Contract marriage:Mother for rent, wife for free
Chapter 39: Lin wei visits Bai yue

Chapter 39: Lin wei visits Bai yue

The twins had gone to school, Ezekiel, with his usual brooding self, had gone on a business trip, and Lu Chen... well, he could be anywhere from here to Singapore.

She wasn’t about to bet on him.

She finally deemed the opportunity right and the circumstances not too dire. Now she could visit her mother and have a chat with Bai Yue.

You know, something a bit normal. Something that didn’t make her feel like an outsider trying too hard to fit in.

After dressing and making sure Froggy was nowhere near her room, she headed out.

She took a taxi to Bai Yue’s academy and was glad for her impeccable timing. See, she could be lucky sometimes.

She spotted Bai Yue among the thronging crowd, her frizzy hair bobbing up and down. She had a tray of fries, chicken, and soda balanced on one hand while carrying her bag in the other. The instant her eyes met Lin Wei’s, she let out a gleeful laugh.

"Weiwei!"

Lin Wei grinned and pointed meaningfully at a corner.

"Let’s go there. I have so much to tell you!"

"You must tell me everything." Bai Yue gushed.

"Why are there so many people in your academy today?"

"Oh, it’s this sponsorship program for finalists. Remember we’re having our final exam this week? They brought in some rich catch to sponsor or at least give a business startup to the winner."

"I hope you win."

Bai Yue smiled. "I hope so too. But really, enough of my business. Tell me about what’s going on in that house. Does Ezekiel Wang eat his enemies for breakfast as we speculated?"

Lin Wei let out a delighted laugh. There was nothing as refreshing as talking with her best friend.

"My mom—" Lin Wei began but was cut off by a snort.

"Her surgery is scheduled for next month. I heard you paid the three installments?" Bai Yue’s glance turned speculative.

"How?"

The single question made shame pulse inside her veins. She tried to shrug it off.

"Oh, you know... just this and that."

"Don’t tell me you stole from him?!" Bai Yue screeched.

"Lower your voice," Lin Wei whispered, trying to calm her friend down.

Bai Yue stared sharply at her, shoving fries into her mouth and expecting an answer.

"Did you... did you sleep with him? Is that it?" Her whisper turned horrified.

"Oh, do stop with the dramatics! I did not sleep with him. I would not sleep with him." She shuddered.

The thought of sleeping with Ezekiel was akin to sleeping with a log of wood left too long outside in winter—cold and uncomfortable.

Lin Wei sighed and looked at her friend earnestly. "You know how I used to dabble in stocks and investments back in college? I happened to invest in Wang Corporation’s stocks when they were low a few months ago. It wasn’t much, but it’s increased significantly since then. I sold some of it to cover the hospital bills. No stealing, no shady business."

Bai Yue blinked, then broke into a relieved grin. "Why didn’t you just say that earlier?! You had me thinking the worst!"

Lin Wei grinned sheepishly. "I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. Plus, I wasn’t sure it would work out when I first put the money in."

Bai Yue nudged her shoulder playfully. "You seriously need to work on communicating, Weiwei."

Before Lin Wei could retort, a loud announcement echoed across the academy grounds. "Attention, everyone! Our sponsors have arrived. Please gather at the auditorium for the official introduction."

Bai Yue groaned. "Ugh, do we have to go?"

"Yes," Lin Wei teased. "Future businesswoman of the year can’t be late, can she?"

With a reluctant nod, Bai Yue dragged Lin Wei along, squeezing through the bustling students. As they made their way to the auditorium, Lin Wei couldn’t help but feel an odd sense of unease crawling up her spine.

The auditorium was grander than she remembered. Posters and banners announcing the sponsorship program were draped along the walls, and students whispered excitedly among themselves.

As they settled into the back row, Lin Wei’s phone buzzed, but she ignored it. Instead, she looked up at the stage as the lights dimmed and the host announced the first speaker.

It was a gangly man, with more bones than flesh. His glasses kept sliding out of his nose, and Lin wei wondered if his lean frame would withstand the wind.

Bai yue assured her he was rich. She suppose that was all that mattered.

As the man stood on the podium to talk, silent fell and the loud noise was reduced to hushed murmurs.

Soon it was time to announce another sponsor.

It was a smartly dressed lady with white teeth and a no nonsense look on her face.

Perhaps this one would be easier to impress, though Lin wei doubted it.

When it was time to announce the third sponsor, the room whole burst into applause. Loud screeches, excited murmurs and so much hand pointing.

Lin wei was half on the edge of her seat, wondering who this sponsor could be and why the people were so excited to see him.

A tingle ran down her spine. A sense of an unease...like a dry wind in the desert. Perhaps...but it couldn’t be.

Really, such a thing wasn’t possible.

"And now, let’s welcome our primary sponsor—Mr. Lu Chen."

Lin Wei froze.

Bai Yue glanced at her curiously. "Hey, isn’t that...?"

"Yes," Lin Wei whispered, her heart thundering. "It’s him."

Lu Chen walked onto the stage, his presence commanding immediate attention. He looked impeccably sharp in a tailored suit, his expression impassive and composed.

Lin Wei shrunk further into her seat, hoping against hope that he wouldn’t see her in the crowd.

She swallowed hard, her hands trembling as the audience erupted in applause. All she could think was—how could she possibly explain being here if he spotted her?

Just as Lu Chen began his speech, Bai Yue leaned in closer, whispering, "Why didn’t you tell me you know that man?"

Lin Wei shot her a warning look. "Not now."

Her mind raced. How long would Lu Chen be staying? Why hadn’t he mentioned this? As her thoughts spiraled, Lu Chen’s voice, rich and resonant, pulled her back.

Suddenly, his eyes seemed to sweep over the audience, and Lin Wei instinctively ducked lower. Her pulse quickened. She couldn’t afford for him to see her—not here, not now.

Bai Yue glanced between Lin Wei and the stage, her curiosity burning. "What’s going on?"

Lin Wei bit her lip. "I’ll explain later."

She needed a plan. But as the room erupted in applause once more, she knew one thing for certain—escaping unnoticed wouldn’t be easy.

Then, as Lu Chen’s speech came to an end, the lights brightened, and the host invited the students to network with the sponsors. Lin Wei’s heart pounded. Bai Yue glanced at her, eyes gleaming with curiosity. Lin Wei grabbed her friend’s arm. "We need to leave. Now."

Bai Yue hesitated but nodded, sensing the urgency. As they slipped out of their seats, Lin Wei’s phone buzzed again. A text from Ezekiel: "Where are you?"

Her throat bobbled in a sudden effort to swallow. It seems like a log of wood was lodged into her throat.

Did he know? Perhaps Lu Chen had told his cousin once he’s caught her?

But she wasn’t even sure he had caught her!

Lin Wei’s stomach flipped. She didn’t have time for this. As they moved towards the exit, she caught a glimpse of Lu Chen looking in their direction. Did he see her?

Lin Wei pushed down the surge of panic and kept moving, her heart racing. Just as they reached the exit, a familiar voice called her name. Lin Wei froze, turning to face Yuqi who smiled brightly.

Shit shit shit. Even with the loud raucous, even looked.

Lin wei wished the ground would open up and swallow her. What was she to do? Perhaps pretend she didn’t know her? But Yuqi was already approaching.

"I’ll take care of her," Bai yue whispered.

Lin wei nodded, trying to channel her inner Mike Westwood.

But soon enough, another voice called out. Smooth, deep and charming. She made sure to stood rooted to the spot, not daring to turn.

"Miss. Miss, please wait. You look a lot like someone I know." Lin wei groaned into her palms.

The room had stilled and everyone was watching the bizarre drama.

"I’ll take care of him too." Bai yue whispered again.

Lin wei nodded. Why was she praying for a guardian angel? She has one in the form of her best friend.

Quickly rounding a corner, she bumped into people rudely and stalked into the hallway.

"Mr Lu Chen! Such an honor to finally meet you." Bai

yue’s saccharine sweet voice reached her.

She groaned anew. She could just imagine Bai yue grabbing his hand and blocking his view. Once again, Lin wei’s lucky was cackling maniacally as Lin wei hurriedly boarded a taxi.