Her eyes were ice, locking onto me with none of her usual warmth. I met her gaze. "Ms. Lu," I began, "fancy seeing you here." She scoffed. "The feeling's mutual." I knew better than to expect any kindness from her, so I had no intention of engaging. I moved to walk past her, but she grabbed my arm. "Tang Li, the Gu family would never accept you, and the Lu family is an even bigger fantasy. I don't know what dirty tricks you used to get my brother to bring you into the company, but you'd better learn your place. Don't even think about getting ideas about my brother, and stay the hell away from Zhizhou. A pheasant is just a pheasant. It'll never become a phoenix." I pried her fingers off my arm. A cold smile touched my lips. "You're a busy woman, aren't you, Ms. Lu? First worrying about your fiancé, now your brother. You know, after all that, you've actually made me curious. I wonder what it would be like to be Mr. Lu's girlfriend." "You!" Her eyes blazed as she raised a hand to slap me. "Tang Li, you're shameless!" I caught her wrist before it could connect. My patience had worn thin. I shoved her back, my voice dropping to an icy tone. "Lu Ke'er, if you want to play the part of the gentle, virtuous lady for all the men, then fine. But play your part and stay the hell out of my way. I have no interest in your brother, and I want your man even less." I stepped around her and walked straight to our private room. Her voice followed me, laced with resentment. "You'd better mean what you said, Tang Li. Or I'll make you regret it." Not bothering to give her the satisfaction of a reply, I went straight into the private room. After a few rounds of drinks, everyone was pleasantly buzzed. It was getting late, and the room had mostly emptied out. Liu Xue had her fair share to drink, too. "Tang Li," she said, her words slightly slurred, "I'm in no state to drive you. You'll have to grab a taxi, okay?" I nodded, watching her stumble away on her husband's arm. Downstairs, outside the restaurant, Lu Yi stood waiting. Though he'd had plenty to drink, his composure was perfect; he looked as sober as ever. He saw me standing by the curb, waiting for a car. His voice was as gentle and refined as always. "It's hard to get a cab around here," he said. "Let me give you a ride." I shook my head, an instinctive refusal. "No, thank you. I'm sure one will be along soon." He studied me, his dark eyes narrowing slightly. "You've been avoiding me lately, haven't you?" I quickly forced a smile and shook my head. "Mr. Lu, you're exaggerating. I—" "No need to deny it," he cut in, his voice a little hoarse, perhaps from the alcohol. "I went to a lot of trouble to get you a position at Lu Corporation. I admit, I had my own motives, but your professional ability was the main reason. Tang Li, everyone has a past. That doesn't mean we have to live in it. We have to move forward. You're an exceptional woman, and you deserve to be treated well. I hope you'll stop keeping me at such a distance." His words left me momentarily stunned. I simply nodded and murmured an affirmation. Some things only get messier the more you try to explain them. As far as I was concerned, keeping my distance from him was exactly what I was supposed to be doing. Seeing my silence, he sighed softly. "Come on," he said, "I'll take you home." A refusal was on the tip of my tongue, but he spoke first. "Don't say no, Tang Li. If you do, I'll think you didn't hear a word I just said." Well, that was that. He'd cut off any possible argument. "Alright. Thank you, Mr. Lu," I said, getting into the car. A satisfied smile played on his lips as he gestured for me to buckle up. Before he could start the engine, Lu Ke'er emerged from the restaurant, clinging to Gu Zhizhou's arm. "Brother!" she called out from a distance. Lu Yi's gaze followed her voice. Seeing the two of them, he raised an eyebrow. "You two were having dinner here?" he asked mildly. Lu Ke'er dragged Gu Zhizhou over to the car. Leaning against the passenger-side window, she addressed Lu Yi, but her eyes were fixed on me. "Yes, Zhizhou had some business to discuss, so I tagged along." Her voice was suddenly a full octave higher, as if to ensure Gu Zhizhou was perfectly aware I was in the car. "Oh, Ms. Tang! You're here too!" Lu Yi glanced at her, his tone flat. "Tang Li works at Lu Corporation. She had a bit to drink, so I'm giving her a ride home. You two get home safe." With that, he started the engine and pulled away, leaving Lu Ke'er standing on the curb before she could say another word.