Su He hadn't expected to run into her ex-husband, Lu Jingyang, while just out buying groceries. Indeed, it seemed fate was determined to throw them together.
"Su He, stop!" As Su He turned to leave, Lu Jingyang suddenly strode towards her.
Su He retreated a few steps, her face a mask of defensiveness.
Had she done anything to provoke him recently?
"Su He, you've got some nerve, daring to set your sights on my brother!" Without waiting for Su He to speak, Lu Jingyang launched into a tirade of accusations. "You have no ties to the Lu family anymore, so please, have some self-awareness and stop plotting against them!"
"You were so quick to divorce, saying you'd have nothing more to do with the Lu family. But look at what you've been doing lately; isn't it all related to the Lu family?"
"Weren't you quite proud? Why are you dragging our Lu family into this, and even causing my brother to be gossiped about? Have you no shame?"
"Look at what you're wearing, it's utterly embarrassing!"
This nonsensical barrage of insults left Su He bewildered for a good while.
"What I do has nothing to do with you, does it?" Su He retorted with a cold expression once she recovered.
"It has nothing to do with me! If you want to become famous, that's your business, but you shouldn't be leeching off the Lu family's fame!" It wasn't without reason that Lu Jingyang was easily manipulated by someone like Song Yan, a 'green tea' character; his mind was simply too simple.
Anyone else would have assumed Su He was interested in Lu Yanbei.
But not him!
He not only had no suspicions of any romantic involvement between them, he even believed Lu Yanbei was only tolerating Su He because of him.
"I'm warning you, stay away from my brother and the Lu family from now on. If I ever see you involved with the Lu family again, I won't let you off the hook!" Lu Jingyang threatened her fiercely.
Su He was genuinely amused to the point of anger. "Lu Jingyang, did you forget to take your medicine when you left home!"
Lu Jingyang had a short fuse, igniting at the slightest spark. Su He's words were a sarcastic jab at his supposed mental deficiency!
"Su He, don't think I won't hit a woman!"
"Oh, is that embarrassment I see?" Su He sneered, glancing at him. "If you have the guts, then hit me!"
Lu Jingyang glanced around, his raised hand never falling.
"Why aren't you hitting me?" Su He deliberately leaned her face closer. "Go on, hit me, and I'll call the police immediately."
"You!" Lu Jingyang took a step back, his courage failing him. He was a giant in words but a dwarf in actions.
"I, I'm afraid I'll dirty my hands," Lu Jingyang said, turning to leave.
Now, it was Su He's turn to object. She strode forward two steps, blocking his path. Lu Jingyang had always disdained any contact with her. His sudden appearance must have a hidden agenda. How could she leave until she figured it out?
"You came to find me so suddenly, aren't you afraid your 'white moonlight' will get jealous?" Su He changed tack, narrowing her eyes as she asked.
Lu Jingyang's gaze flickered, a pang of guilt rising within him. He hadn't mentioned coming to see Su He to Song Yan, fearing she might misunderstand. But pride as a man compelled him to puff out his chest and feign bravado. "I, I can come whenever I want, what business is it of yours?"
"Oh, so it seems she doesn't know." Su He picked up her phone with a wry smile and took a photo of Lu Jingyang. "Tell me, if I send this picture to her, what do you think she'll think?"
"You dare!" Lu Jingyang's eyes widened in disbelief. This Su He was too cunning!
Su He triumphantly raised her phone. "What did I say earlier? If you make me unhappy, I'll make you ten times unhappier! You've provoked me today!" The implication was clear: this was all his own doing.
Lu Jingyang dared not upset Song Yan, and lunged to snatch Su He's phone. Su He dodged nimbly, flashing past him. Her recent training with Lu Yanbei, though tiring, had paid off handsomely.
Failing to catch her, Lu Jingyang lunged at Su He again. "Delete the photo!"
"I'll delete it. But only if you tell me who sent you," Su He said, her face hardening.
Lu Jingyang certainly wouldn't betray his sister. "Nobody! Don't falsely accuse others!"
Su He had been uncertain before, but his response made everything clear. He was indeed instigated by someone else! And this person was someone he himself wanted to protect. Su He immediately ruled out Song Yan. Lu Jingyang's reaction indicated that Song Yan was unaware of his visit. Among those close to him and holding a grudge against her, other than Zhou Yingzi, she couldn't think of anyone else.
"Did Zhou Yingzi send you?" Su He tested him, trying to trick him.
Lu Jingyang's expression indeed changed, yet he stubbornly insisted, "Don't make baseless accusations!"
Su He raised an eyebrow noncommittally. He was happy to be used as a pawn, but she didn't want to be scolded for no reason. "I understand. Every grievance has its source, every debt its debtor. I'll settle this with her myself."
"Hey, I told you, no one instructed me, can't you hear?" Lu Jingyang panicked when he saw she had decided Zhou Yingzi was behind it. This woman was too cunning. Would she run to Grandpa and complain? Grandpa already disliked his half-sister. If he believed Su He's slander and became even more distant, wouldn't their chances of moving back into the villa become even slimmer? With this thought, Lu Jingyang chased after her without a second thought.
Su He wouldn't give him a chance to catch up. She ran and shouted, "Help! Robbery!"
Those who didn't know better, seeing a frail girl being chased by a man in a suit, couldn't help but whisper amongst themselves.
"Are bandits this formally dressed these days?"
"That girl doesn't look rich, what is he after?"
"Is it a film shoot? They both look quite good-looking. Where are the hidden cameras?"
"Quick, take out your phones and record, maybe it's some celebrity."
Thanks to Su He, Lu Jingyang's frantic dash down the street became another trending topic on the entertainment pages.
Finally managing to shake off his pursuit, Su He hid behind a counter, panting.
"Young lady, do you need help calling the police?" an elder sister kindly asked.
Su He waved her hand. "He's just a stalker; I'll be fine once I lose him."
"He's so handsome, yet he has such a peculiar habit?" the elder sister said with a hint of regret.
"Yes, the pressure these days is immense. Perhaps he's trying to de-stress in this way," Su He fabricated rumors about Lu Jingyang without batting an eye.
"Then you must be careful in the future, and never be alone."
Su He nodded repeatedly.
Lu Jingyang, having lost sight of Su He, was filled with resentment and finally walked away muttering curses. Su He gritted her teeth and chalked this incident up to Zhou Yingzi. She had sufficient reason to suspect Zhou Yingzi's involvement in the question-and-answer session at the previous comic convention. After all, not many people knew she was an artist. Su He wasn't someone who dwelled on petty matters, but when certain inconsiderate individuals treated her like a pushover, expecting to manipulate her at will, she couldn't be blamed for retaliating in kind.