Chapter 101: Wang Mingzhi's Plan

Wang Mingzhi's face was full of smiles as he led Murong Wan through the noisy banquet hall to a secluded spot.

He pushed open a heavy redwood door, and the view ahead suddenly opened up.

This was a finely decorated private room, with soft lighting and a faint scent of sandalwood in the air.

Several men and women in fine attire sat around the round table, talking in low voices.

"Come, General Manager Murong, let me introduce you."

Wang Mingzhi's voice carried a hint of pride.

"These few are all elites in the business world, young and promising."

He pointed to a man wearing a dark blue suit.

"This is Zhang Zong, the general manager of Heavenly Splendor Group."

He then pointed to a woman wearing gold-rimmed glasses.

"This is Li Zong, the head of the Venture Capital Company."

"And this is General Manager Zhao,..."

Wang Mingzhi introduced them one by one, and each person wore a reserved smile.

Murong Wan felt a little nervous in her heart; she understood that these people were important figures in the business world, and none could be offended.

She suppressed her unease and broke into a perfect smile.

"Hello, everyone, I'm Murong Wan; please take care of me."

The several managers' eyes lit up, and they all nodded.

"Miss Murong is young and beautiful, truly refreshing to see."

General Manager Zhang spoke first, his tone carrying a hint of praise.

"Yes, Miss Murong is not only beautiful, but also the person in charge of the Xingchen Plaza Project, truly young and capable."

Li Zong also chimed in agreement.

Murong Wan felt relieved in her heart; it seemed she had left a good impression on them.

"Come, Miss Murong, let's have a drink together."

General Manager Zhao raised his wine cup, warmly inviting.

Murong Wan was taken aback, then picked up her wine cup with an apologetic expression and said:

"I don't drink much alcohol; I'll have juice instead."

She picked up the juice on the table, about to pour it into her cup, but General Manager Zhang stopped her with one hand.

General Manager Zhang furrowed his brows, his tone carrying a hint of dissatisfaction.

"Hey, Miss Murong, how can you drink juice?"

"We only have fine liquor here; if you drink juice, isn't that looking down on us?"

Li Zong also chimed in,

"Yes, Miss Murong, when you're out socializing, how can there be a reason not to drink?"

"If you don't drink, you're not giving us face."

Although General Manager Zhao didn't speak, he also put down his cup, and his face darkened.

Murong Wan's heart tightened; she hadn't expected these people to be so overbearing.

She had wanted to explain, but seeing the displeased expressions of the several managers, she could only grit her teeth and switch the juice for red wine.

"Alright, I'll drink."

She raised her wine cup and drank it all in one go.

The spicy liquor slid down her throat, causing a burning sensation in her stomach.

"What a capacity for alcohol!"

General Manager Zhang clapped his hands in approval.

"Miss Murong is truly a heroine among women; come, let's have another drink."

Li Zong also joined in the clamor.

Murong Wan, helpless, could only raise her wine cup again.

One cup after another, she felt her head growing more dizzy and her stomach churning.

She endured the discomfort, still keeping a smile on her face.

"Miss Murong, I toast you a cup."

Wang Mingzhi appeared beside her at some point, holding a cup full of white liquor.

"This drink, I really want to thank you properly; without you, I couldn't have secured the Xingchen Plaza project."

His eyes burned as they fixed on Murong Wan, his tone carrying a hint of ambiguity.

Murong Wan's heart jolted; she felt Wang Mingzhi's gaze was somewhat off.

She wanted to refuse, but seeing the several managers around her looking at her, she could only grit her teeth and take the cup.

"General Manager Wang, you're being polite; this is what I should do."

She forced herself to say that, then downed the white liquor in the cup in one gulp.

A strong spicy sensation instantly swept over her body; she felt her body begin to heat up and her consciousness gradually blur.

"Good, good, good!"

Wang Mingzhi laughed loudly, a flash of triumphant light passing through his eyes.

"Miss Murong is truly bold; come, let's have another drink."

He again filled a cup with white liquor and handed it to Murong Wan.

Murong Wan felt she could barely hold on; she wanted to refuse, but her body wouldn't obey.

She mechanically took the wine glass and poured the wine into her mouth again.

A fire burned in her stomach, and wave after wave of nausea surged up.

Murong Wan felt she was about to vomit.

She bit her lip tightly, forced herself to endure the discomfort, and darkness flickered before her eyes.

Her vision began to blur, a buzzing sounded in her ears, and the voices of those people seemed to come from a distant place, intermittent and indistinct.

"I can't drink any more."

Murong Wan knew in her heart that if she kept drinking, she would certainly embarrass herself on the spot.

She leaned on the table, trying to stand, but her legs were as heavy as if filled with lead, giving her no strength.

"General Manager Murong, what's wrong with you?"

Wang Mingzhi's concerned voice sounded in her ear, and a hand steadied her arm.

Murong Wan tried to break free, but found herself completely powerless, without even the strength to lift a hand.

"I... I'm feeling a bit unwell, I want to go back first."

Her voice was weak, tinged with a slight tremor.

"How can that be acceptable?"

Wang Mingzhi frowned, his tone carrying a hint of displeasure.

"The drinking party has just begun; how can you leave early?"

His voice suddenly rose, drawing the attention of several senior executives nearby.

"Indeed, General Manager Murong, that's not right."

Zhang Zong set his wine glass down, his complexion darkening.

"We are so many here accompanying you, yet you want to leave early; that's a huge loss of face for us."

Li Zong also chimed in,

"Miss Murong, do you look down on us?"

Zhao's eyes were sharp, fixed on Murong Wan.

Murong Wan was startled in her heart; she hadn't expected these people to be so unreasonable.

She had intended to explain, but seeing the unfriendly gazes of several senior executives, she knew whatever she said would be useless.

"I really am unwell, I need to rest."

Murong Wan forced herself to stand, but her body swayed, nearly collapsing.

Wang Mingzhi's eyes were sharp and his hands quick; he grabbed her and pressed her back into her seat.

"Miss Murong, you can't be like this."

His tone was firm, leaving no room for doubt.

"You must drink this wine today!"

He picked up a bottle of white liquor and poured it directly into Murong Wan's cup.

"Come, let's have another drink."

He handed a full cup of white liquor to Murong Wan, his gaze carrying a hint of threat.

Murong Wan looked at the white liquor before her, and her stomach churned.

She kept her mouth tightly closed, resolutely refusing to drink.

"What, Miss Murong, you won't give me face?"

Wang Mingzhi's complexion darkened, his tone icy.

"I..."

Murong Wan tried to explain, but was cut off by Wang Mingzhi.

"If you don't drink, it means you look down on us!"

His voice suddenly rose, with a hint of anger.

"This wine today, you must drink it whether you want to or not!"

In the dim light, Murong Wan felt like a lamb trapped in a hunting net, surrounded by wolves, with nowhere to escape.

She bit her lip hard, her nails sunk deep into her palm; the pain kept her with the last sliver of clarity.

Looking at the cup drawing ever nearer,

Murong Wan's body trembled slightly; she knew she no longer had the strength to resist.