Chapter 21 Change
Qiao Jiu took a step back and gave Guan Wei a meaningful look. Since they had run into each other and Lu Fengzhou had come alone, it was obvious the group would want to go upstairs together. Guan Wei understood her intent and spoke first, “So you’ve met before. Well, I’ve already reserved a private room upstairs. Why don’t we all sit down and chat?”
Liang Xiujin looked at Lu Fengzhou. “Mr. Lu, will you honor us?”
Lu Fengzhou replied smoothly, “I was just about to suggest it.”
Guan Wei gestured invitingly, as if by chance, placing herself between Qiao Jiu and the others, subtly shielding her. As Lu Fengzhou walked toward the elevator, he glanced ever so slightly past Guan Wei, peering at the person behind her.
Qiao Jiu pretended not to notice, but she knew full well that man was shrewd; their little gestures would never escape his eyes.
At the elevator, a server held the door open for them. Taking advantage of their movement, Qiao Jiu quickly turned and slipped back to the kitchen.
The kitchen was bustling—the peak hour had arrived. Everyone knew she was close with Guan Wei, so no one dared assign her tasks.
Qiao Jiu found a chair off to the side, sat down, and casually took a piece of watermelon from a fruit platter, taking a few bites.
Lu Fengzhou’s final look at her was inscrutable. She’d stepped back, clearly giving him face. Their relationship, standing together, was bound to invite speculation. Even if he’d set her up and sullied her name, it wouldn’t change the fact that he had used a woman’s reputation to climb back up.
Before long, a colleague came in from outside. “Jiu, someone’s looking for you.”
Qiao Jiu paused. “Me?”
Her colleague nodded. “In the main hall. You’ll see them as soon as you go out.”
Qiao Jiu frowned, her first instinct that Lu Fengzhou had come after her. That man was not only cunning, but petty—he’d likely come to mock her for slipping away.
She stood, straightened her clothes, and said, “Alright, I got it.”
Qiao Jiu marched out confidently, only to find, upon reaching the lobby, that there was indeed a man waiting—but it wasn’t Lu Fengzhou.
The man had his hands in his pockets, scanning the area.
Her bravado faded instantly. She walked over. “Mr. Liang.”
Liang Xiucheng turned. “So you know who I am?”
Qiao Jiu replied, “I asked Guan Wei. She told me.”
Liang Xiucheng waited a moment. “Is that all?”
Qiao Jiu hesitated, unsure what he meant. “What else?”
Liang Xiucheng thought for a moment, then chuckled lightly. “Never mind.”
He turned and looked around. “So you work here now?”
Qiao Jiu had nothing to hide. “Yes, helping out in the kitchen.”
Liang Xiucheng nodded, a hint of nostalgia in his expression. “I’ve been abroad for over two years. The changes here are remarkable.”
Qiao Jiu couldn’t quite tell what changes he meant. She and Liang Xiucheng had never interacted much. Before she married, he went abroad; after her divorce, he returned. Though her scandal had caused quite a stir, he likely knew nothing of it.
She asked, “Did you come to see me for something, Mr. Liang?”
Liang Xiucheng turned to her. “No particular reason. My brother’s upstairs talking business with Mr. Lu. I have no interest in that, so I came down for a stroll. Got bored, thought of you.”
He added, “Are you free? Let me buy you a drink. Let’s sit over there.”
He gestured toward the lounge area.
Qiao Jiu frowned, her hesitation plain on her face. Liang Xiucheng laughed, “Is it that difficult?”
His question stopped her from voicing a refusal. She changed tack. “It’s not difficult. Wait while I change clothes.”
She went back to the kitchen, changed, and found Liang Xiucheng still waiting for her outside. Together, they chose a quiet spot in the lounge.
No sooner had they sat down, before they could even order drinks, Liang Xiucheng’s phone rang.
Qiao Jiu saw him pull out his phone, his expression helpless. “Those two upstairs are so engrossed in their conversation, but they still noticed I was gone.”
He answered, “Brother,” and listened to something on the other end. “Yes, I’m downstairs, having a drink with Miss Qiao.”