Chapter Ten: This Man Is Truly Stingy

Just from that shameless look in his eyes, Jiang Mengnan decided to abandon the idea of helping him.

A man like that wasn’t worth any sympathy!

Jiang Mengnan smiled brightly, feigning encouragement, “Keep it up, Emperor Lu.”

Lu Yu didn’t spare her a second glance, merely nodding slightly before turning away to continue his task.

One after another, Lu Yu managed to sell quite a few.

The gap to the target number was closing rapidly.

But the time left was running out.

As the countdown ended, Lu Yu ultimately succeeded in selling 22 books.

After the recording finished, Lu Yu changed out of his work clothes and left without lingering, exiting through the back door and getting into the chauffeur-driven car.

Caught off guard by the fleeting look of disappointment on Lu Yu’s face, Jiang Mengnan suddenly felt a pang of guilt.

Should she have helped him in the first place?

Even counting the three books Lu Yu originally intended to sell to her, it still wouldn’t have sufficed.

In truth, setting such a task was for show—to add a competitor to make the program more interesting.

Jiang Mengnan propped her chin on her hand, consoling herself with this thought.

Still, the encounter she expected at home later that evening was bound to be awkward.

With a long sigh, Jiang Mengnan slumped over the table, lost in thought.

“Mengnan, aren’t you leaving yet?” Shang Yunshu came downstairs, curious.

Recalling Lu Yu’s gaze, Jiang Mengnan irritably smoothed her hair. “In a little while.”

Shang Yunshu didn’t press further, waving goodbye. “I’m off then. Bye!”

Jiang Mengnan forced herself up to see her out of the bookstore. “Bye.”

Shang Yunshu was on the phone, her face glowing with happiness.

Jiang Mengnan guessed she must be flirting with her husband, Qi Yihuai.

Tsk, so sweet.

Just as she was musing over the couple’s lovey-dovey romance, Jiang Mengnan suddenly saw a truck careening wildly toward Shang Yunshu.

And Shang Yunshu was crouched down, tying her shoelaces.

About to be hit, Jiang Mengnan dashed out, shouting, “Yunshu, watch out!”

She had only taken a few steps when there came a loud bang. Jiang Mengnan quickened her pace.

She saw a phone lying on the ground beside her and glanced at Shang Yunshu’s Bentley, now smashed to pieces.

Her heart leapt into her throat, pounding wildly.

Fortunately, Shang Yunshu had only fallen and suffered minor abrasions.

Jiang Mengnan knelt, checking her injuries. “Yunshu, are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” Shang Yunshu shook her head and tried to stand, but a sharp pain in her ankle made her wince. “Ouch, it hurts…”

Jiang Mengnan quickly called an ambulance and then helped Shang Yunshu back into the shop.

Just then, Qin Jiu entered the bookstore.

Jiang Mengnan was surprised, “Why aren’t you leaving yet? He…”

Could it be that Lu Yu hadn’t left either?

Qin Jiu handed over Shang Yunshu’s phone, glanced toward the rest area, and whispered, “There are no other engagements today. The young master originally wanted to wait for you so you could go home together.”

Jiang Mengnan was stunned.

She hadn’t expected Lu Yu to wait for her.

And that too, despite her refusal to help.

Could it be that he was deliberately waiting to settle accounts after the fact?

She looked wary. “What does he want to wait for me for?”

Qin Jiu recalled Lu Yu’s awkward expression and couldn’t help but smile.

He replied honestly, “The young master is arranging personnel to be responsible for your transportation from now on.”

Hearing this, Jiang Mengnan suddenly felt embarrassed.

Lu Yu was making such arrangements because of her earlier sarcastic attitude.

“By the way, Miss Jiang, you’re not hurt, right?” Qin Jiu suddenly remembered the most important thing to confirm.

He discreetly observed Jiang Mengnan, who appeared unscathed.

She should be fine.

Jiang Mengnan waved her hand. “I’m fine. It’s Yunshu—she probably sprained her ankle.”

The ambulance arrived quickly. After bidding farewell to Qin Jiu, Jiang Mengnan accompanied Shang Yunshu into the vehicle.

At the hospital, Jiang Mengnan helped with the formalities. Before long, Qi Yihuai arrived.

Not wanting to intrude, Jiang Mengnan left discreetly.

As she walked away, she suddenly received a message from Lu Yu: “Which hospital?”

Jiang Mengnan blinked and replied, “?”

Lu Yu frowned. “Aren’t you at the hospital?”

“Yes. What’s up?”

Lu Yu rubbed his forehead.

Was Jiang Mengnan really that unwilling to think things through?

He shook his head and typed a detailed message: “Which hospital are you at? I’ll have the driver pick you up and take you home.”

Jiang Mengnan paused, reading Lu Yu’s message over and over.

Being so considerate?

There had to be something fishy.

She looked at Ma Yan walking ahead, then declined Lu Yu’s “kind offer”: “No need to trouble you. Qi Gou’s assistant will take me back.”

Putting away her phone, Jiang Mengnan quickened her pace to catch up with Ma Yan and got into Qi Yihuai’s luxury car.

After that, she ignored Lu Yu’s messages.

Half an hour later, Jiang Mengnan quietly returned to “Seaview No. 1.”

Passing through the foyer, she carried her slippers, tiptoeing through the living room, ready to head upstairs.

Unexpectedly, Lu Yu had been waiting for her a long time.

“Stop right there.” Seeing Jiang Mengnan sneak upstairs with her head down, Lu Yu called out.

Startled and guilty, Jiang Mengnan nearly stumbled.

“You scared me to death!” She steadied herself on the stairs, patting her chest, still shaken. “My little heart can’t take so many shocks today!”

Lu Yu approached, appraising her from head to toe.

“You’re not here because of me?”

His question was abrupt, and Jiang Mengnan looked bewildered.

Predicting her reaction, Lu Yu added, “That truck.”

Only then did Jiang Mengnan understand. She waved her hand. “Of course not. That truck was after Yunshu. Her car was smashed to pieces—it was obviously deliberate.”

But who would hold a grudge against Shang Yunshu?

She hadn’t had time to ponder earlier, but now the thought still sent chills down her spine.

Seeing she was uninjured, Lu Yu cleared his throat and got to the point: “Regarding our collaboration, I think it’s necessary to clarify the terms of the agreement.”

So it was time for settling scores.

Jiang Mengnan feigned exhaustion and yawned deliberately. “Can we discuss this tomorrow? I’m so tired.”

Without waiting for a response, she turned to leave.

But before she could reach the stairs, a pale arm blocked her path.

Her first thought was how fair his skin was—whiter than a woman’s.

Annoyed at herself for being such a sucker for looks, Jiang Mengnan watched as Lu Yu stood firm before her.

“The contract states that both parties can supplement or adjust the terms at any time.”

With his authoritative tone, she had no choice but to relent.

After all, Lu Yu still held the “thirty million” trump card.

Obediently, she returned to the living room with him and waited quietly for his next move.

Lu Yu looked at her. “You go first. Anything you want to add?”

Jiang Mengnan shook her head.

Who owed money had the right to negotiate terms?

After a long pause, Lu Yu finally spoke: “Regarding any requests for assistance made by Party A, Party B must cooperate fully.”

Clearly this was about her refusal to help earlier.

Jiang Mengnan nodded. “Fine, I’ll cooperate.”

This man was really petty.

Just as she was about to complain, Lu Yu continued, “Second point.”

Jiang Mengnan gasped, “There’s a second point?”