In front of the bathroom sink, Zhou Wang splashed some cold water on his face, feeling instantly refreshed.
Although he hadn’t drunk much, clinking glasses with all the university leaders added up.
As he looked up, a pair of delicate hands appeared with a tissue, pretending to help Zhou Wang wipe his face.
Zhou Wang smiled, not refusing, letting Ni Hong slightly rise on her tiptoes to gently and carefully wipe the water off his face.
"Mr. Zhou, are you okay?"
As Ni Hong wiped away, she asked with concern.
Zhou Wang didn’t know when she had followed him, but once he left the restroom, Ni Hong, with her hands crossed, was already waiting there.
As Zhou Wang was about to respond, Ni Hong, leaning forward, seemed to lose her balance slightly, falling into Zhou Wang’s arms. Instinctively, Zhou Wang’s hands supported her slim waist.
The silk white shirt was very smooth, and he could feel the delicate texture of the female waist; Zhou Wang instinctively gave it a gentle squeeze, and it felt pretty good.
Ni Hong bit her lip lightly, not daring to look Zhou Wang in the eye, though her body seemed to soften a bit.
Supporting herself on Zhou Wang’s shoulder, she whispered, "If you’re drunk, should I take you to rest a bit? There are rooms prepared here."
"Ms. Ni, are you resting with me?"
Zhou Wang asked with a half-smile.
Probably not expecting Zhou Wang to be so direct, Ni Hong’s pretty face swiftly turned crimson, but she responded in a voice as thin as a mosquito’s buzz, "If Mr. Zhou needs, I... don’t have a boyfriend."
Doesn’t that mean less fun... oh no, doesn’t that mean responsibility?
Zhou Wang immediately released Ni Hong, and as Ni Hong looked up in confusion, Zhou Wang was about to say something when suddenly the sound of high heels striking the ground echoed from the hallway.
Ni Hong, in a panic, instinctively stepped back two steps, breaking away from the ambiguous posture with Zhou Wang. Next, Jiang Qingkui appeared at the restroom door within their sight.
Seeing the two didn’t change her expression, she simply smiled at Ni Hong, "Ms. Ni, there you are. President Bai is looking for you, seems there’s something to ask."
"Oh, oh, I’ll head back to the booth..."
With a calm gaze from Jiang Qingkui, Ni Hong, feeling inexplicably guilty, forced a smile at her, nodded to Zhou Wang, and then quickly turned and left.
Jiang Qingkui glanced at her hurriedly departing back, focusing on the wrinkles on her white shirt at the waist. When Jiang Qingkui withdrew her gaze, she saw Zhou Wang watching her with an amused look.
This time, it was Jiang Qingkui’s turn to feel a little guilty.
She pursed her lips, avoided Zhou Wang’s gaze, and muttered, "Helping you identify women with ulterior motives is part of a secretary’s job, right?"
Zhou Wang moved a little closer.
Jiang Qingkui instinctively stepped back, then, not sure what thoughts crossed her mind, she raised her head and looked directly at Zhou Wang, "Of course, what else?"
Zhou Wang smiled, gave her a meaningful look, then turned and walked away. Jiang Qingkui breathed a sigh of relief, but simultaneously felt a bit puzzled.
Zhou Wang didn’t take the opportunity to tease her, was he... suddenly different now?
Originally upsetting Zhou Wang’s "good thing," she had mentally prepared for possibly facing a small "punishment."
Not sure what she suddenly thought of, Jiang Qingkui touched the back hem of her skirt, and her cheeks became scorching hot.
Dinner dragged on till past nine.
The dishes had long since cooled, but with such banquets, most of the time wasn’t spent eating. Just making rounds with a wine glass with the deans and professors took up more than half an hour.
Naturally, the professors invited to such occasions were high in social skills, each speaking pleasantly, and unknowingly, Zhou Wang downed quite a bit more alcohol.
"Mr. Zhou, not going to belt out a few tunes?"
President Bai had arranged a KTV event, but Zhou Wang politely declined, hurriedly waving it away.
"Not great with alcohol, not great with alcohol, going back to rest, dear professors, let’s arrange for next time!"
Whether it was informal or business-related, he certainly had no interest in singing with a bunch of old geezers.
"To the deans, I entrust the follow-up cooperation."
Bidding farewell to everyone with a handshake, Zhou Wang specially exchanged greetings with the deans of the School of Software Engineering and the School of Information.
"Certainly, certainly..."
"Any further needs from Mr. Zhou, we are fully committed to cooperatively support!"
With both the Secretary and Executive Vice President watching, the deans promptly made a solemn promise.
"Mr. Zhou, the election for the Executive Director will need to wait until the next board meeting is convened, but since the board members are quite busy, I’ll expedite the organization of it. I kindly ask for your patience with this."
Finally, Chen Gengyun grasped Zhou Wang’s hand and added with a smile.
Zhou Wang was well aware that the timing of the board meeting was largely dependent on when his thirty million donation was received.
But that was understandable. After all, just words alone wouldn’t easily reassure the university’s leaders.
"Understood, well, Secretary Chen, stay here then. We’ll meet again at the donation ceremony."
Zhou Wang offered a reserved response.
"Hahaha, alright, see you then!"
Chen Gengyun nodded with a laugh, then glanced at Ni Hong, who had been loyally following closely, "Why not, I’ll let Ms. Ni handle it and escort you to the parking lot?"