Chapter 1: He Already Knows

In the dimly lit private room, Qiao Jiu had just set the drinks on the coffee table when the fox tail at the back of her skirt was seized by someone.

The man lounging on the sofa smiled slyly. “New here? Haven’t seen you before.”

Qiao Jiu’s brows knitted. “Do you need anything else?”

The man’s face was red with drink. “Have a drink with me, sweetheart, and I’ll order all these again.”

Qiao Jiu was neither a drinks promoter nor a hostess. She replied, “I don’t drink.”

He let out a couple of laughs. “Perfect, I know how. Let me teach you.”

He released the tail on her skirt, his hand sliding without hesitation to give her a slap on the rear, then, as if it was the most natural thing, it continued down her leg.

Qiao Jiu’s expression changed. Her mind barely had time to react before her hand did—a sharp slap landed across his face. “Watch where you put your hands.”

The man reeled, stunned, before his fury flared and he lurched to his feet. He grabbed Qiao Jiu’s arm, trying to shove her onto the sofa. “Don’t play innocent! I’ll touch you if I want, and not just touch—you believe me?”

Qiao Jiu believed him. She’d seen enough of these drunken types; there was nothing they wouldn’t do once they’d had enough to drink.

She lifted her foot and kicked him away, rolling up from the sofa in one fluid motion. Snatching a wine bottle from the side, she smashed it against the edge of the coffee table. Glass shattered with a bang, red wine splashing across half her face as she squeezed her eyes shut.

The room was large, and the group of laughing, chattering people across the way slowly quieted, turning to stare.

Qiao Jiu gripped the jagged neck of the remaining bottle, raising it toward the man. “Try me.”

Silence hung in the air for nearly half a minute before someone flicked on the lights with a snap. The sudden brightness made Qiao Jiu squint.

From the corner, someone finally spoke. “Mr. Lu, this…”

Qiao Jiu followed the voice. On a nearby sofa sat a man—jacket off, shirt collar open, a woman nestled in his arms—watching her through narrowed eyes.

…

When Guan Wei arrived, Qiao Jiu’s hand was already bandaged. She hadn’t controlled her strength earlier—failing to injure her opponent, she’d only hurt herself.

Guan Wei stormed in, seething. “Qiao Jiu, are you fucking crazy? Who told you to deliver drinks to the private rooms?”

Qiao Jiu replied nonchalantly, “Go ask the madam you hired. She’ll tell you why.”

Her job was supposed to be in the kitchen, but today, barely inside and not even changed into her uniform, she’d been snagged by a madam, handed an outfit, and told to take drinks upstairs.

Guan Wei glared at her. “You’re usually so tough, but you just went because she told you to?”

She was nearly at her breaking point. “With all this trouble, if Lu Fengzhou finds out you’re working for me, we’re both dead.”

Qiao Jiu gave a light laugh. “You needn’t worry about that.”

She paused to steady her breath. “He already knows.”

No sooner had she spoken than the area manager appeared, whispering something to Guan Wei.

Guan Wei visibly shuddered.

Qiao Jiu said, “Go on then. When the Grim Reaper calls for midnight, you won’t make it till dawn.”

Guan Wei practically leapt in place. “I should never have taken you in.”

Qiao Jiu snorted, unfazed.

Muttering curses, Guan Wei left, and Qiao Jiu sat in a daze for a moment before straightening her clothes and heading out.

She’d barely left the private room when she was stopped. “Miss Qiao.”

Qiao Jiu asked directly, “Lu Fengzhou wants to see me?”

The person gestured politely. “This way, please.”

Knowing there was no avoiding it, Qiao Jiu followed him upstairs.

The business section was all private rooms. Without knocking, Qiao Jiu pushed the door open and entered.

Inside, a single lamp cast a warm glow. Lu Fengzhou sat on the sofa, shirt collar and cuffs undone, his head resting back against the cushion.

Qiao Jiu let out a slow breath.

The last time they’d met was half a year ago at the Civil Affairs Bureau, finalizing their divorce. Her father had been dead less than a hundred days, and he’d already thrown her out.

From her father’s bodyguard, Lu Fengzhou had risen to become the favored son-in-law of the Qiao family, then seized the company with ruthless efficiency, discarding her once he was done—all in less than two years.

She’d known her husband was decisive in business; she hadn’t realized he could be just as merciless in marriage.

After several seconds, Lu Fengzhou straightened. “Pour the wine.”

An opened bottle of red sat on the table.

Qiao Jiu asked, “You’ve seen Guan Wei?”

Lu Fengzhou remained silent. Qiao Jiu took a deep breath, walked over, knelt to pour the wine, and handed him the glass.

It seemed to please Lu Fengzhou to see her bow like this. He reached over and stroked the tail behind her, “Where did that fierceness from earlier go?”

With a slight force, Qiao Jiu stumbled, falling forward onto his lap.

Lu Fengzhou grasped her chin, looking down at her. Yet after only two seconds, his brow furrowed.

The wine glass in Qiao Jiu’s hand had tipped, half the wine spilling, drip by drip, directly onto his zipper.

No one could say how Lu Fengzhou felt about it, but in the dim light, his features stood out sharply.