Three years after our breakup, you came back to China, and I'm just giving up. Why are you cryi

Rental housing.

As Lu Hao pushed open the door, a familiar sense of tranquility washed over him, but it couldn't dispel the restlessness that clung to him.

Ning Shu was still at work, and the empty house made him feel even more lonely.

Lu Hao walked into his room, sat down in a chair, and took out a cigarette from his pocket and lit it.

Fang Ruoyun's conditions, her maniacal laughter, and the red marks on her neck from where she had pinched herself—all these scenes replayed before my eyes.

He neither agreed nor refused.

According to Fang Ruoyun, given her relationship with Vice President Li, this plan would definitely fall to Lin Ran.

If Lin Ran's proposal is better than their own, then Yunlan Clothing can use this event to suppress Xiyue Clothing.

However, if Lin Ran's proposal is not good enough, and Yunlan Clothing is suppressed instead, Fang Ruoyun can take the opportunity to have Vice President Li make trouble for Lin Ran.

Vice President Li has always coveted Lin Ran's position as manager and will definitely seize the opportunity to take her away.

Lu Hao's expression grew increasingly grim; neither outcome was what he wanted to see.

Although he has lost contact with Lin Ran, Lu Hao is unwilling to involve her.

Lin Ran is innocent.

Smoke swirled around me, and my thoughts were in turmoil.

He thought of Su Yu again.

It's unclear what Su Yu said to Gu Yunfeng that prompted him to intervene and temporarily stop Fang Ruoyun's underhanded tactics.

Now that Fang Ruoyun has declared war on the business front, Gu Yunfeng probably has no reason to interfere anymore.

This road is also cut off.

After some time, the once clean ashtray on the table was now filled with cigarette butts, piled up like a small mountain.

"call……"

He exhaled his last smoke ring and stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray, as if trying to extinguish the nameless fire burning in his heart.

He got up, pulled open the window, and the cool evening breeze rushed in, carrying away the smell of smoke that filled the room.

The setting sun had already dyed the sky red, and twilight was eroding its light.

Lu Hao turned and walked out of the room. The sound of the door opening came from the entrance hall, and Ning Shu returned carrying groceries.

"You don't have to work night shifts anymore?" Lu Hao leaned against the wall, his voice a little hoarse.

"Yeah, the shift's changed." Ning Shu smiled sweetly at him, shaking the shopping bag in her hand. "Why are you back so early today?"

"I was passing by here this afternoon, so I came back and lay down for a while." Lu Hao casually lied, not wanting her to worry.

"Wait a moment, I'll cook it and you can take it back to eat with Sister Xiyue." Ning Shu said, changing her shoes and carrying the ingredients into the kitchen.

The sound of rushing water added a touch of life to the room.

Lu Hao followed her, leaned against the kitchen doorframe, watched her busy figure, and asked curiously, "What are we having for dinner today?"

"Make a pig's trotter soup, and then some boiled shrimp and stir-fried vegetables." Ning Shu put the ingredients in the sink to clean them.

"Let me help you." Lu Hao rolled up his sleeves and went inside, taking the shrimp from her hands.

"Lu Hao, did something happen to you?" Ning Shu asked casually while picking vegetables.

"No."

"Every time you encounter a problem you can't solve, you smell so strongly of cigarettes that it could suffocate someone."

Lu Hao paused for a moment while deveining the shrimp, then resumed his work, though he wouldn't admit it, "It's because of the plan. I have some ideas, but it just doesn't feel perfect."

Ning Shu continued working, saying softly, "Life can't be perfect in every way. The more you pursue perfection, the more you might lose."

Lu Hao was startled and turned to look at the profile of the girl beside him, who was intently picking vegetables with her head down.

Yes, there's no such thing as a perfect life.

Regret is the norm.

He always wanted to protect everyone he wanted to protect, but Fang Ruoyun, that madwoman, insisted on forcing him to make a choice.

To go or not to go?

Lu Hao let out a long breath, and the knot in his chest seemed to dissipate a little.

A bold idea took root in his mind.

An hour later, he left the rented room with the dinner that Ning Shu had packed.

As soon as he left, Zhou Mengmeng's door creaked open.

"I'm dying to hold it in!" Zhou Mengmeng burst out with messy hair and headed straight for the bathroom. "What's wrong with Lu Hao today? He's been home all afternoon!"

Ning Shu shrugged helplessly. "What are you afraid of? It's fine as long as it's here."

Zhou Mengmeng came out of the bathroom, plopped down at the dining table, poured herself a bowl of soup, and casually asked, "Did he tell you what was bothering him?"

"He said it was for the sake of the plan," Ning Shu said, sitting down opposite her and stirring the soup in her bowl, "but I don't think so."

"With his personality, when has work ever made him look so gloomy?" Zhou Mengmeng curled her lip, her tone full of disdain. "It's probably because of some woman again."

Ning Shu frowned slightly. "Then...should I talk to Sister Xi Yue about it?"

"No!" Zhou Mengmeng immediately stopped her. "Let him say it himself."

"But……"

"No buts." Zhou Mengmeng interrupted her directly, took a sip of soup, and said slowly, "If Lu Hao really cares about Xiao Xiyue, he'll admit it himself. If he doesn't... and you go and tell on him, aren't you just making things difficult for the young couple?"

Ning Shu pursed her lips, feeling that Zhou Mengmeng's words made some sense, but she still felt uneasy.

Seeing her expression, Zhou Mengmeng put down her spoon and smiled.

"Besides, if he really didn't say... hehe, then it'll be good to see what he chooses."

Ning Shu pursed her lips and ultimately listened to Zhou Mengmeng's words.

……

1902.

Lu Hao pushed open the door and entered, carrying dinner.

Xiao Xiyue was wearing a light pink silk nightgown, curled up on the sofa, holding a laptop in her arms, her fingers typing rapidly on the keyboard.

"Xiyue, come and eat." Lu Hao changed his shoes and placed several takeout boxes on the dining table.

"Here we go!"

Xiao Xiyue ran over with her laptop and plopped down opposite Lu Hao.

She peeked in and her eyes lit up instantly. "Wow, pig's feet soup! Ning Shu really knows me!"

As she spoke, she nodded in satisfaction, moved the laptop to her side, picked up a piece of pig's trotter and put it in her mouth, her eyes still fixed on the data on the screen.

"If she weren't so skillful, why would you have hired her?" Lu Hao ladled out a bowl of soup for her and pushed it in front of her.

"That's right." Xiao Xiyue replied vaguely, looking completely matter-of-fact, and then picked up another boiled shrimp and put it in her mouth.

Seeing her so busy, Lu Hao sighed and tapped the table. "Eat first, then deal with the work."

"It's alright, it won't interfere with either of us." Xiao Xiyue waved her hand, not even looking up, and casually asked, "How was your trip to that banquet today?"

"Not bad, I've added the contact information of more than ten clients." Lu Hao smiled.

"That's good."

Lu Hao looked at her pale profile illuminated by the screen light and took a deep breath.

He put down his chopsticks, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching Xiao Xiyue's ears.

"Today... I met Fang Ruoyun."

Xiao Xiyue's finger holding the mouse paused, and the cursor on the screen stopped on a number and stopped moving.

She stopped chewing, slowly turned her head, and the ease and comfort in her beautiful peach blossom eyes were gone.

"Did she say something to you again?"

"Hmm..." Lu Hao nodded slightly.

He then told Xiao Xiyue everything that Fang Ruoyun had told him.