Chapter 97: The Most Extraordinary Presence

The hall light died in an instant.

Lu Yao’s eyes were like the full moon in a deep lake, bright and beguiling.

Her thoughts were tangled.

Somewhere deep inside, a voice was crying out, telling her not to say anything else that might hurt Ye Zehong.

She did not need Zhou Luoxi to pretend to be her fiance just to make Ye Zehong angry.

The two of them stood facing each other, seeing only one another.

Zhou Luoxi could tell at a glance that Lu Yao had feelings for Ye Zehong, and he could not bear to see her looking torn.

He lifted his hand and clapped once, calling the sound-activated light back to life.

As the light returned, he punched Ye Zehong lightly on the shoulder and laughed. "Relax, kid. I was only joking with you just now. Why are you so bad at taking a joke?"

After a pause, he put an arm around Lu Yao’s shoulder and said in an easy tone, "Yao and I are as close as siblings. I’ve always treated her like my own little sister."

In other words, he was part of Lu Yao’s family from her side.

He might as well have been half a brother-in-law.

Ye Zehong froze.

Lowering his eyes, he looked at Lu Yao’s wide, clear gaze, wanting to hear her answer.

Lu Yao had no intention of hiding it and answered honestly, "I grew up with Luoxi. In the way people say back home, we’re childhood sweethearts. Except for the more than three years I’ve been in the capital, we were almost inseparable the rest of the time. Our bond really is like family. To me, Luoxi is the most special person."

Zhou Luoxi was the most special person to her.

Then what was he to her?

Zhou Luoxi looked down at Lu Yao and patted the top of her head with unmistakable affection.

It was as if he and Lu Yao were the one warm, loving family.

Their easy, familiar gestures were, to Ye Zehong, no less than a thorn buried deep in his heart, one that would draw blood the moment it was pulled free.

"Then I, in your heart..." What am I?

Ye Zehong’s voice was hoarse, and he had only said half of it before he could clearly feel the change in Lu Yao’s eyes as she looked at him.

He gave a bitter smile, somewhat self-mocking. Perhaps, as the one who had first proposed the breakup, he had no right to ask Lu Yao such a question.

He also should not be asking it.

It made him seem anything but cool.

A trace of loneliness flickered in his eyes as he went on, "Since you have a relative here, I’ll come find you another day."

He turned and walked to the elevator, then lowered his head and saw the bouquet in his hands.

After a brief hesitation, he finally handed it to Lu Yao.

Lu Yao looked at the elegant tulips, the corners of her mouth lifting unconsciously as she said softly, "Thank you. They’re beautiful."

He answered by instinct, "Not half as beautiful as you."

Standing aside, Zhou Luoxi watched the two of them tug at one another emotionally, the faintest smile on his lips.

Then, unable to bear it, he suggested, "Mr. Ye, since you’re already here, why not come in and sit for a while? Or lend a hand and help pack things up. You can help me move her belongings to my place."

At that, Lu Yao lowered her head in embarrassment.

Zhou Luoxi really knew how to strike the wrong chord.

Just standing there, the three of them already felt awkward enough; if they went inside, the room would probably freeze over on the spot.

Ye Zehong said nothing. After listening to Zhou Luoxi, his gaze turned as cold as a frozen pool.

Lu Yao stepped forward to open the fingerprint lock, then looked at the scarlet paint on the door and let out a silent sigh.

Zhou Luoxi noticed her mood and comforted her. "Yao, don’t worry. I’ll help you deal with the people who did this and clean it up."

Lu Yao’s hand paused slightly. Her face went pale as she looked at Zhou Luoxi, desperately blinking at him to warn him not to say such things in front of Ye Zehong, lest he reveal himself.

Ye Zehong shot Zhou Luoxi a suspicious look and asked, "Mr. Zhou, what do you do for work?"