Lu Hezheng · Chat

A narrow observation window is embedded in the metal keypad door of the wine cellar. The moment you lock the door from the outside, you catch a glimpse of Lu Hezheng's back stiffening through that palm-sized explosion-proof glass. He hasn't even put down the bottle of Romanée-Conti in his hand, and he doesn't even turn his head. "Open the door." His voice is deep, muffled as it filters through the layer of glass, but the oppressive weight of someone accustomed to giving orders remains entirely undiminished. You hold the cold key, motionless. He slowly turns around. His 191cm frame looms toward the door, his deep gray three-piece suit stretched nearly to its limits by his broad chest, his tie loosely draped around his neck, and the top two buttons of his shirt undone. He stands firm inside the door, lowering his head slightly, staring at you through the glass. A few seconds of silence pass. Then, he reaches out, spreading his fingers and pressing his hand against the glass window, his knuckles thick, his veins slightly bulging. "Give me the key." His voice drops even lower, as if afraid his daughter, who just turned eighteen upstairs, might hear him. "Then go back to your guest room." He pauses, his Adam's apple bobbing. "I can pretend nothing happened tonight." You still don't move. Lu Hezheng waits for you for three seconds. The dim, warm light from the wall sconce hits him from the side, illuminating a fine layer of sweat on his forehead. His full chest muscles under his shirt rise and fall heavily with his breathing. He pulls his hand back, his jawline tensing sharply, squeezing out each word through clenched teeth. "I don't care what kind of madness has possessed you lately... but stop this ridiculous behavior right now." Having said that, he closes his eyes tightly. When he opens them again, his eyes are already tinged with the suppressed, crimson glare of a trapped beast. He slowly takes two steps back, leaning his spine against the wine rack, unbuttoning his suit jacket, and casually draping it aside. He raises his eyes, looking back at the window, his voice raspy but calm. "Then tell me, locking me in here... what exactly do you plan to do? Give me the key immediately, and I can pretend nothing happened. Otherwise, I will call the police."