After Shang Lu and Qi Jiashu arrived, the young crowd in the club felt an overwhelming sense of pressure. They dared not even take a breath and nervously watched the two formidable men.
For Lin Qingya, it was her first time meeting Shang Lu, and she was holding onto Su Banxia’s hand, trembling slightly. She whispered, “Banxia, your husband is here.”
She felt somewhat guilty for bringing Su Banxia out to play, not expecting to run into Shang Lu at the same high-end club. Both men and women tend to be sensitive about their spouses going out for fun after marriage, and she wondered if Shang Lu would be upset with her.
Su Banxia leaned on Lin Qingya’s shoulder, slightly intoxicated, holding a glass of wine in her hand. She heard the discussions and amazed exclamations from the crowd and glanced towards the nearby area.
Shang Lu?
Did she see Shang Lu?
Shouldn’t he be at home right now?
Xu Leyi’s face turned pale. Nothing was scarier than talking negatively about someone and then encountering them in person, especially when that person was someone you couldn’t afford to provoke. She could only pray fervently in her heart that Shang Lu hadn’t overheard their previous conversation.
The high-end club was owned by Qi Jiashu behind the scenes, and he recognized some of the regular customers, including this group in the private room. They were all young and, to some extent, not the best company to keep.
The situation with Shang Lu and Su Banxia was indeed interesting—having an argument and then meeting at a club.
Qi Jiashu playfully teased Shang Lu, saying, “President Shang, your wife seems to be having quite the wild time.”
Shang Lu’s dark eyes turned even colder, and his thin lips formed a dangerous curve as he fixed his gaze on Su Banxia, who was leaning on another girl’s shoulder.
Tonight, Su Banxia was dressed in a red dress, exuding a cold yet alluring charm that was entirely different from her usual cute and lovely appearance. Her captivating cat-like eyes were half-closed, and she seemed unaware of her own seductive aura.
Shang Lu wheeled his chair closer, looking at her, and asked, “Had enough fun?”
Lin Qingya, feeling like she was sitting on pins and needles, pushed Su Banxia’s shoulder and awkwardly explained, “She’s a bit drunk.”
Su Banxia gazed at the man before her, dressed in a black suit, emanating a restrained and disciplined aura, and incredibly attractive. She slightly curled her lips and asked with a smile, “Would you like to join us for a drink?”
The people in the private room instantly tensed up, their eyes fixed on Shang Lu. They couldn’t believe it—someone like Shang Lu, who usually wouldn’t spare them a second glance, was actually considering sitting down for a drink and a chat.
Shang Lu remained silent, but Qi Jiashu found a seat and sat down. “Since we’ve coincidentally run into each other, let’s have a few drinks,” he suggested.
Seeing this, Lin Qingya hurriedly pushed the person next to her, saying, “Come on, let’s switch seats.”
She pushed Su Banxia to the seat next to the private room, and it happened to be next to Shang Lu.
Silence…
The lively atmosphere in the private room suddenly became solemn, and those who had been chatting aimlessly found themselves at a loss for words. No one dared to speak, and even those who had been talking nonsense fell silent.
Shang Lu and Qi Jiashu’s status and identity far surpassed everyone in the room. Their circle discussed topics and indulged in activities that were out of reach for the others.
Now that everyone was sitting together, no one knew how to break the ice and make the situation less awkward.
For some, like Xu Leyi, the desire to leave grew stronger. She feared that the things she had said earlier might be revealed, and the consequences would be dire.
Su Banxia seemed oblivious to the tense atmosphere in the room. She held up a glass of wine and offered it to Shang Lu, saying, “Come on, have a drink. This wine is quite good. Give it a try.”
Shang Lu glanced at her and, with the glass still in her hand, took a sip.
All eyes in the room nearly popped out of their sockets as they looked at Xu Leyi with suspicion.
Shang Lu, the infamous figure in their circle, was regarded as a demon, and everyone assumed that Su Banxia, who had married him, must be leading a hopeless life.
But the situation didn’t seem to match what Xu Leyi had said. Shang Lu appeared indifferent, but his eyes were full of Su Banxia. He had caught his wife sneaking out, but there was no trace of anger in his demeanor.
Everyone had expected Shang Lu to get angry and drag Su Banxia back, but to their surprise, he sat down and even obediently drank the wine she offered. People couldn’t help but see a hint of indulgence in his eyes.
Xu Leyi also found it unbelievable. She had repeatedly heard from Mu Ruxue that Shang Lu was a gloomy and reclusive monster. She had assumed that Su Banxia would suffer after marrying him. That’s why she dared to mock and ridicule Su Banxia, but her words were slapped back within three minutes.
Feeling the questioning gazes of the others, Xu Leyi felt uncomfortable and stood up, intending to leave.
“Hey, Xu Leyi, are you leaving already?” Lin Qingya quickly called out to her. “We haven’t finished here. What’s the rush?”
Xu Leyi felt stiff all over and said, “I have something to attend to.”
Lin Qingya glanced at Su Banxia, who was leaning against Shang Lu, and said, “Don’t be in such a hurry to leave. There are some things that haven’t been explained yet.”
Xu Leyi couldn’t help but resent Lin Qingya. She had helped her friend mock someone, so Lin Qingya was just helping her friend get back at her. Now, she couldn’t leave even if she wanted to.
Lin Qingya sneered inwardly. If Xu Leyi could help her friend ridicule someone, then she could also vent her anger for her friend. Of course, she wouldn’t be stupid enough to bring up Shang Lu’s weaknesses in front of everyone. With her arms crossed, she said, “Have a few more drinks here as an apology to Su Banxia. Let’s forget about tonight’s events. How about it?”
Xu Leyi had already consumed quite a bit of alcohol, and her stomach couldn’t take much more. However, she couldn’t refuse. She picked up her glass with a bitter expression and downed it all in one go.
“I’m sorry.”
Su Banxia was too drunk to hear clearly, and she was cuddled up in Shang Lu’s arms, playing with his chin.
“Young man, you’re so handsome.”
Shang Lu held her soft body, his voice deep. “You’re drunk.”
“I’m not drunk, not drunk, I want to drink more…” Su Banxia choked up. “You feel so cool and comfortable.”
Shang Lu confirmed that she was indeed drunk and looked at Lin Qingya next to her. “Could you please help her to the car?”
Lin Qingya immediately acted like a well-trained soldier and said, “Of course.”
Xu Leyi’s apology had been ignored, and her face became even more awkward and embarrassed. She slipped away into the crowd.
Shang Lu was about to take Su Banxia away, and the others quickly got up to see them off. “Mr. Shang, goodbye.”
“I can walk.” Su Banxia was still reluctant to let Lin Qingya help her, stumbling and swaying as she walked. Her unsteady gait worried the onlookers.
Shang Lu clenched his fists, his gaze dim. If only his legs were healthy, he wouldn’t have to watch from behind like this.
“Banxia, take it slow, this way… this way…” Lin Qingya was by her side, helping her into the car.
Qin Jiashu walked alongside Shang Lu. “I have a friend who knows a foreign doctor.”
Shang Lu glanced at him.
Qin Jiashu continued, “Your leg can’t be neglected. The earlier you treat it, the higher the chances of recovery.”
Shang Lu replied indifferently, “I don’t have the time.”
“Is it really a matter of time, or do you just not want to?” Qin Jiashu usually didn’t mention Shang’s leg in front of him, but he noticed something was off tonight and decided to bring it up.
“…”
After they left, the people in the private room began to discuss in hushed tones.
“Indeed, you can’t trust rumors. It’s definitely those jealous people spreading false stories.”
“In fact, the leg is not the issue. Just looking at Shang Lu’s looks, I could eat three big bowls of rice. I’m starting to envy Su Banxia.”
“You guys are just talking. Who would want to marry someone with a disability? Life would be so tough.”
“That’s true, men should have both healthy legs. It’s such a pity that fate hasn’t been kind to Shang Lu.”
Lin Qingya helped Su Banxia into the car, ensuring she was seated properly, and then she looked at Shang Lu as he got into the car on his own.
If only Shang Lu’s leg had been healed earlier, it would have been so much better, and Su Banxia wouldn’t have to endure the mockery.
“Miss Lin, where do you live?” Shang Lu asked.
Lin Qingya quickly waved her hand. “No need to escort me.”
Qin Jiashu said, “You can rest assured and go back. I’ll take care of Miss Lin.”
The low-profile luxury car merged into the traffic.
Qin Jiashu held the keys and said, “Let’s go, Miss Lin.”
Lin Qingya glanced at Qin Jiashu beside her. Men like him and Shang Lu were the type to admire from a distance but not to play with.
“No, Mr. Qin, I’ll take a taxi myself.”
Qin Jiashu raised an eyebrow and said, “Afraid I’ll eat you?”
Lin Qingya couldn’t deal with this kind of man and replied, “No, just afraid of bothering you.”
“I don’t mind the bother.” Qin Jiashu opened the car door and said, “Get in, I promise to only take you home.”
However, Lin Qingya took out her phone. “My taxi has arrived, canceling the order would inconvenience the driver.”
With that, she turned around. “Mr. Qin, goodbye.”
Qin Jiashu watched the girl’s escaping figure, as if escaping from a flood of wild beasts. He couldn’t help but find it interesting. Was he really that terrifying?
Su Banxia didn’t have a high alcohol tolerance, and she became very confused when she drank too much. In her dazed state, someone led her to the restroom.
She leaned over the sink, and the sound of water splashed as a clear, cold voice reached her ears, “Wash your face.”
Su Banxia plunged her face into the cold water, shivering as the icy water soaked her entire face. “So cold.”
Shang Lu quickly pulled her away, revealing her pale, wet face. He furrowed his brow slightly. There were no servants in the apartment, only him and her. There was no one to make hangover soup for her.
Su Banxia, in a pitiable tone, leaned on him, “My head hurts so much, Shang Lu, I don’t feel well, and I feel like vomiting…”
Very good, she could still recognize him.
Shang Lu frowned, holding her hand and leading her to the toilet, “Throw up here.”
Vomiting would make her feel better, so she wouldn’t have a headache tomorrow.
After tonight, he was determined to keep a close eye on her, not to restrict her freedom, but because he couldn’t bear to see her suffer from getting drunk.
Shang Lu watched her while she vomited into the toilet. He was worried that she might move around too much, so he left and went to the kitchen.
The kitchen fridge was filled with food that the housekeeper had prepared. He took out some honey and mixed it with water, then returned to the bathroom.
Su Banxia had vomited into the toilet for a while and then rinsed her mouth at the sink. She felt a little better, but she still had a headache and felt feverish, especially in her face, which felt like it was burning.
Shang Lu entered with the cup of honey water and saw her sitting against the wall.
As soon as she saw him enter, Su Banxia leaned over and crawled into his lap, saying, “Shang Lu.”
Shang Lu’s body was indeed very comfortable, cool and refreshing. She clung to him and didn’t want to leave his embrace, as if she wanted to squeeze her entire body into his arms.
The intoxicated girl’s voice was soft and cute, and her cheeks were flushed with a crimson hue, which was captivating.
“You naughty girl,” she said.
Shang Lu tightened his grip on the cup of water and looked down at the girl who was kneeling in front of him.
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