Chapter 193 Rewarding My Smart Wife

“Also, look at these disposable supplies—the price fluctuations are way too regular. The price increases once every three months, and each time it goes up by about 15%.”

“And look at the purchasing frequency. Last month alone, disposable syringes were bought three times, each time in batches of 100,000.”

“Based on Kangren’s average daily outpatient and inpatient volume, there’s no way they’d use up that many.”

Flipping through a few more pages, he added, “And this medical gauze—the purchase price is 1.5 times the market price, and all the suppliers are from the same company.”

Lu Er spoke with certainty, “This doesn’t follow normal market patterns. Either someone in procurement is taking kickbacks, or there’s something wrong with the supplier.”

Song Jingmo looked at him, feeling both surprised and proud, with a hint of heartache.

Lu Er was a top-tier celebrity.

But he had never imagined that Lu Er could also be this sharp in business matters.

“How do you know all this?”

Lu Er smiled. “I once played a finance director. For that role, I specifically studied financial analysis and even consulted a partner at an accounting firm.”

“My brother also taught me—said that even if I don’t take over the family business, I should at least understand some of it, so I won’t get cheated.”

He set down his pen and leaned into Song Jingmo’s arms. “Later, in the entertainment industry, with all the contracts, endorsements, investments…”

“There’s so much messy stuff. Over time, you just learn. In this circle, there are more people trying to take advantage of you than help you.”

Song Jingmo held him tighter and kissed his forehead. “Our Er’er is so smart.”

Lu Er felt a little embarrassed. “What’s so smart about that?”

Song Jingmo lowered his head and kissed his lips.

Lu Er smiled. “Rewarding me?”

“Mm.”

Song Jingmo kissed him again. “Rewarding my smart wife.”

Lu Er rested his head on Song Jingmo’s shoulder. “This person should be from the procurement department—and an experienced one at that, very cautious.”

“He didn’t raise prices across all categories, only selected high-volume, low-unit-price consumables that wouldn’t attract attention. Even if investigated, it could be explained away as market fluctuation.”

Song Jingmo nodded. “I’ll have the audit department look into it tomorrow.”

“For someone this slippery, a direct investigation might alert him. You need both pressure and leniency.”

Lu Er sat up straight. “First, talk to him privately. Show the evidence, but don’t expose everything. Let him know you’re aware of what he’s doing, but that you’re willing to give him a chance.”

“As long as he returns the money he’s taken and promises not to do it again, the matter can end there.”

Song Jingmo raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“This way, you can remove the problem without causing too much disturbance. You’ve just taken over as director—if things get too intense, people will panic.”

Lu Er spoke clearly, his eyes shining with a sharpness that didn’t belong to a typical celebrity.

Looking at him like this, Song Jingmo suddenly felt that he had never truly understood the person in his arms.

The Lu Er he knew was the boy whose eyes curved when he smiled.

The lover who blushed, acted spoiled, and would throw caution to the wind for him after they reunited.

But he hadn’t known this calm, perceptive side of him.

Song Jingmo stared at him for a long time without speaking.

Lu Er grew a bit uncomfortable. “What? Did I say something wrong?”

“No.”

Song Jingmo shook his head. “Er’er, it’s a pity you didn’t go into business…”

Lu Er smiled. “What’s the point of business? You’re not interested in it anyway. No matter how successful I’d be or how much money I made, you wouldn’t spare me a second glance.”

“Only if my posters were all over the streets, and my movies were showing in theaters everywhere, would you possibly notice me.”

The words were light, but they carried weight.

So heavy that Song Jingmo felt his heart clench painfully.

Six years ago, when he saw Lu Er in a commercial on TV, he thought Lu Er had already started a new life and didn’t want to be disturbed.

He had never imagined that behind that glamorous image was such a heavy, persistent longing.

Song Jingmo pulled him tightly into his arms—so tight that Lu Er could barely breathe.

“I’m sorry.”

He repeated softly by his ear, “Er’er, I’m sorry.”

“You don’t need to apologize.”

Lu Er’s voice was muffled. “Back then, we were both too young. Being foolish and impulsive was inevitable. The path I’m on now is also my own choice.”

“But the price you paid was too great.”

Song Jingmo’s voice turned hoarse.

Lu Er fell silent for a moment, then looked at him. “Then how are you going to make it up to me?”

His peach blossom eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief and expectation.

“What kind of compensation do you want?” Song Jingmo asked, his thumb gently stroking his cheek.

Lu Er thought for a moment, then quietly slipped his hand under Song Jingmo’s shirt, touching his firm abs.

“I want to take a bite.”

His eyes gleamed like a little fox plotting something mischievous.

Song Jingmo raised a brow. “Just one bite?”

“Mm, just one for now.”

Lu Er’s hand continued moving upward. “As for the rest… depends on my mood.”

Song Jingmo smiled and lifted him into his arms.

He pulled open a drawer and took something out.

It was the tie that had come with the ring purchase—silk, cool to the touch.

Lu Er looked puzzled. “What do you need the tie for?”

“For you.”

Lu Er suddenly understood. His face flushed, his heart racing—but he didn’t pull away.

Song Jingmo leaned down and gently covered Lu Er’s eyes with the tie, tying it behind his head.

The world instantly fell into darkness.

Lu Er instinctively reached out, but his hand was caught, their fingers interlocked.

“Jingmo…”

He called softly, a hint of unease in his voice.

“I’m here.”

Song Jingmo’s kiss landed by his ear, warm breath brushing against sensitive skin. “Don’t be afraid.”

Dazed by the kisses, Lu Er clutched at his clothes.

The tie wasn’t tight, but it blocked his vision completely.

Everything around him was pitch black.

He could hear Song Jingmo’s slightly heavy breathing, smell his clean, pleasant scent, feel the warmth of his hands at his waist…

Song Jingmo’s kisses always started gentle, then deepened, carrying an undeniable intensity.

From his forehead to his eyes, from the tip of his nose to his lips, from his chin to his neck—

Each touch was tender yet burning, as if confirming, marking, expressing emotions that words could not convey.

Lu Er trembled in the darkness.

His fingers tightened on the bedsheet, then loosened, finally gripping Song Jingmo’s back.

“Jingmo…”

His voice carried a trace of tears.

“Mm.”

Song Jingmo responded, his kisses growing deeper, his touch more intense.

The darkness magnified every sensation.

Lu Er felt like he was floating on the surface of the sea, with Song Jingmo as his only anchor, clinging to him tightly.

“Husband…”

Lu Er gasped softly.

“Sounds nice. Say it a few more times.”

Song Jingmo coaxed him, kissing him more deeply.

Lu Er tilted his head back, fingers threading into Song Jingmo’s hair.

In the darkness, he couldn’t see his expression.

But he could feel every movement, every touch, burning with heat.

The kisses were hot.

The hands were hot.

Even the breath was hot.

So hot it made his whole body go weak.

Song Jingmo’s love burned so intensely it felt like it would melt him completely.

In the study, the desk lamp was still on, its warm yellow light spilling over the financial reports spread across the table.

And on the carpet beside the desk, two figures were entwined together.