Plunder-Chapter 307: Special Gift: Treasure

The sushi hadn’t reached Cheng Lu’s hands until the following evening.

He had been despondent for a day and a night, feeling as if the entire sky had darkened.

Before dinner, the prison guard called Cheng Lu out. He was suspicious, thinking Lin Youyou might have come.

But he could never have imagined that the guard handed him a plastic bag with a lunch box inside.

"Someone asked me to pass this on to you."

Cheng Lu excitedly tore open the plastic bag and opened the lunch box to find a box of sushi that had gone bad.

"When did she come? Did she leave any message?"

Seeing that box of sushi, Cheng Lu’s emotions began to surge once more.

The guard looked indifferent. "It was your supervisor who sent someone. He said not to overthink it."

Not to overthink?

What did that mean?

Cheng Lu was a straightforward man; he didn’t understand.

What was crucial was that this message was indeed likely to cause overthinking.

After saying that, the guard turned around and left. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Cheng Lu held the spoiled sushi, his brows furrowed into a frown.

Zhou Jin’an was a person of few words. He was straightforward in his speech and actions, especially with those close to him.

But why would he send such a message for no apparent reason?

And why had he sent someone else with the message instead of coming himself?

There must have been something more to it.

Cheng Lu couldn’t help but overthink.

However, no matter how hard he racked his brain, he couldn’t fathom Zhou Jin’an’s intention.

Not to overthink, not to think about what?

What was there that needed overthinking?

Could it be... something had happened to Lin Youyou?

The thought that it might have something to do with Lin Youyou left him even less calm.

Yesterday, she had missed their scheduled meeting, and he had been unable to sleep all night.

Now, receiving Zhou Jin’an’s hint, all sorts of bad thoughts gathered in his mind.

Was Lin Youyou planning to give up?

If she had clearly told him she wanted to give up, he would be heartbroken but could accept it.

But she hadn’t said anything, had she?

She hadn’t said anything, and yet Zhou Jin’an had made such a scene.

Cheng Lu’s heart became even more chaotic. He wished he had wings to fly out of this prison-like jail.

With less than a month left until his release, he began a life where each day felt like a year, every minute and every second passing half a beat slower than usual.

When despair accumulated to its peak, it would produce a reaction.

For example, turning into a kind of feverish conviction.

The thought of wanting to leave early became stronger than ever for Cheng Lu.

He began to actively seek good behavior, hoping to reduce his time in custody.

But such opportunities were always limited.

More than twenty days later, he finally welcomed the moment of freedom.

It came about a week earlier than anticipated.

When he walked out of the tightly closed doors, there was no one to greet him outside.

At that moment, Cheng Lu’s heart plummeted to rock bottom.

But he had no time to think further, he hailed a taxi, and went straight for the airport, hoping to rush to Singapore as soon as possible.

But just as he got his boarding pass, Zhou Jin’an appeared.

"Come, we’re going on a business trip."

He walked straight towards Cheng Lu, his face stern, devoid of any warmth.

Having not seen each other for nearly eight months, there was no pleasantries, only official business.

This was Zhou Jin’an’s style, something Cheng Lu was familiar with.

"Director Zhou, I have an urgent matter to attend to right now, I’m afraid I can’t accompany you on the business trip."

Having been at Zhou Jin’an’s side for a decade, Cheng Lu had never defied his orders.

But at that moment, he said no.

Zhou Jin’an stopped in his tracks and looked at Cheng Lu with surprised eyes. "Is it more urgent than the company’s business?"

Cheng Lu nodded seriously. "There’s a personal issue I’ve put off for eight months and must solve now."

Zhou Jin’an pondered for a moment, then a faint smile curved at the corner of his lips as he glanced over Cheng Lu with a deep look in his eyes.

"Fine, join up with me after you’ve handled it."

After speaking, he didn’t linger for a minute and disappeared from Cheng Lu’s sight again.

Just like that, as if they had never been apart for eight months.

Cheng Lu boarded the flight to Singapore as he had hoped, but the outcome disappointed him greatly.

Lin Youyou had left Singapore a month ago. She came and went alone, and no one knew where she had gone.

Cheng Lu had sent her messages, but she hadn’t replied.

The phone calls he made were never answered.

Logically, at the moment when a relationship ends, silence is the answer.

But Cheng Lu was not content. He wanted to hear Lin Youyou say it in person, "Let’s call it off."

He had set out full of excitement, only to return in dejection.

Cheng Lu flew back from Singapore again.

Before boarding the plane, he made a phone call to Zhou Jin’an.

"Director Zhou, I’m on my way to meet up with you now."

He was very dejected, but he masked his emotions remarkably well.

"Good."

Zhou Jin’an hung up and sent him a location.

It was Gu Yuan.

The flight from Singapore to Rong City, followed by the drive to Gu Yuan, took more than five hours in total.

Cheng Lu didn’t eat or drink; he just rushed over, travel-weary.

"Is this really okay? Cheng Lu will definitely be angry if he finds out," Qiao En said to Zhou Jin’an, holding the child and chiding him.

He leaned on the sofa, holding a book, looking quite content. "You don’t understand men; easy wins don’t get treasured. He needs to experience the fear of loss. Why should that kid get both the beauty and a pair of dragon and phoenix twins?"

His words were firm, and the tang of jealousy was particularly strong.

"That’s just sour grapes because you can’t have it."

Qiao En gave Zhou Jin’an a disdainful look.

It seemed that from the moment he got married, the aloof gloom that had shrouded him dissipated. Especially after becoming a father, he began to let down all his guards, acting like a childish boy.

"I have no desire for grapes; I merely want to give them a ’gift’ as a couple," Zhou Jin’an said.

The ’gift’ was indeed special. It was named Cherish.

Qiao En laughed, gently watching Zhou Jin’an while soothing the child.

"You just wait for Assistant Cheng to blow his top."

By the time the sun was about to set, Cheng Lu arrived.

In the courtyard where Qiao En lived, Cheng Lu saw Qiao En holding the child, standing in the afterglow of the sunset.

In that moment, he thought of Lin Youyou.

"Director Zhou, Young Madam," he greeted them respectfully.

Zhou Jin’an put on a show of pride, holding the child as he walked towards Cheng Lu, "Haven’t had a chance to show you my precious daughter, have I?"

"Nian’en, this is your Uncle Cheng Lu. Don’t mind his fierce looks; he can protect you," Zhou Jin’an continued on.

Cheng Lu felt somewhat awkward, unfamiliar with Zhou Jin’an’s cheesy behavior.

"Assistant Cheng, welcome back," Qiao En said to him, grinning.

Cheng Lu tried to force a smile, but his facial muscles were so tense that he couldn’t manage it.

"Don’t you want to hold my little princess?"

Zhou Jin’an’s eyebrows hardened, and Cheng Lu awkwardly opened his arms, carefully cradling the child into his embrace.

The child was deeply asleep, her long eyelashes resting on her rosy cheeks, exceedingly adorable.

"Director Zhou is very fortunate," Cheng Lu said sincerely.

He didn’t feel jealous, rather it was envy.

"Of course, didn’t you see who my wife is?" Zhou Jin’an bragged.

Cheng Lu stood there, his face filled with embarrassment.

The boss was forcing lovey-dovey displays on him, and although he couldn’t refuse, he had to force himself to swallow it down.

"Enough, Jin’an," Qiao En couldn’t watch anymore, trying to stop Zhou Jin’an.

The latter craftily winked at Qiao En and handed over the child, "Come for a run with me in a bit."

He walked briskly towards the inner room and quickly changed into sportswear.

"Do you want to change clothes?" Zhou Jin’an asked deliberately.

Cheng Lu shook his head.

He was usually dressed in formal suit and leather shoes.

But when Zhou Jin’an invited him for a run, he couldn’t refuse.

So there he was, running around the small town of Gu Yuan in his suit and leather shoes, completing three laps with Zhou Jin’an.

The more Zhou Jin’an ran, the more invigorated he became, but it was harsh on Cheng Lu.

Sweat soaked through his shirt, clinging to his body, while his leather shoes continuously rubbed against his skin, the pain burning through his flesh.

"Director Zhou, do you have any news about Lin Youyou?" Cheng Lu couldn’t help but ask during the run, seeking any information from Zhou Jin’an.

However, Zhou Jin’an pretended not to hear and didn’t answer his question.

Thus, Cheng Lu’s heart sank once again.

Zhou Jin’an picked up his pace, bursting ahead, and so did Cheng Lu, running hard. But their purposes were different.

Zhou Jin’an ran to keep his muscles active, while Cheng Lu ran purely to vent his frustration.

After completing the third lap, Zhou Jin’an laughed.

"Tired?"

Cheng Lu was panting, his hands on his knees, body bent forward as he gasped for breath.

"Tired, but not too tired."