Chapter 5: Encounter, Again

President Li was a man in his fifties—tall, lean, swarthy, in a black suit. His face was severe.

President Chen looked younger, maybe mid-forties. His gaze swept over Su Yu and Chu Yao, a flash of open admiration in his eyes. He laughed. "Director Zheng, I had no idea you had beauties like this on your team. This trip to Haicheng just got a whole lot luckier."

The way he looked at Su Yu was entirely unhidden.

Director Zheng laughed heartily. "President Chen, you flatter us. These two are our best. Come, sit—let's order."

Su Yu wore a faint, professional smile throughout. Composed. Neither obsequious nor aloof.

Chu Yao wasn't quite as steady. She was nervous.

Once the food arrived, Su Yu and Chu Yao had to periodically use the serving chopsticks to plate dishes for President Li and President Chen.

Director Zheng waved them off when it came to him. "Just take care of the two presidents. I'll manage myself."

"Su Yu, right? Director Zheng says you two are his top performers. Means you can drink, too. Have a glass with me." President Chen raised his glass toward Su Yu.

Inside, Su Yu had ten thousand profanities lined up for this President Chen.

But the professional smile stayed glued to her face. She quickly poured herself a small cup of baijiu, walked over, and held her glass lower than his. "President Chen, how could I let you toast me? I should be toasting you. I'll drink up—please, drink at your own pace."

She tilted her head back and drained it in one go.

In this game, you don't get to sit out.

The table erupted in applause.

President Chen laughed, delighted. "Good girl! No nonsense. I like it!"

One glass became two. Two became three.

Side by side, President Chen and President Li were night and day—one a street thug in a suit, the other a genuine gentleman.

President Li, seated beside Chu Yao, barely drank—only the occasional polite clink of glasses.

Chu Yao counted her blessings. Who knew this President Li would be so civil?

Su Yu's side of the table was a different story. She was getting ragged.

Chu Yao watched her with worry. After last night's bender, another round today—her stomach had to be taking a beating.

In the private room across the hall—

Shen Yan was drinking with a group of distributors.

When he'd had enough, he excused himself to use the restroom.

The room had its own en-suite. He didn't want to use it.

Several rounds in, Su Yu had drunk President Chen under the table. The man's tolerance was mediocre—she'd put away a full jin of baijiu while he'd managed half that.

"Director Zheng, President Li—excuse me, restroom." Su Yu excused herself and slipped out.

President Li watched her go. "Director Zheng, that girl can hold her liquor."

Director Zheng nodded, smiling.

"Blegh—"

Su Yu was bent over the toilet, purging everything.

She made herself throw up.

Everyone told her it was bad for her. But Su Yu refused to let the alcohol sit in her stomach. She had to stay sharp enough to get home safe.

In this city, she had only herself. She had to protect herself.

"Blegh—"

Another wave. It took a long time before the heaving stopped.

Su Yu braced against the wall, pulled herself upright, rinsed her mouth at the sink, and splashed cold water on her face. Wake up. Stay sharp.

She toweled dry and opened the door.

And walked straight into Shen Yan—leaning against the wall.

A cigarette dangled from his lips. He looked lazily amused.

Through the haze of smoke, his eyes were unreadable.

"Done throwing up?" His tone carried a thread of mockery.

"..." Su Yu's body went taut. She had no intention of engaging.

She started walking past him.

She hadn't made it far when his voice came again. "We just slept together last night. Already forgot?"

Was this city really that small? The man she'd slept with last night—and she runs into him again this fast?

Su Yu didn't break stride. Pretended she hadn't heard a thing. Went straight back to her private room.

President Chen was out cold. When Su Yu returned, President Li suggested calling it a night—his wife was waiting at home.

Director Zheng exchanged a few more polite words and saw the men off.

Finally, it fell to Director Zheng to get President Chen back to his hotel.

The night wind was cold. After drinking, it raised goosebumps on her skin.

Su Yu shivered.

Once the presidents were gone, Chu Yao let out a long breath. She walked back to Su Yu. "Come on, I'll drive you home."

Su Yu smiled. "Yao-jie, you've been drinking. No drunk driving."

Chu Yao paused, then laughed. "I barely had any."

"Call a designated driver. I'll grab a cab."

She wasn't about to let Chu Yao risk a DUI.

In the end, Chu Yao obeyed and flagged down one of the designated drivers loitering by the entrance.

"Text me when you get home." Chu Yao didn't forget to remind her before leaving.

Su Yu nodded and waved goodbye.

She looked up at the black sky. No stars. The moon was hiding behind clouds—hazy, indistinct.

Tonight was going to be a sleepless one.

Inside the villa complex, the cab Su Yu called was slow to arrive.

She waited about ten minutes before a taxi finally pulled up.

Su Yu reached for the door handle—

A hand closed around her arm and yanked her back.

"Driver, never mind. Not going." The man shut the cab door and dismissed the driver.

The cabbie cursed. "Psycho."

And drove off.

Su Yu stared at him, incredulous. "What are you doing? Are you out of your damn mind?"

Shen Yan stood with one hand in his pocket, the other still clamped around her arm. The corner of his mouth curved. "What's with the attitude? That's not how you were last night."

Last night, this woman had been all seduction and provocation. Tonight, she wouldn't give him the time of day.

Got what she wanted and now pretending she didn't know him. Classic.

Su Yu tried to wrench free. His grip only tightened. "Last night was last night. Today is today. Let go!"

Shen Yan's eyes narrowed.

Two faces. Switching fast.

Which one was the real her?

"Su Yu."

Hearing him say her name, Su Yu's heart stuttered. Pulse spiking.

How does he know my name? Did I say it when I was drunk?

Impossible.

"You still haven't paid me for last night." Shen Yan dropped the words casually.

Every flicker of emotion in Su Yu's eyes—he caught them all. He continued, unhurried. "You said you'd pay by the hour."

Su Yu pressed her lips together. Swallowed hard. She forced her expression flat. "Name your price. I'll transfer it now."

She'd been the one to proposition him. One night's fee—she could afford it.

Shen Yan's lips curved—a half-smile, all edge. He pulled her closer, voice dropping low and slow. "I've changed my mind. I don't want the fee."