Chapter 504 Zhou Lu lived like an ascetic.

“She has to go back to be with her child tonight, and her stomach isn’t feeling well either, so I’ll drink this cup for her.”

He tilted his head back and drank the liquor in his glass in one gulp, his Adam's apple bobbing as he handed Cui Xiao a tissue.

Seeing this, his colleagues all smiled knowingly. Old Liu deliberately raised his voice to tease, "It's really rare to see Lawyer Zhou protecting someone like this."

Cui Xiao's ears turned slightly red. She lowered her head, scooped up a mouthful of plum juice to calm herself down, but instead of picking out the braised pork in the bowl, she took a small bite.

It's sweet but not cloying, with just the right amount of savory sauce flavor.

After a few rounds of drinks, the group gradually split into several chat groups. The HR manager pulled Cui Xiao to sit on a sofa in the corner of the private room and specially poured her a cup of warm chrysanthemum tea.

"To be honest, in the five years since you left, Zhou Lu has lived like an ascetic."

It turns out that the two were the closest because they joined the law firm together, so they were closer than the others.

Her voice was low, her eyes full of sincerity. "Every year, the law firm gets a lot of new young women, and some clients even ask us to introduce them to potential partners. Their conditions are so good that they make others envious, but Attorney Zhou hasn't even given them a second glance. People outside who don't know the truth spread rumors that he ruined his body when he was young, but only we old employees know that he's waiting for you."

Cui Xiao's hand gripping the teacup tightened suddenly, causing a few drops of warm tea to splash onto the back of her hand, but she was completely unaware. She subconsciously turned her head to look at the dining table.

Zhou Mubin was surrounded by several young employees talking to him. The light fell on him, making his profile look much softer.

Then the HR manager said, "Back then, when you suddenly left Gangcheng, he searched for you like crazy. He searched all the neighborhoods you used to live in, and even the homes of your relatives in your hometown that you mentioned."

Then, he gently patted Cui Xiao's hand. "I don't know why, but he suddenly stopped looking for you. Your name has become a taboo subject in the law firm, and no one dares to mention it. Five years have passed in the blink of an eye. Not long ago, Lawyer Zhou said he wanted to move the law firm to Shanghai. We were all curious. Lawyer Zhou is a native of Shanghai, and most of the Zhou family's influence is in Shanghai. Why would he want to try his luck in Shanghai?"

You know, our law firm has stable clients in Hong Kong. Moving inland, even if it's not starting from scratch, will still have some impact. We only found out you were here after we arrived in Shanghai. Instantly, we understood Attorney Zhou's intentions. He even chose the location of the new law firm near your company, just to be closer to you. Cui Xiao, Attorney Zhou's feelings for you have never changed, and we all sincerely hope you can be happy.”

Cui Xiao's gaze fell on Zhou Mubin, just as he turned to look at her. The moment their eyes met, the weariness in his eyes instantly turned into tenderness, and he even quietly raised his glass to her, a faint smile on his lips.

Her colleague's words were like a pebble thrown into a lake, creating ripples in Cui Xiao's heart, and even the dishes on the table seemed to be imbued with the taste of memories.

During the subsequent chat, everyone took turns clinking glasses. The youngest guy had a clear voice, "Sister Cui, although you had already left when I joined the company, I've heard plenty of your 'heroic deeds.' Today I finally meet you in person, so I must toast you."

Other colleagues came over with glasses of red wine, smiling and advising, "You're in a good mood today, so a little won't hurt. Besides, Attorney Zhou will take you home."

Cui Xiao looked at the familiar smiling faces on the table, and then caught a glimpse of Zhou Mubin's gaze from not far away.

He was secretly sending a message on his phone, his eyes still fixed on her out of the corner of his eye.

Cui Xiao didn't refuse again and drank half a cup.

The red wine was Bordeaux, which she often drank back then. It had soft tannins and fruity aromas, and the alcohol content was not high. However, after drinking five or six glasses back and forth, by the time the party ended, her steps were a little unsteady, her cheeks were flushed with the aftertaste of the wine, and even her eyes were shrouded in a hazy mist.

Zhou Mubin had arranged for a designated driver well in advance. When the event ended, he practically ran to Cui Xiao's side, naturally took the bag from her shoulder, and casually slung it over his right arm.

Because his left hand was still too tight from the stitches, he used his right hand to gently support her elbow, his fingertips deliberately avoiding her wrist, afraid of hurting her by applying too much force. "Slow down, the steps at the door are wet and a bit slippery."

Cui Xiao looked up at him and smiled, her eyes slightly soft from the alcohol. "I'm not drunk, just a little dizzy."

Zhou Mubin didn't expose her, but he tightened his grip on her. As they passed the vent at the restaurant entrance, the evening breeze blew the sycamore leaves around, and he subconsciously took off his dark gray suit jacket and gently draped it over her shoulders.

His coat still retained his body heat and had a faint smell of disinfectant.

That was the smell of his wound after the dressing was changed; the warmth and familiar scent enveloped her, making her unconsciously move closer to him.

The designated driver had already parked the car under the streetlights by the roadside. The warm yellow light cast long shadows of the two of them. Zhou Mubin first helped Cui Xiao into the back seat.

He deliberately placed his hand on the car door frame to prevent her from bumping her head when she looked up. After she was settled, he carefully sat down himself, intentionally leaving a half-fist distance between them.

After the car started, the driver skillfully merged into the traffic. The streetlights outside the window swept past one by one, casting flickering shadows on the two of them with their warm yellow light. Inside the car, only the soft sound of the air conditioning vents and the occasional navigation prompts could be heard.

Cui Xiao leaned back in the soft leather chair, the effects of the alcohol gradually rising in her head. Her eyelids grew heavier and heavier, and her head unconsciously tilted to the side, her soft hair gently brushing against Zhou Mubin's arm.

It has a fresh shampoo scent and a feather-light, ticklish feel.

Zhou Mubin's body stiffened instantly, his fingertips curled up involuntarily, and his breathing became lighter.

He turned his head to look at her. Her eyelashes were long, casting delicate shadows under her eyelids. The tip of her nose was slightly red from drinking, and the corners of her mouth still held the lingering smile from chatting with her old colleagues.

Her breath carried a faint scent of red wine mixed with gardenia fragrance, gently brushing against his forearm.

His gaze lingered on her face, from her full forehead to her delicate chin, every feature overlapping with that of five years ago, yet with a touch more mature gentleness.

The temperature inside the car seemed to be rising quietly. He could clearly hear his own heartbeat getting faster and faster, mixed with her steady breathing, which was especially clear in the quiet car.

His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and he hesitated for two seconds.

Afraid of disturbing her, yet unwilling to look away, he finally used his uninjured right hand, with very light force, to carefully tuck a stray strand of hair that was hanging down her cheek behind her ear.

His fingertips brushed against her warm earlobe, and the electric-like sensation made them both startled.

Cui Xiao slowly opened her eyes, her hazy gaze gradually focusing, and met Zhou Mubin's unfathomable eyes.