Chapter 136 Negotiation

Chapter 136: Chapter 136 NegotiationYe Xuan, bored, started to make small talk with the two bodyguards.

"Hey, guys, what made you think of becoming bodyguards?"

"Don’t you two get tired standing there without moving?"

"Guys, how about a cigarette to take a break?"

The two bodyguards glanced at Ye Xuan with disdainful expressions, completely ignoring him.

Ye Xuan shrugged his shoulders, not caring, and took out a cigarette to smoke on his own.

"With that scrawny figure, you’re bodyguards?"

The two bodyguards, choked by Ye Xuan’s poor-quality smoke, frowned and looked at him with contemptuous sneers.

Inside the private room.

After Lin Tong entered, she found a middle-aged man sitting there. He was chubby with thick lips and large front teeth, and the corner of his mouth held a humble smile, which at first glance made him seem quite honest.

However, since Lin Tong entered the room, his eyes had been lecherously roaming over her delicate body, not hiding the blatant lust in them.

"Miss Lin, hello."

Zhu Baiwei stood up, smiling amiably, and extended a hand to Lin Tong.

"Manager Zhu, hello."

Lin Tong put on a smile as well, politely reaching out her small hand to shake his.

But the next second, Lin Tong’s expression turned stiff because she felt Zhu Baiwei’s hand gently kneading hers.

Lin Tong slightly furrowed her brows, looking at Zhu Baiwei, who appeared to be acting normally, and she was unsure if he had done it on purpose.

"Please take a seat, Miss Lin."

Zhu Baiwei released her hand and pulled out a chair for Lin Tong.

"Thank you, Manager Zhu."

Lin Tong took a deep breath, nodded in acknowledgment, and sat down.

But soon, she felt a pair of hands slide from her waist up to her shoulders with ease.

It really was this Manager Zhu!

Lin Tong clenched her fists tightly, her heart filled with anger, yet she couldn’t lash out.

Not only did she want to secure this spot, but more importantly, she didn’t want to admit defeat in front of her father or let Lin Dongfang think of Ye Xuan as worthless.

Because she wanted to prove in front of Lin Dongfang that Ye Xuan was no worse than Song Shaopeng and that the man Lin Tong had chosen was not a mistake!

Seeing Lin Tong remain silent, a smug glint flickered in Zhu Baiwei’s bean-sized eyes.

Sitting down in his own seat, he acted as if the sleazy scene from moments ago had nothing to do with him and picked up the red wine next to him to pour some for Lin Tong. Zhu Baiwei smiled and said, "Miss Lin, this is a 1989 Château Haut-Brion, a rare treasure that perfectly complements you, the number one beauty CEO in East Sea City. Here, have a taste."

Lin Tong was somewhat surprised to hear this. A 1989 red wine would be worth tens of thousands of Federation Coins on the market. She hadn’t expected this lecherous old man to be willing to bring it out.

"Then, thank you very much, Manager Zhu."

Lin Tong said a faint word of thanks and then raised her wine glass to clink it with Zhu Baiwei’s.

But just as she was about to withdraw her hand, she felt her fingers being touched again. With a smile on his face, Zhu Baiwei emptied his glass in one gulp.

Annoyance surged in Lin Tong’s heart. It was said that Zhu Baiwei had a penchant for women, and now it appeared to be true.

If it weren’t for the charitable gala spots, she would have slapped his smarmy fat face and left immediately.

"For the sake of the gala spot, I will endure!"

Lin Tong clenched her fist, took a deep breath, and sipped the red wine lightly.

Even though it was a fine wine, drinking with this old pervert only made her feel nauseous.

After finishing the wine, Lin Tong put down her glass and stared directly at Zhu Baiwei, speaking in a grave tone, "Manager Zhu, I believe you are aware of the reason why we’ve asked to meet here. The charitable gala at the Dragon Palace is extremely important for Eastern Group, and we’ve been actively pursuing this spot! Yet, just yesterday, I heard that Meifu’er Company has already secured that spot. I don’t understand. Given Eastern Group’s capabilities, we fully deserve to secure it. Why haven’t we received a clear response from you yet?"

As Zhu Baiwei drank his wine at leisure, he said in a measured tone, "Miss Lin, I think you should understand one thing. The gala spots at the Dragon Palace are not allocated based on qualifications alone but on a company’s actual influence in East Sea City. Eastern Group is a new company. Despite rapid development in recent years, your foundations are not solid, and market demand is unstable; you’re not yet part of the core circle! In contrast, Meifu’er Company already has an established market demand and has now even expanded their products overseas. They are well-regarded in East Sea City’s business circles, so it’s only right that Meifu’er Company secures the gala spot."

Lin Tong furrowed her brows and said, "Manager Zhu, we are also diligently working on and improving these aspects. I believe our efforts and accomplishments over the past few years are obvious to our business friends. Moreover, expanding to international markets is in Eastern Group’s upcoming plans. We are capable of achieving this. Why can’t the spot be given to us?"

"Miss Lin, I’ll tell you the truth," Zhu Baiwei squinted his eyes as he surveyed Lin Tong and continued to speak. "Initially, Eastern Group was indeed on the invite list of the Dragon Palace because the Song Family was backing your company. The Song Family is an old brand business of East Sea City, and with their guarantee, the Dragon Palace could offer an invite spot. But now, the Song Family has withdrawn their financial support for your company, and I’ve heard that Eastern Group is currently struggling financially, with the capital chain even experiencing problems!"

"You may not be aware, but we have just signed a 100 million deal with Huating Group, so a cash shortage is no longer a problem for Eastern Group," explained Lin Tong immediately.

Zhu Baiwei paused, but then shook his head, rejecting firmly, "I’m sorry, Miss Lin, we cannot give you that spot..."

"Is there really no room for negotiation?"

Lin Tong frowned deeply, feeling that Zhu Baiwei was deliberately making things difficult.

And indeed, he was.

The next moment, Zhu Baiwei’s eyes shifted slyly, but he smiled and said, "Miss Lin, if Eastern Group really wants this spot, it’s not impossible. You just need to keep me company and finish this meal..."

As he spoke, he stood up and served some food to Lin Tong, saying, "This is Australian lobster flown in just for you, prepared by a palace chef. Try it and see what you think."

Seeing Zhu Baiwei serving her food, Lin Tong’s expression changed, and she immediately raised her hand to stop him but was grasped by him instead.

The lust in Zhu Baiwei’s eyes began to show unabashedly, continuously caressing Lin Tong’s delicate and boneless hand, "Why, Miss Lin? Do you look down on me? I’ve said it—want the spot, first join me for dinner!"

Lin Tong was about to erupt in anger but forcibly held back when she heard his last words.

"Manager Zhu, could you please let go of me?"

Lin Tong spoke coldly, and seeing that he still wouldn’t let go, she forcibly pulled her hand back.