Luo Xiu glanced at Xu Qianqing, who sat opposite him, before returning to his phone. Gentle, dignified, and a little shy—that was his first impression of her.
"Um... would you like to look at these client files?" Xu Qianqing asked cautiously, handing a folder to Luo Xiu.
Luo Xiu shook his head slightly, declining.
Xu Qianqing pursed her lips and sighed silently. She was just a low-level employee who couldn't afford to provoke these people, nor did she have the luxury of looking down on them.
"Regarding this Yuehuang Entertainment City project, I've looked into it a little," she said earnestly, her eyes fixed on Luo Xiu. "It's basically impossible for the two of us to succeed."
She then added, "But according to our team's rules, if we don't complete it... we'll both be fired."
How convenient, Luo Xiu thought. He was about to say so when he saw Xu Qianqing's pitiful expression and swallowed his words.
He realized that everyone stood on different grounds. What was insignificant to him could be of the utmost importance to someone else.
Xu Qianqing's gaze was firm as she said, "But I still want to try my best. I really need the money."
Luo Xiu found himself admiring the determination in her eyes. "I wish you success," he said with a smile.
"Then... would you like to come with me?" she asked tentatively. "Don't worry, when we meet Director Zhang, I'll handle all the business talk. You don't have to do anything, just keep me company."
In truth, she was terrified of meeting such important people.
Luo Xiu figured going for a walk was better than staying in the office, inhaling secondhand smoke and listening to his colleagues' gossip.
"Alright, let's go together."
With that, the two left the office and headed straight for the parking lot.
「Meanwhile.」
A triumphant smile spread across Wang Defa's face.
That bitch Xu Qianqing, always pretending to be pure, probably won't be coming back this time. When she's gone, I'll say Luo Xiu sold out a female colleague to secure the deal. He'll take the fall, while I'll not only get off scot-free but even improve my relationship with Director Zhang. Heh, Luo Xiu, I can't wait to see your reputation ruined!
「In the underground parking lot of Tongyun Building.」
Luo Xiu didn't have to wait long before Xu Qianqing pulled up on a women's electric scooter.
"Hop on."
Luo Xiu, unconcerned, got on behind her. Inhaling her faint, sweet scent, he was suddenly reminded of Lin Xiyue. He noticed the ring on Xu Qianqing's left ring finger and asked, "Married?"
"Mhm, for two years now."
Luo Xiu nodded and didn't ask anything more.
Soon, Xu Qianqing had brought Luo Xiu to Yuehuang Entertainment City in Sea City's downtown district. On the way, to thank Luo Xiu for keeping her company, she had treated him to bubble tea. Through her brief explanation, Luo Xiu learned that Marketing Team Three's primary responsibility was the liquor business. Lin's Group had its own high-end liquor brand, which was primarily sold to the city's upscale entertainment venues.
"This is it. Let's go up."
Luo Xiu looked at the luxurious, imposing building before him and, for some reason, felt a vague sense of foreboding.
Before long, a waiter escorted them into a spacious and lavish private room.
There were five people inside. A lecherous-looking, obese young man sat on the sofa, with four burly men in suits standing respectfully behind him. The sight made Xu Qianqing uneasy, but she steeled herself and walked forward.
Luo Xiu, on the other hand, was completely calm. He strode right over, sat down on the sofa, and started helping himself to the fruit platter on the table as if he owned the place.
"Hello, Director Zhang. I'm Qian Qing, the one who contacted you over the phone."
The man on the sofa was Zhang Wei, the general manager of Yuehuang Entertainment City.
That Wang Defa really knows how to curry favor, he thought. He promised to send over a married beauty, and he actually delivered.
Zhang Wei crossed his legs, his gaze, brimming with undisguised lechery, roaming over Xu Qianqing's curvaceous body. "Qian Qing, you look even better than you do in your photos."
"You flatter me, Director Zhang."
Zhang Wei pointed to the contract on the table and said meaningfully, "Qian Qing, you've been around. You should know the rules, right?"
Xu Qianqing looked bewildered. "Director Zhang... what do you mean?"
"We're all adults here. Do I really need to spell it out?" he sneered. "Qian Qing, I know a little about your situation. Your husband racked up a million in gambling debts and was beaten into a vegetative state by his creditors, right? Lying at home all day must be a huge expense."
He cut to the chase. "Just spend a few nights with me, and we can sign this contract."
Xu Qianqing's expression changed. She grabbed her bag and stood up. "I'm sorry, Director Zhang, something has come up at the company, so I must be going. We can talk another time."
BANG!
Zhang Wei slammed his hand on the table. "What do you think this place is?" he snarled. "You think you can come and go as you please?"
As he spoke, one of the bodyguards immediately moved to block the door.
Xu Qianqing bit her lip. After a moment of silence, she suddenly pointed to Luo Xiu, who was still casually eating fruit on the sofa. "That's my colleague," she said to Zhang Wei. "He just started today and doesn't know anything. Please let him go. I can stay."
She knew perfectly well that having fallen into the wolves' den, she wasn't getting out unscathed.
Zhang Wei shrugged, indicating he didn't care.
A bodyguard glared at Luo Xiu. "Kid, this doesn't concern you. Get the hell out!"
Luo Xiu looked at Xu Qianqing, a silent question in his eyes.
"Luo Xiu, this has nothing to do with you," Xu Qianqing said, her face full of apology. "Please, just go back. I'll be back at the company later."
Luo Xiu slowly stood, stretched lazily, and said nonchalantly, "I don't want to get involved, but if I actually walked away today, my conscience would haunt me until the day I die."
His gaze swept over Zhang Wei and his men, his tone turning heavy. "Besides, I can't stand to watch a group of grown men bully a woman."
"Luo Xiu, stop messing around! Just go!" Xu Qianqing urged, growing anxious.
"Kid, you're pushing your fucking luck!" a bodyguard snarled, unable to take it anymore, and strode toward Luo Xiu.
BOOM!
The next moment, the bodyguard was sent flying backward, crashing heavily into the wall.
Without a second glance, Luo Xiu walked to Xu Qianqing's side. "Go wait for me by the door. I'll be done here soon."
"Luo Xiu..."
"Listen to me," Luo Xiu ordered, glancing at her.
Xu Qianqing froze. She suddenly felt an irresistible pressure emanating from Luo Xiu, and she found herself obediently leaving the private room.
Could a man like him, she wondered, really be the useless kept man everyone said he was?