Liu Shan ran out of De L'amour as his life depended on it. He didn't dare to look back because he could still recall the murderous expression on Lu Tian's face.
He exhales and rubs his forehead. If he had known that Lu Tian was visiting, he wouldn't have carelessly entered his boss's office as he did.
"Assistant Liu, are you alright?"
From behind the man, Sophia asked with worry. She had seen him frantically exit the elevator and almost stumbled against the door.
His behavior was unlike his usual calm one.
Liu Shan turns to look at the receptionist. Seeing that she was worried about him, he smiled at her.
"I'm fine. Thanks for asking."
He reassures her and then whispers.
"By the way, did you know that Mr. Lu was here?"
Sophia didn't think too much about the question and nodded her head.
"Of course. He stopped by the front desk and asked me not to inform CEO Han."
Liu Shan stares at the young woman for a long second. He doesn't voice his thoughts and lets out a sigh.
"Next time, inform me. Let me know in advance whether it is Mr. Lu or anyone else."
He knows it's not his place to question who meets with his boss, but he cannot repeat the same mistake. Who knows what would happen to him if he were to walk in on his boss and Lu Tian again?
Sophia was oblivious to why Liu Shan would suddenly give her such an order. She nods her head and walks away but stops after two steps.
"Assistant Liu, if you're not having lunch with anyone, do you want to join me?"
Liu Shan wanted to refute her question but was unable to do so when the young woman's voice sounded again.
"Don't worry, everyone else will be there too."
She points in the direction of the busy street and smiles.
"I heard one of the employees say a new food stall has been set up nearby. Everyone wants to try it out, so we're all meeting there for lunch."
Liu Shan pondered at her offer. He thought about meeting Uncle Luo to talk about his new place, but seeing how polite the receptionist was, he decided to go with her.
"I guess it wouldn't hurt."
He can meet the old man after work anyway.
The assistant and receptionist didn't need to walk far when they arrived at the food stall. They met with the rest of the employees from De L'amour, who were already seated.
Liu Shan takes a seat, but he notices an elderly man behind the food stall. He makes eye contact with the old man for a brief second, and the corners of his mouth arc up.
"Well, this is interesting."
An employee asked in a low voice, and Liu Shan glanced at the man before scanning the area.
"Seems like everyone is aware too."
Despite everyone being out for lunch, he could see that each person from De L'amour was paying attention to the food stall owner. However, they eat like they aren't paying attention, which makes it unnoticeable.
The employee seated next to Liu Shan nods and continues eating the steamed bun he had ordered. His demeanor was like that of a person who leisurely enjoyed lunch on any typical day.
"Should we turn a blind eye?"
Liu Shan doesn't look at his coworker but stares at the old man behind the food stall before shifting his gaze to another figure sitting far away. His eyes slightly narrow with danger before looking away.
As the assistant enjoyed lunch with his colleagues in another part of Imperial, Yue Ling and Lu Tian arrived at Elegancy.
"Yue Ling, it's so nice to see you."
Madam Zhao was in a blissful mood the moment she saw Yue Ling enter the restaurant. She didn't bother to look at Lu Tian and took Yue Ling's hand before guiding her to an empty table.
"I thought you had forgotten about this old restaurant since you stopped coming. I know you are planning your engagement and wedding, but please remember to take care of your health."
She put on a downcasted expression but didn't forget to throw glancing daggers at Lu Tian. She can only assume that it was the man's doing of not allowing Yue Ling to see them without him.
Yue Ling stares at the middle-aged woman while trying to contain her smile. It had only been a few days since they last saw each other, yet Madam Zhao made it seem like they hadn't seen each other for many years.
She pats the woman's hand as she takes a seat and reassures her.
"I've been busy with work, but I'll make sure to stop by in my free time."
Madam Zhao couldn't help but feel joy when she heard Yue Ling. She clasps her hands together with a wide smile and laughs.
"Wonderful. Let me get you something warm to drink while you look at the menu."
She skips away, leaving the couple alone at the table. Once her figure disappeared behind the kitchen door, Yue Ling took a small breath. She glanced over at Lu Tian and froze when she met his dark eyes staring back at her.
Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment, and she quickly looked down at the menu.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Lu Tian remained unfazed by her reactions. He places his forearms on the table while still on his wife.
"Because you are so beautiful that it's hard for me to look away."
His posture slightly leans forward, and his words continue.
"But it's come to my realization that I'm not the only one who wants your attention."
He pursed his lips and pondered for a split second.
"Maybe I should build a tower and lock you in there for me only…"
That way, he can have all her attention, and no one can disturb their time together.
Yue Ling almost choked on her saliva when she heard his last words. She looks up at him and frowns at his remark.
"Tian, being obsessive is neither healthy nor a good look."
She was aware that he sometimes portrayed obsessiveness towards her, but from past experiences, he was always able to control himself.
She couldn't help but wonder if he was acting this way because of what happened back at her company.
Lu Tian was not bothered by her words. He shrugs his shoulders with indifference and picks up the menu.
"If that means I can have you all to myself, then I don't care what anyone else thinks."
Yue Ling was rendered speechless. She stares at him with slightly heavy eyes and blinks.
She didn't understand why he would come up with such thoughts. They were already in a relationship and preparations for their wedding.
However, the more she thought, the more her eyes narrowed at the man across from her.
Lu Tian was known to be a cold-blooded man who showed no mercy towards his enemies or those who crossed his line. Yet, despite all that, he was still a handsome man and could make many heads turn as he walked past them.
Not only that, but she is also surprised that someone like him is with her and will soon be her husband.
Her head slightly tilts as she stares at him, and she subconsciously mumbles her remaining thoughts.
"… I'm the one who wants to lock you up in a tower."
Lu Tian arched an eyebrow as her words did not escape his ears. He leans back in his chair and strokes his chin with a pondering face.
"Hmm… That's not a bad idea."
Yue Ling's expression scrunched, wondering what he was thinking. However, his following words were enough to dumbfound her.
"You and I locked away in a tower all by ourselves. That means I can have you all to myself, and you can have me all to yourself. No one will be able to bother us."