Chapter 1.2
Editor: Jodi
The welcome banquet was set in a skybox at a nearby five-star hotel, where you could overlook the city’s night view, which was very suitable for a romantic date. But Mu Nan didn’t know why the business dinner was scheduled here.
And when they arrived at the restaurant, he found out that there were only six people attending this dinner. Besides the two of them, the director, there were three producers and a representative from the investor, making it seem like a private dinner.
When the director brought them over, everyone else had already arrived.
Seeing them approach, the people sitting stood up politely to greet them, but mainly it was directed towards Cheng Han.
Cheng Han nodded casually and sat directly in his seat. It was Mu Nan who was about to sit down when he was stopped by someone.
“Big stars have busy schedules, so being a little late is understandable, but I think you still need to penalize yourself with three drinks.”
Mu Nan looked in the direction of the voice. It was a middle-aged man with gold-rimmed glasses. He looked graceful and cultured, but his words were not so gentle.
Mu Nan knew him. His name was Shi Lai, the head of a large cultural industry fund. With a fund size exceeding tens of billions, he wielded considerable influence in the circle. At the same time, he was also the largest investor in this program apart from the title sponsor.
The smile on Shi Lai’s face made people uncomfortable, “Let’s pour some drinks for you. It wouldn’t look good if you don’t drink.”
It was common knowledge in the industry that Mu Nan couldn’t drink alcohol. He had a mild alcohol allergy and couldn’t handle even a glass, so he never touched alcohol at any gathering.
He didn’t believe Shi Lai didn’t know about this. He clearly had ulterior motives.
“President Shi, I really can’t drink. If I have these few glasses, you’ll have to call an ambulance for me right now.” Mu Nan told him.
“Hey, don’t be such a killjoy. It’s our first meeting, so you should give me some face.” Shi Lai insisted.
Mu Nan’s brows furrowed slightly, unable to hide the expression on his face anymore.
“President Shi…”
Just as Mu Nan was about to speak, his voice was suddenly cut off by another voice, “I’m also late, should I also penalize myself with three drinks?”
Shi Lai looked over at the sound and was surprised to see that it was Cheng Han. He was sitting upright, his eyelids lifted slightly as he looked at Shi Lai coldly.
Shi Lai instantly broke out in a cold sweat, and his smile froze on his face. His mind raced. These two were clearly arch enemies, so how come Cheng Han was standing up for Mu Nan? Perhaps Cheng Han felt offended by his mention of the drinks.
Stammering, Shi Lai began to speak, his voice trembling, “Mr. Cheng, you… I… It’s not…”
“Misunderstanding! It’s all a misunderstanding!” Shi Lai wiped his cold sweat anxiously. “It’s my fault for being careless.” Then, he looked at Mu Nan. “Please, Mr. Mu, have a seat.”
Cheng Han couldn’t be bothered to respond, leaving Shi Lai with an awkward smile still plastered on his face.
Mu Nan scolded in his heart, who asked for your help? Do you think you’re so great?
As he was about to sit down, he noticed that his seat was right next to Shi Lai. He felt a strong resistance in his heart, but there was no other way. He could only sit as far away from Shi Lai as possible.
During the dinner, Mu Nan felt the chair burning beneath him. The atmosphere was very strange, and Shi Lai seemed to have other intentions on the side. He could even feel his gaze that was filled with malicious intentions.
Halfway through the dinner, Shi Lai called a waiter to serve everyone.
“Come, Xiao Nan, try this. I prepared it specially for you. I was thoughtless just now, so consider this my apology.” Shi Lai said as the waiter served a bowl of soup to each person.
Mu Nan inspected the contents of the soup carefully, but was only able to see that it was some kind of meat but was unable to tell what exactly it was.
“What’s this?” Mu Nan asked.
”This is stewed pizzle1bull’s peen.” The waiter replied.
Mu Nan put the spoon down slowly, suppressed the feeling of nausea and said, “Sorry, I probably won’t be able to enjoy this delicacy.”
“What? Still angry?” Shi Lai looked at Mu Nan’s clenched hands, his gaze making Mu Nan feel disgusted.
Mu Nan stood up abruptly. “Sorry, I’m not feeling well. I’ll excuse myself.” With that, he rushed out regardless of the table’s reaction.
In the restroom, Mu Nan retched for a long time but couldn’t vomit anything. Over the years in the entertainment industry, he had seen and heard a lot of things like this, but this was the first time it had happened to him.
“What’s wrong?” Shi Lai’s voice suddenly came from behind Mu Nan. “Looks like Xiao Nan doesn’t want to give me face today?”
Mu Nan wiped his mouth, his eyes completely cold now. “President Shi, I think my refusal has been clear enough. Of course, if you didn’t understand, I can repeat it. I won’t have any relationship with you beyond work.”
Shi Lai approached with a smile. “Don’t be afraid, relationships can be cultivated. If you’re scared, we can take it slow.”
As he spoke, he reached out to touch Mu Nan’s shoulder.
But before his hand could make contact, Mu Nan had already dodged, and just as he was about to strike back, Shi Lai’s wrist was grabbed by someone and he was pressed against the sink.
“Teacher Cheng, Cheng Ge, it hurts, it hurts!” Shi Lai grimaced in pain, incredulous as he saw the person behind him through the mirror of the sink. Cheng Han was actually standing up for Mu Nan.
“Cheng Ge, I was wrong, I won’t dare again!” Shi Lai pleaded incoherently, in pain.
“It looks like you haven’t understood.” Cheng Han exerted force suddenly, then there was a horrifying sound of bones rubbing together from Shi Lai’s wrist, followed by a scream akin to a pig being slaughtered.
Afterward, he released his grip, wiped his mouth lightly, and said to the passing waiter who looked stunned:
“Please help this gentleman by calling an ambulance.”
Shi Lai was awkwardly helped away, but Mu Nan didn’t want to owe Cheng Han anything. “I don’t need you to save me. I could handle ten of his type alone.”
“Consider it me being meddlesome.” Cheng Han raised an eyebrow.
Mu Nan found his tone very unpleasant and muttered, “Aren’t you just relying on your family’s authority…”
“Do you think I’m doing this to save you?” Cheng Han’s eyes suddenly narrowed. In the dim light, Cheng Han’s pale skin and deep eyes looked like those of a vampire, giving him a dangerous aura.
With half-closed eyes, he said, “I’m just trying not to become a laughingstock.”
“After all, who made me unlucky enough to marry you.”
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