Chapter 65: Almost Let It Slip

Fu Er, she probably doesn't want us to find her.

The events that happened five years ago are vivid in our minds; Lu Xiwán's disappearance was certainly no accident.

Fu Sijue suppressed his emotions, his eyes filled with red veins.

"I want her to tell me face‑to‑face."

The assistant who hurriedly followed, startled by their silence, silently handed the list of competing studios to Fu Sijue.

"Make the appointment right now; I need to talk with Luo Zhou."

Fu Sijue made the final decision, and Xie Zian also rose promptly, "I'll go with you."

After speaking, he met Fu Sijue's faintly puzzled gaze and sighed lightly, "I have more experience than you in handling this matter."

His stubborn temper easily provokes others, so it might be safer for Xie Zian to follow.

Fu Sijue pressed his thin lips together, gave a reluctant nod, stood up, and hurried out.

……

Yunsheng Studio's popularity surged online due to a plagiarism scandal; when they arrived at the studio, Luo Zhou had just escorted the client out.

"President Fu, why did you come in person?" Luo Zhou, exhausted, rubbed his brow; the continuous transfers had also taken a toll on him.

Xie Zian held back the about‑to‑speak Fu Sijue, and sat opposite Luo Zhou with a smiling face.

"We're here, of course, to discuss cooperation with President Luo," he examined Luo Zhou without leaving a trace.

His suit was crisp; even after a busy morning, he showed no sign of panic.

Luo Zhou didn't seem the type to be bought by profit, Xie Zian almost instantly reached that conclusion.

"We want to ask President Luo about Wanwan's true identity; as for the terms… President Luo can set them as he wishes," Xie Zian said, leaning back calmly.

His investigative tone carried a hint of certainty, and Luo Zhou flustered for a moment.

Then, he lowered his brows, concealed the emotion in his eyes, pretended calm, and picked up the water cup on the table, "You both know we've been developing abroad; Wanwan is a friend I met back then, merely representing us in the competition."

"As for her specific status, that's personal privacy, and I don't feel comfortable asking further."

Such an obvious evasion, even a fool could see through it.

A cold smile spread on Xie Zian's lips, and following his words he asked, "President Luo is truly magnanimous, daring to use someone whose background is unknown as a competition representative?"

Luo Zhou's hand holding the cup paused briefly, then he chuckled lightly, "She is my friend; I trust her."

Xie Zian nodded in understanding, lightly patted Fu Sijue, and pulled him up.

"Since that's the case, we won't bother President Luo; we hope to see Wanwan's brilliant work in the semifinals."

The two left immediately, without any lingering words.

"Luo Zhou refuses to speak; what do we do next?" Xie Zian took a deep breath.

Luo Zhou's attitude was even more resolute than he had imagined.

"I'll come in person for the semifinals and must find Wanwan," Fu Sijue lowered his eyes, his tall figure bearing a hint of loneliness.

By the time Xie Zian escorted Fu Sijue home, it was night, and Hengshan Gongguan was brightly lit.

Yao Yao and Xi Xi sat on the cushion playing, while Lu Xiwán watched TV beside them.

Gu Qingmeng heard the sound and sprang up from the sofa, "Sijue, why did you come back so late today?"

Lu Xiwán didn't turn her head, still calmly sitting on the cushion.

"I stepped out with Xie Zian; haven't you all gone to sleep?" Fu Sijue, upon entering, walked straight to the two little Milk Group members.

Gu Qingmeng followed him with an unwilling expression, "What does Xie Zian want from you?"

Just mentioning Xie Zian made Gu Qingmeng's teeth itch with resentment.

"He said he saw Wanwan," Fu Sijue's brief reply caused Gu Qingmeng's expression to change dramatically.

……

Three days later, the semifinals began as scheduled.

Compared with the bustling preliminaries, the semifinals had over half the crowd missing, and everyone was busy reviewing their designs.

Compared to other studios' teams of a dozen or more, Yunsheng's two members seemed especially few.

Hearing Luo Zhou sigh repeatedly, Lu Xiwán instinctively turned back, saw his worried face, and laughed lightly, "The competition hasn't even started yet; what are you worried about?"

What else could there be to worry about…

Luo Zhou lifted his eyes and glanced at her, a melancholy expression on his face, "Two days ago Fu Sijue came to ask me about you."

"I almost let it slip; if I hadn't had good mental composure…"