I finished speaking and walked straight out, but just as I touched the doorknob, Manager Li grabbed me, his tone stiff, lacking the usual polite attitude he had towards me. He started with a reprimand...

"What's wrong with you!"

This tone further solidified my resolve. After all, Manager Li was relying on her to make his fortune. If she was helping me, and I became a hindrance, I wouldn't be that kind of person, nor did I want to be.

So, I said very rationally, "Manager Li, I understand that you want to help me. If your partnership wasn't with the Pei family, I would definitely do everything I could to complete the tasks you give me."

"You need to calm down. This is a rare opportunity. Think about your own situation. Who among your acquaintances, besides me, would be willing to help you?"

His blunt words made me lose face even more, especially in front of this woman. It felt like being stripped naked. If I swallowed my pride and stayed, I would have no presence at all.

"I know that, otherwise I wouldn't have taken the initiative to call you in the first place..."

"Good that you know. Besides, Shi Yu didn't say anything. Don't argue back at her. A man should learn to be courteous to women. With your temper like this, who can put up with you?"

"I'm not trying to argue with anyone. I just think that since we're working together, we'll still run into each other in the future. I just want to clear things up. Let bygones be bygones. I don't expect to be friends, but at least we don't have to scowl at each other..."

Before I could finish, Pei Shi Yu's voice immediately rang out, "Who's scowling at you? Are you worthy?"

My emotions surged, and words poured out of my mouth like a machine gun...

"Do I have my eye on you or something? My partner is Manager Li, and you're not directly involved. Do you think I want to see you?"

"Alright, say less. It doesn't matter if you don't see each other in the future..."

Manager Li was trying his best to smooth things over, but he didn't change my resolve to leave. However, I still wanted to put on a brave face...

"In the future, put away your disdainful attitude. No one owes anyone anything."

I quickly pulled open the door. Before I could step out, I heard Pei Shi Yu ask Manager Li, "Has the contract been signed? The penalty for breach of contract will be according to the terms."

I quickly turned around, my eyes fixed on Pei Shi Yu's face. She was calm, sitting in her chair and taking a sip of tea. I finally saw how vicious this woman was. She didn't want me to do business, yet she wanted to collect the penalty for breach of contract, all while verbally attacking me.

After watching for a while, I walked up to her, reached out, took the cup, and poured the tea into the trash can. Someone like her didn't deserve my service.

Suddenly, four or five people entered the private room. I looked at them; they all looked like wealthy bosses. Then several more people came in. It seemed all the partners in the project had arrived.

Manager Li tugged at my sleeve from behind and said softly, "Put personal matters aside for now, and focus on the big picture. There are so many people; I don't think I can handle it."

I could only passively stay. By this time, all the seats were taken except for the chair next to Pei Shi Yu. Manager Li was already busy, exchanging pleasantries and starting the round of toasts.

I could immediately sense that among everyone sitting here, Pei Shi Yu held the highest position. Everyone was eager to flatter her. Of course, those who didn't know about our relationship assumed I was working with her, so I unexpectedly received respect in her name.

Tonight, the table was filled with baijiu (white liquor). Manager Li, sitting to my left, suddenly leaned over and winked at me. I immediately stood up and started toasting from the left, one by one. This kind of social interaction was my forte, but the scar on my face made my smile look awkward. I could imagine how strange it must look.

When toasting Manager Li, I considerately said, "You can have as much as you like."

At this moment, one of the people sitting opposite me said, "Young man, you can't do that. You have to treat everyone equally."

"I'll finish my drink. You don't need to offer suggestions," Manager Li said, and he generously drank the wine in his glass.

Pei Shi Yu was the last. I should have taken care of her since she was a girl, facing a group of seasoned veterans. But after what had just happened, I wouldn't show her any mercy. I had already decided to leave, so I didn't need to worry about making things difficult for Manager Li in the future.

I personally filled her glass with wine, filling it to the point where it was almost overflowing before stopping. I straightened up and smiled at them hypocritically, saying, "Treat everyone equally, right!"

I saw the person who had just offered the suggestion smiling brightly, staring at Pei Shi Yu with great interest. The others cheered, "President Pei, it's rare to see you drink. We should give you a round of applause."

The atmosphere immediately livened up. The only woman, looking like a captivating enchantress, made these old men reveal their greedy eyes.

I deliberately said politely, "President Zuo, let's have a drink. It's rare to get together."

I clinked her glass and drank directly, regardless of whether she drank or not. I went straight back to my seat.

I saw Pei Shi Yu hesitate for a moment, her expression a bit inscrutable. But Manager Li couldn't sit still and said to me, "Lin Che, you should be gentle with girls and cherish them. You drink for her."

"No need!" Although Pei Shi Yu didn't want to drink, she refused decisively.

Everyone present misunderstood. Her helplessness was taken as a sign of her high alcohol tolerance. I turned my head and subconsciously looked at her. Perhaps it was because the baijiu was too strong, but I saw her frown as soon as she touched the glass, and she finished it in several small sips.

As soon as Pei Shi Yu put down her glass, the man who had been very attentive earlier stood up and said cheerfully, "President Pei, you can't just let the young people drink. We should all toast you."

"Come on, everyone toast together," Pei Shi Yu replied, also considering face.

"That won't do. We have to go one by one, treat everyone equally."

This phrase "treat everyone equally" became the catchphrase of the night. If she toasted everyone in turn, they wouldn't be able to leave tonight, not even crawl. Pei Shi Yu hadn't spoken yet, and Manager Li anxiously tried to smooth things over...

"Shi Yu's alcohol tolerance is very low. Let us men drink. It's enough to enjoy the drinking. Let Lin Che toast you."

"We've already set a precedent. President Pei should join in the fun. I've known you for so long, and I've never seen you drink baijiu."

"Are you trying to get me drunk?" Pei Shi Yu said calmly.

"We've dreamed of it! Please, just give us the honor tonight."

"Let's all toast together," Pei Shi Yu emphasized again.

The man who had been standing suddenly put down his glass and said seriously, "Then you're looking down on us..."

"Everyone, stop joking around. If Shi Yu drinks a dozen shots of baijiu, she'll be sent straight to the hospital. Let Lin Che do it. He can toast you two rounds and be fine."

I looked at Manager Li in surprise. He had suddenly pushed me out to protect Pei Shi Yu. I was definitely unhappy to hear that.