At the banquet.
Chi Ruanli had changed into a black strapless puffy dress. Her hair was tied into a bun, returning her to a bright, energetic girl look.
As a qualified secretary, she stood obediently beside Sheng Yanqing, accompanying him through social interactions, smiling so much her face was almost stiff.
After one full round of greetings, Sheng Yanqing went to discuss a business collaboration with the young heir of Hengyuan International, giving her a rare chance to breathe.
She sat in the rest area, massaging her calves for a moment before heading straight to the dessert table.
Egg tarts, mango mousse, tiramisu…
As a true dessert-lover, this place was basically paradise.
Chi Ruanli ate several pieces in a row. Satisfied, her deer-like eyes curved into crescent moons.
Just as she was about to grab some yogurt to rinse her mouth, someone tapped her shoulder.
She turned around and saw a man with silver hair, looking slightly roguish as he smiled at her.
“Which family are you from?” he asked.
Chi Ruanli’s brain froze for a second.
Then she suddenly lit up with joy.
“Xu Wenzhi?”
“You know me?” Xu Wenzhi was a little surprised.
“Of course! I’m your fan! I really loved your group’s songs,” Chi Ruanli said excitedly, unable to stop talking. “When you disbanded, I cried so hard my eyes swelled like walnuts.”
This time, Xu Wenzhi was even more surprised.
He hadn’t expected that his small, obscure overseas group would still be remembered.
“Thank you,” he said, unusually serious for once, trying to maintain his idol image.
“You’re welcome! Idol, can I have your autograph?” Chi Ruanli looked at him with sparkling deer-like eyes that were impossible to refuse.
After getting a yes, she immediately went further.
“Can I take a photo too?”
Xu Wenzhi smiled and nodded again.
Delighted, Chi Ruanli quickly pulled out her phone.
After finishing the business discussion, Sheng Yanqing returned to the banquet hall.
The moment he looked over, he saw the two of them standing close together, constantly changing poses for photos.
It seemed they weren’t satisfied yet.
Chi Ruanli even pouted slightly, revealing her dimples as she smiled sweetly at Xu Wenzhi, asking for another shot.
After getting a satisfying photo, her eyes curved into crescents as she chatted happily with him.
Tsk.
Sheng Yanqing narrowed his eyes.
She had never smiled at him like that.
A faint jealousy rose in his chest.
He strode over with his long legs and slapped the silver head.
A sharp “smack” rang out.
Chi Ruanli startled, eyes widening as she covered her mouth, then looked at him somewhat angrily.
She thought: he hit her idol?
The silver-haired man turned around.
Seeing who it was, he immediately hugged Sheng Yanqing.
“Bro, I missed you so much!”
“You saw me two days ago,” Sheng Yanqing said, disgusted, pushing him away.
Xu Wenzhi clung to him like glue again. Push away—stick back. Push away—stick back.
Until Chi Ruanli couldn’t help but laugh.
Only then did Xu Wenzhi finally stop, straighten his clothes, and return to his lazy, carefree demeanor.
He even winked at her.
He didn’t bother pretending anymore—he hadn’t been an idol for years.
After receiving the signal, Chi Ruanli laughed even harder. Her worldview was slightly shaken.
So her cool idol persona was just an act…
As expected, everything was a persona.
“Do you know her?” Sheng Yanqing asked.
“Oh, this little girl is my fan,” Xu Wenzhi said proudly.
Sheng Yanqing sneered and turned to Chi Ruanli.
“Your taste is that bad?”
“Uh…” Chi Ruanli looked embarrassed and didn’t know how to respond.
Xu Wenzhi immediately became unhappy.
“Bro…” he dragged out the word.
The tone alone gave everyone goosebumps.
Both Sheng Yanqing and Chi Ruanli visibly reacted in discomfort.
It completely shattered Chi Ruanli’s idol fantasy.
“Bro, is that girl yours?”
Xu Wenzhi asked as they sat in the rest area, watching Chi Ruanli at the drinks table.
Hearing the way he addressed her, Sheng Yanqing frowned.
“Stop calling people randomly. Want to get yourself into trouble again?”
“Bro.”
Xu Wenzhi raised his voice.
That clearly hit a nerve.
The conversation ended there.
The banquet was nearing its end.
When Sheng Yanqing saw Chi Ruanli again, she was already flushed red, clearly drunk, barely able to stand.
He could only support her waist lightly as she leaned against him.
“How much did she drink?” he asked the waiter.
The waiter looked embarrassed and raised one finger.
“One glass?”
Jing Xun couldn’t believe it and laughed.
Sheng Yanqing also let out a helpless, amused breath.
So she couldn’t drink… and apparently had terrible alcohol tolerance too.
As she leaned against him, looking obedient with her head lowered, her small hand quietly slipped under his suit jacket.
She touched his firm waist.
Sheng Yanqing gritted his teeth.
He confirmed she was definitely not conscious right now—otherwise he would’ve thought she was seducing him.
He bent down and easily lifted her into a princess carry, walking toward the car.
Behind him, Jing Xun kept clicking his tongue in amusement…