Chapter 84: Nangong Hotel, Hongmen Banquet

Sang Wan stroked his chin, "If it's the whole company staff… we'll have to book a Small Banquet Hall. Ten people per table, that's thirty tables? If I go, it'll cost a lot of blood money!"

Song Huan Yan nodded, "Hmm. The private hire price for the Small Banquet Hall is thirty million. The seating standard starts at five hundred thousand per table, not including drinks. If we order pricier wine…"

Sang Wan clicked his tongue, "Anyway we won't spend less. This makes me even more curious about who that Big Turtle really is!"

Song Huan Yan said, "We'll know tonight."

Sang Wan nodded, then suddenly said, "Yan Yan, can you have Lord Yu check it out?"

Since it's at Nangong Hotel, Nan Gong Yu can find out with one check who booked the Banquet Hall for tonight.

Originally Song Huan Yan's lips were faintly pursed, but upon hearing Sang Wan's words, the corner of her mouth inexplicably tightened.

She said coolly, "No need. We'll know tonight; no need to go the extra mile."

Sang Wan chuckled, "Indeed. I'm just getting more curious, so I want to know in advance."

Song Huan Yan replied lightly, "He's busy. This small matter doesn't need to disturb him."

Sang Wan, sensing something off, asked, "Yan Yan, what's wrong? Did you argue with Lord Yu?"

Song Huan Yan shook her head, "No."

Sang Wan said, "Oh. That's good. I think you two seem quite fine."

"Hmm," Song Huan Yan hummed, and said no more.

It is indeed good.

Mutual respect like honored guests.

The proper rituals and emotional values are thoughtfully provided to each other.

What's wrong with that?

It's quite good.

Qiao An soon sent a notice about the banquet, giving the time and the banquet hall's name.

The time was set to start at 7:30 p. m.

She also pretended to be humorous, saying everyone would have two hours to do makeup and change outfits.

It seems they're making it quite formal.

After seeing the notice, Sang Wan took a round around the company, returned to the president's office and said, "This act of putting on a show is impressive. Only we still have to go home to change clothes… I'm speechless, I really don't want to go back to change."

Song Huan Yan said, "Then don't change."

"No way," Sang Wan said, "Even though I don't want to change, I have to. How else can she show off? Must change!"

"Hmm," Song Huan Yan pressed her lips.

Sang Wan added, "Even though we're not keen on attending the Hongmen Banquet, the rest of the company's staff are overjoyed. Especially the artists, you know! And even Baoye Ayi can go. I heard she's so happy she's gone crazy; several of them went to the Company Shooting Department to borrow outfits."

"I just took a stroll to eavesdrop," Sang Wan said, "Qiao An's move earned a lot of goodwill."

Song Huan Yan was indifferent, saying coolly, "It doesn't matter."

Then she added, "The more she makes a scene and flaunts, the better. When the scoop leaks, our company's Baoye Ayi will be the first to jump out and scold the loudest."

Sang Wan laughed, "It has to be Baoye Ayi!"

When Song Huan Yan looked at the notice, the message she had replied to that morning had not been answered by Nan Gong Yu.

She didn't know if he was truly too busy to spare any time.

After work, Song Huan Yan said, "Come pick outfits at my place; once you've chosen, we'll go together. The costume designer had prepared many, and I haven't tried any yet."

Sang Wan raised an eyebrow, "Yu Garden?"

Song Huan Yan nodded, "Hmm."

Sang Wan immediately said, "I have to go see that Artificial Sea!"

Mentioning that, Song Huan Yan felt a little embarrassed.

Logically, she should have invited Sang Wan and Tang Chenge to Yu Garden for a meal earlier.

But she never did, feeling that going alone seemed a bit inappropriate.

Perhaps she hasn't fully regarded herself as the lady of Yu Garden yet.

She planned to wait until Nan Gong Yu returned to invite him, but it kept getting postponed.

Still, Song Huan Yan didn't bring up the topic then; she just picked up her phone, "I'll call Tang Bao."

At Yu Garden, the three chose outfits, and Song Huan Yan summoned a makeup artist to apply makeup.

After all that, there was actually no time to properly stroll around Yu Garden.

Song Huan Yan said, "Sorry, time is too tight…"

Tang Chenge cut her off, "It's fine, Yan Yan, we'll have plenty of time later."

"Hmm," Song Huan Yan nodded, "When Lord Yu returns, I'll formally invite you all over."

Then the three drove to Nangong Hotel.

Upon entering the Banquet Hall, it was already bustling.

Everyone was from the same company, clearly close, all chatting loudly.

The three of them, upon entering, attracted everyone's gaze.

After all, she is the boss.

The staff specifically greeted her.

Song Huan Yan nodded lightly in response.

After the greetings, the employees resumed chatting in small groups.

Most of them were praising Qiao An.

Indeed.

Qiao An being invited here is top‑tier treatment, and no contribution money is needed.

Who wouldn't flatter her a couple of times.

Moreover, to people who don't know, Qiao An's personal image is still very good.

A current darling, cute and sweet.

And the whole company thinks Song Huan Yan holds Qiao An in high regard; otherwise why would she keep championing her?

So even if she hears all the staff praising Qiao An, Song Huan Yan is not only indifferent, but actually quite pleased.

Seeing that Song Huan Yan and the other two arrived, Qiao An personally went forward to greet them.

A few pretty‑faced girls followed behind her, probably her friends.

"President Song." Qiao An put on a sweet demeanor, smiling brightly, as if she had a good relationship with Song Huan Yan.

"You finally came!" Qiao An tried to give Song Huan Yan a ceremonial hug.

Startled, Song Huan Yan stepped back two paces.

Qiao An ended up hugging nothing, nearly toppling over, and also lost face.

In response, Song Huan Yan said coolly, "Just speak properly, that's enough."

Qiao An hadn't gotten angry yet.

The girls behind her called out, "You…."

Before she could finish, Qiao An said, "Shut up! Don't speak recklessly. This is my boss, President Song. President Song is my benefactor."

Upon hearing that, the girl instantly changed expression, smiling like a flower, "Ah, so you are the President Song that An An often mentions!"

Song Huan Yan gave a detached nod.

Qiao An reached out to pull Song Huan Yan, "President Song, this way, please. We'll sit at the Main Seat."

Song Huan Yan avoided her hand.

Qiao An's expression hardened, clearly displeased.

But she said nothing, merely led Song Huan Yan and the others to the Main Seat.

The three sat down, with Qiao An deliberately sitting next to Song Huan Yan.

Song Huan Yan wrinkled her brows, truly feeling disgusted.

Sang Wan offered, "Yan Yan, let's swap seats."

Song Huan Yan nodded.

The two switched seats.

Qiao An's complexion grew worse, involuntarily saying, "President Song, what do you mean?"

Song Huan Yan gave an excuse, "I was already supporting you; keeping some distance avoids suspicion."

That excuse was well‑chosen; Qiao An fell silent.

Sang Wan asked, "Where's your fiancé? Why isn't he with you?"

Where on earth is that Big Turtle!

Qiao An replied, "He has some business to attend to; he'll come a bit later."

Sang Wan said, "Shall we start eating then?"

Qiao An nodded, "Yeah, no need to worry about him. He'll come when he's free."

Sang Wan fell silent.

Qiao An instructed the staff to set the table, taking on the host's demeanor.

Exquisite, luxurious dishes were promptly served one by one, along with wine.

Sang Wan glanced, leaning close, "Impressive. Over three million a bottle."

Tang Chenge also leaned in, "If we finish this tonight, will it push us up to fifty or sixty million?"

Song Huan Yan nodded, "About that, yes."

Qiao An looked genuinely triumphant.

Qin Zi Mo and the others didn't show up to mingle; unexpectedly low‑key.

I don't even know which table they sat at.

But it doesn't matter.

"President Song, right?" Qiao An's girl stood up, smiling, "Today we must have a few good drinks with you!"

She said that and began pouring wine.

Glug glug, she poured two large glasses to the brim at once.

Song Huan Yan's complexion tightened.

Sang Wan and Tang Chenge's faces also changed; they intended to force drink.

Immediately, several of the girls also stood up, speaking sweetly, "President Song, An An often mentions you, calling you her great benefactor. We've long wanted to meet you. Conveniently, today we must toast you several more times! An An has always been grateful to you."

"Yes, yes, yes." The girls echoed one after another.

Their words were all flattering, each more praising Song Huan Yan than the last.

They instantly elevated her status.

They said many flattering things, and the wine was filled to the brim.

Those large Red Wine Glasses held a considerable amount each.

One short‑haired girl first placed her glass before Song Huan Yan, lifted her own, and said, "President Song, let me toast you first. I'll drink to honor you!"

After speaking, she genuinely lifted the glass, glug glug, and drank it clean.

She set down the glass, smiling brightly at the cold‑faced Song Huan Yan, and said, "President Song, it's your turn now."

Song Huan Yan gave her no respect, realizing this was a deliberate provocation.

She was still clever, not calling out immediately.

Actually, they came to invoke First Courtesy Then Force.

"I don't drink alcohol," Song Huan Yan said directly.

Sure enough, those short‑haired sisters' faces changed as soon as they heard, and one said, "Don't drink? How could that be? President Song wouldn't be looking down on me, would he?"

Song Huan Yan didn't even want to speak.

Seeing that Song Huan Yan wasn't taking the bait, the short‑haired sister frowned darkly, "You're so strange; others speak to you nicely, and you respond like this?"

Song Huan Yan looked at her and said, "I said I don't drink alcohol; can't you understand human speech?"

Her words weren't pleasant at all.

The short‑haired sister exploded further, "You!"

Qiao An hurriedly soothed her, "Don't be angry, don't be angry, sit down, sit down."

She, however, acted like a good‑natured person.

Immediately, another sister said, "So, there are five of us here. Each of us drinks a cup, and President Song you only need to drink one cup. That should be fine, right?"

The other few instantly echoed, "Yes, yes, that's fine, fine, not bad."

After speaking, they didn't wait for Song Huan Yan to reply; they lifted their full cups and drank them dry.

Then they set down their cups and looked at Song Huan Yan.

Song Huan Yan remained unruffled, saying coolly, "Your comprehension is lacking? I can't drink alcohol; not even a sip is possible."

When she said that, she already knew those sisters were probably waiting for such words to cause trouble.

Sure enough, as soon as she finished speaking.

The short‑haired sister then said sarcastically, "What are you being so cocky about?! You're so funny; we drank five big cups, and you don't even take a sip? I don't believe it— even if you can't drink, you could at least wet your lips, right?"

"Exactly, not even a lick of the lip— it's clearly looking down on people. We even treated you as a noble like An An, spoke nicely, offered you wine, and you just look down on us like that."