Probably because the two men’s auras were too powerful, if Lu Lin hadn’t run out from behind their horses’ rear ends, Wu Mangmang estimated she wouldn’t have noticed her at all.
“Mangmang, you came too? How wonderful!” Lu Lin enthusiastically opened her arms and came forward, embracing Wu Mangmang and giving her cheek kisses.
“Julia.” Wu Mangmang responded politely yet warmly.
Perhaps having encountered too many scheming women today, Wu Mangmang felt very grateful to be treated so kindly at this moment. So even though Lu Lin took some advantage through the courtesy, she indicated she could tolerate it.
“You smell so good,” Lu Lin couldn’t help praising.
“Thank you.” Wu Mangmang was startled by Lu Lin’s words.
In relationships between the sexes, the attraction of scent was no less important than appearance, though it was easily overlooked.
Sometimes just an occasional whiff of someone’s scent could make your heart flutter.
This was also a main reason why perfume was so popular.
But actually, body scent could better explain the chemistry of love than fragrance.
Human body odor usually couldn’t be called pleasant, but it was sufficiently sexually attractive.
Just like durian—those who disliked it found it nauseating.
While those who liked it, though they wouldn’t say durian smelled fragrant, would easily salivate and develop appetite when smelling that scent.
Wu Mangmang was startled because she felt Lu Lin might have developed an “appetite” for her.
Wu Mangmang didn’t mean to discriminate against lesbians, but being pursued by one would indeed be somewhat troubling, because the other party might use the banner of “we’re both women, I just want to be sisters with you” for public relations.
At this moment, Lu Lin was using discussions about perfume and essential oils to close the distance between them.
Wu Mangmang belatedly remembered that Lu Qingqing had also asked her about what perfume she used.
At this moment, as Wu Mangmang and Lu Lin walked side by side, Lu Qingqing behind them was stunned for a moment, then quickly ran up unwillingly, flanking Wu Mangmang on left and right with Lu Lin.
Behind the three women, Lu Sui, Shen Ting, and Ning Zheng looked at each other in bewilderment.
Ning Zheng couldn’t help questioning Lu Sui harshly from behind: “I brought her here—is it really appropriate for your sister to act like this?”
Lu Sui couldn’t be bothered with Ning Zheng and rode away.
Shen Ting did give Ning Zheng a few more glances before also spurring his horse forward.
Ning Zheng had arrived latest and hadn’t chosen a horse yet, so naturally he could only walk.
The afternoon sun was intense, and the group of socialites naturally couldn’t stand the sunlight. After horseback riding and strolling, they all returned to the villa. The rooms had spa, beauty, hair, nail, and various other services. The technicians’ standards were all first-class—coming here for weekends was truly a tremendous pleasure.
Wu Mangmang, Lu Lin, and Lu Qingqing were enjoying manicures together. She curiously examined the surroundings. This villa was elegant and full of artistic atmosphere. The oil paintings hanging on the walls were all valuable. Lu Lin introduced to Wu Mangmang that the villa’s library collection was even richer.
However, the most precious Song and Yuan dynasty rare books were all stored in Lu Sui’s island villa.
Wu Mangmang actually saw that this villa was probably just used by Lu Sui for entertaining guests. For businessmen, cultivating networks was always the main event.
After hearing Lu Lin’s words, Lu Qingqing pinched Wu Mangmang’s slender waist hard: “Good for you—why didn’t you ever tell me you went to Mysterious Island?”
Mysterious Island? I might as well call it Treasure Island!
Wu Mangmang pursed her lips: “I went there for work. Besides, photography wasn’t allowed on the island. No pictures, no proof—if I rashly spoke about it, you women would definitely say I was crazy for fame.”
The internet world was so cruel—what was the point of talking without pictures?
While speaking, the lounge door was pushed open. A woman on the phone walked in. When she passed Wu Mangmang’s manicure chair, she had just hung up. Looking down, she inadvertently glanced at Wu Mangmang’s feet soaking in water, then looked up at her and said: “Nice feet.”
Wu Mangmang smiled and replied “Thank you.”
That woman then began chatting with Lu Lin. Lu Qingqing turned around to pull Wu Mangmang, excitedly whispering: “It’s Liu Tai!”
“It’s her?! Yes, yes, yes, I’ve seen her Weibo—it’s definitely her.” Wu Mangmang also remembered.
Liu Tai was this city’s famous socialite, capable and career-driven. Her husband was a film industry mogul—every year, a third of the movies released in major theaters had his company’s involvement to some degree. Liu Tai herself owned a talent agency, and all three current divas were made famous by their company.
“If she could notice and sign you, you’d definitely become hugely popular,” Lu Qingqing said longingly. Every young girl had dreams of stardom.
Lu Qingqing’s dream obviously hadn’t awakened yet.
Wu Mangmang wasn’t particularly interested. Making hobbies into careers required taking enormous risks—you might lose your hobbies.
After finishing their hand and foot nails, Lu Qingqing forcibly dragged Wu Mangmang over to strike up conversation.
“Liu Tai, your nails are so beautiful—so long and slender, just like fake nails,” Lu Qingqing flattered.
How could Du Yijun not see through Lu Qingqing’s intentions? She perfunctorily chatted with Lu Qingqing for a couple of sentences.
The conversation quickly turned to effusive praise of Du Yijun’s company, calling it the number one star-making dream factory.
“If Qingqing is interested, she can leave her number with my assistant. If there are suitable roles, we can notify you to audition,” Du Yijun said.
“Actually, Mangmang’s image is also very suitable for the silver screen, isn’t it?” Lu Lin asked Du Yijun.
Du Yijun carefully examined the person Lu Lin was strongly recommending, smiled and nodded: “Small face, good figure—natural star material.”
Although Lu Lin had only said one sentence, how could someone as smart as Du Yijun not understand Lu Lin’s meaning? She wasn’t someone who spoke casually.
Wu Mangmang was suddenly called out and felt truly flattered.
She rarely played the gentle lady, yet was still singled out. She expressed thanks verbally and received Du Yijun’s business card with both hands, appearing very grateful.
The two young girls “got their wish” and ran aside to celebrate.
Only then did Du Yijun smile at Lu Lin: “This girl doesn’t seem like your type.”
Lu Lin just smiled without speaking. She knew Wu Mangmang wasn’t her type, but who was born bent?
When the wind gets strong enough, it naturally bends things.
Lu Lin wasn’t afraid of how straight Wu Mangmang was now—she was only afraid Wu Mangmang had no desires in her heart.
Lu Qingqing wholeheartedly wanted to experience being a star, while Wu Mangmang only wanted to hide her strange fetishes. So Lu Qingqing continued flattering Du Yijun, while Wu Mangmang went upstairs for a shower, rested briefly, changed into riding attire, and came downstairs.
When she reached the elevator, she happened to encounter Shen Ting.
Wu Mangmang politely nodded. She was still disgusted by Shen Ting talking about her behind her back, so she had no intention of initiating conversation.
The two entered the elevator one after the other. Shen Ting looked at Wu Mangmang’s appearance in the smooth elevator wall.
She was very cleverly beautiful—watery large eyes, delicate high nose bridge, and extremely beautiful lip shape, full and lustrous like summer cherries. Her skin was very white, with pink radiance showing through from beneath, looking very spirited. Even knowing her private life was extremely improper, one couldn’t generate the slightest ill feeling.
“Xiao Gugong is your cousin?”
Shen Ting’s voice sounded in the elevator. Wu Mangmang slightly raised her eyelids to look at the back of his head and hummed in acknowledgment.
The villa had three floors total. The elevator quickly reached the first floor, and the two walked out one after the other.
Wu Mangmang thought they would part ways here, but unexpectedly Shen Ting stopped and turned around: “You’d better stay away from Ning Zheng.”
Wu Mangmang didn’t speak. Looking directly into Shen Ting’s eyes to guess his meaning, it would be easy to think he was standing up for Shen Yuanzi.
Shen Ting probably also noticed this misunderstanding and coughed lightly: “He hasn’t finished playing around yet.”
Wu Mangmang hadn’t expected Shen Ting to say such things to her. Did this mean he was concerned about her?
She had one bad trait—when others were slightly nice to her, she easily forgot past grievances.
Seeing Shen Ting about to leave, Wu Mangmang quickly caught up to walk alongside him: “Ning Zheng and I aren’t the kind of relationship you think.”
Getting Shen Ting’s sidelong glance, Wu Mangmang had to admit her words were somewhat vague, so she had to explain further: “He is indeed pursuing me, but I haven’t agreed yet.”
Although Wu Mangmang had no romantic feelings for Ning Zheng, conquering this type of “footloose playboy” and breaking his “fickle wings” would be a great achievement for any woman.
Wu Mangmang couldn’t deny she had this perverse interest, just as she couldn’t deny that arousing the interest of ascetic men like Lu Sui was also one of her perverse interests.
“I didn’t know beforehand that he was Miss Shen’s fiancé,” Wu Mangmang explained. Nobody wanted to be misunderstood, right?
“They’re not engaged yet,” Shen Ting said.
Wu Mangmang looked at Shen Ting. From his tone, it seemed he didn’t want Shen Yuanzi and Ning Zheng to get engaged.
But this was their family business—Wu Mangmang was too lazy to care.
“So you’re here—I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Already changed clothes? I was just saying I’d find you to go horseback riding. The sun is setting now, so it won’t hurt you ladies’ precious skin.” Ning Zheng walked toward Wu Mangmang and stood alongside her, looking at Shen Ting.
Ning Zheng couldn’t help flicking Wu Mangmang’s ponytail with his finger again.
Wu Mangmang quickly stepped right: “What bad timing—I just made plans with Shen Ting to go horseback riding.”
Now Wu Mangmang wasn’t even calling him “Mr. Shen.”
Ning Zheng’s smile froze, his gaze gradually darkening: “Oh, really?”
This sentence was directed at Shen Ting.
Good brothers should know not to covet friends’ wives.
Unfortunately, Ning Zheng’s “wife” happened to be Shen Ting’s sister.
Although Shen Ting was also surprised by Wu Mangmang’s lie, he didn’t expose her at this moment, nodding under Ning Zheng’s gaze.
Wu Mangmang finally breathed a sigh of relief—being exposed would be awkward.
Ning Zheng and Shen Ting stared at each other for a moment, neither yielding. Finally, Ning Zheng felt he was in the wrong and turned to look at Wu Mangmang.
Although Ning Zheng very much wanted to explain his relationship with Shen Yuanzi to Wu Mangmang.
But the situation was too complicated. He could only explain that he actually didn’t like Shen Yuanzi, but he couldn’t deny that if he married in the future, it probably wouldn’t be anyone other than Shen Yuanzi. At this moment, in front of Shen Ting, Ning Zheng could only say very gentlemanly: “Then I wish you both an enjoyable time.”