Coming to Myself

The next day was the weekend.

It was a rare fine winter day, with warm sunshine and crisp, clean air. You Mingxu declined Luo Yu's offer to pick her up and took a taxi to the golf course. At a glance, she spotted Luo Yu already waiting there, without any subordinates by his side.

Since she had come, she would make the best of it. Whether it was a dragon's den and tiger's lair or a banquet set as a trap, she was determined to venture in.

She was dressed conservatively and plainly today. Luo Yu glanced at her twice, his voice affectionate: "You're always so beautiful."

You Mingxu admired his ability to lie with a straight face, and thought to herself that she had encountered someone even more exaggerated than Yin Feng.

The two walked side by side into the venue. Jing Ping and Xu Mengshan had arranged for people to be inside as well, which went without saying.

Before long, Luo Yu's hand rested on her shoulder.

You Mingxu: "Remove it."

Luo Yu: "If you're so distant with me, how are we going to meet the boss?"

You Mingxu didn't struggle further. Fortunately, his hand remained proper, merely resting lightly without taking any liberties.

Each harboring their own schemes, they walked toward a corner of the venue. This golf practice range was located in the city center, where land was worth its weight in gold, yet it occupied a vast area. Surrounded by high vertical nets, many people were already practicing.

There were four people there, all of whom You Mingxu had seen in photos.

Xing Jifu and Huang Long were chatting at a table, while Xing Yanjun and Guo Feirong were playing golf. Seeing them in person was naturally more vivid and detailed than photos. You Mingxu first noticed Xing Jifu, who appeared quite scholarly, with long, slightly upturned eyes—he must have been a handsome man in his youth.

Luo Yu brought her over to greet them: "Boss, this is my girlfriend, You Mingxu. Mingxu, this is Boss Xing."

You Mingxu responded neither humbly nor arrogantly: "Boss Xing."

Xing Jifu nodded, studying her for a moment longer than necessary, then asked: "Do you play golf?"

You Mingxu shook her head.

Xing Jifu said: "Let Luo Yu teach you. He's good at it." Looking at Luo Yu, he smiled: "You never bring women around. Now that you have, take good care of her."

Luo Yu laughed and said: "Of course. It was so hard for me to win her over."

Xing Jifu chuckled, and Huang Long beside him also smiled with an ambiguous expression. His gaze fixed directly on You Mingxu was the kind that made one quite uncomfortable, but she pretended not to notice.

After the greetings, Luo Yu led her to an empty table nearby and they sat down.

"What would you like to drink?" Luo Yu asked.

You Mingxu said: "Water."

Luo Yu ordered a bottle of mineral water and a cocktail from the waiter. You Mingxu was actually quite excited inside, though she appeared casual on the surface. After all, not everyone had the opportunity to get close to several core members and the leader of the Kaiyang Group. However, she still wasn't clear on what Luo Yu was really up to and planned to deal with things as they came.

"I don't know..." Luo Yu suddenly chuckled softly, "whether involving you is right or wrong. But You Mingxu, since you've agreed, keep your eyes open and see what kind of person I really am. Give me a chance."

You Mingxu paused for a moment, then said: "Alright then. You'd better prove yourself."

Luo Yu suddenly laughed out loud, looking at the woman's lazy, arrogant demeanor that carried an innate charm. It was the very image that had always captivated him."I'm serious, You Mingxu," he said. "What else can I do to make you look at me again? I've put my wealth and even my brothers on the line just to play along with you. Only you could make me do this. You should appreciate my feelings too—don't just think about using me and guarding against me, alright?"

You Mingxu glanced at him but said nothing.

Their sharp exchange, like needles meeting wheat awns, appeared to others as flirtatious whispers and exchanged glances.

Huang Long watched them and said to Xing Jifu, "It seems Luo Yu is really serious about that policewoman this time. Could there be any problems?"

Xing Jifu replied, "He knows his limits."

Although Huang Long had always disliked Luo Yu, he had to admit the man was sharper than any of them—how could he possibly be bested by a woman?

Huang Long scrutinized You Mingxu and smiled meaningfully. "Not bad-looking, and she seems quite spirited. That lecher Luo Yu."

Xing Jifu shot him a look. "Who's the lecher? You should be ashamed, commenting on your brother's woman! Learn from Luo Yu—find a proper woman soon, settle down and build a career!"

Huang Long knew the boss took relationships seriously and chuckled, saying no more.

Meanwhile, Xing Yanjun and Guo Feirong finished their game. Guo Feirong came to sit with the boss, while Xing Yanjun approached Luo Yu and his companion.

Xing Yanjun, two years younger than Luo Yu, smiled and nodded at You Mingxu. "Sister-in-law."

You Mingxu didn't respond. Luo Yu said with a laugh, "Don't call her that—not yet."

Xing Yanjun kept smiling. Luo Yu said to You Mingxu, "Yanjun, this is You Mingxu. Mingxu, call him Brother Xing."

You Mingxu said, "Brother Xing."

Xing Yanjun, seeing her beauty and straightforward demeanor, felt an immediate liking. Among his father's trusted aides, Luo Yu was the only highly educated intellectual, and Xing Yanjun had always gotten along best with him. Now, seeing the woman Luo Yu had chosen, he felt she was different from the women Huang Long and Guo Feirong usually associated with. Xing Yanjun thought the two made a good match and nodded, saying, "You two enjoy yourselves—I won't be a third wheel. Luo Yu, bring Miss You out more often. We should all hang out together—don't neglect a beauty by always being busy with work." He gave You Mingxu a friendly smile, patted Luo Yu's shoulder encouragingly, and went off with his bat to play again.

You Mingxu hadn't expected the Crown Prince to be so amiable and refined, unlike his reserved father, and to treat Luo Yu like a true brother. But appearances could be deceiving.

Luo Yu said then, "He's a good guy. Usually, he only handles real estate and finance—stays completely away from the rest. You don't need to waste your energy on him." He lowered his voice for the last sentence, and You Mingxu glanced at him.

Luo Yu smiled again. "But I didn't expect him to like you. Young Master Xing rarely invites women to join us—he finds them troublesome and doesn't think much of most people. He thinks you're good."

You Mingxu said, "I am good."

"Of course. 'Miss Very Good,' would you honor me with a game?" Luo Yu stood up.

You Mingxu had never imagined she and Luo Yu could sit together so calmly, talking and even playing games. But with all eyes on them, if she wanted to blend into their circle, she had to take action. She followed Luo Yu to play.

She had never played before. Gripping the bat, she watched others nearby and tried to imitate them. Luo Yu laughed at the sight and came over, saying softly, "Let me teach you."He seemed intent on walking behind her to teach her hand-in-hand. You Mingxu felt a chill of disgust and said, "Stay where you are. Touch me once, and I'll smash your head in."

Luo Yu had already reached her side. He glanced at her twice but surprisingly didn't get angry. Holding the bat, he calmly demonstrated the technique. Only then did You Mingxu follow along. When her posture was incorrect, Luo Yu would reach out to correct it, but his hands would withdraw immediately upon contact, never taking advantage.

Of course, to onlookers, their standing side-by-side figures appeared to be an intimate scene of whispered sweet nothings.