Bian Yue, upon hearing this, knew that Wang Dan’an was now siding with her. She smiled and picked up a wine glass beside her to toast Wang Dan’an.
"Great, great, great! Come, President Bian!"
With Wang Dan’an leading the way, the number of people seeking to discuss business with Bian Yue surged in an instant.
Toasts were made, and the cups exchanged; the atmosphere was just right.
Shen Zhaoli and Shen Jinci stood outside the crowd, watching from behind a screen on the second floor. They saw Bian Yue maintaining her composure with a smile from the beginning, and later on, she handled herself with the ease of a seasoned drinker, her cheeks flushed with alcohol.
Wen Jiao stayed by Bian Yue’s side, occasionally drinking a few glasses on behalf of Bian Yue. The two young ladies, surrounded by a group of business tycoons, did not show any signs of weakness.
"Looks like Bian Yue will get drunk if this keeps up. Aren’t you worried about her getting plastered, Shen Jinci?" Shen Zhaoli said with a mix of anger and amusement as he turned to Shen Jinci, "Are you really not distressed seeing her drink with them ?"
"Distressed and yet you won’t go up there to take some drinks for her? Each and every one of these men is as docile as can be in front of you, but with Bian Yue, they’re really not pulling any punches."
"If they want to discuss business with Bian Yue, they will want to test the waters. Such tactics are inevitable," Shen Jinci said with a calm demeanor, though his gaze remained firmly on Bian Yue, "I can arrange this setting for her today, but what Bian Yue accomplishes depends on her own abilities."
"Aren’t you afraid that Bian Yue will think you’re too indifferent?" Shen Zhaoli frowned as he watched Wang Dan’an raising another toast to Bian Yue, his voice growing colder, "This Wang Dan’an is really pushing his luck!"
Upon finishing, his face filled with anger, he said sternly, "You may be able to stand it, but I can’t watch this anymore!"
Shen Zhaoli turned to leave, intending to go downstairs, but was stopped by Shen Jinci.
"Just follow me," Shen Jinci said with an icy voice, already heading downstairs.
Shen Zhaoli looked at Shen Jinci’s retreating back and couldn’t help but laugh as he followed, "You said you weren’t distressed, but now you also can’t stand by, can you?"
Bian Yue didn’t know how much she had drunk. These people, whom she and Wen Jiao would normally have difficulty meeting, were now standing right in front of her.
Bian Yue knew that they were here because of Shen Jinci’s face.
If she didn’t demonstrate courage and wisdom, and had instead shown fear and timidity, those men would have immediately ceased their probing and apologized, but they certainly wouldn’t consider partnering with Honey.
Bian Yue was very clear about this, so now she dared not be the slightest bit negligent. She focused on conversing with everyone, her words nearly flawless.
"President Bian, this is also our first meeting, and there will be many opportunities for collaboration in the future. I hope that after becoming familiar with President Wang first, you won’t treat us any less favorably!"
Someone joked with a bright smile as he spoke.
Hearing this, Wang Dan’an also smiled and said, "President He is getting more and more humorous. We’ve been friends for so many years; how could I forget President He when good opportunities arise?"
Bian Yue knew that this President He had some friendship with Wang Dan’an. At this moment, she smiled, picked up her wine glass, and raised it to the man who was speaking, "President He, I toast to you. Both you and President Wang are my seniors, and I’ll be sure to learn well from both of you."
Upon hearing Bian Yue’s words, President He couldn’t hide his smile, touched glasses with Bian Yue with approval, and his scrutinizing eyes were filled with satisfaction.
This birthday banquet was arranged by Shen Jinci to expand Bian Yue’s network. Everyone present understood Shen Jinci’s intention, but whether they would actually collaborate still depended on Bian Yue herself.
After all, no one is willing to gamble their hard work on the high-risk entrepreneurship game with Bian Yue.
If Bian Yue were to act arrogant and prideful today, relying on Shen Jinci’s indulgence, they would naturally flatter her, exchanging pleasantries, but definitely not seek deeper cooperation with Bian Yue.
However, now every move of Bian Yue is observed by everyone and nobody can fault her.
It’s not easy to maintain such a low profile in her position, not to mention being able to grapple with complexities and dance elegantly through social situations.
Bian Yue, slightly tipsy, was about to place her empty glass on a tray nearby when Shen Jinci parted the crowd and came over.
At that moment, Wen Jiao, with a headache from the alcohol, saw Shen Jinci approaching, said nothing, left Bian Yue, and sat down on a sofa nearby.
In fact, Wen Jiao had been unable to endure for a while, silently cursing Shen Jinci countlessly in her mind for his cold heart — actually having the heart to let the pampered Bian Yue socialize under his watch. Wen Jiao thought, if it were her, she’d want to find a golden chamber to hide Bian Yue away.
She closed her eyes and without hesitation, immediately fell asleep.
And Bian Yue’s gaze landed on Shen Jinci, first one of surprise, then she smiled and pointed at the man, saying with a laugh, "My husband has come to pick me up."
"It’s indeed getting late. I’ve heard that the night view on the deck is very beautiful, how about we all go take a look?" Wang Dan’an, quick to seize the moment, suggested leaving as soon as he saw Shen Jinci coming over.
His suggestion prompted agreement from the others, and before long, the people departed.
Shen Jinci looked at the drunken state of Bian Yue and raised his hand to pinch her face, sighing softly, "How much did you drink?"
Bian Yue grasped Shen Jinci’s hand, her slightly feverish face resting against his palm, muttering softly, "Not much, I behaved very well just now. Shen Jinci, I’ve treasured the opportunity you gave me."
As she spoke, her face tilted, her ears, and neck all flushed red.
A surge of pity rose in Shen Jinci’s heart, growing stronger as he embraced Bian Yue and naturally picked her up, "I’ll take you to rest."
Just moments ago, Bian Yue felt she wasn’t drunk at all, but now, leaning into Shen Jinci’s arms, the restrained alcohol took effect.
Her head felt heavy, and she nodded her agreement.
Shen Zhaoli came over, seeing Bian Yue in such a drunken state, he couldn’t help but find it amusing, "So she’s already drunk? I was watching from upstairs just now, thinking when did she become a heavy drinker, surpassing everyone, turns out she was forcing herself."
Shen Zhaoli’s teasing voice didn’t prevent Bian Yue, despite being intoxicated, from lifting her face and flipping him the middle finger.
"Ugh! Brat, shut it!"
Shen Zhaoli couldn’t help but laugh at the irritation, but Shen Jinci tenderly cradled Bian Yue in his arms, looking adoringly at her, and said to Shen Zhaoli, "I’m going to take Bian Yue to rest first. If those people come back and have any messages for Bian Yue, just give them Wen Jiao’s phone number."
Only then did Shen Zhaoli notice Wen Jiao on the sofa and raising an eyebrow, he said, "Alright, I’ve got this. Brother, you take Bian Yue and go."
After Shen Jinci left with Bian Yue, Shen Zhaoli walked towards Wen Jiao.
The usually fierce and lively young lady now seemed vividly alluring, collapsed on the sofa in sleep, her waist as slim as could be grasped, making it an enticing sight.
Her rosy cheeks unaware of Shen Zhaoli’s scrutiny, she slept soundly.
Shen Zhaoli kicked the tip of Wen Jiao’s shoe, "Which room are you staying in?"