A Twisted Love Affair-Chapter 218: Nobody wants to support you"_1

The old lady knew very well that he had taken advantage of his status to secure a burial plot.

When she went out, the old lady saw Zhuang Ming and coughed twice, signaling him to help her walk a few steps.

"I knew it all along. I never should have agreed to go with him to those Pipa opera performances. He only went two or three times, and yet he was completely seduced by a young girl’s beauty," the old lady said with profound earnestness.

Years had passed in a blur, their relationship remaining ambiguous.

"Logically, he should have his next girlfriend by now, but there’s no sign of anyone. Oh, is he still close to that young model?" the old lady suddenly asked.

"He’s devoting himself to the Zhou Family and trying not to disappoint you. His focus is entirely on United Bank, so naturally, he has no time for dating," Zhuang Ming said. He didn’t mention the model.

The old lady had no desire to get involved in his romantic affairs. Why should she care? She figured that tomorrow he would probably make adjustments to United Bank’s senior management as a warning.

"During the holidays, please try to persuade him to come back," the old lady instructed.

Zhuang Ming just verbally agreed, but he knew that whether the Second Young Master returned to China was beyond anyone’s control.

In New York, young models accompanied Zhou Luchen while fishing.

「 」

New York City wasn’t bustling all over; the true hive of activity was Lower Manhattan.

The corporate headquarters was a skyscraper. From its upper floors, one could overlook Rockefeller Center nearby and command a view of the Brooklyn Bridge in the distance.

The platinum-infused night view revealed a city bathed in intoxicating silvery light. Manhattan’s center was a convergence point for global magnates and powerful tycoons.

The city was the city: it was power, and it was also a game.

In his leisure time, the man sat on the sofa, watching the cat before him eat its dinner. The cat was so pampered it would only deign to eat after climbing onto the coffee table.

His sleeves were rolled up halfway, revealing a glimpse of a skeleton mechanical watch at his wrist—a fusion of exquisite craftsmanship and high-end design. Even as he patiently added more food for the cat, his movements were remarkably fluid and casual, hardly what one would expect from a man sporting such a top-tier timepiece.

His fingers held a lit cigarette. In the hazy nicotine fog, his slender, elegant hand drooped naturally. A moment later, he leaned closer to add vitamin D drops to the cat’s jade bowl.

The cat, a pampered creature never allowed near stray tomcats, often went into heat. Zhou Luchen had decided to have it neutered.

Perhaps resentful at not being able to become a mother, the cat had fallen gravely ill, to the point of near death.

It was abandoned at Yunding, becoming a pitiful, neglected creature.

Consumed by guilt, he had chartered a plane to send it to Manhattan overnight.

It hated the taste of vitamin D and refused to eat.

Zhou Luchen offered it a ball of yarn. "I should never have bought you. You’re too expensive, and no one else is willing to look after you."

"MEOW..."

Expensive, troublesome, and still so needy.

Secretary Song, sitting opposite him and sending documents to the executives, glanced up. She watched the man feed the cat, noticing a unique blend of simplicity and elegance about him.

The cat had only arrived a day ago, yet the CEO was already devoting half his attention to it.

This was no cat to be satisfied with mere gold and jewels. It craved affection and demanded company. If its desires weren’t met, it would throw a tantrum, climbing onto the desk and knocking over ornaments.

Smashed on the carpet was a white marble chariot model, a gift to Zhou Luchen from a local governor.

The Amber Tea Set on the reception coffee table was a gift from some of the highest-ranking individuals in Switzerland.

Yet, no one dared to scold the cat when it broke things.

Even the ferocious eagles at the manor wouldn’t dare act so brashly in front of Zhou Luchen. They wouldn’t even dare to appear fierce, let alone consider smashing his things; they were trained to be utterly submissive.

A mere cat, however, dared to beard the lion in its den.

Impressive, she thought. It must be Zhou Luchen’s beloved pet.

"The CEO’s cat is so cute."

Zhou Luchen’s response was a cold, "It’s not."

Secretary Song had never heard of this cat. As she looked at it, her gaze softened with tenderness. "Would you like me to take care of it for you personally?"

Zhou Luchen took a drag from his cigarette, a loose smile playing on his lips. "Your secretarial duties are demanding enough. I can’t offer you double pay."

Through the haze of smoke, his smile was faint—a clear rejection. Secretary Song wasn’t so dense as to miss the hint; knowing when to stop was a necessary grace for an adult.

"Such a beautiful pet. Are you planning to give it to Miss Joanna?"

He scoffed. "Joanna is afraid of cats."

Secretary Song skillfully organized her computer and contracts, smiling as she said, "Well, I’m not afraid."

"What is there for you to be afraid of?"

He rose, had Zhuang Ming pick up the kitten, and left the corporation, heading back to the manor.

The cat is in New York too. It seems he’s planning to settle here for a while, Secretary Song mused. Zhou Luchen knew perfectly well that the Old Chairman had sent her to his side to manage his flings. With her beauty, talent, and education, she felt superior to those other women. How could he not understand the Old Chairman’s strict oversight? Naturally, he had taken her on as his personal secretary.

Being around someone like Zhou Luchen was still incredibly stressful.

「These past few days.」

The kitten and the Haidongqing eagle lived together in the manor. It was expected that the weaker would be bullied by the stronger.

The eagle snatched the kitten by the scruff of its neck, intending to bully it. Initially, the kitten, disdainful of the eagle’s ferocity, wailed and struggled pitifully.

With just a look from Zhou Luchen, the eagle released the kitten and flew away from the balcony.

For this, the eagle was deprived of its meal of fresh meat.

Has it lost favor? Zhuang Ming wondered, glancing at the Haidongqing in the sky. Such a fierce creature, yet it had been bested by a tiny cat.

「 」

「One or two months later.」

Unable to find a suitable match for Xiaosi in Beijing, Old Master Shen was currently observing the situation.

He saw Shen Jing and Sun Qiyan growing closer. That Mr. Sun consistently sent roses to the Shenji Subsidiary on various holidays.

She didn’t refuse. They progressed from sharing meals to going on individual dates, and he would often see her home late at night.

She had become more cheerful. Time, it seemed, could fade many unpleasant memories.

That night, it was Sun Qiyan who took her home again.

From behind the window, Old Master Shen murmured, "Has he stopped managing his restaurant in Shanghai?"

"He’s managing it while also accompanying the Fourth Miss," Old Liang said, handing over a medicine jar. "The Fourth Miss has been much happier these past few days. After Madam Lin’s sudden passing, it was the young man from the Sun Family who supported her and helped manage everything."

That was the story, at least. But didn’t everyone know the truth? Of course, they did.

They also saw her gradually returning to her old self, working diligently.

She wasn’t as tall as Sun Qiyan; her head only reached his chin.

Zhou Luchen was one meter ninety tall, so Sun Qiyan must be about the same height.

"Aci, what do you think? How do you see it?"

Shen Ci drew the curtains and helped the old master back to bed to rest.

"I won’t interfere. As long as Fourth Sister likes him, that’s all that matters. We can’t make decisions for her. Besides, for fourteen years, all you’ve done is give her money. If you start interfering in her marriage now, wouldn’t that be overstepping your bounds?"

Old Master Shen looked down at his hands. "I agree, one shouldn’t overstep. In her heart, there’s still that man from the Zhou Family. If, with time, she can move on, it wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing."