Chapter 72: The Grasshopper After Autumn

Qing Ling's ethereal voice resonated throughout the entire office. Everyone was dumbfounded, including Liang Yixing. They knew Su Wanwan was cold and aloof by nature, disliking close contact with others. But... her impulsiveness and rudeness this time were beyond measure! After all, this was only their second meeting and it was about a potential cooperation with Ye Corporation—why must she strain the relationship to such a breaking point?

Just then, Li Manya, who had pushed open the door and entered, was utterly unprepared for the situation's escalation. Caught between advance and retreat, she stood frozen in place.

Qiao Zhen's eyes glinted sharply, lips curling into a sinister smile. His hand clutching the contract tightened inch by inch. The only sound in the tense air was the crisp folding of paper.

"Su Wanwan! What are you playing at?""We're here for the company's sake, why are you deliberately sabotaging things? Have you lost your mind?""I always suspected Su Wanwan harbored ill intentions! Are you only satisfied if you see Ye Corporation collapse?"

One after another, employees from Ye Corporation sprang forward, desperately trying to plug the widening cracks. Even Liang Yixing's expression grew grave as he hurriedly said, "Qiao—"

Qiao Zhen applauded coldly. "Not bad, quite impressive.""Seems like your Ye Corporation never sincerely intended to cooperate with me."

Li Manya hurried forward, pleading, "Qiao Zhen, my team's temperament isn't the best. Please don't stoop to their level.""If we weren't sincere, would we have traveled all this way?" Qiao Zhen's face darkened, clearly displeased with this excuse.

Li Manya immediately gestured toward Su Wanwan. "Come on, apologize to Manager Qiao at once!"

Su Wanwan's expression was indifferent, half-smiling. Her slender, pale fingers tapped twice on the desk."Impatient, are we?""Plan fallen through?"

A flicker of panic flashed in Li Manya's eyes as she whispered sharply, "What nonsense are you spouting? Hurry up and come over!"

Leaning back softly against the chair, Su Wanwan's gaze was that of a languid feline. Beneath the black depths of her eyes burned a piercing coldness, sharp enough to see through everything.

Li Manya's entire body prickled, a chill rushing from her heels straight to her crown.

"Li Manya, from the hotel to Paige Group, there are only two routes to take.""And there's never been any traffic jam on either.""You deliberately came late just to see me humiliated in front of Qiao Zhen, didn't you?"

Li Manya was stunned, rooted to the spot. How could Su Wanwan know? Indeed, she had purposely arrived late, intending for Su Wanwan to lose face so she could step in and resolve things. But she hadn't expected Su Wanwan to push back so fiercely! Offending Qiao Zhen had cost her cooperation—and her dreams of promotion and raise might just shatter.

A voice sneered with sarcasm, "What two routes? You make it sound like you own the street!""Besides, isn't traffic congestion common?""Just because you haven't encountered it doesn't mean no one else will!"

Su Wanwan lowered her head, concealing the faint trace of a smile on her face."Coincidentally, it really is my street."

No one present believed her, erupting into boisterous laughter."If it really was yours, I'd gladly sit myself down as a bench for you!"

As the dispute grew louder, Li Manya hurriedly intervened."Enough, enough, everyone calm down. Su Wanwan surely didn't do it intentionally.""Qiao Zhen, we've been old friends for so many years—just give me this one favor, will you?"

Li Manya looked at Qiao Zhen with pleading eyes. He stroked his chin, his expression inscrutable."Don't worry, even if I don't do it for you, I have to do it for Old Liang.""After all, this woman is someone close to Old Liang."

Li Manya's pupils constricted in disbelief as she glanced toward Liang Yixing. Liang frowned slightly but said nothing.

Qiao Zhen, noting Li Manya's reaction, smirked with a look of assured victory."You've talked long enough—your throat must be dry.""How about we open a few bottles of fine liquor and continue our discussion?"

Li Manya hesitated, "No need for alcohol; this isn't a bar..."

Ignoring her, Qiao Zhen picked up the desk phone and dialed. Soon, several bottles of potent foreign liquor were delivered.

"Miss Su," Qiao Zhen slammed a bottle down in front of Su Wanwan."If you drink all of this today, I'll sign the contract immediately."

Liang Yixing couldn't stay silent."Qiao Zhen, you...""Yixing," Li Manya interrupted, "She made a mistake; she should bear the responsibility."

Liang's tone was displeased."She's just a girl—there's no way she can handle such strong liquor.""I'll drink it!" Liang declared, pulling out the cork and raising the bottle as if ready to gulp it down.

Li Manya watched him with a wounded expression, as if her heart were being ripped apart painfully with every breath.

Qiao Zhen snatched the bottle away."No need to show off now.""And I said she must drink it herself.""Miss Su, your turn, please."

Su Wanwan raised her cold, mesmerizing eyes, her stunningly beautiful face breaking into a rich smile that seemed to awaken everything around her."Are you sure?"

Qiao Zhen's voice dropped coldly, "Drink!"

Su Wanwan flicked her wrist lightly."If that's the case, then we have no need to discuss cooperation."

Qiao Zhen sneered."Do you really think this is something you can decide?"

Li Manya was the team leader and manager here."I truly cannot decide for our side.""But I can decide for you.""Call your vice president here."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Zhen burst into laughter."Call the vice president?""Do you think our vice president would bother to see just anyone?""For such a trivial matter, he wouldn't even glance at it!""He deals in contracts worth billions—does he have time to fuss over your measly few million orders?"

The atmosphere froze instantly. No one dared to breathe.

Liang Yixing sighed silently. Although Su Wanwan was beautiful and a skilled pianist with a presence on the international stage, she was a novice in business matters. Speaking so far above her rank was reckless. The vice president of Paige Group was a legend—none, not even Su Wanwan or Liang himself, had ever met him in person. Every time he came, he was brushed off as too busy.

It was said the vice president was extremely capable but loathed idle chatter, only reviewing documents deemed necessary. Even Qiao Zhen, despite five years at the company, could count on one hand the times he had seen the vice president.

Without wasting words on Qiao Zhen, Su Wanwan took out her phone and dialed a number."Office on the left side of the first floor.""You have one minute to come down and see me."