C9 Nightclub

"How could you keep this from me... Did I misunderstand you?" In a place where Xiaoli couldn't see, Xiao Jie frowned slightly. He had almost misunderstood her just now.

"It's okay, I trust you, Xiao Jie." Xiaoli sniffed. "No matter what happens, you'll believe me, right?"

"Silly, how could I not trust you?" His light words made Xiaoli's eyes well up with tears, guilt almost overwhelming her.

The car finally stopped at the entrance of a nightclub. Xiaoli's expression didn't change, but her eyes were cast down. "Bringing me to a place like this so early in the morning?"

"Just for some fun. Our friends are all inside, and I didn't want to spoil their mood," Xiao Jie chuckled, taking her arm and leading her inside.

Xiaoli followed him into the nightclub, and at the other entrance, Xiao Chen was being urged in by his buddies, who seemed determined not to let him off the hook.

Throughout the process, Xiao Chen's brow was furrowed. A man beside him noticed and picked up a glass from a tray carried by a server, swirling it slightly. "I say, Chairman Xiao, have you fallen for some girl and decided to stay pure for her? Coming to a place like this and not even calling for company..."

Xiao Chen's frown deepened, but when he thought of Xiaoli, a shadow crossed his dark eyes, quickly hidden. "I didn't want to come here in the first place. You guys better take it easy."

The man remained unfazed, his smile growing wider with a hint of mischief. "Hey, that's not like you... I wonder which girl managed to capture the great Chairman Xiao's heart. She must have done something unforgettable."

Xiao Chen raised an eyebrow slightly, memories of Xiaoli's past unforgivable actions flashing through his mind, making him frown in irritation.

Suddenly, he smirked mischievously, wrapped his long arm around a woman as beautiful as Xiaoli, and, amid the cheers of the crowd, walked inside with her.

Meanwhile, Xiaoli entered a private room filled with wealthy young men, each with a woman in their arms. However, Xiao Jie, having Xiaoli as his girlfriend, wouldn't be foolish enough to have another woman with him, so he came alone.

"Hey, is this our big boss's girlfriend? He's been keeping you under wraps, and we've all been curious," one of the men remarked as Xiaoli's presence drew everyone's attention, momentarily sidelining the women in their arms.

Xiaoli offered a polite, distant smile, responding smoothly as Xiao Jie had taught her, "You've got it wrong, sir. I wasn't feeling well before, so I couldn't meet you all. It had nothing to do with Xiao Jie."

"Of course, you'd defend him," the man said, mixing a drink and placing it on the table. "Shouldn't you admit your mistake?"

Xiao Jie shot him a cold, warning glance.

Xiaoli remained calm, reaching for the mixed drink, but Xiao Jie snatched it and downed it in one go.

She looked at him, surprised, and said urgently, "Your stomach can't handle that!"

Her concern was due to the drink being a potent mix of three different liquors, much stronger than usual.

Xiao Jie gazed at her warmly, and Xiaoli was momentarily stunned, hearing him say, "Don't worry, it's just one drink."

Snapping back to reality, Xiaoli felt a pang of regret, almost mistaking Xiao Jie for Xiao Chen.

Elsewhere, thanks to a few friends, Xiao Chen was getting quite tipsy, while the woman in his arms was still being urged by others to make him drink more.

His eyes opened slightly, unfocused, as Xiao Chen gazed at the woman in his arms. His dark eyes were deep, yet it was clear he was intoxicated. The woman, encouraged by those around her, blushed slightly, exuding a shy charm. She was well aware of the man's identity in front of her, knowing that if she could win over Xiao Chen, she would never have to worry about her livelihood again.

"Mr. Xiao, how about another drink?"