Even隔着 phone lines, Ye Hengtian's laughter could be heard clearly. Su Banxia paused and said, "President Ye, since you're helping me out, I've arranged to meet Li Yi tonight. Could you show up at the right time?"
Su Banxia didn't know much about Li Yi, but his reputation was terrible, so she wanted to leave herself an escape route.
On the other end of the line, Ye Hengtian chuckled. "Miss Su, this is a classic case of trying to get something for nothing!"
Su Banxia didn't deny it.
She just waited quietly for his response.
After a moment, Ye Hengtian simply asked, "Address?"
Su Banxia gave him the address and hung up.
It was getting late, so she headed straight to the meeting place Li Yi had set.
At Shenghua Restaurant, Ye Lan sat nervously at a table waiting for Pei Shaoze. Her brother had told her to have Su Banxia invite him. Though she despised Su Banxia, she was willing to use her to get Shaoze to come out. No matter what, as long as she could see him, it was good.
Before long, Pei Shaoze arrived. The man, tall and straight in a black suit, appeared in the restaurant.
Ye Lan spotted him immediately.
She waited excitedly for him to approach.
Pei Shaoze entered, his dark eyes scanning the room until he found the spot Su Banxia had arranged. Seeing a woman sitting there, her back to him, he furrowed his brow slightly.
He walked over and sat directly across from her, assuming it was Su Banxia. Without even looking, he said, "Su Banxia, you never come knocking without a reason. Suddenly inviting me to dinner—are you up to something?"
Hearing him call her Su Banxia, Ye Lan was startled and looked a bit displeased as she faced Pei Shaoze, who had just sat down.
As Pei Shaoze settled in, he turned and saw Ye Lan's face.
Instantly, his expression darkened. "Ye Lan, what are you doing here?"
Ye Lan blinked her big eyes and said innocently, "Brother Shaoze, you invited me here. Didn't you have Secretary Su call me, saying you wanted to have dinner with me tonight?"
She spoke as if it were true, as though Su Banxia had really called her.
The warmth on Pei Shaoze's face dropped to freezing in an instant. Su Banxia had set this up to get him to meet her?
He abruptly stood up, ready to leave.
But Ye Lan, as if anticipating this, quickly grabbed his hand, her eyes red as she looked at him. "Brother Shaoze, where are you going? Didn't you say you wanted to have dinner with me? Why are you leaving again?"
Pei Shaoze shot her a cold glare, his dark eyes devoid of any warmth. "Let go."
"No!"
Afraid he might shake her off, Ye Lan gripped his arm even tighter, refusing to let him go.
The anger on Pei Shaoze's face left no room for defiance.
Seeing Ye Lan, he realized he'd been tricked by Su Banxia. But he was curious about her motive.
Without any gentleness, he yanked his arm free.
Ye Lan tried to grab him again, but it was too late—Pei Shaoze was already gone.
Once outside the restaurant, Pei Shaoze dialed Su Banxia's number. She had anticipated he'd call once he figured it out, so she'd set her phone to silent.
But he only called once before calming down.
Outside the restaurant, Ye Lan followed, her eyes red as she pleaded, "Brother Shaoze..."
Pei Shaoze looked at her, his handsome face eerily calm as he uttered a few words, "What do you want to eat?"
Ye Lan was stunned, unable to keep up with his shift in mood.
"Brother Shaoze, you... aren't you angry?"
Hadn't he been furious just moments ago?
Pei Shaoze looked at her, the anger completely gone from his face, and smiled lightly. "Come on, let's eat."
Ye Lan was confused and surprised, but she didn't dwell on it. Having Brother Shaoze accompany her for dinner was already good enough.
On the other side, Su Banxia was a bit surprised. Pei Shaoze's phone had rung only once and then stopped.
Logically, after being tricked, he should be furious and bombarding her with calls.
But after that single call, nothing.
That caught her off guard.
Across the table, Li Yi sat opposite Su Banxia, his eyes fixed on her with a sly smile.
He didn't hide the lust in his gaze, which Su Banxia disliked but had to endure.
Looking at him, she forced a faint smile and made conversation. "President Li, you're much more refined than I imagined."
Li Yi raised an eyebrow, accepting her insincere compliment without hesitation. Gazing at her delicate, lively face, he said, "Miss Su, your beauty is truly captivating."
Su Banxia feigned shyness at his praise, lowering her head with a soft laugh. She picked up her glass and said, "President Li, you're so charming. Let me toast you."
Li Yi squinted, smiling, and downed his drink in one gulp.
They exchanged pleasantries and small talk, with Su Banxia not rushing to bring up the contract.
Instead, she kept drinking with Li Yi.
After a while, noticing his face was flushed and his eyes less clear, Su Banxia found another excuse to toast him.
Li Yi drank without hesitation, slightly tipsy now. As she raised her glass, he reached out and grabbed her hand.
Grinning lecherously, he stroked her hand and said, "Miss Su, your hand is so smooth."
Su Banxia felt a wave of disgust but couldn't pull away. She forced a smile and said, "President Li, please don't."
She tried to withdraw her hand demurely, but he held tight.
Li Yi, a man in his thirties, wasn't ugly but had a cunning look about him. His eyes, when narrowed, carried a hint of lechery mixed with slyness.
Looking at Su Banxia across the table, he said with a smile, "Miss Su, has anyone ever told you you're beautiful?"
Su Banxia gave a dry laugh, attempting to free her hand, but he held it firmly. She thought to herself, "Looks like the alcohol isn't enough yet."
She plastered on another smile and said, "Of course, President Li, you just said so yourself."
With her free hand, she raised another toast.
"President Li, thank you for the compliment. Cheers."
Li Yi grinned, took the glass, and downed it without hesitation.