Celia couldn't stand this atmosphere a moment longer. Coming here tonight had felt like nothing but a humiliation.
"Mr. Fu, forget the key. I'm not going back to Yipinlan Villa tonight."
With that, she turned and started walking away.
Just then, a familiar voice called out behind her."Ci Ci? What are you doing here?"
It was Julian Fu.
Julian came over and casually slung an arm over her shoulder. "I got invited to play a few hands, so I came by for a bit. Didn't expect to see you here. Come on, I'll take you to another table to hang out. I'll drive you home later."
As he led her away, he called back to Nathaniel, "Uncle, I'm taking Ci Ci to play a few rounds."
Julian brought Celia over to a different table. The moment the crowd saw that Young Master Fu had arrived, they lit up.
"Master Julian, it's been ages since you've been out! Who's this?"
Julian smiled and wrapped his arm a bit tighter around Celia's shoulder. "I've been busy lately—dating. This is my girlfriend, Celia."
"Ohhh, so Miss Celia is your girlfriend! No wonder she was talking to President Fu earlier!"
"Miss Celia, can I get you something to drink? Want me to mix you a cocktail?"
"Back off," Julian waved them away with a grin. "My Ci Ci is still young. No alcohol for her. Just bring her a glass of hot milk."
The waiter soon returned with a bottle of warm milk. Julian unwrapped the straw and inserted it himself before handing it to her.
"…Thanks," Celia said quietly.
She didn't really want to drink, nor did she want to stay. But she could sense Nathaniel Fu's eyes lingering on her from across the room. For some reason, sitting next to Julian made her feel a bit safer.
"Thanks," she said again, more sincerely this time.
"Alright, let's play!" someone at the table cheered. "Mr. Fu, let your girlfriend watch you crush us."
Over at Nathaniel's table, Wen Shaoqian glanced at the two young people across the room. "What's going on, Nancheng? Didn't you get her yet?"
Nathaniel didn't respond.
Not only had he not gotten her—she had slapped him.
Even now, his cheek still faintly ached. Who would've thought that those soft, delicate hands of hers could pack such a sting?
He took a final drag from his cigarette and reached for another—but the pack was empty. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed a wad of cash onto the table in front of the girl sitting beside him.
"Go buy me a pack of smokes."
The girl's eyes lit up when she saw the cash. Mr. Fu was so generous. Just for cigarettes? If she could get close to a man like that... who knew what he might give her?
Happily, she scurried off to fetch them.
Zane Song leaned over and said, "Second Brother, I swear, getting that little schoolgirl's heart isn't easy. Aren't college girls into powerful men these days?"
"Not always," Wen Shaoqian added. "Some like trust fund kids like Julian—sweet, playful, good for romance. But someone like Nancheng? He's a CEO. He doesn't have time for love—just enough for a secret mistress or two. There are girls who don't want to be treated like that."
"Still," Zane said, "most of them want money. What girl turns that down?"
"Some girls do," Wen replied. "Some would rather work hard and protect their dignity than take your dirty cash."
Zane chuckled and folded his hands in mock prayer. "Buddha bless me. At least my girlfriend smiles every time I hand her money. Adorable, really."
Nathaniel tuned them out completely.
His eyes were fixed on Celia across the room—on how naturally she fit next to Julian. They looked like they belonged to the same world, the same age.
She was sipping the warm milk slowly through a straw. Her long black hair tumbled over her shoulders like silk, brushing against the exposed skin of her arms beneath her short sleeves. Pure and delicate, almost unreal.
She stirred something in him.
Nathaniel pulled out his phone and opened Su Xue's contact. She'd been calling nonstop for days, desperately trying to reach him.
He typed a message and hit send.
"Come and accompany me tonight."