Chapter 16: Taking Her to the Dinner Party

Underground parking garage? Five minutes? Wei Yang’s pupils suddenly contracted; she didn’t dare waste a second. She quickly packed her things and stood up, leaving her workstation.

As she stepped out of the elevator, she immediately spotted a black Rolls-Royce parked at the exit. Thinking of her current status, she instinctively reached for the front passenger door, but it wouldn’t budge.

Closing her eyes to conceal the mixture of sarcasm and helplessness in her gaze, Wei Yang reached for the rear door instead and leaned inside.

The man wore a black shirt, which made his already strikingly handsome features even more captivating—until he heard her and turned his head.

Inside the dimly lit cabin, his brows and eyes appeared cold and indifferent, devoid of sorrow or joy, like an emotionless ice sculpture. In an instant, the allure vanished, replaced entirely by a chilling frost.

Unconsciously, Wei Yang clenched her fingertips. Before she could speak, the man’s low, hoarse voice broke the silence: “You’re thirty seconds late.”

Her heart skipped a beat. She bowed her head in apology. “I’m sorry, President Shen. It won’t happen again.”

The man slowly curled his lips into a faint smile, withdrew his gaze without another glance at her, and closed his eyes to rest.

Wei Yang’s delicate brows furrowed slightly, suspicion flickering in her eyes. She wanted to ask where they were headed but held back.

After a long moment, Shen Cen Zhi remained silent.

As if he had fallen asleep, Wei Yang glanced sideways at him, hesitated, then picked up the suit jacket between them and gently draped it over his shoulders.

Li Cheng: “!!”

Secretary Wei really has a keen eye!

---

An hour later.

The driver parked the car in a tranquil private garden. Surrounding them were layers of emerald bamboo, artificial hills, pavilions by the water, and covered corridors.

Wei Yang had been here before with Xie Yanli—one of the finest private clubs in Yucheng, naturally with a high price tag.

She didn’t dare ask a word, keeping her head lowered as she followed Shen Cen Zhi silently.

Soon, they entered a private room.

“President Shen is late! Penalty drinks are in order!”

Two middle-aged men greeted them warmly, their faces beaming with smiles, joking as they exchanged pleasantries with Shen Cen Zhi.

He said nothing in return but stepped forward to pour three glasses.

Wei Yang hesitated for a moment, wanting to help him finish the drinks, but Shen Cen Zhi calmly refused.

“Sorry! The traffic was heavy,” he explained casually after downing the drinks.

Zhou Hao and Sun Xiaokai exchanged glances, somewhat puzzled, then gave thumbs up. “President Shen is truly straightforward!”

Shen Cen Zhi smiled faintly but said nothing.

Wei Yang sat beside him.

“Oh! And who is this beautiful lady...?”

Zhou Hao’s eyes lit up as he clung to Wei Yang like glue, having no other hobbies but admiring beauties. Wei Yang felt a bit nauseated but held herself steady. “My name is Wei Yang. I’m President Shen’s newly hired secretary.”

As she spoke, she poured herself a glass of wine.

“After I finish this, President Zhou and President Sun can drink at their leisure.”

She tilted her head back and drained the glass without leaving a drop.

Naturally, Zhou Hao and Sun Xiaokai couldn’t just sit by; they each followed suit.

Throughout the meal, glasses clinked and laughter filled the air.

Except for the initial three glasses, Shen Cen Zhi didn’t touch another drop. Wei Yang drank on his behalf.

Her tolerance was excellent. When she had been Xie Yanli’s secretary, she always handled the drinking during contract negotiations, often doubling the effectiveness.

By the time the dinner ended, it was past ten at night.

Wei Yang stood on the steps by the door, the lantern above casting a warm red glow. The fine down on her cheeks seemed tinted, resembling red dandelions.

She had drunk quite a bit but held herself together.

Shen Cen Zhi narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at her coldly. “Next time we go out to eat and discuss business, there’s no need for you to push yourself to drink so hard.”