On an August night, some were having sweet dreams, while others were unable to sleep through the night. Meanwhile, far away in the suburbs of the Capital, a certain estate was bustling with toasting and drinking, the banquet yet to conclude.
Chiang Qing had never experienced such humiliation and embarrassment. She had thought that just becoming the mistress of the perverted Gao Hongbo was already her limit. But unexpectedly, he had gone further, demanding her to keep these people company drinking.
Looking at those old geezers with age spots, Chiang Qing felt like vomiting, yet she still forced a smile on her face.
Chiang Qing fiddled with a necklace hanging in front of her chest. Attached to it was a bronze key, very old. It was something she had found in the ancient house in Jiangnan, after much effort, days ago.
The key was placed next to a letter in Old Master Looâs handwriting, which stated that finding someone named Shen Rong with this key would enable them to acquire a property Old Master Loo had left behind. Once exchanged, the contract would be void. The letter also bore Shen Rongâs signature and handprint at the end.
But with just the name Shen Rong, where was she to find the person? Fortunately, she had found a photo at the bottom of the box, a keepsake of Old Master Loo and Shen Rong.
With the photo and the token of recognition, yet she still needed to investigate where Shen Rong was. As long as she hadnât found this person, it meant she was living another day trapped in Gao Hongboâs confinement, struggling to survive.
And it was precisely because of this that she, at present, like those club dancers, accompanied these few old fellows with laughter and jokes, enduring humiliation to entertain them.
"Xiao Chiang, why arenât you speaking? Donât tell me you find us old folks boring?" An elderly man sitting next to Chiang Qing looked at her with a smile.
He was the chairman of a large corporation, called Old Master Wang, and had close interactions with Gao Hongbo. The dealings below the table, just from listening during the banquet, were no more than transactions of money and power.
Chiang Qing smiled slightly: "Youâre joking, Iâm just lost in thought over Secretary Gaoâs joke from earlier." With that, she raised her glass to toast him: "Come, hereâs to you."
"Oh? I thought you found us annoying." Old Master Wang chuckled as he picked up his glass, saying, "Turns out you were lost in thought over Secretary Gao!"
This remark, so ambiguous, made everyone laugh.
Chiang Qing was internally angry, but could only accompany it with a smile.
"This is where youâre at fault, Xiao Chiang. Old Master Wang spoke to you, called you several times, yet you didnât hear. You should be punished with a crossing of glasses." Gao Hongbo glanced at Chiang Qing with a smile.
Chiang Qingâs face flushed even more after hearing this, a face already made radiant by drinking, now appeared even more alluring.
"I would indeed like to cross glasses with Xiao Chiang, but I wonder if she will grant me this honor?" Old Master Wang looked at Chiang Qingâs charming and vibrant face, a spark igniting in his eyes.
Seeing countless looks of desire from Gao Hongbo and these others, how could Chiang Qing not understand what that old manâs gaze meant?
Unwilling, how could I be willing!
Chiang Qingâs heart screamed, but catching Gao Hongboâs gaze, her heart skipped a beat as she remembered his words before the meal.
"These few, are all very close to me, and I have some business with them. You be obedient, serve them well, whatever you want, Iâll give you. If you want anyone to have a hard time, Iâll satisfy you too."
She could only accept the allure that Gao Hongbo threw her.
"Honored by Old Master Wangâs favor, how could I be unwilling? Come, letâs drink!" Chiang Qing raised her glass, crossed arms with him, and drank it dry.