Su Banxia's attention had been entirely on Li Yi and Ye Hengtian, so she hadn't noticed anyone else at all.
Hearing this, she turned to look back, and the scene before her left her momentarily stunned.
When she'd first come in, she'd only seen two women writhing on top of the men. Now, several of them had stripped off their clothes and were going at it for real.
"Miss Su, do you think the men and women who come here still count as normal when they go home at night?"
Li Yi leaned close to Su Banxia's ear and spoke.
Because he'd been drinking, a strong smell of alcohol enveloped her.
Ever since Ye Hengtian had brought her in, he'd acted aloof and detached, as if it had nothing to do with him.
Steadying herself a bit, Su Banxia looked at Li Yi beside her, her smile still in place. "President Li, I came here tonight with President Ye. How about we make plans another time?"
Using Ye Hengtian as a shield was the best move.
Pausing, she looked at Li Yi and said, "I don't know if you enjoy having others watch you... in the throes of passion, but I really don't like it at all. I prefer somewhere quieter, just the two of us."
Ye Hengtian had been right—she was using seduction now.
Li Yi glanced at the two people nearby, oblivious to everyone else, their moans and gasps continuous. He frowned slightly. To be honest, he didn't really like this kind of live-action combat either.
Raising his eyes to Su Banxia, he smiled. "Miss Su and I really are fated."
He pulled a card from his pocket and handed it to her, looking at her as he said, "This is my private number. If you ever need anything, Miss Su, feel free to call me anytime."
Men had no ability to refuse a beautiful, alluring, sophisticated, and elegant woman—especially a pretty one.
Su Banxia took the card with a smile, a hint of coy shyness on her face.
She looked sweetly at Li Yi and said, "Then when I call you, President Li, you can't turn me down!"
Li Yi laughed heartily at that and replied, "Of course not!"
Then he picked up his glass and started drinking.
Ye Hengtian watched the interaction between Su Banxia and Li Yi, his deep gaze fixed on her the entire time.
He saw through her fake smile and deliberate affectation.
Women seemed born with a talent for acting.
Because Ye Hengtian was there, even if Li Yi had any ideas about Su Banxia, he had to be somewhat restrained.
So after they drank and played for a while, they called it a night.
Although the contract wasn't signed, at least it would be easy to arrange a meeting with Li Yi now.
Leaving the nightclub, Su Banxia was about to head off on her own.
But Ye Hengtian grabbed her and pulled her straight into his car.
"President Ye, you—"
"If you want to go with Li Yi, feel free to get out."
Ye Hengtian said, lowering his eyes as he prepared to start the car.
Su Banxia looked out and saw Li Yi watching her and Ye Hengtian with a calculating expression. In an instant, a smile spread across her face.
She looked at Li Yi and said, "President Li, we'll meet another time!"
Li Yi smiled, said nothing more, and got into his luxury car with a woman before driving off.
Ye Hengtian started the car too. After they'd driven a bit, he asked, "Where do you live?"
"Bianjiang Garden."
Su Banxia replied, then turned to look at him. "Thank you for tonight."
Ye Hengtian smiled, an enigmatic look on his face. "It was a mutual exchange. No need."
Su Banxia pursed her lips and said nothing more.
After a moment, Ye Hengtian looked at her. "Are you planning to use your body to negotiate with Li Yi?"
Of course not, but Su Banxia naturally wouldn't tell him that. She just hummed in acknowledgment and stayed quiet.
Ye Hengtian frowned. "Li Yi is especially lecherous with women, particularly pretty ones. He never turns them down, but most of the women he's been with end up ruined."
Su Banxia didn't know why he was suddenly telling her this, but she paused slightly and said, "Thanks for the warning, President Ye."
Why all the pointless talk?
Ye Hengtian was just bored, of course.
He didn't say more. When it came to dealing with women, he wasn't much better than Li Yi.
But with Su Banxia, if...
He trailed off and fell silent.
The car stopped at the apartment building where Su Banxia lived. She got out, said goodbye, and Ye Hengtian drove off.
Su Banxia checked the time—it was already two in the morning. She thought the kids were probably asleep by now.
She picked up her bag and was about to head upstairs.
But after just a few steps, she felt something was off. It seemed like someone was watching her.
Instinctively, she turned to look.
And what she saw startled her.
Across the street, under a dim streetlamp, a black car was parked. The light was faint, and Su Banxia couldn't make out who was inside.
But she could feel that the person in the car was staring at her.
Just as she thought she might be in danger, the car door opened. A pair of black leather shoes hit the ground, and a man dressed all in black stepped out.
Su Banxia looked at him and froze.
Pei Shaoze!
Wasn't he in France?
When did he come back?
She watched as he walked toward her, backlit by the light. Though she couldn't read his expression, she could tell he was furious.
He stopped a few steps away, standing not far from her.
He spoke in a low voice. "Su Banxia."
Su Banxia steadied herself and replied, "President Pei."
"Come here."
He gave the order, his voice icy.
Su Banxia walked toward him, wondering when he'd returned to the country and why he was here at her place.
Before she could get close, he yanked her into his arms.
Then came a sudden, overwhelming barrage of kisses raining down on her, catching her completely off guard.
He kissed and bit her, making her mouth ache.
He held her so tightly that she could barely breathe.
After a long moment, just as she was about to suffocate, Pei Shaoze finally let her go. His dark, deep eyes fixed on her, his voice low and cold. "When did you hook up with Ye Hengtian?"
Su Banxia froze, disliking his phrasing intensely.
She said, "President Ye just gave me a ride home. It was on his way."
"On his way?"
Pei Shaoze sneered. "What were you doing in the middle of the night that made it 'on his way'?"
Su Banxia was at a loss for words. Deciding not to play games with him, she looked him straight in the eye and said, "The documents Lin Tongze had were from me. Whether you send me to court or do something else, it's up to you."
Pei Shaoze was already angry, and her words only fueled his rage.
He shoved her hard, pushing her into the grass nearby.
Before Su Banxia could react, his tall frame pressed down on her.
She had no idea what he was trying to do. As he pinned her down, she instinctively struggled.
But he grabbed her wrists, holding them above her head, keeping her under control.
"What are you doing?"
Su Banxia was on alert, her clear eyes watching him warily.
Pei Shaoze was furious, his cold gaze boring into her. "First Lin Tongze, now Ye Hengtian. What do you think you are, Su Banxia?"
His tone was harsh and biting, his words even colder than his expression.
The sturdy defenses around Su Banxia's heart shattered in an instant.
She looked at him and managed a smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "What I think I am—does that concern you, President Pei?"
That provoked Pei Shaoze. Suppressing his anger, he grabbed her wrist, yanked her into his arms, and lowered his head to kiss her.
In the dead of night, the neighborhood was utterly silent.
Birds chirped, the wind blew, and there were faint sounds of labored breathing.
Caught off guard by his sudden kiss, Su Banxia froze, staring wide-eyed at him without moving.
But only for a moment. Then she calmed down and stayed still, letting him kiss her.