He Lost Control with Jealousy — What Happened to Being Untouchable? - Chapter 18

“Alright, I still have things to handle here. Stay calm and don’t panic. I’m already making preparations and will be back soon.”

After hanging up the phone, Song Zixi stared at her furious reflection in the mirror, taking several deep breaths to steady her emotions.

Her sister was right, how could someone like Lu Tingzhou truly take a liking to Sang Wan? It must be that Sang Wan had used some underhanded method!

She touched up her makeup, reassumed a pitiful expression, and stepped out of the restroom.

The banquet was still in full swing, with glasses clinking and the atmosphere lively.

Sang Wan had become the center of attention, showered with flattery, but she handled it gracefully, neither submissive nor overbearing. Her soft, delicate voice carried an undercurrent of resilience.

Lu Tingzhou remained as aloof and indifferent as ever, exuding an icy aura that kept others at a distance.

Sang Wan glanced at the man seated at the head of the table and thought to herself: If you’re not even going to bother putting on a friendly face, why come at all?

But given their professional relationship, he was, after all, the financier, she maintained polite small talk with the film crew and avoided engaging with Lu Tingzhou directly.

Luo Zheng silently observed the two of them, sensing something odd. They clearly knew each other, yet they acted like strangers.

Unfathomable.

“Tingzhou, how’s your older brother doing lately? Any news from him?”

Mentioning his old classmate, Luo Zheng couldn’t help but sigh.

“He’s fine.”

The reply was terse, offering no room for further conversation.

Luo Zheng chuckled awkwardly. “His personality… suits him well.”

He glanced at Sang Wan and gave her a meaningful look. She noticed but couldn’t ignore it, after all, she had just climbed into the good graces of a director of this caliber. Maintaining appearances was necessary.

Picking up her wine glass, she turned toward Lu Tingzhou, her lips curving into a bright but understated smile.

“President Lu,” Sang Wan said softly, “I’d like to propose a toast to you. Thank you for your support of Storm Rising.”

Lu Tingzhou lifted his gaze, his deep eyes settling on her delicate face. He didn’t immediately accept the glass.

If not for Luo Zheng’s prompting, she probably wouldn’t have spoken to me at all.

Just as Song Zixi re-entered the room and saw Sang Wan offering the toast, the corner of her lips curled slightly.

As she pulled out her chair to sit down, her hip bumped, quite conveniently, into Sang Wan’s arm.

Caught off guard, Sang Wan’s wrist trembled, and the wine in her glass spilled directly onto Lu Tingzhou’s dark suit trousers, right at the thigh.

In an instant, the air seemed to freeze.

All eyes turned to Lu Tingzhou’s already frosty expression.

“I-I’m so sorry, President Lu! It wasn’t intentional!” Sang Wan hurriedly apologized.

With so many people watching, and given that they’d all be working together, this was far from ideal.

Bai Wei was also startled. Since their arrival, this man hadn’t smiled once, and even his words carried a chill.

The financier, not someone you want to offend.

Of course, she had also seen Song Zixi bump into Sang Wan. Others might not have noticed, but she had a clear view.

Sang Wan grabbed a napkin from the table and, without thinking, leaned over to wipe Lu Tingzhou’s trousers.

Her dress had a low neckline, and as she bent forward, the smooth, snow-white skin of her chest became faintly visible with her movements. The alluring curve shimmered under the light, almost dazzling.

A faint scent of gardenia, mingled with the rich aroma of red wine, drifted into Lu Tingzhou’s senses.

His breath hitched involuntarily as he was treated to an exclusive visual feast.

Full. Rounded.

Radiantly pale.

The delicate butterfly bones and graceful curves of her slender back were enough to stir endless fantasies.

Her slender fingers pinched a tissue, carefully dabbing at his thigh.

Through the thin fabric, each stroke carried a faint electric current, making him involuntarily tense up.

Even Bai Wei, the agent sitting not far away, broke into a cold sweat for Sang Wan.

Oh my dear, she splashed wine on the big shot right off the bat and even dared to wipe it off with her bare hands?

This man was notoriously indifferent to women. The role she had just landed hadn’t even warmed up yet, she better not lose it just like that.

Luo Zheng also sucked in a breath. He knew Lu Tingzhou well. As the youngest in his family, he had been marginalized everywhere before. Without his iron-fisted methods, he wouldn’t have reached his current position.

But remembering that Sang Wan was recommended by Lu Tingzhou himself, Luo Zheng secretly relaxed. There was something unspoken between these two.

Under normal circumstances, any actress would be humble and eager to chat up an investor, but Sang Wan wasn’t like that.

Luo Zheng took a sip of wine, settling in to enjoy the show.

Meanwhile, the instigator, Song Zixi, sat to the side, a glint of triumph flashing in her eyes.

She had wanted nothing more than to see Sang Wan humiliated.

The wine stain had spread wide, seeping into the texture of his trousers.

Bowing her head, Sang Wan tried her best to wipe away the unsightly mark. Her long lashes fluttered like tiny fans.

The crisp, refreshing scent of cedar from the man mingled with the faint gardenia fragrance from her, creating an oddly ambiguous atmosphere that lingered between them.

Lu Tingzhou watched the mischievous little hand on his thigh and the occasional glimpses of her décolletage, his Adam’s apple bobbing unconsciously.

His deep, unfathomable eyes churned with unreadable emotions.

Taking a sip of wine, Lu Tingzhou felt the heat burn his throat.

Sensing his discomfort, Sang Wan lightened her touch on his thigh, teasing him deliberately.

“Mr. Lu, is this alright?”

Her voice was soft and sweet, laced with a hint of flattery.

To outsiders, it sounded like nervousness, fear of offending the big shot.

Only Lu Tingzhou knew this little minx was tormenting him. Her hand had long strayed from wiping the stain.

Instead, she lightly scratched his thigh, the faint touch sending a tantalizing itch through him.

Lu Tingzhou gritted his teeth imperceptibly and pressed down on her hand.

“That’s enough.”

Sang Wan rose slowly, casually brushing the hair from her chest, every movement natural yet subtly tightening Lu Tingzhou’s restraint.

She smirked inwardly. Lu Tingzhou wasn’t the woman-repelling machine the rumors claimed. At the very least, he had the reactions of a normal man.

“Mr. Lu, your self-control isn’t up to par.”

“Miss Sang, mind your image. Don’t degrade yourself.”

Lu Tingzhou’s deep gaze locked onto her. Sang Wan withdrew her hand and lifted her eyelids slightly.

She didn’t dare provoke him further in this setting. If she pushed too far, she’d only hurt herself.

Her mischievous intent vanished instantly.

Though this man had snubbed her before, he had at least helped her once.

Sang Wan poured another glass of wine, offering it with humble respect as an apology.

Song Zixi, who hadn’t gotten the spectacle she wanted, felt even more frustrated.

Her sister had told her that any woman who tried to get close to Lu Tingzhou was mercilessly driven away, no one could even get near him.

The fact that he allowed Sang Wan to sit beside him already puzzled Song Zixi. Now, beyond confusion, she felt a growing unease.

Is Sang Wan really backed by Lu Tingzhou? What about my sister then?

Throughout the meal, Sang Wan drank quite a bit. As the newcomer at the table with the least seniority, it was inevitable that she had to toast everyone.

By the time the dinner ended, she barely managed to stand up to see the guests off when her legs suddenly gave way, and she collapsed right onto Lu Tingzhou, who had just risen to leave.

“Drunk?”

The man’s cool voice brushed against the side of Sang Wan’s face, crisp and refreshing, oddly comforting.

Song Zixi: “…”

Just those a simple words convinced her that Lu Tingzhou’s attitude toward Sang Wan was anything but normal.

She had approached Lu Tingzhou privately before, but he always acted aloof, as if he couldn’t be bothered with outsiders. Even with her sister around, he showed no particular emotion.

Though his tone just now carried seventy percent indifference, those familiar with him could detect the thirty percent concern hidden beneath.

“My apologies, President Lu. I lost my footing.”

Sang Wan steadied herself and bid farewell to everyone. Soon, only Song Zixi remained.

“Sang Wan, did you latch onto President Lu?”

Song Zixi cut straight to the point. In their circle, such things were hardly a secret.

“Not familiar.”

With those two words, Sang Wan left with Bai Wei in tow.

…

In the car.

Sang Wan leaned against the window, nursing her headache.

“Sister Wan, I’ve searched all over the city these past few days, but there’s no trace of the old man.”

Sang Wan’s eyes narrowed slightly, her headache worsening.

Why had Xu Shiming been so quiet these past two days? With the end of the month approaching, shouldn’t he be frantic?

Was he really not afraid she’d take him to court?

A faint unease settled in her gut, though she was also grateful for the brief respite it afforded her.

“Send someone to check Lin Lan’s hometown. It’s not far from the suburbs.”

Bai Wei noticed her half-lidded gaze and brought up the night’s events.

“Wanwan, do you have some history with President Lu? It feels like he’s been pretty dismissive of you both times you’ve met.”

Before Sang Wan could respond, Qi Qi blurted out, “Sister Wan told me to crash into President Lu’s car.”

“What? Why?”

Bai Wei was baffled.

“Thought he was good-looking and wanted to strike up a conversation. Turns out he’s a tough nut to crack. Don’t even mention it, biggest failure this year.”

Bai Wei and Qi Qi exchanged glances in the rearview mirror, both momentarily stunned.

Sang Wan, who had never shown interest in men and even refused to be paired in rumors, had actually tried to hit on one.

Then again, Lu Tingzhou wasn’t a bad choice.

He and Sang Wan, quite the match.

One, mischievous and radiant.

The other, coldly distant and nobly refined.

“Sister Wan, don’t lose heart. If even you can’t crack him, then President Lu either doesn’t like women, or there’s no other explanation.”

“There’s not much about him online. Could he already have a family abroad?”

Bai Wei worried. Her precious star had finally found someone she fancied, was this destined to end before it even began?

“Probably not, right?”

Su Mo had looked into it for her, and the information from Shen Yubai couldn’t be wrong.

Besides, Shen Yubai had even encouraged her to pursue Lu Tingzhou. If Lu Tingzhou really had a family, then Shen Yubai’s character was truly despicable.

Though Sang Wan had approached him with an agenda, if he hadn’t caught her eye, she wouldn’t have gone to such lengths.

There were plenty of men who could cough up 300 million, many of whom wanted to marry her.

Bai Wei’s concern deepened. “Wanwan, President Lu’s qualifications are impressive, but in families like his, marriage is often just a tool. Don’t throw yourself in headfirst and end up hurt. Besides, your career is on the rise right now. Even if you do dabble in romance, tread carefully.”

Sang Wan smiled bitterly, “I already said I can’t handle it. That day will never come.”

The car glided smoothly through the night, completely unaware of the black Maybach following at a steady distance behind.

…

At the Sang residence.

“Mom, Dad, what should I do? Sang Wan was openly flirting with Jinxuan right in front of me. What should I do?”

Lin Lan was also furious. “Lao Xu, this can’t go on. Jinxuan already doesn’t pay much attention to Yueyue. If Sang Wan keeps meddling like this, all our previous plans will be for nothing.”

“What’s the rush? Sun Meixi would never let Sang Wan into their family. You know that.”

Xu Shiming played Lego with his son. Having had a child late in life, he doted on Xu Zichuan as if he were the apple of his eye.

“What I’m curious about is whether Wang Sheng has run into some trouble lately. The final payment for the first phase still hasn’t come through.” Xu Shiming chuckled smugly. “If that’s the case, we won’t be so passive anymore. After all, he’s the one who breached the contract first. Our bet was on the second-phase project funds. If he can’t come up with the money, the bet is naturally void, and he won’t be thinking about marrying Sang Wan anymore.”