Volume One, Chapter Seventeen: Presence

The foreign businessman was named Daniel, hailing from Germany. In his forties, he was not only passionate about investing but also a fervent golf enthusiast. Upon learning that Lu Wenzhou was a member of the world-renowned Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Daniel’s interest in him deepened considerably. After their first round of golf together, they quickly grew close, walking side by side along the fairway.

Daniel happened to glance down and noticed a conspicuous scar on Lu Wenzhou’s exposed forearm, revealed by his rolled-up sleeve. “Mr. Lu, how did you get injured?” he asked in German.

Wang Dexing, who was accompanying them, also looked over. Lin Zhi, though she didn’t understand the language, followed their gaze and mirrored their concern. With several eyes upon him, Lu Wenzhou let his sleeve fall naturally, smiled faintly, and replied, “It’s nothing, I was feeding a stray cat a few days ago and got bitten by accident.”

“You keep cats, Mr. Lu? What breed? My two children also have cats at home.”

“A little stray, still not willing to come home with me.”

“You’re very kind, Mr. Lu, but be careful—it’s best to get a vaccination.”

“Thank you for your concern, Mr. Daniel. I’ve already had the shot.”

Their conversation was entirely in German. Wang Dexing could only piece together fragments, while Lin Zhi was completely out of her depth—her German proficiency extended to a handful of simple words, nothing more. Still, from their tone and gestures, she could surmise they were discussing the injury on his arm. Lin Zhi’s expression grew tense, and she bit her lip in frustration.

At that moment, Wang Dexing noticed two figures approaching from the distance. Before he could greet them, Lin Zhi called out first, “Aunt Yan, Jiang Wan, you’re here too?” She quickly composed herself, greeting them in a relaxed tone.

The group turned to see Yan Yan and Jiang Wan approaching. As they drew near, a polite smile had already settled on Yan Yan’s face. “The Lin family certainly gets their news quickly,” she remarked, then, eager not to miss anything, asked, “What are you discussing?”

Yan Yan’s eyes swept over them. Lin Zhi remained silent, so Wang Dexing replied, “Young Master Lu and Mr. Daniel were talking about keeping cats.”

Cats? Jiang Wan’s brow furrowed slightly. Lu Wenzhou was allergic to cat fur—there was no way he’d keep a cat. If that was the topic, it was likely meant to steer the conversation toward Lin Zhi, who had kept cats since childhood. After her father remarried, however, Ji Jiali’s fear of cats forced Lin Zhi to leave her pets with friends.

While Jiang Wan pondered this, Yan Yan glanced at her, and at the unspoken cue, she smiled and greeted Daniel, reaching out to introduce herself in fluent German.

Wang Dexing couldn’t help but sigh, “I see now why you didn’t bring a translator, Mrs. Gu—your daughter-in-law is your mouthpiece.” After the dinner the other night, he had learned to keep his head down and offend no one.

“Of course. No outsider is as reliable as family,” Yan Yan replied, turning to Lu Wenzhou with a smile. “Cousin, what a coincidence to see you here.”

Given Lu Wenzhou’s status, Yan Yan had to keep her tone deferential; yet with others present, she couldn’t appear too ingratiating. In contrast to her caution, Lu Wenzhou was utterly unbothered. He merely lowered his eyelids indifferently and didn’t utter a word.

An awkward silence lingered. Wang Dexing tried to ease the tension, “Mrs. Gu is right. Miss Lin didn’t bring a translator either—she’s relying on Young Master Lu for help.”

Yan Yan was surprised, glancing between the three and suddenly realizing—they were allied. Lu Wenzhou, supposedly a distant relative of the Gu family, was now siding with their competitor. If word of this got out, how would the Gu family maintain its standing?

Though displeased, Yan Yan dared not voice her anger. Lu Wenzhou, too, remained silent, his dark eyes sweeping coldly to the side. Wang Dexing shivered inexplicably, a primal fear stirring in his heart as if he had just been licked by a wild beast.

When Jiang Wan finished her introduction with Daniel and tried to broach the subject of Gu Construction, a tall figure stepped beside her. “The ball is right there,” Lu Wenzhou said calmly, betraying no emotion, directing Daniel’s attention to a white dot not far off.

Daniel was immediately diverted, and the two resumed their game, completing another round with poise and leisure. During this time, Daniel immersed himself in the exchange of golfing techniques with Lu Wenzhou—from equipment to skills, and even favorite players—each topic touching upon Lu Wenzhou’s expertise. They conversed with great enthusiasm, leaving Jiang Wan no opportunity to join in or discuss business matters.

Yan Yan observed all of this. Seeing Jiang Wan unable to participate, she pulled her aside, her tone slightly reproachful. “You speak German, don’t you? Why aren’t you saying anything? This is a rare chance—he’s going back to Germany soon. You need to make an impression while you still can. You don’t need me to remind you how important this project is, do you? Are you deliberately trying to hand the business to the Lin family and let others laugh at us?”

Her words were heavy. Jiang Wan wanted to explain but knew it would be futile. Their relationship was now that of superior and subordinate—her mother-in-law cared only for results, not the process.

“I understand, Mom,” Jiang Wan replied, restraining her temper and speaking gently.

When the round ended and they returned to the tee, Daniel, who had been conversing with Lu Wenzhou, suddenly turned to Jiang Wan. “Miss Jiang, do you play golf? Why don’t you take this shot?”

The others didn’t understand, but it was clear Daniel was extending an olive branch to Jiang Wan.

Under Yan Yan’s pressure, Jiang Wan smiled and nodded, approaching the two men who stood by the tee, tall and composed, waiting for her.

Selecting a wood from the bag offered by the caddie, Jiang Wan stepped up to the tee. She gripped the club with both hands, her feet adjusting on the turf to find the right stance. A breeze drifted from behind, brushing her ear.

In that moment, she seemed to hear Lu Wenzhou’s voice: “Feet shoulder-width apart, stand parallel with a slight outward angle. Bend your knees a little more… Hips forward, spine straight.”

The wind caressed her, bringing back memories of his guidance—how he had patiently taught her, correcting her posture by standing behind her, his hands guiding hers on the club. “Left hand on top, right hand below, thumb and index finger forming a V. Club face, shoulders, and hips all parallel to the target line. Eyes down, fixed on the ball. Begin the backswing…”

She raised the club, following his instructions. “Lift the club to shoulder height, keep your left arm straight, rotate your upper body…” As she completed the movement, she heard: “Swing down quickly, bring the club straight to the ball, right knee driving forward. Follow through after the strike, maintain your balance—like this…”

The club in her hands responded to her force. After the backswing, she unleashed her power, aiming carefully, and swung with speed and precision.

A crisp sound rang out—“thwack!”

The white ball soared through the air in a graceful arc, flying high from the tee, crossing the distant green, and landing precisely where it belonged.

Daniel was astonished. “My goodness! A hole in one!” His reaction was dramatic—delighted, he applauded enthusiastically. “Miss Jiang, you’re incredible!”

He strode over to Jiang Wan, like a man who had discovered a treasure, forgetting propriety in his excitement and embracing her in celebration. “What luck! Two experts in one day—this is fantastic!”

His exuberance lifted the mood, and even Jiang Wan was caught off guard. By the time she realized what had happened, Daniel was already hugging her in excitement.

Across from her stood another man.

Lu Wenzhou remained composed as ever, his expression unchanged, yet in that instant, the corners of his lips curled ever so slightly, revealing a rare, satisfied smile.