The scene was exceptionally lively. Cheng Jixuecai sang a section of "The Drunken Beauty," which instantly won thunderous applause.
Chen Xingting sneaked up to Zhang Chaohe's side and asked expectantly, "Can this part be sent too?"
On the tablet was Cheng Jixue's rendition of "The Drunken Beauty," which was indeed very beautiful, with the beauty of the concubine's charming smile and the folding of her water sleeves.
“Uh…” Zhang Chaohe said softly in the silence, “Send me a copy.”
The two hit it off immediately, and the filming schedule for the day was completed perfectly. The Imperial Concubine was helped back to the palace by His Majesty Zhang to rest.
Cheng Jixue was wearing peel-off nail polish. Zhou Kui was helping him unpack his hair and hair clips, and he peeled off the red nail polish piece by piece himself. Then he took off the huge pigeon blood red ring and put it aside.
Zhang Chaohe, being impulsive, picked up the ring and weighed it in his hand—this prop ring was really well made, heavy enough to hold, and the fire was so beautiful it was intoxicating.
He casually remarked, "Is this made of glass? Counterfeiting techniques are so advanced now, it looks just like the real thing."
Cheng Jixue was amused by him and replied sweetly, "Yes, you can have it if you like."
Zhang Chaohe really liked these big, shiny things, but with everyone watching, how could he like something so un-domineering?
He reluctantly put the large gemstone ring back, continuing to unleash his domineering rhetoric: "I'll get you a real one when I find a suitable one later."
Cheng Jixue wiped off the lip paint and gently rubbed it with makeup remover. "Okay," he said with a smile, "then I'll thank you in advance."
The makeup artist next to her was screaming inwardly, "It's real, absolutely real!!"
I'll really twist my head off to entertain everyone!
I really want to force everyone to kowtow to me!
⚹
After filming was completely finished, the main creative team gathered together to get to know each other. Mr. Zhang generously booked the entire venue and opened a banquet hall.
Everyone praised Mr. Zhang's generosity, and the atmosphere became lively. Zhang Chaohe's worst fears ultimately came true—
The director came over with a wine glass, and bang!
The assistant director came over with a wine glass, and bang!
The photography team leader came over with a wine glass, and bang!
...
The glass of wine that Zhang Chaohe was holding had only suffered minor superficial damage after several rounds of fierce fighting, and the water level showed no signs of decreasing.
Chen Xingting, having had a few drinks, started to forget his own name again. He grabbed Xiao Zhang and said, "Hey, Xiao Zhang, why aren't you drinking?"
Mr. Zhang: If I drink tonight, I'll be sleeping on the streets!
Zhang Chaohe looked somewhat resigned to his fate. He glanced at his good buddies from the directing team, who had already started chugging from bottles. Even the makeup and styling team members were not to be outdone, passionately demonstrating their skill of downing a glass in two gulps.
He looked down at the wine in his glass again—it did seem a little unreasonable.
For some reason, Zhang Chaohe's first reaction was to look to Cheng Jixue for help.
Cheng Jixue, who was chatting with Zhang Xijing, suddenly looked in Zhang Chaohe's direction as if she had sensed something.
Surrounded by a group of bald men, Mr. Zhang stood there bewildered, holding his wine glass. He found it amusing and nodded to Zhang Chaohe.
Zhang Chaohe closed his eyes, pinched his nose, and gulped down the entire glass of wine!
Chen Xingting led the cheering: "Good—"
In the end, Zhang Chaohe didn't even know how much he had drunk, probably far exceeding the sum of all the alcoholic beverages he had consumed since coming to this world... including fermented rice milk tea!
So excessive drinking caused him to be unusually excited today, skipping the sleep stage and entering a strange sleepwalking-like state—this was first discovered by Chen Xingting.
He insisted on clinking glasses with General Manager Zhang to demonstrate his exalted status as the number one lackey. General Manager Zhang simply blocked the rim of his glass with his palm, preventing him from touching it, and smiled warmly: "You drink first."
He should have realized it then and there! How could that wicked capitalist show such a gentle and sweet smile—either he's drunk or he's drunk!
But the oblivious Chen Xingting believed it and honestly chose to drink it all in one gulp. However, when it was Xiao Zhang's turn, the other party burst into laughter!
"I was just kidding! I won't drink it, hahaha!!"
Chen Xingting: This person has no sportsmanship at all, he actually ambushed me, a 52-year-old director!
He watched as Young Master Zhang grinned wildly, then went to the history consultant's table to try his old tricks again—that table was full of hotheads and old scholars, and now the handsome and dashing top patron had arrived, making everyone feel flattered and they all drank...
I've been completely scammed!
Chen Xingting immediately realized that if he didn't step forward to save the emperor, when Young Master Zhang woke up tomorrow and recalled everything that had happened, he would be mortified. And as the Grand Eunuch, if he stood by and did nothing, he would be stripped of his eunuch's robes and thrown into the cold palace!
He immediately stepped forward, trying to take the place of Xiao Zhang and fight bravely for the army. However, everyone thought that the big director and the investor were toasting together, so they responded enthusiastically and tried their best to get drunk!
Chen Xingting, who was being forced to drink the equivalent of two people's worth of alcohol, cried out: "Dad, wake up! I really can't take it anymore!!"
Today, Assistant Jiang stayed at the company to handle documents and did not attend to His Majesty. Chen Xingting complained bitterly, but when his eyes swept across the crowd, he suddenly saw Cheng Jixue, who seemed to be doing nothing!
Before the meal, Mr. Zhang took charge and gathered all the performers who couldn't drink for various reasons at the same table. With Mr. Zhang personally overseeing things, no one dared to bother them. At this moment, amidst the many drunkards in the hall, they were even openly and comfortably drinking tea.
Chen Xingting hadn't forgotten how CEO Zhang had acted impulsively for his lover's sake. With nowhere else to turn, he finally remembered to ask the Imperial Concubine for help!
However, the Imperial Concubine seemed hesitant, and asked softly and anxiously, "Is it really possible? Alas, I don't know if Mr. Zhang would be willing..."
But as soon as he helped Mr. Zhang up, Mr. Zhang immediately snuggled against him—and even sniffled slightly!
Chen Xingting watched in terror, fearing that General Manager Zhang would be furious and give each of them a blow to the head.
Fortunately, Xiao Zhang only mumbled something in a daze before obediently burying his head in Cheng Jixue's neck and remaining still.
The nearest group of historical advisors cast a questioning glance at them: ?
Chen Xingting darted forward to block Young Master Zhang, and Cheng Jixue took the opportunity to straighten him up, making him lean obediently on her shoulder. Zhang Chaohe quietly closed his eyes, as if he were about to be buried.
Peaceful and serene, the bug of having a mouth has finally been fixed.
Chen Xingting's cold sweat subsided slightly, fearing that if Young Master Zhang woke up again and caused some trouble, he wouldn't just have to strip off the steward's uniform, but lose his head... So he advised Cheng Jixue to send Young Master Zhang back first.
Cheng Jixue half-carried and half-supported Xiao Zhang—only then did Chen Xingting realize that he was actually a little taller than Xiao Zhang. His lean and strong arms had smooth muscle lines, and one could even faintly see taut tendons and light blue veins on the back of his hands.
Chen Xingting had a strange premonition of danger, and he immediately reached for his phone: "Should I call Assistant Jiang?"
Cheng Jixue pressed down on his arm with her free hand. Chen Xingting was taken aback. The other woman's hand was dry and strong, with an undeniable forcefulness. She still spoke politely: "Let me ask. Then I'll take Mr. Zhang back. Director Chen, you can go ahead and do your work."
"Uh..." Chen Xingting left, looking back every few steps, his eyes pleading, as if he was afraid that he would just throw Xiao Zhang away. Cheng Jixue made sure he was far enough away before she dialed Assistant Jiang's number.
At 9:35 PM, Assistant Jiang was working an ordinary overtime session at the company. Meanwhile, Boss Zhang, feeling his earnings weren't growing fast enough, suddenly had the idea to start a venture capital firm.
Before being sent to nurse the baby, Assistant Jiang was a ruthless black swan who dominated the financial world. However, in addition to that incident, her heart problems were caused by long-term irregular work and rest and worry, forcing her to retire and live a leisurely life.
Seeing these familiar data and program files now, those glorious years she had calmly cast aside resurfaced before her eyes. She touched the pile of files with her fingers tenderly, as if a strange sense of reluctance and nostalgia welled up within her.
However, the next second, Cheng Jixue called. Assistant Jiang put aside her feelings of regret and said in a businesslike manner, "Hello, this is Jiang Wei."
Cheng Jixue: "Assistant Jiang, Mr. Zhang is a bit drunk. Does he own any property near Binxi Road?"
Jiang's Special Assistant: ...
Why does Mr. Zhang always drink so much?
Jiang's assistant couldn't help but stand up, his tone cold: "Send me your location, I'll come over in person."
She had long suspected that this scheming woman surnamed Cheng had ulterior motives and was definitely up to something!
For the sake of Mr. Zhang's innocence and for His Majesty's enduring legacy, she absolutely could not stand idly by!
“If Assistant Jiang doesn’t tell me, I’ll take Little Zhang back to my house,” Cheng Jixue said with a smile, her tone not sarcastic but still very infuriating: “It’ll just cost a little more for a taxi.”
You little green tea b*tch, how dare you threaten me?!
Assistant Jiang was furious. She pressed the record button and asked calmly, "You want to take President Zhang home?"
With evidence in hand, we'll let President Zhang see the true face of this vixen when he wakes up!
Assistant Jiang waited expectantly for Cheng Jixue to utter more treasonous words, but Cheng Jixue suddenly said, "Oh dear, the signal is bad and I can't hear you, I'm hanging up."
Beep, beep, beep—
Assistant Jiang stared incredulously at the recording save confirmation button that popped up: ?
Suddenly, there was no need to work overtime on this quiet night. Forget about reminiscing and remembrance. Assistant Jiang was so angry that he wanted to rush out and bite this cup of 1982 Longjing tea to death!
After checking Mr. Zhang's afternoon schedule, she immediately called Chen Xingting, trying to get him to stop Cheng Jixue, who was trying to abduct Mr. Zhang.
After a long while, Chen Xingting finally answered the phone—he had been drinking heavily and hadn't noticed his phone at all. His tone was now extremely apprehensive: "Assistant Jiang?"
Assistant Jiang's heart sank, and he asked without any hope, "Where's President Zhang? Did he leave?"
Chen Xingting was puzzled: "He's gone. Xiao Cheng took him home—didn't Xiao Cheng call you?"
Assistant Jiang hung up the phone and couldn't help but burst out with a genuine Chinese curse.
⚹
After receiving an exorbitant fare, the driver was left bewildered on the roadside, watching the Bentley drive away.
Cheng Jixue personally drove Mr. Zhang home, and was in a very good mood.
While waiting at a red light, Cheng Jixue glanced back at him. Little Zhang had a soft neck pillow around his neck and was dozing off in the back seat, completely oblivious to his surroundings, looking as peaceful as someone who had drunk too much.
He was somewhat surprised—Mr. Zhang hadn't done anything out of line all day; he seemed to have just been sleeping peacefully.
Then, at Zhang Chaohe's doorstep, Cheng Jixue finally realized that he was wrong.
The incident started because there was a very large and beautiful bird of paradise plant in front of Mr. Zhang's apartment.
Zhang Chaohe still seemed perfectly normal after getting out of the car. He could not only walk independently, but he could even run and jump up the steps. Cheng Jixue was careless and walked ahead to open the door when she suddenly realized that the footsteps behind her seemed to have disappeared.
He turned around and his pupils dilated instantly!
Zhang Chaohe was carefully plucking a broad leaf from a bird of paradise and tucking it into his belt, with a leaf still dangling from his beak!
Cheng Jixue rushed over in a few strides, snatched the leaf from his mouth, and then forcefully pried open Zhang Chaohe's mouth to see if he had actually swallowed the leaf.
Zhang Chaohe was innocently pinched on the cheek, his tongue was bright red and his teeth were neat and white, like some kind of pitiful little animal without any aggression.
Cheng Jixue breathed a sigh of relief. He lingered for a couple more moments before finally letting go. Zhang Chaohe glared at him disapprovingly and continued to examine the nearly bald bird of paradise plant: "This is delicious. I'm sure you'll love it."
Cheng Jixue: Is it possible that the vegetable leaves don't actually like it very much?
He rubbed his temples, trying to coax the dazed Zhang Chaohe, who was still drunk, to stop mistreating the plants: "Two leaves are enough. Let's go home and feed the plants some more—"
Zhang Chaohe gave a slow "Oh," and then suddenly plucked a large leaf: "I'll pick some more for Cheng Jixue; he likes to eat this too."
"Uh..." Cheng Jixue didn't know whether to laugh or cry for a moment. It felt as if a hundred sweet flowers were blooming in his heart, shouting loudly for someone to pick them—
He only eats one leaf.