Chapter 19 My Name Is Liang Xiucheng
Lu Fengzhou was accompanied by a bodyguard as they descended the mountain, engaged in quiet conversation. Qiao Jiu stood beneath a tree directly facing the path down, casting him a brief glance before turning away. She was certain Lu Fengzhou had seen her—there were few people at the foot of the mountain, and her position was conspicuous. He was hardly blind.
Yet Lu Fengzhou showed no sign of acknowledgment, simply leading his bodyguard to the car, turning the wheel, and driving off. The window was down, and as the car swept past, Qiao Jiu caught a glimpse of his indifferent profile.
She laughed softly to herself, never expecting Lu Fengzhou to lend a hand. Still, she suddenly found herself puzzled—what had she ever seen in a man like him?
She used to be proud and headstrong, relishing the attention and pampering of others. Anyone who looked at her the wrong way would find themselves remembered, with Qiao Jiu waiting for a chance to take revenge. Lu Fengzhou had never treated her kindly, yet up until their divorce, she had been utterly devoted, hopelessly in love. What a fool she had been, blinded by her own infatuation.
People began descending the mountain in twos and threes, cars departing one after another. Qiao Jiu went from standing, to leaning, to squatting, and finally just sat on the ground. Her patience nearly spent, a car finally appeared at the entrance. Qiao Jiu rose sluggishly, her face drawn as she watched its approach.
The vehicle was indeed there to pick her up. It rolled slowly to a stop beside her, the window lowered, revealing the face of a stranger.
He looked her up and down. “Qiao Jiu?”
Her expression was tinged with annoyance. “Are you Guan Wei’s driver?” Without waiting for a reply, she continued, “You’re so late—I’m dying of thirst.”
She opened the back door and climbed in. “Do you have any water?”
The man frowned, glancing back at her. Qiao Jiu met his gaze. “No?”
He pressed his lips together before replying, “Yes.”
He handed her a small bottle of water. “This is all I have.”
Qiao Jiu took it, unscrewed the cap, and drank it all in one go, then burped and leaned back. “Let’s go.”
The man stared at her for a few more seconds before turning forward, driving ahead a short distance before making a U-turn. Qiao Jiu gazed out the window, mumbling to herself, “Guan Wei acts so refined, but she’s just as shallow as anyone.”
Having such a handsome driver around was surely not innocent. But really, Guan Wei was quite careless—keeping a good-looking driver nearby, she wasn’t even worried about upsetting the man she’d just slept with.
Feeling tired, Qiao Jiu stretched, found a comfortable position, and murmured again, “Beauty is a dangerous thing—I’m living proof, but she never learns.”
The man glanced at her through the rearview mirror, his brow still furrowed.
Qiao Jiu, irritable after waiting so long, shot him a look. “Why are you staring at me? Focus on driving. I may be poor, but my life is precious—you couldn’t pay for it if something happened.”
He withdrew his gaze, remaining silent. The car returned to the city. Qiao Jiu gave her address, then, after a moment’s thought, asked, “Are you newly hired by Guan Wei? I don’t recall seeing you before.”
The man seemed disinclined to converse, not answering, only driving her straight to her residence.
When the car stopped, Qiao Jiu pushed open the door and stepped out, stretching her shoulders. “Thanks.”
She was about to leave when the man suddenly spoke. “Qiao Jiu.”
She paused, turning back. “Yes?”
He said, “My name is Liang Xiucheng.”