Volume One, Chapter 161: Sang Wan Is Mine; The Benefits Are Yours!

When Sang Wan saw Lou Ye’s post on social media, it was already bedtime.

The only people involved were Jiang Hua, Jiang Ke’er, Qin Bochuan, and Cheng Jingran, all of whom had without exception liked the post.

Jiang Hua even commented, "Brother, should I start saving up now?"

Lou Ye replied, "Are you sure there’s still time?"

Jiang Hua responded with three question marks.

All night long, Lou Ye’s phone buzzed incessantly.

Eventually, fed up with the noise, Lou Ye simply turned off his phone.

The next day was the Imperial Capital Architecture Association’s internal discussion meeting.

Besides the large conglomerates like the Lou Group and the Lu Group, over a dozen other sizable architectural firms had come to compete.

Each presented their design proposals in the order drawn by lot, aiming to pool collective wisdom to perfect the details.

When the Lou Group’s design appeared, the conference room fell into a profound silence.

It was so familiar!

Too familiar!

If not for the Lou Group’s scale far exceeding that of the Lu Group, and the Lou Group’s project design department’s renowned strength nationwide, everyone present would have almost believed Lou’s design was copied from Lu’s.

The competition was particularly challenging—the project sites were all unconventional and extreme.

Either the desert, hills, or polar regions at the far north or south.

The Lu Group presented first, showcasing an energy supply station in a desert area named the Desert Oasis.

The Lou Group saved the grand finale for last, also a desert project but grander in scale and richer in detail.

Even the name, the Mirage in the Desert, closely resembled Lu Group’s.

The senior architects of the Lou Group had been glancing around nervously during Lu’s presentation.

Now, looking at the display on the big screen, their previous confidence turned to silence.

In the hush, all eyes turned to Sang Wan.

At the first meeting, Cheng Jingran had asked everyone to brainstorm and interpret the competition topic.

That day’s discussion was brilliant.

Some chose to design a multi-tiered luxury resort in the hills.

Others envisioned a dreamy, ethereal aurora hotel in the polar regions.

Only Sang Wan had chosen the most difficult terrain—the desert.

Sang Wan explained that she had reviewed past competition cases, noting how the topics seemed arbitrary but projects often moved swiftly from proposal to reality.

She boldly speculated that this desert project was likely a planning effort for some oil-rich nation.

That day, Sang Wan’s wildly imaginative ideas won over everyone present, even Cheng Jingran, who was quite conservative.

For the past two months, the entire team had poured their energy into perfecting this project, bound by a confidentiality agreement that forbade them from revealing any details.

There was only one exception.

Sang Wan herself.

No matter how indifferent or uninterested in gossip the most stoic science-minded men and women might be, no one could remain oblivious after boarding a plane and seeing a little boy by Sang Wan’s side—and that boy calling Mr. Lu, the CEO of the Lu Group, "Dad" would be impossible to overlook.

Sang Wan was an architect in the Lou Group’s project design department.

Yet she was also the former wife of the Lu Group’s CEO.

Now, with these strikingly similar design proposals before them, no one could help but wonder.

Others from the competing firms whispered among themselves as well.

The one with the most conflicted feelings was Lu Jinnian.

The moment the Lou Group’s design was unveiled, Lu Jinnian knew the core inspiration came from Sang Wan.

There was no other possibility.

First, the Science Museum on Plot 3, then the Mirage before him now—Lu Jinnian felt his soul buzzing with the resonance of kindred spirits meeting.

He was reminded of his university days, back when he and Sang Wan had heated debates over design concepts at Imperial University.

Back then, they had strived to persuade each other.

Even their hair seemed to shimmer with brilliance during those moments of passionate argument.

Later, he had joined the Lu Group, battling wits with shareholders and defiant subordinates.

Meanwhile, Sang Wan had returned to the family.

Even then, they shared common ground.

A glance at a building on TV or an architecture post on the phone could spark long conversations between them.

Until he started coming home later and later, running out of time and patience to talk with her, and their conversations dwindled.

Those shining moments became ever rarer.

Yet now, without a word needing to be said, they both thought of the same place.

Lu Jinnian felt as if he had seen that young, vibrant self again.

And Sang Wan, shining brightly once more.

Realizing what he had lost, only one thought filled Lu Jinnian’s heart.

He wanted Sang Wan.

She could only be his.

Snapping back to reality, he found the conference room noisy, with people debating fiercely, seemingly trying to find differences.

They sought to prove whether plagiarism existed.

And if so, who had copied whom.

“I believe in my employees! And I also believe in the Lou Group’s employees!” Lu Jinnian said sternly. “We’ve all been in this industry for years. Before the competition, we all understand the necessary procedures. In such an international contest, I don’t believe anyone would be foolish enough to act this way.”

The murmurs gradually quieted.

Questions came one after another, and the Lou Group’s architects answered them all.

As noon approached, a break was called.

Lu Jinnian stood and walked straight toward Sang Wan.

Thinking he had come to pick a fight, Sang Wan frowned.

Lu Jinnian looked at Lou Ye beside her and said, “President Lou, may I have a word?”

Lou Ye raised an eyebrow, quietly studying Lu Jinnian for a few seconds.

The two then went to the adjacent lounge.

“The design projects from the Huaguo team—you’ve seen them all, President Lou. What’s your opinion?” Lu Jinnian cut to the chase.

Before Lou Ye could speak, Lu Jinnian answered himself.

“Let’s set aside the other countries’ projects for now. Among Huaguo’s entries, there’s no doubt the Desert Oasis and Mirage are the front-runners.”

“If I’m not mistaken, Saudi Arabia is about to make a big move, and these desert projects in the competition are likely contenders. You or I will most probably win.”

At business banquets held in public or at private gatherings among the capital’s elite, and even in private meetings, these were the words Lu Jinnian had spoken most often.

Lou Ye nearly guessed his intention. “And so?”

“I won’t beat around the bush,” Lu Jinnian said gravely. “I am determined to win Sang Wan back. There is love between us, and a child. If it weren’t for you, President Lou, Sang Wan might have already returned to family life. So, I’m willing to offer the Desert Oasis as a gesture of sincerity.”

“What do you mean?” Lou Ye asked coldly.

Lu Jinnian met his gaze. “I want you to give up Sang Wan. The Lu Group will withdraw from this competition, and I will ensure they fully support the Lou Group, adding glory to you and to Huaguo. So... Sang Wan is mine, and the benefits are yours. How about it?”

Lou Ye’s face darkened. “Lu Jinnian, you truly are despicable! What do you think she is to you?”

“I love her, and she’s the mother of my son. That’s something you can never change!” Lu Jinnian said solemnly. “You and Sang Wan have only been together for two months at most. You’re just playing. But have you thought about Sang Wan? When you’re done playing, how will she stand in the capital?”

Just playing?

Lou Ye smiled faintly, his eyes cold as he looked at Lu Jinnian. “Who told you I’m just playing?”

Lu Jinnian was taken aback, his expression suddenly alarmed.

Lou Ye smirked.