That was a smile that made one's scalp tingle, a smile that Jian Fei understood.
Matters had reached this point; there was no other way but to brace herself and go through with it.
Who had asked her to walk right into it herself?
She forced a smile and offered her wine glass again.
"I have clearly recognized my mistakes and beg for your understanding."
The man slowly refilled her glass.
Jian Fei frowned and downed three glasses in quick succession.
She had expected the other party to say something, but instead, another man brought out a different bottle of wine.
"After drinking Mr. Li's wine, you can't possibly refuse me, can you? Now I'll pour for you. Miss Jian, your alcohol tolerance is quite good."
The director had initially thought Jian Fei had some special connection with them and could help with the project negotiations.
Now, it seemed...
If only he hadn't let her come! What if she dragged them down and the project failed, delaying important matters?
The alcohol went to her head quickly. Three large glasses, nearly a whole bottle, was quite terrifying for someone drinking for the first time.
Jian Fei was in a bind and cast a pleading look at the director, who appeared impatient.
"Just drink it if I tell you to. Since you said you're apologizing, you need to show sincerity. I can't believe you're so troublesome at such a young age!"
Jian Fei had completely run out of options, feeling utterly helpless.
Even knowing that a mountain of knives and a sea of fire lay ahead, for the sake of future peace and stability, she could only place her hand on the wine glass.
However, before drinking, she had her conditions.
"Mr. Zhang, Mr. Li, you both know I didn't intend to offend you, and I've sincerely apologized now. Will everything be forgotten if I finish these drinks?"
She wanted a clear answer, but they wouldn't give it, smiling and saying, "Drink first, then we'll talk."
She wasn't good with eloquent words and was again rendered speechless by their response.
Steeling herself, thinking that with colleagues and her superior present, they wouldn't dare do anything, she was about to lift the glass when the private room door opened.
A tall silhouette entered against the light, accompanied by a clear male voice.
"Jian Fei, is your work done? I'll give you a ride back."
Ke Teng was a man, and more so, a man well-versed in the world of indulgence.
From a brief glance, he had already analyzed that Jian Fei would not have an easy time in this situation.
He had his assistant inquire, and indeed, the two men inside were not good people.
He knew Jian Fei's personality and that she wouldn't benefit from this situation, so he temporarily put aside his own matters and came to find her.
Seeing a man enter, and such a tall, handsome man at that, his impeccable attire and extraordinary demeanor suggested an unusual status, causing everyone in the room to be taken aback.
Ke Teng walked directly to the center of the room, meeting their probing gazes, and stood casually opposite them.
"Weren't you doing administrative work at the hospital? Why are you drinking in the middle of the day?"
"Is the hospital's profit margin so low that they have to send female employees out to entertain with drinks?"
His words made the director blush furiously.
But he dared not retort; his intuition told him the person opposite was not to be trifled with.
He turned his gaze to Jian Fei, "Jian Fei, aren't you going to introduce us?"
"There's no need to trouble her; I'll introduce myself."
Ke Teng stepped forward and lazily extended his hand to the director.
"My name is Ke Teng. I'm from Shangcheng. I'm here representing the Ke Group for your annual investment promotion. A pleasure to meet you."
From Shangcheng? His surname was Ke? A representative of the Ke Group?
The director, over forty and experienced in the ways of the world, was well aware of several renowned corporations in the country.
Upon hearing his background, he quickly stood up.
"Hello, a pleasure, a pleasure indeed."
Ke Teng shook his hand briefly, then looked at the other two men.
"And who are these two gentlemen? Care to introduce them?"
The director, acting subserviently, introduced them again.
"These are the presidents of Jianye Real Estate and Hualong Decoration from our city, Mr. Zhang and Mr. Li."
The young and frivolous heirs of small local companies were mere trash in Ke Teng's eyes.
He nodded condescendingly at the two.
"Hello."
"Is this a local custom in your Tongcheng? To invite a female employee to drink for entertainment when discussing business? I hope I haven't interrupted you?"
Although Mr. Zhang and Mr. Li were young and arrogant, they were not blind.
Hearing his background and seeing him protect Jian Fei, they intended to shift the blame.
"Mr. Ke, you might not know, but we have no interest in Miss Jian drinking for entertainment. She insisted on drinking herself."
"A few days ago, there was an unfortunate accident. She feels indebted to us, and I was merely giving her an opportunity to apologize."
Is that so?
Ke Teng turned his gaze to Jian Fei, gesturing for her to put down the wine glass in her hand.
"What did you do to offend both these young masters simultaneously?"
Jian Fei couldn't deny being moved by his sudden appearance and concern.
However, having already provoked these local strongmen, she was content with resolving the matter quickly and didn't want to escalate the conflict.
Otherwise, Ke Teng could help her once, but not a second time.
After he left, she would still have a difficult life.
"It's nothing. It's my own fault for being blind."
He felt she wasn't the type to bow to power; otherwise, she wouldn't have been so cruel to him at the Ke family's place.
How could she be so timid now when dealing with men inferior to him?
Seeing her submissive demeanor, Ke Teng felt inexplicably annoyed.
He had initially intended to say a few words and take her away, but now, without clarifying the matter, he didn't want to leave.
There was no seat for him opposite them, so Ke Teng kicked the wine bottles on the table aside, sat down casually on the coffee table, and stared intently at Jian Fei.
"Weren't you quite fierce in front of me? Daring to do anything, daring to say anything. Why are you so cowardly in front of others?"
"Speak. What exactly happened? Say it boldly, no one will eat you."
"How were you blind? I'd like to see for myself."
He deliberately spoke ambiguously, as if he and Jian Fei had a very unusual relationship.
Everyone couldn't help but wonder in their hearts. Given Jian Fei's looks, family background, and emotional intelligence, she didn't seem like someone who would know important figures, let alone have a special relationship with him.
Why was this man protecting her?
Mr. Li couldn't help but ask out of curiosity, "May I butt in and ask, Mr. Ke and Miss Jian are...?"
Ke Teng had intended to say they were friends, but then he changed his mind.
"Ex-girlfriend."
"She ran back to Tongcheng only after breaking up with me. She used to be so fierce in front of me; even my father was wary of her. How has she become so pathetic now?"
Everyone in the room gasped.
With her current demeanor, she was the ex-girlfriend of this man?
For a moment, they didn't know whether to call Ke Teng blind or Jian Fei skilled.
Since her relationship with this man was unusual, everyone was smart enough to know that it was better to avoid trouble.