Chapter 11

“In a couple of days, Xincheng is hosting an international seminar on commerce. Are you going?” Lu Feng casually placed a ticket in front of Xu Zhou, speaking in a relaxed, generous tone.

Xu Zhou’s hand paused on the mouse.

Xincheng?

“I heard many international experts and top talents from various fields will attend. Definitely not for someone as ordinary as me. My dad managed to get this ticket for me—it can’t go to waste.”

An international seminar at this level was a rare opportunity. Attending could yield significant insights.

Xu Zhou took the ticket and glanced at the address.

“Thanks.”

“We’re friends. No need to be polite.” Lu Feng patted his shoulder, then cleared his throat a little awkwardly. “But I have a small favor to ask.”

“Go ahead.”

“Uh… well, it’s just that…”

“….”

Xu Zhou already knew. When Lu Feng randomly gives something, there’s always a catch.

“A couple months ago, my dad insisted on introducing me to an old friend’s daughter. I had to meet her for a meal. After that, she started harassing me with messages and even came to my house. Can you let me stay at yours for a few days?”

“I think you can stay at a hotel…”

“Not comfortable there. Company’s place is inconvenient too.”

Xu Zhou leaned back in his chair. “You really need to hide like this?”

“I don’t want to hide, but wherever I go, I run into her. It’s uncanny.”

“So you’re afraid of her?”

Xu Zhou grew curious—this was the first time he’d seen Lu Feng genuinely scared.

“How could I be afraid of her? If anything, I’m afraid I might hurt her. Someone as gentle, kind, and understanding as me could never do anything to hurt a woman.”

“Aware of your own scumbag tendencies.”

“… Lu Feng, are you seriously calling yourself a scumbag?”

“Isn’t it true?”

He often wondered if Lu Feng could actually manage all his flings.

“I always keep my relationships purely ambiguous. I may have passed through a garden of flowers, but never touched a leaf.”

Xu Zhou couldn’t help raising his eyebrows in disbelief, having heard many stories of Lu Feng’s past. “And you’re still seeing her?”

Lu Feng: “….”

That casual remark stung his pride.

“Go home, pack up, and move in tonight. Just so you know, ten days max.”

“Ten days is enough to find the next place. Can I move in directly? There’s nothing to pack.”

Xu Zhou: “Moving again?”

“That woman bought the apartment next door. If I don’t move, seeing me all the time will make her obsess over me more…”

Xu Zhou’s face darkened.

“By the way, there’s a singles’ party at Misen Bar tonight. Want to check it out with me?”

Xu Zhou stared at his computer screen, not lifting his head.

“My building locks at midnight. And I’m not single. I don’t like bars. Don’t tell me about these events again.”

“You sometimes work late into one or two in the morning. Midnight curfew?!”

Xu Zhou looked up, expression neutral. “Is there a problem?”

“…No.”

Lu Feng continued, “Can’t you just let loose at the bar once, a farewell to being single? Once you’re in a relationship, your free time will be limited…”

Xu Zhou (deathly smile): “So I leave you here to work overtime, and I go party?”

Lu Feng: “Forget I said anything.”

…

The bar was filled with pulsating music and kaleidoscopic lights, reflecting on every young man and woman.

Tonight, a rich second-generation heir had rented the entire bar, making it extremely noisy. Bodies swayed in the dance floor, stirring excitement and restlessness deep within.

“Handsome, need some company?”

A pair of fair hands rested on Lu Feng’s shoulders from behind, a strong perfume making him frown.

His eyes immediately locked on a familiar figure not far off—this woman had followed him to the bar. She really wouldn’t let go.

“No, thanks.”

“Lu Feng, what’s going on today? So cold to a beauty? Not your style.” Wang Yan, nearby, laughed, clearly in a good mood.

“A bit tired. I’ll go rest for a while.”

Lu Feng moved toward a nearby sofa. The woman hadn’t noticed him—was she really not here for him?

Tonight, she looked good in that dress. If she weren’t so persistent, maybe they could’ve been friends.

Xie An’an sat bored on a bar stool, scanning the crowd. Based on her knowledge of Lu Feng over the past few months, he would definitely show up at a bar event like this.

She refused to believe she couldn’t get him. After years of interest, he showed zero interest, even hiding from her. A game of hide-and-seek, huh? Perfect.

“Beauty, drinking alone? Need company?” A man leered at Xie An’an, hands wandering toward her waist, puckering to kiss her face.

“Get lost.” Xie An’an shoved him hard.

The rejected man fumed.

“What are you playing at? I’ve been watching you. Dressed like this, alone—waiting to be caught, right?”

“What are you?” Xie An’an’s eyes burned with disgust.

“F*** you…”

Before he could finish, a fist came down. The man screamed in pain.

“Men who harass women, who do you think you are? Try me instead.”

“What’s going on?” Lu Feng’s friends crowded around. “Lu Ge, what happened?”

“Damn…” The man, in pain, looked at the group. Outnumbered, he dared not continue. He got up and ran.

Xie An’an blinked, barely believing Lu Feng had saved her. Before he could say anything, she ran over and clung to his waist.

“You scared me! That man was so vicious… I thought I’d never see you again, boohoo…”

Lu Feng’s face went dark. He remembered this woman differently from before.

“Let go!”

“No!”

She clung like glue, impossible to push away.

“Lu Ge is on a roll tonight, one after another.”

“When has he ever not been? We can’t even compete.”

“Can I get some luck too…”

…

“My life’s so hard. Dad doesn’t care, mom doesn’t love me, the man I like doesn’t like me… I don’t want to live…”

“Xie An’an, are you crazy?” Lu Feng lost his patience.

“You got any medicine?”

…