At this time, many people had arrived and were lining up—clearly, everyone wanted to go boating on the lake.
Originally, Cecilia Gu and her group could have used their privilege to get a private boat.
But that wouldn't be any fun.
It's only fun when everyone plays together!
So none of them suggested clearing the area for themselves. Instead, they lined up according to their group size and boarded the boat one by one.
Each boat could hold more than thirty people.
So besides Cecilia Gu’s group of nine, there was also a group of elderly tourists, led by their guide, all wearing little red hats as they boarded the boat.
Lucas Lin pulled Rona Muir to sit at the front of the boat, giving up the cabin seats to the elderly.
Cecilia Gu and her friends headed to the stern, so they could get a better view of the scenery.
At that moment, the lights along the river lit up one after another, instantly setting the mood.
Music softly played from speakers hidden on both sides of the river, and some real-life cosplayers dressed as bartenders, waiters, laundry girls, and top courtesans strolled through the riverside shops, making it feel like they’d traveled back to the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Feeling excited, Cecilia Gu improvised a poem to a courtesan across the river: "Gentle breeze adorns the spring city, fine rain falls like silk upon jade dust. Let poetic feelings seek out wondrous sights, lush flowers and strong wine belong to those at leisure."
Someone heard Cecilia Gu’s voice and waved at her in greeting.
Wendy lowered her voice and said to Cecilia Gu, "I bet she didn’t even understand what you said."
Two bodyguards laughed and added, "They’re all just local villagers working here, not real courtesans, so of course they wouldn’t understand."
Cecilia Gu shrugged, "Whether they understand or not doesn’t matter. What’s important is that they know we’re greeting them."
"True," Wendy nodded.
At the bow, Lucas Lin and Rona Muir leaned against the railing, enjoying the gentle night breeze—it was beyond comfortable.
The temperature in the mountains was already four or five degrees lower than in the city, and now with the night breeze, it was perfectly cool.
Way more comfortable than sitting in an air-conditioned room.
Lucas Lin instinctively caught Rona Muir in his arms. The moment her soft body crashed into his chest, he stiffened, then hugged her tightly.
This was a rare chance for intimacy, and he definitely wasn’t going to let it slip by.
Right now, Lucas was holding Rona like a boyfriend would—super close, super ambiguous.
Once the boat steadied, Rona awkwardly wriggled out of his embrace. "Oh, sorry about that! I didn’t mean to fall into you."
Lucas wanted to say, 'Even if you did it on purpose, I wouldn’t mind.'
But he kept it cool and just replied, "It’s fine."
After all the fuss, Lucas suddenly found it impossible to say what he’d wanted to say.
He just mumbled, "Rona, if someone ever tells you I did something to hurt you, don’t believe them, okay?"
"Alright, alright." Rona gave Lucas a helpless look, not taking his words to heart—just chalking it up to childishness.
Lucas opened his mouth, wanting to confess, but the words just wouldn’t come out.
Just then, the boat docked. Someone on the shore came over with a big bucket of fresh flowers. Spotting Lucas, they quickly pulled out a flower and said, "Hey handsome, buy a flower for your girlfriend!"
Rona laughed and declined, "We’re not a couple, but thanks anyway."
Lucas pulled out his phone and quietly scanned the vendor’s QR code. "One rose, please."
The vendor picked out a blooming rose and quickly handed it to Lucas.
Lucas gave the rose to Rona. "This is the first time I’ve ever given a girl a flower. Don’t tell me you’re gonna deny me the experience of giving one, right?"
Rona hesitated, not taking the flower. "Do you even know what giving a rose means?"
"I know." Lucas stubbornly held the flower out to her. "It means I really like you!"
Rona was stunned, instinctively wanting to refuse.
Lucas quickly added, "As my favorite big sister!"
Rona finally relaxed and smiled, accepting the flower. "You, you. With a sweet mouth like yours, I bet some girl out there is totally smitten by you. Nice flower, I’ll take it. Thanks."
Lucas purposely ignored the first half of her comment and just looked happy.
Cecilia Gu watched Lucas and Rona’s exchange, sighing inwardly.
When will Rona finally notice how Lucas feels about her?
Lucas is so obvious, but Rona probably still thinks of him as her little brother.
Sigh, poor Lucas.
He knows there’s no hope, but he keeps diving in headfirst.
Xiao Wang noticed something too and whispered to Cecilia, "Madam, do you want to give them a hint?"
Cecilia shook her head. "Let Lucas decide for himself. He’s a good kid—this is a good test for Rona. She’s been on bad terms with Pingshan lately and hasn’t found a way to patch things up. Maybe Lucas is just the opportunity they need."
Xiao Wang could only nod and stay quiet.
Everyone had a great night, and by the time they got back to the Livingston Hotel, it was already 10:30.
As they walked into the hotel lobby, Zhou Mang came right toward them.
Cecilia and Rona pretended not to see him and brushed past.
When Zhou Mang passed Lucas, he spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear: "If you don’t want to die, bring Cecilia Gu to my room tonight."
Lucas shuddered but acted like he hadn’t heard anything, keeping his pace steady.
Zhou Mang walked a few steps, then turned back, his eyes cold and sinister as he stared at Lucas.
Lucas had dared to defy Zhou Mang’s orders last night. If he didn’t behave tonight, Zhou Mang wouldn’t mind teaching him a lesson.
Any woman Zhou Mang wanted, he’d always get!
He’d totally embarrassed himself in front of her today. He had to get his dignity back!
Back in his room, Lucas was about to go in when he suddenly turned around and called out, "Mrs. Yin!"
Cecilia turned her head. "Yes?"
"Watch out for Zhou Mang. He’s bad news," Lucas blurted out, then ducked into his room.
"Got it." Cecilia smiled lightly and went into her room without another word.
Everyone was tired from all the fun, so they washed up and went to bed.
Meanwhile, Zhou Mang waited and waited in his room until his eyes were about to pop, but Cecilia never showed up.
"Damn you, Lucas!" Zhou Mang jumped up, furious. "You dare stand me up? I’ll make you pay!"
He was about to storm out but remembered the bidding results would be announced tomorrow. After thinking it over, he decided to hold back.
Fine, I’ll settle the score after the results are out!
Just a pretty boy kept by my sister, and he dares defy me!
Looking for trouble!
If I’d known, I wouldn’t have helped him get that acting gig!
Hmph!
Zhou Mang started regretting sending Toto Rabbit away so soon. Otherwise, he’d have someone to vent his anger on tonight.
The night passed quietly.
Finally, it was time to announce the bidding results.
Twenty-six companies waited in the conference room, all anxious for the final decision.
Anyone who said they weren’t nervous was lying. Everyone had poured so much effort into this project.
It all comes down to this moment.
(Note: In Chinese business dramas, bidding scenes are highly dramatic and tense, often symbolizing a turning point for the characters' fates.)
Back in his room, Lucas was about to go in when he suddenly turned and called out, "Mrs. Yin!"
Cecilia turned around. "Yes?"
"Watch out for Zhou Mang. He’s not a good person." Lucas blurted out awkwardly, then dashed into his room.
"Okay." Cecilia smiled gently, said nothing more, and went into her room.
Everyone was exhausted from the night’s fun, so they washed up and went to bed.
Meanwhile, Zhou Mang waited in his room until he was practically cross-eyed, but Cecilia never showed up.
"You’re dead, Lucas!" Zhou Mang jumped up, furious. "You dare stand me up? I’ll make you pay!"
He was about to storm out, but remembered the bidding results would be announced tomorrow. He thought it over and decided to hold back.
Fine, I’ll settle things after the results are out!
Just a pretty boy kept by my sister, and he dares defy me!
Looking for trouble!
If I’d known, I wouldn’t have helped him get that acting gig!
Hmph!
Zhou Mang started regretting sending Toto Rabbit away so soon. Otherwise, he’d have someone to vent his anger on tonight.
The night passed quietly.
Finally, it was time to announce the bidding results.
Twenty-six companies waited in the conference room, all anxious for the final decision.
Anyone who said they weren’t nervous was lying. Everyone had poured so much effort into this project.
It all comes down to this moment.