She watched Lu Jinzhou leave before returning home.
She hadn’t told Mother Zhou about not coming home last night, and Mother Zhou hadn’t contacted her either.
A sense of loss crept into her heart. If it had been Zhou Leyu, Mother Zhou would have definitely called to make sure she was safe.
Back in her room, she changed out of the clothes from last night, her thoughts drifting once again to that dream.
The man’s scorching kisses, his wandering hands, and her own…
The dream felt so real it was almost unbelievable. She covered her flushed cheeks, shook her head, and forced herself not to think about it anymore.
Before dinner, Luo Shuhang sent her a WeChat message, telling her to dress up nicely. He had a dinner gathering and wanted to bring his girlfriend along.
Zhou Wanning didn’t want to go. She had never been good at socializing with others, let alone his business partners.
Luo Shuhang spent a long time coaxing her with sweet words and soft promises, making it seem as though if she refused, she would be ungrateful.
Reluctantly, Zhou Wanning agreed.
After telling her parents that she would be going out for dinner with Luo Shuhang that evening, she went to get ready.
As she applied her makeup, she wondered how she would bring up the topic of breaking up with Luo Shuhang.
Should she tell Mother Zhou before breaking up with him? Otherwise, Mother Zhou would probably keep nagging her about it.
Luo Shuhang didn’t come to pick her up. Instead, he told her to take a taxi to Jinbihuanghui, a private club in Haishi.
Zhou Wanning called Luo Shuhang, and he came out to meet her.
When he saw Zhou Wanning’s outfit, Luo Shuhang was momentarily stunned by her beauty. But tonight’s business deal was even more important, so he casually complimented her, “Wanning, you look beautiful today.”
The private room door was pushed open, and Luo Shuhang led Zhou Wanning inside by the hand.
To her surprise, Zhou Wanning immediately spotted the man sitting in the center.
She wore a light apricot-colored qipao, the fabric soft and form-fitting, neither flashy nor overly glamorous, simply accentuating her slender and gentle figure.
Zhou Wanning had loosely tied up her long hair, with a few stray strands falling by her cheeks. When she lifted her gaze, she looked as gentle as water.
One of the men teased, “Wow, President Luo’s girlfriend is so beautiful.”
Luo Shuhang smiled proudly. “You flatter me, President Li.”
He pulled out a chair for Zhou Wanning. “Wanning, have a seat.”
Only after sitting down did Zhou Wanning realize that Luo Shuhang was the only one who had brought a female companion.
Even the man sitting in the center didn’t have Zhou Leyu by his side.
Yes, she hadn’t expected Lu Jinzhou to be here.
There were three men in the private room, plus her, the only woman.
Zhou Wanning didn’t quite understand why Luo Shuhang had insisted on her coming.
Luo Shuhang said, “Wanning, I didn’t expect President Lu to be here either. What a coincidence, right?”
Zhou Wanning nodded slightly at Lu Jinzhou.
President Li spoke up, “President Luo, since your girlfriend arrived late, shouldn’t she be penalized with three drinks?”
“You’re absolutely right. I’ll drink them.”
President Li raised his hand. “Your girlfriend should join in for one too, shouldn’t she?”
Luo Shuhang glanced at Zhou Wanning. He wasn’t sure if she could drink and felt a bit uneasy. The main issue was that President Li was a major client. If he kept him happy tonight, the big order would be his.
“Wanning, how about having a drink with President Li?” he asked softly.
Zhou Wanning looked at him in disbelief.
“If I can secure this deal with President Li, I won’t have to worry about work for the rest of the year.”
The money from this single order would be equivalent to what he earned in an entire year.
He shoved a wine glass into Zhou Wanning’s hand and forcefully pulled her up to face President Li. “Wanning can’t drink much, so she’ll just have one. I’ll drink the rest.”
With that, he downed four glasses, and Zhou Wanning was forced to drink one as well.
The spicy taste slid down her throat into her stomach, and Zhou Wanning fought back her discomfort.
“Wow, President Luo, you sure can hold your liquor.”
Luo Shuhang forced a smile and took a bite of food to suppress the burn.
What they talked about, Zhou Wanning didn’t pay attention to, only feeling a bit warm.
Later, Luo Shuhang went to the restroom, and President Li also left, leaving only Lu Jinzhou, who had hardly spoken all night.
Zhou Wanning kept her head down, not daring to look at him.
Because throughout the evening, his gaze had been fixed on her face—she knew it.
She didn’t understand why Lu Jinzhou kept staring at her.
But his gaze made her uncomfortable.
He was Le Yu’s boyfriend—what did it mean for him to keep looking at her?
“Do you know what kind of gathering this is tonight?” Lu Jinzhou suddenly asked.
Zhou Wanning slowly raised her head, her cheeks slightly flushed, whether from the heat of the private room or the effects of the wine, she couldn’t tell.
If Luo Shuhang sold her out, would she still be counting the money for him?
“N-no, I don’t know.” Isn’t it just a regular business gathering?
What else could it be?
“Hah.” Lu Jinzhou raised an eyebrow and scoffed.
He stood up, walked over to Zhou Wanning, leaned down slightly, and stared at her slightly reddened eyes. “I have something to attend to, so I’ll leave first. When they return, let them know for me.”
Zhou Wanning turned her head and watched his tall figure walk out of the private room door, his silhouette appearing slightly blurred.
Luo Shuhang and President Li returned together.
“Huh, where’s President Lu?” President Li asked.
Zhou Wanning replied, “He said he had something to do and left first.”
She didn’t notice the slight change in Luo Shuhang’s expression upon his return.
“President Luo, as long as it’s handled properly, we’ll sign the contract tomorrow—three years’ worth, guaranteeing you a fortune.”
Luo Shuhang looked at President Li, a middle-aged man with a potbelly and an oily demeanor.
Then he glanced at Zhou Wanning beside him.
If just one night with her could secure a three-year contract worth tens of millions, it was an enormous temptation.
His company could rise to new heights, and the future would only get better—what kind of woman couldn’t he have then?
Besides, Zhou Wanning claimed she’d never been in a relationship, but with her looks, how could that be true?
She definitely wasn’t a virgin anymore—trading her for tens of millions… at most, he’d give her some extra compensation.
Luo Shuhang raised his glass again and toasted President Li. “President Li, as long as you keep your word, we’ll… have a pleasant partnership.”
President Li also raised his glass. “Pleasant partnership.”
“Wanning, come, have one more drink with President Li, and then we’ll go home.”
Zhou Wanning was pulled up by him and brought before President Li. “President Li, Wanning and I toast you. May our partnership go smoothly, and may your business grow bigger and more prosperous.”
Zhou Wanning felt unwell. “Shuhang, I… I don’t want to drink anymore.”
But Luo Shuhang whispered in her ear, “Wanning, just this one last drink. After this, I can sign a contract worth tens of millions. I’ll buy you designer bags and dresses then. Be good, drink it.”
He held the glass to Zhou Wanning’s lips, half-forcing her to drink it.
“Cough… cough…” Zhou Wanning nearly choked.
This glass of wine seemed even spicier than the previous one.
Luo Shuhang suddenly pushed her, and President Li caught her precisely, though upon closer inspection, he was supporting her waist with his wrist.
Zhou Wanning looked at Luo Shuhang in confusion. “Wanning, take good care of President Li. I…”
She was about to speak when President Li’s hand covered Zhou Wanning’s mouth. “Get out of here now.”
Luo Shuhang didn’t dare to look at Zhou Wanning again, staggering as he left the private room.
Zhou Wanning struggled, trying to break free from President Li’s grip, only to realize she had no strength left.
Her entire body felt limp and weak.
“Stop struggling. Your boyfriend has already given you to me. If you serve me well tonight, he’ll be able to sign the deal tomorrow.”