Chapter 49: The Wine‑Delivery Incident

Pale‑faced Xiao Wang carried a tray, his hands trembling uncontrollably.

The tray held two cups of scarlet wine that swayed gently in crystal glasses, reflecting the restaurant's dazzling lights yet exuding an eerie aura.

Each of her steps was agonizingly difficult.

She knew what was in the wine.

It was something that could ruin a person's entire life.

She looked at the figure sitting in the corner not far away—Dr. Chu.

He was always so gentle, so outstanding, the object of admiration for all the young doctors in the hospital.

But now she was about to push him into the Abyss herself.

Humiliating and fearful tears swirled in her eyes, yet Vice President Wang's serpentine threat still echoed in her ears.

She dared not resist.

She walked to the table of Dr. Chu and Qin Zhixia and forced a smile.

"Dr. Chu, Vice President Li specifically asked me to bring over two glasses of wine, to toast you and your…friend."

Qin Zhixia lifted her head, her cold Crimson Phoenix Eyes sweeping over, bearing an innate scrutinizing gaze that made Xiao Wang's heart miss a beat.

What a powerful aura!

Chu Che pushed his glasses, his gaze behind the lenses calm and still; he smiled, ready to reach for the glass.

"Much obliged."

Qin Zhixia politely nodded and extended her hand.

The two pale, slender hands were about to touch the cup.

Not far away, Li Chengxian and Vice President Wang, who were about to come to enjoy the show, finally saw Qin Zhixia's true face.

It was that one glance.

Boom!

Li Chengxian's smile on his face froze suddenly!

The hue on his face vanished with a swish, his pupils contracted violently, shrinking into two razor‑sharp needle points!

Qin… Qin Zhixia?!

The criminal investigation team leader who always stood beside Director Qin Yongchang at the City Bureau's award ceremonies?!

The top of Jiang Hai City's public security system, Qin Yongchang's only daughter?!

An indescribable, bone‑chilling terror exploded from his tailbone in an instant, racing up his spine to the Heavenly Spirit Cover!

Drugging the director's daughter?

And raping her?!

What the hell am I doing?!

He isn't scheming to ruin a powerless, insignificant young doctor!

He is manually detonating a nuclear bomb that could blast himself and the entire Li family to pieces!

In that instant, Li Chengxian's mind completely blew, a blank void, leaving only the most primal survival instinct!

Must stop those two glasses of wine!!

Amid the stunned gazes of everyone present.

The newly appointed Vice President Li, still holding a leadership façade, suddenly charged like a mad bull toward Dr. Chu's table!

Bang!

Whoosh—!

Because of the excessive momentum, he couldn't brake at all and slammed into Xiao Wang, who hadn't reacted.

The tray flew out.

The two glasses of fortified red wine traced scarlet parabolic arcs in the air, spilling every drop, dousing Li Chengxian from head to toe!

The whole venue was petrified.

All conversation fell silent.

The music seemed to pause for a second.

Everyone stared dumbfounded at this absurd climax.

Li Chengxian was drenched, his expensive suit soaked with dark red wine that continued to drip.

The wine streamed down his plump cheeks, strands of hair clinging to his forehead, making him look utterly disheveled, like a chicken pulled from a dye vat.

Xiao Wang was knocked to the ground, stunned and at a loss.

Vice President Wang's eyes bulged, his mouth agape, utterly baffled by his old partner's sudden madness.

"Li… Vice President Li, what are you…" a department colleague stammered.

Only Chu Che remained seated there, unperturbed.

He lowered his hand, watching the farce, a wider smile curving his lips, his eyes holding a knowing amusement.

Qin Zhixia instantly shifted into mode, her body leaning slightly back, her sharp gaze fixed on the clearly abnormal Li Chengxian, one hand habitually reaching for her waist—though there was nothing there.

"I...... I......"

Li Chengxian couldn't even bother wiping his face, nor could he care how embarrassed he was.

His heart hammered wildly in his chest, cold sweat soaking his shirt.

His brain raced in 0.01 seconds, seeking a way to rationalize the crisis without arousing Qin Zhixia's suspicion.

Got it!

He suddenly stared at Qin Zhixia, forcing out a sycophantic, twisted grin.

"Qin… Team Leader! Ah, it really is you!"

I previously had the honor of meeting your father at an exchange meeting; I was immediately impressed by his demeanor! Just now I was too far away to see clearly, but now I see that you and your father are cut from the same cloth!

I...... was so excited! So nervous! I just wanted to hurry over to greet you, but...... I slipped, made a fool of myself, made a fool of myself! Let you laugh at me! I'm really sorry!

Saying this, he kept bowing repeatedly to Qin Zhixia, his posture lowered to the dust.

This explanation, combined with his currently disheveled appearance and his expression on the verge of tears, actually gained a bit of credibility.

At least, the other people present all subconsciously thought that Director Li was trying to curry favor with the leader's family, but overdid it and made a huge fool of himself.

Qin Zhixia furrowed her brows.

Although she thought this person's behavior was strange, the other party mentioned her father and lowered his posture so much that she couldn't well pursue anything further.

"It's fine." She stood up, her tone icy, "But I have an appointment with Chu Che; I need to leave first, is that okay?"

"Good, good, good! Please go! Please go!"

Upon hearing this, Li Chengxian felt as if he had been granted a pardon; he nodded and bowed, personally making way, his demeanor respectful like a doorman greeter.

Chu Che also stood up, adjusted his collar, and gave Li Chengxian a warm smile.

"Vice President Wang, thank you for the hospitality; we'll take our leave now."

Afterward, amidst the gossiping and doubtful gazes of the crowd, he brought Qin Zhixia and left the restaurant calmly.

Until their figures completely disappeared at the entrance.

Li Chengxian's tense body then suddenly went limp, almost collapsing to the ground.

He survived.

"Chengxian, what's gotten into you?"

Vice President Wang finally rushed over, staring at him in astonishment.

Li Chengxian suddenly lifted his head; the obsequiousness and fear on his face, still dripping with alcohol, vanished instantly, replaced by a deep-seated gloom and lingering dread.

He dragged Vice President Wang to a deserted corner, gnashing his teeth, each word squeezed out from between his teeth.

"Do you know who that woman is?!"

"She's Qin Zhixia! Captain of the City Bureau's Criminal Investigation Team! Her father is Qin Yongchang, the Public Security Bureau Chief of Jiang Hai City!"

Vice President Wang's pupils dilated suddenly; the color drained from his face faster than Li Chengxian's, his lips trembling, unable to utter a word.

Li Chengxian's eyes were filled with resentment and terror.

He never expected that the soft persimmon Chu Che, whom he had always thought he could easily manipulate, actually had connections with Qin Zhixia!

With this connection, he couldn't even think of moving against Chu Che!

As long as Chu Che whispers a few words in Qin Zhixia's ear and casually investigates them, they might end up being purged!

"Damn it!" Li Chengxian slammed his fist hard against the wall, "We've been played!"

He pulled the still soul‑scared Vice President Wang.

"Right away! Dispose of all our dirty loose ends we have on hand! Not a single one can be left!"

"During this time, damn it, give me a break! Absolutely no risk of any non‑compliant operation being discovered!"