20. He wore matching couple bracelets with someone else.

Lu Weian drank his water unhurriedly, set down the glass, and let his gaze rest on Ji Qingran’s face.

He looked at her with a smile, his lips curling into an attractive arc: "The lipstick color suits you very well."

His voice was neither too loud nor too soft, but perfectly audible to everyone in the private room.

The business partner sitting across from them took the opportunity to flatter him: "It is rare to see Young Master Lu so attentive to someone else. It seems Miss Ji’s company must have some remarkable qualities. I will certainly invest this money."

Ji Qingran and Jiang Yao exchanged a glance, realizing only then that this person had been brought here by Lu Weian. As for the talk about the company having "remarkable qualities," it was purely nauseating.

Ji Qingran’s expression darkened. No matter what else Lu Weian said to her, she dismissed it all, ignoring him completely. The atmosphere at the table froze, and the meal became stiflingly oppressive.

After the meal, Jiang Yao went to see the business partner off. When only the two of them were left in the room, Lu Weian said, "I’m sorry."

Ji Qingran arched an eyebrow. It wasn’t that she didn’t understand what he meant, but she hadn’t heard an "I’m sorry" from anyone in a very long time. Those without support or reliance don’t even have the right to receive an apology from others. That Lu Weian would say this voluntarily was somewhat beyond her expectations.

But that was all it was.

"I heard you were looking for investors, so I took the liberty of recommending someone. It was my fault for making you unhappy," Lu Weian explained in a gentle tone. "If you don’t have a good impression of him, I can recommend someone else. Of course, if you are unwilling, I won't force you."

Ji Qingran was silent for a moment before asking, "Why did you think of helping me?"

Lu Weian smiled at the question: "I hope you are doing well. Shouldn't I?"

These words moved her slightly. As she lifted her gaze, she met Lu Weian’s eyes. The emotions within them were too complex; she couldn’t read them, and she didn’t want to.

"Are you just as enthusiastic when it comes to Ji Wanrou?" she asked, her voice calm.

Yet, it struck Lu Weian like a knife. The light in his eyes dimmed, though his tone remained gentle: "Ranran, I can explain..."

"I don’t want to hear it." Ji Qingran interrupted him. "As for what has already happened, I don’t want to hear any explanations." She paused, then added, "And I won’t forgive you, either."

Her attitude was too firm, leaving no room for Lu Weian to make amends.

He sat there for a while, but seeing her remain cold and distant, he couldn't help but offer a wry smile: "Ranran, you are too stubborn. But it doesn't matter; since you have returned, I will erase the prejudices you hold against me, bit by bit."

He was busy and didn’t have much time to wait for her to change her mind, so after sitting a while longer, he took his leave.

Soon, Jiang Yao returned. The moment she entered, she said, "I see that Lu Weian’s intentions aren't really about the wine; talking about investing in us is nothing more than wanting to stir up the past."

Worried that Ji Qingran might waver, she raised her voice to remind her: "Don't forget, he is currently Ji Wanrou’s fiancé."

"I know," Ji Qingran nodded, suppressing all her emotions as she stated the reality of the company’s financial situation. "But we need this money to pay our employees' salaries..."

Jiang Yao sneered: "We aren't limited to just this one investment. I would rather choose Lu Tingyuan’s five million than let Lu Weian get his way."

Ji Qingran gave a bitter smile: "Then we would have to wait on Su Yiyi hand and foot."

Jiang Yao hesitated for a moment, then gritted her teeth and said, "Compared to that, I suppose waiting on Su Yiyi isn't entirely unacceptable."

Jiang Yao was a woman of action. Once she had made her choice, she urged Ji Qingran to call Lu Tingyuan. The investment agreement was settled just like that.

Half a month later, Lu Tingyuan personally brought Su Yiyi to start her internship. The young girl had just been discharged from the hospital and was still frail; dressed in a wool coat, she looked delicate and weak. Upon entering, she deliberately clung to Lu Tingyuan’s arm, walking very slowly. From a distance, she truly possessed a fragile, willow-like charm, reminiscent of Lin Daiyu.

After watching for a while, Jiang Yao sighed to Ji Qingran: "I finally understand why a great beauty like you could lose to a delicate 'white lotus' like Su Yiyi. That 'fragile-as-a-breeze' temperament of hers isn't something just anyone can learn—at least, I couldn't. It’s no wonder Lu Tingyuan feels so protective of her."

Ji Qingran said nothing. Although she had been mentally prepared, seeing the man who claimed to be her boyfriend supporting another woman arm-in-arm still stung like a needle, leaving a dull, throbbing pain in her heart.

"Ranran." Lu Tingyuan, holding Su Yiyi’s hand, walked up to Ji Qingran. "I’m entrusting Yiyi to you; please take extra care of her."

Ji Qingran’s gaze fell on their clasped hands. In the few days she hadn't seen him, a purple crystal bracelet had appeared on Lu Tingyuan’s wrist. The quality wasn't particularly high; it looked like a handmade craft made by a young girl. It clashed completely with his expensive dress shirt.

A matching purple crystal bracelet was on Su Yiyi’s wrist as well.

Noticing her gaze, Lu Tingyuan glanced at his wrist and said indifferently: "Yiyi was bored while she was in the hospital, so she strung these for fun."

It was unclear whether he was explaining it to her or not.

Su Yiyi chimed in: "If you like it, Sister Qingran, I can string one for you too. It's just... I'm a bit low on materials."

"No need." Ji Qingran forced a smile, then looked at Lu Tingyuan. After a moment of hesitation, she offered him some sincere advice: "You have to negotiate business with clients and attend frequent meetings with the Lu Group's top brass. Wearing accessories like this will make them think you lack professional maturity."

He was not the only heir to the Lu Group; there was also Lu Weian. As half-brothers, they were destined not to get along. Compared to Lu Weian, who had already established a firm footing in the company, Lu Tingyuan’s influence was relatively weaker. She was truly looking out for him, hoping he would achieve his goals.

But the moment these words left her lips, they caused Su Yiyi’s eyes to redden.

The young girl looked as though she had suffered a grave injustice, gripping Lu Tingyuan’s hand tightly as she timidly explained: "Senior brother, I just wanted to give you a gift. I didn't think that much of it; I wove a 'peace knot'—I just hoped you would stay safe..."

Lu Tingyuan reached out to stroke her hair, comforting her in a gentle tone: "It’s not that serious, it’s just a bracelet. You put effort into making it, and I like it very much."

The two interacted with such intimacy that it made Ji Qingran look like a malicious person sowing discord. She watched the scene expressionlessly, telling herself not to care, yet it took a long while before she could squeeze out a voice.

"Su Yiyi’s workstation is over there. If there's nothing else, I’ll go back to work."

As she turned to leave, she could still hear Su Yiyi’s reluctant voice: "Senior brother, do I really have to intern here for several months?"

Lu Tingyuan coaxed her, patiently analyzing the benefits for her and promising that once she finished her internship, he would push for her to join Professor Qi’s research team. Only then did Su Yiyi reluctantly agree.

Ji Qingran guessed that Su Yiyi must have looked very cute while saying those things, as Lu Tingyuan’s laughter was pleasant and doting—a sharp contrast to how he sounded when dealing with her.

She had intended to ignore it and focus on her own work, but Lu Tingyuan insisted on bothering her.

The two went to the conference room. The moment he entered, he said with a gloomy expression: "Yiyi is here to gain experience, not to be your employee. Don’t make things difficult for her."

Ji Qingran was stunned. She looked up at him, her brows slightly furrowed: "How have I made things difficult for her?"

"She’s only a junior; it’s normal for her English not to be great. Giving her documents entirely in English—isn't that clearly trying to make her look like a fool?" His tone was cold, every word like an interrogation, leaving her no room for explanation.

"Ji Qingran, when did you become so bitter and mean?"

Bitter and mean.

These four words pierced deep into her heart. Ji Qingran’s breathing hitched. Resisting the sting in her eyes, she asked him: "So, Lu Tingyuan, are you now standing up for your little junior sister?"