A Twisted Love Affair-Chapter 178: Zhou Luchen, do you miss me..."_1

She’d waited all afternoon, completely toyed with.

Shen Jing looked at her phone, its battery down to only two percent.

Remembering Cheng Jinchuan’s words, she kicked the floor.

Another day without closing a contract, constantly troubled by greasy-faced businessmen.

Lao Liang called. "The car broke down halfway. I can’t pick you up on time. Take a taxi if you can’t wait."

Her feet numb from standing, she squatted by the roadside, occasionally wrapping her coat tighter around her as she stared blankly at passing cars.

「At the same time.」

「New York time, morning. 10:30.」

「Spring was warm, and life was reawakening.」 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

「International breaking news.」

The new President and CEO of International United Bank had officially assumed office.

Finance and news outlets, even international platforms, were all reporting on this new President.

The helmsman overseeing the world’s largest capital operation, the President of United Bank.

"According to the International Times, Zhou Luchen, the new President of United Bank, has recently relocated the United Bank Headquarters to New York. During this time, the President has also acquired the British Fortis Group and will expand business into 72 countries across five continents. The plan includes integrating the headquarters in the Manhattan Building in New York..."

"As shown in the financial report of United Bank, from 2018 to 2022, revenues reached all-time highs, exceeding the previous chairman’s by twenty-nine percent..."

"With over 300,000 employees, it will be the leading international group focused on trade and finance, the foremost international credit group. Currently, major blue-chip companies have begun to increase their transactions. Let’s all look forward to what tomorrow’s currency trends will be like..."

The First Credit Group.

Everyone around him must be proud of him.

With an absolutely ruthless, self-interested, and decisive style, at 28 years old, he stood atop the capitalistic pinnacle, the very apex of fame and fortune.

He was so prominent that Shen Jing couldn’t help but notice him. Just like the passersby, she looked up at the esteemed man on the hotel’s exterior screen.

The international news on the Global channel flashed by from time to time. At this moment, numerous business tycoons were focusing on international finance and current affairs on their computers or TVs.

「In the broadcast.」

A nearly ten-meter-long table was flanked by business tycoons in suits and leather shoes.

A hundred-person meeting, with all eyes focused on the new President.

Zhou Luchen was seated at the head of the table. He wore an impeccably ironed black suit and a dark blue tie. A platinum tie pin, meticulously placed at his collar, gave off a soft gleam, embodying his profound sense of gravity.

His thin lips parted slightly, speaking fluent American English.

"United Bank will operate in 72 countries on five continents, integrating the Manhattan Building in New York and establishing a new headquarters building..."

Shen Jing’s vision gradually blurred. She looked away. It’s the United Bank President.

「From then on.」

No one knew that the man who had passionately kissed her in the back of a luxury car on Nathan Road in Hong Kong was the President of United Bank.

No one knew he was the one who spent 240,000 to book the entire Hongtan Teahouse.

No one knew about the Rolls-Royce parked outside either.

Nobody knew about the internet photo showing only his back, the man who became a trending topic for bringing a large bouquet of red roses for his lady at the Peninsula Hotel entrance.

Nor did anyone remember that the charming young master who brazenly carried the beauty away from the investment talks, coaxing her as he left, was also him.

Even less did people know that the young master rumored to be pursuing Little Ajing was the man on the screen.

All the past, like dreams, disappeared into thin air.

His brilliance shone brightly, while she, in the most inconspicuous corner of the metropolis, was forced by others to down glass after glass of strong liquor. She didn’t want to drink, unable to secure even one page of a contract.

What felt suffocating was that, in the end, in Zhou Luchen’s world, she had never existed.

The one who would be by his side in the future would be Miss Wenxin Wei of the Wei Family, whom he had personally groomed and supported.

Seeing her grandfather’s call, Shen Jing could only watch helplessly as her phone automatically shut down.

Snow fell, unbearably cold. She hugged her knees and buried her head, her frail body shivering slightly. She held back again and again, but her tears did not fall.

A Red-Flag car stopped beside her.

Footsteps approached from a distance, the sound of leather shoes gradually pressing against the pavement.

A black umbrella was held over her head. A black executive jacket was gently placed on her shoulders.

Her voice was soft with a whimper. "Zhou Luchen, do you miss me..."

Zhou Xiangqun remained silent.

"Zhou Luchen, do I no longer exist in your world? Is it like that? Is there no one who remembers any trace of me by your side? Have you forgotten that rainy night, the helicopter picking me up when I was stranded on the highway? Do you remember? Were you even a little bit concerned for my safety then? Were you afraid the bridge would collapse and you’d never see me again...

"Today, I let Grandpa down again. I don’t have my older sister’s social skills at all. Every negotiation I enter collapses. They just make me drink. They look down on my proposals, calling them child’s play. They don’t know these were all taught to me by United Bank executives. They didn’t even look; they rejected everything just based on my appearance..."

Zhou Xiangqun’s voice was low, rich and mellow as if soaked in fine brew. "I’ll take you home."

She looked up, her eyes red and swollen, tears wavering in their sockets. "Why have you come?"

Zhou Xiangqun, holding the umbrella, strived to remain gentle. "Be good. Achen doesn’t have time right now."

"I understand."

She steadied herself on her legs and stood up.

It would be foolish not to accept a ride when offered.

Zhou Xiangqun seemed about to lend her a hand but, thinking better of it given their relationship, withdrew his arm. He watched her get up and walk on her own.

The driver opened the door, smiling at Shen Jing. "Miss Shen, don’t be sad. The Second Young Master will come back. It’s not like he’s moving abroad; he’s just handling business. He should come back once it’s done."

Shen Jing’s legs were numb. "Whether he comes back or not has nothing to do with me."

Zhou Xiangqun snorted, closed the umbrella, picked up her bag, and got into the car from the other side.