Chapter 64 Still in the stage of... needing a name...

After returning home, my days were quickly filled with work and social engagements again.

During the day, there are packed meetings and endless documents to review, and the secretary schedules the entire time down to the second.

The evenings were a continuation of social obligations: drinking parties, banquets, business negotiations, all navigating amidst lights and laughter, raising glasses, exchanging pleasantries, taking seats—everything flowed smoothly like an endless cycle. Occasionally, his mind would wander between drinks, thinking of those days in Hong Kong, of the gift in the black paper bag, but these thoughts were fleeting, quickly pulled back to reality by the next toast, the next contract.

During the dinner, Zheng Yaotian asked, "When are you coming back to headquarters?"

Zhou Yue smiled and asked in return, "Do we have to go back now?"

"Not really," Zheng Yaotian said with a hint of casual conversation, "I mainly wanted to gossip about your progress."

Zhou Yue chuckled softly with a sigh: "We're still in the stage of... wanting a formal title."

Zheng Yaotian was silent for half a second, then burst into laughter: "Women these days..." with a hint of sarcasm and a touch of schadenfreude.

Zhou Yue just shook his head, too lazy to reply, but he couldn't suppress the bitter smile on his lips.

Zheng Yaotian had laughed enough and wanted to add a couple more words, but Zhou Yue waved his hand, as if he had been touched on something he didn't want to talk about: "Don't mention it, I've never even stepped into her house."

Zheng Yaotian's tone carried a hint of genuine surprise: "Huh? You're all in this state, and you still haven't been to her house?"

Zhou Yue leaned back in his chair, a half-smile playing on his lips, and said in a nonchalant tone, "What, are you surprised?"

“Nonsense,” Zheng Yaotian couldn’t help but exclaim, “Xia Zhiyao’s level of secrecy is so high that she would have been suitable for underground work for our Party in the past.”

Zhou Yue chuckled, raised his hand to rub his temples, and did not refute, but said in a low voice, "Her world is not one I can enter at will."

A few days later, Tianxing hosted a thank-you dinner. Most of the guests were familiar faces, and laughter filled the air as glasses clinked.

Zheng Xiaotian smiled and exchanged pleasantries with everyone, raising his glass in a hearty drink. He seemed completely at ease, as if he were born for this kind of occasion, and his casual conversation created a lively and cheerful atmosphere.

The partners' enthusiasm kept the glasses almost empty, and the conversation ranged from project collaboration to their shared interests and hobbies, with laughter filling the room.

Zhou Yue responded to each greeting calmly and slowly, his smile just right, neither distant nor overly intimate.

"Let me make this clear first, my liquor is just so-so," Zheng Xiaotian whispered to Xia Zhiyao as everyone was exchanging liquor.

Xia Zhiyao nodded: "Don't worry, I'm here."

Zheng Xiaotian couldn't drink too much baijiu. Before long, his eyes began to wander, and a thin mist of alcohol blurred his pupils. Even the hand holding the glass trembled slightly.

Those around him quickly noticed something was wrong and started teasing, "Mr. Zheng, why did you give up after only one round?"

"You didn't bring two trusted lieutenants to shield you from the drinks, did you?"

The jokes came one after another, like a tidal wave, pushing Zheng Xiaotian into the eye of the storm.

He tugged at the corners of his mouth, trying to project a confident and smug smile. His gaze drifted, finally settling on Xia Zhiyao. His eyes held a hint of drunken embarrassment and an undisguised plea for help, as if silently saying: I really can't hold on any longer.

Xia Zhiyao leaned down slightly and whispered in his ear, "If you can't handle baijiu, don't force yourself." As she spoke, she took the decanter from in front of him.

"Oh dear, is this a substitute for drinking?"

"This glass isn't very big, is it? We should at least have a decanter, otherwise it won't look as good!"

All eyes were on Xia Zhiyao, filled with amusement, anticipation, and even a hint of provocation.

"Since you're drinking on behalf of someone else, then drink it openly and honestly."

She stood ramrod straight, her white shirt neatly tailored, the cuffs casually rolled up to her elbows, her wrists clearly defined, her fingers with distinct knuckles extended as she took the bottle of wine and filled her own decanter.

“But we’ve agreed,” she said, her tone calm yet clear, “I’m also a partner. This is Mr. Zheng’s company, and it’s also my company. Whether I drink or Mr. Zheng drinks, it’s all a way of thanking everyone.”

She raised her head, her gaze fixed steadily on the man who was making a fuss. Her eyes were calm and her tone was restrained, yet she exuded a threatening aura, as if a knife was slowly sliding across her throat.

"I'll finish it, you can drink as you like." With that, she tilted her head back and drank it all in one gulp, her movements swift and decisive, not even hesitating for the last drop at the bottom of the glass.

She placed the decanter back on the table, a faint smile playing on her lips, and then reached out to refill the decanter.

"That pot was for General Manager Zheng." She spoke calmly, as if stating something perfectly ordinary, then glanced around at everyone present. "This pot was for me."

Before she finished speaking, she tilted her head back and drank it all in one gulp.

"Great!" Someone couldn't help but slap the table and cheer, and laughter and exclamations erupted in the private room.

"You see," she said calmly, "is this enough sincerity?"

She remained calm and composed, as if the half-pound of wine was nothing more than a bowl of warm water that slid down her throat without leaving any trace.

As she put down the wine dispenser, she smiled gently, her gaze sweeping over the crowd before finally lingering for a moment on the face of the man who had been egging her on.

The other man's Adam's apple bobbed, and he awkwardly raised his glass, but dared not say another word. He forced a smile and said, "President Xia, you are truly... generous."

A brief silence fell over the private room, followed by thunderous laughter and applause. "President Xia is so generous!"

"I'm impressed by that drinking capacity!"

"President Zheng has found a great partner!"

Xia Zhiyao didn't say anything more, but simply lowered her head slightly, her long eyelashes casting a cool, sleek arc under the lamplight. Her gaze returned lightly to the table, as if the silent confrontation just now had never happened.

The tension in the room gradually eased with that laugh, the atmosphere started to flow again, and everyone took the opportunity to join in the conversation, reigniting the lively atmosphere of the drinking party.

But she seemed to need no buffer at all, immediately moving on to the next round of socializing, raising her glass, smiling slightly, exchanging pleasantries, and taking turns toasting. Her words were always just right, her demeanor elegant and proper, and she navigated this complex game with ease and composure.

But Zhou Yue saw it all too clearly.

Behind every act of propriety lies a hidden self-destruction. Her smile is elegant, yet she never truly relaxes her brow. She toasts with proper etiquette, yet she never truly integrates into the social gatherings.

To outsiders, it was a dazzling composure, but to him, she appeared strong, sharp, and effortlessly capable.

But he knew she was actually very tired.

Zheng Xiaotian finally realized what was happening, staring at Xia Zhiyao in disbelief, and muttered under his breath, "Holy crap... Sister Zhiyao is too ruthless."

He leaned closer to Zhou Yue and clicked his tongue, saying, "Your sister's fighting power is so great that even the two of us combined can't beat her."

Zhou Yue chuckled softly, without replying, but that chuckle held so much unspoken love and tenderness.

She won the dinner party beautifully, displaying excellent poise and knowing exactly when to advance and retreat.

But it was in that moment of laughter and a drink that Zhou Yue suddenly realized that she was never invincible, but rather that she had always had no one to rely on.

He no longer wanted to stand idly by.

The next second, Zhou Yue suddenly stood up, raised his glass with a smile, and said to the group of people next door who were chatting with Xia Zhiyao, "President Xia just toasted everyone. As a partner, I can't just sit and watch the show, can I?"

Some people laughed and teased, "Is President Zhou finally going to show off his skills?"

Zhou Yue remained expressionless, poured himself a full glass of baijiu, and said calmly, "Then let's take advantage of today to show everyone what I'm capable of."

The moment he raised his glass, his smile was restrained, but his eyes were clearly fixed on Xia Zhiyao, as if to say, "You've blocked for long enough, it's my turn."

The liquor burned his stomach as it went down, but he didn't even flinch. After finishing the first glass, he casually poured himself a second one and said in a nonchalant tone, "Come on, whether it's for the project or for friends, drink to your heart's content today."

The scene instantly became lively, and amidst the clinking of glasses, Zhou Yue forcefully accepted the wine that was originally meant for Xia Zhiyao, one glass after another.

Xia Zhiyao looked at him, her brows furrowed slightly, but she kept her lips pursed and didn't say a word. She understood what he was doing and knew that this was the first time he had stood in front of her in such a situation.

When the party ended, Zheng Xiaotian was so drunk that he could barely stand and had to be half-dragged, half-carried to the door by his assistant.

Halfway there, he turned around, his eyes glazed over, his face flushed an exaggerated red, like a spoiled child. "Zhiyao—" he drawled, grinning at Zhou Yue with a thoroughly wicked grin, "It's up to you now, take good care of her and get her home safely, don't lose her!"

Xia Zhiyao stood still, her expression unchanged, then turned and walked out.

When Zhou Yue caught up, he realized that she was really carrying a lot of weight. Her steps were unsteady, and the sound of her heels hitting the floor tiles was light and airy. She wasn't walking fast, but she didn't look back at him again.

The corridor lights were bright, making her profile appear aloof and cold, but Zhou Yue felt that her back looked dangerous, as if she might lose her balance at any moment.

Zhou Yue followed closely behind. Xia Zhiyao walked slowly, but when she turned the corner, she subconsciously touched the wall lightly, seemingly casually, yet revealing a hint of unsteadiness.

He quickened his pace, reached out and pushed open the glass door to the corridor in front of her, his fingertips lingering on the doorknob for half a second, waiting for her to pass.

Upon closer inspection, her gaze was much softer than usual; her usual sharpness was veiled by a thin mist, and the light reflected in her pupils gave them a glow as if intoxicated.

She seemed to be trying to maintain her composure, speaking in a softer tone than usual, with a hint of leisurely languor: "I'm fine."

"Don't talk," he reached out to steady her shoulders. "Wait until we get home before you try to be strong."

She didn't refute, only gave a soft "hmm," as if she had temporarily put away her stubbornness.

As they left the restaurant, the night air carried a winter chill. Zhou Yue reached out to shield her from the wind and led her toward the car. Her steps were light and unsteady, the sound of her heels tapping on the sidewalk intermittent and unsteady.

After getting in the car, she seemed to finally relax and leaned against him without much hesitation. Her shoulder was pressed against his chest, her hair brushed against his chin, and she even reached out and hugged his waist.

Zhou Yue was slightly taken aback, then couldn't help but smile to himself. The heaviness in his heart was instantly filled with a sweet and warm feeling.

The driver started the car and asked through the rearview mirror, "Are we going to Anhua Garden?"

Xia Zhiyao closed her eyes, her voice tinged with the languor of alcohol: "No, let's go to Tianjing Bay."

That was Zhou Yue's home.

Zhou Yue looked down at her and said to the driver indifferently, "It's An Garden. She's had too much to drink."

The driver said "Oh," and didn't ask any more questions. He turned the steering wheel, and the car steadily drove into the night.

Zhou Yue tightened his embrace, making her feel more secure, but secretly thought that once they got out of the car, this drunken woman probably wouldn't even have the strength to walk home on her own.

The car slowly came to a stop at the entrance of Anhua Garden. The night was deep, and the iron gate of the old community made a slight metallic sound in the wind. The dim streetlights illuminated rows of old buildings with mottled exterior walls.

Zhou Yue got out of the car and walked around to the other side to open the car door for her. When Xia Zhiyao got out of the car, her steps were unsteady for a moment. He took the opportunity to reach out and support her arm. He lowered his voice and asked, "Do you still know which floor your house is on?"

She turned to look at him, her eyes still slightly red from drinking, and her tone was tinged with impatience and drunkenness: "I don't know... do you know?"

Zhou Yue smiled helplessly: "Then I'll go with you."

She didn't respond, but looked up at the night sky, suddenly laughed, and staggered forward, reciting indistinctly yet clearly: "Enjoy life while you can, for tomorrow you may die..."

His voice, tinged with the euphoria of alcohol, mingled with the night wind, carrying a nonchalant nonchalance, yet also a hint of loneliness that made it hard to tell whether he was truly drunk or feigning it.

She stopped halfway through her reading, standing under the dim streetlights, and looked back at him.

His eyes were half-closed, a drunken smile playing on his lips, and a faint curve at the corner of his mouth: "Why don't you continue reciting?"

Zhou Yue was taken aback by the question. Before she could speak, she slowly added, her voice tinged with a hint of drunken provocation: "You're being disobedient again, aren't you?"

Looking at her half-drunk, slightly provocative appearance, Zhou Yue sighed softly and had no choice but to continue along with her words: "Everyone has their own talents, and even if I spend all my money, it will come back again."

Xia Zhiyao listened, raising an eyebrow slightly, as if finally satisfied, and continued walking forward. Her steps were unsteady, but she chuckled, "That's more like it."

Zhou Yue stayed close to her, his eyes constantly fixed on her, afraid she might stumble. The verses flowed intermittently in the night, mingling with the alcohol and the winter wind, creating a sense of intimacy that was both absurd and heartwarming.

She absolutely refused to go upstairs, insisting on admiring the moon downstairs. Zhou Yue looked up, but there was nothing in the dark sky, and couldn't help but chuckle: "Where's the moon?"

Xia Zhiyao squinted, as if looking at a child, and said slowly, "Aren't you the moon?"

Zhou Yue was taken aback: "Me?"

"You are Zhou—Yue." She spoke very softly, as if she were being coquettish, yet also as if she were making a serious declaration.

Zhou Yue chuckled softly, leaned close to her ear, and asked, "Is that the character 'yue'?"

She looked up, her eyes half-drunk and half-awake, a smile playing on her lips: "Yes, but this month, it's all mine."

Zhou Yue lowered his voice: "Stop messing with me, you bastard."

Xia Zhiyao seemed not to hear, tilting her head back to gaze at the empty night sky, softly reciting: "When will the moon be clear and bright? I raise my cup to ask the blue sky..."

She paused, then suddenly turned to look at him, a hint of a drunken smile on her lips: "Qingtian isn't here, I can ask you."

Zhou Yue chuckled: "Then ask away."

She squinted, her voice as soft as a feather brushing against my heart: "I ask you, can the moon stay with me for a lifetime?"

In that instant, the sound of the wind, the darkness of the night, and the smell of alcohol all mingled together, adding an undeniable weight to her question.

Zhou Yue lowered his head, meeting her gaze, his expression serious, as if he weren't joking: "If the moon can do it, so can Zhou Yue."

She didn't respond and turned to continue walking. Watching her retreating figure, Zhou Yue suddenly realized that this bout of drunkenness was more inescapable than any sobriety he had ever experienced.

She staggered as she walked, and he reached out to steady her arm: "That's enough, let's go moon-viewing another day, you go up first."

The stairs in the stairwell were old, each step echoing softly. She walked slowly, occasionally missing a step, and he would catch her by the waist. The dim light shone on her profile, illuminating her wispy hair and the redness at the corners of her eyes.

As they approached the floor, she suddenly chuckled, as if continuing their previous conversation: "The moon belongs to me alone, and no one can take it from me."

Zhou Yue turned his head, looked at her eyes and brows illuminated by the light, and whispered, "Yes, no one will do."