The Collaboration Begins

After several rounds of negotiations and adjustments to the proposal, the collaboration between Nebula Technology and Jiangbei Group was finally finalized. Shen Mo brought the final contract to Jiangbei Group, ready to sign it with Lu Xiao.

In Lu Xiao's office, sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows onto the dark carpet, and a faint scent of ambergris lingered in the air. Shen Mo handed the contract to Lu Xiao, speaking respectfully, "Mr. Lu, this is the final contract. Please review it."

Lu Xiao took the contract, his eyes quickly scanning the document before picking up a pen and signing his name on the last page. His fingers were long and strong, and his signing motion was crisp and decisive, exuding an undeniable authority.

"Pleasure working with you, Mr. Shen." Lu Xiao closed the contract and looked up at Shen Mo with deep eyes.

"Pleasure working with you, Mr. Lu." Shen Mo smiled slightly and extended his hand.

Lu Xiao grasped his hand, his palm warm and firm. Their hands lingered in the air for a few seconds, as if time had stopped at that moment. Shen Mo felt his heart skip a beat and quickly withdrew his hand, lowering his head to hide his flustered eyes.

"There will be a small banquet tonight to celebrate the signing of the contract. You must come, Mr. Shen." Lu Xiao's tone left no room for refusal.

Shen Mo nodded, "Okay, Mr. Lu."

The banquet was held at an upscale Chinese restaurant, with only Lu Xiao, Shen Mo, and a few core team members in a private room. The table was filled with exquisite dishes, and the atmosphere was relaxed and pleasant.

Lu Xiao sat at the head of the table, with Shen Mo next to him. Throughout the meal, Lu Xiao frequently raised his glass, and Shen Mo couldn't refuse either, downing several glasses of red wine.

"Mr. Shen, you have quite a tolerance," Lu Xiao said softly with a hint of teasing in his voice.

Shen Mo shook his head, his voice slightly slurred, "Mr. Lu flatters me."

Lu Xiao chuckled lightly, his gaze falling on Shen Mo's reddened ears as he raised his glass again. "Mr. Shen, this toast is for you. Thank you for your excellent work."

Shen Mo quickly raised his glass respectfully, "Mr. Lu is too kind. It's my duty."

Their glasses clinked lightly with a crisp sound. Shen Mo took a sip of wine, feeling his throat heat up. He put down his glass and lowered his head to pick up some food but felt Lu Xiao's gaze constantly on him.

"Mr. Shen, try this," Lu Xiao said as he placed a piece of steamed bass into Shen Mo's bowl.

Shen Mo was momentarily stunned but quickly thanked him, "Thank you, Mr. Lu."

Lu Xiao chuckled softly with a hint of teasing in his tone, "Mr. Shen is so polite; do you not consider me a friend?"

Shen Mo looked up and met Lu Xiao's deep gaze. His heart raced as he instinctively looked away, "Mr. Lu is joking; I'm just... not used to it."

Lu Xiao didn't respond but continued to look at him quietly. Shen Mo felt his ears grow hotter and quickly lowered his head, pretending to focus on eating.

As they continued drinking and chatting, Shen Mo was coaxed into drinking several more glasses by his colleagues. His cheeks flushed red and his eyes grew hazy. Sitting beside him, Lu Xiao never took his eyes off him.

"Mr. Shen, that's enough," Lu Xiao suddenly reached out to stop Shen Mo from drinking more wine with an authoritative tone that brooked no argument.

Shen Mo was taken aback but then smiled weakly, "Mr. Lu, I'm fine."

Lu Xiao didn't respond but instead took Shen Mo's glass and drank it all in one go. Everyone around them was stunned before giving knowing smiles.

Feeling embarrassed, Shen Mo whispered to Lu Xiao, "Mr. Lu, I can handle it myself."

Lu Xiao glanced at him coldly and said indifferently, "You don't need to force yourself."

Shen Mo's heart sank as he sensed something odd about Lu Xiao's attitude but didn't dwell on it further. He silently followed behind Lu Xiao as they ended the dinner.

After dinner ended, Lu Xiao offered to drive Shen home since he had been drinking and it was peak time for hiring designated drivers due to the earlier atmosphere at the table; he had no choice but to agree reluctantly.

After the dinner, Lu Xiao offered to drive Shen Mo home. Shen Mo had been drinking, and it was peak time for hiring a designated driver, so considering the atmosphere at the dinner table, he agreed. The driver drove them home. Shen Mo leaned back in his seat, eyes closed, breathing a bit heavily. Lu Xiao turned his head, his gaze falling on Shen Mo's profile.

The car slowly left the restaurant. The night was deep, and the glow of the streetlights filtered through the car windows, casting soft shadows inside. Lu Xiao's driver focused on driving while Lu Xiao and Shen Mo sat side by side in the back seat, maintaining a polite distance.

Shen Mo leaned back in his seat, eyes closed, breathing heavily, clearly still affected by the alcohol. Lu Xiao turned his head, his gaze falling on Shen Mo's profile. Shen Mo's long eyelashes cast a faint shadow under his eyes when lowered. His cheeks were slightly flushed, and his lips looked particularly soft due to the alcohol.

"Shen Mo," Lu Xiao's voice was low and carried a hint of gentle concern, "are you alright?"

Shen Mo opened his eyes, his vision a bit blurry but still able to make out Lu Xiao's face. He nodded, his voice hoarse: "I'm fine, Mr. Lu."

Lu Xiao didn't respond, just quietly looked at him. The car fell into silence, with only the hum of the engine in their ears.

"How did you find tonight's dinner?" Lu Xiao suddenly asked, his tone probing.

Shen Mo was startled for a moment before smiling: "It was very good. Mr. Lu arranged it very well."

Lu Xiao chuckled softly, a playful glint in his eyes: "Mr. Shen is always so polite."

Shen Mo lowered his head, his voice barely audible: "Mr. Lu flatters me."

Lu Xiao's gaze remained on Shen Mo's face as if trying to see into his soul. His fingers lightly tapped on the armrest of the seat, his voice low: "After all, your company's technology is top-notch. I need a team like yours to help me, especially you, Mr. Shen. I hold you in high regard."

Shen Mo's face turned even redder as he shook his head: "Mr. Lu flatters me. We will do our best."

Lu Xiao chuckled softly, a hint of teasing in his tone: "Mr. Shen, don't disappoint me. I'm very invested in you."

Shen Mo's heart skipped a beat as he felt Lu Xiao's breath on him. Instinctively leaning back but finding no escape from the seat behind him, he felt his heart pounding and his breath almost stopping. He didn't dare look into Lu Xiao's eyes and could only lower his head, his voice weak: "Mr. Lu, you've had too much to drink."

Lu Xiao didn't respond, just quietly looked at him. In the dim light of the car, Shen Mo's profile appeared particularly soft, with shadows cast by his eyelashes under his eyes. Lu Xiao's gaze unconsciously fell on Shen Mo's lips, which glistened slightly due to the alcohol.

After a few seconds of silence, Lu Xiao finally let go and sat back in his original position. The car fell into silence again with only the hum of the engine in their ears.

The car stopped at Shen Mo's apartment building. Lu Xiao got out and helped Shen Mo to the door.

"Mr. Lu, I can manage myself," Shen Mo tried to free himself from Lu Xiao's grip but stumbled slightly.

Lu Xiao didn't let go and said softly: "Don't push yourself."

Shen Mo had no choice but to let Lu Xiao help him upstairs. At the door, he took out his keys but couldn't insert them into the lock due to shaking hands.

"Let me do it." Lu Xiao took the keys and easily opened the door.

Standing at the door feeling awkward, Shen Mo said: "Thank you for bringing me home, Mr. Lu."

Lu Xiao nodded slightly; his gaze lingered on Shen Mo's face for a moment: "Get some rest."

Shen Mo nodded and was about to close the door when Lu Xiao suddenly held it open.

"Shen Mo," Lu Xiao's voice was low with a hint of gentle warmth that was hard to detect, "good night."

Shen Mo was stunned for a moment before lowering his head: "Good night, Mr. Lu."