Chapter 6: The Clown
958 Words
When Lu Mingyu was brought here earlier, she had been carried in haste and hadn’t had the chance to look around. Only now did she realize there was just a single room.
She walked toward the elevator, only to find she lacked the necessary access to operate it—no floors were available to her.
The emergency stairwell door nearby was also securely locked.
Behind her—
Click.
The lone door creaked open.
Duan Xiuming emerged, still wrapped in a bathrobe, striding toward her with an intimidating air.
He was like a wrathful god descending.
With one hand, he seized Lu Mingyu, while the other swiftly snatched the phone from her grasp.
“Unlock it,” he commanded.
His gaze bore into her, fierce and unrelenting, the pressure in his eyes almost tangible.
Yet she remained unflustered, her composure unwavering.
A moment passed.
She lifted her left thumb and unlocked the screen.
Duan Xiuming thrust the phone back into her hand, his eyes never leaving her. “Scan. Add me.”
A trace of amusement flickered in Lu Mingyu’s eyes.
She complied.
Duan Xiuming raised an eyebrow.
What did that look mean? Was she amused by this?
The friend request was swiftly accepted.
Duan Xiuming asked, “How many days are you staying in Xiangshan’ao? Want me to show you around?”
Lu Mingyu replied calmly, “I’ve changed my mind. I’m leaving.”
His temper flared. “Is something so urgent that you must leave?”
This was the second time!
Lu Mingyu answered coolly, “Do my parents count as a reason?”
Duan Xiuming was momentarily silenced. “…That’s fair.”
With that, he approached the elevator’s facial recognition panel.
The system resumed operation.
“No deleting. No blocking,” he warned, releasing his grip on her.
The elevator doors slowly slid shut.
Duan Xiuming watched as the floor numbers descended.
She really was leaving—without hesitation.
Returning to the room, he opened her profile. There was nothing on her Moments.
Her nickname was…
YE.
English? Pinyin?
What did it mean?
———
The cruise ship docked at the harbor, returning to Xiangshan’ao.
Lu Mingyu quickly disembarked, vanishing into the crowd.
Shortly after, the Xu siblings descended from the elevator.
Xu Wenjun glanced around. “Mingyu isn’t here? The room’s empty too.”
Sang Qi, a hint of jealousy in her tone, asked, “Wenjun, why are you always so concerned about her?”
Xu Wenjun frowned. “You can meddle in everything else, but keep your nose out of this.”
Sang Qi’s expression darkened instantly.
Xu Suyue, expressionless, stood to the side scrolling through her phone.
A message popped up. She pocketed her phone and strode toward the exit.
Xu Wenjun called after her, “Yueyue?”
Xu Suyue replied, “Mingyu’s already off the ship.”
Xu Wenjun snapped, “Why didn’t you say something earlier?”
Xu Suyue retorted, “None of your damn business.”
Xu Wenjun exploded, “That again? Are you insane? Xu Suyue!!!”
Xu Suyue abruptly stopped and turned to face him. “You’re the insane one! Who the hell are you to meddle in her life?”
Xu Wenjun shouted, “I’m your brother! Is that how you speak to me?”
Xu Suyue sneered, “It’s hard to admit someone so idiotic is my brother.”
Sang Qi rushed to intervene, standing between them. “You’re family—don’t fight over an outsider. It’s not worth it.”
———
Yaodu.
Cemetery.
A taxi pulled up and came to a halt.
Lu Mingyu paid the fare and stepped out, cradling a bouquet of fresh flowers.
Just then—
A black vehicle pulled up beside her and braked sharply.
Both driver and passenger doors opened simultaneously, and two burly men stepped out, flanking her.
Lu Mingyu paused and looked toward the car.
The door slowly opened.
Polished black leather shoes touched the ground, followed by long, confident strides.
A man emerged in an impeccable suit, moving toward her with poised elegance and unhurried grace.
He stopped before her and extended a hand.
Slap!
A sharp, merciless strike landed across her face.
“So you were here,” Lu Lin said coldly.
Lu Mingyu lifted her gaze, eyes meeting his. “You’d never figure that out yourself. Was it Uncle who guessed?”
Lu Lin sneered. “Don’t take us for fools.”
Lu Mingyu calmly analyzed, “But he couldn’t be sure, could he? He must’ve split forces—sent you here to try your luck, and had Lu Qian lie in wait at the Xiangjiang airport. More guards there, right? A dozen? Two dozen? Hmm… no, wait…”
She paused, then corrected herself. “Uncle went to the airport himself, didn’t he?”
Lu Lin’s voice ground out through clenched teeth. “Lu Mingyu! Is your scheming truly bottomless?!”
Every guess—spot on.
Lu Mingyu’s eyes glinted. “Such a grand mobilization.”
Lu Lin raised his hand again. “Still daring to look at me like that?”
Lu Mingyu stared straight back. “You dare strike me in front of my parents’ graves? Aren’t you afraid of nightmares?”
Lu Lin’s face contorted. “I fear no dead!”
Lu Mingyu said softly, “You haven’t visited since they passed, have you? Are you sure you don’t want to see your little uncle and aunt one last time?”
Lu Lin spat with disdain, “I never acknowledged her as my aunt.”
Lu Mingyu smiled faintly. “My mother was a hundred times more beautiful than yours.”
“Shut up!” Lu Lin roared.
Lu Mingyu’s eyes gleamed with icy sharpness as she spoke…
- Writer
