The Cutie Keeps Falling for the Wrong Girl [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 35.2

He had met “Pei Xuan” (Li Zhaodi) two years ago. Back then, the girl was thin and small, tanned dark by the sun, hauling bricks alongside grown men at construction sites. She worked just as hard as any man and never complained.

He had been the electrical contractor on that project and had watched the girl for a long time. He had a shiftless son at home who wouldn’t learn the trade and spent his days loafing around. Originally, he thought of taking the girl as an apprentice so she could marry his son and eventually inherit the family business.

But as he got to know her, he realized his scoundrel son didn’t deserve such a good girl. He gave up on that idea but noticed her natural talent for electrical work. Because she was so willing to learn, he taught her everything he knew so she would always have a trade to fall back on.

In all the time he’d known her, he’d never seen her get close to anyone, let alone share a meal. Judging by this woman’s poise and clothing, she was clearly someone of high status.

“We’re friends for now. In the future…” Lu Huan looked at Li Zhaodi. The latter looked back but made no move to stop her from speaking.

Lu Huan left it at that, giving Master Zhao a smile. “Master Zhao, I have things to attend to, so I’ll be heading out first.”

“Oh,” Master Zhao nodded, his mind still dwelling on her parting words. He couldn’t help but wonder if that “future” meant exactly what he thought it did.

Before leaving, Lu Huan turned to Li Zhaodi. “You treated me today; I’ll treat you tomorrow.” She gave her a small smile and, while Master Zhao wasn’t looking, threw her a quick wink.

Even after Lu Huan had vanished from sight, Li Zhaodi remained standing there, lost in thought. Master Zhao had to wave a hand in front of her face. “Wake up. Your soul’s been snatched away again.”

“Master,” Li Zhaodi stammered, coming to her senses. She pressed her lips together, looking sheepish.

Master Zhao walked toward the back with his hands behind his back. “There’s no shame in young people falling in love.”

Li Zhaodi opened her mouth to protest, but found she couldn’t. The moment she imagined the woman’s face falling, the way she might look hurt or disappointed if she heard Li Zhaodi deny their connection, the words died in her throat. By the time she found her voice again, her master was already gone.

The next day.

In the Pei Group conference room, the usual faces were gathered—the same ones Lu Huan had met upon her arrival in this world.

Pei Guolong sat at the head of the table in a formal suit. He gave a performative cough and said, “The Gao Group called yesterday expressing interest in a partnership. We’re all going to have a busy time ahead.” As he spoke, he glanced toward his right, where Lu Huan was sitting.

Lu Huan didn’t need to be told what that look meant. The Gao Group was only willing to cooperate because their children were supposedly dating. She thought of her secret pact with Gao Heng and kept a neutral expression, though she was laughing on the inside.

When the meeting adjourned, Lu Huan was once again asked to stay behind.

Once they were alone, Pei Guolong adopted a kind, fatherly facade. “Xiao Xuan, I heard from Old Gao that Xiao Heng is very fond of you. You two must make sure things go well—for the sake of the company.”

Raised with the doctrine that the family business outweighed everything, including marital happiness, Lu Huan lowered her gaze and replied coldly, “Yes.”

Pei Guolong smiled, satisfied. “Put your current projects aside for a bit and focus on dating Xiao Heng. Don’t worry about company matters; I’ll handle everything.”

Leaving the conference room, Lu Huan didn’t let the man’s hypocrisy get to her. She pulled out her phone and sent a message to Li Zhaodi, asking if she was free to come over for dinner that night.

There was no reply for a long time. It wasn’t until she finished her morning work at lunchtime that a notification popped up.

Li Zhaodi: I have to work until nine tonight. It’s too late, maybe another day.

Reading the message, Lu Huan suspected it was an excuse, though she had no proof. The easiest way to check would be to call Master Zhao, but she wouldn’t do that. To pursue Li Zhaodi properly, she had to respect her boundaries rather than seeking outside help.

Still, she wasn’t ready to let her off the hook that easily.

She replied: Is it safe going to a client’s house that late? Why don’t I go with you? We can grab late-night snacks together when you’re finished.

Li Zhaodi froze when she saw the reply. Her mind involuntarily flashed back to a night a year ago—a house with a lone male client. If she hadn’t been fast enough to run, things would have ended badly.

Tonight’s client was a regular, a woman living alone, so there was no real danger. Yet, looking at the message on her screen, she couldn’t bring herself to say no.

And so, the plan was set.

To accompany Li Zhaodi, Lu Huan naturally couldn’t wear her business suit. She went home to shower and changed into casual clothes. She swapped her contact lenses for the black-framed glasses she usually wore at home and pulled her meticulously styled low ponytail into a casual high one.

Looking in the mirror, she looked more like a college student than a CEO.

She drove to the shop, where Li Zhaodi was already packing her tool bag. When Li Zhaodi opened the passenger door to get in, she stopped in her tracks, staring at Lu Huan’s new look. It took her several seconds to finally climb in, her ears burning red, her eyes darting everywhere but at the woman beside her.

Compared to her usual cold, elite persona, Lu Huan looked much more approachable and soft.

“Where is the client’s place?” Lu Huan asked as she turned the steering wheel.

Li Zhaodi gave an address, and Lu Huan entered it into the GPS.

While driving, Lu Huan asked, “Do you usually go out to do repairs this late?” She immediately realized it was a silly question, remembering she had called the girl out at 10:00 PM herself.

“If it’s a regular client, I’ll go. If it’s a new one, Master usually handles it,” Li Zhaodi said, her eyes fixed on her hands resting on her lap. She was unconsciously gripping her fingers tight.

Lu Huan didn’t notice the gesture and asked, “Why? Is it because you already know what the faults are at a regular’s house?”

Li Zhaodi shook her head. “No. It’s because we know who they are.”

Know who they are. The phrase bothered Lu Huan. Why was it necessary to vet clients so carefully? As she waited at a red light, she turned to her passenger and said softly, “Li Zhaodi, look at me.”

Li Zhaodi, who had been looking down, met her gaze.

Her eyes were still deep and dark, but they lacked their usual spark. Lu Huan realized her words had triggered a bad memory. “Why do you need to know exactly who the clients are?” she pressed gently.

Li Zhaodi looked away, remaining silent for a moment.

“Li Zhaodi, look at me,” Lu Huan said, reaching out to tilt the girl’s chin up so their eyes met. “Did a client… lay a hand on you before?”

Despite the girl’s attempt to hide her emotions, Lu Huan could sense her discomfort—and her lingering disgust.

“Yes,” Li Zhaodi admitted after a pause. She nodded honestly but didn’t elaborate.

The light turned green. Lu Huan hit the steering wheel in frustration before accelerating. For the rest of the drive, her face was set in a grim, silent scowl.

Seeing her so serious, a flicker of warmth touched Li Zhaodi’s heart. She hadn’t wanted to talk about it, but seeing how angry the woman was on her behalf, she worried Lu Huan wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight.

“It wasn’t that bad,” she offered as comfort. “He just… hugged me from behind.”

Though her tone was flat, Lu Huan knew she must have been terrified. The thought made Lu Huan’s heart ache. She pulled the car over abruptly, the screech of the brakes startling Li Zhaodi.

Lu Huan unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to face her. “No more plumbing. Let’s learn something else—something that doesn’t involve going into people’s homes.”

The bitterness from the memory was suddenly swept away by Lu Huan’s impulsive reaction. Li Zhaodi smiled and shook her head. “I can’t just quit because of that. If I quit every time something bad happens, everything I’ve learned would be for nothing.”

As they started driving again, Lu Huan was now pouting at Li Zhaodi as well, refusing to speak for the rest of the trip.

Li Zhaodi stole a glance at her and smiled secretly. It was the first time she had seen this side of the woman; it was almost cute.

When they reached the client’s apartment, Lu Huan spoke up just as Li Zhaodi was about to get out. “Fine. But then we’re going to learn Taekwondo or Judo. For self-defense.”

Seeing that she was dead serious, Li Zhaodi thought about it and nodded. “Okay.” There was a Judo dojo near where she lived; she could check it out sometime.

Satisfied, Lu Huan adjusted her glasses.

The client was surprised to see two people, especially one she didn’t recognize.

“This is my friend; she came along to keep me company,” Li Zhaodi explained apologetically. “I’ll go take a look at the pipes now.”

“Oh, alright.” The female client nodded blankly. She stole another glance at Lu Huan before they moved, feeling like she had seen her somewhere before, though she couldn’t quite place it.

“Can I come in?” Lu Huan asked the client.

“Sure, there are slippers here,” the woman replied with a smile.

“Thank you,” Lu Huan said, her tone somewhat clipped. The atmosphere grew a bit chilly. The client gave a forced laugh and headed toward the bathroom. “Make yourself comfortable. I’ll go see how the pipes are doing.”

“I’ll come too,” Lu Huan said, following close behind.

Li Zhaodi was already busy with her tool bag, her movements practiced and her expression focused. The client couldn’t stop watching her.

Lu Huan didn’t notice at first, but she gradually realized the client’s gaze wasn’t on the plumbing—it was fixed on Li Zhaodi. Lu Huan’s brow furrowed.

When Li Zhaodi reached for a wrench and looked up, she saw Lu Huan’s darkening expression. Since the client was right there, she didn’t ask. It wasn’t until they finished and were walking back to the car that she spoke up. “What was wrong back there?”

“She likes you,” Lu Huan blurted out.

Li Zhaodi blinked, stunned. “What?”

Lu Huan looked her in the eye through her glasses. “That client. She didn’t take her eyes off you for a second.” She even wondered if the pipe had actually been broken or if the woman had sabotaged it herself.

(She conveniently forgot that she had done the exact same thing to her own pipes.)

Li Zhaodi looked at her and suddenly let out a small, honest laugh.

Lu Huan glowered at her, clearly displeased. “What are you laughing at?”

Li Zhaodi didn’t dare say it, shaking her head as she suppressed her giggles.

“Well?” Lu Huan narrowed her eyes threateningly.

“You look like you’re jealous,” Li Zhaodi confessed.

Lu Huan crossed her arms. “You haven’t even agreed to date me yet. Is it so wrong for me to be a little jealous? Am I not allowed?”

“You are, you are,” Li Zhaodi found herself coaxing her.

“If that client calls you again, don’t go,” Lu Huan commanded.

Li Zhaodi looked troubled. “That’s not very professional.”

“Then send your master.”

“Master has his own clients. He’s usually too busy.”

“Tell him to take another apprentice.”

“He said he’s only ever taking me.”

“Then next time she calls, you take me with you again.”

Li Zhaodi nodded obediently. “Okay.”

The metaphorical fur on Lu Huan’s neck finally smoothed down. Then, another thought struck her. “Are there other clients who are eyeing you like that?”

Li Zhaodi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “I’m not that popular.”

“Of course, you are!” Lu Huan glared. “Are you saying I have no taste?”

“I didn’t say that,” Li Zhaodi said, looking at her pleadingly.

“I’m telling you,” Lu Huan said bossily, “if you’re going to date anyone, I’m the only one you’re allowed to consider.”

Li Zhaodi looked at her for a long time. Just as Lu Huan thought she was going to be rejected again, the girl gave a firm, serious nod. “Okay.”

It took a second for it to sink in. When it did, Lu Huan’s lips curled into a bright smile. “Really?”

The woman’s eyes were so bright they seemed to light up Li Zhaodi’s entire heart. Li Zhaodi smiled back and gave another vigorous nod.

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