuxiao's assistant came to visit in person.

Jiang Nan opened the door and blocked the entrance, having no intention of letting him in, "What's wrong?"

The assistant picked up his phone: "Boss Zhao wants to talk to you."

Jiang Nan reluctantly took the phone and put it to her ear.

"Yeah, do you need something?"

A click sounded, the sound of a lighter.

Following that, a deep voice came through: "You've got some nerve. It seems I've been too nice to you usually."

Jiang Nan looked sheepishly at his assistant, then half-closed the door and turned to the side.

"Uh, yeah, can't you use a different number to call me?"

Zhao Yuxiao: "Hmm?"

Across the screen, Jiang Nan could feel that his face had turned as black as coal.

Jiang Nan was not righteous but bold: "So what if I blocked you? If you really wanted me, you would use every possible way to contact me."

Zhao Yuxiao was amused by anger: "Getting carried away, are we?"

"Didn't you say you were going to take me to get the marriage certificate? Didn't you say you were going to marry me?"

Jiang Nan gave a huff, "What's wrong with coaxing me? Just because I blocked you, you're going to give up? That's too insincere."

Anyway, since they couldn't see each other, he couldn't do anything to her, so she dared to say anything.

Zhao Yuxiao's laughter grew louder: "There's no such thing. Dating is exhausting. You're not young anymore, yet you always play that blocking game without even giving a reason."

There was a hint of complaint in his words, but it became much gentler all of a sudden.

Jiang Nan was stunned for a moment.

It felt as if they were truly an ordinary couple.

The emotion that followed carried a sense of despondency.

"How am I not young? You are six years older than me; what's wrong with letting me have my way? As for why I'm angry, can't you guess? If you're tired, you can go date someone else."

"Jiang Nan." Zhao Yuxiao sighed very lowly, "Having you is exhausting enough."

"What do you mean? Are you only dating me right now?"

Zhao Yuxiao's tone was extremely nonchalant: "Of course not."

Jiang Nan pursed her lips: "Oh, I know you won't marry me, and I also know that the person you want to marry is..."

Zhao Yuxiao interrupted: "Good girl, unblock my number. Later, you better coax me properly."

"Yeah, okay."

Jiang Nan just wanted to end this conversation quickly and hung up the phone in a hurry.

After Zhao Yuxiao's assistant left, Jiang Nan went to find Shi Haoran to visit the night market.

Today is Friday, and they have to set off for mountain climbing early tomorrow morning. She needs to work hard to replenish her energy, or she really won't have the strength.

As soon as Jiang Nan finished buying beef skewers, she ran into Zhou Wanbai.

Shi Haoran laughed: "The eldest Miss Zhou is also out at the night market."

In any case, a distinguished young master like Lu Huaijin wouldn't be willing to come to a place like this. He had even tried to persuade Jiang Nan that these things were unhygienic and would cause diarrhea if eaten.

Jiang Nan didn't want any direct confrontation with Zhou Wanbai, so she tugged at Shi Haoran's sleeve and started to walk down another path.

But Zhou Wanbai saw her first.

Her straightforward gaze shot over.

Shi Haoran subconsciously put his arm around Jiang Nan's shoulder and mocked: "Look at the presence of this eldest Miss, and then look at you, tsk tsk."

Jiang Nan rolled her eyes at him.

Zhou Wanbai was about to walk over, but was stopped by the man who appeared behind her.

Oh, Zhao Hejing is also here.

They came together.

Since that's the case: "Let's go, let's go say hello."

Shi Haoran was dismissive: "With him there, you don't have to worry, my dear Miss."

They walked up to them in a few steps.

"Hi, what a coincidence." Jiang Nan handed over the beef skewers in her hand, "Want some?"

Zhou Wanbai covered her nose in disgust and muttered softly: "I wouldn't eat your food."

Fine if you don't eat it.

Zhao Hejing, however, took half of them without being polite at all: "What else do you want to eat? My treat."

Jiang Nan immediately said: "No need, we're leaving."

Zhou Wanbai, of course, wouldn't ask her to stay.

But Zhao Hejing was different, "Since we ran into each other, let's hang out. There's a good restaurant ahead, let's sit for a while and have a drink..."

Zhou Wanbai reminded: "Uncle invited us to go mountain climbing early tomorrow morning, it's not appropriate to drink."