Chapter Twenty-Six: Learning from One Another

Just as Qin Yang and Cao Long were deep in the discussion of their cooperation plan, in the room next door, Yang Yaxin sat upright, her cheeks tinged with a faint flush. She herself had lost count of how much wine she’d consumed. Yet whenever her father’s haggard face came to mind, a surge of strength welled up inside her, compelling her to drain her glass, sip by sip. Beside her, Long Qiuhu frowned deeply. All the wine had been brought by themselves, and he’d tampered with Yang Yaxin’s cup. But why hadn’t the drug taken effect yet?

Still, she was plainly showing signs of intoxication, so he set aside his doubts for the moment. After all, with all this liquor, drugged or not, the result would be the same.

Around the banquet table, the rest of the guests were flushed and jovial. These were all seasoned schemers, and a simple-hearted girl like Yang Yaxin was no match for them. With Long Qiuhu’s covert signals, the group had naturally closed ranks, turning their combined efforts on her. Thus, after several rounds, it was past nine o’clock when Yang Yaxin felt her head growing heavier, as if she were gradually losing consciousness.

“Director Wang, Director Liu, I must ask for your special attention regarding the Yang Jewelry matter,” Long Qiuhu said softly. “Yaxin has really put her heart into this.”

“Rest assured, my young friend,” Director Wang replied, patting his prominent belly with a genial smile. “This is a small matter for us. We’re all getting on in years—if we don’t support the next generation, what has all our time in office been for?”

A series of empty platitudes followed one after another. Yang Yaxin, still naïve, believed them and felt a faint sense of relief. But by now, the alcohol was truly taking hold. Long Qiuhu narrowed his eyes and sidled a little closer to her. None of them realized that the entire scene was being recorded by a concealed camera.

Meanwhile, Cao Long stole a cautious glance at Qin Yang, who was seated beside him. A small video recorder was set up on the table—Cao Long’s careful arrangement, meant to win Qin Yang’s favor and perhaps soften his judgment.

Seeing the shadowed, inscrutable look on Qin Yang’s face, Cao Long dared not even breathe too loudly.

“How did you install the surveillance?” Qin Yang asked, voicing the question that had been troubling him. After all, Hailong Hotel was one of his father’s properties—if word got out about this, the fallout could be severe.

Cao Long was taken aback but answered honestly, “It took a fair bit of effort. I installed it discreetly before Long Qiuhu arrived. But the security at Hailong Hotel is very strict. Once they leave, the staff will probably discover it, but I’ll remove the device before any inspection. Don’t worry, Mr. Qin, we won’t leave any trace.” Seeing Qin Yang’s expression soften slightly, he went on, “Actually, secret surveillance in hotels is quite common. Corporate spies use these tactics all the time. Since eighty percent of business in China is conducted over the dinner table, not even a hotel as prestigious as Hailong can completely prevent such infiltration. I’ve worked in Haitian City for many years, and I have a few tricks up my sleeve.”

Qin Yang nodded in understanding.

Indeed, Hailong Hotel was, after all, just a hotel, not an intelligence agency.

Seeing that Qin Yang had no further instructions, Cao Long asked tentatively, “Mr. Qin, do you want me to send someone? Miss Yang’s tolerance is no match for these old foxes.”

Qin Yang paused. He had been preoccupied with the surveillance issue, but now, seeing on the screen that Long Qiuhu was preparing to end the banquet, he said, “Go and bring Yang Yaxin out. Arrange for her to sober up.”

“All right.”

Cao Long quickly made the arrangements, and after a few more words, Qin Yang departed. Just then, Liu Molan called. Qin Yang walked to the hotel entrance and pushed open the door. Liu Molan was flushed with drink, but still maintained her composure and poise. Wang Zhen, on the other hand, seemed far less inebriated and was still trying to pour more wine. Yet seeing Qin Yang enter, his displeasure was obvious. “Who let you in?”

“It’s late, boss,” Qin Yang replied, ignoring his tone. “You have three meetings scheduled for tomorrow.”

Liu Molan nodded, handed her bag to Qin Yang, and said, “Manager Wang, I’ve already booked a room for you at Hailong Hotel. You can rest whenever you like.”

Wang Zhen shot a glare at Qin Yang. Seeing that his chance to take advantage of the situation had been ruined, his resentment grew. He left with a sour expression. Liu Molan, eager to leave, hurried Qin Yang out of the hotel, and Wang Zhen, seeing no further opportunity, sullenly returned to his reserved room.

“To Guangyuan Estate.”

Once in the car, Liu Molan felt the effects of the alcohol rising within her, her cheeks flushing even deeper. The air inside felt stifling, so she rolled down the window for some fresh air. But before she could take more than a breath or two, Qin Yang rolled the window back up. “It’s minus seven or eight degrees outside. If you let the wind in, I guarantee tomorrow’s meetings will be a disaster.”

Liu Molan frowned but said nothing.

When they reached a quieter part of town, Liu Molan covered her mouth and said, “Stop the car.”

Qin Yang immediately pulled over. Liu Molan got out and crouched by the roadside, retching up the last of the wine. The chill night air made her feel much better. Before long, she realized someone had draped a black suit jacket over her shoulders. She glanced up at Qin Yang.

“I just don’t want to see my boss catch a cold,” Qin Yang shrugged.

He stood in the cold wearing only a shirt, showing not the slightest sign of discomfort.

Liu Molan, in no mood to reply, crouched there a while longer, intent on purging every last drop of alcohol. Qin Yang crouched nearby, lighting a cigarette and smoking with satisfaction. When she seemed better, he handed her a few tissues. Liu Molan hesitated, then murmured a thank you.

“How many times have you drunk like this?” Qin Yang asked with a smile.

But seeing her displeased expression, he quickly added, “All right, I shouldn’t have asked.”

When she felt better, they got back in the car. After some thought, Liu Molan said, “I’ve tried to adapt my working style to the realities of Chinese business, but my lack of experience and social finesse has led to setbacks at every turn. Qin Yang, I saw how you handled yourself at the company today. In just an hour, you managed to get along with so many colleagues. Clearly, you have a knack for dealing with people. I hope you’ll guide me more in this area from now on.”

“Me? That all depends on one’s personality,” Qin Yang said, surprised. He hadn’t expected his ice-cold boss to be so studious and eager to learn. “Besides, I’m just a driver. If I start meddling in your business relationships, people will only laugh at you.”

“We can discuss these things in our spare time,” Liu Molan said. “It’s a lesson I need to learn.”

“All right,” Qin Yang nodded. “I’m happy to help—if you’re not afraid I’ll lead you astray.”