Xin Peipei’s face flushed and paled, regretting her attempt to give Doris a subtle warning, which backfired. She knew being noticed by Fang Junjie was not a good thing. Now she hoped the matter could be minimized. However, before she could speak, Fang Junjie continued, “Mr. Zhao, our ‘Heavenly Earth’ has many affairs, but the most important are rules. If we let them act freely, we’d offend all our friends. I have a small request, since Miss Peipei watched on while they upset you, she should be punished too. Please, take care of it.”
Zhao Dongyuan sensed something unusual at this point and hesitated, “Well…” Fang Junjie, sitting in the sofa, held a glass of wine, not drinking, just tracing the rim with his thumb, head slightly bowed, his voice now devoid of the earlier humor, “Don’t be polite, Mr. Zhao. Although I’m young and inexperienced, just back from abroad, I only respect my elders. As for young talents like Cheng Yu or Song Li, I don’t regard them highly.” His voice was low, but the displeasure was palpable.
Zhao Dongyuan felt a chill, his previously well-thought-out words now stuck in his throat. Situ Nan signaled Xin Peipei with his eyes, and she quickly moved to Zhao Dongyuan’s side, smiling, “Oh, Mr. Zhao, you’re too magnanimous to hold a grudge. Our Young Master Junjie has entrusted us to you, surely you wouldn’t really punish us? It would seem petty if you did.”
Zhao Dongyuan, seizing the opportunity, also laughed, “I was just joking. We’ve known each other for a while; I’d even stop others from picking on you, let alone myself. Let’s put it behind us!”
Fang Junjie smiled lightly, “Indeed, elders are elders. Uncle Zhao’s magnanimity is commendable.” He glanced at Fu Xiaotang, as if seeing her for the first time since entering, “Mr. Zhao is very forgiving, but the mistake should still be acknowledged. Go, offer a toast, and if I hear you’ve upset Mr. Zhao again, I won’t let it slide.”
Situ Nan chuckled to himself, “With that statement, if Zhao Dongyuan dares to trouble that girl again, I’ll be impressed.”
Fu Xiaotang took a glass of wine, holding it with both hands, and offered it to Zhao Dongyuan, her head slightly bowed, whispering, “Mr. Zhao, my apologies, this is for you!” She then downed it in one gulp.
Zhao Dongyuan sat upright, not looking at her, waving his hand with a bitter smile, “It’s fine, it’s fine!”
Thus, with a few words, a potential conflict was diffused into nothing. Afterwards, Fu Xiaotang and Alice broke out in a cold sweat, feeling a close call. Had it not been for Alice and Xiao He seeking help from Qi Rong and accidentally encountering Nan and Junjie, who knows how things would have ended. Situ Nan scolded Qi Rong harshly, “Watch your people closely, and stop causing trouble for me!” Fang Junjie casually instructed Situ Nan, “Fengyuan Media, the name itself is irritating. Don’t let me hear about it again.”
Chapter 46: Drunk
That evening, Alice and Fu Xiaotang lay side by side, each lost in thought. Alice said, “Tangtang.”
“Hmm?”
“Aren’t you asleep yet?”
Fu Xiaotang sighed softly, “How could I sleep?”
Alice propped herself up on an elbow to look at her, “Is your head still hurting?”
Fu Xiaotang shook her head, “Much better.”
Alice gritted her teeth, “That Xin Peipei, I’ll make her pay!”
“Xiaotao, why do troubles keep finding us even when we try to hide from them?” Fu Xiaotang murmured thoughtfully, her eyes slightly narrowed. “Could it be like what he said, ‘Life is like sailing against the current; if you don’t advance, you fall back.’ If you don’t move forward, even standing still means you’re falling behind, and sooner or later, you’ll be knocked down!”
“Sailing against the current, if you don’t advance, you fall back,” Alice repeated softly, “These two lines are quite profound. Who told you this?”
Fu Xiaotang’s eyes suddenly became distant, her thoughts drifting somewhere. Alice realized, whispering, “It can’t be him, right? That’s really creepy!”
Fu Xiaotang snapped back to reality, amused by Alice’s reaction. Alice laughed too, feeling a bit like a survivor after a calamity, “Today was really scary.”
Fu Xiaotang gripped Alice’s hand, “Don’t worry, from now on, I won’t let anyone bully us.”
Alice nodded and then chuckled, “Xiao He was also quite panicked today, rushing over with his little Wu to say you were being harassed by Xin Peipei at Building 7. When I heard Zhao Dongyuan, that old lecher, was there, I knew it was bad. I was at a loss until Xiao He decided to find Qi Rong. Luckily, we ran into Brother Nan and Master Junjie.”
Fu Xiaotang said, “I was wondering why they would stand up for someone like me. So, it was because of you guys.”
Alice sneered, “What face do we have? At first, Brother Nan didn’t even want to listen. It was only after he heard about Xin Peipei that Master Junjie thoughtfully said, ‘Let’s go check it out then, since I happened to be there.'”
Alice paused, blinking in confusion, “Speaking of Master Junjie, such a handsome guy, always so serious, why do I feel uneasy when he smiles? It makes me shiver. When did I start reacting like this to handsome guys?”
Fu Xiaotang just smiled without responding…
The next day, Fu Xiaotang sincerely thanked Xiao He, who blushed slightly and mumbled, “You’re welcome, it’s what I should do.” Then he fell silent. They stared at each other awkwardly for a moment before Qi Rong came over, patting Xiao He on the shoulder, “What are you doing?”
Fu Xiaotang, sensing they had something to discuss, prepared to leave. Suddenly, Qi Rong said, “Xiaotang, Junjie is in Room 2008. Go up there.”
Xiao He blurted out, “What’s the matter?” Qi Rong gave him a half-smile, not responding. Xiao He realized he had overstepped and closed his mouth.
Fu Xiaotang nodded, put down the tray, and headed for the elevator. Room 2008 was the largest room on the 20th floor, once a small conference room, unused for a long time. After Fang Junjie returned to the country, he converted it into a private lounge. Fu Xiaotang stood in front of Room 2008, knocked gently, and entered.
Fang Junjie was slumped in a giant sofa, his head tilted back, eyes half-closed. Fu Xiaotang stood quietly beside him, eyes downcast, “Master Junjie, you called for me?”
He didn’t respond, seemingly asleep, until after a while, he made a soft “hmm” sound, then after a pause, said, “I feel a bit dizzy; could you get me a glass of water?” Though it was a command, his voice was low and hoarse, incredibly gentle, making one feel honored to serve him.
Following his request, Fu Xiaotang fetched water. Fang Junjie opened his eyes, looked at her for a few seconds, then took the glass nonchalantly, “Thank you.” Fu Xiaotang noticed a slight flush on his usually pale face, indicating he had been drinking. Fang Junjie smiled slightly at her, “Just wait a bit, I’m feeling a bit unwell.” He closed his eyes, leaning back with a hint of fatigue, almost talking to himself, “I really can’t handle alcohol. I drink a little and look at what happens.” He made a muffled “ugh” sound, his brows furrowed deeply, looking like he was struggling to suppress nausea.
Fu Xiaotang, understanding the discomfort of being drunk, especially after he had helped her the day before, felt she should repay the favor. She quietly approached, whispering, “Master Junjie, I’ll prepare something to sober you up; I’ll be right back.”
Fang Junjie nodded. Fu Xiaotang first found a wastebasket and placed it by his feet, then fetched a large pack of tissues, whispering, “Master Junjie, if you feel too uncomfortable, it might be better to throw up.”
