Sister Ezi, I'll go with you

When Zhang Xiu'e opened the door, Chen Yuan was sitting on the sofa, fiddling with his phone.

He looked up at the sound and froze for a moment when he saw her come in.

"Sister Ezi? Why are you back so early?"

Zhang Xiu'e tossed her bag onto the coffee table and collapsed onto the sofa as though she had no bones.

Seeing that she looked upset, Chen Yuan didn't rush to question her. He stood up, walked over to her, and slowly turned around.

"Sister Ezi, take a look. How do I look in the clothes you picked out for me?"

He was wearing the light gray T-shirt Zhang Xiu'e had chosen for him that morning. It fit him well, accentuating his broad shoulders and trim waist.

He had paired it with dark trousers, their clean cut making his legs look long and straight.

Zhang Xiu'e glanced at him and managed a faint smile.

"Handsome. Would I ever pick something bad?"

Chen Yuan turned back around and crouched down to meet her eyes.

"Sister Ezi, is something bothering you?"

Zhang Xiu'e paused.

"Who said that?"

"It's written all over your face. I could tell the moment you came in. What happened? Something go wrong at work?"

Zhang Xiu'e stared at him for several seconds.

The boy seemed so quiet, but he was surprisingly perceptive.

She sighed softly and leaned back, slumping against the back of the sofa.

"Nothing major. It's just Wang Dahai giving me trouble again."

Chen Yuan sat down beside Zhang Xiu'e without a word and quietly waited for her to continue.

Zhang Xiu'e told him everything that had happened after she returned to the office.

She explained how Li Yan had made snide remarks, how Wang Dahai had lectured her, then put on another sham act while asking her to be his woman. After she refused, he had told her to have dinner with a client that evening.

By the time she finished, Zhang Xiu'e's brows were tightly furrowed.

"I just have a bad feeling about this. That Wang Dahai is no good. All that stuff he said about giving me credit for the sale and leaving me alone afterward... none of it sounds genuine."

Chen Yuan listened quietly, his face expressionless, but the hand resting on his thigh slowly clenched.

"What time tonight?"

"Seven, at the Shangri-La. He even told me to change and dress up."

Chen Yuan fell silent for a moment.

"Sister Ezi, I'll go with you."

Zhang Xiu'e turned to look at him.

"You'll go?"

"Yeah." Chen Yuan nodded. "You go in for dinner, and I'll wait outside. If Wang Dahai behaves himself, there won't be any trouble. But if he tries anything..."

Zhang Xiu'e suddenly remembered what had happened the night before. He had taken on four men by himself and dropped them all in just ten seconds.

"Sister Ezi, trust me. I can protect you."

Zhang Xiu'e gazed at Chen Yuan for a long while before finally nodding.

"All right. I'm counting on you, then."

At her words, a smile immediately spread across Chen Yuan's face.

"But you have to listen to me."

Zhang Xiu'e reminded him,

"When we get there, wait outside. Don't come in unless I call you. If nothing serious is happening, barging in will only cause trouble."

Chen Yuan considered it, then nodded.

"Okay!"

Zhang Xiu'e stood up and headed toward her room.

"I'll go change, then. You get ready too."

She went into her room and closed the door.

Chen Yuan stood up and walked to the window to look outside.

The sky was gradually darkening, and the lights of Deep City were coming on one after another.

He suddenly remembered what his grandfather had told him: when it was time to act, he must never hold back.

Chen Yuan slowly clenched his fists.

The bedroom door opened. He instinctively turned and froze on the spot.

Zhang Xiu'e had changed into a short black dress that ended just above her knees. It cinched at the waist, and although the neckline wasn't low, it flattered her figure beautifully.

"How do I look?"

Chen Yuan opened his mouth and found his throat a little dry.

"Beautiful."

Zhang Xiu'e smiled and picked up her bag from the coffee table.

"Let's go. Better get there early than be late."

The two of them left.

Walking beside her, Chen Yuan caught that familiar fragrance again.

He couldn't help glancing at her.

Under the lights, the contours of Zhang Xiu'e's profile looked especially soft. Her neck was fair, and the small earrings on her earlobes sparkled.

Noticing Chen Yuan looking at her, Zhang Xiu'e turned toward him.

"What are you looking at?"

Chen Yuan hurriedly looked away.

"Nothing."

The corners of Zhang Xiu'e's mouth lifted, and she reached out to ruffle his hair.

"Come on, little shadow."

They went downstairs, and Zhang Xiu'e went to wheel out her electric scooter.

Chen Yuan stopped her.

"Sister Ezi, let's take a cab. Riding in that dress would be awkward."

Zhang Xiu'e looked down at her dress and realized he was right.

Chen Yuan stood by the road and waved down a taxi.

He opened the rear door and let Zhang Xiu'e get in first.

As Zhang Xiu'e bent to get into the car, the already short hem of her dress slid up a little, revealing a stretch of shapely thigh.

Chen Yuan glanced instinctively, then quickly averted his eyes and got in on the other side.

The taxi pulled away slowly and merged into traffic.

Soft music played in the car. Zhang Xiu'e leaned back against her seat and gazed out the window, lost in thoughts he couldn't guess.

"Sister Ezi."

"Hmm?"

"If Wang Dahai so much as lays a finger on you tonight, I'll make him regret it."

Zhang Xiu'e turned to look at him.

Chen Yuan looked utterly serious, not like he was making empty boasts.

She smiled and reached over to pat the back of his hand.

"All right. Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease."

The taxi rounded a corner, and a brightly lit scene opened up ahead.

The golden sign of the Shangri-La Hotel stood out vividly against the night.

Chen Yuan narrowed his eyes as he looked at the name on the sign.

Zhang Xiu'e took a deep breath and gripped her clutch tightly.

"We're here," the driver said.

Chen Yuan took out some money and paid the fare. After getting out, he went around to open the door for Zhang Xiu'e.

Zhang Xiu'e stepped out and stood in front of the hotel, smoothing the hem of her dress.

"Sister Ezi, go on in. I'll be right outside. Call me whenever you need me."

Zhang Xiu'e nodded and took a couple of steps toward the entrance, then turned back.

"Yuan."

"Hmm?"

"Don't wander off. Wait right here for me."

Chen Yuan smiled and gave her a reassuring gesture. "Got it."

Zhang Xiu'e turned and walked into the hotel lobby in her high heels.