Chapter 26: The Newlywed Wife Coaxes Online

Jiang Mengnan was stunned as she stared at the screen. It was as if a bolt of lightning had struck her, carrying away her last shred of reason. Before she could even process it, her phone rang. Instinctively, she looked up, her gaze meeting Lu Yu’s, who was staring directly into the camera. His gentle eyes were like a whirlpool, drawing her in.

Jiang Mengnan hesitated, unsure whether to answer, when she heard Lu Yu say, "Baby, I haven't heard your voice all day. I miss you."

Her lips parted slightly as she looked at him in disbelief. Lu Yu was calling her "baby"?

Seeing she still didn't pick up, Lu Yu hinted, "Have you forgotten our agreement? Be a good girl."

An agreement? There was nothing in their agreement about answering phone calls! However, Jiang Mengnan was never one to challenge the authority of the "client." She patted her face, trying to remain calm. After repeatedly adjusting her emotions, she summoned her courage and pressed the answer button. "Hello?"

"Have you eaten yet?" Lu Yu’s pleasant voice came through the phone, soft and filled with a smile.

Jiang Mengnan bowed her head. "Yes."

"Baby?" Lu Yu’s tone suddenly became intimate. "Did you watch the live stream?"

Jiang Mengnan nodded. "Yes."

With a satisfied smile, Lu Yu continued, "Are you still angry at me?"

Jiang Mengnan looked up at Lu Yu on the screen. He was sunny and handsome, appearing almost unreal, like a male lead in a drama. She suddenly realized that all of this was just acting. Why should she take it seriously or act shy like a bashful little woman? It was just acting; she could do that too.

Putting aside her uncalled-for shyness and thinking of the one thousand autographed photos, Jiang Mengnan began to perform with gusto. "I'm not angry, it's just..." She paused deliberately, waiting for Lu Yu to pick up the cue.

Noticing the shift in her demeanor, Lu Yu followed her lead. "It's just what?"

Jiang Mengnan gave a soft laugh. "Can I say it on the live stream?"

Lu Yu replied with satisfaction, "Of course you can."

Jiang Mengnan feigned hesitation, sounding incredibly coy. Timing it perfectly, she lowered her voice to a whisper: "It's just that... I miss you."

The host heard this and felt goosebumps rise all over her body. She hadn't expected the "couple's banter" between these newlyweds to be this sweet. She was practically overwhelmed by the sugariness of it. Jiang Mengnan’s flirtatious tone was sweet and charming, her laughter heart-melting—it was a genuine, heartfelt longing that was truly captivating.

Lu Yu paused for a second, lowering his eyes with a faint smile. "I'll be back to keep you company in a little while."

After hanging up, the smile remained on Lu Yu’s lips; he looked every bit the happy, newly married man. Online, fans scrambled to take screenshots, noting that in all these years, they had never seen Lu Yu smile like that. It was the smile of someone immersed in a honey pot, one that could make anyone swoon.

"Actor Lu looks so happy."
"Yes, his little wife has such a sweet voice."
"Tsk tsk, no wonder Actor Lu was so distracted after hanging up. With a sweetheart like that waiting at home, who wouldn't be eager to return?"
"I'm so envious, and even more curious about what his little wife looks like."
"I hope Actor Lu shares some wedding photos."

The rumors about Lu Yu’s forced marriage and their poor relationship vanished into thin air, replaced by new trending topics like "What does Actor Lu's little wife look like?" and "Newlywed wife flirts on air, Actor Lu turns into a doting husband."

After hanging up, Jiang Mengnan touched her burning cheeks and took deep breaths, trying to steady her racing heart. Clutching her chest, she felt the chaotic thumping and felt lucky that their interaction had been over the phone. Otherwise, she surely would have been rushed to the hospital for tachycardia. Masking her distress, she picked up her soup bowl and took a large gulp.

Once the topic of Lu Yu’s love life concluded, the live stream ended. Within a minute, a message from Lu Yu popped up. Jiang Mengnan opened her phone: "Good acting, Best Actress Jiang."

Staring at the message for a long time, she finally calmed down and replied: "It's all thanks to the guidance of Best Actor Lu. Don't forget those signed photos!"

Lu Yu replied: "That goes without saying. I'll sign them when I get back tonight."

Jiang Mengnan was surprised: "You're coming back tonight?"

Lu Yu: "Yes, I have to record a program at the bookstore tomorrow, so I need to get back early."

Jiang Mengnan suddenly understood; tomorrow's recording was crucial. If Lu Yu successfully completed the task, he would advance to the next round and move on to a new workplace. She didn't forget to encourage him: "Good luck, I'm sure you'll advance tomorrow."

Unexpectedly, Lu Yu seemed a bit uneasy: "What if I never manage to complete the tasks?"

Jiang Mengnan put down her bowl and thought seriously. "Nothing much. It’s just that the audience will think you're stupid."

After that, Lu Yu sent no more messages.

Jiang Mengnan assumed he was busy and didn't give it another thought. Feeling relaxed, she continued to enjoy her delicious meal. After dinner, she followed Qin Jiu’s earlier instructions and went to her room to rest. Her room was still on the right side of the second floor, but it was three times the size of the one at "Seaview One." The double-door suite included a parlor, and beyond that was another grand door leading to the bedroom itself. The layout stunned her.

At first, she had sympathized with Lu Yu’s lack of freedom, but looking at this outrageously luxurious villa, she thought that sacrificing a little freedom wasn't such a bad trade-off. While admiring the room, she couldn't help but collapse onto the comfortable bed, rolling around. Exhausted, she lay spread-eagled, staring blankly at the ambient lighting on the ceiling.

Ever since her family went bankrupt, she had never dreamed of living in a decent place again, let alone a super-luxury detached villa. Thanks to Lu Yu, she now had a place to stay and no longer had to live in constant fear. Thinking of Lu Yu’s kindness, she remembered she still had a five-hundred-word review to write. Since he said he was coming back tonight, she had to be prepared.

Checking the time, she hurriedly got up, opened the wardrobe, picked out a pair of pajamas, and rushed into the bathroom, all the while humming praises for Lu Yu.

As for Lu Yu, it was late at night when he returned to the Rose Garden. He couldn't say why, but on a whim, he had checked out of his hotel in Xicheng and made the long journey back. Contemplating why he was acting so erratically, the memory of Jiang Mengnan’s sweet "I miss you" echoed in his ears again.

Lu Yu shook his head, telling himself, "It's just acting, don't think about it."

Massaging his temples, he stepped into the villa. Seeing the lights on the first floor, he walked around, but couldn't find any sign of Jiang Mengnan. Checking the time, he guessed she must be asleep. Lu Yu pursed his lips, feeling an inexplicable bitterness. With a soft sigh, he turned off the lights and slowly headed upstairs to his room.

To his surprise, as soon as he opened the door, he caught the scent of jasmine—it was the fragrance of Jiang Mengnan. Passing through the parlor, Lu Yu continued inward. The scent of jasmine grew stronger. With a hint of anticipation, his pace quickened.