For Tang Yu’s birthday, she invited a few people from the Marketing Department, along with two from the Live Broadcast Department. When Su Hao and Tang Yu walked in, everyone in the private room froze.

 

One by one, they seemed about to stand, but Tang Yu gestured at them, “No need to stand to welcome us. Make yourselves comfortable.”

 

“Welcome you? We’re welcoming Su Hao!” Tang Yu’s assistant quickly got up and pulled out a seat for Su Hao. “Su Hao, please sit.”

 

Su Hao raised an eyebrow and said, “Thank you.”

 

Their enthusiasm toward her was overwhelming.

 

Once Su Hao sat down, the others gradually took their seats. Tang Yu clicked her tongue and sat beside her. Honestly, she had wanted to treat Su Hao like this herself, but she was afraid Su Hao would notice, so she tried to maintain her composure.

 

Yesterday’s incident had exploded throughout the company.

 

Not long ago, everyone had been speculating about what the company’s new brand ambassador, Su Hao, looked like. Then this incident happened. When Director Zhou got angry, it shook the entire headquarters.

 

And he fired someone without hesitation—it was terrifying.

 

Recalling this, everyone immediately respected Su Hao.

 

To be honest, most of them were long-time employees and often gossiped about Zhou Yang in the group chat. They knew how he treated girlfriends versus pursuers. This man had always been arrogant. Even with his girlfriend, he had limits; there was no way he would mess with his own employees because of them.

 

Zhou Yang even forbade girlfriends from attending meetings at the company. Why did people say he was good to Lu Mimi? Two years ago, his girlfriend ran into the striking Lu Mimi downstairs at the company, and Zhou Yang came down with her. He immediately got jealous.

 

The next day, the girlfriend came to the office while Zhou Yang was away, attempting to get Lu Mimi fired. Zhou Yang found out and even warned her.

 

Although the couple didn’t break up, it was obvious that Zhou Yang’s feelings for her were lukewarm.

 

In contrast, Lu Mimi had been quite glamorous during that period.

 

But no matter how glamorous, it was meaningless now. For Su Hao, someone could be fired in an instant. Not just Lu Mimi, even senior employee Zhang Xian would have been fired if she had crossed him—she was just one step away from a promotion. All because of the fabricated isolation of Su Hao.

 

So now, everyone looked at Su Hao with genuine warmth and respect.

 

“Su Hao, try this. It’s delicious.”

 

“And this one—the ribs are amazing.”

 

“Su Hao, do you like seaweed? I’ll serve you some.”

 

Tang Yu, the birthday girl, was completely ignored, but she didn’t mind. She even helped Su Hao serve herself. Su Hao immediately waved her hand: “Enough, enough. Today’s Tang Yu’s birthday.”

 

“Oh, right, Tang Yu’s birthday! Let’s toast to you.” The group seemed to just remember, raising their glasses to toast Tang Yu. She smiled and lifted her glass. “Thank you all for supporting me over the years. It’s thanks to you that I’ve achieved what I have today. Truly, thank you.”

 

Her confidence shone from her expression.

 

Tang Yu was impressive in sales; she was known as a queen in Fei Festival circles.

 

“Oh, no need to be polite. We all rely on you for our jobs anyway.”

 

“Hahaha, alright, let’s drink!” Tang Yu raised her glass forward.

 

Standing beside her, Su Hao poured herself a large glass. She looked at Tang Yu—so poised, with so many people following her—and felt both admiration and envy.

 

Confidence truly had to be earned.

 

Su Hao raised her glass and clinked it with Tang Yu’s, her eyes curved in a gentle smile. “Congratulations. I hope you buy your new house soon.”

 

“Haha, I like that.” Tang Yu laughed heartily, clinking glasses with Su Hao. “I will. Next year, I’ll buy it. You’ll have to come see it.”

 

Su Hao nodded. “Okay.”

 

Everyone tilted their heads back and drank.

 

Su Hao, unrestrained, took a long sip.

 

Tang Yu grabbed her hand and said, “I’m counting on you to cover me.”

 

The alcohol was strong. After drinking, Su Hao felt her throat burn and hiccupped. She thought Tang Yu was joking and didn’t take it seriously.

 

They ate for over an hour, and outside, the sky had darkened.

 

Tang Yu had also arranged a KTV room. A group of people, hiccupping from the alcohol, left the restaurant and headed upstairs, along with the birthday cake.

 

Upon entering the KTV room, everyone was scattered, selecting songs.

 

Tipsy, Su Hao sat in a chair, quietly stifling a yawn.

 

Tang Yu frequently went in and out of the room, seemingly waiting for someone. After a while, she returned and sat beside Su Hao, noticing that she was a little drunk. She patted her shoulder gently. “Su Hao?”

 

Su Hao glanced at her, lips pursed in a small smile, eyes glistening.

 

Tang Yu thought: She’s really beautiful.

 

At that moment, the door to the room opened. Everyone turned to look. Zhou Yang walked in, holding a jacket and with a cigarette in his mouth. His narrow eyes scanned the room.

 

Everyone was shocked.

 

“D-Director Zhou!”

 

“Director Zhou!”

 

“Whoa, honored to have you here!”

 

They had never had a chance to be in the same room as Zhou Yang. Normally, they could only gossip in the group chat or catch glimpses from afar during meetings. Now, seeing him so close, they stuttered.

 

Tang Yu immediately stood up upon seeing Zhou Yang. “Director Zhou.”

 

“You pick such a place to celebrate?” Zhou Yang’s expression showed clear disdain. “Not even a parking spot.”

 

He glanced at the fruit on the table.

 

Taking out his cigarette, he stubbed it out. “Change the location.”

 

Everyone had thought this place was fine, but with Zhou Yang’s disapproval, it suddenly seemed underwhelming.

 

After stubbing the cigarette, Zhou Yang noticed Su Hao sitting dazed on the sofa. He paused and instinctively handed his jacket to Tang Yu, who carefully took it, one hand holding it to prevent damage.

 

Zhou Yang rolled up his sleeves, showing his watch, and asked, “Has she been drinking?”

 

“Yes, just a little. Seems drunk. Su Hao really can’t handle alcohol.”

 

The tall man walked over and scoffed, “She can’t drink. One glass and down she goes.”

 

Previously in Kyoto, she had been drunk enough that she didn’t even notice when he touched her.

 

He approached. Su Hao rubbed her forehead, fanning herself as if she were hot. Zhou Yang tensed slightly. After a few seconds, he crouched in front of her, looking up at her.

 

She was a bit disoriented, her beautiful eyes misty, looking down at him.

 

Seeing this, Zhou Yang’s throat tightened.

 

She tilted her head slightly, hair falling down, eyes curved, a faint smile forming with a dimple. Zhou Yang’s breath caught, his heart pounding like it would leap out of his chest. He lowered his head, the cold, firm jaw pressing against Su Hao’s knee, the corner of his lips curling into a mischievous smile.

 

Zhou Yang, you’re done for.

 

Everyone witnessing this froze in shock, holding their breath so as not to disturb him.

 

“Is… this him submitting?”

 

Someone whispered hoarsely.

 

Ten minutes later, Zhou Yang stood up, scooped the drunk Su Hao into his arms, and said to Tang Yu, “Since she’s drunk, I’ll take her home. You all move to another place—the Starry Sky Club.”

 

Starry Sky Club?

 

Whoa!

 

A high-end place! Tang Yu’s eyes lit up. Tonight was a win, thanks to Su Hao. She gasped and asked, “Director Zhou, what about her clothes?”

 

“Put it on her.”

 

Tang Yu immediately draped the jacket over Su Hao’s shoulders. She was already drunk and leaning against his chest, breathing softly.

 

After arranging the jacket, Tang Yu whispered, “Director Zhou, make sure you safely take Su Hao home. Her mom added me on WeChat—she’ll ask.”

 

Zhou Yang raised an eyebrow. “Got it.”

 

He looked at the woman in his arms and strode toward the door. Tang Yu exhaled, running ahead to press the elevator button. Zhou Yang carried Su Hao downstairs.

 

Outside, a Hummer waited. He placed her in the back seat, buckled her in. Su Hao rested her head low, leaning against the seat. Zhou Yang didn’t leave, watching her for a moment, then reached out to brush her hair from her forehead, tilting her chin up to look at her sleeping face.

 

He watched for a long while before letting go and starting the car.

 

The drive to Su Hao’s place wasn’t far. Not long after, her phone rang. Zhou Yang, using the red light as cover, took the phone and glanced at it.

 

[Mom]

 

It was Cheng Ling.

 

Zhou Yang coughed, didn’t answer, and returned the phone.

 

Soon, the car arrived at the Huahui Community. At the entrance stood a tall, refined man, pressing buttons on his phone. Zhou Yang squinted, rolling down the window to glance at him.

 

It was Tang Rui.

 

He sneered.

 

Then he got out, bent to unbuckle Su Hao’s seatbelt, and scooped her up, holding her against his chest.

 

Her clothes were thin.

 

She shifted slightly, and Zhou Yang bent down to kiss her forehead.

 

Then he looked up.

 

His eyes met Tang Rui’s probing gaze.

 

Their eyes locked. Zhou Yang’s narrow eyes darkened, exuding pressure. He lowered his head, kissed Su Hao’s forehead again, moving downward.

 

“Tang Rui!” Tang Rui finally couldn’t hold back.

 

The air smelled of alcohol.

 

He guessed Su Hao was drunk.

 

Su Hao’s phone rang again—it was Cheng Ling urging her.

 

Zhou Yang furrowed his brows but restrained himself.

 

He headed up the stairs. Tang Rui, realizing that the person in his arms was indeed Su Hao, changed expression and followed. Zhou Yang heard footsteps and coldly said, “Leave.”

 

Tang Rui didn’t respond.

 

The two men confronted each other up to the third floor. Perhaps Cheng Ling sensed something or was simply worried. The door opened, and she peeked out.

 

She saw two tall men standing tensely outside and froze. Then she saw Su Hao in Zhou Yang’s arms, eyes wide. “Su…”

 

“Aunt Cheng, Su Hao got drunk at Tang Yu’s birthday party,” Zhou Yang tightened his hold. Every breath of hers seemed to demand his life.

 

So he carefully set her down.

 

“Oh, I see. Come in, come in. Thank you,” Cheng Ling reacted and stepped aside.

 

Zhou Yang glanced at Tang Rui with a cold, silent smirk, then entered, following Cheng Ling straight into the master bedroom. He carefully laid Su Hao on the bed. Her room smelled faintly of her own scent. He withdrew his hand, glancing casually around the room.

 

Cheng Ling tucked in the blanket and invited Zhou Yang out. He straightened his collar, smiled faintly, and left.

 

Cheng Ling looked at Tang Rui, lips curling. “Have you eaten tonight?”

 

Zhou Yang’s expression shifted slightly.

 

He looked at Tang Rui.

 

Did Aunt Cheng really like this ex-husband of hers?