Seeing her like this, Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow and smiled.

"Want to have breakfast?" Lu Zheng asked with a smile, ignoring Qiao Zhen's anger.

Qiao Zhen got even angrier when the topic of breakfast came up. It was already 2 p.m., what was the point of having breakfast at this hour? It could have been dinner any later.

She rolled her eyes at Lu Zheng, preparing to ignore him and go back.

Lu Zheng stood at the door, effectively blocking Qiao Zhen from leaving the room.

"That's enough, I want to go back." Qiao Zhen tried to get out several times but failed. She looked up at Lu Zheng angrily and said.

"Eat your porridge before you go back." He raised the porridge in his hand, gesturing for her to take it.

Qiao Zhen stared at him speechlessly, her breath caught in her throat, and she almost died on the spot.

"If you don't eat something, you'll get a stomachache. As long as you finish eating, I'll let you go back." Seeing her resistance, Lu Zheng subconsciously softened and said gently.

Qiao Zhen wanted to leave as soon as possible, so without hesitation, she stood at the door and finished the bowl of porridge in one go.

Holding the empty bowl, she looked at Lu Zheng expressionlessly, gesturing for him to make way.

Lu Zheng had no choice but to make way for her.

He watched Qiao Zhen leave quickly and decisively, a complex emotion welling up in his eyes.

After leaving Lu Zheng's house, Qiao Zhen received a call from Gu Xijue.

"Xi Jue, what's up?" Qiao Zhen asked as she answered the phone and walked out.

Fortunately, Lu Zheng didn't live in some wealthy area where you couldn't get out even after walking for hours. Otherwise, she would have cried.

"Can't I contact you if there's nothing wrong?" Gu Xijue teased with a smile when he heard Qiao Zhen's words.

"You know that's not what I meant." She hadn't expected Gu Xijue to care about this detail, and felt a little embarrassed.

"Okay, I'm not teasing you anymore. I do have something to do. Are you free tonight?"

Today is Saturday, a day off, and she didn't have any plans, so she's free.

"Are you free? Is there anything I can help you with?"

Qiao Zhen walked along the roadside for more than ten minutes without seeing a single taxi.

She glanced around and figured there probably wouldn't be any taxis passing by, so she decided to call one using a mobile app.

"Yes, there's a party tonight and I'd like to invite you to be my date. I hope you won't refuse."

"A business gala?" Qiao Zhen frowned slightly upon hearing the word "gala."

The thought that Lu Zheng might also participate made her less inclined to go.

"No, it's just one of those parties that friends hold together."

Seemingly guessing what Qiao Zhen was thinking, Gu Xijue explained.

"Okay, what time is it? I'll get ready first."

She waited for a while but still didn't see a taxi come, so she decided to wait until she hung up the phone before booking a ride.

"Where are you now? I'll come pick you up and take you to the salon for a makeover."

"No need, I can do it myself."

Qiao Zhen instinctively refused, not wanting Gu Xijue to come and pick her up.

"Zhenzhen, my date must be radiant and cannot be outshone by anyone."

Gu Xijue knew Qiao Zhen would refuse, but he didn't care and just said this.

It means there will be many beautiful women there, and if you try to find one yourself, you might not be as good as them.

"Hey, you're underestimating me. Even though I can't do as well as others, I'm not bad at all."

Qiao Zhen muttered as she listened to Gu Xijue's words.

She knew that Gu Xijue wasn't looking down on her; he was just afraid that when she arrived at the event and saw those people dressed so elegantly, she would feel embarrassed.

Send me your location, I'll come pick you up now.

Gu Xijue didn't give her another chance to refuse and made his decision directly.

Qiao Zhen thought for a moment and then told him the address.

Upon hearing the address Qiao Zhen provided, Gu Xijue's expression immediately changed.

She actually went to Lu Zheng's place; she must have stayed overnight again.

Thinking of this, his face turned even uglier, and he tightened his grip on his phone.

He calmed himself down before slowly saying, "Wait for me where you are, I'll be right there."

After hanging up the phone, Qiao Zhen stood there waiting for Gu Xijue.

Out of her sight, a discreet car was parked on the side of the road.

The car stayed there for the same amount of time as she did.

Inside the car, Lu Zheng, wearing sunglasses, watched Qiao Zhen make a phone call, then pulled over to the side of the road to wait.

It's obvious without even guessing that the person who called her is coming to pick her up.

He stared coldly at Qiao Zhen, his face unusually grim.

After about ten minutes, he saw a familiar car come into view.

Upon seeing the car, his expression darkened even further.

She should have realized it sooner; who else but Gu Xijue would come to pick her up?

Qiao Zhenzhen, you're something else! You rejected me, but got into someone else's car!

Lu Zheng slammed his fist on the steering wheel, seething with anger.

"It's really too much trouble for you." Qiao Zhen felt a little embarrassed that someone else had to pick her up.

"What's the trouble? If you hadn't wanted to be my date, I wouldn't have come to pick you up, would I?"

Gu Xijue smiled and shook his head to comfort her: "You're too kind. How can I dare to ask you for help again next time if you're like this?"

She thought about it and realized that made sense; if she hadn't been waiting for him, she probably would have gone back already.

How's work lately?

"I'm fine. How are things on your end?" Thinking of the unpleasant incident last time, Qiao Zhen pursed her lips, feeling a little embarrassed.

To this day, she still doesn't understand why Gu Xijue didn't believe her back then.

Is it because they think she's too inexperienced? Or is it because she was originally one of Lu Zheng's people, so they don't trust her?

Although I was very confused, it was all in the past.

Aside from feeling a little embarrassed when it's brought up, I don't have any other emotions.

"That's fine too." Gu Xijue said to Qiao Zhen as they changed lanes and saw a black sedan following them at a leisurely pace.

He couldn't help but take another look, thinking he was just imagining things.

After changing lanes several times and being overtaken by countless cars, that car still steadily followed behind.

This struck him as odd; when did that car start following them?

He glanced in the rearview mirror and suddenly started to accelerate.

The conversation ended there. Qiao Zhen looked ahead and felt the car speed increasing.

She glanced at the time and realized it was already past three. Thinking Gu Xijue was in a hurry, she didn't think much of it.

The car slowly stopped in front of the store, and Gu Xijue got out of the car to open the door for her.

"Let's go inside first," he said, glancing behind him.

I noticed that the black car was parked in front of the store, with the two cars parked one in front of the other.

The people inside didn't get off. Gu Xijue took a deep look at the car and led Qiao Zhen inside.

If someone harbors ill intentions, they wouldn't dare to act rashly in this bustling city.

It would be even better if that person were Lu Zheng.

If he saw Qiao Zhen get into his car and attend a party together, he'd be furious.

Thinking of this, Gu Xijue felt much better.

"Mr. Gu, this way please." As soon as they entered, someone came over to lead them inside.

This wasn't Qiao Zhen's first time visiting a place like this; she greeted the newcomer with a perfect smile.