Min'er was about to speak again to explain when Director Zou's knowing tone cut her off.
"Ah, it's normal for hot-blooded men to have a few girls around."
"I always thought President Zhan was focused on his career, and that romantic matters were less important to him than to others. Today, it seems everyone is pretty much the same."
"Hahaha, I propose a toast to our shared taste. What do you say?"
Director Zou raised his glass.
With the atmosphere built up, Ke Teng glanced at Shen Min'er, and the two slowly raised their glasses together.
Only Zhan Beijue remained unmoved, his face like a poker card.
Ke Teng looked over, his tone laced with amusement.
"Oh, President Zhan doesn't seem to agree with Director Zou's words."
Zhan Beijue slowly lifted his eyelids, cast him a sidelong glance, and without a word, stood up leisurely.
"I'm here for business today, not to drink."
"If you two wish to discuss personal matters or drink, I apologize, but I cannot accompany you. Please enjoy your drinks, I'll take my leave now."
He was clearly displeased.
Director Zou, fearing he might offend him, quickly stood up as well.
"What's the hurry, President Zhan? You've only just sat down for a few minutes. Let's talk slowly."
"There's likely nothing more to say. I understand Director Zou's intentions."
Huh?
Understand what?
Director Zou was startled.
"President Zhan, I invited both of you here today purely to relax and chat casually. There's no other meaning, please don't misunderstand."
Ke Teng also stood up.
He cast a lingering glance at Zhan Beijue, then at Shen Min'er.
"Are you two acting too much like siblings?"
"You don't speak when you meet, and you won't even drink. Min'er, have you offended President Zhan somewhere and don't even know it?"
Min'er stood up, her gaze fixed on Zhan Beijue.
She looked as if she was eagerly awaiting him to speak.
Zhan Beijue couldn't stand seeing her like this.
All her thoughts were written on her face, too foolish.
She had been a smart girl in Switzerland.
"If Young Master Ke doesn't mind, I'll take Min'er with me. We have some private matters to discuss."
"Oh, you just said you weren't acting like a brother, and now you're suddenly concerned about your sister? That might not be appropriate."
Ke Teng said sarcastically.
"After all, Shen Min'er is an employee of my company now. She's accompanying me out for overtime, so she should go back with me. What if something happens, who will be responsible?"
Zhan Beijue said with a knowing tone, "So she's working overtime now."
"Of course. I, Ke Teng, am not stingy. If I ask her to accompany me out after work hours, it's naturally considered overtime."
"Well-versed in labor laws, that's commendable."
Zhan Beijue nodded, then asked again.
"Then what do you think might happen to her if she's with me?"
"Who knows? In this world, people's hearts are not what they used to be, anything is possible."
Ke Teng continued to insinuate.
"It's best to be careful, as the responsibility would be great if something were to happen."
"As the saying goes, accept what comes. President Zhan, she's just your sister, what can't we hear?"
The more he wanted Zhan Beijue to stay, the more Zhan Beijue refused.
As the son of Ke Jingyu, he was still too young.
His cunning was far inferior to his father's. He wasn't very good at provoking people, but he was good at being disgusting.
Zhan Beijue didn't want to create trouble for himself or be disgusted by him.
"I can't help it, my family is strict."
"If I waste time outside without any serious business, my wife will make me kneel on a washboard if she finds out."
Damn it.
Showing off their affection to me?
Ke Teng's smile vanished instantly.
"Alright, in that case, I won't force you to stay. Have a good trip."
"Min'er, come, sit next to Director Zou, and we'll continue."
"We're not leaving tonight until we're drunk. Drink all this wine with him."
He lazily put his arm around Min'er and pushed her towards Director Zou.
A beautiful woman was going to sit and drink with him?
Director Zou was so happy he could barely see his eyes.
He quickly extended his plump, greasy hand to catch her.
Without a doubt, Shen Min'er would then throw herself into his arms and be at his mercy.
It was clear that Ke Teng was deliberately using her to control him.
Would Zhan Beijue fall for his trick?
"Your family doesn't lack your earnings. If you're not happy working at Huatai, you don't have to."
"Come with me, Min'er. Go back tomorrow and resign."
One wanted him to sit and drink with Director Zou, the other wanted him to go with him.
Min'er didn't know who to listen to and stood there looking innocent.
Ke Teng couldn't help but laugh when he saw this.
"Just because she's your sister, she doesn't even have the right to go out and make friends on her own? President Zhan, you're quite the busybody."
"Shen Min'er is not young. Seeing how beautiful she is, I originally wanted to introduce some friends to her. But with your attitude..."
Zhan Beijue interrupted him unceremoniously.
"An elder brother is like a father. Since her father is gone, I am her guardian."
"Not just any stray cat or dog can talk to her. If she's to make friends, I must approve them first."
"Min'er, come here!"
Ke Teng couldn't help but be amused by his words again.
"For the first time in my life, I understand how the phrase 'an elder brother is like a father' is used."
"Fine, your sibling affection is deep, and you must take her away. I won't stop you."
"However, President Zhan, I brought her here. I'm giving you face, but you can't refuse me in front of Director Zou."
"She's my person for now. If you want to take her, drink this bottle of wine first."
Ke Teng grabbed a bottle of foreign liquor from the table and thrust it in front of him.
"If the feelings are deep, drink it all in one go."
"You want to express your concern for your sister? Drink it all, and I'll respect you as a man."
Do I need you to respect me as a man?
Who do you think you are?
Zhan Beijue disdained to give him face and utterly refused to engage in such childish games.
He reached out, grabbed the wine bottle, and smashed it on the floor with a clang.
"She's your person?"
"From now on, she's not."
"We're resigning automatically. Keep that little bit of salary if you want, consider it as me buying you drinks."
Saying this, Zhan Beijue took two steps back, reached out, pulled Min'er from Director Zou's side, and without looking back, walked out of the private room.
Zhan Beijue, with his tall stature and long legs, moved with the wind, leaving Min'er far behind.
He only stopped when they reached the car.
Min'er knew he was angry and had been anxious the entire way.
She walked up to him, and Zhan Beijue coldly opened the car door.
"Get in."
It was as if she had committed a grave offense.
As the car started, Zhan Beijue leaned to the side, not speaking.
Min'er thought for a moment and then apologized to him.
"I'm sorry."
"If you know you're sorry, why did you do it?"
Min'er had only apologized instinctively; she didn't actually believe she had done anything wrong.
Unexpectedly, Zhan Beijue took her apology seriously.
Suddenly, she felt wronged.
"How have I wronged you? Do you dislike me that much?"
"Just because I came to Nancheng without your permission? I didn't ask you to manage me!"