Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The elevator stopped when it reached the top floor.
Pei Ge was already feeling very confused at this point. Didn’t he say that we are attending a banquet? Doesn’t a banquet equate to a gathering for eating food, so why is the venue arranged on the top floor of this building?
Ding! The doors parted open and Pei Ge exited the lift with her hand still hooked through Ji Ziming’s arm.
When they stepped out of the elevator, she finally felt assured that this was indeed a place for eating food. This was because two pretty ladies were standing right outside the elevator doors and welcoming guests.
Ji Ziming passed a black invitation card with gold words to one of the two ladies and then slowly guided Pei Ge into the banquet hall.
Ding! They only took a few steps forward before the dinging of the elevator sounded again.
A series of footsteps, which overlapped with the sweet voices of the two ladies from before, could be heard from behind them.
Ji Ziming and Pei Ge did not care about the happenings behind their backs, however, and merely continued strolling forward.
Ji Ziming walked slowly because he had her in his arm, while Pei Ge did so because she was curious about the place.
Observing the decorations and furnishings of the place, she thought with exasperation, I really didn’t expect that this office-like building on the outside is actually this grand on the inside. It really holds true to the saying that one can’t judge a book by its cover. This principle applies to any house in the capital.
As she was sighing inside about this place’s lavish appearance, a deep and attractive voice sounded from behind them.
“Hm, Ji Ziming?”
Ji Ziming’s footsteps did not falter at all even when he heard the voice. Pei Ge, for her part, looked over her shoulder out of curiosity.
A man wearing a dark gray suit and a pair of glasses was walking behind them. He was tall and skinny with a high bridge nose. Although he was winsome, his looks were still inferior to Ji Ziming’s.
The moment she looked over her shoulder, the man behind them grew excited. His eyes shone and he promptly let go of his female companion to rush over to Ji Ziming’s side.
“It really is Young Master Ji, huh.” The man gave Ji Ziming a polite smile and then turned to regard her with an inquisitive look.
Feeling the man’s gaze on her, she pursed her lips uncomfortably.
“Mhm,” Ji Ziming hummed in reply as he regarded the man whose gaze was on Pei Ge with displeasure.
“I really didn’t expect Young Master Ji who is known for not bringing a female companion in events like this to actually bring one to today’s banquet.” The man raised an eyebrow. Although he felt Ji Ziming’s warning gaze, the man still boldly showed his interest in Pei Ge, who had her arm hooked through Ji Ziming’s.
Everyone in their social circle was aware that Ji Ziming never brought a female companion with him to banquets, and, most of the time, would only bring along his male assistant.
If it were not for them knowing of Ji Ziming’s sexual orientation, rumors about the man being gay would certainly fly around.
How on Earth could he, therefore, not be curious when Ji Ziming, who had always shown up alone in events like this, finally brought a woman along?
“Hello to this miss here; I am Young Master Ji’s friend, Qiao Xiuqi.”
She blinked her eyes at the man’s proffered hand and reached out her hand to shake it.
“Hello, I am CEO Ji’s secretary, Pei Ge.”
Just as Pei Ge’s white and warm palm was about to make contact with Qiao Xiuqi’s, a strong hand stopped her and held her hand tightly, instead.
Stunned at the feeling of Ji Ziming’s cold yet smooth palm in hers, she turned to look at him.
She moved to ask why he had suddenly held her hand, but she swallowed this question upon noticing his frosty expression.
Forget it; discretion is the better part of valor. This young lady here will be generous and not haggle with him over this.
Qiao Xiuqi, who had witnessed the whole play, calmly retracted his hand, as though he had never stretched them out at all.
This is unexpected. Ji Ziming seems to care about this woman a lot. This thought has some merit to it. After all, he wouldn’t bring her with him if she were unimportant to him.
“Oh, so you are Miss Pei. It’s a pleasure meeting you.” Qiao Xiuqi grinned at her. He had only just swept his gaze over her out of curiosity moments ago. However, upon noticing how much Ji Ziming cared for her, he started to regard the woman before him seriously.
Initially, when he was not regarding her seriously, Qiao Xiuqi did not notice anything special about her.
After all, anyone in their circle was long used to all sorts of beauties and would already be somewhat immune to their charms.
Compared to beauties, they were more concerned about power and money.
However, after observing Pei Ge carefully, Qiao Xiuqi realized that although Ji Ziming’s companion was not the prettiest he had laid his eyes on, her eyes were the liveliest and brightest he had had the pleasure of gazing at.
Her pair of doe eyes was dark and round, as though they held a pond of clear water in them, making one feel comfortable and refreshed.
If this pair of eyes was to be seen in bed, it would definitely be an alluring sight.
Qiao Xiuqi’s fervent gaze made Pei Ge frown in discomfort, and she instinctively leaned close to Ji Ziming.
What the hell?! Why is he looking at me like that?! It’s making me uncomfortable!
If it were not for the place being inappropriate and the presence of the death god, Ji Ziming, beside her, she would already give the lecherous man before her a tongue lashing.
Although she did not know what the man was thinking, she knew that it was definitely not anything good.
“Scram.” Ji Ziming narrowed his eyes coldly at Qiao Xiuqi.
“…” Qiao Xiuqi was startled by Ji Ziming’s sudden change in attitude and only realized then that he had unknowingly fallen into a trance while looking at the latter’s female companion.
Ji Ziming’s hand tightened around Pei Ge’s and he pulled her into his embrace. After giving Qiao Xiuqi a sharp and cold glare, he walked into the banquet hall with her.
Tak, tak, tak! The sound of the high heels knocking against the smooth marble floor seemed to be pounding on Qiao Xiuqi’s heart, instead.
For some reason, he felt his heart itch as he regarded the woman.
Although the white marten fur overcoat covered her upper body, it could not hide her lower half. The fluffy and slightly thick fur clothing, in fact, made her hips look much more alluring to anybody looking.
Tsk. She seems to be a stunner!
