Ten minutes later.
The door to Lu Beichen's office opened. Assistant Zhang led in a sharp female journalist, known as the "Steel Pen" of the Financial Times, along with a photographer.
An Luowei was engrossed in the corner of the room, completely immersed in the world of "Xingyue". She was extremely stressed because of the presentation to the Board of Directors tomorrow. When she saw the journalist, she only glanced up, thinking that they were here to interview Lu Beichen about the Xingyue project or some business deal.
She put on her headphones, turned on some instrumental music to concentrate, completely separating herself from the outside world.
Lu Beichen sat behind the desk, calm and composed. "Let's begin. You only have 10 minutes."
The female journalist immediately got to work. "Mr. Lu, thank you for your time. As you know, the financial market was abuzz this morning because of rumors... related to your private life. The stock of the God of Death has fluctuated. Do you have any comments?"
"Comments?" Lu Beichen curled his lips. "Get straight to the point. I want to ask about the photos."
The female reporter was stunned by his frankness. "Yes. The public is saying that you 'abandoned' the daughter of the Jiang family, Miss Jiang Suru, to be with a female student. The photos of you carrying that girl in the park and taking her to the hospital..."
An Luowei, despite wearing headphones, still felt the solemn atmosphere. She took off her headphones just in time to hear the word "hospital".
Her heart skipped a beat. 'Are they talking... about me?'
She turned around, frozen in place.
Lu Beichen didn't even look at her. He looked straight into the camera lens, his eyes sharp as an eagle.
"Explain? Very simple."
His voice rang out, clear and resolute: "First, 'abandonment' is a ridiculous word. Jiang Su Ru and I have never had any relationship beyond the level of social relations."
One sentence, directly pouring cold water, denying it cleanly.
"Rumors of 'childhood sweethearts' or 'about to get engaged' are an insult to me personally, and to the Emperor."
The female journalist swallowed her saliva. Too cruel! This was publicly slapping Jiang Su Ru in the face! "So... Mr. Lu, the girl in the photo... the one who is causing a storm in public opinion..."
"Second." Lu Bei Shen interrupted her. His voice suddenly softened, but still full of authority. "She is not a 'female student', and even less a 'lover'."
He stood up.
An action that made everyone hold their breath.
He did not walk towards the door, but walked... straight towards the corner of the room, where An Luo Wei was sitting petrified.
He walked to her desk. An Luo Wei looked up at him fearfully. "Lu... President Lu...?"
Lu Bei Chen placed a hand on her shoulder. A gesture full of possessiveness and protection.
He turned his head, looking straight at the female reporter and the camera that was flashing frantically.
"Let me introduce you."
He paused for a second, letting the whole world hold its breath and wait.
"This is An Luo Wei. Madam Lu."
CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!
The camera sounded like a machine gun. The female reporter dropped her pen. Assistant Zhang stood outside the door, almost kneeling down.
An Luo Wei...her mind "buzzed" once, blank.
Madam Lu? He...what did he just say?
"Lu...Madam Lu?" The female reporter stuttered, trying to stay calm. "You mean...you're married?"
"Yes." Lu Bei Chen calmly confirmed. "We have legally registered our marriage."
"But... but this is too sudden! The public will say... you and Mrs. Luc... are dating..." The female reporter struggled to find the words. "... urgent."
Luc Bac Than suddenly burst out laughing. It was a sneer, but his eyes when looking down at An Lac Vi contained an emotion she had never seen before.
It was like... a thousand years of waiting.
"Urgent?" He repeated, his voice carrying a profound meaning. "I'm not pursuing her."
He bent down, looking straight into An Lac Vi's panicked eyes.
"I... am waiting for her."
Luc Bac Than's inner thoughts: 'I've been waiting for you, thirty thousand years.'
He turned back to the camera, his voice carrying the domineering tone of an Emperor declaring his sovereignty:
"She is not a 'third party'. She is the sole master of the Luc family. From thirty thousand years ago, until now, and forever after."
An Luowei shuddered. Thirty thousand years ago? What was he talking about?
The female journalist was completely shocked. She couldn't ask anything more.
Lu Beichen didn't give them another chance. He took off his vest and put it on An Luowei's shoulders (who was still wearing yesterday's clothes).
"That's enough for today. I'm tired. Let's go home."
He didn't pay any attention to the draft, didn't care about the Board of Directors meeting. He grabbed An Luowei's hand and pulled her up.
"President Lu...!" Assistant Zhang called out.
"Cancel all appointments this afternoon. Leave it to you."
Having said that, Lu Beichen pulled An Luowei, who was still in a sleepwalking state, straight out of the office, passing by the petrified female journalist and photographer.
Click.
The private elevator door closed.
An Luowei stared at the man beside her. Her mind was spinning.
Mrs. Lu?
Registered?
Waiting for her?
Forever?
Lu Beichen... what the hell is he doing?!