Charm Wine
Facing the crowd's shocked gazes,
Gu Qingcheng calmly swept her eyes over everyone, flashing a satisfied, elegant smile before linking her arm with Lin Zimo's and heading inside.
She radiated confidence and the commanding presence of a female CEO.
Lin Zimo met the stares of the crowd with utter composure as he walked beside her.
He knew their appearance would stir up a commotion, but he hadn't expected this level of attention.
At that moment,
a young CEO who had collaborated with Gu Qingcheng before stepped forward, a bit tipsy, and asked,
"President Gu, who's this handsome guy? Your new assistant?"
Gu Qingcheng gave an elegant smile and shook her head. "Not my new assistant. He's my boyfriend, Lin Zimo."
Her response left everyone in the room stunned.
Gu Qingcheng was stunningly beautiful and held a lofty status—the goddess of countless men.
Yet she'd always prioritized her career, remaining single for 28 years without any romantic life.
Now, she suddenly brought along a handsome young man, openly intimate as she declared their relationship.
It was like dropping a bomb into the otherwise serene business banquet hall.
In a secluded corner of the banquet hall,
a man with a Mediterranean hairstyle leered at Gu Qingcheng and said to the plump woman beside him,
"Pan Yuan, in a bit, serve these two glasses of champagne laced with the aphrodisiac to Gu Qingcheng and her man. Once they've drunk it, take them up to a room on the floor above. Gu Qingcheng dared to steal my project and nearly bankrupt me! Tonight, I'll conquer her myself, make her my woman... and swallow up the Gu Group too..."
After spilling his plan to the hefty Pan Yuan, Yin Zhiping couldn't help but flash an evil grin.
Pan Yuan was the banquet hall supervisor at Songhe Tower Hotel, and Yin Zhiping was the hotel's vice president. She'd been promoted by him, so she obeyed his every word.
"Don't worry, Vice President Yin. This isn't our first time teaming up—I know the drill... Gu Qingcheng will be yours, and that hot little stud will be mine."
Pan Yuan licked her thick lips, revealing her own wicked smile.
They'd succeeded once before; this time would be even easier.
Gazing at Lin Zimo's heart-stoppingly handsome face, Pan Yuan's flabby body quivered with excitement.
She'd actually been quite slim once, but after a scumbag sea king tricked and dumped her, she'd drowned her sorrows in binge eating and ballooned up.
Unable to slim down, she'd given up, throwing herself into Yin Zhiping's schemes and letting loose.
…
"President Gu, I've got a new real estate project. Interested in hearing more?"
"President Gu, your boyfriend's smoking hot! Got any brothers? Introduce me—I’ll take just 30% on our collab."
"President Gu, me too! Hook me up with your boyfriend's friends—hot guys hang with hot guys..."
Lin Zimo stayed by Gu Qingcheng's side, listening to the men and women fawning over her while ogling him with lust.
Just then,
a chill crept up Lin Zimo's back—a nagging, sinister sensation. He casually glanced in that direction.
There, a Mediterranean man was grinning sleazily at Gu Qingcheng as he approached.
"President Gu, hello. I'm Yin Zhiping, vice president of Songhe Tower Hotel."
Yin Zhiping extended his hand, signaling he wanted to shake.
Gu Qingcheng merely glanced at him before coolly saying, "Hello."
She showed zero interest in shaking his hand.
Yin Zhiping's face stiffened, but he smoothly withdrew his arm.
"President Gu, you've been standing in those heels for ages—you must be tired. Why not head to the rest area over there and sit?"
Gu Qingcheng had been mingling for hours and was indeed worn out, plus annoyed. Lin Zimo was too damn handsome; besides business talks, she had to fend off women drooling over him and trying to steal him away.
"Sure. Zimo, let's go sit." She took Lin Zimo's hand and headed over.
They'd just settled on the rest area's sofa when
a hefty female server approached with a tray of champagne glasses.
Yin Zhiping spotted Pan Yuan and warmly said to Gu Qingcheng,
"President Gu, let me introduce Pan Yuan, our banquet hall supervisor. She's handling tonight's event—if you need anything, just ask her."
Pan Yuan beamed at Gu Qingcheng and said deferentially,
"President Gu, hello. I've heard so much about you. A pleasure to finally meet the epitome of beauty! This is Songhe Tower's special champagne for tonight—please, you and your friend, have a taste."
Gu Qingcheng toyed with Lin Zimo's well-defined hand and faintly replied,
"Hello, Supervisor Pan. Just leave the champagne."
Pan Yuan, all smiles, set the two glasses from her tray on the tea table in front of Gu Qingcheng and Lin Zimo.
With a sneaky sidelong glance at Lin Zimo's gorgeous face, she could barely contain her thrill.
Yin Zhiping saw neither was drinking and, eyeing Lin Zimo, struck up conversation.
"President Gu, who's this with you?"
He'd heard her say Lin Zimo was her boyfriend earlier, but it irked him, so he played dumb.
"My boyfriend, Lin Zimo."
Gu Qingcheng replied politely but with her signature icy distance.
Yin Zhiping seethed inwardly but reminded himself she'd soon drink the laced wine and be his to toy with. Once he filmed the video, the Gu Group would be his—and this pretty boy Lin Zimo would be wrecked by Pan Yuan.
With that in mind, he swallowed his displeasure and grinned. "President Gu, your boyfriend's quite the catch—looks and talent!"
Pan Yuan, hovering nearby, chimed in sincerely, "Mr. Lin's looks are one of a kind through the ages!"
"Mr. Lin, young and already conquering the ice queen herself—impressive!"
As he spoke, Yin Zhiping extended his hand to shake Lin Zimo's.
Lin Zimo calmly reached out and gripped it. "You're too kind, Vice President Yin. Qingcheng and I have known each other three years—we just hadn't gone public."
Yin Zhiping's rage flared—this gigolo had defiled his goddess for three years?
He squeezed Lin Zimo's hand with covert force.
He hit the gym regularly; his grip was brutal. This scrawny pretty boy would cry on the spot. Yin Zhiping grinned in anticipation.
But seconds later, his smile froze as he stared puzzled at the unflappable Lin Zimo.
Lin Zimo hadn't even noticed at first—Yin Zhiping's "strength" was laughable. Only spotting the smug look did he register it.
Yin Zhiping was still squeezing for all he was worth, confusion mounting.
Lin Zimo's lips curved into a devastatingly wicked smirk.
Fine, if you insist on playing...
His palm tightened—just a squeeze!
"Agh—!" Yin Zhiping yelped uncontrollably.
It felt like his hand bones were shattering under immense pressure.
His fantasy of Lin Zimo's humiliation had backfired spectacularly.
Yin Zhiping's face contorted in agony. He tried yanking free, but Lin Zimo's grip held firm.
Gu Qingcheng heard the cry and spotted their clasped hands, instantly clocking the contest.
She stifled a laugh inwardly.
This Yin Zhiping's begging for it. Zimo took down thirty guys and floored those dojo heirs. And this clown provokes him? Suicidal.
Lin Zimo watched him squirm for a few leisurely seconds before shaking his arm loose and striking first.
"Vice President Yin, you're so enthusiastic—holding on that long for a handshake!"
The subtle flex hit like a truck!
Yin Zhiping flushed red then pale; he'd started it and couldn't call him out. He swallowed the pain.
As his trembling hand dropped slowly, he forced a smile. "Mr. Lin's grip strength is impressive."
He snatched a champagne with his other hand, took a sip, and gushed,
"Wow! This champagne's exquisite—fine bubbles, rich mouthfeel. President Gu, Mr. Lin, you have to try it!"
Lin Zimo actually felt thirsty now and picked up a glass, about to sip.
Yin Zhiping suppressed a sneer, thinking viciously,
Lin Zimo, enjoy your cockiness while it lasts. Drink the charm wine, and I'll settle the score for that hand!
Pan Yuan, eyes glued to Lin Zimo, nearly burst as he finally drank.
Aaaah! He's too hot! I wanna pounce and pin him...
Gu Qingcheng saw Lin Zimo lift his glass; her throat was dry too, so she took one as well.
Yin Zhiping fought to keep a straight face, barely hiding his glee!
Pan Yuan and Yin Zhiping exchanged covert glances—it's happening!
Lin Zimo brought the glass to his lips, just about to drink,
Ding! Ding! Ding!
System detects issue with this wine!
Host, DO NOT DRINK! Host, DO NOT DRINK!
when the system's urgent alert blared in his mind.
Lin Zimo halted, cold fury flashing in his eyes.
Yin Zhiping! This dead man dares scheme against me!
But he'd play along—see what the bastard was after.
System detects emergency situation.
Fusing Read Heart Technique skill into host.
Lin Zimo smoothly set his glass down and casually stopped Gu Qingcheng's hand mid-sip.
She glanced at him puzzled, then clocked his expression and smartly guessed—the wine was tampered with.
She set hers down too, icy resolve hardening her beautiful eyes.
Yin Zhiping? Or Pan Yuan? Or both? Whoever it is, scheme against me and face my wrath.
Yin Zhiping watched in shock as they set down the glasses right at the brink.
His heart lurched from the rollercoaster!
Forcing a smile through his twisting expression, he asked,
"President Gu, Mr. Lin, what's wrong with the champagne? Why aren't you drinking?"
Gu Qingcheng was about to snap when Lin Zimo subtly held her back.
He eyed the glasses with disdain, then fixed Yin Zhiping with a frosty glare.
"Vice President Yin! Is this Songhe Tower's hygiene standard?!"
Yin Zhiping and Pan Yuan panicked, thinking the drug was busted.
"Mr. Lin, what's wrong? Something off with the wine?"
Cold sweat beaded on Yin Zhiping as his mind raced in terror:
Yin Zhiping's Thoughts:
"Why's Lin Zimo suddenly pissed? Did he spot the aphrodisiac? No way—it's colorless, odorless! Even if he did, this reaction's off. Stay cool, don't panic! Only if they drink can Pan Yuan drag Gu Qingcheng to the room for me to ravage, film the video... make her my obedient woman... and seize the Gu Group..."
Lin Zimo, wielding Read Heart Technique, caught every filthy thought.
This greasy Mediterranean pig and that tank of a woman spiked our drinks for their pervy games. Filming blackmail? Eyeing the Gu Group? Heh, ugly as sin but dreaming big!
Lin Zimo stayed silent, pinning Yin Zhiping with a chilling stare that made the man squirm guiltily.
Pan Yuan sidled up with the tray's remaining three glasses, her bulky frame tense as she probed,
"Mr. Lin, what's the matter? Did we fall short in service?"
She set the tray down, polite on the surface but frantic inside:
Pan Yuan's Thoughts:
"What's with Lin Zimo? Why hasn't he drunk yet? I can't hold back—I wanna jump him and 'play cards' all night... Film the vid for leverage, do whatever..."
Lin Zimo eyed her fat lips, beady eyes, and tank-like build, nearly gagging.
Fuck me! These two act all polite, but their minds are cesspits. Daring to target me? Time to turn the tables—let 'em have their fun, film away!
Lin Zimo pointed at the glass stems, his voice a razor-sharp blade, cold and lethal.
"Vice President Yin, is this Songhe Tower's hygiene?!"
Yin Zhiping and Pan Yuan sighed inwardly in relief.
They checked Lin Zimo's glass and spotted a faint smudge on the stem.
Yin Zhiping oozed apologies. "Terribly sorry, President Gu, Mr. Lin—our oversight. I'll have fresh glasses brought right away."
He turned to Pan Yuan. "Supervisor Pan, grab two new glasses and repour champagne for President Gu and Mr. Lin."
In that split-second distraction, Lin Zimo swiftly swapped his glass with Yin Zhiping's—the "smudge" from sofa fabric wiped off and reapplied seamlessly, undetectable.
He swapped Gu Qingcheng's with one from the tray too.
Pan Yuan got the hint—redose during the switch—and smiled obsequiously.
"Right away, Vice President Yin."
She added to Lin Zimo and Gu Qingcheng, "President Gu, Mr. Lin, deepest apologies. One moment, please."
But Gu Qingcheng cut in.
She'd caught Lin Zimo's swap and icily told Pan Yuan,
"No need for the hassle, Supervisor Pan. Swap with those two on the tray first. If we want more, pour then."
Pan Yuan and Yin Zhiping couldn't refuse without raising flags.
"Of course, President Gu."
Pan Yuan placed the two Gu Qingcheng indicated before Lin Zimo and her.
Yin Zhiping, fists clenched, plastered on a nervous grin.
"President Gu, Mr. Lin, our sincerest apologies. To make amends, I'll have Supervisor Pan fetch my '82 Lafite later—for you both."
Gu Qingcheng smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. She lifted her swapped glass and said to Pan Yuan,
"Supervisor Pan, join us for a glass." She took an elegant sip.
Pan Yuan lit up at the invite from this beauty CEO.
"Yes, yes! Thanks for your generosity, President Gu—you're as gorgeous as you are kind. Cheers!"
She grabbed the last tray glass, toasted, and downed it.
Pan Yuan was all about looks—she played with hotties and beauties.
"Impressive tolerance, Supervisor Pan." Gu Qingcheng's cold smile held praise.
"You flatter me, President Gu." Pan Yuan beamed, eyes squinting to slits.
Lin Zimo, seeing this, lifted his swapped glass to Yin Zhiping.
"Qingcheng's letting it go, so am I. Vice President Yin, cheers."
He downed it boldly.
"Cheers, cheers!"
With the mood set, Yin Zhiping—eager for Gu Qingcheng's next dose—gulped his too.
"Now that's straightforward, Vice President Yin." Lin Zimo smiled faintly.
"You're the man, Mr. Lin." Yin Zhiping grinned.
Noticing Lin Zimo's empty glass and Gu Qingcheng's half-gone one, he ordered Pan Yuan,
"Supervisor Pan, fetch that '82 Lafite. Time to apologize properly."
Pan Yuan, thrilled, set her glass down. "Right away—"
She stepped forward but swayed dizzily, body going limp as she plopped beside Yin Zhiping. "This champagne's strength... hits that fast?"
Yin Zhiping, dazed too, slumped on the sofa, hand on her shoulder, yanking his tie loose irritably.
"Why's it so... hot..."