Chapter 145: Unbearable

"The Group's Crown Prince."

Hearing this title, Lin Yuxin suddenly understood. The "President Gao" Zhou Xiaoxiao referred to was not the president of the group, but his son.

Recalling that Hong Chen had mentioned being classmates with the president's son, Lin Yuxin stopped overthinking the subtext of their conversation. She smiled and said, "I will ask my husband about it later; I believe there must be some misunderstanding."

Zhou Xiaoxiao furrowed her brows, about to say something more, when Hong Chen pushed the door open and entered. The conversation naturally shifted back to business.

Ten minutes later, the important clients arrived fashionably late: a man and a woman. The man was in his forties, with a bloated face and a belly that looked like he was six or seven months pregnant. Dressed in a tailored suit and wearing rimless glasses, he carried the air of a high-ranking official. The woman accompanying him was in her early thirties, slim and charming, carrying his briefcase—clearly his secretary or assistant.

"Director Dong, welcome, welcome." Zhou Xiaoxiao greeted them with a beaming smile and introduced the man to Lin Yuxin. He was Dong Xianda, the vice president of an investment firm and the person in charge of investment promotion for the "Urban Village" project. The woman was his secretary.

"I have long heard that President Lin is the most famous and capable businesswoman in Qing City. Seeing you today, I, Dong, am truly honored." Dong Xianda’s gaze lingered on Lin Yuxin with a lecherous glint, though he remained polite while shaking hands, letting go after two seconds.

After the perfunctory pleasantries, everyone took their seats. Dong Xianda was ushered into the reserved main seat. Zhou Xiaoxiao signaled the staff to serve the food. Soon, ten cold dishes were laid out, glasses were filled with liquor, and after a collective toast, the dinner banquet began.

The meal lasted over two hours. Four bottles of Wuliangye and two bottles of red wine were consumed. Aside from Hong Chen, everyone was at least somewhat tipsy, though no one was completely blacked out. Even Dong Xianda, who had been toasted repeatedly and had downed more than a pound of liquor, remained three-parts sober.

As the final dessert soup was served and the dinner neared its end, Zhou Xiaoxiao received a phone call. She then remarked, "What a coincidence! President Gao happens to be dining in the Masha Villa next door. Knowing Director Dong is here, he said he’d like to come over for a drink."

Dong Xianda looked flattered, clearly aware of Gao's status. He instructed his secretary to wait outside the restaurant and went to the restroom to splash some water on his face.

Fifteen minutes later, the private room door was pushed open. The female secretary walked in first, followed by a young man in a grey suit with a rose-colored silk scarf. His hair was meticulously groomed without looking dated, and paired with a handsome face, he looked quite dashing. The youth was none other than Gao Tianxiong’s son, Gao Yuanjie.

Behind Gao Yuanjie followed a stout, expressionless man in black—likely a bodyguard assigned to him by his father. Everyone rose to their feet; even Hong Chen was pulled up by Lin Yuxin. Gao Yuanjie’s gaze swept the room and settled on Lin Yuxin. He smiled and said, "Hello, President Lin."

Lin Yuxin was slightly stunned, not expecting Gao Yuanjie to greet her first. She hurriedly responded with a polite nod and said, "President Gao."

Hong Chen frowned. Although he hadn't seen Gao Yuanjie in five years, human features are mostly developed by high school, and they don't change drastically. Gao Yuanjie had clearly seen him but made no move to acknowledge him. He didn't believe Gao Yuanjie hadn't recognized him, so only one explanation remained: selective ignoring.

*Ignore me if you want,* Hong Chen thought. *He is the Crown Prince of the Hongcheng Group now, and I have no impressive status on paper, so it’s normal not to acknowledge me in this setting. But to ignore the guest of honor, Dong Xianda, and greet Lin Yuxin first—what is the meaning of that?*

After the brief greeting, Gao Yuanjie didn't linger in small talk with Lin Yuxin. He quickly turned his attention to Dong Xianda, exchanging a few polite words and having the secretary pour a drink to toast him. Hong Chen’s brow relaxed; he told himself that perhaps it was just a coincidence and he was being too sensitive.

"It's not even ten o'clock yet. Director Dong, would you be interested in going to sing some karaoke and unwind?" After finishing his drink, Gao Yuanjie didn't ask for a refill. He glanced at his watch and spoke casually.

"If President Gao suggests it, I will certainly join you, even if it means another round of drinking," Dong Xianda declared, patting his chest. Lin Yuxin, however, looked troubled. She hesitated before apologizing, "President Gao, Director Dong, I’m sorry. I rarely drink, and I’ve had quite a bit tonight. I have a splitting headache, and my grandmother’s birthday banquet is tomorrow—I have to wake up very early..."

Before Lin Yuxin could finish, Zhou Xiaoxiao interrupted, "President Lin, it’s rare for everyone to be in such high spirits. It would be a real letdown if you were the only one missing."

Gao Yuanjie waved his hand understandingly. "Since President Lin has matters to attend to tomorrow, let's do it another day."

"Thank you for your understanding, President Gao. I am truly sorry about today," Lin Yuxin said gratefully.

Gao Yuanjie smiled silently and looked around at the group, his expression turning slightly helpless. "Looking at you all, everyone has had quite a bit to drink. My car can only take two people at most; the rest will have to take a taxi or call a designated driver."

Zhou Xiaoxiao immediately raised her hand. "I’ll sign up first! I didn't drive here anyway. Don't fight me for it; ladies first."

The female secretary's eyes flickered, as if she were interested, but with Dong Xianda present, she couldn't just abandon her boss to follow a handsome man.

The other men exchanged glances but remained silent. Gao Yuanjie looked at Lin Yuxin, half-jokingly saying, "How about this, Manager Zhou, President Lin? I’ll take care of you two ladies and ensure you get home safely. The other gentlemen will have to find their own way."

Just as Gao Yuanjie was speaking, Lin Yuxin’s phone rang. She checked it and saw it was a call from Lin Yufei. She told Gao Yuanjie, "Excuse me," and answered.

"Sister, I... I’m in trouble..."

Hearing Lin Yufei’s sobbing on the other end, Lin Yuxin ignored the people around her and asked urgently, "Where are you?"

"I... I’m on Zhongguang Road. I can’t get a taxi here, and my phone is about to die..."

Lin Yufei was incoherent, so Lin Yuxin interrupted, "Stay right where you are. I’m coming to get you."

"Bring Hong Chen," Lin Yufei emphasized. Lin Yuxin replied, "Okay."

After hanging up, Lin Yuxin stood up abruptly and said to the group, "I’m sorry, I have an urgent matter and must leave." She signaled to Hong Chen, who stood up with her.

"President Lin, if you run into any trouble, feel free to call me." Gao Yuanjie hesitated, then pulled out a business card to hand to her. However, a hand reached out and intercepted it mid-air. Hong Chen closed his palm tightly, crumpling the card into a ball.

Hong Chen could have dismissed Gao Yuanjie greeting Lin Yuxin first as a coincidence, and perhaps even the offer to drive her home. But handing over a business card now? That was no coincidence, and it certainly wasn't mere goodwill.

Gao Yuanjie could pretend not to recognize him, and Hong Chen could play along. But for Gao Yuanjie to set his sights on Lin Yuxin? That was something he would not tolerate.