The CEO’s Substitute Wife Is A Genius

Chapter 25: Chapter 25: We Must Share a Room Chapter 25: Chapter 25: We Must Share a Room “What are you doing in my room?” Jiang Man’s tone involuntarily rose.

Lu Xingzhou silently glared at the person in his arms and shook his head.

This girl would turn into a prickly hedgehog every now and then, really not endearing herself to anyone.

He didn’t speak, his expression somber.

He held the person in his arms and tossed her onto the soft chaise longue.

“Don’t move, I’m going to get a band-aid.”

His voice was commanding, even without anger.

Jiang Man furrowed her brows and sat up on her own.

She glanced around and noticed the room was very tidy.

All the furniture was in a retro style.

Lu Xingzhou walked over to a low cabinet, opened one of the drawers, and took out a first-aid kit.

He grabbed a small box of band-aids, and threw it towards the chaise longue.

“I’m going to take a shower,” he said indifferently.

When he had been holding Jiang Man, he had sweated profusely.

He was a clean freak, couldn’t stand sweat on his body, and even less so, the smell of it.

Without waiting for Jiang Man’s response, Lu Xingzhou had already rummaged through the wardrobe for a set of clean clothes and headed towards the bathroom.

Jiang Man stuck a band-aid on her heel and then realized that she hadn’t brought her high heels with her; they were still in the courtyard!

She wasn’t in any hurry, as the room was cool even without the air conditioning on.

So she turned on her mobile game and started playing.

The sound of water flowing from the bathroom didn’t bother her in the slightest.

After two rounds of the game, the sound of water finally stopped.

The bathroom door opened, and Lu Xingzhou walked out.

Hearing the noise, Jiang Man looked up casually and took a glance.

But it was this glance that made her involuntarily curl the corners of her mouth.

Lu Xingzhou had changed into casual clothes, wearing a white tank top with a black short-sleeve jacket and a pair of loose shorts below.

In the past, he always dressed in suits and long shirts, like a gentlemanly man straight out of a finishing school, wrapping himself up tightly.

Today, however, he was unexpectedly showing off his arms and legs?

What a guy!

Jiang Man inwardly remarked, the hair on his legs suggesting he had a strong male hormone presence.

Would such a man really be gay?

If he was, would he be an O or an A?

Emm…

Considering the thickness of his leg hair, he must be a virile A!

Jiang Man immediately concocted a raunchy BL story in her mind, and the shameless smile could not be concealed, spilling over her lips.

Lu Xingzhou, drying his damp hair with a towel, heard Jiang Man’s laughter and glanced at her, “What are you laughing at?”

“Nothing,” Jiang Man immediately repressed her smile and raised her thumb, “You’re very A!”

Lu Xingzhou didn’t surf the internet much and knew very few of the trendy internet memes.

But he understood this A, which was similar to being dashing.

“Thanks.” Lu Xingzhou’s face remained impassive, “I know I’m attractive, but Jiang Man, you’ve got to reign in your heart and stop fantasizing about me!”

“Don’t worry, I’m not that kinky,” Jiang Man crossed her legs, leaned against the chaise longue, and continued playing her game.

Looking at her now, despite her elegant dress, her behavior and manners didn’t quite align with elegance.

“Oh right, Mr. Lu, my high heels are still out in the courtyard,” Jiang Man said casually.

“I’ll have Zhao Huai bring them over later.” Having said that, Lu Xingzhou went to pick up his phone to call Zhao Huai.

“What shoe size do you wear?”

“37,” Jiang Man replied without looking up, offhandedly.

Half an hour later.

Zhao Huai walked into the yard with two shopping bags in hand, standing outside the threshold and calling in, “BOSS, I’ve bought the shoes.”

Lu Xingzhou was sitting in a mahogany chair, leafing through an ancient tome.

Without raising his head, he said in a low voice, “Give them to her.”

Jiang Man put down her phone and looked up to see Zhao Huai approaching her.

“Madam, I wasn’t sure what style of shoes you liked, so I picked out several pairs. Take a look and wear whichever you prefer.”

As he spoke, Zhao Huai took shoeboxes out of the shopping bags, neatly arranging the shoes in front of Jiang Man.

Jiang Man was pleasantly surprised and cast a puzzled glance at the man reading not far away.

Lu Xingzhou didn’t look up, his attention still on his book, and spoke indifferently, “If those high heels are uncomfortable, just throw them away. When you’re out, style comes second to comfort. From now on, when you come to the old mansion, dress for comfort first.”

“Uh…” Jiang Man was at a loss for words.

She had to admit, sometimes Lu Xingzhou was very thoughtful and incredibly warm-hearted.

She really didn’t want to wear those high heels anymore, but she was only planning to mention it after returning to Rong Mansion.

“I’ll wear these white sneakers,” Jiang Man pointed to the pair with the lowest heels that appeared to be the most comfortable.

When she slipped her feet into the shoes, it was as if they were instantly redeemed.

The high heels were like shackles, like fetters, while the white sneakers were liberty and freedom.

“They’re really comfortable,” Jiang Man stood up from the couch and took a couple of steps, “Assistant Zhao, thank you.”

Zhao Huai smiled, “You’re welcome, Madam. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”

“BOSS, what about these shoes?”

“Put them in the car, take them to Rong Mansion later,” Lu Xingzhou said indistinctly.

“Yes,” Zhao Huai nodded, then put the other shoes back into their boxes and left with the shopping bags.

The room once again was left with just Jiang Man and Lu Xingzhou.

Without Zhao Huai, the two of them instantly became mute, the atmosphere unbearably awkward.

After what felt like a long while, Lu Xingzhou finally broke the silence and put the ancient book down, “With those shoes on, you should be able to walk now, right? I’ll take you around for a bit.”

“Sure.” Continuously playing games was boring, so Jiang Man didn’t hesitate and immediately agreed.

Lu Xingzhou nodded, “There’s nothing much to show in my room, let’s go elsewhere.”

Jiang Man said nothing and followed along.

Only after listening to Lu Xingzhou’s introduction did she learn that the old mansion was originally a prince’s residence.

Grandma loved Chinese-style architecture, so Grandpa bought this prince’s residence and gave it to her as a birthday gift.

“No wonder Grandma has such a good temperament, she’s been spoiled like a princess by Grandpa all along,” Jiang Man remarked, listening to the romantic love story of the elder Mrs. Lu and elder Mr. Lu.

In fact, it wasn’t just elder Mr. Lu who doted on Mrs. Lu; Lu Xingzhou did too.

Mrs. Lu said whom he should marry, and he would marry her; such compliance—if that’s not doting, then what is?

“Mr. Lu, growing up in such a loving family, you ought to be a loving person, too.”

“Hmm?” Lu Xingzhou gave Jiang Man a dissatisfied look.

Jiang Man raised her eyebrows, “If you truly love, why should you be confined by gender? I believe Grandma understands the big picture and would surely bless you.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Xingzhou was full of question marks and his face darkened, “My parents died in a car accident when I was very young, and my uncle was not interested in managing the family business, so after Grandpa passed away, the burden of the Lu family fell on my shoulders. Jiang Man, it’s not that I don’t date, I just don’t have time to date. If you think that makes me a cold-hearted person without love, then I won’t deny it.”

Jiang Man didn’t expect Lu Xingzhou to suddenly become so serious.

She nodded awkwardly.

What does ‘no time to date’ mean? It’s clearly that he’s too proud to reveal his true orientation, right?

But, to each their own—mutual respect it is.

“Mr. Lu, I understand you,” Jiang Man said gently.

Lu Xingzhou glanced at her, “Since you understand, then I’m afraid you’ll have to cooperate tonight.”

“Hmm?” Jiang Man raised her eyebrows.

“Grandma’s idea is to have us both stay overnight at the old mansion, in the same room,” he said.