Extra Story - He is the Moon in the Sky - Moon Shadow

When Lu Chenyuan saw the message from Uncle Yu, his expression changed instantly.

It was a panic akin to an iceberg collapsing.

An emotion Ren Qian had never seen on his face before.

Lu Chenyuan grabbed his car keys and rushed out.

He even forgot his jacket.

"Mr. Lu!"

Ren Qian chased after him.

"The meeting with the bank this afternoon..."

"Cancel them all!"

Without looking back, Lu Chenyuan dashed into his private elevator.

Leaving a whole floor of subordinates exchanging bewildered glances.

Ren Qian stood rooted to the spot for a long, long time.

She felt a pang of jealousy towards that girl named Lu Qianqian.

This girl could so easily sway all of his emotions.

But, more than jealousy, Ren Qian felt heartache for him.

She wondered, just how much was this man carrying on his shoulders.

Externally, he had to fend off relatives as vicious as jackals and wolves.

Internally, he had to protect a troublesome younger sister.

His world had no room for himself, only duty and shackles.

The next day.

Lu Chenyuan appeared in the office on time.

His face had regained that impeccable composure.

As if yesterday's lapse was merely an illusion.

Except, Ren Qian noticed.

A delicate photo frame had appeared on his desk.

Inside the frame was a beautiful girl laughing without a care in the world.

It was Lu Qianqian.

Ren Qian asked nothing.

She only made a silent vow in her heart.

She would become his most solid, most reliable line of defense.

...

Ren Qian began proactively sharing his burdens.

She spent three months studying all the rules, regulations, and power structure of Lu Corporation.

She understood the processes better than the legal department.

She understood checks and balances better than human resources.

She was soon promoted to Administrative Director.

Her office was right next to the CEO's office, separated only by a door.

She became Lu Chenyuan's true firewall.

"Director Ren, I'm Assistant Zhang from Director Lu Mingshi's office. Our Director Lu would like to invite Mr. Lu to dinner to discuss the Southern District project."

"Apologies, Assistant Zhang."

Ren Qian's voice was gentle yet brooked no argument.

"The Southern District project is currently under the full authority of Manager Wang from Division Three. According to company regulations, before the bidding results are announced, Mr. Lu cannot have any private contact with potential partners."

"Director Ren, what do you mean by that? Is our Director Lu an outsider?"

"Director Lu is certainly not an outsider."

Ren Qian's tone remained calm.

"But rules are rules. They were personally established by Old Master Lu back in the day. I believe Director Lu wouldn't want to put Mr. Lu in a difficult position, would he?"

The other end was left speechless and could only hang up resentfully.

Such confrontations happened daily.

Ren Qian handled them with increasing ease.

With the most professional attitude and watertight procedures.

She shielded Lu Chenyuan from over ninety percent of the unreasonable entanglements from within the family.

She allowed him to truly focus on the corporation's business.

Lu Chenyuan, in turn, gave her his utmost trust.

Sometimes, when Lu Chenyuan was cornered in his office by his uncles.

He would simply press the intercom.

"Ren Qian, come in."

Ren Qian would then enter with a "urgent" document prepared in advance.

"Mr. Lu, the video conference with the European division starts in three minutes. Their CEO is already online."

A perfect excuse for an exit.

Over time.

Those in the Lu family came to understand.

To see Lu Chenyuan, one had to get past Ren Qian first.

And getting past Ren Qian was even harder than getting past Lu Chenyuan himself.

...

The top floor of Lu Corporation, the CEO's office area.

Became an efficient and precise independent kingdom.

Lu Chenyuan was the king.

Ren Qian was the most powerful chamberlain.

And Lin Yuan was the king's sharpest sword.

He was responsible for executing Lu Chenyuan's most confidential and thorniest tasks.

The three of them formed an unbreakable iron triangle.

Overtime was the norm in the CEO's office area.

Countless late nights, the lights on the top floor shone only for them.

The city glittered brilliantly beneath their feet.

They fought side by side in the silence.

The feeling was wonderful.

It was like guarding a secret together at the summit of the world.

Ren Qian immersed herself in this tacit understanding of being "the one" and "indispensable."

She felt these were the happiest days of her life.

She was so close to him.

Close enough to discern the subtle differences in how he tapped the desk under different moods.

Close enough to understand his next words from the simplest look in his eyes.

Ren Qian thought she was the person in this world who understood him best.

She interpreted all his businesslike demeanor and emotional distance.

As the necessary calmness and self-restraint of a man in his position.

She interpreted his almost pathological protection of Lu Qianqian.

As the heavy and profound sense of family responsibility of an older brother.

She was deeply enchanted by this "truth" she had constructed for herself.

And felt immense glory at being the sole guardian by this lonely king's side.

Ren Qian didn't even notice that the look in Lin Yuan's eyes when he gazed at her was also growing deeper.

Once, while preparing the report for the annual shareholders' meeting.

They worked three days and nights straight.

The moment the report was finished, Ren Qian felt the world spin.

Her low blood sugar had kicked in.

Her vision suddenly went black.

Just as she was about to fall, a strong arm caught her.

It was Lin Yuan.

Then, he produced a piece of chocolate from somewhere.

Quickly unwrapping it, he gently, tenderly, placed it in her mouth.

The sweetness of the chocolate spread in her mouth.

The sugar brought energy.

Ren Qian's consciousness slowly returned.

She saw undisguised worry and anxiety on Lin Yuan's face.

"Senior, are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

Ren Qian shook her head, not even registering that Lin Yuan rarely called her 'senior.'

Her gaze went over Lin Yuan's shoulder, towards Lu Chenyuan not far away.

Lu Chenyuan was also walking towards her.

He was frowning.

"Don't ever do this again."

There was reproach in Lu Chenyuan's tone.

"Your body is your own."

After saying this, he glanced at his watch.

"Knock off early today. Everyone, go rest."

He turned, picked up his suit jacket.

And said no more.

Ren Qian's heart felt a subtle sweetness from Lu Chenyuan's words of concerned reproach.

She completely failed to notice the momentarily dimmed gaze of Lin Yuan beside her.

She only watched Lu Chenyuan's departing figure.

She felt even his silhouette carried a reassuring strength.

She thought days like these would go on forever.

She would forever be the most loyal, brightest star by his side.

Forever, following his light.

Until, one day.

Ren Qian discovered that the moonlight seemed to have changed.