Seeing so many people coming to toast him, Lu Guoliang felt he had a lot of face in front of Song Xiaoyun, so he accepted everyone's toasts without hesitation. He quickly drank seven or eight glasses of baijiu (Chinese liquor), his face flushed, and his eyes began to glaze over.
Chen Yang, facing the real estate company executives who came to chat, also suppressed his anger, revealing a smile as he talked with them about topics of interest.
Song Yi sat opposite him, still looking indignant. He had been working with Song Xiaoyun these past few days, and their collaboration had been very pleasant. Song Yi also held Song Xiaoyun in high esteem. Seeing her wronged filled him with utter disgust for Lu Guoliang.
However, Song Yi also knew the importance of tonight's banquet. Chen Yang had just reminded him with his eyes, so he forcibly suppressed the urge to lash out and hit someone.
"President Lu, when will you come to our company to give us some guidance? Xiao Zhong from the public relations department is really keen on you!" Wu Gang, the Southeast Region President of Liefang.com, said to Lu Guoliang, holding a wine glass.
Unlike other real estate companies, LieFang.com is a professional real estate website with a mutually dependent relationship with various developers. Wu Gang is the president of the Southeast region, and Qiankun Real Estate has a very significant market share in the entire Southeast province. Therefore, Wu Gang's attitude towards Lu Guoliang has a hint of obsequiousness.
When Wu Gang mentioned Xiao Zhong, Lu Guoliang thought of her alluring, snow-white body in bed, and a wicked glint flashed in his eyes. He chuckled and said:
"President Wu, your Manager Zhong is very sensible. I like her very much! Having such a shrewd and capable public relations manager is a great fortune for you! If it weren't for Manager Zhong's extensive work on my end, how could we have offered so many premium properties for our group purchase cooperation with your company? President Wu, you must reward her well when you get back!"
As Lu Guoliang spoke, his eyes frequently swept over Song Xiaoyun's face, as if to say: Look how perceptive LieFang.com's public relations manager is; you should learn from her!
"Definitely! Certainly!" Wu Gang said with a forced smile. Sitting next to Lu Guoliang, Song Xiaoyun not only had to endure his undisguised, lecherous gazes, but she also couldn't show any anger, making her feel extremely uncomfortable.
However, for the sake of the channel's work, Song Xiaoyun could only endure it. Besides, Lu Guoliang had already toasted her, and according to etiquette, she should return the toast. After hesitating for a long time, Song Xiaoyun finally made up her mind, picked up her glass, forced a smile, and said to Lu Guoliang:
"Mr. Lu, I'd like to toast you as well. Please continue to support our company's business in the future!"
Seeing Song Xiaoyun take the initiative to toast him, Lu Guoliang's eyes narrowed into slits with delight, and a hint of excitement appeared on his alcohol-reddened face. He picked up his glass and said:
"Of course, of course! Director Song, that's right! Cooperation needs to be built on a certain foundation of goodwill, but how do you cultivate that goodwill? I think this wine is a very good medium!"
Song Xiaoyun nodded slightly, remaining silent. Seeing Song Xiaoyun's slightly shy face, Lu Guoliang felt an even stronger urge to possess her. He thought to himself that this girl was far more attractive than Manager Zhong from Liefang.com. Not only was she beautiful, but she also possessed a scholarly air, very elegant and poised—clearly a woman of talent.
Faced with such an intellectual beauty, Lu Guoliang's desire to conquer intensified.
He squinted at Song Xiaoyun with drunken eyes, a hint of intense lust in them, and said:
"Director Song, advertising isn't a big deal. Every year, I approve at least several million in advertising spending. But cooperation requires sincerity. How about this? You get a large glass—one large glass of baijiu in exchange for a ten-second season's advertising package. If you can drink three large glasses, I can give you a large order—a thirty-second, six-month package. How about that?"
Seeing Song Xiaoyun's internal struggle, Lu Guoliang felt a surge of pleasure, as if he were deciding someone else's fate. He looked at Song Xiaoyun meaningfully, his gaze lingering on her ample bosom, and he secretly swallowed.
Song Xiaoyun gritted her teeth, reached for a large wine glass, poured herself a full glass of baijiu (Chinese liquor), and raised it, saying,
"We'll do as Mr. Lu says! Thank you for your support of our business! I'll drink this first!"
With that, Song Xiaoyun was about to tilt her head back to drink.
"Wait..." Lu Guoliang calmly stopped her, then stared into Song Xiaoyun's eyes and said, "Director Song, we should drink, but not in such a simple way..."
Song Xiaoyun put down her glass, looking at Lu Guoliang with confusion. Lu Guoliang chuckled and said,
"Director Song, I think the atmosphere at this banquet isn't lively enough. We should lend a hand! According to my old custom, let's have a big toast…"
Song Xiaoyun's face turned pale instantly. Although she hadn't seen it before, her experience in government offices gave her a good idea of what this so-called "big toast" meant.
A man and a woman embracing, each wrapping their arms around the other's neck, then bringing their glasses to their lips and drinking from them—this is called a "big toast." Compared to the traditional toast, this was clearly more intimate and ambiguous.
Song Xiaoyun had initially thought Lu Guoliang was just trying to get her to drink, but she hadn't expected him to make such a rude request!
This had crossed Song Xiaoyun's line. Hearing this, she gently put down her wine glass and said calmly,
"Mr. Lu, I'm sorry, I suddenly feel a little dizzy, I might be drunk. Please excuse me..."
As she was about to stand up, Lu Guoliang's face darkened, and he coldly snorted,
"Director Song, you were the one who offered me a toast just now, and now you're going back on your word. Do you think I, Lu, don't have enough face?"
Seeing Lu Guoliang's increasingly unpleasant expression, Song Xiaoyun hesitated for a moment and then didn't stand up. Lu Guoliang smiled smugly and said,
"That's right! Director Song, forgive my bluntness, but for a small radio station like yours to survive in this fiercely competitive market, being too aloof won't work! Take what just happened, for example! What's the big deal about you sharing a toast with me? It's not like it's a big deal! But a few orders I slip through my fingers are enough for you to earn in half a year! What good does it do you to offend clients? I can't boast about anything else, but just look at the people at this table tonight. If I, Lu Guoliang, say a word, you won't get a single order. Wouldn't that be a huge loss?"
Lu Guoliang's seemingly earnest words were actually laced with a blatant threat, putting Song Xiaoyun in a dilemma. She could tell that this Mr. Lu seemed to wield considerable power, and the other executives were quite wary of him. She was also worried that if she really offended Lu Guoliang, it would severely damage Chen Yang's company's development strategy. Their Phoenix Culture Communication Company is still just a small seedling, unable to withstand the storms of life.
If this channel director position were just an ordinary job, Song Xiaoyun would have already quit. But this is Chen Yang's business. Chen Yang first pulled her back from the brink of disaster, preventing her from falling into the abyss of crime, then provided her with 100,000 yuan to solve her immediate crisis, and now he's offering her such a good job.
It's no exaggeration to say that Chen Yang has been a benefactor to her. Song Xiaoyun completely considers Channel 89.6 her most important career, which is why she has so many concerns.
However, Lu Guoliang's demands are simply too rude and outrageous. Although Song Xiaoyun attended various social events when she was a civil servant, she always maintained her integrity. She couldn't imagine how disgusting it would be to be with such a vulgar and lewd man! Just as Song Xiaoyun was caught in a fierce internal struggle, a gentle voice rang out:
"Sister Xiaoyun, since you're not feeling well, why don't you go back and rest?"
Song Xiaoyun trembled, looked up, and saw Chen Yang smiling at her. His eyes were warm and gentle, instantly making Song Xiaoyun feel safe.
Based on her absolute trust in Chen Yang, Song Xiaoyun stood up without hesitation after hearing his words, not even glancing at Lu Guoliang, and prepared to leave.
"Wait! Director Song, this isn't quite right…" Lu Guoliang glared at Chen Yang, then said to Song Xiaoyun in a deep voice.
Song Xiaoyun paused for a moment, then resolutely took her steps forward, never looking back.
Lu Guoliang felt greatly insulted. How dare the director of a small radio station give him such a hard time! And in front of so many colleagues, Lu Guoliang suddenly felt embarrassed. Coupled with his alcohol-fueled arrogance and increasingly uncontrolled behavior, he suddenly stood up, grabbed Song Xiaoyun's hand, and said,
"Don't go! Director Song, we still have a toast to share!"
Caught off guard, Song Xiaoyun was pulled back by Lu Guoliang, and losing her balance, she fell straight into his arms.
Song Xiaoyun's face paled, and she cried out in surprise.
Suddenly, Song Xiaoyun felt two strong hands embrace her, steadying her, and a strong masculine scent filled her nostrils. Opening her eyes, Song Xiaoyun saw that it was Chen Yang, sitting next to her, who had quickly caught her; otherwise, she would have been pulled away by Lu Guoliang.
Song Xiaoyun suddenly felt her face burning.
Chen Yang swiftly reached out and gently twisted Lu Guoliang's arm. If a martial arts expert were present, they would have recognized it as a joint lock technique used in a small grappling hand; the movement was clean and swift. However, Lu Guoliang only felt a blur before his eyes, followed by a sharp, needle-like pain in a tendon in his arm. He couldn't help but cry out and involuntarily released his grip on Song Xiaoyun's hand.
Chen Yang gently patted Song Xiaoyun's shoulder, then looked up and called out:
"Xiaoyi, take Xiaoyun back first!"
"Okay!" Song Yi had long disliked Lu Guoliang. Hearing Chen Yang's instruction, he quickly stood up and walked side-by-side with Song Xiaoyun out of the private room.
"Stop!" Lu Guoliang's angry roar came from behind.
Song Xiaoyun hesitated for a moment, then turned to look at Chen Yang.
Chen Yang smiled calmly at Song Xiaoyun and said,
"You guys go first, I'll handle things here!"
Song Xiaoyun didn't hesitate and walked towards the door.
Lu Guoliang slammed his hand on the table, stood up, and stared at Song Xiaoyun's back, gritting his teeth as he spoke, each word seemingly forced out from between his clenched teeth:
"Song Xiaoyun, if you dare step out of this room, I'll shut down your lousy radio station tomorrow! I, Lu Guoliang, mean what I say, try me if you don't believe me!"
Xie Fangzhi panicked when he saw the situation escalating. Lu Guoliang was more than just a real estate company boss; a large portion of the middle management of Qiankun Group came from Ning Kuncheng's former gang, and Lu Guoliang was one of them.
Although Ning Kuncheng had long ago instructed his men to work legitimate jobs and stay away from shady dealings, Lu Guoliang still wielded considerable underground influence in Rongcheng. Xie Fangzhi knew Chen Yang had excellent relationships with many high-ranking officials, but Lu Guoliang was not to be underestimated. He was vindictive and ruthless, and if he really wanted to break ties with Chen Yang, it would be difficult to defend against.
Xie Fangzhi was about to try and ease the tension, but Song Xiaoyun, after hearing Lu Guoliang's harsh words, didn't even stop walking towards the door of the private room, completely ignoring his angry outburst.
The private room was deathly silent; you could hear a pin drop. Everyone watched Song Xiaoyun, each making their own calculations. It seemed that even if it meant offending Director Xie, they couldn't give the order to Phoenix Culture Communication Company. Once Lu Guoliang lost his temper, he was a mad dog, someone no one dared to mess with!
Lu Guoliang was also breathing heavily, his eyes flashing with a murderous glint as he stared at Song Xiaoyun's retreating figure.
Just as Song Xiaoyun was about to reach the door, the door to the private room was suddenly pushed open from the outside, and a middle-aged, overweight man in his forties walked into the room, panting slightly…