Chapter 717: I'll Come Pick You Up

After a long moment—"Young President Liu is truly thoughtful..."

Chen Jialin forced a smile, her gaze shifting between Liu Qingze and Cai Xiaotang with growing confusion; she already had an answer in her heart.

Hmph...

No wonder this job was assigned directly to Cai Xiaotang!

The relationship between the two of them was clearly not ordinary!

However...

She had inquired today; this Young President Liu had only just returned from abroad not long ago, so how could he possibly know her?

Something must have happened at the hotel today...

Men, isn't their head just filled with that bit of business below the waist?

Thinking this, Chen Jialin suddenly raised her wine glass and smiled as she gestured toward Liu Qingze.

"Young President Liu, don't mind me being meddlesome, but at my age, I look at Xiao Tang as if she were my own younger sister. You don't look very old either, I wonder... do you have a girlfriend? If not, our Xiao Tang is quite popular; several partners have liked her before. If you get along with her, don't miss the opportunity..."

She pretended to tease, but in reality, she was once again labeling Cai Xiaotang as a "vase."

Many partners like her... if one thinks about this carefully, there is plenty to ponder.

"Sister Chen."

Cai Xiaotang finally interrupted her, unable to endure it any longer.

Is there no end to this?

It's a proper work dinner, why must some people make it like pimping?

Her own affairs don't need others to worry about!

She was just about to retort when she suddenly heard Liu Qingze's voice ring out without emotion: "That's true, one comes into contact with many people in this industry, and one's appearance indeed makes a very important first impression..."

He paused for a moment, his gaze suddenly looking straight at Chen Jialin: "Forgive my bluntness, but I wonder if you are also this popular at your age?"

Chen Jialin's expression changed instantly as she was choked by his words.

She was about thirty-five or thirty-six this year; no matter how she dressed, the traces of time were visible at a glance. For a moment, it was neither right to answer "popular" nor "not popular."

"Ahem..."

Cai Xiaotang coughed lightly, almost laughing out loud at this blunt way of choking someone.

Can this kid really talk?

Who leaves someone with so little face during their first collaboration?

The others also had varied expressions, all looking as if they were watching a good show.

Even Cheng Yue didn't speak up.

Finally—"Buzz," someone's phone suddenly rang.

Cai Xiaotang snapped back to reality, and hearing it was her own ringtone, she hurriedly stood up.

"Sorry, I'm going to take a call."

She took her phone and hurried out the door, not forgetting to glance at Liu Qingze with amusement as she left.

Once out of the private room, Cai Xiaotang saw that it was a call from Li Xiao.

She adjusted her mood before answering.

"Hello? What is it?"

Cai Xiaotang asked, feigning indifference.

On the other end of the line, Li Xiao chuckled: "Nothing, just wanted to ask you, how does it feel to be back at work?"

Perhaps because his tone sounded somewhat gentle, Cai Xiaotang was momentarily dazed.

She then hurriedly replied: "How else could it feel? The same as before."

Outside the hot pot restaurant—Li Xiao was sitting in his car, drawing out his voice: "Oh... then what time do you get off work? It's snowing outside, it's not safe to drive yourself; I'll come pick you up."

"No need, I'm at a dinner, I'm not sure what time it will end, you don't need to wait for me."

Cai Xiaotang refused quickly.

"I..."

Li Xiao wanted to say something else, but the person on the other end had already hung up the phone.

He froze for a moment, then had to put down his phone and helplessly glance at someone's car parked not far away.

Inside the restaurant—Cai Xiaotang put down her phone but didn't rush back, instead standing in place with a frown.

Coming to pick her up?

Is that guy Li Xiao that enthusiastic?

Or is it that someone is watching her again?

That can't be... if that were really the case, he would have sent bodyguards long ago!

Cai Xiaotang felt inexplicably restless again, and too lazy to overthink it, she returned to the private room.

In the room, everyone was chatting about recent gossip news, as if nothing had just happened.

Seeing her return, Liu Qingze casually poured a glass of juice and placed it in front of her.

Although this attracted attention, no one dared to say anything more.

Cai Xiaotang sighed helplessly in her heart; seeing that someone seemed determined to show that the two of them had a "very good relationship," she had no choice but to say nothing more.

After three rounds of drinks—thinking about work the next day, everyone didn't stay long.

Cai Xiaotang didn't go out with the others, but went to the restroom instead.

As soon as she came out, she saw Liu Qingze leaning against the wall, seemingly waiting for her.

"Why haven't you left?"

Cai Xiaotang was somewhat surprised.

Liu Qingze had only drunk a little alcohol today, yet his face was somewhat flushed; hearing this, he lazily swept a glance at her and answered irrelevantly: "Those people..."

"Don't know you're married?"

"Ah..."

Cai Xiaotang suddenly reacted and explained in a casual tone: "They don't know. It's just a marriage, no need to make a big scene and announce it to the world, right? Do you think I don't get discussed enough by them with my reputation for attracting trouble? If they found out about Li Xiao's identity..."

She did not continue speaking, only silently adding in her heart.

Besides, she was only in a fake marriage, what was there to notify anyone about?

Those people were just ordinary colleagues; even if some had decent family backgrounds, they were still a hundred thousand miles away from the Mu Family and the Li Family—they simply weren't in the same social class.

"Oh, alright."

Liu Qingze hadn't expected her to answer so readily; he opened his mouth as if wanting to say something, but then said nothing at all.

For an average woman, marrying into the Li Family would probably be an incredibly "glorious" thing, right?

Even if it were just a business marriage, it would be the same.

Yet she was different; not only did she keep it hidden, she even insisted on coming out to work...

How could there be such a unique and interesting woman?

"Alright, are you drunk? Hurry back and rest; a kid like you trying to drink like an adult..."

Seeing him standing there without speaking, Cai Xiaotang amusedly stepped forward and patted his arm.

But she was suddenly caught off guard when someone gripped her wrist.

"You... what are you doing?"

Cai Xiaotang froze in place, looking at Liu Qingze in confusion.

Liu Qingze's eyes were sparkling, and he stared at her without blinking.

After a long while—Liu Qingze pulled her hand away with a serious expression.

"Married woman, keep your distance."

He spat out those eight words with a serious expression, though it was unclear who he was reminding.

"Who are you calling a woman?!"

Cai Xiaotang didn't notice his mood, but was instead infuriated by the word "woman," and immediately turned to walk ahead.

She muttered unhappily under her breath: "I was going to help you, but walk by yourself then!"

Liu Qingze followed with a smile, his gaze unable to stop lingering on her, recalling what Chen Jialin had said today.

"Our Xiao Tang is very popular, after all..."

Popular?

If she weren't married...

Liu Qingze's thoughts stirred slightly, as if some inexplicable emotion had flashed by, but before he could ponder it carefully, he had already walked out and caught a glimpse of a familiar figure standing in front of a car.

Cai Xiaotang also stopped in her tracks, staring at the same direction in surprise.

Li Xiao... why is he here?