Presumably not expecting to be caught in such an awkward moment by Yan Xia, Peng Zixu forced a smile awkwardly and stepped forward. "Ms. Lu, if there's anything you like, just take it. It's on me. I'll foot the bill."
Yan Xia could already tell that his female companion was highly dissatisfied, so she could only force a smile in return.
"No need. I haven't done anything to deserve such kindness. How could I let you pay for me?"
However, his female companion suddenly stepped forward, her nose almost in the air. She stared pointedly at Yan Xia.
"I heard before that some girls look impeccable on the outside but are actually extremely filthy on the inside. Just like oranges. They look bright and shiny on the outside, but whether they're sour or sweet can only be known after a taste. Young Master Peng, you'd better be careful not to be deceived."
This time, Yan Xia couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.
The female companion felt as if she'd been humiliated instead. She took another aggressive step forward and continued.
"Young Master Peng is always so polite and enthusiastic wherever he goes. But there are just some girls who can't tell good from bad and always like to be self - indulgent."
"Don't talk nonsense. Do you know who she is?" Peng Zixu turned his head and glared at her angrily.
"Humph." The woman lifted her chin. "Young Master Peng invited me out today, which actually means we've established our relationship. My boyfriend is in a good mood today, so it's no big deal for him to treat. It's just that some people..."
She glanced at Yan Xia. "Can only enjoy the benefit."
From the moment she finished her last sentence, Yan Xia couldn't stop laughing. She laughed so hard that she doubled over.
Peng Zixu looked extremely embarrassed. Remembering the lessons from Peng Shiyi in the previous times, he quickly apologized. "I'm sorry, Ms. Lu. My friend has offended you. Please don't take it to heart..."
However, Yan Xia seemed quite interested. She sized up his female companion from head to toe, then suddenly squinted her eyes and said.
"I said I felt like I'd seen you somewhere. Your friend is that popular actress Jin Xinyi, right?"
The female companion lifted her chin. "You've got good taste."
Yan Xia continued. "If I remember correctly, Ms. Jin is signed to Yuren International."
"How do you know?" Jin Xinyi was puzzled and couldn't help but look at her a few more times.
Peng Zixu felt that he'd lost all his face today. To prevent Jin Xinyi from saying anything else inappropriate and completely offending Lu Sheng, he quickly filled Jin Xinyi in.
"Because Ms. Lu is the younger sister of your big boss."
"Big boss..." Jin Xinyi was stunned. "The younger sister of Lu Qianzhou? That... Lu Sheng who has been a hot topic in the media recently?"
Peng Zixu was almost crazy. What did she mean by "a hot topic in the media"? She was clearly a person with her own popularity who was being used by unscrupulous media for hype.
"You're Lu Sheng!" Jin Xinyi was completely dumbfounded.
Everyone knew that the big boss was a sister - loving madman. If she offended Lu Sheng today, her future days would probably be tough.
"I... I didn't know you were Lu Sheng just now. I'm sorry, Ms. Lu. Please don't take it to heart." She glanced at Peng Zixu and then said. "Peng Zixu and I are just ordinary friends. We really have nothing..."
Just as she was speaking, Peng Zixu suddenly widened his eyes and exclaimed in shock.
"General Manager Lu, why are you here too..."
Yan Xia was stunned for a moment. She turned around and sure enough saw Lu Qianzhou striding in from the door. He was very low - key today, wearing a baseball cap, but his deep eyes under the brim were still clearly visible.
She hadn't informed anyone that she was going shopping here today. How did Lu Qianzhou know? She glanced at Wen Liang standing behind her and immediately understood that this person was like a monitor that Lu Qianzhou had placed beside her.
Jin Xinyi was so scared that she hid behind Peng Zixu, not daring to make a sound.
Yan Xia didn't say a word. She just stared at Lu Qianzhou.
He reached out and stroked her head. "You've been shopping for so long but only bought so little. Were you waiting for me?"
Yan Xia subtly moved away from him, trying to avoid him. Then she said to Wen Liang.
"I'll go change out of these clothes and go back right away."
Lu Qianzhou followed her as well, but his sharp side - glance landed on Jin Xinyi.
Jin Xinyi was terribly frightened by that glance. Her heart skipped a beat, and she knew she was doomed.
"Um..." She blocked Wen Liang's way as he was about to leave. "You're the one beside Lu Sheng, right? Can you please plead with Lu Sheng for me? I really didn't know she was Lu Qianzhou's younger sister!"
"You're overestimating me, Ms. Jin. I'm just an assistant and have no say in front of Ms. Lu. But don't worry. Ms. Lu is very magnanimous. I'm sure she won't take this small matter to heart."
Wen Liang gave her a half - smile, dodged her grasping hand, and went to the counter to pay the bill first.
Yan Xia rushed into the dressing room in a huff. She was so angry that she even forgot to lock the door. Just as she took off her close - fitting clothes in the small dressing room and was left with only a camisole on her upper body, the door was pushed open.
Lu Qianzhou quickly entered the dressing room and locked the door from the inside.
Yan Xia quickly grabbed her clothes to cover herself and glared at Lu Qianzhou.
"Are you crazy? What kind of place is this? Aren't you afraid of being photographed?" She quickly put her clothes back on and reached out to push Lu Qianzhou. "Get out quickly. I need to change my clothes!"
He took the opportunity to grab her hands, pressed them down, and pinned her against the wall. His lips were about to descend, but she turned her head to avoid him.
"Lu Qianzhou!" She raised her voice to warn him.
He looked at her with a smile, his face close to hers. "Avoiding me. Why didn't you reply to my messages?"
The one who didn't reply to messages was clearly himself!
Yan Xia said, "I've been too busy with work. I didn't see them."
Lu Qianzhou said, "I sent you a lot of messages."
"I said I didn't see them!" Yan Xia was very impatient.
"Have you forgotten what I told you? Do you not want to see me so much that you can't even say a few words to me? Hmm?" His gaze lingered on her face, which was just inches away.
Yan Xia turned her head, but he was so close to her that no matter how she tried to avoid him, she couldn't escape his warm breath.
"I have nothing to say to you. I've already reported my work clearly. Please stop bothering me."
His smile remained. "What if I say no?"
It seemed as if he was completely unaware of the crux of the matter or that his actions had deeply hurt her.
A feeling of humiliation welled up in her heart. When she turned her head, their noses touched. Her eyes were cold.
"Lu Qianzhou, have you had enough fun? Is it really that interesting to play with someone's feelings like this?"
Meeting her gaze, Lu Qianzhou suddenly fell silent. The anxiety in Yan Xia's heart grew stronger and stronger, and she became more and more impatient. She suddenly reached out and pushed Lu Qianzhou away. She walked to the door of the dressing room, opened it, grabbed a random coat in the store, put it on, and left.
The shop assistant panicked and chased after her, but was stopped by Wen Liang, who obediently paid the bill.
Yan Xia stormed out of the mall. It was still drizzling outside.
She didn't want to stay with this person at all. She was self - abased, sensitive, and suspicious, so even if he explained, she wouldn't forgive him immediately.
She walked alone on the side of the road. Lu Qianzhou chased out of the mall and followed her at a leisurely pace not far behind. Wen Liang drove the car and followed the two of them at the end.