Chapter 112: A Place of One's Own Three Hundred Diamonds for the Second Update

Many people had changed their opinions about Lu Fengzhou, but Qiao Jiu was unclear about the details and didn’t care much. What mattered more to her was whether those who provoked her had paid the price.

Reputation was something that could be important or not, but for Lu Fengzhou, good or bad, it made no difference whatsoever.

Without responding to Huo Ting, Qiao Jiu quickly entered the company. Liang Xiucheng and Liang Xiujin hadn’t arrived yet, so she clocked in and returned to her office. No sooner had she sat down than her phone rang—it was Guan Wei calling.

Qiao Jiu answered, switched to speakerphone, placed the phone on the desk, and began organizing the documents in front of her.

Then she heard Guan Wei’s slightly excited voice: “Qiao Jiu, Qiao Jiu, go check the entertainment gossip news, quickly!”

Instantly recalling the phone call Lu Fengzhou had received that morning, she asked, “What trouble has Song Wan stirred up this time?”

“It’s not Song Wan,” Guan Wei said with a barely concealed laugh. “It’s you this time.”

Qiao Jiu was stunned but didn’t ask further. She hung up and hurried to search online.

A casual glance revealed the news immediately. Thanks to Lu Fengzhou, she had now secured a spot in the entertainment world. But on closer inspection, it was still closely tied to Song Wan.

Lu Fengzhou had once been Song Wan’s patron. When Song Wan suddenly announced her temporary retreat from the industry, the gossip paparazzi naturally dug deeper, focusing on Lu Fengzhou and following him closely.

Some time ago, Qiao Jiu had been photographed staying overnight at Lu Fengzhou’s residence due to an incident involving Zhao Shuo.

The paparazzi had been remarkably skilled—the photos were clear and unmistakable. Lu Fengzhou was seen parking in the underground garage and carrying her out of the car, wrapped in his coat.

Her hair was disheveled, and she was curled up, looking fragile and pitiful.

Without any explanation, anyone would jump to conclusions, imagining some sordid affair had taken place in the car.

The accompanying text in the news was wildly imaginative, claiming Song Wan’s retreat was because Lu Fengzhou had replaced her with someone else and no longer intended to support her.

Song Wan’s reputation had never been good, and without acting skills or a patron, she could hardly survive in the entertainment industry.

Added to that, she had just suffered a heartbreak and was temporarily unstable.

Qiao Jiu scoffed softly and put down her phone.

Song Wan had gone mad early this morning; perhaps it was because she had seen this report.

Qiao Jiu wondered if Lu Fengzhou had seen such news. If the paparazzi had done their homework properly and checked the history between her and Lu Fengzhou, they wouldn’t have fabricated so many stories.

She paid it no mind and continued with her work when office hours resumed.

Not long after, the door to her office opened. Standing there was Liang Xiucheng.

His expression was hesitant, but Qiao Jiu saw right through it. “You’ve seen the gossip news?” she asked directly.

Hearing this, Liang Xiucheng stepped in and closed the door behind him. “Have you seen it?”

Qiao Jiu nodded. “Those people are quite the storytellers. If I weren’t involved, I might have believed it.”

Liang Xiucheng exhaled slowly. “Is this about the day Zhao Shuo showed up at your place?”

Qiao Jiu nodded again. “I was so scared at the time, I didn’t realize getting out of the car would get photographed. Will this affect the company?”

“How could it affect the company?” Liang Xiucheng replied. “I’m only worried about you. Our company does legitimate business and has nothing to do with the entertainment industry.”

That reassured Qiao Jiu. “I’m fine. I’m not part of that world, so those rumors won’t affect me.”

Liang Xiucheng hesitated, then said, “You and Lu Fengzhou…”

Qiao Jiu raised her eyes to look at him. “What?”

“Nothing,” Liang Xiucheng stopped himself. “No particular reason. You go on with your work.”

Qiao Jiu nodded without adding anything.

Liang Xiucheng turned to leave but glanced back at her as he closed the door. Qiao Jiu’s expression was indifferent, as if the gossip didn’t concern her at all.

…

Lu Fengzhou was driving when his phone vibrated again. He glanced at it but didn’t answer, muting it.

The meeting lasted another twenty minutes before finally ending. He returned to his office and picked up his phone.

Besides the earlier missed calls, there was one from Mu Yun.

He couldn’t ignore this call and dialed back immediately.

Mu Yun answered quickly, her voice carrying a hint of weariness. “Azou.”

Lu Fengzhou replied with a hum. “I was in a meeting. How’s the situation over there?”

Mu Yun said, “Nothing major happened, but Xiao Wan isn’t in a good state.”

Lu Fengzhou hesitated. “She’s like this…”

Before he could finish, Mu Yun interrupted, “She suddenly lost control today. I was a bit frightened myself. That’s why I called you this morning. Honestly, this isn’t something you should be involved in.”

She sighed and added, “Don’t feel burdened. I’m calling just to update you on the situation, not to make you responsible for what she’s done.”

Lu Fengzhou hesitated for a moment, then said, “Teacher Mu, I’m very sorry.”

“What’s there to apologize for?” Mu Yun chuckled. “It’s never been your fault. Xiao Wan is just too stubborn. If anyone should be blamed, it’s us as parents for not raising her properly.”

Lu Fengzhou took a deep breath and said nothing.

After a pause, Mu Yun changed the subject. “Azou, have you and Miss Qiao… reconciled?”

Leaning back in his chair, Lu Fengzhou narrowed his eyes, hesitant to answer. “Sort of.”

That night, fueled by alcohol and impulse, he had proposed getting back together, genuinely hoping to put the past behind them and live well in the future.

Qiao Jiu hadn’t agreed but didn’t completely reject the idea either.

Her reaction was expected and acceptable to Lu Fengzhou.

Mu Yun sighed. “If you two can get back together, that would be good. Maybe it’s easy for me to say as a bystander, but Azou, the older generation is gone. Don’t be so stubborn; don’t let misfortune affect your children.”

“I understand,” Lu Fengzhou replied.

After chatting a bit more, mainly about Song Wan’s situation, which was now under control and unlikely to escalate, the call ended.

Lu Fengzhou placed his phone on the desk, the gloom between his brows lingering.

He pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled deeply.

He had been out of sorts all morning, but luckily, as the boss, no one could hold him accountable for slacking off.

Dragging through the morning until lunch break, Lu Fengzhou hesitated, then pulled out his phone and called Qiao Jiu.

After a long pause, she answered calmly, “Mr. Lu, what’s up?”

Lu Fengzhou paused, then couldn’t help but chuckle. “Mr. Lu?”

He teased nonchalantly, “The Mr. Lu who warms your bed?”

Qiao Jiu was clearly taken aback and flustered. “Stop talking nonsense.”

Lu Fengzhou still laughed. “Alright, I’m asking if you have time for lunch.”

Qiao Jiu scoffed. “You still dare to ask me out? Are you trying to give the paparazzi more material?”