ted:"It's not like you committed murder or arson, what are you afraid of!"Even if we get caught afterward, the worst that could happen is a charge of assault. We'd do a few years in prison, and then w..."I'm sorry."

The man gracefully set down the teacup in his hand.

But... that's it The woman standing beside him stared at him in stunned silence. That was her cup, she had never seen anyone like this before. A cup wasn't just any other object, this intensely private item could be passed between strangers

"Some were annoyed: "Mr. Lu, is it You can borrow the lounge chair, but as for cups, personal belongings like that, Mr. Lu not asking and just taking seems inappropriate. Or perhaps Mr. Lu usually has a habit of drinking from strangers' cups"

"Don't make a fuss," Lu Mingchu chuckled, raising his hands in surrender and smiling at her reassuringly. "I was thirsty just now and didn't know this cup belonged to you. Otherwise, I would have definitely asked your opinion. If this makes you uncomfortable, I apologize; it wasn't intentional."

At first glance, this sounded sincere, but upon closer listening, it became clear that this man named Lu Mingchu wasn't truly apologizing at all.

What does it mean to "ask for your opinion" in this situation Since they already know the cup belongs to her, why bother asking for her opinion Does this mean that even if he knows the cup has been used by her, he'll still use it as long as he asks for her permission

"Well, since I've already used this cup, boss, why not just give it to me"

The woman was stunned once again. After a moment, she composed herself and looked at Lu Mingchu, saying in a flat tone: "Looking at you, you seem like a robber. And to be frank, Mr. Lu, has anyone ever told you that you are quite shameless"

As a boss, speaking to customers like that is indeed rare, but... she's long past the age where she needs to accommodate others.

Lu Ming, upon hearing this, merely smiled and passed it off. Instead, he found himself curiously eyeing the woman across from him: "Has anyone ever told you, boss, that you speak too directly"

"If you think I'm being harsh, well, I apologize. You could say it's your bad luck. A few years ago, if you had met me, I might have been more considerate."

"How do you say"

He watched her with keen interest, his eyes never leaving her.

The woman chuckled softly, “Perhaps. A few years ago, I may have spent all my tolerance and patience. So over the past couple of years, I’ve only cared about my own comfort and happiness. As for others, I simply don't bother, especially someone like you, Mr. Lu, who deliberately provokes me. Hmph~ It seems I'm in a bad mood today to even engage with a stranger like this.”

She said she had squandered all those "unhappy compromises." She said that in the past few years, she just lived for her own happiness. It sounded unrestrained and free, but Lu Mingchu knew how she had gotten through those years. Seeing the woman's nonchalant and detached demeanor now, a twinge of pity arose in his heart.

Inevitably, in the gaze directed at her, there was a touch of pity.

The woman lowered her eyes, avoiding his gaze: "Mr. Lu, you like the lounge chair, I'll have someone bring one to you tomorrow. You like this teacup, I can also have someone send you a new set. They're just cheap trinkets, Mr. Lu likes them, so here you go." It's just a pity about this tea set she'd used for so long.

She looked up and glanced at Erhai Lake in the distance. At night, the lake surface would rise slightly, submerging a small section of the twisted old tree with its broken trunk, further into the water.

She walked slowly into the courtyard, her steps measured. The small bridge paved with stones led to a patch of road about thirty square meters jutting out from the lake. This natural lakeside path was planted with azaleas, roses, sunflowers, turtle back leaves, and some unknown wildflowers, each tiny bloom in a multitude of colors.

When she had nothing to do, she also loved to run here, picking some dead leaves and pulling out some weeds.

Crouch down and pick up the small shovel nearby. Loosen the soil.

Lu Ming stood up, gazing at the patch of land in the middle of the lake not far away. The locals wore loose, wide cotton and hemp dresses that covered their feet, then put on a soft knitted cardigan. She squatted there loosening the soil. As dusk approached, the lights flickered, but Lu Ming's heart pounded... When she saw that woman again, she had shed her earthly burdens.

"Hey! Boss!"

The woman squatting in the distance heard the sound and turned her head, confused. “Is there something else, Mr. Lu”

"Boss, my name is Lu Mingchu. You haven't said your name yet."

The woman was taken aback for a moment… It had been how long since anyone had asked her name

"The boss is the boss, just call me boss." Name What name… she didn't even know. She couldn't remember what her name was, a self-deprecating smile crossed her mind.

Lu Ming's heart skipped a beat, and then, his dim eyes lit up again: "Okay, boss, I'll call you boss."

The woman stood up and clapped her hands, not listening to Lu Mingchu's words.

She had already grown accustomed to the peaceful life over the past few years.

A mundane life is often accompanied by boredom, and a peaceful day often comes with loneliness. But that's her choice.

Lu Ming didn't look any further. He turned and went back to his room.

Standing by the window, looking down, that woman was walking slowly back.

As dusk fell, it was hard to see clearly. All I could make out was the silhouette of that woman wrapped in clothes too warm for this time of year. Her figure disappeared into the courtyard. One hand rose slowly, resting lightly on my chest, feeling the powerful beat within… Was this excitement

It wasn't just the initial jealousy towards Shen Xiuqin, nor was it just the later guilt, nor even just the interest in hunting that arose when she first arrived at Erhai Lake... Her life, from a wealthy childhood to her youthful brilliance, until she stood alone at eighteen and became famous. At the peak of her glory, she went to prison. After three years, she came out a changed person, her appearance and personality completely different. Everyone thought she was finished... Today, Lu Mingchu didn't expect to see Jian Tong reborn, washed clean from the lead.

Her past, has become a cloud of smoke... Such a simple child, is he moved by her

The man by the window suddenly clenched his fists, "Shen Xiujian, this time, you have no chance!"

Far away in City S

Xichen tossed over a U disk: "Give this to him."

"What is it" Bai Yuxing picked it up and glanced at it, not paying much attention.

"Jian Tong's surveillance footage from that location."

Bai Yu was startled: "Didn't it get destroyed back then"

Xi Chen sneered: "Some people are determined to destroy, while others are determined to preserve. In this world, as long as you have money, what can't be bought and sold" He glanced at the U disk in Bai Yu's hand, his eyes full of undisguised disgust: "Fifty million images, you should really take a look. The ugliness of humanity and the beastliness within!"

"Fifty million Do you think this is a trade secret" Bai Yuxing thought to himself, Xi Chen was truly crazy, spending fifty million to buy an image

Three years ago when Ah Xiu was looking for these images, they were destroyed beforehand. But I kept an eye out and never gave up searching, but there was no news. However, with a reward of fifty million, if someone really has a backup copy, they will definitely be tempted. Fifty million wouldn't tempt him, then there are two possibilities: one is that there really isn't any, the other is...the people behind this, we can't afford to offend them.

Bai Yu nodded. “But fifty million” He felt that Xi Chen's price was too high. "Jian Tong suffered some harm there, about these things, even without evidence, all of us have a clear understanding in our hearts, why bother spending fifty million Right now, finding her is more important, isn't it"

Upon hearing this, Xi Chen's smile in his eyes turned even colder: "After you watch what's on the U disk, you won't say that anymore." Just suffered some harm ... Ha, far more than that!

It was this outsider who, upon seeing the images within, couldn't help but tremble with anger!actually, your brother is smarter and more gifted than you. And I saw the expectation in my grandfather's eyes for you. Only then did I realize that my grandfather didn't love me any more.But what do...