Chapter 44 Who Dares to Touch Him!
When Zhang Liang returned to the private room, his steps were light and his mood was cheerful. Even his stomach, which had been bloated and aching, seemed to feel a little better. He was surrounded by a group of extraordinary people!
A group of people who could completely suppress a country bumpkin like Gao Jianfei, making him afraid to move an inch!
In fact, when Zhang Liang led Director Dong and Secretary Song into the private room, his gaze towards Huang Cuiyun held a hint of expectation! Everyone in the planning department, and indeed the entire Alice Company, knew that Zhang Liang had once pursued Huang Cuiyun relentlessly. However, Huang Cuiyun had never asked him out alone, which was tantamount to a death sentence for Zhang Liang! Sometimes, Zhang Liang thought that with his connections in the flower market, and with his good family background, winning Huang Cuiyun's heart wouldn't be an insurmountable challenge. The key issue was… Huang Cuiyun had to give him a chance!
And now, the opportunity has arrived!
Director Dong and Secretary Song are both figures who can shake the world with a stomp of their feet in the Flower Market!
One is a secretary in the municipal party committee office, and the other is a deputy director of the municipal public security bureau.
The three middle-aged men following Director Dong and Secretary Song were no nobody either!
One is the Party Secretary of the Huashi Power Supply Bureau, and the other two are section chiefs of the Huashi Audit Bureau.
If these people had given Zhang Liang enough face in front of Huang Cuiyun and made him look good, would Huang Cuiyun still have been as cold towards a man like Zhang Liang as before?
"Ha! Sister Huang, Le Shi, Xiao Yanzi, Chen Xian, and that... Xiao Gao, let me introduce you to some powerful figures in the flower market!" Zhang Liang called out the names of every colleague in the private room, then said arrogantly, "Actually, these people are all my elders. This is Secretary Song from the Municipal Party Committee Office, this is Director Dong from the Municipal Public Security Bureau, and um, Secretary Cao from the Power Bureau, Section Chief Fan and Section Chief Li from the Audit Bureau." After saying that, he introduced each of his colleagues to Secretary Song and the others.
As expected, as soon as Zhang Liang finished speaking, Huang Cuiyun and the other women all looked slightly uneasy. On the one hand, the identities of Secretary Song and Director Dong did indeed have a deterrent effect, especially on ordinary people. On the other hand, these leaders had long held high positions, and naturally, they exuded an aura wherever they stood.
Gao Jianfei, meanwhile, stroked his chin as he looked at Zhang Liang, wondering what Zhang Liang was up to now.
Huang Cuiyun has a relatively rich life experience and social experience. She immediately stood up, bowed slightly, and said, "Oh, Director Dong, Secretary Song, Secretary Cao, Section Chief Fan, Section Chief Li, hello!"
Seeing Huang Cuiyun's attitude, Zhang Liang was very pleased. He smiled casually and said, "Sister Huang, don't be so polite. These are my elders. I just happened to see them eating here, so I invited them in for a few drinks."
Secretary Song, with the air of a leader, smiled calmly and generously, "Oh, Xiao Huang, right? We're here today at Xiao Liang's invitation. Everyone, please don't be shy, just treat this as a first meeting between friends! Actually, I really enjoy hanging out with you young people! Haha!"
Zhang Liang quickly asked the waiter to add a few more seats, rearrange the cups and plates, and opened three more bottles of Guojiao 1573.
Everyone had already eaten and drunk their fill, but now they had to entertain the leaders Zhang Liang had brought. Moreover, they had to greet them with smiles and not show the slightest impatience.
Zhang Liang heated up the soup pots for the leaders, and then diligently put the dishes that he was supposed to finish all by himself into the leaders' soup pots, glancing at Gao Jianfei from time to time with a smug expression.
"Distinguished leaders, it's a pleasure to meet you all. I'd like to offer you a toast," Huang Cuiyun poured herself a glass of baijiu, stood up, and said, "I'll drink this in one go. Please feel free to drink as you please."
As the planning department manager at Alice Company, Huang Cuiyun is considered a mid-level manager. She frequently dine with clients and attends gatherings with various local leaders. Huang Cuiyun understands that toasting leaders and clients is essential, especially on the first meeting; etiquette must be impeccable. And when toasting, you have to drink it all in one gulp.
"Wait!" Zhang Liang immediately dissuaded her, "Sister Huang, as I said before, Uncle Song and Uncle Dong are both my elders. They're here today in a different capacity, so don't treat them like leaders. Don't be reserved or formal. Sister Huang, just have a little to drink, that's enough." After a pause, Zhang Liang's voice became more concerned, "Sister Huang, drinking too much too quickly is bad for your health, so please take it easy."
Secretary Song's job was all about reading people's expressions. The moment he entered the private room and saw the way Zhang Liang looked at Huang Cuiyun, he sensed something was amiss and knew Zhang Liang was interested in her. Immediately, he decided to do Zhang Liang a favor and flatter him. He raised his glass, "Little Huang, Xiao Liang is thinking of your health, so just listen to him. We'll just have a token toast. Don't treat us like superiors; Xiao Liang treats us like elders. You should treat us like elders too! Come on, Director Dong, Lao Cao, Lao Fan, Lao Li, let's have a drink with Little Huang. This girl is really nice, very sensible!"
Huang Cuiyun didn't say much, took a sip of wine, and then smiled politely, "Thank you all for joining us."
"Heh, Uncle Song is really good, he's very cooperative with me. From now on, Cuiyun will definitely look at me with new eyes! Awesome!" Zhang Liang was overjoyed!
At this moment, Zhang Liang gave Gao Jianfei a strange smile and said, "Little Gao, come and toast my uncles."
Gao Jianfei knew that Zhang Liang had made his move!
In this situation, Gao Jianfei couldn't possibly refuse. After all, to establish oneself in society, it's best not to offend certain people. Besides, having a few drinks on a first meeting isn't a big deal; if Gao Jianfei refused, it would seem petty.
Gao Jianfei poured himself a full glass of wine, stood up, and said with a smile, "Gentlemen, I've already drunk quite a bit earlier. My alcohol tolerance isn't very high, so I won't toast everyone individually. I'll just drink in bulk. Leaders, please raise your glasses and let's clink them together." Indeed, Gao Jianfei had just drunk about 4 liang (200ml) of baijiu (Chinese liquor), and his usual alcohol tolerance is about 6 or 7 liang (300-350ml). In other words, after drinking this glass of wine, Gao Jianfei would be basically at his limit.
Secretary Song and Director Dong raised their glasses with smiles. "Alright, since it's our first meeting, let's have a drink! Heh, men drink differently than women; men have to finish their drinks to show they're having a good time! Cheers!"
Everyone downed their glasses of baijiu in one gulp.
After drinking that glass of wine, Gao Jianfei started to feel a little dizzy.
Just as Gao Jianfei was about to sit down, Secretary Song suddenly stood up. "Xiao Gao, right? I heard from Xiao Liang that you came to work in our flower market from out of town. Well, young man, you should be bold and enterprising. I think you're at most 22 or 23 years old. At such a young age, to leave your hometown and come out to work is quite impressive. I admire you! Come, let's have a drink alone. I like young people like you!"
After saying that, Secretary Song gently raised the full glass of wine in his hand.
Gao Jianfei froze... His head was really starting to spin, and the food he had just eaten was churning inside him, making him extremely uncomfortable. If he drank another glass, he might end up making a scene on the spot!
Zhang Liang quickly stood up from the opposite side, walked to Gao Jianfei's side, picked up the wine bottle and poured Gao Jianfei a full glass of wine, and whispered, "Are you stupid? My Uncle Song is toasting you! Don't dawdle, quickly drink with my Uncle Song. Who is my Uncle Song? You're drinking at the same table with him, that's your luck! So many people are hoping for this opportunity, but they can't get it! Hurry up!" He forcefully shoved the full glass of wine into Gao Jianfei's hand.
Gao Jianfei mumbled, "Secretary Song, I really can't hold my liquor. How about we just drink casually? I really can't finish this glass."
Secretary Song gently slammed his cup on the table. "Xiao Gao, young man, what's wrong with drinking a little more? Hehe, you're not giving me, Old Song, any face!" He said this half-jokingly and half-seriously, but his official airs were clearly on full display.
"This young man isn't quite right; his drinking manners are terrible," Secretary Cao from the power bureau sighed deliberately. "A person's character is revealed when they drink!"
At that moment, Chen Xian, who had been sitting silently with a cold expression, stood up, walked over, and snatched the glass of wine from Gao Jianfei's hand. "I'll drink for Gao Jianfei. Secretary Song, please feel free to drink as you please. I'll finish this!" With that, Chen Xian tossed back the glass and downed it as if it were water, without batting an eye. Then, she picked up a freshly opened bottle of wine, poured some, and said, "The people in our planning department aren't good drinkers, except for me. So, let me drink with you all today." She filled a glass, not putting down the bottle, and raised it. "Director Dong, since this is our first meeting, I'll toast you first. I'll finish this. You can decide what to do next!" She then downed the rest of the wine in one gulp.
"Uh..." Director Dong choked, his eyes widening, thinking to himself, "This pretty young lady seems to be a good drinker!"
Of course, if a woman toasts you and you drink it all, it would be impolite not to. Director Dong also poured himself a full glass and downed it in one gulp.
"Director Dong has a great capacity for alcohol!" Chen Xian was very efficient. After toasting Director Dong, she poured herself another glass of wine and said to Secretary Song, "Secretary Song, I drank for Gao Jianfei just now, so that doesn't count. I still need to toast you separately. As usual, I'll drink first as a sign of respect. You can decide what to do!"
Chen Xian downed it in one gulp!
Secretary Song reacted in the same way as Director Dong. She was stunned for a moment, then poured herself a full glass of wine and drank it.
The situation in the private room changed. Originally, Secretary Song and the others intended to help Zhang Liang make things difficult for Gao Jianfei by getting him drunk, but Chen Xian suddenly appeared and ruined everything!
Although Gao Jianfei was dizzy, he was still conscious. He knew that Chen Xian was trying to get him out of a predicament! Seeing Chen Xian drinking one glass after another, going head-to-head with several leaders in a 1-on-5 battle, Gao Jianfei's thoughts were not about how good Chen Xian's alcohol tolerance was, but rather about the worry that if Chen Xian continued drinking like this, she might have some problems!
At this moment, Zou Yan, Qin Leshi, and even Huang Cuiyun all stood up and sided with Chen Xian, pouring drinks and, with a sense of shared hatred, engaging in a fierce battle with the leaders. Zhang Liang, on the other hand, had actually "betrayed" the planning department, siding with the leaders and constantly urging them to drink!
These leaders have many social engagements, including numerous dinners and drinking parties. Their drinking capacity is far beyond what the women in the planning department can match.
In a daze, Gao Jianfei seemed to see that after these leaders completely let go, the way they looked at Chen Xian, Qin Leshi, and other women was filled with a kind of primal, naked lust!
"Damn it, I'm a man! How can I stand idly by at a time like this? Damn it, let's drink! Let's drink ourselves to death!" Gao Jianfei shook his dizzy head, strode out of the private room, and headed for the restroom. He planned to splash some cold water on his face and then go back to the private room to have a bloody fight with those leaders!
Leaving the private room, Gao Jianfei hurried towards the restroom, his steps unsteady and his eyes somewhat glazed over. Just then, he heard someone call him from behind… “Sir!”
Gao Jianfei paused, and a young man quickly walked up from behind. "I never expected to meet you here, sir. What a coincidence!"
Gao Jianfei turned his head and saw that it was Liu Feng, the man who had saved his life last night!
"Sir, you seem to have had too much to drink?" Liu Feng's attitude was as attentive and respectful as yesterday.
At that moment, a sudden inspiration flashed through Gao Jianfei's mind. He grabbed Liu Feng and asked, "Can you drink?"
"Uh?" Liu Feng choked, "What do you mean, sir?"
"Hey, come here and have a drink for me. The other side is really tough. My colleagues and I can't keep up. Can you do me a favor?" Gao Jianfei pulled Liu Feng towards his private room.
"Sir... you drink baijiu?" Liu Feng frowned slightly.
"Yes, baijiu!" Gao Jianfei shook his head. "How much can you actually drink?"
Liu Feng smiled apologetically, “Sir, I am somewhat allergic to baijiu. Even a little bit will make my whole body turn red and purple. But don’t worry, sir, there are a few people in my private room who are very good at drinking baijiu. I will go and call them over right away. Just tell me your room number, and I will bring them over within 2 minutes.”
"Alright, I'll go back to the private room first, room 257. Hurry up and bring the people over!" Gao Jianfei let go of Liu Feng, and without going to the restroom, went straight back to the private room.
At this moment, Secretary Song's face was flushed, clearly he was quite excited and carried away by the alcohol. He walked directly to Qin Leshi's side, "Come on, Miss Qin, let's have a drink! Miss Chen's alcohol tolerance is too high, I don't dare to ask her, and besides, Miss Qin is my type! Hehe!" This sentence was very explicit, and the subtext was already very clear!
Qin Leshi was clearly frightened by Secretary Song's words. She shook her head and said, "Secretary Song, drinking is fine, but I can only drink red wine. I can't drink white wine."
"How can that be?" Secretary Song grabbed Qin Leshi's hand. "We must drink baijiu. Today we're having fun and drinking to our hearts' content!"
Looking at Chen Xian, she was dealing with Secretary Cao, Section Chief Fan, and Section Chief Li all by herself!
Zou Yan, nicknamed "Little Swallow," sat slumped in her chair, her face flushed. Director Dong brought her a glass of wine. "Miss Zou, come on, let's continue. You've only had one glass of baijiu, how could you be drunk? Come on!"
Zhang Liang, emboldened by alcohol, kept nagging Huang Cuiyun incessantly.
It's a mess!
The private room was in complete chaos!
Alcohol caused a pack of hungry wolves to completely reveal their true nature!
Gao Jianfei rushed straight towards Qin Leshi and pulled her away from Secretary Song's clutches. Qin Leshi's body went limp, and she leaned against Gao Jianfei, saying, "Gao Jianfei... I think... I'm a little drunk."
Secretary Song, holding his wine glass, twitched his eyelids and coldly glanced at Gao Jianfei. "Xiao Gao, it's fine if you can't drink, but I'm drinking with Miss Qin right now. Why are you meddling in my business? Go stay over there with me!" After saying that, he walked directly towards Qin Leshi, actually trying to pull her away from Gao Jianfei's arms!
This is already bordering on reckless!
"What are you doing!" Qin Leshi exclaimed anxiously, instinctively grabbing Gao Jianfei's waist. "I can't drink baijiu! What are you doing!"
"Miss Qin, give me some face, give me, Mr. Song, a little face, okay? Come on, let's drink!" Secretary Song, beaming, brought the cup in his hand to Qin Leshi's lips.
He completely ignored Gao Jianfei! Moreover, his behavior immediately reminded Gao Jianfei of the thugs and bullies on TV who forcibly abduct women!
A surge of molten rage erupted from Gao Jianfei's mind. Unable to contain himself any longer, he snatched the glass of wine from Secretary Song's hand and smashed it to pieces with a loud bang!
"Drink your mother's ass!" Gao Jianfei roared. "Fuck! Get lost!"
Spit landed on Secretary Song's face. Secretary Song was stunned.
The noise in the private room suddenly fell silent. Everyone's eyes were on Gao Jianfei.
Three seconds later, Secretary Song's face contorted in a grimace. "Who were you just cursing? Who were you cursing?"
"Bang!" On the other side, Director Dong slammed his fist on the table with a deafening roar. He pointed at Gao Jianfei's nose and yelled, "What the hell are you spewing? I'll have someone arrest you right now! You idiot! Look at you, all rustic and unsophisticated. We're only letting Xiao Liang have some fun in this private room because of him. You son of a bitch, squat down and put your hands on your head!" Director Dong was definitely drunk; his tone was almost like that of a street thug.
Seeing the explosive charge ignited, Zhang Liang was overjoyed. "Gao Jianfei! My Uncle Dong told you to squat down! Fuck you, be smart! Squat down!" He was drunk, yet another one...
At this moment, Gao Jianfei's eyes widened, and he suddenly released Qin Leshi, rushing towards Zhang Liang in a flash. Before Zhang Liang and the others in the private room could react, Gao Jianfei delivered a straight kick to Zhang Liang's chest. Zhang Liang screamed and flew backward, his back slamming heavily against the wall. Gao Jianfei grabbed a wine bottle and charged forward, smashing the bottle hard on Zhang Liang's head!
"Ouch!" Zhang Liang let out a heart-wrenching scream as blood spurted from his head, a truly horrifying sight.
"You insulted my mother? I've hated anyone insulting my mother in my entire life! I'll kill you today!" Gao Jianfei threw down the broken bottle in his hand, grabbed a chair, and raised it high...
"Put it down! Put the chair down for me!" Director Dong, who was standing to the side, had already drawn his sidearm from his waist and pointed it at Gao Jianfei. "You're finished, kid! This time, if you don't get at least five years in prison, I'm not Dong!"
Just as the commotion in the private room was getting out of hand, the door was pushed open, and three people, led by Liu Feng, walked straight into the room.
"What are you doing? What are you doing?" As soon as Liu Feng entered the private room, a middle-aged man with a dignified appearance behind him frowned.
Liu Feng's gaze shifted, and he had already roughly deduced the situation in the private room. He ran directly to Gao Jianfei, helped him up, and said softly, "Sir, I'm sorry I'm late. Don't worry, sir, I'll handle this mess. Please put the chair down first." After a pause, Liu Feng lowered his voice and said, "I understand. You don't want to reveal your skills to ordinary people, so I'll take care of these mundane matters for you."
At this moment, Director Dong roared, "Who are you? Get out of my way! I'm taking this kid back to the station today!"
Liu Feng's expression suddenly turned cold, and he looked directly at Director Dong!
That gaze held a mixture of contempt, sneer, disdain, and a chilling undertone!
Director Dong's body trembled involuntarily, and his hand holding the gun shook slightly.
Liu Feng glanced indifferently at everyone in the private room, then pointed at Gao Jianfei, "Today, I, Liu Feng, will see who dares to touch him!"
Chapter Forty-Five: The Mastermind
Chapter Forty-Five: The Mastermind
The situation inside the private room is complicated!
Gao Jianfei had already put the chair back, and the burning anger in his heart gradually subsided. In truth, Gao Jianfei wasn't an impulsive person. His behavior today… firstly, was due to drinking too much; secondly, all the trouble tonight was instigated by Zhang Liang, a fact that Gao Jianfei deeply resented; and of course, most importantly… Zhang Liang had publicly insulted Gao Jianfei's mother!