221 Why Seek From Afar What Lies Close at Hand?

Her voice was hoarse, Lin Nuan recalled the events of the previous night and flushed.

She thought of how Fu Huai'an had stopped at a pharmacy to get her some lozenges before sending her home, and her face turned red.

Bai Xiaonian crossed her arms, looked at Lin Nuan's back, and said deliberately, "Are you telling me that someone like Fu Huai'an… who's such an eligible bachelor and who's worth billions… would be so innocent as to only have a heart-to-heart talk with you before both of you turn in for the night?"

Especially when it was clear they were both interested in each other.

Lin Nuan kept silent.

Song Yao walked out of the kitchen carrying a glass of water, passed it to Lin Nuan and asked concernedly, "Why is your voice so hoarse?"

Lin Nuan sheepishly took the cup from her and said cursorily, "I had a scare yesterday… and I also came down with the flu."

While Bai Xiaonian and Song Yao were discussing what a scoundrel Wang Quan was, Lin Nuan charged her phone and sat down on the rug in the living room. She switched on her laptop and looked through the email that Miss Xia had sent. It was regarding the subject profile and background information for her next interview.

She was stunned to see that the next guest was going to be Shi Hanchu, winner of the Best Actor award.

Miss Xia hadn't revealed over the phone who she would be interviewing, but she had said that Lin Nuan's program was the talk of the town even before going on air. The particular guest had requested to go on Lin Nuan's program of his own accord, and the interview was scheduled to record that weekend.

"Dingdong—"

The alert came from her message inbox. Lin Nuan put down the glass of water, used her hand to support herself, and leaned over to grab her phone, which was still charging, from the side table. The message was from an unknown number, and she opened the message to read it.

'Hi Nuan Nuan, this is Liu Mingchen's mother. I am sorry for disturbing you but would you be available to come to the estate entrance? I will be waiting for you.'

Lin Nuan quickly typed a reply. 'Sure Auntie, I'll be there in five minutes.'

She unplugged her phone from the charger and informed Bai Xiaonian and Song Yao that she would be going out. Then she took her coat and umbrella which were hanging by the door, wore her shoes, and opened the door.

As she was leaving, Song Yao asked what would she like to eat for lunch, but Lin Nuan didn't hear her. She closed the door and left.

…

Liu Mingchen's mother, Lu Mei, stood beside a black car. She was wearing a white coat with three-quarter sleeves, a red silk v-neck blouse tucked into a knee-length fitted white skirt, and a valuable ceramic watch on her wrist. She exuded an air of dignified affluence and seemed to be a shrewd and dominant person.

Her chauffeur stood behind her, shielding her with an umbrella.

Seeing Lin Nuan, Lu Mei smiled and looked at her warmly.

Lu Mei said she had something to discuss with Lin Nuan. As they were only acquaintances, Lin Nuan wasn't able to guess what it was about.

They sat down at the secluded cafe opposite the estate. Lu Mei ordered a pot of fruit tea and poured some into a cup for Lin Nuan. She said in a casual tone, "Uncle Liu went to a dinner party last night and he bumped into your mother having dinner with the Uncle of the Director of the Audit Office…"

At that moment, Lin Nuan was seized by a bitter pain.

Liang Mulan had been living in comfort and was so detached from politics and materials pursuits. She had rarely attended any dinner party to socialize.

"Almost everyone in Haicheng has heard of what happened to your family," Lu Mei said calmly in an amicable manner, "I know you probably want to help your family which was why you approached the son of the Deputy Director of the Audit Office. But Nuan Nuan, why did you seek from afar what lies close at hand?"

Lin Nuan remained silent, looking at Lu Mei with her beautiful bright eyes. Since Lu Mei had brought it up and made clear her intentions, she probably had something else to add. Lin Nuan sat there quietly, waiting for Lu Mei to continue.