Chapter 2266 - 2255: Drunk on Beauty’s Knee, Sober to Rule the World

"Xue Mo, I know what you’re afraid of, but I can tell you clearly, since I, Li Wen, dare speak such words in front of you, then I will definitely keep my promise. Xue Mo, just give me this one chance," the man said sincerely.

These words immediately touched Zhao Xuemo’s heart, as if a silver needle had ruthlessly pierced the softest part of her inner self.

How many years she had waited for these words, how many days she had longed for them, but never expected that the one saying them wouldn’t be her beloved, but another man.

Perhaps, if her heart’s desire said these words, she’d be overwhelmed with emotion, but alas, the man she waited for was not the man standing before her.

"Li Wen, I know you’re good, and I know you’re good to me, but I can’t give you any promise right now."

"Xue Mo, please don’t continue. There’s no need for you to speak everything upfront. I, Li Wen, believe that one day you’ll be moved by me." Li Wen spoke earnestly. He was confident; as long as he worked hard and sincerely, with certain means, winning over Zhao Xuemo was just a matter of time.

"Thank you, Li Wen." Zhao Xuemo nodded gratefully but said no more.

Soon, under the man’s lead, they reached a private room on the third floor. As soon as they entered, three smiling men came forward.

"Haha, Wen-shao, you’ve finally come. You know how bitterly we’ve waited for you," the fat man who approached first greeted Li Wen with a bear hug, joking teasingly.

"Haha, Brother Zhang, I’m really sorry. There was some traffic jam on the way, otherwise, I’d never be late." Li Wen laughed apologetically, then added with a chuckle, "Since I’m late, I’ll penalize myself with three drinks to apologize."

With that, under everyone’s gaze, Li Wen picked up a glass from the table and drank three cups in a row.

"No, no, Wen-shao, you came saying you’d penalize yourself; if it’s traffic, I’d reckon Wen-shao might have been delayed for a beauty’s sake. Even if there’s a penalty, how can you bear it alone? By the way, such a beautiful woman, isn’t it somewhat excessive not to introduce her?"

Another fat man laughed and stepped over, his undisguised gaze scanning Zhao Xuemo’s elegant figure dressed like a noble lady tonight.

Zhao Xuemo had an impressive physique and aura, qualifying as one of the top beauties. Most importantly, at the age of twenty-seven or twenty-eight, she exuded the lady-like elegance to its fullest.

Any man fond of noble ladies would undoubtedly be drawn to her captivating charm. It was like a wolf seeing a beautiful fat sheep, naturally unable to resist the allure.

"Oh, I’m really sorry, forgot to introduce. This is my girlfriend." Li Wen introduced Zhao Xuemo, smiling at the corner of his mouth and attempted to encircle Zhao Xuemo’s slender waist, but as he extended his hand, Zhao Xuemo instinctively shrank back.

This made Li Wen, who was well-prepared, withdraw his hand instantly, having realized earlier Zhao Xuemo might be sensitive in this aspect; he intended to test and retreat.

Calling her "girlfriend" made Zhao Xuemo subconsciously twitch her body, casting a deeply loathing glance at the man beside her.

However, she knew Li Wen’s situation, so she kept her silence, not wanting to embarrass him in front of others.

"Oh come on, Wen-shao, you’re really not playing fair, finding such a pretty girl while we’re still the lonely dogs here. It’s really unfair; at the very least introduce some girls to us, your brothers." The first fat man joked.

"Yeah, Wen-shao, look at yourself now, with power and wealth, a beauty in your arms, while our brotherhood is struggling miserably. You owe us some help in finding our girls. Your life’s like ’the beauty’s lap’ — calling for our envy."

"Oh dear, lack of culture is real, it’s ’drunkenly slept on a beauty’s lap, awake holding power over the world!’

Someone chimed in.

"Yes, yes, that’s it, drunkenly slept on a beauty’s lap, awake holding power over the world."

"Alright, alright, let’s discuss business now; as for girls, keep an open mind, I’m sure your destiny will come, and you’ll have plenty of beauties waiting for you." Li Wen chuckled.

Then he turned around and made a gentlemanly gesture inviting Zhao Xuemo to sit down.

"Come on, I’ve been Wen-shao’s comrade, shared hardships with him. Since the beauty is Wen-shao’s girlfriend, let’s consider ourselves acquaintance, I’ll call you sister-in-law from now on. Come, I, Pao Sanjin, will drink a toast to sister-in-law first."

The first fat man raised his glass, laughing heartily.

"I’m sorry, I’m not very good with alcohol," Zhao Xuemo politely declined. Li Wen had mentioned that they’d discuss some business, but the scene didn’t feel like business talk at all, amidst the private room sat three or four vibrant ladies, and everyone seemed drenched in alcohol.

Ever since stepping into the private room from that instant, Zhao Xuemo nearly suffocated from the overwhelming smell of alcohol and smoke.

"Hey, sister-in-law, you’re too formal with us. I and Wen-shao took vows, we’re true brothers. Even if you can’t drink much, just a little would do."

"Sorry, I really can’t drink," Zhao Xuemo found the atmosphere irritating; not to mention a sip, she wouldn’t drink any at all — as a woman, drinking outside was absolutely unacceptable, that’s her principle.

Even back at Tianyu Group, no matter the occasion, Zhao Xuemo adhered to the principle of avoiding alcohol whenever possible.

Furthermore, alcohol leading to trouble and deceit wasn’t uncommon, it happened around her quite often.

"Well then, if Xue Mo really can’t drink, let’s not force her. She truly can’t drink, let me drink on her behalf," Li Wen gallantly offered to protect Zhao Xuemo from drinking.

"Hey, hey, hey, Wen-shao, this won’t do. After all, it’s the first meeting with sister-in-law, how could this stingy drinking pass?"

"Sorry, please excuse me for a moment." Zhao Xuemo suddenly stood up, ready to leave.

That’s her way; liking is liking, disliking is disliking, especially when she wasn’t Li Wen’s girlfriend yet. Upon Li Wen claiming she was his girlfriend, she felt disgusted, not wanting to embarrass him, she nearly walked out earlier.

That’s just her character.

"Hey, why leave?" Everyone seemed puzzled, their eyes following Zhao Xuemo’s abrupt departure. The enthusiasm felt incredibly low.

(Got married yesterday, hosted a wedding banquet in hometown, was responsible for receiving guests, was really dog-tired, truly too busy, sincerely sorry, life’s only major event marriage can’t be sloppy, right?)