100: sense of security

Lin Chao listened with great interest.

These lice hidden under the magnificent robes were far more interesting than the numbers on a business report.

From time to time, he raised his glass and joined the crowd in their rowdiness, coming up with excuses for toasts at the drop of a hat.

"President Liu is right, this matter is indeed ridiculous. I'll toast to you!"

"Sister Zhang is truly well-informed, I'm impressed! I'll drink this glass to the bottom!"

Glass after glass of Moutai went down, and the tipsiness gradually set in.

Lin Chao's head began to feel a bit lightheaded.

If it were foreign liquor, he could have made an excuse to go to the bathroom, stimulated a few acupoints, and used inner energy to force out most of the alcohol.

But this Chinese baijiu was different.

Its after-effects were long-lasting and domineering, like maggots on a bone; simply stimulating acupoints had little effect.

Moreover, the atmosphere at the table was so heated that he had no chance to slip away to the restroom.

The drinking session finally approached its end.

Several empty Moutai bottles lay scattered across the table.

The three men were still in high spirits, clamoring to go to a KTV for the after-party.

The other two exquisitely dressed women, however, already looked weary and clearly had no intention of joining them.

Sister Mengya took note of this and raised her glass. "Let's call it a day; both sisters are tired."

She finished the last of the baijiu in her glass and stood up with a smile. "I'll host another day and treat you all to a proper drink."

Since she said so, the three men couldn't insist further and had to give up resentfully.

Lin Chao also stood up, his steps slightly unsteady.

Holding onto the edge of the table and looking at the charming flush on Xie Mengya's face, he couldn't help but joke, "Sister Mengya, I originally came here to pick you up."

"I didn't expect to get myself caught up in it too."

Xie Mengya giggled at his words and gave him a flirtatious roll of her eyes.

She had indeed drunk quite a bit.

If not for Lin Chao's presence, she certainly wouldn't have been so indulgent.

But with him by her side, that inexplicable sense of security made the wine taste exceptionally good.

The two walked out of the Cantonese restaurant one after the other.

As the cool night breeze blew, Lin Chao's tipsiness cleared up a bit.

He pulled out his phone, expertly opened a designated driver app, and placed an order.

Only after finishing this did he turn to the lethargic-looking Xie Mengya beside him.

The neon lights played across her face, making her breathtakingly beautiful. "Sister Mengya, should I send you back first?"

Xie Mengya looked up, her blurred eyes shimmering with a layer of watery light and a smile.

Her red lips parted slightly, and the words she spoke were like a thunderclap, exploding in Lin Chao's mind.

"Then let's go back to our home!"

Lin Chao's pupils constricted imperceptibly.

His breath stalled for a moment.

Our home?

Those three words were like stones cast into the lake of his heart, stirring up layer upon layer of ripples.

Then, he smiled.

The smile spread from the corners of his lips, carrying a hint of post-drinking lethargy and a touch of calm understanding.

"Okay," his voice wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear. "Then let's go back together."

The designated driver arrived quickly; he was a middle-aged man wearing glasses who looked very steady.

When he saw the eye-catching red maserati in the parking lot, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes, but he quickly regained his professional composure.

The car door opened.

A scent mixed with high-end leather and a faint perfume wafted towards them.

Xie Mengya sat in the passenger seat, leaning elegantly against the backrest like a cat that had let down all its defenses.

Lin Chao sat in the back.

The driver skillfully started the car, and the red phantom slid silently out of the underground garage, merging into the city's traffic.

The car interior was very quiet.

Only soft music was playing.

The neon lights outside flashed past, casting flickering spots of light on Xie Mengya's exquisite profile.

Lin Chao looked at her silhouette, fell silent for a moment, and finally spoke.

His voice was very soft, as if afraid to disturb this tranquility. "Lately... how are things?"

The question was subtle but pointed.

Xie Mengya slowly turned her head.

In her blurred eyes, a brilliant light instantly burst forth.

It was the light of a victor—confident, and carrying a trace of imperceptible satisfaction.

The curve of her red lips looked exceptionally moving in the dim light.

"His cooperation with Yanran's side fell through."

Her words were nonchalant, yet every word was like thunder. "To make that cooperation happen, he used almost every resource he could mobilize and paid a massive price."

"Now, it's all gone down the drain."

"Those old fogies on the board of directors almost swallowed him alive during the meeting a couple of days ago."

At this point, the smile at the corners of her mouth deepened.

There was no sympathy in that smile, only cold mockery.

"Right now, he's nothing more than a toothless tiger."

"He can't stir up any more trouble."

Lin Chao listened quietly and nodded.

In his heart, however, another wave of thoughts arose.

Zheng Guangzhi fell so quickly?

Doesn't that mean the crisis of Lan Yanran's cooperation with those small companies has been completely resolved?

According to Xie Mengya, Zheng Guangzhi is currently struggling to protect himself and is overwhelmed; it's impossible for him to have the energy to retaliate against Lantu Group, let alone target those insignificant small companies.

Then... why is there still no word on the million that Lan Yanran promised him?

Lin Chao's brow furrowed slightly and unconsciously.

Lan Yanran is far less straightforward than Xie Mengya.

Or is she still harboring some reservations?

Worried that Zheng Guangzhi is only temporarily lying low and will carry out even more frenzied retaliation once he recovers?

Or is she waiting?

Waiting for next quarter's financial report to come out to completely confirm that Lantu Group is safe and sound?

Or is she waiting for the day Xie Mengya completely takes control of the entire Hongzhi Group?

Lin Chao's gaze fell out the window again.

The city's night view was as bustling as ever.

But beneath this prosperity, the calculations of the human heart were even deeper than this night.

These chaotic thoughts didn't swirl in Lin Chao's mind for long.

Because the red maserati had already smoothly driven into the underground garage of "Qinglan Garden".

The car came to a steady stop.

The driver turned around, his tone respectful.

"Mr. Lin, we've arrived."

"Thanks for the hard work."

Lin Chao got out of the car first.

Then, he went around to the passenger side and opened the door.

A stronger scent of alcohol mixed with perfume wafted out.

Inside the car, Xie Mengya's cheeks were crimson and her eyes were blurred; she seemed even more drunk than when they were at the restaurant.

She leaned softly against the backrest, like a pool of boneless spring water.

Lin Chao reached out and supported her arm.

"Sister Mengya, we're home."

His voice was very gentle.

Xie Mengya slowly opened her eyes, glanced at him, and submissively leaned her entire body weight against him.

The two walked very slowly.

From the garage to the elevator lobby, and then into the elevator.

In the narrow space, only the sound of each other's breathing and the intoxicating scent on Xie Mengya remained.

The elevator numbers climbed all the way from -1 to 18.

Ding. The elevator doors opened.