Chapter 114: Are You Not Sincerely Willing to Collaborate with Me?

“Can’t we? Then let’s start with some drinks. Maybe if I get cheerful enough, I’ll lower the number of times. Yin Yin, what do you think?”

With that, the man raised his glass once again.

Back and forth, Mu Yinyin had already been pressured into downing five shots. The alcohol was starting to take effect; even Gao Zhusheng noticed that her condition was beginning to falter. She lifted a hand to gently press her forehead, as if a headache had already set in.

Gao Zhusheng scrutinized her, a gleam almost shining in his eyes.

The next moment, he smiled tentatively and said, “Yinyin, you don’t look too bad, do you? Your tolerance is quite impressive.”

Yinyin’s head felt heavy and foggy. Though she still retained some clarity, she kept pinching herself or biting her tongue to stay alert. But this man was relentlessly forcing her to drink, and if it went on like this, she’d be done for.

She straightened slightly in her seat, though her whole body felt weak and sore. Taking a soft breath, she said, “Sorry, Mr. Gao, I need to use the restroom.”

She needed to splash cold water on her face immediately, or she’d truly lose her senses.

Gao Zhusheng showed no hurry. Knowing how much she cared about the Qingzhu matter, he smiled warmly, “Go ahead.”

After all the drinks she had taken without suspicion, now that she was visibly dazed, this was the perfect moment for him to slip something into her drink while she was away. He hadn’t dared to do it right from the start because she was too sharp. He hadn’t expected her alcohol tolerance to be so poor—it worked out in his favor.

Mu Yinyin inhaled deeply and stood up. It was already a struggle to remain upright, and she dared not walk too fast for fear of staggering.

Once inside the restroom, she immediately approached the sink, turned on the tap, cupped her hands, and splashed the water onto her face.

The cold water on her cheeks revived her slightly.

Her head felt heavy, her eyelids drooped, and an uncomfortable pressure weighed on her temples.

She was still negotiating the number of times with Gao Zhusheng precisely because she knew his character. If she agreed to twenty times, he would push for more and propose even more unacceptable demands. If she couldn’t comply, it would be disastrous.

Dragging the negotiation out like this made him frustrated and more likely to compromise at twenty times.

Otherwise, she could have agreed to twenty times outright—she didn’t want to keep drinking or suffer any longer.

The main issue was her terrible tolerance for alcohol, and Gao Zhusheng’s obvious ulterior motives made her unable to resist.

Mu Yinyin took another deep breath and splashed cold water on her face again.

She’d left the water running for a while, so it was colder now.

But...

Her head sank even lower.

She spent five more minutes rinsing her face before regaining just a fraction of her clarity.

Gathering herself, she headed back out.

At that moment, Jiang Ling happened to be pacing the corridor. Seeing Mu Yinyin, he immediately moved toward her, but her expression suddenly changed, fearing Gao Zhusheng would notice if Jiang Ling approached.

If that happened, Gao Zhusheng might fly into a rage and abandon his scheme.

She quickly entered the private room and shut the door.

Gao Zhusheng didn’t see Jiang Ling’s figure. Instead, he chuckled and looked at Mu Yinyin, “Back, huh?”

Mu Yinyin’s eyes held a complex expression, but she nodded.

Gao Zhusheng narrowed his eyes; she was certainly more sober than when she'd left.

No matter—he had already spiked the wine. One more glass and she’d be even less clear-headed than before, perhaps even more willing.

Gao Zhusheng was getting impatient. This woman was brimming with charm, and his unusual restraint in holding back for so long was a sign of his special interest. Now, he had no more patience to wait.

“Come on, let’s keep drinking.”

Mu Yinyin’s body tensed, irritation growing within. If she didn’t continue the negotiation, she might truly be lost.

While she was still sober, she had to speak with him.

After a pause, she spoke with a smile, “Mr. Gao, of course I want to enjoy the drinks with you, but I came here sincerely today. Can you give me a clear answer?”

Gao Zhusheng smiled warmly, “Ah, I told you before, I want twenty times. But you haven’t even let me enjoy myself yet and are already trying to lower the number. How can I give you an answer? At least let me have my fun first, then I might be willing to compromise.”

The meaning was clear.

More drinking.

Seeing Mu Yinyin’s eyes flicker without responding, Gao Zhusheng’s smile deepened. He poured another glass for her and said cheerfully, “Come on, let’s keep drinking.”

“Keep drinking.”

He emphasized those words noticeably.

Mu Yinyin was speechless.

She slowly sat back down in her previous seat. Staring at the glass before her, her eyes reflected a tangle of emotions.

If she drank any more, she might truly be finished.

Gao Zhusheng clearly noticed her reluctance and sighed helplessly, “Look, you don’t want to drink, Yinyin. Are you not sincere about cooperating with me?”

“How could that be?” Mu Yinyin replied instantly. “It’s just that my tolerance is really poor. I’m afraid if I lose control, it’ll ruin your mood.”

“Ha ha ha…” Gao Zhusheng’s laughter was hearty. Then he said, “No way, I think your tolerance is fine. You drank so much earlier and were still clear-headed. There’s no problem at all.”

“I...” Mu Yinyin was about to respond when Gao Zhusheng interrupted with a sigh.

“Forget it. You’re a woman, I won’t force you. How about this: have two more drinks with me, then we’ll talk business seriously. Just two. You finish this one with me, have one more, and then we’ll get down to cooperation. I won’t make things hard for you anymore. Is that okay?”

Mu Yinyin’s eyes flickered briefly.

Two drinks.

She looked at him, clearly skeptical.

After two drinks, he’d probably coax her for more.

But now that he said this, she had no choice but to endure and keep drinking.

Meanwhile,

Jiang Ling stood not far from their private room, his expression darkening. He had seen Yinyin’s state—it seemed alright, no major issues—but he wasn’t sure what would happen next.

Clenching his fists, veins standing out on his forehead, he felt helpless.

He stared toward Mu Yinyin’s room and took a deep breath.

Yinyin, when will you come out?