Can't Take My Eyes Off You

C 68-69

Zhou Weiqi was rather dumbfounded. Just when he gaped his mouth to say something, the door of the room suddenly burst open and a figure dashed towards him like a wild leopard jumping on its prey. Before he could see who the person was, the mysterious figure had grabbed the phone out of his hand.

"Brother Xingzhi..." Zhou Weiqi was so startled he literally trembled in shock and horrid as Lu Xingzhi glared at him with his fearsome gaze. He gave him in a forceful smile and sheepishly slipped back into the room.

Lu Xingzhi didn't plan to go after the mischievous Zhou Weiqi. Looking down at the phone that was still connected, he put the phone on his ear and said in a deep voice, "Jiang Yao?"

"Yes, it's me," Jiang Yao said quickly. "Zhou Weiqi told me that you're bullying him."

"He has nothing better to do, don't mind him," Lu Xingzhi said. "I didn't know that he would call you when he left the room."

"I thought it was you!" Jiang Yao murmured. She had planned to hang up the phone again when a sudden thought struck her and she yelped in surprise. She had forgotten a very important agenda!

"Xingzhi, is it a convenient time to talk right now? I have something very important to tell you!" Jiang Yao knocked her head, annoyed. She had been wanting to tell him about this matter, yet he didn't call. However, when he finally did call, she had thrown the most important agenda out the window.

She groaned when she thought about it. It was Lu Xingzhi's fault! Her mind was filled with him all day long.

Lu Xingzhi turned to close the door of the room, walked to the empty corridor where he had spoken with Jiang Yao earlier, and said, "Okay, you can begin now."

Lu Xingzhi couldn't imagine what kind of matter Jiang Yao would classify as 'very important', but he was extremely delighted nonetheless, as this was the first time Jiang Yao wanted to discuss something with him. Even if she requested for the sun in the sky, he would figure out how to retrieve it for her by all means.

"About ten days ago, I stayed at the county for a few days to keep Xiaoxiao company. One day, after watching a movie with Xiaoxiao, we went to a Western restaurant in town. There, we saw Zhao Zhuangzong dining with a pregnant woman. They were very close and intimate. By the way, the pregnant woman is Yuqing's assistant. Frankly, their interaction made them look like a normal couple. In fact, Zhuangzong was caressing the woman's belly gently and had even put his ear on it." Jiang Yao told him the entire story in one breath. "Then, on several occasions, I bumped in him taking the pregnant woman to the hospital for checkups. They came out of the hospital hand-in-hand as they got into the car and left."

After relating her findings, Jiang Yao was very anxious and concerned. "Xingzhi, based on a woman's instinct, I bet that the assistant and our brother-in-law are having an affair. The worst part is that I think the woman is carrying his baby."

Jiang Yao was certain that the baby was Zhao Zhuangzong's child, but she didn't have any evidence right now, so she could only express her assumptions and deductions based on her instinct. She was a little afraid that Lu Xingzhi wouldn't believe her.

So, after a pause, she quickly explained, "Xingzhi, I swear I really saw them. Xiaoxiao saw them at the restaurant too, but she was somewhat clueless about it. You can ask her what she saw in the restaurant the other day if you don't believe me. Although Yuqing scolded me when she came home with the admission letter, I don't hold any grudges against her. I know that she was angry with me because of you. I wouldn't fabricate such a ridiculous story just to get back at her..."

Lu Xingzhi could sense Jiang Yao's anxiety with her quick explanation. He offered a word of comfort, saying, "I believe in you, I know clearly how you really are." However, he couldn't help but sigh and remained silent.

His silence wasn't because of his suspicion about the possibility of hidden motives on Jiang Yao's side, but rather, he was caught by extreme surprise. He found the news unbelievable. After all, Zhao Zhuangzong was known to be very loving and affectionate towards Lu Yuqing all these years.

"You have to find a chance to talk to your sister about this matter. She has to know."

Jiang Yao was quiet in hesitation for a while as she pondered what to say. Shen then added, "His assistant—I mean the woman—from what I can see, her belly is very big now. I assume her baby would be due soon. Zhao Zhuangzong hasn't told Yuqing anything yet so far, and he's even putting on the disguise of a loving and caring husband. What is he thinking? Does he really want to be a good husband at home while being a good father in another family? Or, would he pretend to adopt the baby once the woman gives birth and let Yuqing takes care of the out-of-wedlock child on behalf of the woman? Regardless, it will be a painful outcome for Yuqing."

"Okay, I understand. I'll talk to Yuqing," Lu Xingzhi said. He thought about the way Zhao Zhuangzong carried himself in the usual days and frowned. He must say, Zhao Zhuangzong's disguise was so tremendous and flawless that no one would ever suspect him of being a cheater at all. If it wasn't for Jiang Yao bumping into him, no one could have predicted what would happen in the future.

"Okay, good to know." Jiang Yao heaved a sigh of relief. She had been thinking about this matter for a few days already.

"I'll return to the base tonight. Call the base whenever you want to talk to me." Lu Xingzhi didn't tell Jiang Yao about the phones he would get from exploiting Zhou Weiqi. He figured it would be best to tell her after he registered the phone numbers.

Back in the room, Zhou Weiqi, who had escaped like a scaredy-cat, restored his usual comedic self. He mimicked Jiang Yao's voice calling Lu Xingzhi's name by speaking in a deafening high-pitched tone and dancing around with orchid fingers like the actresses in Peking operas.

"I don't think she knows how to sing operas," Chen Xuyao murmured as he turned his head around, ignoring Zhou Weiqi.

As they were chatting, Lu Xingzhi pushed the door open and walked in. He threw the phone to Zhou Weiqi and sat back in his seat.

Chen Xuyao felt his heart skipped a beat when he saw Lu Xingzhi's gloomy expression. It was his typical upset mode. Was it because of Zhou Weiqi's teasing that Jiang Yao had vented her anger at Lu Xingzhi?

"Xingzhi, what's the matter?" Cheng Xuyao poured tea into Lu Xingzhi's cup and asked with a pleasing smile. "Did Jiang Yao get angry after being teased by Weiqi?"

"No." Lu Xingzhi shook his head as he reached for the teacup. "She wasn't angry, she just informed me about some family matters."

"Is something going on at home?" Liang Yueze asked. "Tricky problem?"

"The tricky part is the connection of the people involved, not the problem itself," Lu Xingzhi said faintly. Then, he grabbed the car key and tapped on Zhou Weiqi's seat. "I'll head off to the base first. Zhou Weiqi, remember to send my phone to the base. Secondly, don't call and harass my wife again. If you do, I'll personally go after you."

"Yes, yes, yes! Roger that!" Zhou Weiqi muttered hastily. He didn't dare tackle the distressed tiger.

Lu Xingzhi left Longteng Restaurant and head straight to the base through the night. It was almost ten o'clock when he arrived at the base.

He didn't go directly to the dorm, but instead, he went to his office.

His office was the only room that was lit in the entire office building. Lu Xingzhi opened the drawer, took out a pack of cigarettes, and lit one stick skillfully.