He Lost Control with Jealousy — What Happened to Being Untouchable? - Chapter 20

This company’s products had always been renowned for their high quality and innovation, and their selection of brand ambassadors was extremely rigorous. Landing an endorsement deal with them would significantly elevate an artist’s image and commercial value.

“An endorsement opportunity of this caliber can’t be missed,” Sang Wan decided immediately. “Finalize the time and place with them, I’m available anytime.”

“Got it!”

As a result, the dinner meeting was scheduled for that very evening.

The deputy general manager of Lanqin Technology attended in person, a refined gentleman in his forties, surnamed Li.

When Deputy Manager Li saw Sang Wan, his expression lit up with admiration. “Miss Sang, you’re even more beautiful and spirited in person than on screen.”

Sang Wan smiled modestly. “You flatter me, Manager Li.”

After a few pleasantries, Deputy Manager Li got straight to the point. “Miss Sang, to be frank, Lanqin has always been meticulous in selecting our ambassadors. The marketing team chose you because your image, gentle yet unyielding, aligns perfectly with the philosophy of our new product.”

“Thank you for your recognition, Manager Li. I’ve always admired your company’s products and fully endorse your commitment to excellence.”

Sang Wan handled the conversation with ease.

Bai Wei added with a smile, “Manager Li, you may not know this, but Sang Wan is very sincere. She spent the entire afternoon experiencing your products at one of your flagship stores today.”

“Then it seems both sides are earnest in this collaboration. Rest assured, Miss Sang, our product will undoubtedly enhance your reputation.”

He paused, then casually shifted the topic. “Speaking of which, it’s quite a coincidence, I saw your father at our company the other day. He’s also interested in collaborating with us.”

Sang Wan’s heart skipped a beat.

This wasn’t the first time she’d heard about Xu Shiming’s desire to partner with Lanqin on a chip project.

Back when he was pressuring her to marry Director Wang, Xu Shiming had repeatedly emphasized that securing this project would allow him to fully focus on high-tech ventures, specifically, co-developing chips with a company like Lanqin.

“That does sound like quite the coincidence,” she replied smoothly, maintaining a light smile. “I’m not very involved in the family business, but Lanqin’s chip technology is industry-leading. I imagine many companies would jump at the chance to collaborate.”

Deputy Manager Li’s expression turned regretful. “Naturally. Our company has high standards for partners, we scrutinize funding, management, and reputation. At the moment, we’re still evaluating.”

From the sound of it, Xu Shiming didn’t stand a chance.

Sang Wan’s mind raced.

If she could help Xu Shiming secure this deal, could she use it as leverage to get her grandfather back?

After all, if things escalated to a legal battle, she’d be humiliated too.

With this thought, her gaze hardened with resolve.

“Manager Li, I have an idea, I’m not sure if it’s appropriate to bring up.”

Manager Li smiled meaningfully. “Please speak freely, Miss Sang. Since we’re discussing collaboration, honesty is key.”

Bai Wei, unaware of what Sang Wan was about to say, shot her a warning glance. The terms were excellent, and the endorsement fee was generous, she’d better not ruin this.

Sang Wan glanced at her from the corner of her eye, her lips curving into a smile. “President Li, although Sang Corporation may not match Lanqin Tech in strength and isn’t at the top of the industry, I’d still like to make an effort. How about this, for my collaboration with your company, you can set the contract duration. During the contract period, I won’t charge any endorsement fees as a gesture of our sincerity. If the opportunity arises, I’d appreciate it if you could put in a good word for Sang Corporation.”

Exchanging endorsement fees for a chance to collaborate with Xu Shiming’s company and Lanqin?

This would be her grand gift to Xu Shiming.

If not for her grandfather, Sang Wan would never have agreed to this in a hundred years.

A flicker of amusement passed through Manager Li’s eyes as she nodded. “Miss Sang, your filial piety is admirable, and your sincerity is indeed compelling. I’ll need to consider this.”

Sang Wan nodded. “Of course, feel free to notify me once you’ve made your decision.”

She wasn’t worried that Lanqin would take advantage of the situation to extort her, they would surely deliberate carefully over the contract duration.

Bai Wei was somewhat concerned. If such a great opportunity was rejected, wouldn’t Sang Wan miss out?

On the way back, Bai Wei couldn’t help but chide her. “If Lanqin Tech turns us down, we’ll have wasted this chance for nothing. Manager Li clearly favored you, couldn’t you see that? And now you’re sabotaging your own future by bringing your father’s deal into this.”

Sang Wan chuckled. “It’s just an endorsement. If I lose it, so be it. But if I can facilitate a collaboration between Sang Corporation and Lanqin, I can use it to pressure Xu Shiming into releasing my grandfather.”

Bai Wei frowned. Though she felt it was a pity, she had no grounds to argue once Sang Wan mentioned her grandfather.

The old man was Sang Wan’s closest family, perhaps the only one left in her heart.

“Don’t worry too much, Sister Wan. Grandpa will be fine. I’ve already consulted a lawyer about this.”

“Let’s avoid involving the police unless absolutely necessary. A public legal battle between father and daughter would only fuel gossip. You’ve worked hard to get where you are, don’t throw it all away now.”

Bai Wei paused before adding, “Your contract with the company has six months left. We’ve almost finished setting up the studio, so we need to stay steady during this time. You know the company relies on you for profits, they won’t let you leave easily and will push for a renewal.”

Sang Wan had already considered Bai Wei’s words. She had no family left, she couldn’t afford to lose her career because of Xu Shiming’s cruelty.

He wouldn’t dare harm her grandfather, he wouldn’t escape the consequences if he did.

Lu Tingzhou gazed at the dark windows of the apartment across the way, his worry growing. It was so late, and she still wasn’t back. Had she gone drinking again?

Song Ze had mentioned that although her insomnia had improved, she still often relied on alcohol to sleep.

Guilt and heartache threatened to consume him.

Lu Tingzhou lit a cigarette. He didn’t turn on the lights, or rather, he never dared to, afraid Sang Wan might discover his presence.

Only when the lights across the way finally flickered on did his anxious heart settle.

Seeing that slender figure, the corners of his lips lifted slightly.

Though she still struggled with sleepless nights, she was doing much better now: radiant, smiling, even playful at times.

That was enough.

Sang Wan sat on the balcony, mentally preparing for the upcoming script reading of Storm Rising. Anticipation and melancholy swirled within her.

Once filming began, her time would no longer be her own. She needed to find her grandfather as soon as possible to put her mind at ease.

Wang Sheng was already overwhelmed, would he still be able to fulfill the second-phase investment of 300 million? If not, did that mean her crisis was over?

At this thought, Sang Wan couldn’t help but think of Lu Tingzhou. Was what he did a coincidence, or was he helping her?

After all, at Wang Sheng’s birthday banquet, he had indeed helped her.

Out of habit, she glanced across the street, sure enough, that man was there again.

He wasn’t looking at her, his back appearing lonely and weathered.

Sang Wan mused that this man must have his own story. Life was about enduring trials; nothing ever went entirely smoothly.

She wondered if Lu Tingzhou had any troubles. That man seemed indifferent to worldly desires, he probably didn’t have any worries.

Even if he did, it was likely just fretting over not being able to take his money with him when he died.

That night, Sang Wan dreamed again, once more of the man walking toward her in the light.

…

Weekend.

“Going shopping with you is no fun at all, it feels like we’re sneaking around.”

At Su Mo’s complaint, Sang Wan pursed her lips into a smile.

“I’ll treat you tonight.”

Su Mo gave her a once-over. “How exactly are you going to treat me? If you don’t have the skills, don’t make promises…”

Sang Wan frowned. “Why is your mind always in the gutter?”

“Ugh, what can I do? My mom keeps nagging me about marriage. I’m only twenty-six, and she acts like I’m already doomed to be single forever.”

“You don’t know how lucky you are. Your parents dote on you, and yet you complain.”

Sang Wan wanted to say she envied her.

Su Mo’s parents were both teachers. Their family wasn’t wealthy, but it was warm and loving, she had grown up cherished in the palms of their hands.

“It’s just that the nagging is driving me crazy. If marriage were so great, would I need to be pushed into it? If money fell on the ground, wouldn’t I pick it up?”

Sang Wan chuckled. “Find yourself a boyfriend first, or else all those dirty thoughts in your head will never come true.”

Su Mo raised an eyebrow. “Tell me about your little crush on Lu Tingzhou. Any progress?”

At the mention of him, Sang Wan sighed. She hadn’t seen him in two or three days.

It wasn’t that Su Mo hadn’t passed along messages, she just felt it wasn’t necessary anymore.

“A crush based on looks never lasts. The novelty has worn off.”

Su Mo looked puzzled. “I’ve been swamped for a few days, how did things cool off so fast?”

“Wait, no… not that you cooled off, but how did you lose interest in him? Not going to reel him in anymore? Don’t want to become in-laws with Lin Lan?”

“The difficulty level is too high. Can’t even cast the hook.”

Su Mo clicked her tongue and nodded in agreement.

The two of them shopped until they were tired and eventually headed back to Sang Wan’s place.

“Ugh, I’ll probably never get to live in a place this nice in my lifetime. While you’re here, I’m going to crash here as much as I can.”

“You can come even when I’m not here.”

Su Mo shook her head. “It’s too far from my workplace. Not convenient for commuting, I’d rather sleep an extra half hour.”

“You go unpack the packages. I’ll prepare some food. We’ll have hot pot on the balcony tonight.”

Brands had sent her a lot of things, but Sang Wan hadn’t had time to open them, they were all piled up in the storage room.

Su Mo, however, loved this task. Anything she fancied, she’d unpack and take with her.

Such were the perks of having a celebrity friend.

With a smirk, she said, “Now this is the kind of treat I like.”

By the time they settled on the balcony to eat, the sky had darkened completely.

Between bites, Su Mo sighed contentedly. “So comfortable and relaxing. Being rich really is nice.”

Sang Wan smiled. “Do you think everyone who lives here is carefree and living their best life?”

“Of course! This apartment of yours is worth over thirty million. Most people couldn’t earn that in a lifetime.”

“Then take a look at the balcony across the way later. There’s a man who stands there every day, smoking in silence. He looks kind of pitiful,” Sang Wan said, chewing on a slice of lotus root.

Hearing this, Su Mo turned to look across the way. “There’s no one there?”

“Probably hasn’t come back yet.”

Lu Tingzhou indeed hadn’t returned yet. He had just finished dinner with the CEO of Lanqin and was on his way back.

“President Lu, the collaboration with the Sang Group has already been assigned for negotiation, under Young Master Lu’s name.”

Sun Meixi wanted Lu Jinxuan to marry Xu Mingyue, so using his name was the most fitting choice.

“Good. The contract will be signed next Monday. We can’t delay Lanqin’s side any longer either.”

Lin Hao glanced at Lu Tingzhou through the rearview mirror. Helping Sang Wan in such a roundabout way, yet rejecting her so decisively, what was the point?

Of course, he didn’t dare voice this question aloud.

When Lu Tingzhou arrived home, he didn’t turn on the lights, heading straight to the balcony as usual and lighting a cigarette.

Seeing the two people sitting across from him on the opposite balcony, eating together, the corners of his lips curled into a faint smile.

After Sang Wan mentioned it, Su Mo had been keeping an eye on the opposite apartment.

Sure enough, there was a man standing there smoking, the lights off, everything pitch black.

“Hey, that guy’s back. Why doesn’t he turn on the lights?”

Sang Wan glanced over. “Sometimes he does, but the lighting is still dim. Most of the time, he doesn’t turn them on at all.”

“You don’t think he might… you know, do something drastic one day? Normal people don’t come home and just stand on the balcony smoking in the dark.”

Su Mo’s words made Sang Wan tense up. She had never considered that possibility before.

“Probably not. He’s probably just stressed or exhausted. Everyone’s got their troubles these days. I’m worried about not having those 300 million, what if Xu Shiming forces me to marry some old man?”

Su Mo looked at Sang Wan. “Wanwan, you’ve got to stay strong. Someone as beautiful as you shouldn’t be so hard on yourself.”

Sang Wan had psychological barriers and severe insomnia, Su Mo knew that.

Although she had improved a lot over the past two years and found direction in life, the cracks in her heart remained. Su Mo feared she might one day lose hope.

“Don’t worry, I’m not that fragile. I still need to wait for my grandfather to wake up.”

As they spoke, the man across the way stubbed out his cigarette, and a single light flickered on in his apartment.

“Hey, that guy looks like he’s got a great figure. I wonder what his face looks like?”