When Luo Zheng turned at the sound of the voice, he was met by a pair of bright, mischievous eyes.
It was Ah Sa.
Her expression carried both nervousness and curiosity, while Ah Jiao stood quietly beside her, graceful and reserved.
"President Luo… would you like to have a drink with us?"
Luo Zheng's lips curved into a faint smile.
"Of course."
He reached for a glass of red wine from a passing tray and lightly clinked it against theirs. The soft crystal sound blended into the elegant music drifting through the banquet hall.
Without hesitation, he tilted his head back and finished the wine in one smooth motion.
Ah Sa's eyes widened in admiration.
"President Luo, your drinking capacity is amazing."
Luo Zheng let out a quiet laugh.
"It's just habit. The same way dancing becomes more beautiful the more you practice."
Ah Sa blinked in surprise, clearly delighted.
"Ah? You've seen our performances?"
"Of course I have."
The answer came so naturally that Ah Sa's face immediately lit up.
Beside her, Ah Jiao remained silent, though her gaze lingered on Luo Zheng for a moment longer than before.
Deep down, she could sense something strange.
Luo Zheng was warm toward Ah Sa, teasing and smiling with ease, yet when it came to her, there was always an invisible distance.
A deliberate line.
And she was not wrong.
Luo Zheng was indeed intentionally keeping his distance.
Ah Jiao was undeniably more stunning in appearance and figure, but he knew far too well how dangerous it would be to get involved.
Some flames were beautiful from afar, but disastrous up close.
The risk was too high.
Compared to that, the lively, sweet, and innocent Ah Sa was far easier to approach.
Far more enjoyable too.
The conversation soon turned lighthearted.
Luo Zheng's words carried just the right amount of humor, making Ah Sa laugh again and again.
Before long, she was laughing so hard that she bent forward slightly, unable to control herself.
In her fluster, the wine in her glass tilted.
A splash of red spilled across Luo Zheng's shirt.
The deep crimson stain spread across the white fabric.
Ah Sa froze.
Her face instantly turned pale.
"I—I'm so sorry!"
Panic filled her voice.
She hurriedly put down the glass and fumbled for tissues, desperately trying to wipe away the stain.
But the more she wiped, the worse it seemed to look.
Her eyes immediately reddened.
"I'm sorry… I really didn't mean to…"
She was truly frightened.
This was no ordinary man.
Even President Yang treated him with exceptional respect.
If he became angry, the consequences for both her and Ah Jiao would be unimaginable.
Yet Luo Zheng simply smiled.
"It's fine. It's only a little wine."
He gently caught her small hand, stopping her frantic movements.
"You don't need to blame yourself."
The moment his fingers wrapped around hers, Ah Sa froze completely.
Her face burned bright red.
For a moment, she stood there motionless, staring at him.
Ah Jiao quickly stepped closer.
"Zhuo Yan… are you okay?"
Only then did Ah Sa seem to wake from her daze.
In the distance, Albert Yeung observed the scene with a knowing smile.
Beside him, another executive chuckled softly.
"It seems President Luo is quite the romantic."
Albert Yeung raised his glass.
"That's a good thing. It's always easier to work with people whose preferences you understand."
The two exchanged a meaningful glance before clinking their glasses.
Meanwhile, on Luo Zheng's side, the atmosphere shifted once more.
A new figure approached.
Tall, elegant, with fiery red lips and an alluring presence.
Shu Qi.
"President Luo, may I offer you a drink?"
Her tone was casual, but her eyes were sharp.
Ah Sa instinctively wanted to step aside.
But Luo Zheng still held her hand.
No matter how lightly she tried to pull away, he did not release it.
"Of course."
Luo Zheng took the offered glass and finished it in one smooth motion.
Yet even while drinking, his hand remained around Ah Sa's.
Not only that—
his fingers lightly traced over her palm.
The intimate gesture sent another wave of heat rushing to Ah Sa's face.
Shu Qi narrowed her eyes.
"President Luo, you're still holding the young lady's hand while drinking with me. Am I really that lacking in charm?"
Luo Zheng chuckled.
"Miss Shu Qi, you misunderstand. Everyone in Hong Kong knows your charm."
He lifted his and Ah Sa's joined hands slightly.
"She was just startled. I was only comforting her."
The explanation was smooth.
Too smooth.
Shu Qi immediately understood the hidden meaning.
This man wasn't even pretending to be discreet.
He practically wore his intentions openly.
Most men at least tried to appear restrained in front of her.
But Luo Zheng?
He didn't care in the slightest.
As if he was afraid people wouldn't know exactly what kind of man he was.
Shu Qi felt slightly annoyed.
How could she, of all people, be overshadowed by a newcomer like Ah Sa?
Before she could respond, another voice sounded.
"Miss Shu Qi, may I borrow President Luo for a drink first?"
The sound of high heels echoed across the polished floor.
Every gaze instinctively turned.
Luo Zheng's eyes immediately sharpened.
Li Jiaxin.
She approached with elegant composure, wearing an ivory evening gown that perfectly highlighted her graceful figure.
Her neck was lifted proudly.
Her beauty was dazzling.
Like a white swan beneath golden lights.
Even Ah Sa couldn't help staring.
She was truly breathtaking.
For a moment, Ah Sa clearly felt Luo Zheng's grip tighten around her hand.
And that made something unexpectedly uncomfortable stir inside her chest.
A strange sourness.
Something she didn't understand.
Luo Zheng quickly recovered his composure.
Before turning toward Li Jiaxin, he first gave Ah Sa an apologetic smile.
Then he accepted the glass.
"President Luo, it's our first meeting. Let me offer this as a gesture of respect."
Luo Zheng smiled.
"I've admired Miss Jiaxin for a long time."
Both of them finished their drinks.
Li Jiaxin's eyes flickered downward toward his hand.
"I might have believed that more if you weren't still holding another girl's hand."
The teasing words made Ah Sa's face redden again.
This time, Luo Zheng smoothly released her hand—
only to slide his arm around her waist instead.
The sudden closeness made Ah Sa's body stiffen.
Then Luo Zheng looked straight into her eyes.
His expression turned unexpectedly sincere.
"I can't help it."
He smiled softly.
"My greatest flaw is that I'm too devoted."
For a moment, silence.
Then both Shu Qi and Li Jiaxin had to cover their lips to stop themselves from laughing.
Such shameless words.
Too devoted?
From the mouth of a man openly flirting with multiple women at the same time?
Only an innocent girl like Ah Sa might actually believe it.
Yet strangely—
under Luo Zheng's gaze,
Ah Sa's heartbeat quickened.
And despite knowing those words were absurd,
a part of her still wanted to believe them.
That perhaps, among all the dazzling lights and glamorous faces tonight,
his attention on her—
was real.