Chapter 22: A Hug Is Nothing—He Wanted to Kiss Her Too

Lou Xizhou, who had been lowering his head to sip his soup, paused with his chopsticks in mid-air upon hearing her words and gave a slight nod.

Tang Yu nodded in understanding, a thoughtful expression crossing her pretty face.

"Do you need any help?" Lou Xizhou asked casually, though he suspected she would handle it herself.

As expected, Tang Yu shook her head.

"It’s a minor matter, nothing to worry about." She then asked him, "What about that traffic accident?"

"I owe you an apology for that," Lou Xizhou replied honestly.

Slightly surprised by his immediate response, Tang Yu looked at him and raised an eyebrow, guessing, "Does it have something to do with President Lou?"

"A competitive conflict," Lou Xizhou said concisely.

Tang Yu could tell he didn't want to elaborate, but she understood; it was the same nature as her own manuscript being stolen before the opening ceremony.

Still... she never imagined it could have been Xiao Wu.

However, she now realized more deeply that the most honest-looking people often have the deepest schemes; one truly cannot judge a book by its cover.

Lou Xizhou shifted the topic: "Auntie Liu told me that you’ve been coming over to eat with Huainan every day while I’ve been busy."

At the mention of Auntie Liu, Tang Yu remembered that the woman hadn't come over yet, so she stood up to look for her.

Lou Xizhou watched her retreating figure with a faint, gentle smile, continuing his meal in a leisurely manner.

Before long, Tang Yu returned alone and sat down. "Has Auntie Liu eaten yet?"

"She said she had, so she must have," Lou Xizhou replied.

He knew exactly what was on Auntie Liu’s mind.

Tang Yu nodded, then found herself at a loss for words.

Lou Xizhou, however, kept glancing at her every so often, as if she were the most captivating sight in the world.

Flustered and embarrassed by his inexplicable behavior, Tang Yu sped up her eating.

"Are you in a hurry?" Lou Xizhou didn't want her to rush, knowing she would return to the house next door once she finished.

Tang Yu, caught off guard, looked at him with wide eyes and quickly retorted, "Isn't President Lou supposed to have things to deal with? I’m quite busy myself."

She still had to cover the equestrian week tomorrow.

Lou Xizhou did indeed need to head out of town shortly, and he had to return by tomorrow to watch Lou Huainan’s competition.

He hadn't intended to come back for dinner tonight, but wanting to see her and discuss a few things, he had squeezed the time in.

Almost simultaneously, they both finished and set down their bowls and chopsticks.

Tang Yu stood up to leave, and Lou Xizhou followed her.

"I’m heading back. Thank you for dinner, President Lou." Tang Yu walked toward the exit, looking back at him.

"Why thank me? Just treat this place like your own home." Fearing she might mind, he added, "I’ve been very busy lately, and Huainan rarely comes home from school. Since you don't cook for yourself and eating out every day isn't healthy, and it’s hard for Auntie Liu to prepare meals, just think of it as helping her out."

As she reached the front door and raised her hand to open it, she was suddenly embraced from behind, her waist circled by his arms. Her hand froze in mid-air.

Her mind went completely blank with tension.

"I’m going to watch Huainan’s competition tomorrow. Don't hide from me again." Lou Xizhou held her for only a few seconds before letting go with restraint.

Tang Yu collected herself, took a silent, relaxing breath, and stepped outside before turning to look at him. Her tone held a hint of helplessness: "As long as you keep your hands to yourself, I won't hide."

He had already hugged her twice since they met!

Lou Xizhou just smiled without answering.

A hug was nothing; he wanted to kiss her, too. But he knew she wouldn't allow it.

Seeing his lack of response, Tang Yu knew exactly what he was thinking. She gave a clear, indignant "Hmph" and turned to walk away quickly.

Lou Xizhou was amused by her charming huff. After closing the door, he walked to the fence to wait for her to enter her house, then spoke to her through the gate.

"That sounded lovely. Could you do it again?"

Tang Yu saw him standing there, but she hadn't expected such a remark, which left her utterly speechless.

"No way!" she said, and ran inside.

Lou Xizhou turned around with a smile. Auntie Liu came out of the house holding his ringing phone, and he strode toward her.

It was Lou Huainan.

"Huainan?"

"Are you Lou Huainan’s uncle?"

Lou Xizhou’s expression darkened. "I am. What happened to him?"

"I’m his classmate. We’re holding a birthday party at the Tiandu Nightclub. A small conflict broke out between classmates, and he started fighting. We can't pull him away, and we can't stop the other guy who has had some martial arts training!"

"Understood."

Hanging up, Lou Xizhou went down to the garage, mounted Lou Huainan’s dirt bike, put on his helmet, and roared off as soon as the engine started.

On the balcony of the second floor next door, Tang Yu, who had heard the sound of the motorcycle accelerating into the distance, stepped out. She only caught a glimpse of the man’s back disappearing at the end of the darkening asphalt road.

Yet, she felt certain that the silhouette looked exactly like Lou Xizhou.

Could it be him?

Lou Xizhou arrived at the entrance of the Tiandu Nightclub, swung his long leg off the bike, and strode inside, tossing his helmet to the valet.

The valet was dumbfounded to see a man in a crisp white shirt, black trousers, and leather shoes riding such a wild dirt bike, and stood staring at his brisk, imposing back as he walked away.

Reaching the private room, Lou Xizhou pushed the door open. The room was brightly lit.

Lou Huainan was still brawling with his classmate; everything that could be smashed in the room had been destroyed.

Lou Xizhou narrowed his eyes, stepped forward, and skillfully snatched the weapons from their hands, tossing them aside. His gaze swept over their faces with piercing coldness.

"Uncle?" Lou Huainan’s spirit instantly wilted. He didn't dare argue, knowing that the more he defended himself, the harsher the scolding would be later.

The other student was so intimidated by Lou Xizhou’s gaze and aura that his aggression vanished.

A female student huddled in the corner looked at Lou Xizhou with wide, mesmerized eyes.

The male classmate was also stunned; it was the first time he realized how formidable Lou Huainan’s uncle was.

Lou Xizhou looked at Lou Huainan with an expression that seemed calm but hid a sharp edge. "Still not moving?"

"Oh." Lou Huainan turned around obediently. A classmate handed him his phone. "Thanks."

Lou Xizhou walked to the door, turned back to survey the students, and said in a low, gentle voice, "Whose birthday is it tonight?"

A female student stood up, trembling, her voice caught in her throat.

Lou Xizhou turned to her, his sharp gaze making her heart race.

"My apologies, miss. I’m very sorry that Huainan ruined your birthday party. To make amends, I’ve booked another room for you, and I’ll have cakes delivered as quickly as possible. Order whatever drinks, snacks, or food you like—it’s all on me. I only hope you have a wonderful time."

After speaking, he gave a slight nod to the students and turned to leave with Lou Huainan.

"Why were you fighting?" Lou Xizhou asked the young man following him.

Lou Huainan replied quietly, "He said that my parents deserved to die."

Lou Xizhou glanced at him sideways. "If you can't even endure a single sentence, what else can you endure?"

Lou Huainan carried the burden of inheritance on his shoulders, which was why he was arranged to live and learn by Lou Xizhou’s side.

"You’re graduating from university soon. Start thinking seriously about your future!" Lou Xizhou reminded him sternly.

Lou Huainan bit his lip. "I have thought about it. Uncle, can I pursue a girl?"

Once he won the equestrian championship, he would confess to Tang Yu!