Since he had made his intentions clear, Pei Kexin felt there was no need to hide anything.
After all, some things were obvious.
"I believe President Yao is aware of the relationship between my grandfather and President Hengda. The bond forged through hardship cannot be broken just like that; it's not something a junior like me can decide."
She considered herself forthright.
Yao Dongzhuo nodded, "In other words, you personally have no objections to cooperating with the Yao Corporation?"
Pei Kexin replied honestly, "From my perspective, as long as the price is right and both parties can reach an agreement on all aspects, I am willing to cooperate with any company."
Yao Dongzhuo said, "Since that's the case, it seems we'll be sitting at the negotiation table soon."
Pei Kexin was taken aback. She hadn't agreed to anything. Could some word have been misinterpreted, leading the man named Yao to misunderstand?
"So, does President Yao intend to cooperate with the Pei Corporation soon?"
Yao Dongzhuo looked at her meaningfully.
"It's not that I intend to cooperate with the Pei Corporation; it's that your Young Master Pei intends to cooperate with me."
"I heard you're in charge above him, so to avoid any misunderstandings or mishaps, I wanted to clarify things with Vice President Pei beforehand."
Pei Kexin's expression immediately changed.
She glanced at Pei Zongrui, thinking to herself:
Your grandfather isn't even dead yet, who do you think you are? You can't even handle ordinary technology, and you want to get involved in procurement?
Wanting to earn merit is understandable, but do you have to aim for the moon right from the start?
The Yao Corporation is so large and powerful, and the old man isn't senile. If there were no reasons, why would they have delayed cooperation with them for so long?
"As I said, President Yao, Zongrui is young and doesn't understand many things. His ideas are too naive, and he speaks whatever comes to mind. Please don't take it to heart."
"If he has carelessly spoken anything he shouldn't have to you, I apologize on his behalf. He's speaking out of innocence; please be understanding."
This was a rejection of cooperation.
Yao Dongzhuo shook his head and looked at Pei Zongrui.
"Young Master Pei, is this what you call cooperation? You've truly embarrassed me."
"If you want to cooperate, you cooperate. If you don't, you don't. I pushed aside a lot of work to sit here and waste half the morning, only to be dismissed with a mere four words, 'speaking out of innocence'..."
Upon hearing this, Pei Zongrui trembled in fear.
"Brother Dong, Brother Zhuo, don't, don't say that..."
Pei Kexin knew he must owe someone something behind the scenes. She subtly reached out and squeezed him, urging him to calm down.
"This was indeed our mistake; the Pei family has failed in raising our children. Apologies alone lack sincerity. How about this, we'll pay for today's tab."
"Zongrui, in his ignorance, has wasted President Yao's time. Please do us the honor, President Yao, and give him a chance to treat you."
"My nephew and I will each drink three penalty cups to express our sincere apologies to President Yao. What do you think, President Yao?"
Yao Dongzhuo lowered his eyelids, toying with his wine glass, and after a few seconds, he spoke.
"Drinking is fine."
"You two, finish all of this."
The table was laden with drinks of all sizes and types, no less than twenty bottles in total.
Twenty bottles of foreign liquor, spirits, and beer – even Li Bai couldn't handle that.
As expected, Yao Dongzhuo's notorious reputation wasn't undeserved.
Pei Kexin was no innocent lamb to be toyed with.
"President Yao, you're a businessman. You must understand the principle of maintaining goodwill even if a deal falls through, better than I do."
"Not to mention that Zongrui hasn't even signed a contract with you. Even if he had, if something happened mid-way that prevented cooperation, you wouldn't turn hostile, would you?"
"If everyone in the world thought like you, President Yao, considering any failed cooperation as being played for a fool, then the police would be overwhelmed with work."
Yao Dongzhuo listened to her finish, his brows furrowed, and then he suddenly chuckled softly.
"It's okay if you don't drink today. Leave your contact information, and I'll save the drinks for you. When you return from your business trip..."
Pei Kexin dared not agree.
Putting aside the fact that she was married, even if she weren't, openly befriending him would have significant repercussions on the cooperation with Hengda.
"President Yao, it's best if I don't get involved in whatever business you and Zongrui have. In that case, I really can't stay here any longer as there are matters at the company. Perhaps you two can chat slowly, and I'll take my leave."
As she spoke, she turned to walk towards the door, but the sycophantic Brother Dong quickly intercepted her.
"Just leaving like that? Is this how Vice President Pei conducts herself? Brother Zhuo wants to be friends with people, and he always succeeds. You're unappreciative..."
Pei Kexin detested hearing the phrase "unappreciative" more than anything. It made her feel like she was being treated like a dog.
Especially when it reminded her of her humble origins, making her sensitive.
"Pei Zongrui, do you see? You can't just step on dog excrement casually. Do you think you've struck gold by stepping on it? Be careful, you might get it on your shoe sole, or worse, smeared all over your face."
"..." Brother Dong, angered, turned back to look at Yao Dongzhuo.
"Brother Zhuo, Pei Kexin, that woman, she dared to insult you!"
Zhan Jingchen walked to the door, his hand just reaching for the doorknob, when he heard this abrupt, nonsensical remark.
"Pei Kexin, that woman..."
The door was ajar. Hearing Pei Kexin's name, he instinctively glanced through the crack.
It was better not to look, but as soon as he did, he indeed saw Pei Kexin.
She had an unpleasant expression and was confronting a man, seemingly arguing about something.
Zhan Jingchen knew Yao Dongzhuo was inside and hadn't expected her to be there as well.
He had intended to go in and greet Yao Dongzhuo, but now he dared not enter the private room.
However, he was curious about what Pei Kexin was doing there. He returned to his previous private room and called Yao Dongzhuo.
"Brother Zhuo, where are you?"
Yao Dongzhuo replied, "Didn't I send you the room number earlier? Why haven't you arrived yet?"
Zhan Jingchen said, "On the way, Kai Zi and a few others intercepted me. Unless you have something particularly fun there, I won't be coming over."
Yao Dongzhuo looked at the woman in front of him and smiled playfully.
"Come over. I must say, there's a fun game today."
"Oh?" Zhan Jingchen's eyebrows furrowed; he sensed Yao's malicious intent.
"What's so fun?"
"Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü, have you ever seen a modern version of an aunt and nephew in love? Come over, I'll let you broaden your horizons today."
"..."
So, Pei Zongrui was also in the private room?
After not seeing him for a while, Yao Dongzhuo was becoming more perverted. He actually...
Let alone the fact that Pei Kexin was his nominal wife, even if she wasn't, Zhan Jingchen could never tolerate such a thing happening right under his nose.
"Oh, where did you find someone like that? So stimulating? Won't it hurt your eyes?"
Yao Dongzhuo smirked, "Don't you trust my taste? Don't worry, just come. The aunt is exquisite, but the nephew is a bit lacking. However, that's what makes a performance interesting."
"Call Kai Zi and the others too. We'll start when you arrive, don't keep me waiting too long."
After saying that, he hung up the phone.
Pei Kexin turned her head and met Yao Dongzhuo's cold smile. She was truly aghast.
"Yao Dongzhuo, I don't think I've done anything to wrong you, have I? Are you trying to restrict my freedom?"