Chapter 238 I’m Greedy—I Want It All. Is That Not Allowed?

At exactly 5:30 PM, the lights in the conference hall dimmed on schedule, marking the end of the first day of the academic exchange.

Song Jingmo packed up his laptop and rubbed the back of his sore neck.

After sitting for nearly eight hours straight, his back and waist had grown stiff.

He stood up and followed the crowd out of the hall, his mind still processing the new research developments he had heard today.

Quickening his pace, he headed to the check-in desk and retrieved his phone from the staff.

The moment the screen lit up, he saw over a dozen unread messages and five missed calls—all from Lu Er.

His heart tightened, and he immediately called back.

After three or four rings, the call connected.

“Hello?”

Lu Er’s voice came through, soft and unreadable.

“Er’er,” Song Jingmo spoke a little faster than usual, “Today’s meeting involved unpublished academic results, so all phones were locked away. I just got mine back.”

He paused, sensing something off in the silence on the other end. “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

Only the faint sound of breathing came from the phone.

“Er’er?”

Song Jingmo called again. “Are you listening?”

“I am.”

Lu Er’s voice finally sounded again, very soft, carrying a subtle, indescribable emotion. “I’m fine… I just miss you.”

Song Jingmo’s grip on the phone tightened.

Lu Er rarely spoke like this—soft and sweet, almost coquettish, yet tinged with a hint of grievance.

“Are you really okay?”

His voice unconsciously softened. “Did someone upset you? Or did something happen?”

“No.”

Lu Er paused. “I just miss you. What should I do?”

His voice, coming through the receiver, felt like a kitten’s paw gently scratching at his heart.

The elevator arrived, and the doors opened.

Song Jingmo simply stepped back out, found a relatively quiet corner, turned his back to the crowd, and focused entirely on the call.

Just as Lu Er was about to speak, a cloyingly sweet, almost syrupy voice cut in—

“Director Song~”

Song Jingmo frowned and turned around.

Zhao Lishan was walking toward him with a swaying, graceful gait.

She had changed out of her daytime professional outfit into a wine-red spaghetti-strap dress, with a short black fur jacket draped over it.

Her hair was down in large, wavy curls cascading over her bare shoulders.

Her makeup was exquisite, her red lips alluring.

As if she didn’t even notice he was on the phone, she walked straight up to him, leaning slightly forward.

“You haven’t eaten yet, right?”

Her voice softened further, clearly flirtatious. “Want to grab dinner together?”

“I know a great Japanese restaurant nearby. The sashimi there is super fresh.”

“Zhao Lishan.”

Song Jingmo’s voice dropped several degrees colder. “I’m on the phone.”

She faltered for a moment at his cold tone, but quickly smiled again.

Reaching out to hook her arm around his: “Oh, it’s just a phone call, it’s not a big deal.”

“You’ve worked so hard all day—why don’t we go relax a bit…”

“Can you mind your boundaries?”

Song Jingmo stepped back half a step, avoiding her hand.

There was a clear warning in his eyes. “Don’t act like a dog in heat, pouncing on anyone you see.”

The words were merciless, and the smile on Zhao Lishan’s face froze.

She bit her lip, her eyes reddening slightly—whether real or fake, it was hard to tell.

This time, she lowered her voice. “Director Song, that’s a bit harsh, don’t you think? We’re away from home—what’s wrong with relaxing a little? No one will know.”

“And besides…”

She paused, her tone gaining a hint of provocation. “I’m a rich second-generation. I’m not short on money. It’s not like I’d scam you or anything—what are you afraid of?”

Song Jingmo’s expression darkened completely.

Just as he was about to speak, Zhao Lishan tilted her head up, staring straight at him.

Her red lips parted slightly, her voice soft and seductive. “So… not interested in having a little fun? I promise, it’ll feel amazing…”

“I’m very clean. I get regular checkups. Don’t you want to try?”

Song Jingmo’s brows furrowed deeper, anger already surging in his eyes.

Before Zhao Lishan could finish, a clear, smiling voice cut in from behind them—

“Flirting so openly with my husband right in front of me…”

Lu Er’s smile deepened, but every word he spoke felt edged with ice. “Miss Zhao, is this really all the upbringing a wealthy heiress has?”

His bright voice carried obvious amusement, but beneath it lay cold mockery.

Song Jingmo suddenly turned around.

Zhao Lishan also froze, then turned her head.

Under the bright corridor lights, Lu Er stood there—no mask, no hat—open and confident.

His beautiful peach-blossom eyes shone brilliantly, fixed on Zhao Lishan with a half-smile.

The few people who had been whispering nearby fell silent.

Zhao Lishan’s eyes widened instantly.

She had seen this face everywhere—on TV, in movies, on magazine covers.

But this was her first time seeing Lu Er in person.

So this… was the most beautiful face in Asia.

She had thought it was just exaggerated fan praise.

She knew Lu Er was pretty—but she never expected him to look this much better in real life than on screen.

It wasn’t a polished, artificial beauty.

It was clean, fresh, and faintly aggressive.

Especially those eyes—when he looked at someone, it felt like hooks pulling at their soul.

Zhao Lishan stared at Lu Er for a full five seconds, completely transfixed.

Unconsciously, she stepped forward half a step, raising her hand—

As if drawn by something, she wanted to touch that breathtakingly beautiful face.

“Miss Zhao.”

Song Jingmo’s cold voice rang out, precisely blocking her hand.

Her hand froze midair, less than ten centimeters from Lu Er’s face.

Pouting slightly in dissatisfaction, Zhao Lishan complained, “I just wanted to touch—he’s not going to lose a piece of flesh. Why are you being so stingy?”

Lu Er burst out laughing.

With that smile, his peach-blossom eyes curved into crescents, and the small tear mole at the corner of his eye stood out under the light.

He stepped back half a step, widening the distance between them, tilting his head slightly, his tone light and casual:

“Miss Zhao, you like this one for a moment, then that one the next…”

“If you enjoy ‘raising fish’ so much, why not just go become a fish pond owner?”

Zhao Lishan was taken aback for a moment, then laughed as well.

She flicked her hair, crossed her arms, and looked Lu Er up and down, her gaze filled with undisguised admiration.

“I’m a rich second-generation—my life is about enjoyment. If I don’t try, how would I know if there’s a chance?”

Her gaze shifted from Lu Er’s face to Song Jingmo’s, her smile deepening.

“Besides, both of you are top-tier.”

“I’m greedy—I want you both. Is that not allowed?”

At that, the corridor fell completely silent.