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He wanted to settle the score with her, but with guests constantly passing by, Zhou Cong had to stop every few steps to respond to someone.
By the time he was done, the girl in front of him had already slipped away—couldn’t even bear to stay with him for a second.
Frustration simmered in his chest. For the past month, he’d been swamped with work. She never replied to his messages, never picked up his calls, and he had forced himself to endure it all until today.
He wanted to chase after her and drag her back, but another guest approached, pulling him into another conversation.
When he finally came back to his senses, the banquet had officially begun.
Zhou Hezheng and Wu Shoufang took the stage to deliver their remarks. After a few polite words, Wu Shoufang suddenly waved toward the crowd. “Ah Cong, come up here.”
Zhou Cong raised an eyebrow, surprised, but walked over nonetheless.
Just as he reached the stage, Wu Shoufang waved again to the other side. “Ningning, you too.”
A young lady from the table closest to the head table stood up, blushing as she walked up to the stage.
Zhou Cong’s face instantly darkened.
Ji Huailuo was thoroughly entertained. “Yo, are they matching Ah Cong with another one again?”
“…Hua Qingyang’s eyes darted back and forth between Zhou Cong and Xu Zhiqiao. He muttered, “No idea. Maybe… maybe it’s just a recognized sister or something?”
Zhen Chuang cleared his throat. “Doesn’t look like Zhou Cong knew anything about it. Look at his face—he’s pissed.”
Wu Shoufang introduced the young lady to the guests and added, “Ah Cong, you don’t have to stick with us. Just keep Ningning company.”
Zhou Cong remained silent, his gaze unabashedly locking onto a certain spot in the crowd.
From start to finish, Xu Zhiqiao never once looked up. She quietly sipped her juice while listening to Ji Huailuo and the others chat.
Zhou Cong’s seat was moved next to Lu Ran Ning.
These kinds of gatherings were dull anyway. Ji Huailuo waited for Xu Zhiqiao to finish eating, then said, “I’m going to say goodbye to Uncle and Auntie. You wait for me by the car—the smell of alcohol in here is too much.”
Xu Zhiqiao nodded obediently, clutching her two gift bags.
The car was parked just outside the Courtyard, beside the wall. Through the intricately carved stone windows, she could see the bustle inside.
Just one wall away, outside by the car, it was quiet as still water.
Xu Zhiqiao sat by the flower bed, peeling open a packet of peanut brittle from the gift bag.
Footsteps approached. The wind carried a faint trace of bitter chill.
The first thing she saw was the shoes—Zhou Cong’s, pristine and spotless.
Then the man crouched down beside her.
At this distance, she caught the smell of alcohol clinging to him.
Their eyes met.
His dark pupils flickered with emotions she couldn’t read. His voice was hoarse from drink. “I couldn’t say much on stage just now…”
“What’s there to say?” Xu Zhiqiao held up a piece of brittle. “That sister was really pretty.”
Zhou Cong’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “I’ve already made it clear to her in private—”
Xu Zhiqiao held the candy up to him. “Want a piece, Big Brother Zhou Cong?”
He fell silent.
She didn’t want to hear any of this. Didn’t care to listen to any explanations. She wasn’t interested.
Not a trace of sadness could be seen in her eyes.
“Xu Zhiqiao.”
“Mm?”
“Don’t play dumb.”
Xu Zhiqiao packed the brittle back into the box. “I’ll wait for my Big Brother in the car…”
Suddenly—
His hand gripped the back of her slender neck. Xu Zhiqiao, caught off guard, leaned forward with a jolt.
And in the next moment, her lips were caught in his.
Zhou Cong, reeking of alcohol, pinned her flailing wrists with one hand and cradled her head with the other, kissing her deeply, stealing her breath.
The kiss was clumsy, awkward, filled with small soft collisions.
He didn’t linger long. Panting, he finally released her and murmured against her damp lips, “I only want you. Got that?”
Her mind went blank. Her teeth hurt, her lips throbbed, and tears spilled down her cheeks without warning.
This awful man.
This damned man who only knew how to coerce and manipulate.
“Don’t mess with me,” Zhou Cong’s voice was full of pain, yet he didn’t give an inch. “I’m not letting go. Even if you cry, I won’t.”
Xu Zhiqiao shoved him hard, knocking him to the ground. She wiped her lips with the back of her hand, sobbing as she climbed into the car.
The door locked with a click.
Zhou Cong didn’t follow.
But he sent a message: [You like that candy? I’ll go grab a few more boxes for you.]
Xu Zhiqiao wanted nothing from him.
She threw away both boxes she had.
When Zhou Cong returned inside, he ran into Ji Huailuo in the hallway.
Ji Huailuo cursed. “What the hell did you do?”
“Hold on,” Zhou Cong said mildly. “Grab more candy on the way out.”
Ji Huailuo looked him over. “How much did you drink? Your face is red, and your lips… tsk, tsk, tsk, look like you just made out with someone.”
Zhou Cong kept a straight face. “I’m coming to your house for lunch tomorrow.”
“…Why the hell are you coming over for no reason? You make Sister Li so nervous every time, like she’s scared of not serving you right.”
Zhou Cong: “Isn’t tomorrow the start of winter break?”
Ji Huailuo: “Bullshit.”
“My company did a raffle. I won a pair of tickets for an overseas trip.” Zhou Cong spoke slowly. “I’m giving them to you.”
Ji Huailuo froze. “You’re giving them to me? You’re not going?”
“I’m a shareholder. I can go on the company’s dime whether I win or not.”
Ji Huailuo slung an arm around his shoulder. “Now that’s what I call brotherhood. I need to think who I’ll take with me.”
Zhou Cong’s lashes lifted. “Not taking your sister?”
“She’s heading back to Jindong for New Year. Maybe I’ll rent a girl to come with me.”
Zhou Cong shook off his arm, face cold. “Get the candy.”
—
On the way back, Xu Zhiqiao drove again. Ji Huailuo, buzzed, slumped in the passenger seat, looking miserable.
Though he still doubted her driving skills, at least it was quieter than on the way there.
After a while, Ji Huailuo suddenly muttered, “I really can’t compare to Ah Cong. No wonder my dad’s always yelling at me.”
“That’s not true.” Xu Zhiqiao’s face was blank. “Big Brother, you’re ten thousand, no—a million times better than him. Even if he rode a horse, he couldn’t catch up to your toes.”
“…Damn.”
No need to exaggerate that much.
Ji Huailuo licked his lips. “I’m really… that great?”
“Mm!” Xu Zhiqiao nodded with conviction. “If I could only choose one Big Brother, I’d pick you without hesitation. If I could only choose one boyfriend—well, that part’s out. But even if I don’t choose you, I sure as hell won’t choose him.”
Ji Huailuo was over the moon. “I knew I was a diamond in the rough—just needed someone to see it.”
Xu Zhiqiao: “Big Brother, I’ll always support you, unconditionally.”
“…All the candy’s yours,” Ji Huailuo said cheerfully, hugging a pile of candy boxes. “I won’t fight you for a single piece.”
Then he added, not quite satisfied: “Tonight I’ll help you beat that game level.”
After a moment’s thought, realizing that wasn’t enough, he doubled down: “Your Big Brother Zhou Cong gave me two all-expenses-paid tickets for an overseas trip. Why don’t you skip Jindong and come abroad with me?”
“…Is he going?”
“Yeah,” Ji Huailuo replied. “It’s his company’s trip.”
Xu Zhiqiao’s voice cooled. “Oh. I’m heading back to Jindong tomorrow.”
“….”
Xu Zhiqiao: “Big Brother, congratulations on your honeymoon. Have a great trip.”