Xiu Mei squinted her eyes a little bit, trying to get a good look at the guy. At that time, she was already a bit tipsy with all the mixed drinks she’s been drinking with her friends so her mind wasn’t at her best state at all.

  But looking at this stranger introducing himself to her as a new employee in their company, she couldn’t help but frown.

  ’Why the hell is this guy abruptly introducing himself to her?’ is what she thought.

  It’s not like she’s even aware of the changes in employees in the different departments. The people she usually talks with are the heads of the department and if needed, the team captains.

  But not to make it so awkward for the guy, she dryly responded to his introduction.

  "Oh. Nice to meet you."

  She wanted to return to her table quickly but before she could even take her first step, another voice called her out.

  "Well, if you look at that. Hanging out with some random man. I didn’t take you to be the type to pedal on two boats ah, Xiu Mei." Yu Zhenzhen uttered.

  Xiu Mei frowned and turned to look behind her. Yu Zhenzhen looked at her in a very condescending manner while crossing her arms.

  "Yu Zhenzhen, aren’t you getting tired of trying to pick a fight with me?"

  "Oh my, is Xiu Mei getting offended?"

  "Are you blind? I’m just saying that I’m getting tired of wasting my energy on you ah. But recalling your comprehension score back in middle school, I’ll be kind and understand that you simply don’t understand all that I’m saying."

  "You—!"

  "Ah, and before I forgot. I think you should really get your ears and eyes checked. Where did you see me flirting with another man ah? Or……" Xiu Mei narrowed her eyes. "……is it that you’re the one who hired this man so you could frame me?"

  "Do you think I’d resort to such petty methods?!"

  Xiu Mei shrugged while looking very laidback. "I mean you did do that a lot back in the days. Don’t you remember getting scolded by your Dad because of it?"

  "I—"

  Xiu Mei patted her shoulder lightly while speaking to her, "Yu Zhenzhen, you should be careful ah. Your Dad’s currently the Prime Minister, and if the media gets a wind how his daughter acts in public, do you think you’ll still be able to get away with it?"

  "……"

  With the mention of the Prime Minister, Yu Zhenzhen fell silent. No one knows better than her how much her Dad gives importance to his image in public. If she really dared to act out right here, her Dad would surely teach her a lesson and keep her locked up in the mansion for a while.

  Thinking that Yu Zhenzhen was backing down now, Xiu Mei started walking back to the ball hall. She paused when Yu Zhenzhen called her out again for the second time.

  "Xiu Mei, now that you’re back, do you think I’ll back down like this?" Yu Zhenzhen glared fiercely at her this time.

  Xiu Mei didn’t give her a response and just looked at her as if she doesn’t care at all what she was going to say next.

  "Do you think you’ll still be fine once the whole world finds out what happened ten years ago?"

  Xiu Mei stiffened, clenching her fists as anger slowly rose within her.

  "Do you think I’ll still be scared if you threaten me with that?" She retorted. Xiu Mei snorted continuing her statement, "You’re making me laugh, Yu Zhenzhen. How many years do you think have passed ah? Besides, you think you know everything so well but in reality, you only know what’s on the surface ah."

  "Doesn’t matter if it’s the truth or not. Once it goes public, do you think you can still keep your career and your image as the good daughter of the Xiu family?"

  "You’re taking me as a little lamb ah." Xiu Mei’s eyes quickly changed to a cold stare, as if she was trying to stab daggers at Yu Zhenzhen with her gaze. "Yu Zhenzhen, if you continue testing me like this, I don’t think you can even hide under the umbrella of your father ah."

  Xiu Mei picked some strands of Yu Zhenzhen’s hair and twirled it around her fingers.

  "I’m not the same Xiu Mei that you could still easily pick on ah. And I’m not planning to hide anymore. So don’t waste your time on threatening me like this because it’s not gonna work at all."

  And with that, she returned back to the ball hall, completely forgetting the presence of Albert Chen who was listening in on their conversation.

  After witnessing that scene, Albert Chen snorted. Yu Zhenzhen thought that the man was laughing at her so she was just about to burst a tantrum and roar at the stranger.

  Before she could utter any word, in the blink of an eye, the man was already standing in front of her while pointing a gun at her head.

  "Y-You……" Yu Zhenzhen stammered in fear and panic, afraid that this guy will suddenly slip and pull the trigger.

  ��Shut the f.u.c.k up." Albert Chen threateningly remarked while looking coldly at the stupid woman in front of him. He threatened her with the gun for a few more seconds before finally putting down his gun.

  Then he exited the hotel while avoiding all the CCTV around the hotel. He pulled out his phone and made a call.

  "Miss, the target doesn’t seem to recognize me at all." He reported to the other line.

  "Good. Then continue with the plan. Make sure to get close to that bitch and don’t alert anyone for now."

  "Roger that."

  Back at the party.

  Xiu Mei was back to hanging out with her other batchmates while continuously sipping some champagne.

  She mingled with them for some idle chat and tried picking up some news in some of the companies they’re working for. Right now, Xiu Mei was half-working by keeping tabs on some companies that could potentially be a good partner or someone that they should be wary of.

  She was too absorbed in talking with other people plus the multiple glasses of alcohol that she already drunk throughout the night that she didn’t hear that someone was calling on her phone.

  Half an hour later, Lu Chen arrived at the hotel where the party is at. Luckily, he was still in his suit and tie so he can still go in. After making a call to the owner of the hotel, he did not need an invitation to be allowed inside the hall.

  Lu Chen nonchalantly entered the hall, ignoring the gazes of the people who saw him suddenly intruding the party. He was immediately recognized by the people making them buzz curiously with gossip as to why the famous President and CEO of Lu Corporation is at the party.

  "Are you looking for Xiu Mei?" Jia Ying approached Lu Chen. Since he doesn’t know her at all, he looked at her indifferently before looking away to look for Xiu Mei’s figure again.

  "Don’t worry, I’m her friend." Then she pointed at her left. "Xiu Mei’s at that table over there near the pillar, chatting with some of our classmates."

  Following her line of sight, Lu Chen finally spotted Xiu Mei drinking with some men and women on that table. He nodded at the woman as an appreciation for the gestured before walking towards Xiu Mei.

  Xiu Mei was still too absorbed with her chat she didn’t notice the some of the people around her turning silent. It was only when she felt something heavy and warm being placed on her shoulders that she turned to look behind her and saw Lu Chen.

  She almost jumped in surprise in her seat after being startled by his sudden appearance. She looked at him, clearly very baffled.

  Why is he suddenly here? Wasn’t he supposed to leave Washington tomorrow?

  "When did you arrive back here?" She asked.

  "Just an hour ago. I drove here immediately as soon as the plane landed."

  "?"

  Why is Lu Chen suddenly looking for her?

  Lu Chen glanced at his watch before finally greeting the people who were chatting with Xiu Mei just now.

  "Hello, apologies for disturbing your chat. Unfortunately, I would have to cut your conversation short with my girlfriend since we have to go home now." Lu Chen smoothly exclaimed, earning some gasps from the people who heard his statement.

  After all, they haven’t really publicly confirmed their relationship since the news from weeks ago. And now, he was plainly announcing to the world that he and Xiu Mei are in a relationship.

  "The party’s still not over though."

  Xiu Mei pouted, wanting to stay throughout the party.

  Lu Chen lowered his head and whispered to Xiu Mei’s ear.

  "Lu Qiang is still awake and waiting for you at home."

  "What?"

  Didn’t she tell the kid not to wait for her? And she also asked the nanny to put him to bed if he couldn’t sleep ah. Why’s the kid still awake this late?

  Because of that Xiu Mei finally gave in and decided to call it a night.