Zhao Xuemo swiftly blocked Lin Zifeng with her powder-white arm.
With a seductive smile at the other three middle-aged men, she said coyly, "How could I let someone else drink on my behalf when Mr. He is so generously insistent? Today, I, Zhao Xuemo, must certainly join Mr. He for a few drinks."
After taking the glass of alcohol from Lin Zifeng’s hand, she directly tilted her head back and drank it down.
She poured the full glass of strong liquor, about the size of a normal water cup, directly into her mouth.
A fiery, stinging sensation caused Zhao Xuemo’s delicate arched eyebrows to involuntarily furrow a couple of times, even Lin Zifeng couldn’t help but be impressed by this formidable woman.
That was an entire cup of hard liquor! It must have been over 50 proof! Was she really treating it as if it were just tea?
"Sister Xuemo really has a good tolerance for alcohol! No wonder I’ve often heard others speak highly of Xuemo being able to drink a thousand cups without getting drunk. It looks like you definitely didn’t let us underestimate you today!"
One of the chubby men hurriedly clapped and praised, encouraging the other two to join in commending Zhao Xuemo’s drinking capacity.
"Mr. He, we’ve had our drink, shall we start discussing the contract now?"
Despite being pressed by the three to drink more, Zhao Xuemo dared not forget about today’s important matter, fully aware that she was definitely not here just to drink.
These bastards had already delayed the contract for several months, not only inhibiting the immediate financing but also affecting the company’s operations.
"Hey! Sister Xuemo, every time we meet, must we talk about contracts? It makes me feel uneasy. Can’t we just come out for meals and drinks without talking contracts?"
That bastard Mr. He patted Zhao Xuemo’s hand lightly, casting a meaningful glance her way.
However, Zhao Xuemo subtly withdrew her hand.
"Mr. He, there’s no rush about these meals and drinks," she said, truthfully not wanting to chat with the fat man.
His bulging belly made her feel somewhat nauseous.
"Come on! Sister Xuemo, let’s set aside the contract for today. This drink is my way of prematurely celebrating your future successes in business!" said Mr. He, pouring another two glasses and beginning to drink on his own.
"Mr. He, isn’t this improper?" Zhao Xuemo was not used to such heavy drinking.
"Sister Xuemo, aren’t you being a little unfair? Am I not even worth a return toast? That would really upset me."
"Eh, it seems the job of a Public Relations Director isn’t that easy after all, just eating and drinking can become too much. It’s alright when you’re meeting nice people, but dealing with perverts really is quite troublesome," Lin Zifeng related, picking up a glass of red wine and lamenting.
Feeling cornered, Zhao Xuemo, though extremely unwilling, knew she had to play along to some extent.
"Hehe, that’s more like it. I knew Sister Xuemo could drink thousands of cups without getting drunk. It looks like you truly live up to your reputation," chuckled the fat Mr. He.
He then gestured to the other two men with a look.
"Come on! Since Sister Xuemo can drink so well, I’ll also give you a toast today!"
No sooner had Mr. He sat down than another pig-head named Mr. Ma came along.
Not only Zhao Xuemo found it intolerable, but even Lin Zifeng felt these three men were deliberately causing trouble.
"Mr. Ma, isn’t this a bit too much? I just toasted with Mr. He, and now this? You’re rushing me, shouldn’t I at least catch a breath?" Zhao Xuemo was clearly already a bit tipsy.
With the fierce drinking that started earlier, even the best of alcohol tolerances couldn’t withstand such imbibing.
"Xuemo, that’s where you’re wrong. After toasting Mr. He, do you look down on me, Mr. Ma? Do you find even a token gesture too hard?"
Mr. Ma’s expression turned serious, feigning anger.
"No, Mr. Ma, that’s not what I meant," Zhao Xuemo knew the intentions of these few men, but considering the contract, she felt it inappropriate to say much.
"Let’s say no more then, I’ll just have this drink out of respect," Mr. Ma declared, lifting his glass and gulping it down.
Feeling cornered, Zhao Xuemo reluctantly followed suit.
However, Lin Zifeng seemed somewhat displeased by the scene.
Quickly, with a cheery but soundless demeanor, he took the glass from Zhao Xuemo’s hand and smiled at the three men, "Today is my first meeting with you gentlemen, so let me wish you booming business and ’extensive’ fortune," he announced with a big wave of his hand.
A full cup of strong liquor was gone in a gulp.
Leaving the three men in stunned silence.
Especially Mr. Ma, who felt particularly uneasy.
The final word ’extensive’ from Lin Zifeng—did it sound somewhat sinister?
’Increasing fortune’ or ’exhaustive fortune’?
One implied growth, the other, depletion—the difference was not minor.
"Come on, Mr. Ma, it’s your turn!" Lin Zifeng smiled, pointing at Mr. Ma.
Mr. Ma felt his face twitch involuntarily.
Reluctantly taking the drink from Lin Zifeng, he thought bitterly: This bastard! Where did he spring from? I don’t even know him, and he’s toasting me? If you’re going to toast, fine, but why pour such a massive cup that it nearly kills me!