C5

Lishan pulled her hand back and followed Tianche into the car.

"Uncle, where are we going to eat?"

"Come closer, and I'll tell you," Tianche said, casting a sideways glance at the young woman beside him.

Instinctively, Lishan leaned in, and the car suddenly swerved, causing her lips to brush against the corner of his mouth. The warmth of her lips met the coolness of his, and her eyes widened in surprise.

Jinxi sat calmly in the car, his expression unreadable as he stared at her.

His cool gaze made Lishan apologize repeatedly, "I'm sorry, Uncle, I didn't mean to..."

"If you didn't mean to, does that mean you did it on purpose?" Jinxi squinted his eyes, half-joking.

Hearing Jinxi joke for the first time, Lishan felt a bit awkward and couldn't find the words to respond.

"Don't just sit there, get out," Jinxi said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

The car came to a smooth stop, and by the time Lishan snapped back to reality, Jinxi was already helping her out of the car.

In front of her stood a towering building. The hotel's unique decor on the first floor was striking, with crimson pillars standing proudly at the spacious entrance. Above, a large sign displayed elegant lettering: Chi Family Banquet.

Chi Family? Isn't this a hotel owned by the Chi family?

Lishan instinctively moved to leave, but Tianche blocked her path. "Didn't you say you were going to treat me to dinner?"

"Uncle, I'm just a student. I can't afford this place," Lishan said, feigning distress.

"No worries, just put it on your tab and pay me back slowly," Tianche insisted, leading her into the hotel.

After requesting a private room, they went upstairs. Lishan glanced at the menu prices, feeling overwhelmed.

"Stop looking. I've already ordered," Tianche said calmly, closing her menu. His intense dark eyes held an unusual glint.

Lishan put down her hand, forcing herself to face Tianche's cold, handsome face. She was calculating how to make use of the man in front of her.

In a past life, she had teamed up with Jinxi to take the family business from Tianche. According to her previous plan, she should partner with Tianche for investments. If he succeeded, the family business wouldn't fall into Jinxi's hands.

Lost in thought, Lishan picked up her glass and took a big gulp, only to be hit by the drink's sharpness.

She coughed twice, and a napkin appeared in front of her.

"Take it easy with the drink, or you'll choke," Tianche remarked casually.

Lishan felt a sinking sensation in her heart as a thousand wild horses seemed to gallop through her mind. Who would give alcohol to a woman who just turned twenty-one? Tianche must have done it on purpose! He was punishing her for her earlier indiscretion towards him.

She snatched the napkin from his hand and dashed out of the room, heading to the restroom where she spent a long time getting rid of the alcohol. Lishan was extremely sensitive to alcohol; even a small sip could make her tipsy.

As she exited the restroom, she accidentally bumped into a man and quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to!"

"Lishan, I was wondering why you were in such a hurry. Turns out you were rushing to meet a man," a teasing male voice came from above her.

Lishan looked up and met those teasing, deep-set dark eyes. Her heart sank, but she quickly put on a charming smile. "What a coincidence, you're here for dinner too?"

"Lishan, this is my family's restaurant. I can come whenever I want. But you, rushing over to meet another man while claiming you like me, isn't that disgusting?" Jinxi looked at Lishan with disdain, feeling that something about her had changed.