Chapter 21: Accommodating Her Schedule

Lou Yizhou stood there, dressed in a sharp suit and exuding an air of nobility. He possessed such a naturally flawless appearance that it was as if he had won the genetic lottery.

"Brother Yizhou..." While the crowd remained stunned by Lou Yizhou’s imposing presence, Hu Yiyi minced toward him with a coquettish gait. "Why are you here? Are you here to inspect the operations?"

Lou Yizhou looked straight ahead, asking indifferently, "And why would I need to report to you?"

Hu Yiyi stiffened.

"By seniority," Lou Yizhou continued, "you should at least address me as your Third Uncle. But..." He shifted his tone sharply, "you and I are not on such terms. Just follow the others and call me Third Master."

Hu Yiyi’s face turned ghastly.

Cheng Zhi seized the moment to add, "So, you aren't actually close to the Lou family after all. Yet, a moment ago, someone was throwing their weight around, brandishing the Lou family name like a banner. What a farce—nothing but a fox pretending to be a tiger."

"You... what are you?" Unable to go too far with Lou Yizhou present, Hu Yiyi pointed abruptly at Song Yin. "Third Master, those two are scammers. Especially her—just yesterday, she was at the hospital pretending to be Brother Huai’s girlfriend. I was only concerned that she had ill intentions, especially since this mall belongs to the Lou family."

"Since when did the Lou family need you, Miss Hu, to keep trouble at bay?"

Hu Yiyi’s face cycled between pale and crimson; she was speechless. A friend accompanying her tugged at her sleeve, signaling her to leave before she truly offended Lou Yizhou.

Hu Yiyi had no choice but to act submissive. "Third Master, I was wrong. Please don't hold it against me. I’ll take my leave now."

Lou Yizhou remained silent. Hu Yiyi stood rooted to the spot, not daring to move.

A few seconds later, Lou Yizhou flicked two fingers, signaling that she could go.

Hu Yiyi hurried away with her friend. All those nearby stood in breathless silence. Song Yin once again felt the sheer weight of Lou Yizhou’s aura. Especially on his own turf, he was truly the one who held the sky in his hands.

Lou Yizhou looked at Song Yin. "I apologize that the two of you had such an unpleasant shopping experience. Whatever you have your eyes on, I will have the manager apply a discount."

"Are you still going to buy it?" Song Yin asked Cheng Zhi.

Cheng Zhi kept her eyes down, her mind racing. Should she buy it or not? She had just realized that Lou Yizhou was standing up for Song Yin, not for her.

"I... should I buy it or not?"

"..." Song Yin looked at her. "Are you asking me?"

Cheng Zhi thought for a moment, then let out a sheepish laugh. "Forget it, I’m not buying. My stomach suddenly feels off; I need to use the restroom. I’ll catch up with you in a bit."

Not forgetting her manners, Cheng Zhi greeted Lou Yizhou, "Good day, Third Master." Then, she scurried off.

Song Yin was left in a state of disarray. Could her acting get any more clumsy? Realizing she couldn't avoid speaking to him, she took the initiative. "Thank you, Third Master."

Lou Yizhou stepped two paces closer to her. Perhaps it was his overwhelming presence, but as he approached, Song Yin’s heart began to race inexplicably.

"Are you and my nephew in a relationship?"

Song Yin felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Ye Huai was Lou Yizhou’s nephew? The world was truly impossibly small.

"Third Master, I think you are overstepping. My relationship with Dr. Ye is none of your concern."

"Is that a denial, or an admission?" Lou Yizhou asked, single-mindedly focused on the answer.

She knew that if she didn't give a clear response, she wouldn't be able to leave. Song Yin lowered her eyes and said, "Dr. Ye is my mother’s doctor."

"Third Master has his answer now. May I go?"

Lou Yizhou didn't answer her question, effectively blocking her path. He asked nonchalantly, "Yinyin, have you always had such a temper?"

"This is me being restrained."

Beside them, Assistant Xu was already breaking into a cold sweat. Did this daring woman have any idea who the man standing before her was?

To everyone’s surprise, Lou Yizhou laughed instead of getting angry. "I am flying to Dubai this week for some business negotiations and I am short an interpreter. I wonder if you would be willing to take the job, Yinyin."

Song Yin thought she was hallucinating. This was the man who had cast her aside without rhyme or reason last night, and now he was clearing her name and offering her work? What on earth?

Not daring to offend him directly, Song Yin found a reasonable excuse. "I have something very important this week..."

"Then we shall go next week."

He didn't give her a chance to finish her sentence. It seemed his entire business trip could be adjusted to fit her schedule.

Song Yin said, "If Third Master is doing this because of what happened last night, there is no need..."

"I am a man who never apologizes; what is done is done," Lou Yizhou interrupted, speaking with measured deliberation. "But you can consider this a gesture of my goodwill."

You certainly know how to play word games! Was it so hard to admit he had wronged her?

"The trip lasts three days. The pay is five figures."

"In US dollars."

"Thank you for the offer, Third Master. I accept the job."

She spoke so quickly, fearing that if she waited even a second longer, Lou Yizhou might change his mind.