Chapter 7: For a Hostess?

All the surrounding cars gave way, and the luxury vehicle sped off, vanishing from sight in a matter of seconds. The taxi driver, perhaps stirred by the scene, grumbled with some resentment, "There's an old saying that wealth doesn't last beyond three generations. But looking at it now, that's all nonsense. As long as these rich folks' descendants don't squander it, they'll be above others for generations. It's really unfair—even on the street, everyone else has to get out of their way."

Qiao Jiu let out a soft laugh. "Wealth doesn't last three generations..."

Her own family hadn't even made it through two. Her father had toiled his whole life, and she had managed to lose it all in just two years.

Old sayings may hold true for some people, after all.

The taxi stopped in front of the bar. Of course, in broad daylight, the bar was closed, though there were people inside.

Qiao Jiu paid her fare and got out, then went to knock on the door. Before long, a staff member came from the lobby to let her in.

He recognized her at once. "Why are you here so early?"

Qiao Jiu gave a nonchalant reply, "Yesterday, the bartender in the public area lent me an umbrella. I happened to pass by, so I'm returning it."

The staff member looked surprised. "You mean Brother Chen?"

He gave her a once-over, then chuckled, making a cryptic remark, "As you should."

He took the umbrella from her. "Just leave it with me. Are you not working tonight?"

Qiao Jiu wasn't sure if she could even come back to work. Lu Fengzhou had already taken away her place to stay; her job probably wouldn't last much longer either.

She mumbled vaguely, "I might need to take a leave."

The man nodded without further comment and walked off with the umbrella.

Qiao Jiu found a seat in a quiet corner and waited a few minutes before seeing Guan Wei's car pull up outside.

Guan Wei was dressed to perfection, her heels clicking briskly as she strode in with confidence.

Qiao Jiu's expression grew complicated. She had always overshadowed Guan Wei in the past; even the butler's father had treated her with respect.

There was another old saying: fortunes rise and fall in turn. That one hadn't been wrong, either.

Guan Wei glanced around when she entered, then headed straight for Qiao Jiu. "What did you mean on the phone just now? What did Lu Fengzhou do to you?"

Qiao Jiu replied, "Let's not talk about that yet. What did Lu Fengzhou say to you last night when he called you over? Can I still keep working here?"

Guan Wei hesitated. "He didn't say anything definite. You should come in tonight as usual. If he doesn't react, then it's fine. If he objects, there's nothing we can do."

Qiao Jiu laughed. "You're really not afraid of crossing that man, are you?"

Guan Wei paused, then let out a snort of laughter. "Compared to offending him, I'd rather have you under my thumb, Qiao Jiu. Do you remember what you used to tell me? You said you'd always keep me beneath you, that I'd never have a chance to rise. But look at us now—which one of us is really on top?"

Qiao Jiu replied coolly, "I suppose my judgment was poor, or how else could I let you show off like this?"

...

Lu Fengzhou had just stepped out of the car when someone suddenly lunged toward him.

The driver moved quickly, intercepting the man and pinning him to the ground in a few swift moves—he was well-trained. The security guards at the company entrance hurried over as well.

Lu Fengzhou's expression remained calm, unsurprised. "You dare to come here."

The man lay face down on the ground, speaking with difficulty, "Lu Fengzhou, you really went too far with Ah Xu. After all these years we've been friends—you hypocrite. That hostess is your lover, isn't she? That's why you're protecting her..."

Lu Fengzhou stepped closer, his leather shoe pressing down on the man's fingertips. "I haven't even come looking for you, yet you deliver yourself to me."

He sneered, "For a hostess? Did you really think I didn't know you and that woman tried to drug me?"