Chapter 165 How Could It Not Be Seen

They took their seats in the private dining room.
Except for Guan Wei, everyone was present.
Naturally, Qiao Jiu sat on the same side as Liang Xiucheng, sharing a single menu.
Liang Xiujin engaged Lu Fengzhou in a conversation about work, while Qiao Jiu pretended not to notice Lu Fengzhou's gaze directed at her.
She leaned closer to Liang Xiucheng and lowered her voice, "Was your brother home when you went back yesterday?"
Liang Xiucheng hummed in response, turning his head toward her, "He was in his room, but when I knocked, he didn't open the door, so I couldn't persuade him."
Qiao Jiu chuckled softly, "It seems Guan Wei is still giving him the cold shoulder."
The corners of Liang Xiucheng's lips curled up as he ordered two dishes, then turned to Qiao Jiu, "Are these two alright?"
"Sure," Qiao Jiu said. "Whatever you order is fine with me."
Lu Fengzhou stared at her for a moment before withdrawing his gaze and turning back to Liang Xiujin, "Let's make it tomorrow. I have some business to attend to this afternoon and won't be returning to the office. If it's truly urgent, I can have my assistant coordinate with your side."
Hearing this, Liang Xiujin replied, "Since Mr. Lu is busy this afternoon, please go ahead and take care of it. I'll contact you tomorrow."
Lu Fengzhou let out a slow breath. His gaze fell back on Qiao Jiu; the menu had already been returned to the waiter, and she and Liang Xiucheng were leaning in together, murmuring in low voices.
Smiles hung on both of their faces, and it was plain to see that their relationship was far from ordinary.
Lu Fengzhou's brows knitted slightly. Seeming to sense something, Qiao Jiu lifted her eyes, looked over at him, and offered a faint smile.
That smile of hers made Lu Fengzhou feel even more suffocated, prompting him to turn his gaze out the window.
Shortly after, the dishes were served. The waiter placed them down casually, and Liang Xiucheng quickly rearranged them.
Lu Fengzhou could see that he was moving everything Qiao Jiu liked to her side of the table.
Qiao Jiu turned and smiled at him with tacit understanding.
At that, Lu Fengzhou lost his appetite entirely.
Liang Xiujin, who had likely not rested well, also seemed to lack an appetite, putting down his utensils after only a few bites.
Qiao Jiu and Liang Xiucheng, oblivious to any underlying tension, ate happily on their own.
The meal passed in silence, and after settling the bill, the group walked out of the restaurant.
Qiao Jiu followed beside Liang Xiucheng, looking as though she intended to get into his car.
With a stride, Lu Fengzhou closed the distance and reached out to grab her arm, "Wait a moment."
Liang Xiucheng looked back. Qiao Jiu smiled cheerfully, "You guys go ahead. Mr. Lu has something to discuss with me and will drop me off later."
With that, she winked at Liang Xiucheng to let him know not to worry.
Liang Xiucheng's gaze lingered for a moment on the hand Lu Fengzhou had placed on Qiao Jiu's arm before he withdrew it, "Alright. Get home early."
After watching Liang Xiujin and Liang Xiucheng drive away, Qiao Jiu pulled her arm back, "What is it? Is there something else you want to say?"
Her tone was pleasant, as if nothing at all had just happened.
Lu Fengzhou paused for a moment before saying, "Come to my place tonight."
Qiao Jiu put on a thoughtful expression, "I'm not entirely sure if I have any business dinners tonight. If not, I'll come over; if I do, I'll let you know."
Lu Fengzhou frowned.
Immediately, Qiao Jiu smiled and stepped closer to wrap her arm around his, "Oh, come on, this is for work, I'm not out running wild. Why the long face?"
Lu Fengzhou eyed her sideways. After a long moment, he pulled his arm away, "Then hail a cab and go back yourself."
With that, he turned and walked toward his car. Qiao Jiu called out "Hey, hey, hey," but made no move to follow him.
By the time Lu Fengzhou got into his car, he looked over and saw that she was indeed standing by the roadside, waving down a taxi.
She was immune to both soft and hard tactics.
Lu Fengzhou pressed down on the accelerator, pulling up to block the space just as a taxi was about to pull over beside her. Rolling down the window—since he couldn't see her from inside—he said, "Get in."
Without standing on ceremony, Qiao Jiu opened the door and hopped in, her voice bright and cheerful, "I knew you wouldn't just leave me stranded."
The car drove all the way to the entrance of the Liang family's company. Qiao Jiu stepped out, gave him a little wave, and said, "Drive safe, bye-bye."
Without sparing him another glance, she turned and walked back into the building.
Lu Fengzhou didn't rush to drive off. He leaned back against his seat and turned his head to watch her.
How could he not tell that she was doing it on purpose...
...
In the evening, just as the workday was drawing to a close.
Liang Xiucheng walked over. The office door was half-open, and without coming inside, he said, "Xiao Jiu, there's a dinner banquet tonight. Come along."
Qiao Jiu had just finished reviewing a document. As she closed it, she replied, "Alright, got it."
Liang Xiucheng stared at her for a moment before leaving. Qiao Jiu neatly stacked her documents, picked up her nearby phone to slip it into her bag, and stood up.
She headed downstairs first and waited for a short while until Liang Xiucheng and Liang Xiujin came out together.
Tonight's dinner had been arranged by Liang Xiujin, primarily to help Liang Xiucheng expand his network of connections.
Qiao Jiu obediently followed them to the car, and they drove straight to the restaurant.
Before entering the private dining room, she switched her phone to silent.
Work was hardly discussed during the dinner, and the overall atmosphere was quite pleasant.
Yet, the more pleasant the atmosphere, the longer the banquet dragged on.
By the time it concluded, it was nearly midnight, and Qiao Jiu had consumed quite a bit of alcohol, feeling somewhat dizzy.
After the gathering broke up, she got into the car with Liang Xiucheng, who sat beside her calling for a designated driver.
Liang Xiujin got into his own vehicle, and the two cars were parked side by side. Feeling slightly nauseous, Qiao Jiu rolled down her window and happened to catch sight of Liang Xiujin, who was bowing his head over a phone call.
The person on the other end must not have been answering; looking irritable, he dialed the number over and over again, then slammed his fist against the steering wheel in frustration.
Having a fair idea of what was going on, Qiao Jiu let out a scoff, "Look at your brother. Quick, look at the state he's in."
Liang Xiucheng finished his call, leaned forward, and laughed as well, "That's what they call getting a taste of your own medicine. Who told him to act up like that before?"
Then he leaned back and rubbed his temples, "Why did you drink so much just now?"
Qiao Jiu replied, "Mostly because I was happy."
Liang Xiucheng turned to look at her, saying after a long pause, "I can't even tell if you're being serious or not."
The designated driver arrived and dropped Qiao Jiu off first.
She stepped out of the car, walked with a steady gait, and turned back to wave at Liang Xiucheng, "See you tomorrow."
Entering her dark apartment, Qiao Jiu leaned against the back of the door for a long while to catch her breath before heading to the bathroom to wash up. Then she changed into comfortable clothes and went straight to bed.
However, her sleep was short-lived. Vaguely, she felt someone roll her over and undo her clothes.
Instantly, Qiao Jiu's mind plunged into the wrong memory of the past. Regaining her senses, she abruptly rolled away.
At the top of her lungs, she screamed, "Zhao Shuo, you bastard, you dare try this again? I swear I'll kill you this time!"
The moment the words left her mouth, the bedroom lights snapped on.
Qiao Jiu hurriedly raised a hand to shield her eyes. She didn't see anyone yet, but she heard a voice, "Had a business dinner tonight?"
The voice was deeply familiar. Her heart instantly settled, and her mind cleared up along with it.
Still shielding her eyes, she mumbled, "Yeah, yeah, a business dinner."
Lu Fengzhou asked, "I was waiting for you all night."
Qiao Jiu brushed it off with a laugh, "Didn't I notify you? Oh dear, I'm so sorry, it completely slipped my mind."
Lying lazily in bed, she dropped her hand from her eyes, "Why did you come here? You scared the hell out of me, I didn't even hear you come in."
Standing by the bedside, Lu Fengzhou took a deep breath, "Qiao Jiu."
Seeming to recall something, Qiao Jiu suddenly turned her head and squinted at him, "I had a dream. I dreamt about my dad."
Lu Fengzhou paused, hearing Qiao Jiu ask, "When did your parents pass away?"