Ye Ziyu walked to the car and saw Ye Chenhan in the back seat through the car window. She hesitated for a moment, then opened the rear door.
Once inside, Ye Ziyu felt as if she had stepped onto a pirate ship. Looking at Ye Yubin, who was driving, she turned to greet Ye Jiaxu beside her.
"Second Brother."
Ye Jiaxu responded with a perfunctory "Mm," leaving Ye Ziyu unsure how to reply.
Silence descended upon the car.
The scenery outside blurred past. Half an hour later, the car stopped in front of a high-end hotel.
Ye Ziyu stepped out and looked up at the hotel's sign. She took out her phone from her backpack and casually snapped a photo, sending it to Di Mingjue.
"Let's go," Ye Yubin said, coming up beside her.
Midway through typing a message, Ye Ziyu nodded and finished sending it. She tucked her phone back into her backpack and followed Ye Yubin, entering the hotel with Ye Jiaxu.
The hotel's first floor housed a restaurant, with rooms on the floors above. As soon as they entered the lobby, a waiter approached and guided them to a pre-booked private room.
The waiter opened the door to reveal people already inside the room.
"Manager Huang, please excuse our lateness," Ye Jiaxu said apologetically as he walked in.
The man at the dining table was their business partner for the evening, Huang Cheng from Huang Group.
Huang Cheng had a square, broad face, and when he stood, his body was as wide as a well-padded weight, with a consistent girth from top to bottom.
He extended his hand in response to Ye Jiaxu. After they shook hands, his gaze fell upon Ye Ziyu.
"And who is this?"
Ye Yubin placed his hand on Ye Ziyu's waist, guiding her forward. "This is my sister, Ye Ziyu. She has just returned to the Ye family. We hope you will take care of her in business matters, Manager Huang."
Ye Ziyu extended her hand, initiating the greeting.
"Ah, Miss Ye. Forgive my poor eyesight, I mistook you for the Third Young Master's female secretary." Huang Cheng held Ye Ziyu's hand without letting go.
His hands were so plump they seemed boneless, fleshy and slick with greasy sweat.
Ye Ziyu uncomfortably twisted her wrist, forcefully pulling her hand free.
Ye Jiaxu watched the entire exchange but pretended not to notice. He pulled out a chair and picked up the decanter from the table. He lined up the glasses and poured red wine into them.
"To express my apologies, I shall penalize myself with three cups."
His words diverted Huang Cheng's attention.
Seizing the opportunity, Ye Ziyu quickly moved away from Huang Cheng and sat down opposite him.
Noticing Ye Ziyu's detached demeanor, Ye Yubin picked up one of the glasses and placed it in front of her. "Second Brother has a sensitive stomach. Let's each take one of these three cups."
Huang Cheng immediately interjected, "If you're going to share the self-punishment, Third Young Master, does that mean you look down on me, Huang Cheng?"
"It's fine, I'll toast Manager Huang myself," Ye Jiaxu said, reaching for the wine glass again.
After downing the first cup, Ye Yubin looked at Ye Jiaxu with concern.
Then came the second cup, and the third. Ye Jiaxu completed the self-imposed penalty alone.
Huang Cheng declared with satisfaction, "Second Young Master has a good capacity for drink!"
Ye Jiaxu waved his hand and sat down, bending slightly in his chair. "You jest, Manager Huang. We invited you as hosts and kept you waiting; it is truly our fault."
"It wasn't long, I arrived just a few minutes early," Huang Cheng said politely.
Huang Cheng was most eager for the contract to be signed that evening.
He was also puzzled. The deal had already been settled; he should have just gone to Ye Group to sign the contract. He couldn't understand why a dinner banquet was deemed necessary, as an unnecessary formality.
Huang Cheng smiled broadly, appearing honest and easily deceived. In reality, he had a hundred schemes in mind, meticulously controlling his words and actions, lest a misplaced word jeopardize the contract already within his grasp.
"Then let us set aside the matter of our lateness," Ye Jiaxu said.
Huang Cheng dared not press the issue and quickly agreed.
Once everyone was seated, the waiters began serving the dishes.