CH 9.3

The most taboo thing to say at the banquet table was that you are allergic to alcohol. To say that you couldn’t drink, otherwise you will have stomach bleeding, was the most disappointing.

She couldn’t let Jiang Shenghe spoil Boss He’s evening because of her. She smiled and responded to Jiang Shenghe, “It’s okay, I have to congratulate Boss He twice.” 

Jiang Shenghe tried to minimize Luo Qi’s exposure to wine drinking, and now he can only stop her drinking wine in advance in the name of his aunt. He told the waiter, “Pour Assistant Luo two small cups, and add a pinch of cherry juice.” 

He basically told everyone present that Luo Qi will only have two small cups tonight. The two small cups add up to only one or two drinks which, really, was almost like not drinking at all.

Obviously Jiang Shenghe was a guest, but his tone was unbending.

Tonight, He Wancheng was the host, and with a wave of his hand, he signaled the waiter to do as Jiang Shenghe said.

He vaguely remembered that the last time he had dinner with Jiang Yueru, Jiang Yueru seemed to have said that Luo Qi could not drink. After a long time, the impression was already a bit blurred.

But it didn’t matter whether Luo Qi could drink or not—since Jiang Shenghe said so, He Wancheng had to give him face. What’s more, Luo Qi’s turnaround just now was also skillful, and she gave He Wancheng all the face that should be given to him.

After the juice was squeezed, the waiter poured it for Luo Qi.

Luo Qi never expected that Jiang Yueru would be so thoughtful, and that she would not forget to ask Jiang Shenghe to take care of her at the banquet table so that she won’t get sick from drinking too much wine.

In the years that she has been by Jiang Yueru’s side, ever since Jiang Yueru learned that Luo Qi would go to the hospital after drinking too much, every time there was a banquet, unless it was really impossible to avoid the situation, Jiang Yueru tried her best not to let Luo Qi drink alcohol.

Jiang Yueru took care of her in all the littlest details, and if asked to say how, Luo Qi wouldn’t be able to finish talking about it for three days and three nights. Jiang Yueru was also the one who helped find a doctor who could perform surgery on her father.

This was the reason why Luo Qi worked so hard but never claimed credit.

… …

Over dinner, Luo Qi’s wedding was brought up.

The last time He Wancheng entertained Jiang Yueru, he heard that Luo Qi was engaged but the wedding date had not yet been set. He had a good impression of Luo Qi and toasted her, “When will Xiao Luo hold a wedding? I hope to drink the wedding wine.” 

“Thank you, Boss He,” Luo Qi replied. “The wedding is in December.”

“What does your boyfriend do? He’s also from Suzhou City?”

“Yes, from Suzhou. He’s a venture capitalist.”

“Is that so.”

He Wancheng intended to end the conversation at this point and wasn’t going to ask any more questions.

Tonight, however, he invited am old friend to accompany him. Jiang Shenghe was sitting on He Wancheng’s right and his friend was on his left.

He Wancheng’s friend’s surname was Zhao. He stared at Luo Qi thoughtfully. He’d been  feeling that he had heard the name ‘Luo Qi’ somewhere before, but he couldn’t seem to remember where. Just now, he heard Luo Qi say that her boyfriend was a venture capitalist and things fell into place.

“Does Xiao Luo know Pei Shixiao?”

Luo Qi looked over and smiled slightly. “Coincidentally, he is my fiance. Director Zhao, do you know him?” 

“Your wedding will be held in a hotel I invested in.”

Ah. He turned out to be the same Director Zhao, the big boss behind the hotel she chose for their wedding banquet. The surname ‘Zhao’ was very common, so Luo Qi didn’t think much about it before.

Luo Qi stood up and offered a toast.

Zhao Dong picked up the wine glass, “Sit down, it’s one from our own family, there are no outsiders.”

He turned to He Wancheng and said, “She’s old Pei’s future daughter-in-law.” 

The circle sitting at the very top of Suzhou’s wealth was not that big. Several major groups have inextricably linked interests, and they all knew each other.

He Wancheng filled a glass of wine and toasted Jiang Shenghe. “Come to Suzhou again in the future; I’ll call old Pei together—maybe there is a chance to cooperate.”

Jiang Shenghe smiled but said nothing. The smile on his face was very weak.

After clinking glasses, he drained his glass of wine dry.

He had absolutely no interest in cooperating.

… … 

In the next few minutes, all the discussions on the table were related to Luo Qi and Pei Shixiao.

Jiang Shenghe leaned back in his chair, sipping wine from time to time, not saying a word.

He Wancheng ended the topic of Luo Qi’s upcoming wedding in a timely manner. Jiang Shenghe was the important guest tonight, and the focus returned to him.

… …

Secretary Ju noticed the boss’s abnormality tonight. 

This abnormality was not because he took care of Luo Qi’s wine consumption at the banquet table, but because the boss’ mood was, somehow, not quite right. Secretary Ju has been with Jiang Shenghe for a long time and attending these celebrations with him was normal for her—she has never seen him have this kind of subtle emotion before in all previous dinners.

Others won’t easily detect it, but she was too familiar with the boss.

This secret she discovered today, she could only allow to rot in her stomach.

… …

Once the dinner was over, Luo Qi got into the elevator and finally had a chance to thank Jiang Shenghe. “Thanks to Chief Jiang, I didn’t have to drink tonight, so I don’t need to go to the hospital for an IV infusion.”

Jiang Shenghe said quietly, “It’s nothing. “

For tonight’s matter, she should be more grateful to his aunt rather than him. He didn’t want her to be trapped by any more favors. If she owed too many favors, she would inevitably lose her confidence and pride.

So he added, “You don’t need to thank me. It’s Director Jiang who’s worried that you’d need go to the hospital if you drink too much tonight, which would then affect your work tomorrow.”