Chapter 4.1: Human World

After Zhao Chuchu finished her makeup, everyone was ready, and they followed Fan Jiancheng out together.

Fuqiang Real Estate’s scale wasn’t large. The branch where Ye Sibei worked had just over twenty people in total. Some had left after work, leaving only seven or eight people at this point.

Fan Jiancheng and Chen Xiaoyang drove, and the others split into two cars, heading to the restaurant Fan Jiancheng had booked.

For such gatherings, the sales department was quite familiar. Although Ye Sibei didn’t go often, after working for so many years, she had gained experience. She knew many people around, so she wasn’t worried.

Fan Jiancheng had reserved a large table. After they arrived, he and Chen Xiaoyang sat at the main seats, and the seating arrangement was based on drinking capacity, with the best drinkers closer to the main seats.

Zhao Chuchu was one of the main forces, but Fan Jiancheng didn’t seat her near the front. Instead, he had her sit with Ye Sibei. Zhao Chuchu couldn’t help but feel a little strange and quietly asked Fan Jiancheng, “Fan Ge, what’s the meaning of this arrangement?”

“You’re young,” Fan Jiancheng scolded her, “if Taojie can’t handle it, you can step in. If you don’t have to drink, don’t.”

“Fan Ge,” Zhao Chuchu suddenly became happy when she heard this, and she made a heart shape gesture towards Fan Jiancheng, “love you!”

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Originally, tonight was supposed to be Anjia Real Estate’s gathering with him, but for some reason, Anjia Real Estate offended him, so he changed it to dinner with Fuqiang Real Estate at the last minute. It’s said that he liked drinking and was fond of lively scenes, so Fan Jiancheng deliberately brought along as many people as he could.

“We’re probably going to drink a lot tonight,” Zhao Chuchu judged the situation based on her rich experience.

As soon as she finished speaking, footsteps were heard outside the door. Everyone looked towards the sound and saw Fan Jiancheng opening the door, nodding and bowing to invite three people into the room.

Leading them was a middle-aged man in his forties, dressed in a suit and exuding an air of authority.

As soon as he entered, everyone stood up.

“I’ll introduce everyone,” Fan Jiancheng respectfully pointed to the man who entered beside him, “This is Mr. Zheng, the head of Wanfu Real Estate. Welcome.”

With that, Fan Jiancheng began to applaud, and everyone quickly followed suit.

Warm applause filled the entire private room as Fan Jiancheng guided Zheng Qiang towards the main seat. “Come, Mr. Zheng, sit here.”

The other two people brought by Zheng Qiang didn’t sit down; they remained standing at the door, seeming like bodyguards.

He sat in the main seat, with Fan Jiancheng and Chen Xiaoyang on his left and right. He looked around the round table and smiled, “Wow, Mr. Zheng is really fortunate today. This table is filled with beauties.”

“Come,” Zheng Qiang stood up and poured himself three glasses of wine, “Ladies, I’m late, so I’ll punish myself with three drinks.”

Before anyone could stop him, Zheng Qiang downed the three glasses in one go.

Then he turned the empty glasses around to face everyone, looking quite hearty. “Look, I, Zheng, never beat around the bush. Since I’m here today, everyone present must drink and have a good time. Don’t give me any excuses like being allergic to alcohol or not being able to drink. Friendship is in the wine. If you don’t drink and pass out, then that’s not true friendship.”

“Mr. Zheng is right.”

Standing next to Zheng Qiang, Chen Xiaoyang stood up, raising his glass to everyone. “Wine carries deep emotions. Today, it’s our honor at Fuqiang Realty to have Mr. Zheng here, and we must show some respect. Since Mr. Zheng has had three drinks, all of us staff members will toast Mr. Zheng three drinks. Cheers!”

With that, Chen Xiaoyang poured himself the first glass. “First glass, welcome Mr. Zheng!”

After Chen Xiaoyang spoke, everyone raised their glasses and drank in unison.

Ye Sibei took a sip lightly amidst the crowd. In such crowded gatherings, she always acted this way, knowing no one would notice.

Chen Xiaoyang raised his glass again. “Second glass, gratitude to Mr. Zheng for gracing us with his presence.”

Once again, everyone filled their glasses and toasted.

Chen Xiaoyang raised his glass for the third time. “Third glass, wishing Mr. Zheng prosperity in his business!”

Everyone refilled their glasses, raised them, and Ye Sibei took a small sip before putting her glass down.

As Chen Xiaoyang finished his drink, he turned his glass upside down and looked around at everyone. About to speak, he noticed Zheng Qiang staring in Ye Sibei’s direction.

Sensing the tension, Chen Xiaoyang dared not speak.

The atmosphere quieted down.

“Lao Fan,” Zheng Qiang spoke up, and everyone followed his gaze to see him pointing at Ye Sibei’s half-empty glass behind the chopsticks. “Your company looks down on me.”

Upon hearing this, everyone’s expression changed. Ye Sibei’s mind went blank, and she started thinking quickly about what to do.

Zhao Chuchu was the first to react. She quickly stood up. “Mr. Zheng, I’ll toast you three glasses.”

Without speaking, Zheng Qiang just shook his head as he stared at Ye Sibei.

“You should apologize, but no one apologizes except the one who made the mistake. That’s what a real apology is.”

With that, Zheng Qiang grabbed a glass from the side and counted them. “1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.”

After counting, he filled the glasses with white wine one by one and extended his hand towards Ye Sibei.

“Young lady,” Zheng Qiang smiled. “With so many of us finally having a meal together today, we can’t let one person not finish eating, can we? Finish these, and I’ll believe your company still respects Zheng. If not,” Zheng Qiang glanced jokingly at Fan Jiancheng, “it means your Fuqiang Realty doesn’t give me face.”

Upon hearing this, Fan Jiancheng became anxious. He looked up at Ye Sibei and called out threateningly, “Sibei!”

Ye Sibei looked at the row of glasses, and her face turned pale.

But with Fan Jiancheng’s stance, everyone would follow suit in urging her. After all, this was their biggest income opportunity of the year, and no one wanted to lose it over six glasses of wine.

For a moment, everyone started urging her, clamoring for her apology.

The group always had the power to change the atmosphere, a vibe that could even subtly alter one’s thinking.

Ye Sibei didn’t know what was happening to her. She had been reminded countless times that girls shouldn’t drink much, but that simple “no” just couldn’t come out.

She dared not bear the responsibility of not securing this deal, afraid of being ostracized by the group, and worried about losing her current job.

Everyone was drinking—Zhao Chuchu, Tao Jie, Chen Xiaoyang—everyone was desperate to secure this deal. She wasn’t as precious as they were, nor as sentimental.

Amidst the urging of the crowd, she gritted her teeth and walked up to Zheng Qiang, taking the first glass of wine and bowing respectfully. “Mr. Zheng, I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I apologize to you.”

Zheng Qiang looked her over, raised his hand, and gestured for her to drink quickly.

Ye Sibei closed her eyes, gritted her teeth, and downed the drink in one gulp.

The fiery liquor burned down her throat, and she couldn’t discern between good and bad alcohol. She only felt it scraping from her esophagus to her stomach, bringing a wave of scorching heat.

One glass, two glasses, three glasses…

With each glass, the discomfort intensified. By the fifth glass, she began to feel stomach pains and the urge to vomit. She covered her mouth, showing a pained expression.

Fan Jiancheng stood up, hesitating to speak. “Mr. Zheng…”

“Take it easy,” Zheng Qiang handed her a tissue. “You can’t drink too quickly. Take a break; there’s still one more glass.”

Ye Sibei dared not speak. She looked up for help at Fan Jiancheng behind Zheng Qiang. Fan Jiancheng caught her gaze, paused for a moment, and shook his head gently.

She began to regret, to blame herself.