Unexpected Trouble

"I heard you had lunch with Ming Lou today. What did you talk about?"

In the garden villa at night, Wang Manchun, thoroughly satisfied, lay languidly on the bed and nestled in Wang Yan's arms, yet the man they were discussing was someone else.

Wang Yan leaned against the headboard, smoking as he habitually toyed with her ample breasts. "He's the director of the Economic Department, and I'm the richest man on the Shanghai Bund. What do you think we could talk about? Nothing but business—asking me to put up some money and offering me a few conveniences in return. Oh, right, he also knew about your uncle making things difficult for Ming Jing before. He said a few words of thanks, and that was about it. We just made small talk over lunch."

"He didn't mention me?"

"He's your old flame, and I'm your current lover. I came from the streets, so I don't care, but he's a respectable intellectual. How could he possibly bring something that awkward out into the open? From the sound of it, you still can't let go of Ming Lou."

"Who knows..."

Wang Manchun let out a long breath. "What do you think of him? Is there something wrong with him?"

"He's well-read and knowledgeable. We got along well enough while talking, and we'll undoubtedly have dealings in the future. Maybe we'll become friends. As for whether there's anything wrong with him, that's your business. It has nothing to do with me."

"I'm asking for your opinion. I didn't say it had anything to do with you."

Wang Yan shook his head. "I don't know. I just met him. We had a decent conversation, but I don't know anything else about him. What opinion could I have?"

"You know he also serves as deputy