Chapter 372 said it would be free, I won't charge you any money.

The man pushed the door open and entered. The moment Cui Xiao saw him, she was stunned for a second.

She hastily averted her gaze, but Cui Xiao's fingertips were still resting on the stem of the wine glass. The icy touch couldn't suppress the sudden surge of emotions welling up inside her.

She thought she had already controlled her emotions, but when she saw Zhou Mubin push the door open and enter, her eyelashes still trembled uncontrollably.

How did he end up here?

Today's event was specially arranged by Asia Pacific Group to finalize its cooperation with Fangheng Group, and President Fang is unlikely to invite anyone else.

So, Zhou Mubin came uninvited?

Cui Xiaoqiang suppressed the surprise in his eyes and watched as he walked familiarly to the head seat and shook hands with President Fang with a smile. "Uncle Fang, I heard you were here discussing business today. I just happened to be here for dinner and thought I'd drop by to say hello."

Mr. Fang clearly had a close relationship with him, looking at him as if he were a junior, patting him on the shoulder and joking, "You're such a busy man, and you're 'just passing by'? I bet your real intentions aren't at the bar."

Upon hearing this, the gazes in the private room seemed to drift towards Cui Xiao almost imperceptibly.

Those familiar with Zhou Mubin know Cui Xiao; to outsiders, the two seem to have a somewhat ambiguous relationship.

She tightened her grip on her wine glass, trying to find an excuse to escape the awkward atmosphere, when suddenly a shadow fell over the empty seat next to her.

Zhou Mubin actually sat down right next to her.

He carried a faint scent of tobacco, which overpowered the aroma of his cologne, immediately captivating Cui Xiao's senses.

She subconsciously moved to the side, but her skirt accidentally brushed against his suit trousers, and the touch of the fabric on her fingertips made her heart skip a beat.

“Miss Cui.” Zhou Mubin suddenly turned his head, his voice low enough for her to hear, “You seemed to be walking very fast in the corridor just now.”

Cui Xiao suddenly gripped the hem of her skirt tightly, her fingertips turning white.

He knew perfectly well why she left in such a hurry.

For a moment, Cui Xiao was confused about what he meant.

She lowered her eyes, avoiding his gaze, and didn't intend to answer him.

Then, he picked up his glass to offer a toast, but his wrist was gently pressed down. "Are you really that greedy for drinks? Eat some food first. Drinking on an empty stomach is bad for your stomach."

As Zhou Mubin spoke, he picked up a piece of her favorite sweet and sour pork ribs and placed it on her plate, his movements so natural that it was as if there had never been any estrangement or argument between them.

Cui Xiao stood frozen in place, while President Fang jokingly said, "I didn't expect that even after Miss Cui left the law firm, she still has such a good relationship with Attorney Zhou. It seems that Attorney Zhou must be a good boss."

Zhou Mubin smiled, glancing at her with an ambiguous look in his eyes. "A good employee makes a good boss. I still can't find anyone who can replace Miss Cui's abilities. She's the employee I can't let go of the most."

These words made Mr. Fang understand something.

Although Cui Xiao left the law firm, Zhou Mubin always protected her.

Mr. Fang smiled apologetically, "Haha, Miss Cui is really lucky to have such a good former boss."

Cui Xiao forced a smile, but out of the corner of her eye, she caught Zhou Mubin looking at her with an emotion she couldn't understand.

The soothing music continued in the private room, and the clinking of glasses echoed throughout, but Cui Xiao's attention was entirely focused on the person beside her. She could clearly feel his body temperature, smell his fragrance, and even hear his steady breathing.

Just then, Zhou Mubin's phone rang. He glanced at the screen, got up, and went outside the private room to answer it.

Zhou Mubin's face had long lost its pleasant expression, replaced by coldness. "Have you found out?"

After the other party said something on the phone, Zhou Mubin's eyes grew even colder, and a hint of murderous intent seemed to have been added.

As Cui Xiao watched his departing figure, a complex mix of emotions welled up inside her. She didn't know what Zhou Mubin's motives were, nor what he planned to do.

But Cui Xiao knew that Zhou Mubin was definitely not someone who would give up easily.

Not long after, Zhou Mubin returned with a cup of hot milk in his hand.

He placed the milk in front of Cui Xiao, saying, "You didn't look too well earlier, have some hot milk to warm your stomach."

Cui Xiao looked at the steaming milk, feeling a mix of emotions. She looked up at Zhou Mubin and met his gentle gaze.

Her gaze darkened.

Seeing this, Mr. Fang tactfully stood up and said, "It's getting late, let's call it a day. Miss Cui, I wish us a pleasant cooperation in advance."

Are you leaving so early?

The whole process took less than an hour, and not all the dishes we ordered had even arrived.

However, Cui Xiao wasn't stupid; she understood the purpose behind President Fang's words.

Cui Xiao stood up and saw him off with a smile, "President Fang, it's a pleasure to cooperate with Fang Heng. I'm sure our cooperation will be very pleasant."

...

Cui Xiao saw Mr. Fang and his party off to their car, and only after watching the car disappear into the night did the smile on her face gradually fade.

As soon as she turned around, Zhou Mubin was standing behind her.

The relationship between the two was awkward, and Cui Xiao didn't want to have any conversation with him. She walked straight to her car, but Zhou Mubin grabbed her shoulder in one swift motion. "You can't drive after drinking. I'll give you a ride."

Cui Xiao's shoulders stiffened abruptly, and she jerked to the side as if burned, but Zhou Mubin's fingers tightened their grip. The heat from his fingertips seeped through the thin fabric, making her heart race.

She turned her head away from his gaze, her voice deliberately cold, "No need, I'll just call a designated driver."

Zhou Mubin's voice was deeper than the night, "Don't you think it's a waste not to use readily available free labor?"

He released her hand, but stood in front of her, his gaze falling on the corners of her slightly reddened eyes.

When she saw Mr. Fang off to his car earlier, her eyes crinkled into crescent moons with a smile, but now she didn't even bother to lift her eyelids.

Cui Xiao gripped the car keys tightly, the sharp metal edges digging painfully into her palm. "Lawyer Zhou is too expensive; I can't afford him."

She tried to open the car door by walking around him, but he grabbed her wrist again.

This time, Zhou Mubin used less force, and there was a hint of helplessness in his tone, "I said it's free, I won't charge you."

Cui Xiao stopped in her tracks, her fingertips trembled slightly, and her whole face was pale.

She finally looked up at him. The light from the streetlamp fell on his face, revealing the bloodshot veins in his eyes. He must have been busy with a big case lately.

After a few seconds of silent confrontation, Cui Xiao finally nodded, turned around and walked to his black sedan parked not far away. She opened the car door, got into the passenger seat, and didn't say another word the whole time.

The car was filled with his usual scent, which made her feel somewhat dazed.

As Zhou Mubin started the car, he secretly glanced at her and saw her staring blankly at the shadows of the trees passing by outside the window. Her lips moved, but she swallowed back the words that were about to come out.

Only after the car entered the overpass did he speak softly, "Why didn't you tell me when Ma Wencai made things difficult for you back then?"