New World Yucheng Hotel.

This was the most luxurious, high-end hotel in the newly developed business district of Dongpu District. It featured top-notch dining with premier chefs from both home and abroad, and even boasted thirty stories, with five-star suite standards!

It could be described as one of the most upscale hotels in Dongpu District.

Staying one night here cost at least 30,000 yuan. The cheapest dish started at 5,000 yuan, and the most expensive was even priced at a staggering 6,660,000 yuan!

It was simply the pinnacle of luxury!

Ordinary people didn't even qualify to enter.

Tonight, the entrance of the Yucheng Hotel was a congregation of luxury cars.

Dignitaries from surrounding provinces and cities had gathered here, along with the leadership of the Tianhai Museum, to host a welcome reception for the guests from England.

The entire first-floor dining hall of the Yucheng Hotel had been booked.

A grand banquet was about to commence.

All sorts of dishes were neatly arranged on the tables, transforming the place into a veritable haven for fine food.

The waitresses were also stunning beauties. Young and lovely, they wore red cheongsams that outlined their curvaceous figures, making them very tempting.

Chen Yuesong and Du Jiangping chose a spot with excellent food, savoring the dishes while admiring the beautiful waitresses passing by.

They were from the Tianhai Chen and Du families, respectively. Although not from the legitimate line of their families, they were still from illustrious backgrounds, representing Tianhai's local prominent families at this banquet. As for the other two major families, they hadn't bothered to attend.

"Hey, I have to say, aren't our museum's leaders a bit too eager to curry favor with foreigners?" Chen Yuesong, in his twenties and possessing a strong sense of national pride, said with a laugh. "Look at this spectacle. Anyone who didn't know better might think a foreign head of state had arrived."

"He's just some minor Nobleman from England. His status in England likely doesn't even compare to ours here in our country," Du Jiangping scoffed. Suddenly, he frowned and said, "Hey, look, isn't that girl usually with Mr. Qin?"

"What?" Chen Yuesong was startled. He quickly turned to look, his own brow furrowing. "Mr. Qin's tenant, right? I heard she has a good relationship with Mr. Qin. Why is she here?"

Their gazes were directed towards the main table of the banquet.

At its head sat Zhao Zhongjian, the museum director. Over fifty years old and wearing black-framed glasses, he had a smile on his face as he held a wine glass, toasting the blond young man beside him.

This blond youth, Jonson Charles, was the guest of honor. In his twenties, he was very handsome with golden hair and blue eyes. He wore a suit with a slightly medieval flair and a faint smile on his face.

There were about a dozen people at this main table, but Jonson Charles was the only foreigner. The others, including Song Ningran, had been invited by Zhao Zhongjian to keep him company.

Moreover, Zhao Zhongjian had intentionally seated Song Ningran next to Jonson Charles, clearly with ulterior motives.

Today, Song Ningran wore a red evening gown. It was quite conservative, revealing only her smooth, round shoulders and slender arms, covering most of her body. Her long, fair legs were hidden beneath the skirt, only glimpsed when she walked.

However, her figure was ultimately excellent. Even in the conservative gown, her well-proportioned curves were accentuated, making her very alluring.

Furthermore, out of politeness, Song Ningran wore light makeup. Under the lights, her already exquisite face appeared even more radiant, like a fairy banished to the Mortal World—breathtakingly beautiful.

Even when Zhao Zhongjian toasted Jonson Charles, Charles didn't seem to notice. His gaze was fixed on Song Ningran beside him. From the moment he first saw Song Ningran, he felt captivated.

Seeing this, Zhao Zhongjian, far from being displeased, was actually very pleased. He said with a smile, "Miss Song, what are you daydreaming about? Haven't you noticed Lord Charles has been looking at you? Hurry up and offer a toast!"

"Yes, yes, Little Song, hurry and offer a toast! This is Lord Jonson Charles, an English Nobleman. With your status, you'd normally never even have the chance to meet him."

"Being able to offer him a toast is your good fortune, so why are you hesitating? Hurry, don't keep Lord Charles waiting. If this affects the diplomatic relations between our countries, you won't be able to bear the consequences."

Some of the museum officials accompanying Zhao Zhongjian also chimed in, urging her with smiles. Their eyes held a peculiar glint, clearly showing their ulterior motives, yet they made no attempt to conceal them, acting without restraint.

Obviously, in their eyes, Song Ningran was merely a plaything; no one cared about her opinions or feelings.

A glint also flashed in Jonson Charles's eyes. Gazing at Song Ningran's stunning beauty, he imagined the delightful possibilities the night held, and his breathing grew a little heavier.

Raising his glass, he said in halting Chinese, "Song, Miss Song, come."

"Uh…" Song Ningran instinctively shook her head, completely bewildered.

Her supervisor had invited her, mentioning her good English and implying she would just be translating; she hadn't expected to be seated at the table for dinner as well. After arriving at the hotel, she was even asked to choose an evening gown to change into. This was all completely beyond her expectations.

Song Ningran was no fool and instantly recognized Zhao Zhongjian's intentions. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to just leave, though, she thought. After all, he's the director of Tianhai Museum and has extensive connections in the History Department at Donghua Normal University. With just one word from him, my next two years at university would be very difficult. If I offend him too much, even graduating might prove challenging. Wary of the consequences, Song Ningran reluctantly agreed to stay for the time being.

However, I've made up my mind, she resolved. I will absolutely not drink any alcohol—not even a drop. And I'll leave by ten o'clock at the latest, no matter what. I will not stay overnight under any circumstances. If things become unbearable, I'll call Qin Heng.

Now, just as she had anticipated, Zhao Zhongjian was insisting she make a toast.

"I'm sorry, Director, but I don't drink alcohol, and I never have," Song Ningran said firmly, shaking her head. "Director, you should be aware of this."

Song Ningran had previously stated that she didn't drink. Before they were seated, Zhao Zhongjian had even promised he wouldn't make her drink.

"It's fine, it's fine. Just a little, a tiny bit, hehe." Zhao Zhongjian squinted, then unexpectedly stood up. He picked up the wine glass in front of Song Ningran and poured her a full glass of Maotai.

52% alcohol white liquor!!

A full glass—it had to be over seven ounces!!

Song Ningran's face instantly turned pale.

SLAP!!

Zhao Zhongjian slammed the wine glass down in front of Song Ningran. Liquor splashed out, staining her evening gown and making her look panicked.

"Little Song, don't say I didn't warn you," Zhao Zhongjian whispered in Chinese. "Lord Charles is my honored guest. If you don't serve him well, I'll have Donghua Normal University expel you tomorrow!!"

Although Jonson Charles's Chinese wasn't good, he could understand the general meaning. Yet, hearing Zhao Zhongjian's words, he didn't intervene; instead, his smile deepened.

"How can you do this?!" Song Ningran stared at Zhao Zhongjian in stunned disbelief, never imagining he would threaten her so blatantly.

"Don't be ungrateful, little girl!" Zhao Zhongjian's gaze turned icy. "I've seen plenty of girls like you; in the end, they all obediently fall into my hands! Now, drink with Lord Charles! Finish it! One gulp! Don't stop! Down it all!!"

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