Chapter 23: Going on a Spring Outing with My Love Rival
Liu Family Villa, Quiet Room.
The biweekly counseling session proceeded as planned. Zhang Junfang eyed Liu Wangjiang, the faint scent of sleeping pills clinging to him, his deep purple eyes betraying exhaustion.
Resting his pen against his chin, Zhang paused. “Mr. Liu, for insomnia, one or two pills might help, but overdoing it harms your health.”
“I know,” Liu Wangjiang replied, tone distant. “This is my business. Finish the diagnosis and leave. I have things to handle.”
“Mr. Liu, don’t resist treatment,” Zhang said, adjusting his gold-rimmed glasses, voice firm. “Your recent anxiety is abnormal. As your mother’s hired doctor, I’m obligated to help. Try boxing, a foot massage, or something you enjoy to ease stress.”
Liu Wangjiang nodded halfheartedly, impatience flickering in his eyes.
The door opened, and Mother Liu entered, glancing at Zhang with worry. “Doctor Zhang, is Wangjiang… very anxious?”
“Not normal anxiety—abnormal,” Zhang corrected. “Insomnia’s expected. A spring outing might help. A new environment could reduce stress.”
Liu Wangjiang raised a hand to refuse, but Mother Liu cut in. “Perfect! We’re free. A family outing it is! I’ll tell Siwei.” She turned to Wangjiang. “Call Qingqi, too.”
She left briskly.
Wangjiang swallowed his refusal, the room falling silent.
Zhang studied him. “Your mother cares deeply. She begged me to take your case, got my contact through the Xu family.”
Wangjiang’s eyes dimmed, lips parting, but no words came.
Zhang continued, stroking his chin. “Psychologically, your mother’s micro-expressions—caring, kind, childlike—don’t match her age. Interesting.”
He paused, probing. “If I may, would you mind if I counseled her?”
“No,” Wangjiang cut in coldly. “Ask my unqualified father if you’re curious. You won’t get answers, and you don’t want them.”
He stood and left, leaving Zhang alone.
Zhang tsked at the empty doorway. “Terrible attitude. No communication. Without treatment, he’s on a path to mental illness.”
His brows furrowed, a figure flashing in his mind—Liu Siwei, Wangjiang’s father. Mature, steady, handsome, wealthy, gentle. A model man.
Yet, he felt oddly familiar, not in looks but in mental state. The last patient like that? Zhao Yicheng.
Lu Family Living Room.
“Deep breath, deep breath. Surveillance could be fake,” Lu Qingqi muttered, staring at the video in his hand, eyes blazing but restrained.
Monkey sent it—crystal clear. Yuki Shirahara and a masked man in a baseball cap entered a hotel room, exiting together after two and a half hours.
What happened? Unknown.
But to a guy, a man and woman in a hotel for hours? In his head, it’s already happened.
He jabbed the screen, fuming. “Monkey, 50,000. Hire more people. Dig deeper. You’ll be rewarded.”
His phone pinged: “Understood, Mr. Lu.”
He tossed it aside, fingers trembling. He hovered over Yuki’s number, then pulled back. “Why call now? Begging for trouble? Find the truth first.”
His phone rang—“Godmother.” He inhaled, answering calmly. “Hey, Godmother.”
“Little Luzi!” Mother Liu’s voice was bright. “Free? Join me for a spring outing! Hotel’s booked, 4A scenic spot, gorgeous views. Relax a bit!”
Lu Qingqi paused. Sleepless over Yuki’s possible betrayal, maybe a trip would clear his head.
“Alright, Godmother, I need fresh air.”
“That’s the spirit!” she laughed. “Wait outside. Driver’s coming soon.”
He hung up, swapped his coat, and stepped out of the villa.
Spring sun glared. He stood on the steps. Minutes later, a black car pulled up.
The window rolled down, revealing Liu Wangjiang’s blank face.
Lu Qingqi stepped back. Driver? Why him?
The back door swung open. Mother Liu popped out, waving. “Little Luzi, hop in!”
He glanced at her warm smile, then at Wangjiang’s stone-cold face, gritted his teeth, and climbed in reluctantly.