50. Block the wine for her
The group's newly launched "Satellite" magazine is precisely positioned to target the fast-changing entertainment market, focusing on traffic stars and popular IPs, aiming to quickly seize market share and maximize commercial returns.
The investment dinner was held in a private room of a high-end hotel. The atmosphere was completely different from the rigorous culture of "Faces". The lights were bright, the wine glasses were clinking, and the air was filled with the scent of perfume, wine and decadence.
Sitting in the main seat was Jiang Hu, the editor-in-chief of Satellite, who held two positions at once. His face was flushed, and he was urging people to drink in a booming voice, as if alcohol was the master key to all relationships. Next to him was the deputy editor-in-chief of Satellite, a woman with delicate makeup and lively eyes. She happened to be smiling and agreeing with Jiang Hu, occasionally casting flattering glances at the leaders to liven up the atmosphere.
The gentle female editor-in-chief of Satellite was supposed to be there, but tonight, it was Chen Yisheng who sat there. He sat there with an indifferent expression, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the table, somewhat out of tune with the bustle around him.
He'd come on his own accord, for a simple reason—as he passed the administration department, he'd overheard Jiang Hu casually making a phone call. He'd mentioned that "Editor-in-Chief Lin was very serious about this investment promotion," and specifically requested Chi Jin from Face Magazine to come over to "help out, she's a good drinker." Hearing Chi Jin's name associated with "drinking companion," he'd barely given it a second thought and found an excuse to replace the original person in charge.
Jiang Hu naturally agreed happily. Now Chi Jin had another reason to come, and Chen Yisheng was the mainstay, so his presence would surely add a lot of points to the investment promotion.
Editor-in-Chief Lin's assistant, whom Chi Jin always called Assistant Lin, sat quietly at a distance, observing the entire audience with a smile. She was obviously the "eyes" of Editor-in-Chief Lin.
Chi Jin, who had been unexpectedly brought here, sat at the serving area, looking awkward and helpless. She knew almost nothing about the new project, "Satellite," except that it was about entertainment, quick cash, and the focus on popular celebrities. She couldn't understand why Jiang Hu had insisted on having her, and could only attribute it to her last drunken mishap, which had allowed him to catch such a drunken female editor.
Soon after the banquet began, Jiang Hu's "firepower" was concentrated. He was clearly well versed in the culture of drinking, and he used various excuses to persuade people to drink, making it difficult to refuse. After a few rounds, he really set his sights on Chi Jin.
Chi Jin is the least important person here. She did not refuse the first glass of wine from any of the leaders. She had made preparations before coming.
"You're Editor Xiaochi, the guy who just wrote the hit novel? I know you!" Mr. Liu, one of the investors, stood up. "Your Editor-in-Chief Jiang told me you're a heroine in Zhongxin. Come, you can't refuse this glass of wine."
It was just beer, a piece of cake for Chi Jin. After abstaining from alcohol for many days, she was still craving it.
"Hey—beer won't do? Ladies have to drink red wine anyway."
Red wine caused more heartburn and dizziness for Chi Jin than white wine. She waved her hand and politely refused, "I'll pour it for you, Mr. Liu. You drink white wine, and I'll drink beer."
"That won't do. You're being too polite!"
Chi Jin was annoyed, but he could only maintain a polite smile and took the red wine he handed over.
The taste of red wine mixed with the taste of beer in his mouth, and Chi Jin felt dizzy.
After the second round of drinks, she was still sober, but she didn't want to go through another round. She stood up apologetically and said, "I need to go to the bathroom first."
Chi Jin slapped her face and wanted to touch up her makeup, but then she angrily stopped.
You shouldn't wear makeup when serving these sanctimonious old guys.
She bent down and washed her face again, trying to clear her mind.
Suddenly, she felt someone pat her butt. She immediately jumped up and said very unhappily, "What are you doing?"
It was Mr. Liu, with a face full of flesh. He apologized, "Oops, oops, sorry for rubbing against me."
Although "Satellite" magazine had nothing to do with her, if this matter was blown out of proportion and investment problems arose, she, as an editor of a foreign magazine, could not afford the consequences, so she suppressed her anger.
But I saw Chen Yisheng walking towards this side. I wonder if he saw the scene just now clearly.
She lowered her head and tried to walk over quickly, but Chen Yisheng suddenly grabbed her and asked, "Did Liu do anything to you?"
"No." Chi Jin pulled his hand back, "Thank you for your concern."
Leader? He had been her leader for two years, but she had never called him that.
Chen Yisheng's heart sank, and he pulled her back, saying, "The Satellite incident has nothing to do with you. Don't get yourself involved. Stop drinking."
Chi Jin knew that his eyes were on her face, but she stubbornly refused to look up, but pulled her hand out with greater strength: "My affairs have nothing to do with you."
Everyone returned to the table one after another, and a new round of drinking began. Except for Chen Yisheng, everyone at the table, both men and women, drank a small cup of baijiu.
The female editors present were all dizzy and groggy, but Chi Jin was the only one who remained seated. However, after drinking three different kinds of wine in a row, she began to feel a little disoriented.
Can't drink anymore.
"Come on, Editor Chi Jin." Director Liu stood up and filled her glass with wine. "Just a small sip, just a small sip."
While Chi Jin was taking the wine with gritted teeth, his hand was actually touched by him. If it was "accidental" just now, then it was blatant sexual harassment now.
"Director Liu."
Just as she was about to put on a stern face, a calm voice interrupted. Chen Yisheng had stood up at some point, forcefully positioned himself between the two of them, and took Chi Jin's glass of wine without explanation.
Jiang Hu started to jeer, "Old Chen, you're not going to step down from the altar, are you?"
Chen Yisheng looked displeased and didn't respond. He simply said, "Editor Chi is the core editor of Faces. She may have to review manuscripts tonight, so she shouldn't drink too much. This glass of wine is a toast to you on her behalf. I wish Zhong Xin a happy cooperation with your company."
As soon as he finished speaking, without waiting for anyone to react, he tilted his head back and drank the small cup of clear liquid in one gulp. His movements were quick and decisive, but he frowned slightly, and his Adam's apple rolled violently, clearly not used to the burning sensation of such strong liquor.
The table fell silent for a moment, and everyone looked at Chen Yisheng in surprise. Everyone knew that this newly appointed deputy editor-in-chief was famously self-disciplined, almost never participating in such social gatherings, and never even touched a drop of alcohol.
Director Liu was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Oh my! Deputy Editor-in-Chief Chen is truly considerate of his subordinates! Okay, okay! You must drink this glass of wine! You must drink it!"
Their attention was immediately diverted and they began to toast Chen Yisheng.
Chi Jin stood there in a daze, looking at Chen Yisheng's ears which were quickly turning red due to the alcohol and the side of his face which was obviously trying to suppress the discomfort, his heart felt like being hit by something.
Why should he drink it for her?
For the next few minutes, Chen Yisheng became everyone's main focus. He clearly couldn't hold his liquor well; after a few drinks, his eyes were already a bit tipsy and blurry, but he sat upright, maintaining his last bit of sobriety, though his responses became less and less frequent.
Whenever Jiang Hu or anyone else tried to persuade Chi Jin to drink, Chen Yisheng would always find various excuses or simply raise his hand to block it, saying in a calm but unquestionable tone: "She can't do it, I'll do it."
"Oh, Old Chen has gotten the hang of it. At this level of position, there are some drinks you can't avoid."
Chi Jin knew that the wine was originally meant for her.
While no one was paying attention, Chi Jin quietly went to his seat and replaced the remaining bottle of white wine with boiled water.
The two looked at each other, and Chen Yisheng gave a drunken smile.
After three rounds of drinks, the scene became increasingly noisy. Chi Jin felt a little suffocated and short of breath, so he excused himself to go to the bathroom and temporarily left the room.
She splashed cold water on her face, trying to dispel the sticky feeling around her. As she walked out of the bathroom, she almost bumped into a warm body at the corner of the corridor.
It’s still Chen Yisheng.
He had obviously come out to get some fresh air, leaning against the cold wall, his head slightly tilted back, his eyes closed, his tie pulled a little loose, his cheeks and neck were abnormally flushed, his breath had a distinct smell of alcohol, and he looked very uncomfortable.
He opened his eyes when he heard footsteps. His usually calm and sharp eyes were now misty and looked a little confused. But the moment he saw Chi Jin, they suddenly focused, flashing with concern, helplessness, and more of embarrassment.
The two of them stared at each other from a distance. The corridor was dimly lit, and the air instantly became ambiguous and tense. The noise from the surrounding boxes seemed to be isolated.
"You..." Chi Jin opened his mouth subconsciously, but he didn't know what to say. Should he ask him why he blocked the wine for him? Or ask him if he felt uncomfortable?
Chen Yisheng just looked at her, his eyes heavy, as if he had a thousand words to say, but in the end he just shook his head very lightly, his voice very hoarse: "...It's okay. I have to drink some wine."
After he finished speaking, he seemed to have exhausted all his strength, and as if he was afraid that he would lose control if he stayed for another second, he quickly stood up, staggered a little, and walked towards the box first as if he was running away, leaving Chi Jin standing there alone. Looking at his back, which was obviously unstable but still trying to stay calm, his heart was in a mess.
For the rest of the night, Chen Yisheng never looked at her again, nor did he say a word for her. He just silently endured Jiang Hu's wave after wave of "passion" until the end of the banquet.
Everyone had been drinking and couldn't drive, so they gathered downstairs at the restaurant, waiting for a designated driver. Several editors smoked recklessly, but Chen Yisheng, who wasn't smoking, squatted against the wall, seemingly unconscious.
"Editor-in-Chief Chen." Chi Jin squatted down. "Have you called a designated driver?"
After seeing who was coming, he just kept waving his hands: "Don't bother me."
Assistant Lin drank the least and came over to pat Chi Jin on the shoulder. "Editor Chi, I've already ordered a designated driver for Chief Editor Chen. Don't worry about it."
Chi Jin immediately stood up: "No, thank you for your help."
"It's getting late, you should go back early. Don't worry, I'm here today just to make sure everyone gets on the bus safely."
"Then... excuse me, I'll be leaving first."
On the way back, Chi Jin sat in a taxi, watching the colorful lights passing by outside the window.
She knew clearly that every drink he made an exception to drink tonight was related to her.
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