Volume One, Chapter 14: Do You Like Me?

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The club was awash with bright lights and flowing wine. Lu Tingxiao took Qiao Ye through the VIP entrance, and just before they entered the private room, Qiao Ye spotted Lu Qi'an downstairs.

The man beside him looked vaguely familiar, but she could not recall his name for the moment.

Noticing where Qiao Ye was looking, Lu Tingxiao lowered his eyes and said, “That’s the owner of Hangshang Building Materials, a nouveau riche who made his fortune halfway through life.”

“Why are they together?”

Qiao Ye had gone over the details of that project. Although it required building materials, a contract had already been signed with a company they frequently worked with.

Could Lu Qi'an be planning to breach the contract?

Lu Tingxiao took out his phone and sent a message, then tugged at Qiao Ye’s arm to bring her back to herself.

“I’ve asked Zhou to look into it. We’ll talk after dinner.”

“All right.”

Several of the city’s leading entrepreneurs had come this time, so the importance of this drinking party was beyond question.

As Lu Tingxiao’s female companion, Qiao Ye had originally planned to play the part of a beautiful ornament and do her best to shield him from the alcohol.

Who would have thought that before she had even taken her seat, a glass of juice would be placed in front of her?

“Qiao Ye isn’t feeling well today. I’ll drink with all of you.”

With that explanation from Lu Tingxiao, everyone present was far too shrewd to keep urging her.

They all redirected their firepower, and by the end of the meal, Qiao Ye had not touched a drop of alcohol.

Lu Tingxiao, on the other hand, had drunk several glasses, and his face was faintly flushed.

Why had he not made her drink on his behalf, as he had said that afternoon?

Qiao Ye could not understand it. She kept glancing at Lu Tingxiao, and a daring thought began to rise in her heart.

Could it be that what she had said had taken effect? Had Lu Tingxiao felt sorry for her and therefore—

Qiao Ye suppressed the impractical thought and was just about to continue eating when the man beside her suddenly leaned closer and spoke in a low voice.

“Ask the driver to come in half an hour. I’m a little dizzy.”

The sudden intimacy, together with the faint scent of alcohol on Lu Tingxiao, made Qiao Ye’s heart beat faster.

She had always known that she liked him.

No one could refuse a man who, while she was drowning in despair, had stepped against the light and reached out a hand to save her.

At least, she could not.

But now, was it possible that Lu Tingxiao also felt something for her?

After sending the message, Qiao Ye saw that Lu Tingxiao was still talking with an entrepreneur and said nothing more.

She had not drunk a drop, yet she felt as though she were drunk, beginning to lose sight of her place.

“Miss Qiao is remarkably capable. Mr. Lu certainly has a sharp eye.”

Qiao Ye lifted her gaze and realized that the two men had somehow turned the conversation to her.

She curved her lips, picked up her juice, and raised it in a light toast. The other man froze for a moment before bursting into laughter.

“Miss Qiao, you’re certainly straightforward. I like you. If the Lu Group has any opportunities for cooperation in the future, don’t forget me.”

“President Zhu has extensive holdings, so there will naturally be many opportunities for cooperation. I only hope that when the time comes, you won’t look down on the Lu Group.”

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“Not at all. You’re too modest, Miss Qiao. Isn’t that right, Mr. Lu?”

“Qiao Ye is indeed capable. President Zhu can confidently entrust the project to her. She won’t disappoint you.”

“With your word, I can rest assured.”

Qiao Ye said nothing more, but her astonishment deepened.

In the past, even when Lu Tingxiao helped her, he had merely thrown money at the problem or directly secured a contract.

She had never seen him introduce her around like this. It was almost as though he were expanding her network and taking a younger colleague under his wing.

He was not a man with that kind of patience.

Or was it that he truly acknowledged her abilities?

Qiao Ye wavered again.

If he acknowledged her abilities, could he also acknowledge her as a person?

After several rounds of drinks, the gathering finally came to an end.

Qiao Ye supported Lu Tingxiao as they had just gotten into the car when his phone vibrated.

Lu Tingxiao narrowed his eyes slightly. After reading the message, he handed the phone to Qiao Ye.

“Lu Qi'an really has been making small moves. He contacted several investors and seems to be preparing to take everything for himself behind everyone’s backs.”

“That’s a major taboo. Isn’t he afraid all sides will turn against him?”

Qiao Ye scanned the message at a glance and let out a cold laugh.

“His ability to get things done is mediocre, but he certainly has nerve.”

“Mm. Keep the evidence safe and see what else he plans to do.”

Lu Tingxiao seemed to have a headache and rubbed his forehead from time to time.

Qiao Ye noticed his little movements, took a deep breath, and summoned her courage.

“Does your head hurt? Let me massage it. I learned a little about it once.”

“Consider it my thanks for not making me drink tonight.”

After a long silence, just when Qiao Ye thought he would refuse, she finally heard Lu Tingxiao hum in assent.

Delighted, Qiao Ye reached out to help him, but sitting side by side made it difficult to exert any force.

Since she had already offered, Qiao Ye did not hold back. She suggested softly, “Why don’t you lie down? You’re too tall. I can’t reach your head, and it’s difficult to apply any pressure.”

Lu Tingxiao did not refuse. He actually lay down obediently, resting his head on her lap.

A cool, austere fragrance lingered beneath her nose. Qiao Ye lowered her eyes slightly and instinctively held her breath.

At that moment, the distance between them was so close.

It seemed that if she lowered her head, she could kiss him at once.

But Qiao Ye did not dare, and she could not.

She tried to calm herself and steadily reached out her hand.

Neither of them spoke again during the journey, and the tension between Lu Tingxiao’s brows gradually eased.

Several times, when Qiao Ye saw his almost-sleeping face, she nearly could not resist kissing him.

What could she do? With such a handsome man in her arms, she was no saint!

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In the silence, the sound of her heartbeat seemed to grow clearer and clearer.

Qiao Ye understood why: she liked him.

How could a physical attraction be suppressed so easily?

The car slowly decelerated. They had arrived at the villa where Lu Tingxiao usually stayed.

It was close to the company, and whenever Lu Tingxiao drank, he liked to sleep here.

Seeing that he still had not woken up, Qiao Ye could not bear to disturb him. She simply remained seated, quietly watching his sleeping face.

After an unknown length of time, Lu Tingxiao suddenly opened his eyes and slowly sat upright.

But the alcohol had apparently not yet worn off. After sitting there for a while, he said, “Help me upstairs.”

“All right.”

Qiao Ye got out of the car, walked around to open the door, and supported Lu Tingxiao as they made their way into the villa step by step.

She had been to the villa several times, but she had never entered his private bedroom.

The overall color scheme was cold and desolate, giving the place a lonely air.

Once Lu Tingxiao lay down, he became completely still.

Afraid he would catch cold, Qiao Ye hesitated before tugging the blanket from the foot of the bed.

Just as she was about to cover him, Lu Tingxiao seized her wrist.

It was him.

His palm was warm. He seemed to have used some force, pulling Qiao Ye into a slight bend at the waist.

Their distance was drawn close once again, and Qiao Ye’s heart pounded.

The handsome, peaceful sleeping face beneath her caused the last remnants of reason in her mind to gradually tear apart, even creating the illusion that Lu Tingxiao did not want her to leave.

“Let go.”

Qiao Ye spoke softly and reservedly, but not only did the man fail to release her, he pulled her closer, nearly dragging her into his arms.

“I’m Qiao Ye, Lu Tingxiao. Wake up.”

Qiao Ye did not want to be treated as someone else’s replacement again.

Her position was awkward, but she still possessed her own dignity.

“Mm.”

The man answered in a low voice. His lashes trembled, yet he still did not release her.

The wrist held in his grasp gradually grew hot, and Qiao Ye’s heart fell into turmoil.

He had not mistaken her for someone else. He was holding her now—was it because he liked her?

Amid the scent of alcohol mingled with his cool, austere fragrance, Qiao Ye felt herself becoming intoxicated as well.

Her cheeks flushed crimson as she asked the secret she had kept buried in the depths of her heart.

“Do you… like me?”