Lend Me Your Shoulder - Chapter 22

Chapter 22 

When it came down to the moment, when Lu Yanbai invited her into the room, she actually hesitated.

“I-I-I was just saying it casually, Professor, don’t take it to heart. I didn’t mean to get involved, I just…”

Lu Yanbai looked at her: “This is a dinner for the App development project. You’re also involved with the public account, so you should come in and show your face.”

There were two reasons why he let her in.

One was to make them take her posts more seriously; the other was that since she was his student, it was his responsibility to give her more chances to participate and gain experience.

After all, having a bestselling author write posts for him felt like a bit of a waste of talent. He should make it up to her in other ways, so she could feel more balanced.

Xu Yeyu: “Ah? The dinner for the App project? Then I definitely shouldn’t…”

Before she finished, Lu Yanbai opened the door.

She immediately stopped talking. Everyone sitting around the round table turned to look at her.

Lu Yanbai gave her a faint gesture: “Come in.”

At this point, she had no choice but to enter.

However… Xu Yeyu glanced down at the sailor-style outfit she had impulsively worn today, feeling a surge of sadness in her heart.

Being brought by the teacher to meet the project team was already quite formal, but she, as a student, had dressed rather immaturely. Wouldn’t this make others think she was even less reliable?

God, she only went out to buy a Yakult, why did she suddenly get dragged into a business dinner?

Forcing herself to step inside, Xu Yeyu thought she should be confident and smiled to introduce herself.

Although she had attended big events like book signings and interviews before, facing Lu Yanbai’s business partners now felt very different.

It was like she was part of his world, someone connected to him.

Lu Yanbai stood beside her and added, “Xu Yeyu is the bestselling author I mentioned who writes posts.”

Xu Yeyu was flattered: “Author, author… I’m not really a writer.”

As expected, a man in a black tie glanced at her outfit and asked with a smile, “How old are you? Are you an adult?”

Someone else chimed in, “Wearing something cute like that, the little girl still writes novels?”

Xu Yeyu felt dizzy. She should have worn something more formal instead of dressing so childish just to show Lu Yanbai at the office.

Clearly, several people present still doubted whether she was capable.

Mature partners always gave a sense of stability and reliability.

Seated, questions kept coming.

“What kind of novels do you write? I’ll read them when I have time.”

“How many books sold counts as a bestseller? I’ll try writing one too.”

“Have you written posts before? Isn’t it too different from writing novels? I heard posting is a whole different skill.”

…

Questions came in all directions, as if bestselling authors were easy to find.

Xu Yeyu wanted to say something but couldn’t interrupt out of respect.

She parted her lips, then closed them again. At that moment, Lu Yanbai suddenly spoke in a low voice:

“The psychology post you wrote for the school last time got the highest clicks that week, and the comments doubled compared to before.”

“Does that really mean anything? The audience is different, after all.”

This question came from a woman.

Lu Yanbai smiled faintly: “If the posts for the App don’t go out, no one will know the results, and no one can speculate.”

The implication was clear — regardless of praise or doubt, it was too early to judge.

It was also a subtle hint telling those who had been questioning Xu Yeyu that it was time to stop.

Lu Yanbai rarely said things like this, and when he did, it carried an unspoken authority.

Xu Yeyu blinked.

— He was protecting her.

This realization blossomed in her mind like a flower.

Her heart skipped a beat; luckily, no one heard it.

The woman pulled a half-hearted smile: “It’s the first time I’ve seen Professor Lu protect a student like this. He really admires and trusts you.”

The latter half was directed at Xu Yeyu.

The atmosphere turned a bit awkward because of that woman’s strange words — it sounded like a complaint, yet also like a coaxing tone.

“Hey, Banna, don’t talk like that just because Professor Lu usually doesn’t bring a female companion, and now he’s protecting a student. It’s normal to appreciate your student — you’re overthinking.”

As a romance author, Xu Yeyu was sensitive and sensed something different.

This Banna probably had some feelings for Professor Lu.

After handling one female student, now they had to deal with a female collaborator who seemed familiar with him.

Xu Yeyu felt like a brave female warrior, always on alert to protect Lu Yanbai.

Someone lightened the mood, and Xu Yeyu relaxed a little, joining the conversation.

She was witty and outgoing, easily making people laugh.

Plus, she was smart and shared some of her achievements, proving her worth. After twenty minutes, everyone gradually accepted her.

As the wine flowed, someone raised a glass: “Let’s drink a toast to a successful cooperation.”

Everyone stood, and a glass was passed to Xu Yeyu. She hesitated.

This was a drinking dinner. She had just barely integrated, and if she was the only one not drinking…

The trust she had built would be broken, and people would say she talked a good game but insulted them by refusing to drink.

Besides, she wasn’t only thinking about herself but also about saving face for Lu Yanbai.

His student should be sensible and know what to do and when.

She lifted the glass, glanced at Lu Yanbai, and smiled, then drank it all at once.

She didn’t know the alcohol content, but it wasn’t too strong; the aftereffects were a bit dizzy but not drunk.

Sitting back down, Xu Yeyu listened to the ongoing discussion about the App’s development. Later, Banna took out her laptop, plugged in a flash drive, and played a video to explain the App’s concept.

It won cheers.

“This is amazing. If we sell this, it’ll be worth a lot. Let me say first: no one is allowed to leak these secrets to competitors.”

Someone teased: “Only you would think of stealing a flash drive. Anyone else who tries will get caught and be finished.”

Banna laughed: “What if you don’t get caught?”

…

They talked about this excitedly, and Xu Yeyu leaned back in her chair to relax, trying not to fall asleep or wander off and make a scene.

Fortunately, Lu Yanbai kept an eye on her. He walked over and tapped on the table in front of her: “Drunk?”

Xu Yeyu’s eyes were clear: “N-no, not drunk.”

His voice was rich and soothing: “Want to get up? I’ll introduce you to the heads of some companies.”

Though Xu Yeyu wasn’t exactly a student needing such resources, Lu Yanbai meant well, and connections never hurt. She got up and followed him to meet several people.

While wandering in the hall, she saw the laptop left openly on the table, a flash drive plugged in with a cute cat keychain hanging from it.

She squinted and walked over to touch it, gently swinging the little charm.

Soon after, her distraction was noticed, and Lu Yanbai pulled her back.

…

They left at exactly eleven at night. Originally, some wanted to continue drinking, but Lu Yanbai considered Xu Yeyu’s situation and said he’d take her home, so everyone left together.

Xu Yeyu’s legs were a bit shaky. Shamelessly, she stumbled and grabbed Lu Yanbai’s arm.

Lu Yanbai glanced down at her but said nothing, letting her lean on him.

After a few steps, he asked, “Is it a problem to go home this late?”

“No problem.”

She answered immediately, then changed her mind: “It’s a problem, so please take me home.”

She raised her face and gave a pure, slightly tipsy smile, as if playing a harmless game.

Lu Yanbai: “…”

He put her in the front passenger seat and closed the door. Just as he got into the driver’s seat, someone knocked on the window.

It was Banna, leaning on the glass: “No cars are available now. Can you spare a seat for me?”

Her reason sounded reasonable, but it was just an excuse to get into Lu Yanbai’s car.

“There are cars available,” Xu Yeyu quickly replied, “You can call any ride app. They even have luxury cars if you like.”

Banna glanced at her with a sharp, hostile look but turned to Lu Yanbai, putting on a pitiful act.

“But I’m scared of male drivers.”

Xu Yeyu said: “Then I’ll call a female driver for you.”

Banna kept acting coquettish: “If it’s on the way, I don’t mind…”

Lu Yanbai, silent until then, finally spoke to Banna: “My student lives in the opposite direction. You’ll probably wait a long time and get home close to 1 AM.”

Banna was surprised: “Not on the way?”

Xu Yeyu concentrated on her phone. A few seconds later, she showed it to Banna: “See? I called a female driver for you. I saved her number and will check if you got home safely. Don’t worry.”

Lu Yanbai nodded too: “You should go home early. I’ll contact Fu Heng later. Just let him know when you’re home.”

At this late hour, it really was a waste of time for Banna to ride with them, plus the back seat was full, making space hard to find. Xu Yeyu’s solution was just what Lu Yanbai wanted.

The window rolled up, and Xu Yeyu said to Lu Yanbai: “Let’s wait until she gets in before we leave.”

After Banna got in safely, Lu Yanbai finally started the car.

Banna’s car drove away, and Xu Yeyu suddenly realized Lu Yanbai actually knew where Banna lived.

Holding her Yakult, the drunkenness she had been hiding suddenly surged up, mixed with a little, very slight, jealousy.

When people get drunk, they tend to act on impulse.

So, just before the car moved, she leaned close to Lu Yanbai’s ear, one hand slipping around to hold his neck.

Her voice was soft and ticklish, almost like nibbling on his ear.

Lu Yanbai paused for a moment.

Soon, she touched his neck, her breath carrying a fresh scent of alcohol.

“Forget her,” Xu Yeyu paused, her fingers moving lightly, then whispered, “I’ll steal Yakult to feed you.”