The CEO’s Substitute Wife Is A Genius
Chapter 104: Can’t Win in Business, So Undermine in Love?

Chapter 104: Chapter 104: Can’t Win in Business, So Undermine in Love?

"Xingzhou, what are you looking at? I’m trying to talk serious business here," Song Xiao said, while pulling out a pack of cigarettes.

A Russian brand, known for its strong kick after smoking.

He expertly bit a cigarette and pulled one out, offering it to Lu Xingzhou.

"I quit," Lu Xingzhou responded indifferently.

Song Xiao was as if he’d heard something utterly incredible.

He and Lu Xingzhou had been close since childhood, doing almost everything in sync.

Take smoking, for example—they picked it up in their first year of high school.

While Xingzhou wasn’t heavily addicted, Song Xiao had never seen him show any intention of quitting over the years.

"Why quit all of a sudden?"

"She doesn’t like it," Lu Xingzhou’s voice was low, his heart uncomfortably blocked.

He was enduring it all.

He was well aware of his relationship with Jiang Man; for now, he could still constrain her with the promise of a one-year marriage.

But what about after that?

The thought of separating from Jiang Man always soured his mood.

And when his mood soured, that was often when his craving for cigarettes hit.

Yet he held back, pouring himself a glass of water and gulping it down.

His mind was really not here at all, but he was still forcing himself to stay calm.

"Talk about your urgent matter," he said in a deep voice.

Song Xiao couldn’t believe it; he knew exactly who the ’she’ Lu Xingzhou was referring to.

"Whipped? Xingzhou, this isn’t like you. But then again, Manman is pretty cool and tough to mess with," he said.

Mentioning Jiang Man, Song Xiao’s lips curled involuntarily.

"Focus on the matter at hand, the matter at hand," he quickly changed the subject: "There’s been a thief at home recently; they even tampered with the surveillance. Although the loss wasn’t substantial—it was just some of my personal stuff initially, starting with a wristwatch, a pinkie ring, later on..."

Song Xiao’s cheeks turned red, his voice growing quieter.

"You should go to the police for this kind of thing," Lu Xingzhou said, obviously unimpressed.

"It’s not good to report to the police," Song Xiao frowned, finding it somewhat embarrassing to say, but he plowed on: "Later, the items stolen got more and more ridiculous, like my ties, and my under... pants..."

When Lu Xingzhou heard the last two words, his pupils shook.

He twitched his mouth up in mockery, "This thief sure has unusual taste?"

"Xingzhou, be serious here. I suspect it’s the doing of one of the maids at home. You’re well aware of my charm; I’ve captivated countless young girls. But this kind of kleptomaniac? Not my cup of tea. Doesn’t your company have a top hacker? Have him help me restore the surveillance. This matter is quite embarrassing; I don’t want to make it public."

"It’s not like you stole women’s under... pants, what are you afraid of?"

"Ah, you don’t understand." Song Xiao almost felt like spitting blood, "My under... pants, they’re a bit flashy; not exactly fit for the public eye."

"..." Lu Xingzhou was speechless, rubbing his temples with a hand: "Fine, I’ll call Zhang Neng."

"I heard that the Beiying university forum blew up because of Manman—it’s him investigating. Has he found anything substantial?"

"He found out," Lu Xingzhou said with a detached expression, originally planning to ask for Jiang Man’s opinion before dealing with Yu Qing and Fang Yuheng.

Now, he was a bit spiteful.

He had been busying himself like a love-struck fool, yet she was leisurely dating another man.

He didn’t even know who that guy was.

Because of the angle, he could only see the man’s back.

Anyone dining in such a high-end cruise ship restaurant must be decently well-off.

"So, what’s the result?" Song Xiao suddenly became gossipy.

Lu Xingzhou, lacking any real interest, didn’t want to continue the topic. With a cold face, he took out his phone to dial.

"Hello, BOSS?" Zhang Neng had just arrived at the office, holding a lunchbox.

"There’s a bit of trouble at the Song Family; drop by when you’re free."

"Okay," Zhang Neng didn’t think much of it.

Lu Xingzhou couldn’t be bothered to elaborate, ending the call.

He put down his phone, supported his temple with a hand, and turned his gaze toward the glass window outside.

Song Xiao wondered what he was looking at since he’d hardly touched his food.

He followed the gaze, and couldn’t help but exclaim, "Damn."

"Isn’t that Manman? Who’s that guy with her? Doesn’t look like that kid Wu Yingfan from the back."

"I don’t know," Lu Xingzhou frowned.

"You don’t know? You’re her husband, and you don’t know she’s dining with another man?"

"She’s free to choose her friends," Lu Xingzhou said, slightly annoyed, wishing Song Xiao would shut up.

But Song Xiao couldn’t hold back: "What kind of friend meets in a couples’ restaurant? Xingzhou, you wouldn’t know since you’re single, but this restaurant is called Attendre, a well-known upscale couples’ restaurant. Don’t be fooled by its usual emptiness; come holidays, it’s packed, all with couples!"

"Heh," the more Lu Xingzhou heard, the worse he felt, his heart turning incredibly sour.

"I’m full," he said abruptly, getting up and grabbing his suit jacket to leave.

Song Xiao grabbed hold of him: "Going to make a scene? Better not; you’re newlyweds after all. It’d be awkward if things turn sour. Besides, if the matriarch hears about it, that won’t be good either."

"You think I’m going to cause trouble?" Lu Xingzhou scoffed coldly.

"Isn’t that it?" Song Xiao looked at him suspiciously.

With Xingzhou’s inability to endure even the slightest grievance, it would be logical for him to confront the situation.

"Busy. Going to the office," Lu Xingzhou pushed his hand away.

Song Xiao uttered an ’oh’ sound.

He followed closely behind, then when he saw Lu Xingzhou get in the car and it drove off, not towards the river but the office, Song Xiao furrowed his brows.

He was indeed heading to the office.

He didn’t leave but donned his flamboyant flower jacket, striding with his long legs towards the Attendre cruise restaurant.

Jiang Man and Nan Juefeng were having a pleasant conversation, sharing similar hobbies.

"You like skiing too?"

"Yes, I’ve won medals in Iceland’s skiing competitions," Nan Juefeng replied casually.

A glint of admiration shone in Jiang Man’s eyes: "Online jokes go like skiing ends at the orthopedics’."

Skiing is considered one of the most dangerous sports. One tycoon ended up a vegetable from a ski accident.

She didn’t expect Nan Juefeng, who seemed so refined, to engage in such an extreme sport.

"So, we all need an orthopedic doctor?" Nan Juefeng played along with Jiang Man’s dark humor.

"Cough cough cough, sis, I wondered who it could be—turns out it’s Young Master Nan? Pretty capable, huh? Can’t beat Xingzhou in business, so you switch strategies to dig at his romantic corner?"

Suddenly, a sharp and unceremonious voice intruded...

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