After speaking, President Hong raised his glass and poured wine into Ling Chuxia’s cup, instantly filling it to the brim.
Chuxia knew exactly how much she could drink. She rarely imbibed and had only developed a slight tolerance from working, but it definitely wasn’t more than four glasses. She’d just downed three glasses and was already feeling dizzy. How could she continue drinking?
She shook her head repeatedly and said, "I’m sorry, President Hong, my alcohol tolerance is poor, I can’t drink any more." Original content can be found at noᴠelfire.net
Upon hearing this, President Hong’s expression immediately darkened, "What’s the matter? Aren’t you giving me face? Just one more glass and you won’t drink?"
Seeing President Hong’s reaction, Manager Chen became anxious and quickly spoke up, "Chuxia, it’s just one glass of wine. Hurry up and drink it."
Ai Li next to her spoke coolly, "Exactly, you drank three glasses without batting an eyelid just now. Why can’t you drink one more now? Are you disdaining the wine President Hong poured?"
Ai Li’s adding fuel to the fire worsened President Hong’s already grim expression.
Ling Chuxia lightly bit her lower lip. She wouldn’t mind drinking another glass, but it was clear that President Hong wasn’t going to let her off easily. She feared that drinking this glass would only lead to more. How could she possibly hold up?
Lin Shasha, seeing this, spoke out, "Ai Li, what are you saying? You clearly know Xiaxia can’t handle her alcohol. President Hong, please forgive her. How about I drink this glass for Xiaxia?"
Lin Shasha reached for the glass, but Ai Li’s hand blocked her immediately, saying unceremoniously, "What are you doing, Lin Shasha? President Hong is offering the drink to Chuxia, not you. What’s the use if you drink it? Manager, I’m right, aren’t I?"
Manager Chen glanced at them and remained silent, as if to agree. Lin Shasha, though resentful, did not dare to offend Manager Chen and could only sigh softly.
"Chuxia, drink up quickly. You can’t let our cooperation fall through just because of you, can you?" As Ai Li spoke, she watched Ling Chuxia with schadenfreude, clearly eager to escalate the situation.
Manager Chen was also in a hurry. For her, it was just a matter of drinking a few more glasses. Why be so squeamish? When you’re out at work, you should have that awareness.
"Ling Chuxia, what are you dithering for? Drink up!" Her gaze toward Ling Chuxia carried a hint of fierceness.
Chuxia’s cheeks already sporting a mild flush from the alcohol, she clenched her hand tighter and tighter. Her hand slowly wrapped around the glass, but she didn’t drink immediately. Instead, she stared at President Hong and spoke word by word, "President Hong, I can drink this glass, but this is to toast to the success of our cooperation in advance."
She knew she could only manage this one glass at most; any more and she would surely be drunk. So it was imperative to ensure there wouldn’t be another after this one.
Hearing Ling Chuxia’s words, President Hong’s brows lifted slightly. This woman was quite good at setting conditions, yet it was just a few drinks—couldn’t get her drunk, could they? President Hong stroked his chin as his gaze inadvertently shot toward Ai Li, who confidently returned his glance.
President Hong caught on and immediately laughed, slamming the table and declaring, "Good, once you drink this glass, I will sign the contract right away."
With the assurance, Ling Chuxia let out a small sigh of relief, then raised her glass and downed it in one go.
As soon as Ling Chuxia finished her drink, President Hong was just as decisive. He took the contract that Manager Chen handed over, and with a flourish, signed his name.