A Breathing Spell and Gathering Undercurrents

Over the next few days, Yan Qingyue did indeed keep her promise—or perhaps she had simply lost interest for the time being after achieving her goal of punishing him—and sent Lin Chen no more "surprise" photos.

Online, "Little Moon" returned to her usual gentle, considerate self.

She occasionally chatted with him about trivial matters at work, shared interesting things she had seen and heard, and asked after his meals and daily life, never once mentioning the "nuclear explosion" that night.

It was as though it had all been a harmless little joke.

As relieved as Lin Chen was, he also felt a faint trace of... disappointment?

Ugh, even if they nearly killed me, they were... really nice to look at...

Every now and then, he would still secretly pull out those ten photos and look at them until his face turned red and his heart raced.

Then he would despise himself for being so hopeless, even as he couldn't help savoring the memory.

But in any case, his sleep gradually returned to normal at last, the dark circles under his eyes slowly faded, and his work efficiency came back online.

Except for the occasional flicker of his eyes and awkwardness in his movements when he faced Yan Qingyue, brought on by a guilty conscience and certain unspeakable associations, everything seemed to be back on track.

Yan Qingyue noticed the change in him but said nothing, continuing to play the aloof, exacting boss.

She really had been busy lately, too. The mess left by the Xinghai Technology acquisition needed handling, new projects needed moving forward, and her schedule was packed with meetings and business engagements.

She seemed to have set teasing Lin Chen aside for the time being, giving him a rare chance to catch his breath.

However, Lin Chen's peaceful days did not last long.

That afternoon, he was buried in meeting minutes when the internal phone rang.

It was Yan Qingyue.

"Assistant Lin, come in for a moment."

Lin Chen's heart tightened. He hurriedly put aside his work, took a deep breath, composed his expression, and walked into the president's office.

"President Yan, you wanted to see me?"

Yan Qingyue looked up from her documents and swept her gaze over his face, seemingly checking his condition before she spoke in a businesslike tone:

"There's a business dinner tonight with President Zhao of Hongyuan Group to discuss a potential partnership over that plot of land in the east of the city. Prepare the materials and come with me."

"A business dinner?" Lin Chen was taken aback.

For business engagements of this level, President Yan usually brought a more senior project manager or a vice president. She rarely took a lowly assistant like him along.

What's going on? She's taking me? Can I handle it?

Isn't there going to be drinking at a place like that? I can't hold my liquor that well...

He felt a little intimidated, but he did not dare refuse:

"All right, President Yan. What materials do you need me to prepare? I'll put them together right away."

"The basic project background, our advantages, and a draft cooperation framework will do. Tonight is only an initial meeting, so we won't go into the details."

As Yan Qingyue spoke, she closed the document and added, seemingly casually, "Mainly, I'm taking you along to see what these occasions are like, and while you're there... help me drink a few rounds. President Zhao's people are rather fond of pressing others to drink."

Lin Chen: "!!!"

Drink for her?! I knew it! Nothing good ever comes of this!

Isn't President Yan pretty good at holding her liquor?

I heard she once drank an entire table of executives under the table by herself. Why does she need me to drink for her?

Could it be... deliberate?

Does she want to see me make a fool of myself? Is she getting back at me for spacing out a few days ago?

He complained furiously in his head, but all he could do was force a respectful smile onto his face:

"Understood, President Yan. I'll do my best!"

"Mm. Go get ready. Wait for me in the underground garage at six thirty."

Yan Qingyue waved him off and lowered her head to her documents again, as though she had merely assigned him some insignificant task.

Lin Chen left the office with his heart full of unease.

What do I do, what do I do? It's a feast at Hong Gate!

President Zhao's people are famous in the industry for how much they can drink. With my little frame, wouldn't I just be serving myself up on a platter?

Yan Iceberg is definitely doing this on purpose! She just wants to see me drink myself under the table and make a spectacle of myself!

He wailed inwardly as he resigned himself to preparing the materials.

He was distracted all afternoon, even secretly searching for "quick hangover remedies" and "how to pretend to be drunk gracefully at a drinking party."

After work, Lin Chen dragged his feet to the underground garage.

Yan Qingyue was already sitting in the back of her black Rolls-Royce.

He opened the door and carefully climbed in, only to be dazzled by what Yan Qingyue was wearing today.

She had changed out of her business suit into a black velvet evening gown with a striking design. Its simple cut brought out her poise, setting off skin whiter than snow and vivid red lips.

Her long chestnut curls fell loosely over her shoulders, softening some of her usual sharpness and lending her more of the elegance and femininity suited to an evening banquet.

She wore a faint perfume, a little richer than usual.

Holy crap... President Yan looks... kind of gorgeous tonight...

Lin Chen felt his heart skip a beat. He hurriedly looked away and sat up straight, but could not help muttering inwardly:

Dressing up so beautifully for a business dinner... President Zhao doesn't seem to have a very good reputation, and he's quite a lecher... Could she be planning to...

"Put those messy thoughts of yours away."

Yan Qingyue's cool voice suddenly rang out, interrupting his inner monologue.

She did not even turn to look at him, keeping her gaze ahead as though she had merely spoken offhand.

Lin Chen jolted in fright. "President Yan, I wasn't..."

"Just do what you're supposed to do."

Yan Qingyue cut him off, her tone allowing no argument.

How does she know what I'm thinking?! Was I that bad at controlling my expression?

Lin Chen did not dare let his thoughts run wild again. He obediently shut his mouth, though he felt even more nervous.

The car drove smoothly toward one of the city's most exclusive private clubs.

Sure enough, President Zhao of Hongyuan Group was already in the private room with several of his subordinates.

President Zhao was around fifty, slightly plump and ruddy-faced. One look was enough to tell he was a seasoned veteran of the drinking table.

When he saw Yan Qingyue, his eyes lit up, and he came forward warmly to shake her hand.

"President Yan! Long time no see, long time no see! You really do get prettier and prettier! And this is?"

His gaze fell on Lin Chen, carrying a hint of scrutiny.

"My assistant, Lin Chen."

Yan Qingyue smiled calmly as she introduced him. "I brought him along to learn a thing or two. Assistant Lin, this is President Zhao of Hongyuan Group."

"Hello, President Zhao!" Lin Chen hurried forward and greeted him respectfully.

After exchanging pleasantries, everyone took their seats.

The dishes had yet to arrive, but the drinks had already been poured.

Sure enough, just as Yan Qingyue had expected, President Zhao's people launched an enthusiastic campaign of urging others to drink, aiming mainly at Yan Qingyue.

"President Yan, it's been a long time. I absolutely must offer you the first toast! I'll drain mine; drink as much as you like!"

President Zhao was the first to raise his glass.

Yan Qingyue smiled and readily took a small sip.

But the other side was clearly not about to let it end there. Several vice presidents and department managers took turns coming forward, their toasts decked out in flowery words.

Yan Qingyue handled them with ease, taking only a small sip each time, but there were too many of them.

After several rounds, a faint flush gradually colored her cheeks, and her eyes looked more moist and shimmering than usual.

Sitting beside her, Lin Chen watched with his heart burning with anxiety and remembered his "mission."

He finally worked up his courage. When a project manager raised his glass to Yan Qingyue yet again, Lin Chen steeled himself and stood up.

"Manager Wang! Let me offer you this toast! President Yan isn't feeling very well today, so I'll drink in her place!"

With that, before the other man could react, he tipped back his head and drained the baijiu in his glass!

The fiery liquid scorched his throat, nearly making him cough, and a fire seemed to flare up in his stomach.

Everyone at the table instantly turned to look at him.

President Zhao was startled for a moment, then burst out laughing:

"Good! President Yan's people really are different! You've got spirit, young man!

"Come on, fill mine up. I'll have a drink with Assistant Lin!"

Yan Qingyue turned her head and glanced at Lin Chen, a somewhat complicated look in her eyes, as though she wanted to say something.

But in the end, she only frowned slightly and did not stop him.

The time that followed became Lin Chen's "hour of suffering."

He took on nearly all the drinks aimed at Yan Qingyue, pouring them down one glass after another.

Baijiu, red wine, foreign liquor—he mixed them all. Before long, his head was spinning, his face was burning, and his tongue was beginning to tie itself in knots.

I can't... I can't take any more... Why hasn't President Yan called a stop yet...?

President Zhao can really drink too much... Are they doing this on purpose...?

He felt as though he were floating on clouds, his legs weak beneath him and everyone appearing double.

Yan Qingyue watched him foolishly forcing himself to carry on, her frown growing deeper and deeper.

Several times she tried to speak, but President Zhao diverted the conversation each time.

"President Yan, this assistant of yours is a good one! A genuine fellow! I like drinking with genuine people!

"Come on, Assistant Lin, let's have another! If you ever need anything in business, come straight to me!"

President Zhao filled another large glass for Lin Chen.

Lin Chen had nearly lost the ability to think. In a daze, he reached for it.

Just then, an icy hand gently pressed down on his wrist.

Yan Qingyue had stood up at some point. She took the glass in front of him, a proper smile on her face but a chill in her eyes:

"President Zhao, that's about enough. My assistant is young and hasn't been through anything like this before. If he keeps drinking, he won't be able to get out of bed tomorrow. I'll drink this toast to you in his place."

With that, she decisively drained the glass of baijiu in one gulp!

Her movements were elegant, yet carried an unmistakable air of authority.

President Zhao stared for a moment, then clapped his hands and laughed:

"Excellent! President Yan, you can really hold your liquor! I'm impressed, truly impressed!"

Yan Qingyue set down the glass, the flush on her face deepening, though her eyes remained clear:

"President Zhao, we've enjoyed our drinks today. Shall we arrange another time to discuss the partnership in detail?

"Assistant Lin doesn't seem to be feeling well, so I'll take him home first."

Her tone was polite, but it carried the suggestion that it was time to leave.

President Zhao understood. Seeing that his objective had been achieved—getting one of the other side's people drunk counted as giving them a show of force—he went along with it and stood up:

"All right, all right, let's call it a day! Take care on the way, President Yan!"

Yan Qingyue signaled to the driver, then left the private room practically carrying Lin Chen, who could no longer walk, half supporting and half holding him up.

Leaning against Yan Qingyue and breathing in her faint fragrance, Lin Chen felt even dizzier, yet he still mumbled indistinctly:

"President Yan... I'm not drunk... I can still drink... Can't let them... bully you..."

Yan Qingyue looked down at the drunken man in her arms, who was still talking about protecting her. Her icy gaze gradually melted, and an extremely complicated emotion flashed through it.

There was helplessness and annoyance, and perhaps a trace of... the faintest... heartache?

She sighed and, with some effort, supported him as she headed toward the elevator.

Tonight's "business dinner" seemed to have strayed from what she had originally envisioned.

And the undercurrents had only just begun to stir.