Chapter 12: The Evening Gown

The car came to a stop amid Shi Ran’s anxious heart.

When she regained her senses, the privacy curtain had already been drawn.

Su Yu glanced toward the backseat, his gaze settling on her. “We’re here.”

And then?

Shi Ran felt somewhat at a loss.

She had accompanied Zuo Yelin to banquets before, but never dressed so formally.

Most of the time, she wore her own clothes.

This was her first time changing outfits on the spot.

Clearly, this banquet was no ordinary affair.

“Assistant Shi, once you get out of the car, stay close behind Director Zuo at all times. When you arrive at the banquet, your only responsibility is to eat. I’ll take care of everything else,” Su Yu instructed calmly.

Only responsible for eating?

Would it be proper for her to gorge herself while everyone else was chatting?

Zuo Yelin would probably glare and kick her out of the seat.

If it were anyone else, Shi Ran might have dismissed it as teasing, but this was Su Yu, Zuo Yelin’s secretary; his words often carried the weight of Zuo Yelin’s decisions.

Perhaps the main purpose of this banquet was simply to eat?

Maybe Zuo Yelin and Secretary Su had to save face and thus called her along?

Shi Ran pondered silently.

By the time she came back to herself, Zuo Yelin had already stepped out of the car.

She had no choice but to open the door and follow him closely.

Shi Ran followed Zuo Yelin into a luxurious private room. Inside stood a round table, roughly the length of her lying down, already occupied by several sharply dressed magnates.

Three consecutive seats beside the host’s seat remained empty.

Zuo Yelin took the main seat, and Su Yu sat to his left.

Shi Ran stared at the remaining empty seats and took one.

“Secretary Su, who is this young lady?” someone asked.

This was a gathering of influential figures; those without status had no right to the table.

Su Yu’s presence was understood — he was Zuo Yelin’s right-hand man — but Shi Ran was different. She lacked aura or any notable status. Apart from her tall, elegant evening gown, there was little remarkable about her.

“This is Assistant Shi, responsible for Director Zuo’s daily life,” Su Yu replied with a composed expression.

“Director Zuo, this isn’t proper, is it?” someone stood up to challenge.

A companion beside him tugged at his sleeve, trying to hold him back, but failed.

“Indeed, this is inappropriate,” Zuo Yelin agreed. “You, stand up.”

Shi Ran, who had been quietly enjoying the delicacies as per Secretary Su’s instructions, suddenly met Zuo Yelin’s gaze and nervously rose to her feet.

“Is there something else?” Zuo Yelin’s questioning look fell upon her.

The man who had challenged her glanced at the lobster in one hand and the king crab in the other, his lips twitching slightly. “What a disgrace!”

He snorted coldly and swept his sleeve as he sat back down.

“Apologies, Assistant Shi has been unwell recently. I took the liberty to arrange the seating myself. I apologize for any inconvenience caused. Let me make it up to you with tea instead of wine,” Su Yu stood, raised his cup, and drank it in one gulp.

To silence the critics, he downed three cups in succession.

“If she’s unwell, then let her sit. Special circumstances require special treatment,” someone offered support.

Shi Ran felt a touch of frustration.

They were treating her like a pawn, making her stand and sit at will.

Yet she still dared not sit because Zuo Yelin had yet to speak.

Past experience warned her never to defy the young master’s words.

Otherwise, punishment would follow.

“That’s not suitable company,” a cold voice said. Shi Ran felt a sting in her eyes, as if warm tears were about to spill.

“Sit down, you embarrassing mess,” the voice continued.

Shi Ran looked around, swallowed her anger, sat down, and focused on eating. The lobster’s flavor was decent but not exceptional; the king crab’s shell was too tough.

As for the tears, they were entirely caused by wasabi in the dipping sauce—not any grievance.

She couldn’t understand how a man like Zuo Yelin existed.

From beginning to end, he treated her as a toy for venting and amusement, yet forbade her from quitting.

If he claimed to love her, his actions gave no hint of it.

Rather, his contemptuous attitude was unmistakably clear.

Yet this man would occasionally humiliate her, as if driven by a powerful possessiveness.

Even things he disliked, he wouldn’t allow others to touch.

Shi Ran stopped chewing suddenly.

Her eyes widened as a dreadful thought struck her.

If what she feared was true, would Zuo Yelin ever let her go?

Would she really have the chance to marry again?

She certainly didn’t want to be single her whole life.

As she continued eating, her stomach began to ache.

She put down her food and wiped her hands with a tissue.

“Excuse me, I need to step out for a moment,” she said before quickly rushing out.

Her high heels nearly slipped off with each hurried step.

As she tried to stop, she found herself losing control of her movements.

She could only watch herself stumble forward.

Ahead was a corner, with a large potted plant placed there.

If she collided with it, she would surely suffer a serious injury.

Shi Ran forcefully twisted her body, falling forward.

She didn’t hit the floor but landed in someone’s arms instead.

“Sorry…” Shi Ran adjusted her posture and stood, her face filled with guilt.

“Ran Ran?” When their eyes met, Zuo Jiaqi exclaimed in surprise.

“What are you doing here?” they almost spoke in unison.

“Secretary Su asked me to oversee Director Zuo’s banquet and monitor his eating habits,” Shi Ran told a small lie.

She sensed something was off when Zuo Jiaqi, who had previously said he was busy, appeared here.

Even if she were naïve, she had come to realize.

Zuo Jiaqi’s attitude shift started after she mentioned her menstrual cycle.

Could it be that Zuo Jiaqi was truly a beast?

Only interested in acquiring her body?

“I came with a client for dinner. I was supposed to meet you here, but since you felt unwell, I prioritized the client,” Zuo Jiaqi said with a faint smile, dimples appearing on his cheeks.

His voice was clear and pure, his handsome face likely the prince charming in many girls’ dreams.

Shi Ran thought so.

Yet, for some reason, a hideous, lecherous face flashed through her mind, gradually merging with the man before her.

Shi Ran shook her head.

It couldn’t be him; it must be a mistake.

How could Jiaqi be that kind of man?

“Ran Ran, what’s wrong?” Zuo Jiaqi grabbed her arms with concern.

“My stomach hurts. Let’s not talk now. I need to go to the restroom,” Shi Ran said weakly, swaying as if about to collapse.

“Let me take you,” Zuo Jiaqi said, steadying her.

“No, thank you,” Shi Ran recalled Zuo Yelin’s warning and shivered involuntarily.

Summoning strength from somewhere, she broke free from Zuo Jiaqi’s support, steadied herself, and headed toward the restroom.

“I’ll let you off the hook just this once,” Zuo Jiaqi stood at the corner, watching Shi Ran disappear from sight. He withdrew the desire from his eyes, straightened his clothes, and left.