Mother Lu told her that recently Zhouzhou had been ignoring everyone and didn’t like to move around. All he did every day was sleep and drink milk. When she picked him, he would fall asleep in the next second. Other kids his age were already crawling around, but he spent his day lazily lounging in bed. Several strands of Mother Lu’s hair had turned white recently.

  Ye Zhen was really worried that this little guy would grow up to be a bum.

  “Zhouzhou, how about we build something with your blocks?”


  Zhouzhou paid no heed to her. He was perfectly content with lying in Ye Zhen’s arms, holding his milk bottle.

  Ye Zhen coaxed him until her lips turned dry, but the little brat still wouldn’t move. He was a lazy little fellow. Vexed, Ye Zhen swatted his little but twice. Perhaps, his diaper was too thick, or maybe he was too chubby. The little brat wasn’t afraid of the pain and even grinned at her.

  Ye Zhen truly felt helpless. Taking care of a child was much harder than resolving issues related to a movie. Just as she was about to bring Zhouzhou upstairs, she heard Zhouzhou, who had a grip on her pants, raise his head and call out something that sounded like, “Mama.”


  Ye Zhen didn’t immediately notice. She crouched down and picked up Zhouzhou.

  “Mama……”


  This time, Ye Zhen clearly heard him softly calling out “mama”. It sounded very close to “mama”, but his pronunciation wasn’t standard, the tone was off.

  “Zhouzhou? Did you say mama?”


  Zhouzhou giggled. He opened his mouth and called out, “mama” again.

  “Mom!” Ye Zhen’s surprise only lasted for a moment. With her heart leaping and feeling utmost joy, she yelled upstairs, “Mom! Zhouzhou said mama!”


  Mother Lu rushed downstairs. “He said mama? Zhouzhou, call grandma. Come, say grandma.”


  “Mama……”


  “Mom! Did you hear that?”


  “I heard it!” Mother Lu smiled. “Zhouzhou’s smarter than Beichuan. Beichuan didn’t say mom until he was one year old. Our Zhouzhou isn’t even one yet and already knows how to say mama. He’ll definitely be even better than his dad when he grows up! Isn’t that right, Zhouzhou?”


  Zhouzhou smiled at Mother Lu and spat out a bubble.

  At the mention of Lu Beichuan, Ye Zhen hastily called Lu Beichuan. She wanted to share this news with him as soon as possible.

  In Lu Corporation’s conference room, Lu Beichuan was listening to the CFO talk about this quarter’s financial report with furrowed brows. The atmosphere in the conference room was extremely quiet and oppressive. Everyone was holding their breath. Other than the sound of the CFO speaking, there was no other sound in the room.

  Suddenly, a phone vibrated.

  The screen on Lu Beichuan’s phone lit up. The caller was Ye Zhen.

  The CFO stopped talking, and everyone looked at Lu Beichuan.

  Lu Beichuan briefly considered before answering the call.

  “Zhouzhou said mama! Listen!” Ye Zhen’s delighted voice came from the phone. Her voice was especially clear in the totally silent conference room.

  Everyone’s expression stiffened. Soon after, they looked away and lowered their heads.

  Lu Beichuan expressionlessly stood up. He swept his gaze over everyone. “Ten minute break.”


  After saying that, he strode out of the conference room. The remaining people took a long exhale in relief.

  Outside the conference room, Lu Beichuan’s expression softened as he held the phone to his ear. The corners of his lips were curved up as he listened to Ye Zhen chattering.

  “Zhouzhou, say mama for dad to hear!”


  He had no problem saying it earlier, but now that Ye Zhen brought the phone in front of him, he wouldn’t say a word.

  “He was saying it earlier……” Ye Zhen mumbled, looking thwarted.

  “Mama……”


  The gloom on Ye Zhen’s face immediately scattered like clouds moving aside to show the sun. She said with delight, “Did you hear that?!”


  “I heard.” There was a warm and pampering smile on Lu Beichuan’s face. “I heard Zhouzhou say mama. Congratulations.”


  Chapter 228 – Wasn’t this Ye Qing’s opportunity to appear in front of socialites and shine radiantly and elegantly in the novel? (1)

  Ye Zhen was smiling so hard that she was speechless. For an inexplicable reason, she wanted to cry.

  It was at this moment, hearing her son calling her mom, that she felt all her efforts and hard work was worth it. It was worth it to do her best to protect him and love him. The hardship of her pregnancy was still vivid in her memory. Just thinking about the pain of childbirth made her rather die than go through that again. But now, she thought it was all worth it.

  The evening, Lu Beichuan deliberately stopped working early and came home. Right after stepping into the villa, he was greeted with the sound of happiness and laughter.

  Lu Beichuan had a tiring day at work, but he couldn’t help curving the corners of his lips. All that exhaustion was dispersed by those happy sounds.

  “Beichuan, why are you home so early? Have you eaten yet? I’ll have someone warm up the food.”


  Lu Beichuan took off his jacket and tossed it on the sofa. “Mom, don’t bother with that. I already ate at work. Where Zhenzhen?”


  “She went upstairs.” Mother Lu lightly smiled. “Zhouzhou can say mom now. Zhenzhen’s been happy all day. Go upstairs and keep her company.”


  Lu Beichuan understood Mother Lu’s meaning. There was no crack in his usual expressionless face as he nodded and went upstairs.

  Inside the room and on the bed, Ye Zhen was currently teaching Zhouzhou to recognize images of animals.

  “This is a big tiger, this is a little lion……”


  Hearing the smile couldn’t be hidden in Ye Zhen’s voice, Lu Beichuan lowered his head and couldn’t help laughing. He strode into the room and saw Ye Zhen holding Zhouzhou while pointing at the cartoon animals in the picture book.

  “Mr. Lu, you’re back so early today. Not busy?”


  “It’s okay.” Lu Beichuan sat down next to Ye Zhen and listened to Ye Zhen continuing to teach Zhouzhou.

  “This is a little mouse, this is a little rabbit, the little rabbit is so white, both its ears are perked up……”


  Lu Beichuan looked at Ye Zhen’s beaming face. Underneath the light, her fair skin was bright, and he could clearly see the fine hairs on her skin. It was said there was an implicit charm to looking at a beauty under artificial light. Caught up in the moment and mostly out of a man’s instinct, Lu Beichuan lightly kissed Ye Zhen’s cheek.

  Caught off guard, Ye Zhen didn’t have any look of resistance. She only looked at Lu Beichuan, and then at Zhouzhou. Rather embarrassed, she lowered her voice to say, “What are you doing? Zhouzhou is here!”


  Lu Beichuan’s voice was hoarse. “He couldn’t understand anyways.”


  “He’s so young. Don’t lead him down the crooked path!”


  Zhouzhou, who was being held in Ye Zhen’s arms and who Lu Beichuan said couldn’t understand, stretched his hand out and smacked Lu Beichuan’s face. Baring his teeth, he stared at his dad.

  Ye Zhen lowered her head and tried her best to not smile. It was really hard keeping a straight face. “Zhouzhou is still young. He doesn’t know anything, so please don’t lower yourself to his level.”


  Zhouzhou’s slap had broken Lu Beichuan out of his mesmerized state. He unhappily stared at Zhouzhou with furrowed brows. The more he looked at him, the more he thought this brat had done that deliberately.

  As for the little brat in Lu Beichuan’s eyes, he was like a newborn calf unafraid of tigers. He stared at him disrespectfully and lazily lied in Ye Zhen’s arms. His gaze was spoiled and prideful. The words, “I have a backer” was practically written on his face.

  However, that look was enough for Lu Beichuan to look away. He felt he was being silly. Why get annoyed at something his son did? His son was so little.

  “Alright, you took care of Zhouzhou all day. You’re tired and so is Zhouzhou. Give him to me, I’ll bring him to the nursery.”


  Ye Zhen had been okay before Lu Beichuan mentioned it, but once he did, her muscles feel stiff all over, especially on her arms and shoulders. She felt soreness at the slightest movement.

  “I’ll coax him to sleep. You can take a shower first.”


  Lu Beichuan glanced at Zhouzhou, who was lying in Ye Zhen’s arms and walked into the bathroom without saying a word.

  Chapter 229 – Wasn’t this Ye Qing’s opportunity to appear in front of socialites and shine radiantly and elegantly in the novel? (2)

  About half an hour later, after Zhouzhou had been coaxed to sleep by Ye Zhen and she brought him back to his nursery, Lu Beichuan finally came out of the bathroom. Ye Zhen noticed the time and raised her eyebrows. “Half an hour, why do you take longer to wash up than a woman? Were you trying to wash off an ink stain?”


  Lu Beichuan hadn’t dried off yet. His hair was dripping wet, and there was a large wet spot on his pajamas.

  He concisely answered, “The hot water is broken.” And left for the study.

  Ye Zhen stepped into the bathroom and checked the water.

  Huh? There was nothing wrong with the hot water.

  ***

  It was twilight, and the clamorous villa had gradually fallen silent. Lu Beichuan was leaning on the headboard and reading the latest news. Ye Zhen was studying an area of filmmaking that she wasn’t familiar with as a producer. Lu Beichuan would occasionally ask her about what happened during the day and Ye Zhen would answer with a few words.

  When 10:30 PM arrived, Ye Zhen yawned and put down the materials in her hands to go to sleep.

  Lu Beichuan casually asked, “There’s a function I have to go to in two days. I need to bring a female companion.”


  Ye Zhen was very sleepy. She drowsily asked, “When?”


  “Next Wednesday.”


  “Sure.” Ye Zhen had self-knowledge of her position as Mrs. Lu. “I definitely won’t embarrass you when the time comes.”


  Lu Beichuan’s smile was hidden in the light’s shadow and couldn’t be clearly seen.

  ***

  Whether it was her family or her career, everything was going in a good direction. All of the plots in the novel seemed to have been changed. During this time, Ye Zhen was busy with Zhouzhou and work matters related to the movie. Thus, she naturally didn’t pay attention to other people’s affairs.

  When Wednesday arrived and she found out who the host for the reception was, she was stunned for a long time.

  The reception that Lu Beichuan mentioned was actually a birthday reception. Haibin’s mayor was celebrating his wife’s birthday. The guests were naturally honored to get an invitation and dressed up beautifully. They wanted to glamorously shine at this reception.

  Wasn’t this Ye Qing’s opportunity to appear in front of socialites and shine radiantly and elegantly in the novel?

  In the novel, that mayor’s wife was very satisfied with Ye Qing’s performance. She had profusely praised Ye Qing for being elegant and well-educated. It was exactly because of this that Lin Zhan and Ye Qing had risen up a level in Haibin. Following Ye Qing’s friendship with the mayor’s wife, the mayor viewed Lin Zhan in a new, favorable light. It would serve as a new starting point for Lin Zhan.

  Now that the plot had changed, Ye Zhen was curious if she would see Ye Qing at this reception.

  “What’s wrong?” Lu Beichuan looked at Ye Zhen. She had tightened her grip on his arm. He asked in a low voice, “Nervous?”


  Ye Zhen tugged on her halter dress. She shook her head. “No, I just thought of Zhouzhou. He’s home alone……”


  The atmospheric pressure around Lu Beichuan plummeted. He was especially displeased about how Ye Zhen had focused all of her attention on Zhouzhou during this period. What was so good about him? He was an annoying brat that just learned how to say mom.

  “Mom will take good care of him. Don’t worry.”


  That was just a made up excuse, so Ye Zhen didn’t continue speaking after Lu Beichuan’s reassurance.

  Soon, they arrive at the hotel.

  The doorman pulled open the door. Lu Beichuan got out of the car first and then stood next to the car to help Ye Zhen get out. Ye Zhen wrapped her arm around Lu Beichuan’s arm.

  Many people were already at the reception. Lu Beichuan’s arrival with his wife attracted a lot of attention. After all, Lu Corporation was number one with regards to business. No one could look down on its strength.

  Chapter 230 – Wasn’t this Ye Qing’s opportunity to appear in front of socialites and shine radiantly and elegantly in the novel? (3)

  The mayor and his wife were chatting and laughing with a group of people. Someone came over and whispered something into the mayor’s ear. Smiling, the mayor raised his glass at the crowd and said, “Everyone, please help yourself. I’ll be back.”


  The group of people smiled and exchanged courtesies.

  Holding her husband’s hand, the mayor’s wife walked over to Lu Beichuan and Ye Zhen. Smiling, she looked over Mrs. Lu, who was the topic of buzzing gossip. “I’ve been curious about the wife that CEO Lu has been hiding. I finally get to meet you today. Seeing for myself is better than hearing about you from others.”


  Mayor Zhou was over fifty years old, but he was diligent about exercising and looked younger than his age. He looked elegant and graceful in his suit. His wife’s sensible decorum was even more impeccable than his. Eyes brimming with a smile, she looked amiable and approachable.

  Holding a wine glass, Ye Zhen smiled. “Not at all. I’m the one that hasn’t had the opportunity to meet you. It’s my honor to meet you today.”


  Lu Beichuan didn’t act pretentious in front of the mayor. “Today is Madam’s birthday. Zhenzhen and I came here on behalf of Lu Corporation to wish you a happy birthday. May you be eternally youthful. Here’s a little something. Please accept it.”


  In these types of exchanges between people of their standings, any gift had to be carefully considered. To avoid the risk of gossip, gifts couldn’t be too expensive. It couldn’t be too shabby either, or it would be laughed by others. Lu Beichuan had chosen a valuable necklace as the birthday gift.

  “I got this necklace from the charity auction last time. I hope Madam will accept it.”


  The mayor’s wife glanced at the necklace. He said he got it from a charity auction, but smart people would know that he was just using the charity auction as a veneer.

  “Thank you Mr. Lu, I like it a lot.”


  Mayor Zhou imperceptibly snuck a glance at Lu Beichuan. After he finished the wine in his glass, someone whispered in his ear again. Mayor Zhou smiled and said, “Make yourselves at home. I still have something to do, excuse me.”


  Lu Beichuan slightly nodded and watched Mayor Zhou enthusiastically walking towards a new guest.

  Staying calm and collected while the crowd shuttled back and forth around them, Ye Zhen whispered, “Why did you say you got the necklace at a charity auction?”


  Lu Beichuan didn’t hide anything from her. “Only by using a charity auction as a front, no one can make false charges.”


  “What do you mean?”


  Lu Beichuan calmly drank wine, looking at the other guests at the reception. There were all sorts of people. “You won’t understand unless you’re in it. The line between government officials and business people is never clear. You just need to know there’s no one that’s genuinely clean in officialedom or the business world.”


  Ye Zhen naturally understood this logic. She raised her eyebrows at Lu Beichuan. “What about you then? What color are you?”


  Lu Beichuan paused and nonchalantly turned away. “I’ll become white.”


  In the novel, Lu Beichuan had been extremely ruthless in the business world. Using collusion with government officials, he had been successful in every endeavor. Countless times, he had used illegal methods to suppress other companies. Seen as wandering in the gray area between the black and white, but in truth, he had blackened a long time ago.

  Ye Zhen thought about the past year. She had paid attention to the companies that Lu Beichuan had suppressed in the novel, but they were all fine in this world. This proved that Lu Beichuan hadn’t done anything bad to those companies, and his methods were at least clean.

  “I’ll take you to meet some people.”


  Ye Zhen smiled and held Lu Beichuan’s hand. She sociably mingled with the clusters of well-known people in the business world.

  It was only that there were a lot of unfriendly gazes directed at her. Ye Zhen looked in that direction and saw a group of women gathered together. From a distance, Shen Weiyin respectfully acknowledged her. Standing behind Shen Weiyin, Ye Qing expressionlessly looked at her.

  After seeing Ye Qing, Ye Zhen turned back and grinned at Lu Beichuan.

  How interesting. Ye Qing was also here. Would she get to witness the famous scenes in the novel?

  Under Ye Zhen’s gaze, Lu Beichuan strangely felt a chill behind him. Not knowing why, he furrowed his brow.