Gu Anran froze for a moment after hearing him, but quickly snapped out of it when she caught the hint of impatience in his expression.
Why is he getting impatient? It's not like I begged him to take me along, she grumbled inwardly as she opened the car door and got in.
"Did you say something?" Lu Zhenyu asked, raising an eyebrow as he started the engine.
"No, I didn't," she denied immediately, turning her face toward the window.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Lu Zhenyu's lips. He had clearly heard every word she muttered, but chose not to expose her.
A few minutes later, the car pulled into the company premises.
It was break time, so only a handful of employees lingered around the lobby. Even so, their presence was enough.
Gu Anran stepped out of the car and instinctively looked up—
And froze.
The building towered above her, sleek and imposing, a symbol of power and wealth.
Compared to this, the Gu Corporation seemed almost insignificant.
So this is his world…
Before she could take it all in, Lu Zhenyu had already started walking ahead.
The receptionist's eyes widened the moment she saw him—then shifted curiously to Gu Anran. There was no hiding the gossip and speculation in her gaze.
Lu Zhenyu didn't spare her a glance.
As if such things were beneath his notice, he led Gu Anran straight toward his private elevator.
The doors slid open silently, separating them from the outside world.
Outside the Office
When the elevator doors opened again, they were already on the top floor.
Chu Ting stood outside the office, tablet in hand, clearly waiting.
"Sir, the meeting will start in five minutes—"
His voice paused abruptly when his eyes landed on Gu Anran.
More precisely—
On the fact that Lu Zhenyu was holding her.
Chu Ting's usually composed expression cracked for a split second before he quickly regained his professionalism.
"Sir… the meeting will start in five minutes," he repeated, forcing his gaze away.
At that moment, Lin Feng also arrived.
"Lin Feng," Lu Zhenyu said calmly, as if nothing was unusual. "Stay here and accompany my wife. Take her to my office and make sure she's comfortable."
"Yes, Sir," Lin Feng replied without hesitation.
But the words my wife echoed loudly in the corridor.
Gu Anran's cheeks flushed instantly. She lowered her head slightly, unable to hide her embarrassment.
Chu Ting, on the other hand, was completely stunned.
Wife?
Since when?
Yet he didn't dare ask.
Lu Zhenyu turned to Gu Anran, his expression softening almost unconsciously.
"Be good and stay in the office. If you need anything, ask Lin Feng."
His tone was gentle—so gentle that even he didn't realize how different it sounded from his usual cold demeanor.
"Okay…" Gu Anran managed to reply, her voice barely above a whisper.
She wasn't used to this version of him.
Who in Jingzhou City didn't know that Lu Zhenyu was ruthless and untouchable?
And yet here he was, coaxing her like she was something fragile… something precious.
A strange warmth spread through her chest.
She couldn't deny it—
She liked it.
It made her feel… special. Valued.
Lu Zhenyu left for the conference room without another word.
Lin Feng gestured politely. "Miss Gu, this way."
Inside Lu Zhenyu's Office
The office was vast.
Minimalist, yet luxurious in every detail.
Dark tones dominated the space—black, deep grey, and muted metallic accents. The lighting was dim, creating a heavy, almost oppressive atmosphere.
It reflected Lu Zhenyu perfectly.
Cold. Controlled. Untouchable.
Gu Anran sat carefully on the couch, her eyes wandering around the room.
This place felt so distant from her world.
So distant from her.
Time passed slowly.
At first, she tried to stay alert, but the quietness of the office, combined with her exhaustion from the previous night, began to take over.
Her eyelids grew heavier.
Her head tilted slightly as she leaned against the couch.
Before she knew it—
She had fallen asleep.
Lu Zhenyu stepped out of the conference room, his pace noticeably quicker than usual.
For the first time, someone was waiting for him.
And to his own surprise—
He liked that feeling.
When he reached his office floor, he saw Lin Feng standing quietly by the door.
"Where is she?" Lu Zhenyu asked without slowing down.
"Madam is sleeping inside," Lin Feng replied respectfully.
Lu Zhenyu paused for just a fraction of a second, then nodded.
"Go get the car ready."
"Yes, Sir."
Without another word, Lu Zhenyu pushed the door open and walked in.
Inside the Office
The room was quiet.
Gu Anran was curled up on the couch, her body slightly turned to the side. Her breathing was soft and steady, her face finally relaxed after everything she had gone through.
The tension she usually carried had completely disappeared.
In that moment—
She looked peaceful.
Vulnerable.
Real.
Lu Zhenyu slowed his steps as he approached her, as though afraid of breaking the fragile calm around her.
He stood there for a moment, simply watching.
Then, unconsciously, he reached out.
His fingers brushed lightly against her hair, tucking a loose strand behind her ear with surprising gentleness.
His gaze softened.
Slowly, his hand moved downward… coming to rest on her stomach.
His child.
A strange, unfamiliar warmth spread through his chest.
He had always been a man driven by logic and control, but this—
This tiny, unseen life—
Stirred something deep within him.
Something he couldn't quite name.
But he didn't reject it.
Instead—
He accepted it.
After a moment, he straightened and reached into his coat pocket, pulling out a document.
Their marriage certificate.
He looked at it briefly, his expression unreadable.
Then, without hesitation, he took out his phone, snapped a picture, and uploaded it to his social feed.
No caption.
No explanation.
Just the image.
Within seconds—
His phone began vibrating nonstop.
Messages, calls, notifications—
Exploding all at once.
Lu Zhenyu glanced at the screen, a faint, satisfied smile forming on his lips.
This was exactly the effect he wanted.
He slipped the phone back into his pocket, unconcerned by the chaos he had just created.