Chapter 216: 161 Qi Duidui: No one dares to trouble my people.

Words : 1743 Updated : Sep 25th, 2025

Chapter 216: 161 Qi Duidui: No one dares to trouble my people. On the way back to the hospital room, Jiang Jinsang kept looking for the right opportunity to clear the air with Tang Yunxian, but he was either on the phone or sending messages, leaving no chance for a conversation. Nearing the door of the hospital room, Tang Yunxian turned to look at him. “Uncle Tang,” Jinsang said, maintaining a very respectful demeanor. “The old man just had surgery and is still recovering, so don’t bring this up yet. I’ll find the right moment to inform him,” Tang Yunxian said. Jiang Jinsang forced a smile. What was even happening? Due to Old Tang’s recent surgery, the Tang family stayed overnight to watch over him while the others left. The Jiang family’s grandmother was at the hospital around the clock too. On the way back, she leaned back in her seat, removed her reading glasses, pinched the bridge of her nose, and although she looked tired, she couldn’t hide her happiness. “Xiaowu, once your grandfather Tang feels better, we’re going to visit the Tang family to ask for a marriage.” “But with the New Year coming soon, if we want to settle things before then, there isn’t much time.” “Although it’s been really busy lately, everything has gone smoothly. Later, I need to go to the temple to give thanks, and maybe have Master Pudu select an auspicious date.” ... Jiang Jinsang rubbed his fingers and said nothing. At this moment, he really couldn’t bear to disappoint his grandmother by telling her that Mr. Tang was secretly planning to “break up” him and Wanwan. At the hospital, Old Tang woke up after 11 PM. Though he had been pampered recently, his face was still pale after surgery, and with several big incisions on his body, he looked as though he had narrowly escaped death. The anesthetic had worn off, and even though he was using a pain pump, he kept groaning with discomfort throughout his body. Zhongqing stayed the night at the hospital and didn’t go home until 4 AM, only after checking on the patient and ensuring that Tang Wan and the others could rest easy with some precautionary advice for the day. Many people didn’t sleep well that night. * The next morning, the earliest arrival wasn’t Jiang Jinsang but Ruan Mengxi, who brought breakfast as she had to rush to work before dawn. “How did you get here?” Tang Wan looked pale after several days of worry. “I was too busy yesterday and you didn’t let me come over last night,” whispered Ruan Mengxi. “How is grandfather Tang?” “He’s doing well, just recovering from the surgery.” “I bought some breakfast; have a bit,” Ruan Mengxi glanced at the sleeping old man. “I’ve been so busy lately. Once I finish, I’ll come to the hospital to keep you company.” “So busy before New Year?” “I changed positions, didn’t I? If it were before, I’d be acting like a salted fish by now, slack off and just waiting for the New Year holidays, but recently I’ve been accompanying leaders to client meetings.” “President Qi?” “Yes.” Ruan Mengxi didn’t stay long in the room and hurried off to catch the early bus to the company. As soon as she arrived at the office, she was informed that there would be a dinner party that evening and she would need to attend. “So many social engagements recently?” Assistant Xiaozhu just smiled, “It’s normal. Before New Year is always the busiest, maintaining client relationships isn’t so easy. By the way, how’s your alcohol tolerance?” “It’s... okay, I guess.” “I have other commitments today and might not make it tonight. If someone offers a drink to the boss, help block it for him. It’s rare for anyone to dare to make him drink, so just symbolically drink a few glasses on his behalf.” Ruan Mengxi nodded, having learned what to do from recent outings with 祁则衍. Qi Zeyan wasn’t specifically making things difficult for her by involving her in various dinner gatherings because of the previous neck twist incident; it was genuinely a busy end of the year, and he treated her just like any other employee, doing what regular assistants did. ... With Assistant Xiaozhu unavailable, only Ruan Mengxi and Qi Zeyan went to the social event, with her driving. Qi Zeyan sat in the back, watching her expertly maneuver her vehicle, and raised his eyebrows slightly, “Have you secretly been practicing your driving skills lately? You’re quite good at it.” Ruan Mengxi forced a smile. Secretly practicing driving skills? It sounded as if she had been sneakily watching little ‘instructional movies’ to improve. His comments always made it seem like he wanted to flirt with her. “Who are we having dinner with tonight?” Close to their destination, Qi Zeyan didn’t even know who would be attending the meal. “The CEO of Ke Chuang, the head of New Development...” Ruan Mengxi certainly had done her homework. When they arrived, the private room and its round table were already full. Seeing Qi Zeyan approaching, a wave of polite greetings ensued, and everyone who met Ruan Mengxi for the first time teased him a bit. “When did little President Qi find such a beautiful assistant?” “Having such a beautiful assistant by your side must really motivate you at work.” “I was wondering why President Qi had no interest in the outside world, turns out there’s such a beauty right beside him.” ... At the men’s table, it seemed that the topic of women was inevitable. Qi Zeyan pursed his lips, revealing no emotion, merely toying with the small wine cup in front of him, his gaze unfathomable. “Which school did Assistant Ruan graduate from? She looks quite young,” someone asked. “She graduated just a year ago,” Ruan Mengxi smiled. Having accompanied Qi Zeyan to numerous drinking occasions recently, she was naturally aware of some unspoken rules at these gatherings; there had been instances where some bosses tried to take advantage, but Assistant Xiaozhu always discreetly deflected them. After all, she was brought by Qi Zeyan; they just looked and joked verbally, but no one dared to actually make a move. “From your accent, are you from the south?” “Yes, I’m from Pingjiang.” “That place is wonderful, known for its beautiful women...” Ruan Mengxi could only muster a forced smile; after all, she couldn’t offend the people at the table. Soon it was time to toast. As an assistant, it was normal for her to block drinks for her boss, but being a woman, some of the bosses became a bit presumptuous, playfully urging her to drink more. Ruan Mengxi kept observing Qi Zeyan, and seeing that he remained silent, she could only smile and drank one cup after another. She was naturally good-looking, and now, with alcohol in her system, she appeared slightly tipsy. During the flourish of spring and summer, even the finest carvings couldn’t capture such allure. Looking at her now, her gaze, flowing with a hint of intoxication, still subtly stirred many hearts without a sound. Some saw that Qi Zeyan seemed disinterested in protecting his assistant, so they became bolder and more unrestrained. A few men, utterly heedless, even started to make crude remarks. They mostly brought female companions, with the men holding grand discussions while the women laughingly engaged, helping them with dishes and pouring drinks. Only Qi Zeyan never joined in at any point. “Assistant Ruan can really hold her liquor.” Several men took turns toasting her, and she, being an assistant, couldn’t refuse and had to down the drinks with a forced smile. The strong alcohol burned her throat fiercely as she drank to the extreme. She quickly covered her mouth, turned her head, and coughed violently twice, nearly coughing out her contact lenses. “Assistant Ruan, what’s wrong...” A certain boss suddenly reached out, seemingly to check on her, but everyone knew, with her being inebriated, it was a good chance to take advantage. But as his hand reached out... “Slap—” someone slapped it away. Ruan Mengxi was sitting right next to Qi Zeyan and happened to be coughing towards him. She suddenly looked up and saw him leaning over to help her, almost pulling her into his arms. “Mr. Ma, what are you trying to do?” Qi Zeyan raised an eyebrow, looking at him seriously. “I...” Everyone was deep in their cups, and his sudden question silenced the entire private room instantly. Despite his youth, Qi Zeyan sat at the head of the table, the center of all flattery and sycophancy. His face turned cold, and no one dared to speak again. Qi Zeyan then stood up, towering over, and looked at Ruan Mengxi, “Can you stand up?” Like Tang Wan, Ruan Mengxi had a good alcohol tolerance. Even though she had drunk quite a bit that night, she was still sober. She looked up at him, her posture steady and somewhat noble. Seeing that she didn’t make a sound, Qi Zeyan reached out, grabbed her arm—overheated from the alcohol she had consumed. Even though his fingertips were warm, they felt cool against her arm. His fingers slid down, clasped her wrist, and pulled her up from the chair. “Let’s go, I’ll take you home.” Qi Zeyan tugged her towards the exit. “Hey, Mr. Qi—” “Mr. Qi, what are you doing?” ... The people in the room were stunned, wondering why he suddenly got angry. Ruan Mengxi staggered along, letting him drag her out of the room filled with the smell of alcohol and into the fresh air, which somewhat cleared her head. “...What about the business deals?” As an employee, she couldn’t act as recklessly as the boss. “Ruan Mengxi, are you an idiot? Coming out with me means you’re my person, the person I brought. If you don’t want it, who the hell dares to trouble you or force you to drink? They toast you and you just drink?” Ruan Mengxi’s breathing was heavy as she looked at the angry person before her. They say falling for someone might only take a few seconds... And for Ruan Mengxi, her crush on Qi Zeyan began bizarrely when he started scolding her.

Chapter 216: 161 Qi Duidui: No one dares to trouble my people.

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