Chapter Fifty-Five: Is Forcing Someone to Drink Fun?

Jiang Zheng had originally been seeking rare medicinal herbs for Yazi Cosmetics, but had found no way forward. Then Han Qingqing volunteered herself, telling Jiang Zheng that she knew a boss who traded in all kinds of rare herbs and could introduce her. She said it was to make up for her previous rudeness.

That was how the current situation came to be.

Jiang Zheng assumed that, given the current scale of Yazi Cosmetics and the sudden rise of the Lin family, the deal would go smoothly as long as she presented the contract—she thought it would be a straightforward negotiation.

But upon arriving, Han Qingqing warned her that Boss Gao and the other bosses were all passionate drinkers; business could only be discussed after drinks at the table.

Determined to secure the deal, Jiang Zheng steeled herself and joined them. As soon as she sat down, bottles of white spirits and red wine were uncorked one after another, and already four or five empty bottles were lined up on the table—each one a high-proof vintage.

Even though Jiang Zheng could hold her liquor, she was reaching her limit.

"I—I can't drink anymore," Jiang Zheng mumbled, her words bubbling incoherently from her lips.

"Young lady, at the drinking table, not finishing your glass is disrespecting us," one boss sneered.

"But—but I've already drunk so much..." Jiang Zheng swayed, pointing weakly at the empty bottles.

"If you can't finish, then I don't think this deal is necessary," Boss Gao, Gao Sheng, tapped the table coldly, a mocking smile on his lips.

He intended to make Jiang Zheng drink until she passed out. Once she collapsed, wouldn't she be at his mercy?

"That won't do, Jiang Zheng, you still have to sign the contract. Come, finish this glass first," Han Qingqing urged, but Jiang Zheng kept shaking her head, clearly unable to continue.

Han Qingqing, quick and forceful, grabbed a glass filled with high-proof white spirits, pinched Jiang Zheng’s nose, and tried to force her to drink.

"Mmm, mmm!" Jiang Zheng tried to resist, but with her drunken haze she had little strength, only able to flail her arms and push the glass away.

Her push sent the full glass spilling all over Han Qingqing.

Han Qingqing’s face darkened instantly.

"The bosses want to see you drink—don’t be ungrateful!" Han Qingqing grabbed a bottle of even stronger liquor, pouring another full glass.

Just as she was about to pin Jiang Zheng down and force the drink on her—

Bang, bang, bang.

The door was knocked.

"Who is it?!" Han Qingqing stood up, assuming it was some clueless waiter.

She opened the door, ready to curse and drive the person away, but when she saw the face before her, the words stuck in her throat.

"You—you, what are you doing here?" Han Qingqing stammered.

It was Qin Mu, with Wu Mu towering behind him like a small mountain.

"This isn’t your business, get lost," Han Qingqing snapped. She still remembered the stinging slaps Wu Mu had given her—it had hurt to the core. If he hadn’t held back, her face would have been ruined.

"I came to take Jiang Zheng home," Qin Mu said.

"Home? Didn’t she tell you she’s here discussing business?"

Qin Mu glanced into the room.

Inside, aside from the drunken Jiang Zheng, sat Gao Sheng and a few other bosses, all with leering faces, urging Jiang Zheng to drink.

"Is your so-called business forcing people to drink?" Qin Mu’s words made Han Qingqing’s expression shift. Gao Sheng, sensing the change, stood up with a sour look and barked at Qin Mu.

"Drinking is a major etiquette at the table. You little brat, what are you whining about? Get out!"

Gao Sheng toyed with his wine glass, as if he’d been a veteran of drinking tables for decades.

Qin Mu raised an eyebrow. "Since you like drinking so much, how about I join you?"

His words drew jeers from the bosses.

"Hahaha!"

"Is this kid stupid?"

"Who does he think he is—just barges in and wants to drink?"

Gao Sheng tapped the table, sneering. "Is my table open to just anyone?"

"Exactly, don’t be so clueless. Jiang Zheng was about to close the deal, and now you’re sabotaging her! Do you even realize?" Han Qingqing, emboldened by the presence of so many influential bosses, shouted at Qin Mu.

Despite her words, Jiang Zheng was already slumped over the table, barely conscious, muttering that she couldn’t drink anymore.

Qin Mu ignored Han Qingqing and called the waiter over.

"Bring twenty bottles of vodka."

At his request, the snickering bosses fell silent.

Vodka was a classic, high-proof spirit! And with Qin Mu’s commanding tone, the waiter would surely bring only top-shelf bottles, each worth at least ten thousand. And judging by Qin Mu’s demeanor, these twenty bottles were merely an appetizer.

"Now, shall we drink?" Qin Mu brushed past Han Qingqing, sitting between Gao Sheng and Jiang Zheng, separating them.

"You’re late, so you should drink three cups first," Han Qingqing suggested.

"Not necessary."

Qin Mu flicked his finger, popping open a bottle of vodka, poured Gao Sheng a full glass, then held the bottle in his hand.

"I’ll drink by the bottle, you drink by the glass. We go until someone drops. How about it?"

How about it?

Bold—so bold!

Gao Sheng’s face grew cold.

"Fine, let’s see how far your youthful arrogance gets you!"

"Brother, don’t..." Jiang Zheng struggled to open her eyes, joy at seeing Qin Mu mixed with concern at his words; she whispered a warning.

"Shut up! This is no place for you to speak!" Gao Sheng roared at Jiang Zheng.

But as Gao Sheng barked at her—

Whoosh!

Thunk!

A flash of silver sliced through the air, grazing Gao Sheng’s ear.

A thin wound split open on Gao Sheng’s face.

All eyes turned; behind Gao Sheng, a silver chopstick was embedded halfway into the wall, surrounded by cracks where the impact had shattered the plaster.