Chapter 6

When Wang Jinglu returned home, she unexpectedly found that her father was actually back.

"Dad?" she called out in surprise, then noticed that there was another person sitting on the sofa.

Seeing someone enter, the person immediately stood up and smiled.

He was a young man.

At first glance, he looked very capable, with a neatly tailored suit and a well-defined face.

At second glance, he was very handsome. He was at least 1.8 meters tall, with a tall and slender build, bright and reserved eyes, and a demeanor that exuded a vigorous and upright air.

At third glance, he seemed to be a man accustomed to drinking coffee, with refined and unhurried movements, and a smile that carried a touch of elegant gentlemanly charm.

"Are you Xiao Lu? Hello, I'm Zhao Yumin," he greeted her, revealing a row of neat, white teeth as he smiled.

Wang Jinglu was a bit stunned and responded dully, "Hello."

At this moment, Wang Jinglu's father, Wang Datong, already opened his mouth with a smile and introduced, "This is Uncle Zhao from Dade Company, remember? I took your mom and you to have dinner with him. Yumin is Uncle Zhao's son, who just got his degree from the UK. Tsk, what university was it again?" The last sentence was a question to Zhao Yumin.

Zhao Yumin still had that reserved smile and replied, "Cambridge, Trinity College."

Wang Datong exclaimed, "Right! Right! Trinity College! Look at my memory, I studied civil engineering, right?"

Zhao Yumin smiled and nodded.

By this time, Wang Jinglu had already changed into slippers and walked into the living room. Zhao Yumin looked at her and asked, "Uncle said you're in your second year of high school this year? I heard your grades are pretty good, huh!"

With a sudden visit from this handsome young man, Wang Jinglu felt a bit at a loss, and only stiffly nodded in response, "Yes, I'm in my second year."

At this moment, Wang Datong was inviting Zhao Yumin to sit down while saying to his daughter, "Xiao Lu, sit down too. You young people should interact more, don't be as formal as we are! By the way, Xiao Lu, your brother Yumin is five years older than you, just call him Yumin, okay?" Before Wang Jinglu could respond, Zhao Yumin quickly said, "Uncle, you're exposing my weakness again. Although I'm a few years older than Xiao Lu, I consider myself her peer! Xiao Lu, just call me Yumin, okay?"

Wang Jinglu awkwardly smiled and, after a long pause, said stiffly, "Yumin... brother."

Zhao Yumin shrugged and spread his hands, "Well, with Uncle's guidance, it feels like we're in a romance drama!"

Wang Datong laughed heartily, and Wang Jinglu couldn't help but smile, the corners of her mouth curving slightly. Just then, Zhao Yumin looked over, his bright eyes carrying a hint of a smile, and Wang Jinglu was startled, quickly avoiding his gaze. She glanced around and saw her mother busy in the kitchen, so she quickly said, "Dad, you chat, I'll go help Mom prepare dinner." Then she fled into the kitchen.

In the living room, Zhao Yumin continued, "Uncle, I really have to go, I have plans with friends tonight. Next time, I'll come to visit you and Auntie, and I'll definitely stay to taste Auntie's cooking..."

Wang Jinglu entered the kitchen and quietly asked her mother, "Mom, who is this? Which Uncle Zhao? I don't remember him at all."

Wang Jinglu's mother was washing vegetables. She shook off the water from her hands, wiped them with a towel, turned around, and gently tucked a few strands of hair behind her daughter's ear. Then she smiled and whispered, "He's one of your father's business friends. This is his second son, who just returned from studying in the UK. How do you find him? He's quite handsome, right?"

Wang Jinglu was taken aback and her face suddenly showed a wary expression, "Mom, you... What is Dad up to?"

Wang Jinglu's mother smiled again, as if to reassure her, and gently stroked her daughter's cheek, saying softly, "Nothing, nothing. Your father just heard that he returned from studying abroad, so he invited him over to get to know him. Just to get acquainted, you know!"

Wang Jinglu's heart tightened at these words, and a bad feeling suddenly grew stronger.

...

Qi Jie went to the KTV after finishing her meal.

When she found the private room, the singing was already in full swing. She pushed open the door and saw Lu Liang standing up and waving to her. As she entered, she said, "Sorry, I'm late."

The singing didn't stop.

As Qi Jie approached, she discreetly observed the room. In addition to Lu Liang and his assistant Qian Hao, there was a large, fat man who looked to weigh at least 200 pounds. On either side of him sat two heavily made-up girls.

At that moment, the fat man was holding the microphone, singing at the top of his lungs, "I love you so much that I numb myself, but in your eyes, I'm just a mischievous cat..." He didn't even look at Qi Jie.

Qi Jie instinctively wanted to turn and leave.

Negotiating business, entertaining clients, and even calling in singing escorts... Each of these things was something she detested.

But in the end, she walked over and sat down next to Lu Liang, forcing a smile for him.

Lu Liang nodded and was about to speak when the song ended. He immediately turned his head and clapped enthusiastically, saying with a laugh, "Great, great, Chairman Liu, I'm not flattering you, but with your voice and singing skills, it's a waste to be in business! You should release albums and become a star!" Qian Hao, sitting on the other side, also chimed in in agreement.

Qi Jie felt a bit nauseous and lowered her head.

Chairman Liu laughed and said, "Just joking, just joking! When I was young, I did dream of being a star, but now, I don't dare to think about it. Look at my figure... sigh, I'm old!"

The girl sitting on his right side said, "What do you mean old? I feel you're still young..."

The overt flirtation and seduction in her words made Qi Jie frown, but Chairman Liu just chuckled and reached out to pull the girl into his lap, leering and asking, "Where did you feel I'm young?"

The girl's hand was still on his crotch, but she pretended to be shy and pushed him away, "Oh, you're so naughty..."

Chairman Liu laughed heartily.

The other two men in the room also joined in the laughter.

Just then, Chairman Liu's gaze shifted and landed on Qi Jie, and he was taken aback.

Lu Liang said, "Chairman Liu, another song? What do you want to sing? Let Qian Hao pick it for you."

But Chairman Liu didn't respond, instead staring at Qi Jie for a long time before turning to Lu Liang with a dissatisfied look and saying, "Xiao Lu, this is not right of you..." He pointed at Qi Jie, "Such a beautiful girl, how can you keep her all to yourself? At least let me, Liu, have a taste, right?"

Qi Jie was taken aback by this.

Lu Liang quickly explained, "Chairman Liu, you misunderstood, this is my fiancée, Qi Jie." He then turned to Qi Jie and said, "Xiao Jie, this is Chairman Liu, he's our company's financial god! ... What are you standing there for? Say hello!"

Qi Jie had no choice but to force a smile and say, "Hello, Chairman Liu!"

Upon hearing that Qi Jie was Lu Liang's fiancée, Chairman Liu's smile completely vanished.

He coughed and said, "Oh, so she's your fiancée. Xiao Lu, it's not that I don't give you face, but look, Xiao Jie was quite late. Shouldn't she be penalized with two glasses of alcohol? It's only fair!"

He then turned to Qian Hao and ordered, "What are you waiting for? Pour the drinks!"

Qian Hao looked at Lu Liang and then at Qi Jie, not daring to disobey, and picked up a bottle of foreign liquor, pouring a small half glass. Chairman Liu took the glass, passed it over the singing escort and Lu Liang, and with a smile, offered it to Qi Jie, saying, "Little sister, give Liu Ge some face, okay?"

Qi Jie finally couldn't bear it any longer, and her face turned cold.

Lu Liang quickly stood up, but before he could speak, Chairman Liu said dismissively, "Xiao Lu, I said it's not that I don't give you face, but the main issue is that the little sister was late. You're not going to drink for her, are you? That would really be not giving me, Liu, any face..."

So, the words on the tip of Lu Liang's tongue were swallowed back.

Qi Jie took a deep breath, about to say something, but Lu Liang quickly said, "She'll drink, she'll drink, right away!"

He then turned to look at Qi Jie, giving her a very stern look.

At that moment, Qi Jie felt like she was about to explode.

But she quickly calmed down, surprisingly calm.

She coldly stared at Lu Liang for a moment, took a deep breath, took the glass, and downed it in one go. She slammed the glass on the table and sat down, coughing violently.

Lu Liang's face turned a bit pale, and he looked at Qi Jie with a hint of anger.

Chairman Liu, however, laughed heartily.

"Great, that's the spirit! I like dealing with girls like you. We're acquainted now. How about it, little sister, sing a song with Liu Ge?"

After finishing coughing, Qi Jie gave him a perfect smile, and Chairman Liu was immediately stunned, his face showing a lecherous expression.

Then, Qi Jie said, "Let this Xiao Lu sing with you. I have other guests to attend to. See you next time." She picked up her bag and, without a second glance at Lu Liang's surprised and angry expression, stood up and left the private room.

As the door slammed shut, Lu Liang stood up in anger, but Chairman Liu's eyes were shining brightly. He clicked his tongue and said, "This girl, she's got some flavor!" He then turned to Lu Liang and laughed, "How about it, Xiao Lu? You're exposed, right? That tone, it's clearly a drinking companion! I'm telling you, she's just a girl, don't be so stingy. How about letting her spend the night with me tonight? If you bring her back, I'll sign the deal with you!"

Lu Liang sat down with a green face, forcing a smile and said, "Chairman Liu, no, Liu Ge, that... that's really my fiancée. I haven't disciplined her well, and she made you angry. I apologize, I apologize! Let me drink three glasses as a penalty!"

Chairman Liu was taken aback by this, and his face turned sour.