Chapter 8: Summoned by Name

Guan Wei drove Qiao Jiu home, stopping at the entrance of her apartment complex. Just as Qiao Jiu was about to get out, Guan Wei called her back.

Her expression was hesitant, and she weighed her words carefully. "Have you ever thought that Lu Fengzhou is treating you this way just to make you lower your head? You know what you were like before—what man can endure always being overshadowed by his partner in a marriage? Maybe he’s just holding a grudge."

Qiao Jiu was stunned for a moment, then smiled. "You don’t understand."

She might have a bad temper with others, but with Lu Fengzhou, she was different. In their marriage, she was gentle and accommodating, even reflecting on herself when he brought up divorce, wondering if she hadn’t done enough.

But when she calmed down, she realized there was only one reason for the divorce—he simply didn’t love her.

It had nothing to do with whether she yielded or not.

Guan Wei didn’t know all that, so she tried to offer advice. "Men all like gentle women. Maybe you could try changing a bit. After all, he’s got everything that belongs to you in his hands. If you just give it up, that’s a real loss."

Qiao Jiu thought it over, then got out of the car. "It really is a loss."

With her back to the car, she waved and headed straight home.

...

The bar’s kitchen wasn’t too busy that night. Qiao Jiu arrived a bit late, helped arrange some fruit and snacks, and soon had nothing else to do.

After waiting a while, she strolled out toward the main area of the bar.

She stopped beside a pillar. The bar was crowded; two bartenders were surrounded by people, making it impossible to see them clearly.

She hesitated, but one of the bartenders glanced over during a lull.

After whispering something to his colleague, he stepped out from behind the bar.

Qiao Jiu straightened up as he approached. "You looked busy, so I didn’t want to disturb you."

He nodded. "Did you need something?"

"Did you get the umbrella?" she asked.

The bartender smiled. "So you came all the way here just to remind me about the umbrella."

Qiao Jiu thought for a second. "I also wanted to thank you again."

He hooked the corner of his lips into a smile, his gaze dropping to her hand. "I meant to ask yesterday—how did you hurt yourself?"

Apparently the events in the private room last night hadn’t reached this side of the bar. Qiao Jiu replied smoothly, "I cut myself by accident while slicing fruit in the kitchen. It’s nothing serious."

He nodded, pulling a small tube of ointment from his pocket. "We bartenders often break glass by accident and get cut, so I always carry ointment. It prevents infection and scarring—it’s pretty useful. Here, take it."

Qiao Jiu was momentarily taken aback and tried to refuse out of habit. "It’s fine, it’s just a little cut—"

But before she could finish, he reached out, took her wrist, and pressed the ointment into her palm. "Just take it. It’s nothing expensive."

She looked down at the small tube in her hand. It really didn’t look like it was worth much. "Thank you, then."

He was busy and couldn’t chat long, so after nodding to her, he went back to work.

Qiao Jiu stood there until he’d returned behind the bar, then turned to head back to the kitchen.

But just as she took a step, her gaze froze.

Lu Fengzhou, that bastard, was here again for some reason. He must have just arrived, a whole crowd of people around him, heading toward the elevator.

He had definitely seen her, because as soon as he got in the elevator, he turned around and his eyes met hers without missing a beat.

Qiao Jiu shot him a glare, slipped the ointment into her pocket, and walked back to the kitchen.

The kitchen was busy, but there wasn’t much for her to do. She found a spot to sit and zone out.

It wasn’t long before her phone vibrated in her pocket.

She quickly pulled it out—it was Guan Wei calling.

She answered, "What is it?"

Guan Wei sounded exasperated. "Qiao Jiu, you might be in a bit of trouble tonight."

Qiao Jiu got straight to the point. "Did Lu Fengzhou talk to you? Told you to be sensible and fire me?"

"No, not that," Guan Wei replied. "Lu Fengzhou is in a private room upstairs, and he specifically asked for you to deliver his drinks."

Qiao Jiu was surprised. "He asked for me? He’s not worried those people will recognize me and it’ll embarrass him?"

Guan Wei had no idea. "Why don’t you just go and see? With things as they are, he’s the boss. Neither of us can go up against him."

Qiao Jiu’s expression turned cold. "Fine. If he’s not afraid of embarrassment, I care even less."

She hung up, left the kitchen, and found the hostess waiting outside with a dress that was revealing to the point of indecency.

"Get changed first," the hostess said.

Qiao Jiu glanced at the dress in her hands. "All right."