Once Mrs. Lu had everything arranged, everyone said their goodbyes.
Mrs. Lu and Chairman Lu left first for their mid-level mansion in the car driven by Lao Zhao.
The third son, Lu Jingyao, also drove his sister—who had specifically flown back just for the banquet—to the airport.
Only Xu Yanxia and Lu Jingming had stayed at the clubhouse for two consecutive days and had some things to pack, so they headed back to their respective rooms first.
When she finished packing and stepped out of her room, Lu Jingming was already waiting for her in the hallway.
"Let me."
He reached out to take her backpack.
Xu Yanxia tried to decline politely. "I can do it myself..."
Before she could finish, he firmly took the bag from her hand.
In that brief moment of proximity, she caught the faint, elegant scent of wine on him.
Xu Yanxia whispered, "...Thank you."
Well, it seemed he had quite a bit to drink tonight; he was acting a bit like a domineering CEO.
Lu Jingming simply smiled at her. "Don't be so polite with me. Let's go."
With that, he led the way.
After getting off the elevator and exiting the main building, there were still a few steps to descend.
Xu Yanxia had been standing all day, and it had taken a toll on her sprained ankle. While she was working, her intense focus had kept the pain at bay, but now that she had relaxed, a dull, throbbing ache flared up, causing her to walk a bit slowly.
Lu Jingming, who had already reached the bottom of the steps, turned back to look at her. He slung her backpack over his shoulder, walked back up to her, and without a word, scooped her up in his arms.
Xu Yanxia was startled. "You don't need to carry me..."
However, he simply said, "Don't argue with me."
He insisted on carrying her all the way out.
As they reached the main entrance, she saw Uncle Li waiting by his Maybach.
Xu Yanxia’s face turned beet red. She hurriedly whispered to Lu Jingming, "Put me down, I can walk by myself."
He acted as if he hadn't heard her, only letting go once he had carefully settled her into the back seat. Then, he climbed in from the other side and sat down beside her.
Once the doors were closed and seatbelts fastened, Uncle Li started the car.
Xu Yanxia felt like a middle schooler caught in a secret romance by a relative; she didn't dare say a word.
It was Lu Jingming who broke the silence. "There were so many dishes today, and so much effort went into every single one. Were you working non-stop all day?"
Xu Yanxia gave a non-committal hum. "It was alright. I had a break at noon."
To her surprise, he began to apologize. "It’s my fault. I should have come to help you earlier after picking up my parents."
Xu Yanxia was stunned. "???"
He... help her?
She could only say, "There were many people in the kitchen helping me."
Unexpectedly, he continued, "You were almost wrongly accused tonight. I didn't even know until my mother apologized to you. I'm sorry."
Xu Yanxia was speechless.
Why was he apologizing again?
To be honest, he was being quite talkative tonight, especially since they weren't the only ones in the car.
Xu Yanxia glanced at Uncle Li in the driver's seat and then asked Lu Jingming, "Have you had too much to drink?"
He chuckled softly. "I wish I were drunk."
Then he apologized once more. "I'm sorry, Xiao Xia."
Whether it was because they were sitting so close or because his voice had turned soft and velvety, he sounded... somewhat suggestive.
Xu Yanxia glanced at Uncle Li again and said to Lu Jingming, "These things happen. I really don't mind."
"Besides, the Chairman and Mrs. Lu already apologized and thanked me. You don't need to apologize anymore."
"I'm different from them," he said immediately.
His handsome eyes searched hers, looking as if he had so much more he wanted to say. "I truly haven't done enough. I'm not responsible enough."
The girl in his heart had spent two days working tirelessly and putting in so much effort for his family’s guests, only to almost be framed in the end.
And he had only found out after the fact.
Especially after he had told her just the day before that he was her most loyal fan and admirer...
Of course, he was also aware of Uncle Li's relationship with Xu Yanxia. Seeing her look of embarrassment, he finally restrained himself from saying more.
Instead, he asked, "Did you forget to apply the medicinal liniment today?"
"I applied it," Xu Yanxia answered immediately.
To her surprise, Lu Jingming said, "Liar. I don't smell any liniment on you."
Xu Yanxia was baffled. "???"
And he claimed he wasn't drunk?
"I applied it in the morning and at noon," she explained. "And I just took a shower after leaving the kitchen, so the smell probably washed off."
"Fine."
The supposedly drunk CEO nodded and said, "Remember to apply it again when we get back."
Xu Yanxia hummed in agreement, thinking that went without saying.
Before she could speak, he added, "Actually, let me help you. I’m an expert at applying it."
"???"
Xu Yanxia was amused and couldn't help saying, "What's so 'expert' about applying liniment?"
Besides, she had her own hands and feet; why would she need him to do it?
She said, "I can do it myself."
Lu Jingming countered, "I don't trust you to do it right."
"???"
Xu Yanxia’s eyes widened. "That’s my foot!"
"That’s my beloved’s foot," he replied instantly.
Xu Yanxia felt like she was going to die of embarrassment. Uncle Li was right there in the front seat!
She wished she could find a hole to crawl into. Frowning, she muttered, "You are definitely drunk."
She turned her head to look out the window, her face burning hot.
Behind her, Lu Jingming spoke up again. "I'm not. If you don't believe me, why don't you test me with a math problem?"
What?
A math problem?
Xu Yanxia didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Who would have thought that the usually cold and powerful CEO would become so childish after a few drinks?
Seeing that she remained silent, he offered, "Then how about I recite a poem for you?"
He began to recite on his own:
"The red beans grow in southern lands,
In spring, how many buds will they bloom?
I hope you gather more of them,
For they are the tokens of deepest longing."
After finishing, he asked, "I know the English version too. Do you want to hear it?"
What?
There was even an English version?
Xu Yanxia shook her head with a helpless smile. "I don't want to hear it. Stop talking."
She even covered her ears.
She really wanted to record this on her phone and show it to him tomorrow once he sobered up.
Just then, Lu Jingming chuckled and said, "Alright, I'll stop teasing you."
He looked out the window and said to Uncle Li, "Uncle Li, please help with the bag in the trunk when we arrive."
"Of course," Uncle Li replied, clearing his throat while wearing a broad, knowing grin.
Ah, to be young again! These two were just too sweet.
The car turned onto the mountain road and passed through the main gates. Xu Yanxia quickly said to Uncle Li, "Uncle Li, I can carry the bag myself. There's no need to trouble you."
Before Uncle Li could respond, Lu Jingming told her, "You aren't carrying a thing."
As soon as the car came to a stop, he hopped out and opened his door.
Xu Yanxia opened the car door, but before her feet could even touch the ground, Lu Jingming scooped her up into his arms. He began striding toward her dormitory in the main building.
"Wait! I can really walk on my own!" Xu Yanxia’s face flushed a deep crimson as she struggled to get down.
To her surprise, he simply said, "Stop moving, or I'll kiss you."
Xu Yanxia was speechless. He had to be drunk!
