She was very nervous, afraid of being exposed. Fortunately, her acting skills were good enough, and Lu Mingyu didn't suspect anything.
After the entire night's event, Shi Xinxin felt her legs had gone stiff.
She secretly rejoiced that she hadn't drunk any alcohol, otherwise, she truly wouldn't have been able to endure it.
"Brother Lu, it's getting late, let's head back."
"Mm, you must be exhausted. I'll take you home to rest."
"President Lu, you don't need to. I can go back by myself."
"It's on my way."
"No, no, it's too much trouble for you."
Lu Mingyu glanced at the time. "Let's go. If we dawdle any longer, we might be late."
"...Oh, alright."
Lu Mingyu took Shi Xinxin away from the banquet hall and they drove back to the villa.
Shi Xinxin looked at the flashing neon lights outside the window, her mind filled with Sheng Chenjin's image.
She suddenly felt very worried. What if she accidentally revealed her identity?
She didn't want Sheng Chenjin to dislike her because of it.
The car was silent, with no sound other than the driver's.
Suddenly, a pleasant ringtone broke the silence. It was Shi Xinxin's phone.
Shi Xinxin took out her phone and saw the name Sheng Chenjin displayed on the screen.
She froze for a moment, instinctively turning her head to look at Lu Mingyu, only to meet his dark eyes.
"President Lu..." Shi Xinxin swallowed, fumbled to answer the call, "Hello..."
"Xinxin, why haven't you come back yet?" Sheng Chenjin's tone on the other end of the line was slightly accusatory.
"I'm coming back soon, I..." Shi Xinxin bit her lip. "I can't go back tonight."
"Why?" Sheng Chenjin's tone became noticeably colder. "Did another boy ask you out?"
"No."
Shi Xinxin shook her head quickly. She knew that if she admitted another boy had asked her out, Sheng Chenjin would immediately fly back to the country.
"You're lying to me!"
"I... I'm attending a class reunion. I'll explain everything in detail when I get back."
Sheng Chenjin fell silent for a moment, then said, "Okay, I'll be waiting for your news."
"Okay." Shi Xinxin nodded, hung up the phone, took a deep breath, and handed her phone to Lu Mingyu. "President Lu, this is my phone number. I left my phone in the restroom and forgot to take it."
Lu Mingyu took the phone. "Remember, from now on, don't call me President Lu."
"... " Shi Xinxin was stunned. "Then what should I call you?"
Lu Mingyu curved his lips into a smile. "Call me by my name, or Mingyu."
"Lu Mingyu..." Shi Xinxin murmured to herself. "What a strange name."
Lu Mingyu raised an eyebrow. "How is it strange?"
"I..." Shi Xinxin didn't know how to describe it. Finally, she said, "Never mind, I'll tell you another day. I have things to do today, so I'll take my leave for now."
Shi Xinxin turned to leave, but after taking a few steps, Lu Mingyu called out to her.
"Shi Xinxin."
Shi Xinxin stopped and turned to look at Lu Mingyu.
"I don't care if you have a boyfriend, or if you're married. I'm warning you, don't play any tricks, otherwise, I won't mind making you pay the price."
"... "
Lu Mingyu reached out and pinched Shi Xinxin's cheek. "Go back and sleep obediently."
With that, Lu Mingyu strode away.
Shi Xinxin stood rooted to the spot, watching Lu Mingyu's tall and handsome back. A strange warmth flowed through her heart.
Lu Mingyu returned to his bedroom close to midnight.
He pushed the door open, changed his shoes, and walked into the bathroom.
The water flowed with a rushing sound. He closed his eyes, his mind filled with Shi Xinxin's shy and charming appearance.
Shi Xinxin, in her red evening gown, her long hair cascading behind her, her every smile and gesture, was so much like his first love.
He was falling for her.
He knew he didn't deserve her, so he had been suppressing the desire in his heart, trying to control himself.
But he couldn't control his longing for Shi Xinxin.
Every time he woke up from dreams in the middle of the night, he wished he could return to her side immediately, hold her, and kiss every inch of her skin.
He liked her.
But Shi Xinxin was that person's daughter.
Lu Mingyu opened his eyes and looked at himself in the mirror.
His eyes were filled with complexity.
The next morning.
Shi Xinxin was woken up by her alarm clock. She hadn't slept well at all last night and her body ached.
She reached out and fumbled for her phone on the bedside table. Checking the time, it was already 7:30 AM, so she quickly got out of bed.
Putting on her slippers, Shi Xinxin didn't even bother to shower. She grabbed her bag and rushed downstairs.
As she reached the living room, her phone vibrated.
"Hello."
"Xinxin, are you awake yet?" Lu Mingyu's gentle and low voice came from the other end of the phone. "I'll come pick you up, and we can have breakfast together."
Shi Xinxin froze. "Ah?"
"I'm near your place and will be there within an hour."
"Oh, okay, then wait for me, I'll be down shortly."
--
By the time Shi Xinxin went downstairs, Lu Mingyu was already waiting.
He was leaning against his car door, talking on the phone. His white shirt paired with gray-blue slacks, his tall and handsome figure was enviable.
"Ding dong." The phone notification chimed.
Shi Xinxin walked over, took out the envelope, opened it, and pulled out a check. The amount was a staggering one million.
"Lu Mingyu, you..." Shi Xinxin's eyes widened in surprise. "Why are you giving me money?"
Lu Mingyu glanced at Shi Xinxin indifferently. "If you don't want it."
"Don't say that!" Shi Xinxin quickly snatched the check. "I'll take it, thank you!"
Lu Mingyu curved his lips. "Since you're offering it to me, I'll reluctantly accept."
"Hehe." Shi Xinxin let out an awkward chuckle and stuffed the check into her pocket. "Alright, I'm ready to go now."
"Wait a moment." Lu Mingyu stopped Shi Xinxin. "I'll give you a ride."
"No need, the bus is coming soon."
"I'll take you to the bus stop, and then to the station."
"... " Shi Xinxin felt a little awkward and could only agree. "Alright, then I'll sit in the passenger seat."
Lu Mingyu chuckled. "Okay."
Lu Mingyu and Shi Xinxin got into the car, and it slowly started to move.
The car was eerily quiet.
Shi Xinxin held the seatbelt with both hands and stole a glance at Lu Mingyu from the side.
Lu Mingyu was staring at the road ahead, focused and serious, his thin lips pressed together, his facial features sharp and resolute.
Just then, his phone rang abruptly.
"Hello? Dad, what is it?" Lu Mingyu answered the call, glancing at Shi Xinxin through the rearview mirror.
"A Yuan's father is ill and hospitalized. Your mother and I are at the hospital now. You need to come over immediately."
Lu Mingyu frowned. "Dad, what happened to A Yuan's father?"
"I'm not entirely sure of the details. You'll know when you get here."
Lu Mingyu pursed his lips and looked at Shi Xinxin. "Xinxin, my dad is hospitalized, and I have to go see him. You..."
"I'll go with you," Shi Xinxin quickly said. "Take me to the bus stop first, and I'll wait for you."
"Mm." Lu Mingyu smiled, a curve forming on his lips. "Xinxin, you're so kind."
Shi Xinxin pouted. "Who cares if you praise me!"
"You don't care for my praise, but I hope that in the future, you won't refuse my compliments."