Sitting in the car on the way to the banquet venue, Zhi Shihan could clearly sense Ruan Jilao’s displeasure emanating from the passenger seat.
Normally, this woman would clamor to sit beside him, claiming the back seat was more comfortable, but today she seemed to be throwing a small tantrum.
Zhi Shihan rested his hand on the tablet, his eyes fixed on his work, breaking the silence first: “Why aren’t you sitting in the back today?”
Ruan Jilao fiddled with her phone. “You made me wear this ugly outfit, so you obviously want me to stay away from you and behave myself.”
The driver, who was behind the wheel, glanced in the rearview mirror at Zhi Zong’s expression, surprised by how casually Ruan Jilao spoke to him.
A faint smile played on Zhi Shihan’s lips. “I didn’t say anything. You’re my secretary—how can you stay away from me?”
“Then next time, can you prepare a beautiful dress for me? It’s so unfair that you dress so handsomely but don’t let me look good.”
Zhi Shihan looked at her outfit, finding it quite youthful.
With a hint of genuine confusion, the man asked, “Is it ugly? I think this suits your age better.”
…Straight man.
Ruan Jilao silently turned her head away.
Her phone suddenly vibrated.
Ruan Jilao opened it and saw a message from Qiu Chaoshi.
Qiu Chaoshi: What should I do? I saw Jin Qi at the banquet hall.
He told me a few days ago he was returning to Jingshi, but why would he be here?
Does he know about me asking you to pretend?
Did you tell him?
After reading the string of questions, Ruan Jilao was also surprised, but she quickly regained her composure.
She replied: Don’t panic. I didn’t tell him about this. He probably just happened to be here for something. What do you plan to do? You said before you wanted to tell him—now’s the perfect chance.
Qiu Chaoshi: No, this kind of occasion has too many people; it’s not suitable to talk. Maybe I should hide first… You help me adapt to the situation.
Ruan Jilao: What a shame. Don’t you want to meet Zhi Shihan?
Qiu Chaoshi: There are priorities. When you get to the venue, help me find out why Jin Qi is here.
Ruan Jilao: Ok.
After replying to Qiu Chaoshi’s message,
A hint of mischief appeared on Ruan Jilao’s face. It would be a waste not to stir things up with such a good opportunity.
Today, no matter what, she had to make Qiu Chaoshi and Jin Qi meet.
Just then, the car stopped at the entrance of the banquet venue.
Zhi Shihan happened to finish the last document, placing the tablet aside. “Let’s go.”
Midway through the banquet, the arrival of a special guest was announced, drawing everyone’s attention.
As the door swung open, the man walking at the front was as refined as jade, a faint smile in his eyes. His deep gaze held a gentle warmth, and dressed in a tailcoat, he nodded unhurriedly to the crowd as he entered the venue, eliciting gasps of surprise from many.
The mere fact that Jin Qi attended the banquet was already astonishing enough.
No one expected Zhi Shihan to grace the occasion in person.
While everyone was still in shock, an unfamiliar face suddenly appeared behind Zhi Shihan.
Zhi Shihan had actually brought a woman to the banquet.
The beauty sheltered behind Zhi Shihan’s broad shoulders and trim waist gradually came into clear view before everyone’s eyes.
The beauty's peach blossom eyes held affection; even a faint smile could make one's heart flutter. Her fair skin was clad in a well-behaved, conservative, and warm rabbit fur turtleneck sweater paired with a white schoolgirl skirt. Her slender waist swayed with the skirt in a myriad of graceful postures. Though her aura was alluring, her demeanor was light and agile—clearly no ordinary person.
Standing beside Zhi Shihan, the unfamiliar beauty was not overshadowed by the man's radiance in the slightest. Instead, they complemented each other perfectly, creating a breathtaking scene.
Everyone was eagerly inquiring: Who is she?
Jin Qi, dressed in a deep black suit, felt a momentary daze when he saw the woman behind Zhi Shihan.
Was this Qiu Chaoshi or Ruan Jilao?
He wasn't entirely sure.
It wasn't until Zhi Shihan walked up to Jin Qi that the beauty behind him gave him a soul-stirring wink.
In that instant, Jin Qi knew: This was Ruan Jilao.
Zhi Shihan greeted Jin Qi with a smile. "I knew you'd come."
Professionally, the Haicheng government had a new project, and Jin Qi wouldn't miss it.
Personally, it was for a woman.
"Zhi Zong, you still understand me so well."
Two glasses of red wine glowed a rich crimson under the lights. Just as they were about to clink glasses, a champagne flute suddenly joined theirs in a toast.
Both men paused, turning to look at Ruan Jilao. The beauty asked innocently, "Aren't we all drinking together?"
With that, she took a sip of her wine.
Zhi Shihan smiled without a word and also drank from his red wine.
Seeing Ruan Jilao's lack of etiquette, Jin Qi felt a twitch at his temple. "Zhi Zong, do you usually spoil her like this?"
Zhi Shihan glanced at the beauty, who had subtly moved closer to him, and smiled gently. "Isn't she quite adorable?"
A sinking feeling washed over Jin Qi, but he quickly suppressed it and asked Ruan Jilao, "Where's your sister?"
He hadn't seen Qiu Chaoshi since he arrived.
Ruan Jilao speculated, "Maybe she's avoiding you?"
Hearing this, Jin Qi's expression visibly dimmed.
Ruan Jilao watched Jin Qi's reaction with interest.
What a devoted soul. Such a cold, stern face paired with that despondent expression was rather captivating.
For the rest of the time, Zhi Shihan chatted with others, while Ruan Jilao grew restless after a while.
She quietly slipped over to the nearby food table, but upon seeing only cheese, dried ham, and similar fare, her interest instantly waned.
As she nibbled on smoked salmon, Ruan Jilao resolved to attend events with small cakes next time, not evening cocktail parties.
A voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Hello, may I get to know you?"
Suddenly, she found herself surrounded by a small crowd of people.
Zhi Shihan, who had been chatting with the event organizers, had been keeping an eye on Ruan Jilao. Sensing something amiss, he politely excused himself with a smile. "Please excuse me for a moment."
He then walked over and stopped not far from Ruan Jilao, speaking just loud enough for the men around her to hear.
"Stop wandering off. Come here."
At the sound of Zhi Shihan's voice, the curious onlookers quickly dispersed.
With the crowd no longer blocking the view, Ruan Jilao's beauty was fully revealed before Zhi Shihan.
Her eyes sparkled, filled with his reflection, as she obediently trotted over to him.
Zhi Shihan took a step forward and extended his arm to her in front of everyone, leaving the crowd puzzled about their relationship.
Meanwhile, Jin Qi, who had also been watching her, frowned with displeasure at the sight. An urge to step forward and intervene stirred within him.
Ruan Jilao unhesitatingly looped her arm through Zhi Shihan's firm and powerful one, whispering, "Are you worried I might get harassed? Don't worry, they're all just asking me about you. You, the head of the Zhi Family, are just too charming—appealing to both young and old alike."
Zhi Shihan smiled gently, lifting the hand adorned with the family ring to brush away the stray strands of hair beside her cheek. "Silly girl, they think you're my woman."
Ruan Jilao pressed her curvaceous figure closer against Zhi Shihan's arm, her eyes captivating as she gazed at him. "Aren't I?"
Zhi Shihan met her gaze with an amused smile.
"Of course you're not." A cold, magnetic male voice interrupted the subtle atmosphere between them.
Ruan Jilao's slender arm was seized by a large hand and forcefully pulled in the opposite direction.
Jin Qi, though his mind resisted, found his body moving forward honestly to block the intimacy between the two, his expression extremely displeased.
In a corner obscured from view, Qiu Chaoshi watched in disbelief as Jin Qi, Ruan Jilao, and Zhi Shihan engaged in their tug-of-war.
She bit into the flesh of the back of her hand, the stinging sensation confirming that all of this was real, her heart in turmoil.