Two days later.
Qiao Xi had long finished preparing the Chinese medicine for Huo Xingzhou to take with him.
She dressed neatly, wearing a floral dress and draped in a white coat, looking even more delicate and charming.
"Mr. Huo, I'm heading out," she said to the man who was watching TV in the living room.
Huo Xingzhou asked indifferently, "Heading out so early?"
"I need to visit grandma first." The doctor said her health has improved, so she was very happy.
"Oh."
Huo Xingzhou watched her leave, her skirt cheerfully swaying with each step. He picked up his phone and called Zhou Yu, "Tonight's secret meeting, change it to Shanhai Banquet."
...
Six o'clock in the evening.
The front of Shanhai Banquet Hotel was filled with parked cars. Dozens of students gathered together, and the class monitor of the Chinese Medicine major was checking attendance against a list.
"Has Qiao Xi not arrived yet? We haven't seen her for four or five months since winter break ended, have we? Do you think those rumors are true?" A few female classmates whispered among themselves to the side.
"She's probably still in bed with some rich patron." Someone at school had seen Qiao Xi get into a luxury car, in the company of an older man.
"Ye Manman, you're her roommate. You must know something," they asked her curiously, "Is Qiao Xi really being kept?"
The girl named Ye Manman, with her delicate makeup and a designer bag worth over twenty thousand, said quietly, "Don't talk about Qiao Xi like that. If she's doing such things, it's because she has her reasons. Her family is poor, and her grandma is sick..."
"She's actually with that old man, so disgusting! Manman, you're still speaking up for her!"
"Our Manman is a white, rich, and beautiful girl, kind-hearted and generous, not like Qiao Xi at all. I heard you're friends with the Huo Family's young lady too..."
Ye Manman gave an unnatural smile.
At that moment, a blue Porsche sped up to them, bringing cheers from everyone, "Chen Xu's here!"
The handsome young man got out of the car, wearing a white shirt. One hand in his pocket, the other flipping his car keys around.
"Chen Xu, that car must be worth a million, right?"
After hearing this, Chen Xu smiled, "My family has several more."
"Wow, so rich."
"Chen Xu, we've been waiting for you to open the private room. Anyone who's not here yet, just tell them the room number in the group," reminded the class monitor.
Chen Xu's uncle was the manager of the logistics department at Shanhai Banquet, and he managed to get them a large private room. Many of them had never had the chance to enter such a grand hotel, so they took out their phones to take photos.
"Come with me," Chen Xu said, his vanity greatly satisfied, "Tonight we're dining at 18,000 per table; eat and drink as much as you like."
There were exclamations from the crowd, as they praised him incessantly.
Some people also whispered snidely, "Qiao Xi is getting such a bargain. I heard tonight Chen Xu is going to confess to her."
The group followed the waiter's directions into Private Room 201, where the luxurious and stylish decor captivated their attention, even the fruit platter was the richest.
"Start eating, I'm going to look for my uncle," Chen Xu said.
After speaking, he winked at Ye Manman who, holding her bag, hastened to follow him.
In the dimly lit corridor.
Chen Xu spoke with a stern face, "Are you sure Qiao Xi will come?"
Ye Manman leaned against the wall, "She said she'd be here soon. I've prepared everything in advance, don't forget the hundred thousand you promised me."
Chen Xu snorted coldly, "You'll get your reward when the job's done. But... is it true that she's being kept?"
"True or false, you'll know once you sleep with her," Ye Manman said with contempt, "Can't you tell if it's her first time?"
Chen Xu laughed, it was a win-win situation for him.
"Look, here she comes," Ye Manman nodded towards her.
At the end of the corridor, the girl who shone like the moonlight walked towards him under the soft, dim lamp, appearing even more splendid and gorgeous. Even her shadow had a beautiful and lively charm.
Chen Xu's eyes flashed with infatuation as he eagerly greeted her, "Qiao Xi."
Ye Manman, now donning a harmless persona, took Qiao Xi's hand with warmth, "Everyone has arrived, we were only waiting for you. Without you, Chen Xu wouldn't even start the dinner."
Qiao Xi turned and asked, "Didn't we agree to meet at six-thirty?" She hadn't been late.
"Qiao Xi is always punctual. Let's go inside quickly," Chen Xu said as he gentlemanly opened the door to the private room, "I've reserved your seat."
Qiao Xi was seated between Ye Manman and Chen Xu.
The people inside reacted differently upon seeing her.
The timid ones whispered among themselves, while the bold ones asked directly, "Qiao Xi, that dress you're wearing is the new spring collection, right? Must've cost a pretty penny. Who bought it for you?"
Qiao Xi's voice was soft and slow, "A family elder bought it." Du Juan had bought her many more later on.
The person snickered, implying a rich old sugar daddy counts as a 'family elder.'
"Your granny from the countryside could afford to give you..."
"Stop chatting and let's start with the dishes," Chen Xu warned with a glare, silencing those who were eager to gossip—after all, they couldn't afford to offend Chen Xu.
After the dishes were served.
They were busy taking photos and showing off to their friends on social media, so they didn't have time to pay attention to Qiao Xi anymore.
Ye Manman poured Qiao Xi a drink, "They are just jealous that you got the internship spot at the City Hospital."
"Thank you," said Qiao Xi, holding her cup.
"Is your grandma ill and in need of money? I have some savings; I could lend you some first."
In front of Qiao Xi, Ye Manman always played the good Samaritan. They seemed to get along quite well.
"No need, I can manage," she replied as she quietly ate her food and took another sip of her drink. Ye Manman kept her engaged in conversation while pouring more drinks for her.
Qiao Xi wasn't paying attention; the drink had only a faint alcohol smell and didn't seem to have anything odd added to it, and it actually tasted quite nice.
However, after two glasses, her cheeks were burning and her head felt heavy. Qiao Xi shook her head and said to Ye Manman, "I'm going to the restroom."
"Sure, the restroom is just next door," Ye Manman said, with a triumphant smile curling at her lips. She knew Qiao Xi had a keen sense of smell and was intelligent, so she wouldn't resort to drugging her.
Qiao Xi staggered away, her legs felt incredibly weak, and she had to lean against the corridor wall to rest. Her phone buzzed in the pocket of her sweater.
She saw the caller ID 'Hubby' and picked up with a sluggish mind, "Hello, hubby?"
Her voice was soft and vulnerable, as if she were a little kitten that could be easily mishandled.
The man on the other end of the call caught his breath, laughter surrounding him.
"How's the gathering going?" Huo Xingzhou asked indifferently.
"I… I want to go home. I can't walk," she rubbed her cheeks and her tongue felt twisted. Her whole body felt light and floaty, and she wasn't as reserved as usual when speaking.
She knew she was drunk and just wanted to leave; claiming she was going to the restroom had been a lie.
"Qiao Xi, are you drunk?"
"That drink… is very intoxicating," she tried to stay conscious.
"Wait for me, I'll come to pick you up."
Qiao Xi bobbed her head like a pecking chick, huddled at the corner clutching her phone, looking both pitiful and adorable. As Huo Xingzhou was about to hang up, he heard a man's voice from the other side.
"Qiao Xi, what are you doing here?"
Chen Xu's warm voice came from behind her as he forcibly grabbed Qiao Xi's arm, "Come and rest, I've booked a room next door."
"No," Qiao Xi shook off his hand.
Chen Xu scooped her into his arms, "Be good, and after tonight you will be my woman. You'll have everything you could ever want."
"Chen Xu! This is illegal!"