Chapter Thirteen: Intoxication

Nighttime, six-star hotel, a member’s suite.

After the lesson she learned last time, Chu Qingzhu had come thoroughly prepared tonight, having researched the preferences and aversions of the president of Lotte. The lavishly decorated room boasted a large round table laden with fine wines and delicacies. She sat to the left of President Le, with four elegant women in cheongsams accompanying him on the right.

President Le paid the models no mind. Instead, his short, fat hand wandered to Chu Qingzhu’s thigh, caressing it. “President Chu, you’re beautiful, young, and your skin is as smooth as water. No wonder President Liang divorced his wife for you.”

Chu Qingzhu watched the short, dark, obese man’s hand wandering over her, nausea rising in her throat. She forced a smile, thinking of the contract that had yet to be signed. “President Le, is there anything else you’d like to know about the project? If not, perhaps we can proceed to sign the contract.”

His filthy hand slid up her waist toward her chest. “Now, now, President Chu, no need to rush. I’m quite familiar with the project, but you and I haven’t gotten to know each other well enough yet.”

She had already lost a billion-dollar project; she could not afford to lose Lotte’s as well. Forcing a smile, Chu Qingzhu lifted a glass to him. “Then let me drink with you, President Le.”

Seeing her lack of resistance, he grew bolder. “Good, good. President Chu, you truly know how to do business.”

She played along, handing him one glass after another, her voice sweet as honey. “Take your time, President Le.” In the end, she all but collapsed into his arms.

After plying him with drinks for most of the night, she finally got President Le drunk enough to sign the contract, though his disgusting hands had touched nearly every inch of her body. Chu Qingzhu quickly put the contract in her bag and rushed to the restroom, frantically scrubbing the skin he had touched.

He was nothing but a nouveau riche coal baron. Once she became Mrs. Liang, she would make him pay—she’d have his hands cut off and force him to grovel before her like a dog.

The water ran for a long while as Chu Qingzhu scrubbed her exposed skin red. People coming and going cast ambiguous glances her way.

“What are you looking at?” Chu Qingzhu turned and glared at a passerby.

The woman haughtily looked away. “Look at yourself—filthy. As if anyone would want to see you.”

Chu Qingzhu grabbed a bottle of hand soap and hurled it. “Get lost!” With more people coming in to watch the spectacle, she quickly wiped herself dry and hurried out.

Suddenly, a fair, cold face flushed with red caught her attention through the door of a neighboring room.

Pei Susu!

She hid by the door, quietly observing the scene inside.

Pei Susu’s conversation with Assistant Liu was going smoothly. After signing her employment contract, she went to the general manager’s office to get acquainted with Vice President Luo Yuan and learn about her work at the Fu Corporation. Not long after, she received an invitation to a business dinner.

Her gaze swept over the smartly dressed business partner Lin Mu and the ever-smiling Luo Yuan. Both had been urging her to drink since the dinner began—clearly, she’d been set up.

Lin Mu noticed the faint flush on her delicate, fair face and tentatively reached for her waist.

Pei Susu leaned back, evading his touch, and greeted him with poise. “I’ve long heard of President Lin’s talent—developing the Lin Group to new heights by thirty. Allow me to toast you.”

Flattered by her words, Lin Mu drank.

Chu Qingzhu, watching everything unfold, hatched a plan. She sent a message for someone to deliver a bottle of fine wine laced with an aphrodisiac, and, while the waiter was distracted, switched the bottles.

Pei Susu, since someone wants to get their hands on you, I might as well help them.

She set her phone to record, waiting outside the door for the drug to take effect, ready to capture footage of Pei Susu and the others succumbing to desire.

Lin Mu accepted the new wine from the waiter, pouring Pei Susu a full glass. Pei Susu, knowing her limits, calculated she could handle one more bottle before losing her senses and feigned tipsiness. “President Lin, you have a remarkable tolerance. I’m feeling a bit drunk. What are your thoughts on signing the contract?”

Seeing her about to fall into his trap, Lin Mu was eager to close the deal. “Finish this bottle and I’ll sign immediately, no hesitation.”

“You have my word,” Pei Susu replied, her cheeks flushed as she downed the glass in one go, sending a discreet text to Fu Zhichen beneath the table.

“Business dinner. I’m drunk. Come pick me up at six-star hotel, room 359.”

Lu Qianqian was pregnant; she didn’t want to trouble the girl. Fu Zhichen, as a Fu Corporation employee, would be more appropriate.

The moment Fu Zhichen received the message, he dropped his work and drove to the hotel.

His sister rarely asked for help. She must be in trouble.

After three glasses, Pei Susu felt her consciousness blur. Heat surged through her body, leaving her weak and tingling, desperate to tear off her clothes.

So hot... I want...

Lin Mu noticed her body growing limp and caressed her soft, pale hand.

“Get away, don’t touch me.” Pei Susu bit the tip of her tongue hard, the pain clearing her mind for an instant. She grabbed a wineglass and smashed it against Lin Mu.

“Bang!” The glass hit Lin Mu’s forehead, drawing a line of blood.

“You dare hit me?” He wiped the blood from his face and slapped Pei Susu hard. “Ungrateful bitch!”

The drug clouded Pei Susu’s senses. Unable to dodge, she collapsed to the floor.

The pattern of the tiles blurred before her eyes as waves of heat crashed through her. She clutched a shard of glass, the stabbing pain briefly clearing her mind.

Lin Mu, noticing something was wrong, shot Luo Yuan a look of approval, thinking she was responsible.

I didn’t drug her, did I? Luo Yuan’s sharp eyes flickered, but seeing the chance for credit, she nodded, signaling Lin Mu to take Pei Susu away.

Outside, Chu Qingzhu excitedly zoomed in on the recording. The usually aloof and elegant Pei Susu was now writhing helplessly on the floor, her beautiful features flushed, her professional outfit soaked with spilled wine and clinging to her shapely figure.

Lin Mu’s blood surged as he watched. He licked his lips and loosened his tie, advancing on Pei Susu. “It’s not unusual for accidents to happen in business. I’ve worked with Fu Corporation for years; President Fu won’t fuss over something so minor.”

He gazed hungrily at the alluring Pei Susu, reaching for her waist, intent on carrying her to a nearby room he’d already booked.