At eight o'clock in the evening, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel on Beijing's Financial Street, the grand ballroom was already filled with a gathering of financial elites dressed in formal attire. Men in sharp suits and women in elegant evening gowns mingled, exchanging pleasantries and toasting each other.
"Have you heard? President Wan Yunting has been working at their company these past two days!"
"Oh, really? Is he actually getting into business?"
"President Chen, you're not quite right there. What do you mean by 'getting into business'?"
"Setting aside the Chaoting Group, the entire Ouyang family's enterprise will eventually be inherited by President Wan!"
"While that may be true, I heard that President Wan has been involved in the medical field since his release from prison last year. The Chaoting Group is managed by President Jiang, and the domestic headquarters by President Fang Yanxi. President Wan is merely the chairman behind the scenes!"
"President Wan has been through a lot recently, even resigning from his position as association chairman. It's likely he won't be able to practice medicine in the future, which might be why he's turned his attention to business."
"That's probably it. But you have to admit, President Wan is quite a legendary figure..."
At the reception, many influential figures were gathered in small groups, with most conversations revolving around Wan Yunting. Everyone knew that this evening's networking event was essentially a prelude to Wan Yunting's return to the financial and business world.
Throughout the evening, the elegantly dressed ladies in their evening gowns, the socialites of Beijing's upper class, were also discussing Wan Yunting's affairs.
"I heard that President Wan is quite a Casanova, with several confidantes!"
"That woman named Fang Yanxi, she's his college girlfriend, and she's pregnant. I hear the head of the Ouyang family approves of her very much!"
"And there's also news about Gu Luotang, who reportedly studied medicine just like Wan Yunting!"
"Then there's the doctor from the emergency department at People's Hospital. Pictures of them shopping together were splashed across the news the day before yesterday. I don't know what's so special about that woman named Su Ke'er. She's not as beautiful as me, and in terms of talent, she's just a doctor. How did a legendary figure like President Wan end up taking a liking to her?"
"Perhaps they all work in the medical field? Didn't the news say she works at a hospital in Huadu City?"
"Sigh, it would be wonderful to get close to him. Even if I could just be his mistress."
"Mistress? He has three publicly acknowledged girlfriends; if you want to be one, you'd have to be the fourth or fifth!"
"Heh heh..."
This remark drew laughter from the assembled socialites.
For them, it was normal for someone like Wan Yunting to have several female companions; after all, men were driven by their lower halves...
"It's President Wan and President Jiang! They've arrived!"
Before long, Wan Yunting, dressed in a dark blue suit, with his slightly longer hair neatly styled, and his chiseled face and sculpted features, his deep, starry eyes captivating, exuded a unique aura. The moment he entered, he immediately captured the attention of the socialites and beautiful women present, eliciting continuous exclamations: "So handsome! Even more handsome than in the news photos..."
Jiang Wenhao also arrived with Lucy, who was stunning in her evening gown. Together, they accompanied Wan Yunting to greet the influential figures from the financial circle who had already arrived. The group engaged in polite conversation.
Although he had attended such events before, Wan Yunting still felt somewhat unaccustomed to the atmosphere of mutual flattery and superficial pleasantries. Thus, after exchanging pleasantries with the financial magnates alongside Jiang Wenhao, he intended to find an excuse to leave.
He had only wanted to make an appearance, and he disliked such occasions intensely. Just as Wan Yunting was about to slip away quietly, a radiant figure, Tang Yunwei, approached him.
Tonight, Tang Yunwei was adorned in a wine-red evening gown with a backless design, revealing her fair and delicate skin. The halter-neck gown featured a deep V-neckline, showcasing her exquisite collarbone, and a sparkling diamond pendant nestled between her alluring cleavage, drawing all eyes.
Her coffee-colored hair cascaded elegantly, and her exquisite makeup made her even more stunning. Her cheeks, flushed from drinking, appeared more charming and captivating. Holding a glass of champagne, she was being pursued by a few young men when she stumbled and bumped into Wan Yunting, spilling her drink onto his chest.
"President Wan?"
Tang Yunwei's flushed face and watery, doe-like eyes looked up, gazing dazed at Wan Yunting. Realizing what had happened, she quickly tried to wipe his chest with her hand, apologizing profusely, "I'm so sorry, President Wan, please help me..."
Seeing that it was Tang Yunwei, Wan Yunting looked up at the young men and asked, "Is there something you need?"
The young men, recognizing Wan Yunting, chuckled and said, "Apologies, President Wan. We didn't realize she was from your company. We're truly sorry..."
Tang Yunwei remained leaning against Wan Yunting. She subtly turned her head to see the rich young men who had been forcing her to drink leave. Only then did she sigh in relief.
Suddenly remembering something, she quickly moved away from Wan Yunting's embrace. She swept her hair aside, revealing her flushed and charming face, and apologized, "I'm so sorry, President Wan, I've gotten your clothes wet. Shall I help you clean it in the restroom?"
Wan Yunting wiped his chest where the champagne had spilled on his suit and shirt, then chuckled, "No need. President Tang, why have you been drinking so much?"
Tang Yunwei sighed and said, "Those were my clients. They kept toasting me, and I couldn't refuse."
Wan Yunting nodded and said, "Then if there's nothing else, I'll be leaving."
A glint flashed in Tang Yunwei's peach-blossom eyes. Then, rubbing her temples, she said apologetically, "President Wan, could I leave with you? I'm afraid they might..."
Wan Yunting turned to look at the young men still glancing in their direction. Seeing that Tang Yunwei seemed genuinely inebriated, he nodded, "Let's go."
Tang Yunwei smiled and then linked her arm through Wan Yunting's, saying with a genuine smile, "Thank you, President Wan..."
Wan Yunting raised an eyebrow at her action but said nothing, leading Tang Yunwei directly outside.
Jiang Wenhao, Lucy, and Lin Xiaoqi, who were also present, witnessed this. Jiang Wenhao asked, "Who is that woman?"
Lin Xiaoqi took a closer look and said, "It seems to be Tang Yunwei, the General Manager of the Marketing Department!"
Jiang Wenhao frowned slightly but said nothing, continuing to lead Lucy to toast the influential figures.
Exiting the reception, Wan Yunting immediately beckoned to a waiting bodyguard who drove their Bentley over.
Tang Yunwei, clinging to his arm, had a flushed face and appeared disoriented, her head resting on Wan Yunting's arm. He turned to look at her and asked, "President Tang, are you alright?"
Tang Yunwei covered her chest with her hand, gagged a few times without vomiting, and said uncomfortably, "I'm sorry, President Wan, I've had a bit too much to drink..."
Seeing the bodyguard drive the car over, Wan Yunting said, "I'll take you home first."
Tang Yunwei looked up, her peach-blossom eyes gazing at Wan Yunting with a hint of bashfulness, "I can't possibly trouble you, President Wan..."
"Get in."
Wan Yunting helped her into the car and then sat beside her. After the bodyguard closed the door and got into the driver's seat, Wan Yunting asked, "Where does President Tang live?"
Tang Yunwei sat next to Wan Yunting, holding her forehead with one hand, and said uncomfortably, "Yunlan Residential Area."
Wan Yunting then instructed the bodyguard to drive to Yunlan Residential Area. He personally escorted Tang Yunwei to her building. All the way, Tang Yunwei's head rested on Wan Yunting's chest, her hand resting on his chest, but Wan Yunting remained expressionless. Only upon arrival did he say, "President Tang, we're here."
Tang Yunwei then seemed to awaken. She looked up at Wan Yunting with her dewy peach-blossom eyes and offered a sheepish smile, "President Wan, could you possibly escort me upstairs?"
Wan Yunting turned to look at her. From this angle, he could see the allure of her cleavage, but he deliberately averted his gaze, looking at Tang Yunwei's hazy, enchanting peach-blossom eyes.
Wan Yunting said calmly, "President Tang, I heard from Xiaoqi that your business capabilities are quite good. Therefore, I would like to advise you: if you want to advance, rely on your own abilities, and don't resort to such underhanded tactics!"
At his words, Tang Yunwei's expression froze. Her peach-blossom eyes gradually avoided Wan Yunting's gaze in embarrassment. She quickly got out of his embrace and, filled with shame, hastily opened the car door and stepped out, saying, "I'm sorry, President Wan, for causing you trouble..."
Wan Yunting watched her get out with a blank expression, then leaned over and firmly closed the car door, instructing the bodyguard to drive back.
Tang Yunwei stood there in shame, staring blankly at Wan Yunting's car as it drove away. In that moment, she wished she could find a hole to crawl into.
She had assumed that Wan Yunting, like other men, would be captivated by her beauty and would readily welcome her. But Tang Yunwei never expected that her schemes tonight would be seen through by Wan Yunting at a glance, leaving her utterly humiliated.
Wan Yunting, sitting in the car on his way back, had initially formed a good impression of Tang Yunwei, but he was disappointed by her approach tonight, which he found regrettable.
Upon returning home, he found Fang Yanxi still awake, sitting on the living room sofa, engrossed in something on her tablet. Seeing Wan Yunting enter, she looked up and said, "You're back so early?"
Wan Yunting, while taking off his suit jacket, smiled and said, "You know I don't like those kinds of corporate events. I just had a couple of drinks with Wenhao and the others and then came back."
"Is that so?"
Fang Yanxi said without looking up, "Didn't you go to Tang Yunwei's place? Back so early, must not be your usual prowess!"
Wan Yunting's expression froze at her words. He turned to look at Fang Yanxi and immediately realized that Lin Xiaoqi must have told her. He couldn't help but chuckle. He sat down beside Fang Yanxi, put his arm around her shoulders, and smiled, "Do you really think I'm that superficial a person?"
Fang Yanxi turned her face, her beautiful eyes glancing at him sideways, and smiled, "Not entirely, but a beautiful woman like Tang Yunwei, can you really resist?"
Wan Yunting rolled his eyes at her, "You make me sound like a beast."
Fang Yanxi put down her tablet, her lips curving into a smile, "Aren't you?"
...Wan Yunting was speechless. He playfully pinched Fang Yanxi's plump cheek and said, "Even if I am a scumbag, I'm not a scumbag to just anyone."
"Hmph."
Fang Yanxi pushed his hand away and asked, "What happened later? Did you just send her back?"
Wan Yunting stood up to get a drink of water and nodded, "Otherwise? Do you expect me to sleep with a calculating woman like that?"
"Calculating?" Fang Yanxi looked confused.
Wan Yunting then recounted Tang Yunwei's actions from the evening.
Fang Yanxi seemed surprised and chuckled, "I didn't realize Tang Yunwei had such methods."
"Indeed, she shouldn't be kept around."
Wan Yunting stood up, preparing to go take a bath, but Fang Yanxi smiled and said, "What do you know? A woman with her kind of skills should be kept in the Marketing Department."
Wan Yunting glanced at her. Knowing what Fang Yanxi meant, he waved his hand dismissively, "Anyway, I won't be going to the company starting tomorrow."
"Why not?" Fang Yanxi asked curiously.
"Not interested. Let Wenhao arrange for someone to manage it for now."
Wan Yunting dropped this statement and went into the bathroom.
Fang Yanxi shook her head helplessly and could only let him have his way.