Chapter 1078: A Dangerous Line to Cross

It was well past midnight when Lu Tian finally allowed his wife to rest.

The bedroom had fallen into a comfortable silence, broken only by the faint hum of the heater and the occasional rustle of the comforter.

Yue Ling slept peacefully in his arms, her face nestled against his chest.

One of her hands rested loosely against him while her dark hair spilled across the pillow.

Her breathing was soft and even.

Lu Tian, however, was wide awake.

He lay on his back with one arm wrapped securely around her waist. His other hand moved in slow, gentle motions against her back, occasionally patting her as though soothing her deeper into sleep.

His gaze lingered on her sleeping face.

A faint smile touched his lips.

Then guilt found its way inside him.

He had kept her awake far longer than he intended, and judging by how quickly she had fallen asleep afterward, she had been thoroughly exhausted.

But could he really be blamed?

The thought brought a quiet sigh from him.

He and Yue Ling were both busy people.

Between Lu Corps, H-International, An Qing, De L’amour, and their other responsibilities, even finding time for a simple dinner together sometimes required careful planning.

Yet Ning Xingyu had somehow found the audacity to invite his wife to dinner.

And not just any dinner.

A private dinner.

Lu Tian’s expression darkened.

’That bastard.’

He knew Ning Xingyu’s intentions were far from innocent.

The man was not interested in discussing business.

Nor had he approached Yue Ling out of genuine concern for Grandfather Ji.

He had deliberately used the old man’s declining health to secure a meeting with her.

And the fact that he had suggested keeping it a secret from Lu Tian made his intentions even more questionable.

Lu Tian tightened his arm slightly around Yue Ling.

She stirred.

Immediately, his expression softened.

He lowered his gaze and gently patted her back.

“Shh… sleep, my love.”

Yue Ling made a faint sound before settling against him again.

Lu Tian waited until her breathing returned to its steady rhythm.

Only then did he allow his thoughts to wander.

He had never considered himself an unreasonable man.

He understood that Yue Ling was beautiful.

He knew men would look at her.

And he had long accepted that her intelligence, confidence, and independence made her even more attractive.

But accepting that other men admired his wife was one thing.

Allowing someone to deliberately pursue her was another.

Especially someone like Ning Xingyu.

Lu Tian’s jaw tightened.

’How dare he?’

For one fleeting moment, an absurd thought crossed his mind.

If he could keep Yue Ling somewhere only he could see her, somewhere no other man could approach her, he would gladly do so.

A place where she could smile freely without attracting unwanted attention.

Where he would never have to worry about another man attempting to interfere in their marriage.

The thought was selfish.

Possessive.

And entirely unrealistic.

Lu Tian knew that better than anyone.

Yue Ling was not a woman who could be confined to a beautiful house and expected to remain content.

She had her own ambitions, responsibilities, and people who depended on her.

Her independence was one of the very things he loved about her.

He would never take that away.

Still…

He looked down at her.

’Can’t you be a little less charming, wife?’

As though responding to his silent complaint, Yue Ling shifted closer in her sleep.

Her cheek pressed against his chest.

Lu Tian’s expression softened helplessly.

He lowered his head and kissed her hair.

“You’re going to be the death of me, Han Yue Ling.”

His words were barely louder than a whisper.

Naturally, she did not respond.

He sighed.

Then, after another moment of silence, he lifted his free hand and rubbed his forehead.

The more he thought about tomorrow’s dinner, the more irritated he became.

He trusted Yue Ling.

He knew she had agreed because she wanted to uncover the connection between Ning Xingyu and Ji Chu Hua.

But that knowledge did little to ease his displeasure.

He wanted answers just as badly as she did.

He simply wished those answers did not require his wife to sit across a dinner table from a man who openly desired her.

Lu Tian closed his eyes.

Then, unexpectedly, a quiet laugh escaped him.

How hypocritical.

His hand slowly lowered.

Earlier that afternoon, when Zhao Ya’Er had informed him about Ning Xingyu’s inappropriate attention toward Yue Ling, his first instinct had been to question why his wife had not mentioned the encounter.

For a brief moment, he had worried that she might keep it from him.

Yet here he was.

Lying beside her while concealing something far more serious.

The truth about her parents.

The supposed accident that had taken Ji An Ling and Han Min Joon’s lives.

Choi Li Sun’s alleged involvement.

And the investigation that had been quietly unfolding without her knowledge.

His smile disappeared.

Compared to what he was hiding, Yue Ling’s decision to wait until they were home to tell him about Ning Xingyu was insignificant.

She had kept her promise.

She had come home and told him everything.

He, on the other hand, continued carrying a secret that concerned her more than anyone else.

Lu Tian stared at the ceiling.

A familiar heaviness settled in his chest.

He hated deceiving her.

Even if his silence came from a desire to protect her, it did not change the fact that he was withholding the truth.

And the longer the investigation continued, the harder it became to justify.

He remembered the photographs Grandfather Ji had given him.

The shattered windows.

The damaged tires.

The bloodstained seats.

And the empty space where a young Yue Ling had once sat.

His gaze returned to his wife.

She looked so peaceful.

There was no trace of the cold, commanding woman who led Fate or the capable businesswoman who managed several companies.

Only Yue Ling.

His wife.

The woman who had endured more loss than anyone should have to bear.

Lu Tian gently brushed a strand of hair away from her cheek.

’How much more can I ask you to endure?’

He knew the truth would eventually have to come out.

And when it did, he wanted to be beside her.

Not standing across from her as someone who had knowingly kept her in the dark.

He lowered his head and pressed a lingering kiss against her forehead.

“I’m sorry, my love.”

His voice was barely audible.

Yue Ling remained asleep.

Lu Tian watched her for another moment before carefully loosening his embrace.

He moved slowly, making sure not to disturb her.

Once his arm was free, he slipped out of bed.

Yue Ling stirred slightly at the loss of his warmth.

Lu Tian paused.

He gently pulled the comforter over her shoulders and tucked it around her.

Only when she settled again did he straighten.

He picked up his phone from the bedside table and quietly left the bedroom.

The hallway was dark.

Only the dim wall lights illuminated his path as he made his way toward the study.

Lu Tian stepped inside and pushed the door nearly closed, leaving a narrow gap.

He did not turn on the main lights.

Instead, he walked toward the desk, where a small lamp cast a warm glow across the polished surface.

For a moment, he stood in silence.

Then he unlocked his phone and selected a contact.

Xu Long.

He pressed call.

The phone rang several times.

Just as Lu Tian considered ending the call, someone answered.

“Boss…?”

Xu Long’s voice was thick with sleep.

Lu Tian glanced toward the clock.

4:03 a.m.

He had not realized how late it was.

Or rather, how early.

Nevertheless, he spoke.

“Find everything you can on Ning Xingyu.”

There was silence on the other end.

Lu Tian continued.

“His recent business dealings, personal connections, financial arrangements, and anyone he’s been meeting privately.”

His voice remained calm.

“I want everything.”

A faint rustling sound came through the receiver.

Xu Long was apparently sitting up in bed.

“Boss?”

“Mm?”

“Everything?”

“Everything.”

Another pause.

Then Xu Long cleared his throat.

“Understood.”

Lu Tian’s gaze darkened.

“Pay particular attention to any dealings involving Ji Corps and Ji Chu Hua.”

“Yes, Boss.”

“And look into his connections outside Imperial.”

Xu Long’s expression, though unseen, became increasingly serious.

“Understood. I’ll start immediately.”

Lu Tian glanced at the clock again.

“There’s no need.”

Xu Long froze.

“…Boss?”

“Get some rest.”

Silence.

Lu Tian continued.

“Start when you’re up. I want a thorough investigation, not something rushed because I called you in the middle of the night.”

Xu Long blinked.

Before he could respond, Lu Tian added, “That’s all.”

The call ended.

Lu Tian lowered his phone.

For a moment, he stood beside the desk, his expression unreadable.

He had already instructed Xu Long to review the contracts between Lu Corps and TB Corps.

But after speaking with Yue Ling, he realized that withdrawing from a few business agreements would not be enough.

Ning Xingyu had approached his wife with information about Grandfather Ji’s illness.

Information that should never have reached him.

And if Ji Chu Hua had deliberately supplied it, then the two were likely involved in something far more serious than a simple attempt to arrange dinner.

Lu Tian narrowed his eyes.

He wanted to know the nature of their relationship.

What Ji Chu Hua had promised Ning Xingyu.

What Ning Xingyu intended to gain.

And how far the man was willing to go to obtain it.

Lu Tian placed his phone on the desk.

A cold smile touched his lips.

’Ning Xingyu.’

The man probably believed he had succeeded in drawing Yue Ling into his reach.

Perhaps he was already congratulating himself.

Lu Tian almost found the thought amusing.

His wife wasn’t someone he could manipulate so easily.

But Ning Xingyu’s arrogance was not the only thing that concerned him.

It was the possibility that the man might resort to more dangerous methods once he realized Yue Ling had never intended to give him what he wanted.

Lu Tian’s expression turned cold.

He would not allow that possibility to go unchecked.

After another moment, he picked up his phone and turned toward the door.

There was no reason to remain in the study.

His wife was asleep in bed.

And despite everything occupying his thoughts, there was nowhere else he would rather be.

He switched off the lamp and quietly returned to their bedroom.

Yue Ling had shifted onto his side of the bed.

One hand rested on the empty pillow, as though she had been searching for him in her sleep.

Lu Tian stopped beside the mattress.

His expression softened.

A faint smile touched his lips.

“Missed me already?”

He carefully slipped beneath the comforter.

Almost immediately, Yue Ling moved toward him.

Her arm settled across his waist, and she nestled against his chest.

Lu Tian chuckled quietly.

He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head.

“Sleep, wife.”

This time, he closed his eyes.

The jealousy still lingered.

So did the guilt.

But for now, he allowed himself to rest with the woman he loved held safely in his arms.

Tomorrow would bring more questions.

And perhaps a few answers.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Imperial, Xu Long sat upright in bed.

His phone remained pressed against his ear.

Even though the call had ended several seconds ago, he had yet to move.

He blinked.

Then slowly lowered the device.

The screen displayed the recent call.

Boss — 4:03 a.m.

Xu Long stared at it.

He scratched the side of his head.

Had he been dreaming?

He looked at the screen again.

No.

The call was real.

His boss had called him in the middle of the night.

Not to discuss an emergency at Lu Corps.

Not to report a sudden crisis.

But to order a complete investigation into Ning Xingyu.

Every deal.

Every connection.

Every private arrangement.

And, most importantly, anything involving Ji Chu Hua.

Xu Long’s brows drew together.

Then he remembered the expression on Lu Tian’s face earlier that afternoon.

The moment he had ordered the withdrawal of contracts associated with TB Corps.

Xu Long slowly inhaled.

A chill crept down his spine.

“Oh…”

He stared at his phone.

Then another realization struck him.

His boss had told him to rest.

To wait until morning.

Xu Long’s eyes widened.

That was even more alarming.

Lu Tian was not an unreasonable employer, but when something required immediate attention, he expected it to be handled immediately.

Yet tonight, he had specifically instructed Xu Long not to rush.

Which meant one thing.

Whatever Lu Tian intended to do, he wanted it done properly.

Thoroughly.

Without leaving room for mistakes.

Xu Long slowly lowered his phone onto the bed.

“Ning Xingyu…”

He shook his head.

“You’re a dead man.”

He had no idea what had happened between Ning Xingyu and his boss.

But judging by the sudden investigation and the withdrawal of business contracts, the man had clearly crossed a line.

And Xu Long had a strong suspicion that line involved Boss Lady.

He leaned back against the headboard.

For a brief moment, he almost felt sorry for Ning Xingyu.

Almost.

Then he remembered the kind of man Ning Xingyu was.

Arrogant.

Entitled.

And foolish enough to believe his family’s influence placed him beyond consequences.

Xu Long let out a quiet laugh.

“Of all the women in Imperial, you just had to set your eyes on Boss Lady.”

He shook his head.

Then he reached over to turn off the bedside lamp.

Whatever trouble Ning Xingyu had invited into his life, Xu Long had no intention of losing sleep over it.

His boss had told him to rest.

And for once, he was more than happy to obey.

He settled beneath the covers.

But just before closing his eyes, one final thought crossed his mind.

When Lu Tian became angry, people knew to stay out of his way.

But when he became calm enough to plan, someone was usually about to lose far more than an argument.

And Ning Xingyu had no idea that the first move had already been made.

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