Chapter 29: “Come to my place?”

Shang Zhitao felt like she was done for. How could she have said such audacious things? She wasn’t usually that kind of person, so why did she turn into that around Luan Nian?

She spent the entire weekend regretting it, but Luan Nian didn’t let her off the hook. He messaged her in the middle of the night: “Are you coming? To my place.”

“I’ll report you,” Shang Zhitao retorted weakly, guilt evident in her voice.

“The recording?” Luan Nian’s meaning was clear—did you forget I have a recording of you? Are you really going to report me? He didn’t actually want Shang Zhitao to come to his place; he just found her amusing and had gotten into the habit of teasing her. The bit of scandal and bad reputation hadn’t affected his mood at all. He tossed his phone aside and laughed out loud.

Shang Zhitao avoided Luan Nian like a mouse avoiding a cat. Occasionally, when they ran into each other, Luan Nian would appear serious on the surface but would send her messages like, “Have you been drinking?” Drinking represented losing control, and Luan Nian tightly held onto Shang Zhitao’s weakness. After glancing at her phone, Shang Zhitao would look up with a flushed face. Lumi noticed her strange behavior and couldn’t help but ask, “Do you have some dirty pictures saved on your phone?”

...

There are no dirty pictures on my phone, just a damn bastard. Shang Zhitao thought to herself.

Sometimes, avoidance was unavoidable, like during rehearsals.

There were three rehearsals, and the bosses needed to participate in a walkthrough. Shang Zhitao was responsible for coordinating the rehearsals and communicating the director’s arrangements with the bosses. When talking to Luan Nian, unlike with the other bosses, Shang Zhitao didn’t dare look at him. When she occasionally glanced at him, her face would instantly turn red. Her blushing, in Luan Nian’s eyes, was a blatant sign of her affection for him. Luan Nian, somewhat unaware of boundaries, wanted to take advantage of her feelings towards him. His desires stirred repeatedly, and he failed to notice his own deliberate approach toward Shang Zhitao.

Finally, the day of the company celebration arrived.

The program information Luan Nian had kept secret until now was finally revealed. He was the opening act. Shang Zhitao stood at the periphery maintaining order and saw instruments being brought onto the stage. Tracy went backstage to consult Luan Nian: “How about taking a picture of you to send to the alumni?”

“Pay me.” Luan Nian was unbuttoning the satin shirt he was wearing, paired with casual jeans that accentuated his long legs. Tracy took one look at him and whistled, “God gave you quite the good looks.”

“How’s the internal audit going?”

“In progress. Are you worried?”

“No.”

Luan Nian’s friends walked in, each with their own style, yet collectively exuding charisma. Tracy thought about how many female colleagues in the company might go crazy today.

Colleagues gathered around the round tables, and in her daze, Shang Zhitao saw someone jump onto the stage, hit the drumsticks a few times, and then the music began, and the lights came on.

The man holding the electric guitar wore a satin shirt, with a few buttons undone, revealing an appealing chest partially covered. Shang Zhitao had never seen Luan Nian smile like that before. His lips curled upwards, showing his white teeth—a little mischievous, yet radiating sunshine. Her heart felt struck by something, causing a faint ache.

They had remade “I Hate Myself For Loving You.” Luan Nian’s fingers danced across the guitar strings, smiling as he exchanged glances with his bandmates. Their years of camaraderie showed in their seamless coordination, brimming with confidence and arrogance. Colleagues went wild, standing up to sway along with the music. Shang Zhitao hadn’t heard this song before, nor had she seen Luan Nian like this. His brilliance was overwhelming, and his unparalleled charm shattered people’s beliefs.

“This guy is absolutely incredible!” Lumi exclaimed for Luan Nian. Turning her head, she saw Shang Zhitao looking at Luan Nian and loudly whispered in her ear, “Shang Zhitao, there are people you can sleep with, but never fall in love with.”

Shang Zhitao understood what Lumi meant. She was saying: You two aren’t from the same world. Luan Nian is a top creative master in the industry—sharp, handsome, and talented, while you’re just someone who works hard and is ordinary. If you fall in love with him, you’ll get hurt. Of course, Shang Zhitao understood; she didn’t have such extravagant hopes, but she was drawn to Luan Nian’s brilliance.

She also wanted to become someone like Luan Nian. She used to sing on stage when she was in school. She almost forgot that she had occasional shining moments back then.

“Sleep with him tonight,” Lumi joked with Shang Zhitao, even giving her a nudge.

“No, no. Too many people want to sleep with him today.” Shang Zhitao laughed out loud, hearing voices over the walkie-talkie: “One minute left until the first performance ends. Prepare for dinner. Clear the area.”

Clearing the area referred to Shang Zhitao’s group responsible for maintaining order. After Luan Nian’s performance ended, everyone shouted, “Encore!” Seemingly in a good mood, Luan Nian sang another song.

After finishing his performance, the inexplicable breeze in Shang Zhitao’s heart dissipated. She stood at the edge of the venue watching her colleagues enjoy the banquet and appreciating the performances on stage. Worried that colleagues might bump into or fall over each other, she frequently reminded them: “Watch your step!” “Walk slowly!” She also guided the serving of dishes: “Be careful not to bump into anyone!” Diligently working.

Luan Nian was talking to Tan Mian when, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted the diligent Shang Zhitao. Her work attire had a certain spirited flair—white shirt tucked into black trousers, hair tied up high, and she looked professional holding the walkie-talkie, resembling a female bodyguard. Luan Nian chuckled. Shang Zhitao’s earnest demeanor was quite amusing.

“What’s so funny?” Tan Mian, who was speaking, asked him. He shook his head, “Nothing.”

A fixed part of the banquet was toasting. Even if Luan Nian drank sparingly, taking just a small sip from each person, he still had to drink several ounces. Soon, bosses started making rounds with their subordinates, introducing them and exchanging pleasantries: “Hope we have pleasant cooperation!” “Thank you for your support!” While speaking, their eyes were fixed on Luan Nian’s table. As soon as the crowd around him dispersed, the next group quickly approached.

Alex handed Shang Zhitao a wine pourer and a small wine glass. Shang Zhitao quickly said, “I can’t drink today! I have to work until the end.”

“Water.” Alex winked at her. “With so many people, he won’t smell each one. Just make up the numbers, come on.”

The men and women from the marketing department followed Alex to Luan Nian. Alec placed his hand on Luan Nian’s shoulder: “Luke, that performance earlier was amazing, truly charismatic!”

“Yes! So sexy!” Lumi chimed in, and everyone burst into laughter. Shang Zhitao shrank behind the others, afraid that Luan Nian would smell her wine glass. Alex began introducing employees one by one. Everyone knew the drill and stepped forward when it was their turn. When it came to Shang Zhitao, Luan Nian’s gaze fell on her wine pourer: “The girls from the marketing department have good alcohol tolerance.” Without any reason, he commented, then reached for her wine pourer. It was like when teachers randomly checked homework in school, always coincidentally picking Shang Zhitao. Luan Nian had picked her again.

Damn. Alex felt a bit nervous too. This kid Shang Zhitao was really unlucky; she couldn’t do anything wrong without getting caught.

Luan Nian sniffed Shang Zhitao’s wine pourer: “My hay fever is acting up today.” Then he handed the pourer back to her, assuming she wouldn’t dare drink anymore.

Everyone laughed, relieved that Shang Zhitao had escaped trouble.

The glasses clinked, and Luan Nian smiled and said, “Everyone’s worked hard. Let’s keep pushing forward together.”

The banquet lasted until ten o’clock before dispersing. Tan Mian had drunk too much, so Luan Nian arranged for Liu Wu to take him home early. After the event ended, he called for a designated driver. Alex, being considerate, said to Luan Nian, “It’s hard to get a car at this hour. How about sending someone from the marketing department to take Luke home?”

“That’s fine. Thank you for the trouble.” Luan Nian put away his phone.

Alex went to find someone and saw Shang Zhitao, who had just changed clothes and was eating fruit. She’d been busy up to this point, having eaten only a small piece of cake and grabbing a fruit platter from the kitchen to fill her stomach, then preparing to go home.

“Flora.”

“Alex.”

“Can you drive?”

“Yes.” Shang Zhitao had just gotten her driver’s license last weekend and was still in a state of unwarranted confidence: “What’s up?”

“You go and send the boss home.”

“Got it! Which boss?”

“Luke.”

… “Alright!”

Alex found someone and brought Shang Zhitao to Luan Nian: “Let Flora take you.”

“Can you drive?” Luan Nian’s eyes widened.

“Yes, of course.” Shang Zhitao, unwilling to back down, raised her chin.

Luan Nian couldn’t refuse Alex’s face-saving gesture and had to say, “Then I’ll trouble Flora.”

“I’m glad to serve the boss!” Shang Zhitao shouted her slogan confidently and followed Luan Nian to the underground parking garage.

Most people had already left, and there were few cars remaining in the hotel’s underground parking lot. Shang Zhitao thought exiting should be easy, provided she drove in the right direction. When they reached Luan Nian’s car, she realized he had switched vehicles. It was her dream car. Before getting in, she carefully followed her instructor’s advice, walking around the car to observe the surroundings, like performing a ritual. Then she extended her hand to Luan Nian: “Luke, please hand me your car keys.”

Luan Nian suddenly felt regretful. Why did he care about saving face for Alex? Shang Zhitao driving looked like performing a ritual—it was a bit scary. But it was too late to back out gracefully, so he reluctantly placed the car keys in her palm.

Shang Zhitao was full of confidence. What’s the big deal? Her coach had said she had talent! She got in the car, adjusted the seat, the rearview mirror, and fastened her seatbelt. The lessons from driving school were still fresh in her mind, not forgotten at all. Then she inserted the key, shifted gears, released the handbrake, and mentally said, “Let’s go!”

Bang!

Exiting the garage was easy, provided the driving direction was correct.

Luan Nian instantly sobered up. He sat motionless, and so did Shang Zhitao, too scared to speak.

After a while, Luan Nian finally spoke: “How long have you been driving?”

Shang Zhitao extended one pale finger and said guiltily, “One week.”

Luan Nian felt like his skull was about to explode from anger. One week and you dare say you can drive! He restrained the urge to strangle Shang Zhitao. However, Shang Zhitao fearlessly said, “Luke... We need... to call the insurance company…”

This car cost Luan Nian nearly two million yuan. He had picked it up last weekend and driven it for the first time today. Talk about bad luck—the car’s age matched Shang Zhitao’s driving experience.

Shang Zhitao showed good remorse and proactively suggested, “How about this? I’ll wait with you for the insurance company since you’re the owner.”

Luan Nian glared at her and leaned back in his seat to sober up. The oppressive silence was spine-chilling. Shang Zhitao’s stomach growled, breaking the awkwardness and turning it into another kind of awkwardness.

“Didn’t eat?” Luan Nian asked her.

“No…”

Luan Nian sighed and called Liu Wu: “Come back to the venue later to handle the accident for me. I’ll leave first.” Liu Wu didn’t ask further questions, simply agreeing, “Alright, you go ahead. I’ll handle it.”

The two exited the garage, and there was no one around anymore. Finally, they managed to hail a taxi. Shang Zhitao quickly said, “Send this gentleman first.” Shang Zhitao was trying to ingratiate herself with Luan Nian, fearing he would realize and make her pay compensation. That collision on Luan Nian’s car could wipe out six months of her salary.

Luan Nian remained silent, watching Shang Zhitao fawning over him. A man’s attachment to his car is akin to his attachment to a woman. Having his newly purchased car crashed by Shang Zhitao, even the most generous person would want to scold her. But it wasn’t appropriate to scold her in the car. How to reprimand? What if the taxi driver laughed at him for being petty? Suppressing his emotions, they reached the destination, and he dropped a curt, “Get out!”

The two stood in the cold wind. Luan Nian mustered all his strength to give Shang Zhitao a proper scolding. She probably knew she was wrong, avoiding his gaze and looking elsewhere.

“Do you really know how to drive?” Luan Nian glared at her.

“Yes… I have a driver’s license…” Shang Zhitao looked very aggrieved.

“Having a license doesn’t mean you know how to drive.” Seeing her on the verge of tears, Luan Nian internally convinced himself, “Enough, enough. No need. There’s insurance.”

Shang Zhitao’s stomach growled again. She was starving. She had entered the venue early in the morning, barely ate a few bites of boxed lunch at noon, and had just started eating fruit when Alex pulled her away to send Luan Nian home. She was so hungry she felt like throwing up.

Luan Nian glared at her and muttered, “I’m hungry too. Let’s go.”

“Where to?”

“Obviously to my place to eat something. Where else?”

“Isn’t that inconvenient?” With your scandal unresolved, aren’t you bold? Later, I’ll report you for seducing a subordinate.

“Are you sick?”

...

Shang Zhitao thought, you’re right. If people hear about Luan Nian and me, they’d probably say, “How much effort did Shang Zhitao put into getting Luke? Did she drug him?” Luan Nian’s scandals would never involve her. Between them, everything seemed as pure as could be.

Shang Zhitao followed Luan Nian to his home, feeling a bit constrained at the entrance. Luan Nian pointed to the shoe cabinet: “Change your shoes.”

“Oh.” Shang Zhitao changed her shoes and, upon standing up, saw Luan Nian take off his coat. His broad shoulders and well-defined waist were truly attractive.

Luan Nian went to the kitchen. He had consumed a lot of alcohol today and hadn’t eaten much, leaving his stomach empty. Shang Zhitao followed him and watched as he took pasta and steak out of the fridge. Surprisingly, he could cook. Feeling a bit embarrassed, she softly asked, “Do you need me to do anything?”

“No.”

Shang Zhitao couldn’t be as relaxed as Luan Nian, who seemed completely at ease being alone with a woman. Shang Zhitao had only experienced such closeness with Xin Zhaozhou before, but back then, they were extremely familiar, so familiar that they didn’t feel constrained.

She sat primly on the sofa waiting, then saw Luan Nian bring out pasta and steak: “Come and eat.”