The hand holding Feng Lan's arm seemed to be holding her without any force, yet it completely immobilized her, leaving her arm numb.

Feng Lan was somewhat afraid of him. "It's not up to Young Master Xu to discipline my wayward niece, is it?"

Meng Jiuyi lowered his head and choked out, "Auntie, I didn't!"

The entire glass of water soaked her completely, and the water droplets, shaped like tender sprouts, dripped from the tips of her hair, soaking the chest of the man behind her.

He was wearing a silver suit today, the soft fabric of which soaked into a puddle on his chest, as if he had indulged someone crying in his arms.

Xu Yanzhi released Feng Lan, smiled slightly, but there was no real smile in his eyes.

"It's none of my business who Mrs. Tan is disciplining, but Ruijin Mansion is Xu's territory. You ignored the warnings and made a lot of noise here, damaged the screen and disturbed the other guests' enjoyment. I have no choice but to ask you to leave."

The compensation bill will be delivered to your home by your lawyer shortly.

Uncle Zhuang had already called the security guards. Xu Yan raised his hand, and several security guards grabbed Feng Lan and threw her out.

"Let go! You know who I am, yet you dare to treat me like this."

Feng Lan cursed, "Meng Jiuyi, you treacherous slut! You're copying your mother's womanizing ways! I'm telling you, from now on you can forget about going back to the Meng family, and even your vixen mother has to get out of here!"

Meng Jiuyi then shrank back.

Xu Yanzhi frowned slightly and gestured to Tan Sheng with his eyes, "Why don't you take your mother away? Let her embarrass herself here."

Tan Sheng had no choice but to leave with Feng Lan, looking at Meng Jiuyi with reluctance.

Once the person left, the noise subsided quickly. Such commotion was only interesting when the person involved was present. Those whispering and staring at each other lowered their heads after their eyes met the man's deep gaze.

It was as if nothing had ever happened, except for Meng Jiuyi, who was disheveled and splashed.

She wiped the water and tears from her face, her lowered eyelashes glistening with moisture as if filled with golden light.

"Thank you, Mr. Xu. I'm so sorry to have gotten your clothes wet."

Xu Yanzhi remained silent.

Even with her head down, she could feel his gaze upon her. He was always a gentleman, his eyes always adorned with a gentle smile when he looked at someone; this was the first time he had ever felt so oppressive.

There may still be disappointment.

The heat was so intense that Meng Jiuyi couldn't even say the second half of her farewell. She silently passed him by, when her wrist was suddenly grabbed forcefully.

Xu Yanzhi lowered his eyes and looked down at her.

"Are you just going to leave like this and let people criticize how bad the hotel service is? Or are they going to speculate about what you went through here?"

Meng Jiuyi knew how pathetic she looked, so she lowered her head and said, "I'll just take a taxi when I go out, no one will see me."

The thumb pressed against her pulse was so domineering, its pressure against her wrist like a lock on her lifeline.

She was about to speak when Xu Yanzhi pulled her forward.

"Mr. Xu..."

"I don't want to ruin the hotel's reputation because of you."

Xu Yanzhi casually instructed Uncle Zhuang to find a set of women's clothing, as if it were just a business matter.

The long corridor was filled with people glancing at her frequently, and she looked like a drowned rat, with water droplets spreading down her chest, making people's imaginations run wild.

The man glanced at her discreetly, then took off his suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders, instantly covering her completely.

The soft fabric clung to the skin of her neck, and the clean, refreshing woody scent wafted into her nostrils. Meng Jiuyi felt a tingling sensation in her wrist as he held her. Years ago, on the road where she had stopped a bicycle, the rustling sound of the sycamore leaves echoed in her ears once again.

The changing room was upstairs, and Uncle Zhuang found her a knee-length knitted skirt.

When Meng Jiuyi came out, he was standing by the window smoking. His silk shirt was neatly tucked into his waistline. In Kyushu, after summer, the nights were not so long. The dim yellow light of the lounge, like a closet, reflected on the window and blended with his slender figure.

He exhaled a puff of smoke, gazing out the window, his expression indifferent amidst the swirling smoke.

His gaze met hers through the window, but he showed no intention of turning around.

"If I hadn't come today, were you just going to stand there and let her hit you?"

Of course not.

Meng Jiuyi lowered her eyelashes and said softly, "I understand that my aunt is upset and can't accept it because she just found out."

What do you like to talk about?

Meng Jiuyi didn't quite understand and looked up at him with a puzzled expression.

Xu Yanzhi had already turned around and asked coldly, "You're willing to take those two slaps for him and play guerrilla warfare with him, which means there must be something good about him. What do you like about him?"

Meng Jiuyi had no idea what she liked to talk about.

"He has a very good temper, listens to everything I say, is never rude, is willing to communicate, and is always very enthusiastic when we meet."

No sooner had he finished speaking than he heard a cold, indifferent laugh from the other end.

"Are you looking for a boyfriend or raising a dog?"

Meng Jiuyi glared at him angrily.

Xu Yanzhi took off his cigarette and curled his lips mockingly. "A good temper is another way of saying you lack your own opinions and are easily swayed by your family. You couldn't even get past his mother, yet you want to drag you into fighting against your family. For him, the failure of this relationship is just something to talk about over tea. What about you? Are you like that?"

Is he just being delusional, or are you just not thinking straight?

He spoke bluntly and bluntly, and his tone was quite impolite.

His sharpness left Meng Jiuyi nowhere to hide, and she didn't want to be overwhelmed by his presence.

"Mr. Xu, matters of the heart are like drinking water; only the person experiencing it knows whether it's hot or cold. Even if it seems terrible to outsiders, it may be sweet to the person involved. Besides, no one is perfect."

"So you're willing to risk everything, like a moth drawn to a flame?"

Meng Jiuyi looked up. "At least he respects me."

Xu Yanzhi was slightly taken aback.

"He respects me and wouldn't try to touch me inappropriately on our first meeting."

Meng Jiuyi stared at him through the smoke until her own figure slowly merged with his.

He certainly didn't know that he actually had similarities to Tan Sheng, which was why Meng Jiuyi didn't dislike Tan Sheng that much.

“He is serious and cautious about relationships. When other people in the industry hear about my family situation, they automatically assume that I am a person who does not follow etiquette and can skip all the steps to take someone to a hotel. He would never do that.”

The cigarette between his fingers slowly burned upwards, until his fingers were completely numb.

Xu Yanzhi stared at the sorrowful reluctance in her eyes, as if she were sharing a cherished secret. He suddenly recalled her soft whispers in his earphones years ago—

Xu Yanzhi, it seems that only after meeting you did I understand what it feels like to be respected.

In my world, no matter how high a man climbs or how knowledgeable he is, his contempt for women remains unchanged; he just dresses it up more elegantly.

But you're not like that. I always feel like you're the kind of person who asks before even touching something.

So she's found other people like that now?

In the hazy, swirling smoke, Xu Yanzhi watched her walk to the door and grasp the doorknob.

It won't open!

Meng Jiuyi twisted it again, but still couldn't open it!

This is the study in Ruijin Mansion, a room where finances and secrets are kept, so naturally it has multiple locks.

He had locked the door from the inside from the beginning.

Meng Jiuyi turned her head and looked at him in alarm, "You locked the door?"

Xu Yanzhi stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, and because it was him, the action had a leisurely and deliberate quality to it.

"There's something else I'd like to discuss with you."

"What?"

"You used me and then ran away. Isn't that a bit unethical?"