Volume One, Chapter Four: Contact Information? None!

Warm steam rose from the pool, gradually creeping up the entire mirror until it soon shrouded her delicate brows and eyes.

Through the hazy mist, Ji Shu slowly found herself unable to discern whether the glistening drops at the corner of the eyes in the reflection were tears or just water.

The water overflowed, dripping onto the floor.

Softly, faintly.

Yet Ji Shu heard it.

Hidden memories surged forth like a tide unleashed by an open dam.

Her father lying in the coffin...

Signing the notification for her miscarriage surgery herself...

Receiving the divorce agreement mailed by Lu Jinchuan three days after the operation...

The winter in Beicheng was unbearably cold. This year, she no longer wished to stay.

Ji Shu felt like a drowning soul, letting out a final desperate plea before suffocating, “But, Xiaxia, I’m just too tired.”

Silence stretched over the phone for a few seconds.

This time, Gao Xia asked no questions, only speaking softly yet resolutely: “Alright, divorce.”

So many wished this marriage to end.

Since its very beginning was a mistake...

Ji Shu hung up and slowly closed her eyes, her mind empty as warmth enveloped her entire body.

***

At Sejia Media, Roger carefully closed the conference room door. Before he could catch his breath, Secretary Xiao Wen pulled him aside.

“Assistant Luo, how much longer will Mr. Lu’s meeting last? There’s a video conference with overseas at eleven, and only fifteen minutes remain.”

While inquiring, Xiao Wen tiptoed and peeked anxiously at the shut door.

“Assistant Luo, can you give us a hint? We’ve been on edge all morning, no one dares leave even for the restroom, afraid of being summoned by Mr. Lu.”

Roger loosened his tie and sighed helplessly. “Who can read Mr. Lu’s mind? Since morning, the Marketing, Legal, Design, and PR departments, even HR, haven’t escaped.”

Xiao Wen sympathized, “It’s like a three-hour black hole of a meeting. By the way, Assistant Luo, how come you’re out now?”

Roger waved his hand as he walked away. “Mr. Lu said the children downstairs were too noisy, disturbing the meeting. He sent me down to handle it.”

Watching Roger’s hurried retreat, Xiao Wen looked down from the window.

The twenty-eighth floor, and yet Mr. Lu could hear children’s voices downstairs?

***

Inside the conference room, all senior managers at Sejia Media sat flushed with embarrassment.

They had been called there since morning, and nearly three hours had passed.

Ye, the Design Department manager, could no longer hold back. Trembling, he rose, bowing slightly. “Mr. Lu, may I use the restroom?”

Silence filled the room.

Managers from other departments cast him admiring glances; Ye felt utterly miserable.

Lu Jinchuan merely glanced coldly, fingers lightly tapping the table.

The pounding of Ye’s heart grew louder, as if echoing right beside his ear. He felt as though his bladder would burst and his chest be ripped open; his heart almost leaped out.

Everyone present sensed this was the ominous calm before the storm.

Ye closed his eyes in resignation. Just as he was about to sit back down, Lu Jinchuan finally spoke.

Raising his gaze and scanning the room with an unreadable expression, he said, “Dismissed.”

Only when Lu Jinchuan stood and left did everyone react.

Seizing the moment, Ye dashed to the restroom, fearful Lu might change his mind and return at any second.

***

When Roger entered the office, he found Lu standing by the floor-to-ceiling window.

He gathered his words and stepped forward. “Mr. Lu, I checked downstairs just now; the children’s noise has stopped.”

“Hm,” Lu replied calmly, his face serene. “You may go.”

“Understood, Mr. Lu.”

Roger silently gave himself a mental thumbs-up.

Keep it up, Roger! You’re the best executive assistant!

***

Three years ago, after graduating from the Academy of Fine Arts, Ji Shu directly joined the “All Things Alive” studio as a mural artist.

The studio had flexible working hours, no strict attendance.

After taking leave from her supervisor, she left Jade Imperial Mansion early in the morning and headed straight to Sejia.

Sejia Media, now the leader of the domestic media field.

It was only two years ago, with a financial news report, that everyone learned the man behind it was Lu Jinchuan, heir of the Lu Group.

Ji Shu still remembered when the news first broke out, Lu Cheng had been furious, calling Lu Jinchuan rebellious.

The Lu Group’s business spanned widely, with commercial real estate dominating. Entities like Wantai, Yunda, Baolong, Huahong Dayue City, and Longhu Holdings all belonged to it.

***

Everyone expected Lu Jinchuan to follow the path of other wealthy heirs—joining the family business after graduation and taking the predetermined route.

Yet Lu Jinchuan did not. Instead of inheriting the Lu Group, he forged a path the group had never ventured before.

When the news came out, many waited for him to fail, assuming it was just a whim, expecting his downfall.

Who knew that a year later, Sejia Media had leapt to become the top domestic media company.

In just one year, Lu Jinchuan made Sejia Media’s name resound throughout Beicheng. Those who once waited for his failure quickly changed their tune, praising him as a rare business genius.

Since then, Lu Jinchuan was no longer seen merely as the Lu Group heir but as President Lu of Sejia Media.

***

Jade Imperial Mansion was not far from Sejia. Ji Shu drove just over ten minutes to the building’s base.

In Beicheng’s busiest commercial district, amidst towering skyscrapers, Sejia Media shone like the brightest star.

The twenty-eighth-floor offices pierced the sky like a sword. The billboards changed every minute, capturing the eyes of passersby. The glass facade reflected the rising sun, embodying Beicheng’s prosperity.

Ji Shu arrived at the first floor. The receptionist was a young woman who greeted her professionally with a smile. “Hello, do you have an appointment? I can check for you.”

Ji Shu replied, “No appointment. I’m here to see Lu Jinchuan.”

“Okay… who? Lu… President Lu?”

The smile on the receptionist’s face stiffened noticeably; her hand holding the mouse trembled slightly.

Before her stood a woman dressed in a white velvet gown with a pale apricot trench coat draped casually. Her hair was loosely tied in a bun, a few strands falling onto her shoulders. The morning sunlight struck her just so, giving her an aura of gentle radiance and grace.

Suppressing a surge of curiosity, the receptionist forced a calm tone. “Sorry, we don’t have access to President Lu’s appointments here. Perhaps you have contact information for President Lu or Assistant Luo?”

Ji Shu was caught off guard.

She took out her phone and scrolled through her contacts.

Nothing.

She checked her WeChat friends list.

Still nothing.

Only then did she realize she had probably deleted Lu Jinchuan’s contact three years ago.

Ji Shu looked up and smiled gently.

“No.”