Chapter 113: It Is Indeed Rather Difficult

Moreover, Gao Zhusheng had a peculiar habit. Whenever there was a dinner gathering, drinking was an absolute must. If one refused to drink, or if the matter wasn’t greatly advantageous to him, he would simply pass on it.

Therefore, anyone hoping to discuss cooperation had to accompany him in drinking. There was no way around it.

Mu Yinyin was well aware of this. Her only option was to delay as long as possible, but now... it seemed she could no longer put it off.

At this moment, a false calm could not hide the unease deep within her heart.

In any other circumstance, she could handle things smoothly, but when it came to drinking...

Mu Yinyin let out a sigh involuntarily, watching the man pick up his glass and then take hold of hers.

A trace of worry crept into her heart.

“Come on, Yinyin, have a little,” he said, placing her glass before her.

Her eyes flickered as she accepted the cup. She wanted to refuse, but understood that in this situation, refusal was out of the question.

After a brief pause, she smiled lightly and said, “President Gao, I’m afraid my tolerance for alcohol might spoil your mood today.”

“Haha, how could that be? I’m always lenient with ladies. No need to worry—we’ll just drink less,” Gao Zhusheng said with a smiling face.

Mu Yinyin’s lips curved faintly, a practiced smile for such occasions.

Gao Zhusheng beamed at her. “Come, let’s toast.”

She smiled and clinked glasses with him.

His gaze remained fixed on her, clearly waiting for her to continue drinking.

With no other choice, Mu Yinyin took a sip.

One sip was hardly enough to cause intoxication or madness.

Before she could dwell on it further, Gao Zhusheng frowned and said, “Yinyin, are you really not giving me any face? Look at how much I’ve had. Even if your tolerance is poor, you can’t just drink this little—it’s no different from not drinking at all.”

Her eyes flickered with embarrassment. “I mainly don’t drink often, and these past two years... I haven’t attended many occasions, so my tolerance isn’t great. I hope you won’t mind.”

She was still considering how to navigate this, but Gao Zhusheng gave no quarter. His tone turned cold. “That, I do mind.”

Her eyes momentarily flickered, but before she could respond, he reclined in his chair, crossing his legs with displeasure. “Seems like you’re not sincere about this cooperation, Yinyin.”

Her expression shifted slightly, but she lifted her glass and smiled at him. “President Gao, I know you prefer drinking when negotiating cooperation, but what I just said is no joke. You understand for yourself how much benefit Yanluo holds for you. If I lose my senses from drinking, it would be hard to continue negotiations.”

His eyes brightened; what he wanted was precisely for her to lose control.

He laughed heartily. “You can’t say that. Drinking makes the occasion enjoyable, and cooperation goes smoothly. See, I’m perfectly healthy, and my family is well too. Though that’s a safeguard, it’s not something I urgently need. So if you lack sincerity in talking with me, Yinyin, then maybe we really have nothing to discuss. I might as well secure this Qingzhu for longevity.”

Mu Yinyin frowned but said nothing.

Gao Zhusheng picked up his glass again and smiled. “If you feel uncomfortable, have a few more bites of food. This isn’t hard liquor—just one gulp.”

Mu Yinyin was speechless.

“If you still don’t want to drink, Yinyin, then maybe we’ll just call it a day,” his voice darkened, and his expression soured.

With the situation reaching a critical point, if Mu Yinyin refused to drink now, Gao Zhusheng might leave in anger.

And if she wanted to seek his favor again, the price would be even higher than today.

She had already humbled herself by coming to him, showing she was in need, and Gao Zhusheng was fully aware of this leverage.

She sighed softly. “President Gao, I really can’t hold my liquor, but today I must accompany a gentleman at all costs. Please don’t make this harder for me.”

His expression instantly brightened. Laughing heartily, he said, “You’re a lady; how could I be too hard on you? Come, let’s finish this cup first.”

Mu Yinyin drew in a breath, steadying her emotions.

After clinking glasses, he drank.

She inhaled deeply again. Though the wine was bitter, she had no choice but to drink it. Gao Zhusheng was watching her closely; she slowly lifted the glass to her lips, closed her eyes, and swallowed it all.

The glass was small but full, and her poor tolerance meant this one cup could already make her dizzy.

Yet, the alcohol in her stomach could keep her clear-headed for a while.

Gao Zhusheng smiled happily. “Yinyin, your tolerance isn’t bad at all.”

Mu Yinyin was silent.

She knew this was flattery. Clearly, he was ready for a second round.

He picked up the bottle and poured her another full glass.

She felt her head beginning to spin—though only subconsciously, not yet truly dizzy.

“Have some more food,” Gao Zhusheng said with a smile, not pressing her immediately.

She really had to eat, so she picked up her chopsticks, savored the delicious dishes, and gradually eased the bitterness in her mouth. But the alcohol settling in her stomach made her feel uneasy.

Seeing her eat a few more bites, Gao Zhusheng chuckled and said again, “Come, one more drink. Yinyin, I think your tolerance is quite good—don’t lie to me now.”

His eyes were full of indulgent warmth, waiting for her to continue drinking.

Her eyes flickered, and she finally lifted the glass again.

But this time she didn’t drink hastily; instead, she looked at him and said slowly, “President Gao, drinking is one thing, but what is truly on your mind?”

“We drink first, then talk slowly. I told you twenty times, but you don’t seem very willing, Yinyin,” Gao Zhusheng smiled gently, as if they were just having a lively chat rather than negotiating a deal.

Mu Yinyin held her glass tightly. Afraid that setting it down might provoke his resistance and force her to drink more, she spoke cautiously, “President Gao, securing eight times, let alone twenty, is truly difficult.”