Melodies of Love and Loss

Ever since that night, there was no more intersection between Su Jian and Zhou Lu.

Having studied photography abroad for three years and gaining some fame, Su Jian had taken portraits for numerous models and celebrities.

She wished to establish a personal studio on the mainland, and Jiang Yan had always been confident in Su Jian's capabilities, decisively investing in her venture as a business partner upon learning of her idea.

With Jiang Yan's extensive connections in Beijing, plus Su Jian's thorough preparations before returning to the country, the two managed to inaugurate their studio with great fanfare in about a month.

Although Jiang Yan was the daughter of a wealthy family, she usually kept a low profile. To support Su Jian, she rarely posted on her social media. On the opening day, most of the second-generation rich from Beijing brought flower baskets to their event.

Su Jian and Jiang Yan prepared several banquet tables to treat everyone to a meal.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Lu also showed up, and he brought his younger girlfriend with him.

This made Su Jian involuntarily recall that ridiculous night. Even though she had been drunk at the time, she still felt a sense of shame as if she had tried to steal someone else's man.

During the meal, Su Jian intentionally chose the table farthest from Zhou Lu to sit down.

"Lu brother, this is the first time I've seen you bring out a girlfriend. Looks like you're serious this time," Song Yan joked, having always had a good relationship with Zhou Lu.

It was common knowledge that over the past few years, Zhou Lu had dated countless girlfriends, models, and internet celebrities, though he never went public with them.

Then, about a month ago, he suddenly announced his relationship with Ye Nuannuan on social media quite openly, and Ye Nuannuan's name quickly spread throughout the circle.

It was said that she was a girl from an ordinary background and was still a university student, having just turned twenty this year.

Snagging the heir to Beijing's number one financial empire at such a young age naturally made everyone curious about this woman.

However, when everybody saw Ye Nuannuan's striking looks and amusing personality, it seemed they could suddenly understand why she was able to catch Zhou Lu, notoriously difficult as he was.

Beautiful faces are a dime a dozen, but an interesting soul is one in a million—she had both, and it was no wonder Dr. Zhou, the seasoned player, had sincerely fallen for her.

Seeing that Zhou Lu hadn't spoken for a while, Ye Nuannuan was not annoyed but looked at him with a warm smile, speaking in a charming voice, "Dr. Zhou, someone is talking to you. Why aren't you responding?"

Her title of 'Dr. Zhou' softened the bones of all the gentlemen present. She was like this usually; one could only wonder how much more...

With an air of indifference, Zhou Lu lazily lifted his eyelids, "I'll invite you to the wedding when the time comes."

At this news, there was a commotion among everyone, and their attitude towards Ye Nuannuan became even more respectful.

Ye Nuannuan rested contently in Zhou Lu's embrace, perfectly balancing pride and charm.

Song Yan, however, cast a meaningful glance at Su Jian at the other table. Zhou Lu's sudden public revelation of his girlfriend, coinciding so closely with Su Jian's return to the country, inevitably led to speculation.

Su Jian was only a table away from them, and with their voices raised, their words naturally reached her ears.

Out of concern, Jiang Yan asked, "Are you alright?"

With a smile, Su Jian responded, "What could be wrong with me? I'm just going to the restroom."

"I'll come with you," said Jiang Yan.

As they passed by Zhou Lu's table, Jiang Yan noticed that Zhou Lu glanced their way.

*

While Jiang Yan was touching up her makeup in the restroom, she suddenly said, "I feel like Zhou Lu still has you in his heart."

Caught off guard for a moment, Su Jian then laughed, "You're overthinking it. Song Yan was here today too, I remember he's always liked you. I've been away for three years, how come you're still not together?"

Jiang Yan's expression became somewhat unnatural, "He's just a playboy, who would want to be with him?"

Su Jian smiled with narrowed eyes, seeing through but not saying anything.

Caught by her teasing, Jiang Yan's face flushed with embarrassment for a rare moment, retorting, "Didn't you say there were lots of handsome guys overseas? How come I haven't seen you bring one back?"

Su Jian laughed, "Sure, there is. Next time he's back in the country, I'll have you two meet."

Just as they were leaving the restroom, they happened to run into Zhou Lu. However, he seemed to be in a bad mood, his face as dark and forbidding as King Yama himself.