Chapter 686: The Female Secretary Gets Drunk

On the phone, Ning Xue heard this and was stunned, she replied, "Of course we booked two rooms. We're obviously staying separately. Otherwise, we'd still be sharing a room?"

Lin Yuan rubbed his brow and replied, "Oh, it's fine, then that's good."

Lin Yuan let out a sigh and hung up the phone……

……

That afternoon, Lin Yuan promptly called Ning Xue's phone.

In Lin Yuan's voice……there was a hint of fatigue that was hard to hide.

He said slowly into the phone, "Secretary Ning, regarding the business trip, I agree—let's depart as scheduled."

On the other end of the line, Ning Xue heard this, her tone still respectful, she quickly responded, "Okay, Director Lin, I've already prepared all the materials; we can leave anytime."

……

In the afternoon, Lin Yuan and Ning Xue packed up their simple luggage.

Together they went to the high-speed rail station, heading to Ning City for the business trip.

Lin Yuan leaned against the window of the high-speed rail car, watching the scenery outside fly by in reverse.

He felt helpless inside, not knowing what would happen during these two days of the business trip.

He also didn't know……how to fulfill Su Monong's absurd request;

Meanwhile, Ning Xue sat beside him, intently flipping through the cooperation documents of the pharmaceutical factory.

Ning Xue's expression was serious, she didn't notice Lin Yuan's oddness at all.

She also didn't know……this seemingly ordinary business trip had been carefully schemed from the very start.

An hour later, the two arrived at the neighboring Ning City.

The two took a taxi……straight to the Hilton Hotel they had booked in advance.

Upon arriving at the hotel, during check-in.

Ning Xue stepped forward and gently said to the front desk staff:

"Hello, we booked two suites; please help us with the check-in procedures—here are our IDs."

The front desk staff took the IDs and quickly checked them on the computer.

Soon, the hotel front desk staff showed a hint of apology on their faces.

The front desk looked up and said to the two, "Sorry, sir and madam, truly sorry. The two suites you had booked earlier were temporarily adjusted due to the hotel's exceptionally tight room availability today……"

"Now there are no extra suites left, nor any other standard rooms—only the last king-size room remains. Would you like us to arrange this king-size room for you?"

"Huh?" Ning Xue hearing this, her whole person went blank in an instant.

The documents in her hand almost fell to the ground, her beautiful eyes widened round, her face full of disbelief.

Ning Xue instinctively turned her head to look at Lin Yuan beside her, her tone mixed with a bit of panic and bewilderment,

"How, how could this be? We clearly booked two rooms in advance—how did we end up with only one king-size room?"

She had always maintained a professional and efficient demeanor, but now this sudden change threw her off balance, her cheeks slightly flushed, her eyes full of helplessness—

She and Lin Yuan were merely colleagues; traveling together already required keeping a distance.

If they shared a king-size room, it would be overly awkward, possibly even affecting their professional boundaries.

Lin Yuan stood to the side, hearing the front desk's words, feeling no surprise at all in his heart.

In Lin Yuan's heart, instead arose a hint of realization and helplessness—

Even thinking with his toes, he knew this was definitely Su Monong's doing.

The so-called room shortage was nothing but her carefully arranged "coincidence."

The purpose……was to create an opportunity for them to be alone, forcing him to complete that absurd task.

Lin Yuan furrowed his brows, his face showing a hint of embarrassment not easily noticed, yet he had no choice but to force himself to stay calm.

Lin Yuan lowered his voice to Ning Xue and said:

"Don't panic, it might really be that rooms are tight; I'll ask the front desk again to see if there's any other option."

Saying this, Lin Yuan stepped forward and asked the front desk staff:

"Hello, could you check again—really no other rooms left? Even a single room would do; for the two of us, sharing a king-size room isn't convenient."

The front desk staff checked again carefully, shook their head helplessly, tone still apologetic:

"Sorry, sir, really none left. Today is the weekend, plus there's a large pharmaceutical expo nearby, many attendees are staying here, our hotel's rooms are all fully booked, only this last king-size room remains—truly sorry."

Ning Xue stood to the side, hearing this, her expression grew increasingly embarrassed.

She clenched the documents in both hands tightly, fingertips turning white, the blush on her cheeks spreading to her ears, her eyes full of helplessness.

Ning Xue murmured softly:

"What can we do……we can't possibly share a room, can we?" She had never imagined she'd encounter such an awkward situation while on a business trip with a male colleague.

Lin Yuan watched Ning Xue's embarrassed, helpless look, his heart filled with helplessness and guilt—

He knew Ning Xue was innocent, yet she had been dragged into Su Monong's scheme.

And he himself could only watch helplessly as all this unfolded.

Lin Yuan took a deep breath, suppressing the complex emotions inside.

He spoke to Ning Xue in a softer tone:

"It's fine, don't rush; if we really have no choice, we'll just stay here—I'll sleep on the sofa, you take the bed, I won't disturb you."

……

Meanwhile, at the Su Group headquarters, in Su Monong's exclusive office.

Su Monong……was lazily leaning back in a wide leather office chair.

Her fingertips……glided over the phone screen……

On the screen, clearly visible was the Meituan hotel reservation interface, densely packed with orders covering the screen—all were hotels near Ning City where Lin Yuan and Ning Xue's business trip destination was located.

Su Monong's mouth corner... curled a cold, triumphant smile.

She lightly tapped the words "All reservations successful" on the screen with her fingertip.

Su Monong muttered, "Hmph, good thing I prepared early; otherwise, how could I let you two 'naturally' be together?"

As she spoke, a hint of calculation flashed in Su Monong's eyes.

She slid her fingertip, pulling up the consumption record—

To ensure everything was foolproof, she directly… booked all hotel rooms within one kilometer of Ning City's business trip location…

In total, she spent several hundred thousand.

Su Monong didn't care at all about this expense of several hundred thousand.

She lightly tapped her fingertip on the desk, her eyes full of determination.

In her view, this money was well spent:

"Several hundred thousand is nothing; as long as I can turn Ning Xue into my own person, any amount of money is worth it." Su Monong muttered.

She… liked Ning Xue, this little girl, from the bottom of her heart.

Ning Xue is not only delicate in appearance, but also efficient and meticulous in her work, with careful thinking and flawless handling—she is a rare talent.

Su Monong leaned back in her chair and slowly closed her eyes.

In her mind… appeared the image of Ning Xue diligently working day after day…

Su Monong muttered,

"This Ning Xue girl truly has strong work ability, far surpassing those who just coast through the company. If I can bring her to my side and make her my confidant, I'll gain a capable assistant, and I can entrust many tasks to her without having to do everything myself."

But… just thinking that Ning Xue currently has no involvement with Lin Yuan,

Su Monong's eyes… instantly turned cold again;

But for now, she is not Lin Yuan's woman and is not tied to Su Monong.

Therefore, Su Monong still cannot fully trust Ning Xue.

People's hearts are hidden behind their bellies; the lesson of Sun Licheng and his daughter is still before our eyes.

Thus, Su Monong cannot take any more risks, nor trust anyone who has not formed a 'bond' with her.

Su Monong slowly opened her eyes, a hint of resolve flashing in her gaze.

She slid her fingertip across the phone screen again, looking at Lin Yuan and Ning Xue's business trip itinerary.

The smile on Su Monong's lips grew increasingly playful…

Now, her standard for choosing her own people is very simple.

It just depends on whether the person has a good relationship with Lin Yuan and can be tied to him.

As long as one can become Lin Yuan's woman, it's equivalent to having a weakness in Su Monong's hands.

It also means standing on the same boat as Su Monong…

Only such a person can she confidently rely on and truly regard as her own.

Su Monong picked up the coffee on the table, took a light sip, her eyes full of anticipation:

Lin Yuan, Ning Xue, don't let me down. Whether this several-hundred-thousand 'investment' yields a return depends on your performance these two days.

Su Monong had already figured everything out…

From arranging their business trip to booking all the hotels…

Every step was under her control, just waiting for Ning Xue to become completely 'her own person,' wholly at her disposal.

…

At this moment, in the Ning City Hilton Hotel.

Lin Yuan was still forcing himself to deal with Ning Xue.

Ning Xue had no idea… that Su Monong had paid such a huge price to scheme against them;

Ning Xue remained naive and ignorant, immersed in the awkwardness of sharing a room.

In the end, the two still chose to share a room.

Because there really were no rooms left.

Ning Xue looked at all the hotels on Meituan.

All nearby hotels had been fully booked…

Ning Xue never imagined that this seemingly accidental business trip was, from the start, a carefully plotted 'scheme'.

…

The night grew deeper.

The lights of Ning City… poured through the hotel's floor-to-ceiling windows into the room, spreading a soft glow.

The big-bed room that Lin Yuan and Ning Xue checked into is actually a small Presidential Suite.

Inside the room, the space is spacious, divided into a separate living room and bedroom.

The living room features a large leather sofa.

The bedroom is equipped with a soft large bed,

This 'coincidental' room type is undoubtedly another part of Su Monong's careful arrangement.

After completing check-in, Lin Yuan took the initiative to break the awkwardness, speaking gently:

"Secretary Ning, you take the bedroom; I'll sleep on the living room sofa, so we won't disturb each other."

He deliberately kept his distance, not wanting to go against his own feelings, not wanting to make Ning Xue uncomfortable, and certainly not wanting to fulfill Su Monong's scheme.

Upon hearing this, Ning Xue's cheeks flushed slightly, and her embarrassment eased a bit.

Ning Xue quickly nodded, her tone tinged with gratitude: "Thank you, Director Lin, you've gone to too much trouble."

She also felt this arrangement was most appropriate, avoiding awkwardness while maintaining proper distance between colleagues.

After simply packing their luggage, the two settled in separately.

Ning Xue walked into the bedroom, gently closed the door, shutting out the living room's light and noise;

Lin Yuan then spread a simple blanket on the living room sofa, lay down wearily, and repeatedly recalled Su Monong's advice and Ning Xue's appearance in his mind.

That night, Lin Yuan tossed and turned for a long time before gradually feeling sleepy.

After an unknown period, the night had deepened into late night, and only Lin Yuan's even breathing remained in the living room……

Ning Xue in the bedroom had already fallen asleep.

Just then, a sudden burst of urgent phone ringing rang from the bedroom, breaking the night's silence and also startling the lightly sleeping Lin Yuan.

Lin Yuan instantly woke up, able to clearly hear……the sound of Ning Xue answering the phone coming from the bedroom……

In the bedroom, Ning Xue's tone……carried a hint of irritation at being just woken, plus a faint trace of resistance: "Hello? Who is it? Calling so late?"

From the other end of the line came a somewhat greasy male voice, tinged with a hint of entanglement.

Through the door, Lin Yuan could faintly hear a few sentences, apparently expressing longing.

Immediately after, Ning Xue's tone turned icy instantly, laced with obvious anger: "Is it you? Didn't I tell you not to call me? Don't call me again—I don't want to hear your voice!"

Lin Yuan sat on the sofa, neither getting up nor deliberately eavesdropping, yet he couldn't help catching Ning Xue's words.

Only see Ning Xue in the bedroom furrow her brows, her tone icy and resolute: "I'm on a business trip, I have no time to waste on you—don't bother me!"

But the male voice on the other end remained relentless, persistently entangled, repeatedly muttering things like "I miss you" and "Let's get back together"……

On the call, the man's tone carried a hint of humility, yet also revealed a trace of obsession.

Lin Yuan's hearing was excellent; he heard their entire conversation……

Inside the bedroom, Ning Xue grew increasingly irritable, and the anger pent up in her heart erupted instantly.

Ning Xue shouted angrily at the person on the other end: "Getting back together? Don't you look at yourself and see if you're worthy? When you cheated on me behind my back, how could you not think of today? How could you not think that we still have a chance to reconcile?"

Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried barely concealed grievance and anger, each word resonant, venting all the pent-up emotions of these days.

In the living room, Lin Yuan, upon hearing these words, felt a flicker of surprise in his heart, and also grew somewhat enlightened——

It turned out that Ning Xue's ex‑boyfriend was precisely the rich second‑generation who had hurt her.

Lin Yuan did not step forward to disturb her; he simply sat quietly on the sofa……

By his ear, he could still hear Ning Xue's suppressed anger and the entangled voice from the other end of the call.

He could sense Ning Xue's grievance and determination……

Deep in Lin Yuan's heart……there actually arose a barely perceptible pang of pity.

Yet he did not know how to comfort her, so he could only stay silently by her side, trying not to make any sound.

The entanglement on the other end continued; Ning Xue could bear it no longer, no longer wishing to engage, and coldly said into the phone, "From now on, don't contact me again"……

Having said that, Ning Xue abruptly hung up and tossed the phone aside……

Her chest rose and fell slightly, her eyes brimming with grievance and anger, unable to calm for a long time.

After a moment of silence, Ning Xue drew a deep breath, striving to calm the emotions within.

She thought……that her recent outburst might have disturbed Lin Yuan in the living room.

In Ning Xue's heart……a hint of guilt arose.

She gently rose, opened the bedroom door, and by the dim light of the living room saw Lin Yuan sitting on the sofa, gazing at her gently.

Ning Xue's cheeks flushed slightly, her eyes carrying a hint of guilt……

She quickly walked up to Lin Yuan, slightly lowered her head, and spoke apologetically in a sincere tone:

"Director Lin, sorry, I just spoke too loudly on the phone and disturbed your rest."

Lin Yuan looked at the lingering grievance and guilt in her eyes, waved his hand gently, and said softly:

"It's fine, no disturbance—I haven't fallen asleep yet. Are you alright?"

He did not press further, nor mention the phone call's content, deliberately giving Ning Xue face so she wouldn't feel embarrassed.

Upon hearing this, Ning Xue's guilt eased somewhat.

She lightly shook her head, forcing out a faint smile:

"I'm fine, just ran into a bit of trouble—sorry to have you witness it."

She said no more, nor did she wish to bring up her past; after speaking she turned and returned to the bedroom, gently closing the door.

The late‑night hotel regained its tranquility once again.

Lin Yuan lay back on the sofa, his mind……still echoing Ning Xue's angry words and her pained expression, his heart a mix of feelings.

He knew that Ning Xue appeared capable and strong, but hid unknown wounds in her heart.

And he, caught between Su Monong's scheming and Ning Xue's naiveté, felt ever more tormented.

That night, there was no scheming from Su Monong, no ambiguous entanglement……

Lin Yuan slept peacefully on the living room sofa.

Ning Xue tossed and turned in the bedroom, only gradually falling asleep toward the latter half of the night.

Although the two shared the same room, they continually kept their distance, remaining undetected……

……

The next day, daylight was bright.,

Ning Xue woke first; when she left the bedroom, Lin Yuan had already risen.

Lin Yuan was sitting on the sofa……organizing the cooperation materials he would need today.

His expression still bore a hint of fatigue, yet he remained efficient.

The two exchanged simple greetings, finished washing up, and then went together to the previously agreed‑upon pharmaceutical factory to discuss cooperation.

……

Upon arriving at the pharmaceutical factory, the factory boss……had already brought a host of executives to wait at the entrance.

The Factory Boss was exceptionally enthusiastic, his face beaming with smiles, warmly greeting while leading Lin Yuan and Ning Xue on a tour of the factory premises.

The Factory Boss... gave a detailed introduction of the pharmaceutical factory's production scale, technical strength, and cooperative advantages.

Ning Xue quickly entered work mode, listened attentively, took careful notes, and occasionally raised professional questions.

Her efficient demeanor... caused the Factory Boss and executives to frequently nod in praise.

The negotiations proceeded very smoothly, with both sides reaching a preliminary consensus on the cooperation details.

The Factory Boss immediately proposed hosting a banquet for Lin Yuan and Ning Xue that evening, and also invited the leaders of Ning City's Bureau of Industry and Commerce, relevant municipal government leaders, and the factory's core shareholders to join.

The Factory Boss said it was to enhance relations and also to pave the way for future cooperation.

Lin Yuan and Ning Xue couldn't decline, so they had to accept.

In the evening, the banquet was set in a private room of a high-end hotel near the Pharmaceutical Factory.

Inside the private room, people filled the round table...

Besides Lin Yuan and Ning Xue, the rest were the Pharmaceutical Factory's executives, shareholders... and leaders at various levels of the city.

Ning Xue wore a neat OL uniform, paired with sheer stockings; she was tall and had delicate features.

As soon as she entered the private room, she attracted everyone's gaze.

In many people's eyes, there was an undisguised lust.

With such a beautiful woman like Ning Xue, which man wouldn't be moved?

At the start of the banquet, the Factory Boss was the first to stand and propose a toast.

The Factory Boss, speaking earnestly, thanked Lin Yuan and Ning Xue for their arrival...

Immediately after, the leaders of the Bureau of Industry and Commerce, municipal government leaders, and the factory's shareholders and executives all rose...

The leaders, in turn, proposed toasts to Ning Xue.

Most of them, under the pretext of toasting, openly scanned Ning Xue's body.

In the leaders' words... there was also a hint of ambiguous probing.

They clearly lusted after Ning Xue's beauty, hoping to get her drunk on the occasion.

"Secretary Ning is truly young and capable, and so beautiful; come, I'll toast you a cup, wishing our future cooperation goes smoothly!"

A leader from the Bureau of Industry and Commerce held his glass, eyes fixed on Ning Xue, his tone somewhat frivolous.

The Factory Boss beside him also chimed in, smiling and urging: "Secretary Ning, don't be polite, this is Leader Wang Lingdao, you must give him face, drink this glass."

Ning Xue showed a difficult expression...

She is not good at drinking, let alone being urged repeatedly like this.

But everyone present were partners and various-level leaders; Ning Xue could not get out of it, so she had to grit her teeth and lift the glass.

Ning Xue forced a smile, softly said: "Thank you, Leader Wang Lingdao, I can't hold my liquor, I can only drink a little; please forgive me."

After saying that, she tilted her head back and drank the glass.

After one glass went down, the spicy liquid slid down her throat, a burning sensation instantly spreading...

Ning Xue's cheeks... showed a faint blush, her gaze also softened a bit.

But this is only the beginning...

Immediately after, other leaders and executives took turns approaching, offering her glass after glass...

The leaders' words became increasingly enthusiastic, even carrying an irresistible force.

Lin Yuan sat aside, watching this scene, a sense of discomfort rose in his heart.

He several times thought of standing up to block drinks for Ning Xue, but each time was stopped with laughter by the Factory Boss and leaders.

"Director Lin, this is us toasting Secretary Ning; you don't need to block for her, Secretary Ning is so capable, she can definitely handle it."

Ning Xue also voluntarily came forward to drink, she gestured to Lin Yuan, no need to help her, she can handle it.

Lin Yuan was helpless, could only watch silently.

But, Lin Yuan's eyes were full of worry.

Ning Xue drank glass after glass, her cheek blush deepened, spreading from cheeks to ears...

Her whole body... also gradually gave off heat.

Ning Xue's originally clear eyes... became somewhat dazed, her consciousness also began to blur...