Chapter 19

Old Zhou sent a message saying he was already waiting downstairs. Shen Mi followed Xie Rongzhuo down, and as soon as they stepped out of the elevator, they bumped into Zhong Xu, who lived in the building next door.

This area was the wealthiest residential district in the city, so it wasn’t unusual to run into him.

“Rongzhuo?” Zhong Xu glanced at Shen Mi and joked, “Haven’t you changed secretaries yet?”

Shen Mi smiled: “Disappointing you, Mr. Zhong, it’s still me.”

“Just kidding.” Zhong Xu grinned, a bit of a rogue look on his face, and turned to introduce, “This is my fiancée, Zhao—”

“Secretary Shen, long time no see.” Zhao Bai Li slapped his hand away, acting as if she didn’t know him well.

Zhong Xu let out an awkward laugh.

“Are you going to Uncle Zhong’s party, Uncle? I am too.” Zhao Bai Li looked at Xie Rongzhuo and suggested, “Why don’t we go together?”

Xie Rongzhuo said in a calm voice, “We’re not going the same way.”

Shen Mi: “…”

Zhao Bai Li was very good at reading people’s expressions: “It seems like Uncle is still angry about the last incident. Actually, I’ve already apologized to Secretary Shen, and we’re good now. You’re a big person, don’t be petty with me.”

She was dressed in an elegant long dress today, with a women’s blazer over it, and her words and actions were completely different from the arrogant and wild person she used to be.

The previous Zhao Bai Li had been obsessed with Zhong Xu, always thinking about how to please him. In just a few months, her intelligence had skyrocketed. This ability to bend and stretch was likely because she had let go of her feelings.

Shen Mi glanced at Zhong Xu, a silent message of “good luck” passing between them.

Xie Rongzhuo saw this glance and turned his head, his gaze falling coldly on Zhong Xu.

Zhong Xu, understanding the situation, grabbed Zhao Bai Li’s hand: “Your dad told you to take my car.”

Zhao Bai Li  brushed him off: “Scram.”

As expected.

Shen Mi lit a virtual candle in her mind for Zhong Xu.

“Are you feeling sorry for him?” Xie Rongzhuo’s tone was flat, “People who don’t know how to cherish something don’t deserve sympathy. Giving him a second chance is just sending yourself to your doom.”

Shen Mi felt that Xie Rongzhuo’s words had a deeper meaning, not directed at Zhong Xu, but rather at her and Ke Zhan.

Shen Mi herself didn’t know when she and Ke Zhan had become a famous couple on the university campus.

Even now, you could still find photos of her and Ke Zhan working part-time together on the online forum, with pictures as proof. The poster, in their passionate “shipping” essay, wrote about how Ke Zhan, the young master, went to work part-time for her, and always walked her home, lamenting that they were a match made in heaven. Shen Mi herself almost believed it, let alone others.

But maybe she was overthinking it, and Xie Rongzhuo was indeed talking about Zhong Xu.

“It’s not a matter of principle, I think we can give him another chance?”

Xie Rongzhuo didn’t respond for a long time. Shen Mi raised her head and finally saw that the black eyes behind his glasses had turned cold.

She suddenly felt a chill down her spine.

•  

Tonight was Zhong Guangpu’s private banquet. Every year, after the Chinese New Year, he would set a date for a party, inviting close friends and family members from prestigious families to strengthen their network.

Entrepreneurs and celebrities alike were present, each allowed to bring one family member.

They crossed a clear stream and walked up the stairs along the carved railings. This Chinese-style building seemed simple and unassuming, but in reality, everything from the chairs to the antiques hanging on the walls was incredibly valuable.

When they reached the living room on the third floor, Shen Mi stayed by Xie Rongzhuo’s side the entire time. When someone came up to chat, she handled it with ease, becoming increasingly adept in the world of fame and fortune.

Except when it came to drinking.

Xie Rongzhuo wouldn’t allow it.

When others offered drinks to Shen Mi, they all went into Xie Rongzhuo’s stomach.

In fact, he could have chosen not to drink or just taken a few sips; no one dared to force Mr. Xie to drink. Shen Mi could sense that Xie Rongzhuo was in a bad mood tonight; it was all him drinking alone.

Every large circle has countless small circles, and at this moment, the gossip in the small circles had exploded.

—”Is that Xie Rongzhuo’s girlfriend?? A miracle has happened!”

—”Of course, this is Grandpa Zhong’s private wine party; how could he bring just anyone?”

—”I asked around; it seems she is his secretary?”

—”Impossible, I just saw the two of them exchanging glances!”

—”Whatever she is, after tonight, she’ll be the main partner; the official girlfriend is a done deal.”

Xie Rongzhuo was always known for his clean living, yet tonight his shirt had lipstick smudged on it, and there seemed to be a kiss mark on his neck. He also kept shielding Shen Mi from drinks. Some things were unspoken.

Shen Mi wasn’t new to accompanying Xie Rongzhuo to social events, but she noticed that tonight, people were looking at her with a peculiar surprise.

Isn’t it normal to bring a female companion to a wine party?

Can’t a secretary be a female companion?

•  

Xie Rongzhuo had drunk quite a bit tonight and his steps were unsteady. Shen Mi helped him out of the villa.

Old Zhou hadn’t arrived yet.

Shen Mi turned around, standing face-to-face with Xie Rongzhuo, trying to use her small frame to steady the tall man in front of her, preventing him from stumbling and falling.

She reached into her bag with one hand to get her phone, while the other hand circled around Xie Rongzhuo’s waist, holding him tight.

When her hand landed on him, Xie Rongzhuo’s body visibly stiffened.

Shen Mi searched for Old Zhou’s number with one hand, patting his back in a soothing manner. She retracted her hand and rested her forehead against his chest.

“Boss, stand still. I’ll call Old Zhou, he’ll be here soon.”

Xie Rongzhuo suddenly raised his hand and gently hugged her head.

“Don’t need to.”

He was very quiet after getting drunk, his speech was clear. If he wasn’t unsteady on his feet, you wouldn’t even know he was drunk.

“The car keys are with me.”

Shen Mi tilted her head and asked, “Where?”

Xie Rongzhuo lowered his head, his dark eyes fixed on her face.

The green avenue outside the villa was lit with twinkling lights, their figures were shrouded in the shade of the trees, merging into one. Xie Rongzhuo stood with his back to the light, his face was divided by light and shadow, the top half of his face was hidden in the darkness, the bottom half was handsome and distinct.

Knowing he was drunk and might not have heard clearly, Shen Mi asked again, “Where are the car keys? Boss?”

Xie Rongzhuo’s eyelids drooped slightly, the light flickered, the lenses were adorned with fleeting shadows, making it impossible to see his expression.

Shen Mi: “Mr. Xie?”

Xie Rongzhuo still didn’t react.

Shen Mi changed her address: “Master.”

What is the relationship between Shen Mi and Xie Rongzhuo?

How did Xie Rongzhuo get drunk?

Why does Shen Mi want the car keys?

Xie Rongzhuo grabbed her wrist and pulled her forward with force. Shen Mi stumbled and fell into his arms.

“You—”

“Here.” Xie Rongzhuo pulled her hand into his trouser pocket.

Touching something cold, it should be the car keys. Shen Mi curled her fingers and pulled them out.

Drunk people’s thinking is really slow.

With this effort of pulling her hand to get it, wouldn’t it be easier for him to just take it out himself?

Thinking that Xie Rongzhuo could also be so silly, Shen Mi couldn’t help but laugh.

“I’ll go get the car, you wait for me here?”

Afraid he wouldn’t answer her, Shen Mi added, “Baby Master.”

“Okay.”