This dinner gathering consisted of about a dozen people. On Zhou Yuwen’s side, there were five attendees: himself, Tao Tian, Liu Shuo, Gao Yang, and Lu Hui.
Zhou Yuwen was slightly surprised to see Lu Hui there. She shifted closer to Liu Shuo, who grinned and said, “Bro, Lu Hui is our accountant. I brought her along to gain so experience.”
Zhou Yuwen nodded without objection. He originally intended to train Jiang Xinyi for such roles, but Jiang Xinyi, with her spoiled rich-girl temperant, often disappeared without notice. In contrast, Lu Hui was obedient and reliable.
On the labor company’s side, Zhao Jun brought along two colleagues: a man and a woman. The man, Gao Peter, looked to be in his thirties and shared the sa family na as Gao Yang, suggesting they might be relatives. The woman, in her early thirties, had an air of mature charm despite her average looks. She wore black stockings and high heels and followed Gao Peter closely.
Gao Peter, a mid-level manager from the main company, was a step higher in rank than Zhao Jun. To win Zhou Yuwen’s favor, he had specifically reserved a large private room for the occasion. Zhou Yuwen controlled a substantial labor force, and the vice president of the Tea Association had shown great appreciation for Zhou Yuwen’s work, prompting Gao Peter to strengthen their relationship.
The eting primarily focused on planning the upcoming exhibition, discussing security, models, and other staffing needs. Zhou Yuwen’s team would handle recruitnt, while salaries and training would be coordinated with the main company. Gao Peter assured Zhou Yuwen that they would hire reputable training institutions for the task
With the business discussions concluded, the atmosphere shifted to drinking—a common tradition during such negotiations.
Liu Shuo and Gao Yang enthusiastically offered to drink on Zhou Yuwen’s behalf. However, given Gao Peter’s higher rank, Zhou Yuwen couldn’t completely avoid drinking, as it would be seen as disrespectful. After a few rounds, Zhou Yuwen decided to drink two glasses himself, considering the support provided by the company.
At the table, Tao Tian played her role as Zhou Yuwen’s “girlfriend” perfectly. She spoke softly, asking Zhou Yuwen to drink less and even poured him a glass of warm water.
Gao Peter noticed and smiled enviously. “President Zhou, not only are you young and capable, but you also have such a beautiful girlfriend. I’m truly jealous.”
Zhou Yuwen responded with a laugh, “You flatter , Mr. Gao. She just likes to nag .”
Tao Tian, taking the cue, pouted. “And you don’t like
nagging you?”
Zhou Yuwen gave her a playful look. “Of course I do.”
Everyone at the table laughed heartily.
Soon after, the woman accompanying Gao Peter, Li Lan, raised her glass to Zhou Yuwen. “President Zhou, let
propose a toast. You’re young and talented. I hope we can count on your support in the future.”
Zhou Yuwen was about to drink when Tao Tian intercepted the glass. With a sly smile, she said, “Ms. Lan, my boyfriend has had enough. Let
drink on his behalf.”
Li Lan hesitated, then chuckled. “Alright, I don’t mind at all.”
Before Tao Tian could drink, Zhou Yuwen stopped her. “You still have to drive
later. Let
handle this.”
With that, Zhou Yuwen drank the glass himself, earning a round of applause from Gao Peter.
“President Zhou, you’re a rare man—successful in business and considerate of won. What’s not to like?” Gao Peter said.
Zhou Yuwen waved off the complint, but Tao Tian wasn’t as pleased. She whispered, “You’ve been drinking too much.”
Zhou Yuwen, emboldened by the alcohol, slid his hand under the table and gave her thigh a light squeeze. “It’s fine. I can handle this much.”
Tao Tian huffed softly. “You trust
to drive? Be careful, or I might sell you off.”
“Would you really?” Zhou Yuwen teased.
“Why wouldn’t I? You’re not even mine,” she retorted, smirking as they exchanged quiet banter
anwhile, Lu Hui decided to take a bold step. She approached Gao Peter with a toast.
“Mr. Gao, let
propose a toast to you,” she said, her voice slightly trembling.
Gao Peter glanced at her, puzzled. “And you are?”
“She’s our company’s accountant,” Zhou Yuwen interjected smoothly.
“Oh, Accountant Lu,” Gao Peter said with a nod. He took a small sip, while Lu Hui finished her glass in one go, hoping to impress him.
However, Gao Peter paid her little attention, focusing instead on strengthening his ties with Zhou Yuwen. “I ntioned you to President Wan recently,” he said. “He’s very impressed with how you’ve integrated the courier market in the university town.”
Zhou Yuwen acknowledged this with a slight nod, thanking him for the support.
As the evening progressed, the drinking intensified. Zhou Yuwen noticed his glass tasted of water instead of alcohol and glanced at Tao Tian, who sat nonchalantly, as if nothing had happened. Zhou Yuwen said nothing, draining the glass with a small smile.
Midway through the dinner, Zhou Yuwen’s phone lit up with a ssage from Chang Hao:
“I’ve thought about this for a long ti. You should end things with Lu Lin and focus on Yanyan. I’ll pretend I don’t know about anything.”
Reading the ssage, Zhou Yuwen found it laughable. He turned slightly, catching Tao Tian stealing a glance at his phone.
“What did you see?” Zhou Yuwen asked.
“Nothing,” Tao Tian replied, averting her eyes.
Zhou Yuwen, annoyed by the audacity of the ssage, typed a curt reply: “Who do you think you are?”
Chang Hao, who had been nervously waiting for a response, froze when he saw the reply. A string of ssages from Zhou Yuwen followed:
“Who I date is my business. Why do you care?”
“If you’re a real man, go tell Yanyan yourself. I won’t break up with Lu Lin.”
“At most, I’ll break up with Yanyan. Then you can try your luck. Let’s see if she’ll want you.”
Reading this, Chang Hao felt his heart sink. Hurriedly, he replied:
“I never said I wanted to be with Yanyan! I don’t even like her anymore! I just want you to treat her well!”
“Why do you have to hurt her? Isn’t she good enough for you?”
The ssages went unread. Zhou Yuwen locked his phone, ignoring the matter altogether.
“Have you seen enough?” he asked Tao Tian.
Tao Tian’s expression was a mix of curiosity and disbelief. “I… I don’t know.”
In that mont, Tao Tian realized Zhou Yuwen wasn’t as simple and innocent as he seed.
The dinner ended around 9 PM. As the group suggested going to a karaoke bar, Zhou Yuwen shrugged and agreed. Seeing the enthusiasm among Liu Shuo and the others, he figured there was no harm.
Tao Tian, however, found her thoughts clouded. She had been interested in Zhou Yuwen, but now, learning about his involvent with other won, she was unsure.
Zhou Yuwen noticed her distraction. “If you’re uncomfortable, you can head back. I’ll find soone else to handle the team.”
Tao Tian snapped out of her daze. “Who says I’m uncomfortable? You think I’d leave you here alone? After all, you’re my ‘boyfriend.’” She linked her arm with his, smiling brightly.
Zhou Yuwen didn’t press further.
As Zhou Yuwen entered the karaoke room, his phone buzzed again with another ssage from Chang Hao
“Please, I’m begging you. Can you give Yanyan happiness?”
Zhou Yuwen glanced at the ssage but didn’t reply, pocketing his phone as the noisy night carried on.
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