After Falling in Love, the Overbearing CEO Finally Saw the Light - Chapter 3

“So, President Zhao knows him,” a person nearby remarked with interest, leaning in to inquire.

“I know him,” Zhao Pengtai replied playfully. He took a slow sip of champagne and restlessly pinched the person in his arms, drawing a soft whimper. “Of course, I know him.”

How could he not? The boy had utterly disregarded his pride at the W University opening ceremony earlier that day. Zhao had been brooding over how to find him, and here he was.

“Heh, you certainly know how to pick a spot. Aren’t you doing business? Come here.”

“May I ask what you would like to drink, Mr. Zhao?”

“What do you want me to drink?” Zhao Pengtai adjusted the bowtie on the young companion in his lap, appearing to speak to the boy while his eyes remained fixed elsewhere.

The companion looked surprised but quickly realized that the guest was not actually speaking to him.

“I will reluctantly help you make a sale,” Zhao said. He then pointed casually at the menu toward the Cognac. “Ten bottles.”

The crowd stirred. This was no small amount; the commission for a host would skyrocket. “President Zhao is certainly generous when he wants to coax someone,” they remarked.

Zhao tapped his index finger rhythmically against the table, his gaze direct and burning as he looked at the person opposite him. “Fill it up.”

Gu He remained silent, merely following the request to pour a glass of Cognac brandy.

Zhao Pengtai gripped the base of the glass with his index and middle fingers and gave it a light push. It slid across the smooth glass tabletop, stopping right in front of Gu He. Zhao then sat up straight and crossed his arms, his posture arrogant. “Drink it.”

While some are despicable, others remain unyielding.

Adhering to the principle of not wanting to escalate the situation, Gu He picked up the glass and tilted his head back to drain it. It was unclear if someone behind him bumped into him on purpose, but his hand shook. The sudden impact caused the amber liquid to spill from the corners of his mouth, trickling down his throat and soaking into his shirt, making the fabric damp and translucent.

“Cough, cough.”

It was his first time drinking such strong liquor so aggressively. His throat felt like it was burning, and his stomach churned. He wiped his damp mouth, his eyes reddening slightly. Driven by a sudden impulse, Zhao Pengtai reached out to touch those soft lips, but Gu He sharply turned his head to avoid him.

“Why act so virtuous? I am sponsoring your education; what is wrong with letting me touch you?”

Those threatening words had little effect. The response that came from those pale pink lips was colder than expected: “I have already declined your sponsorship.”

“President Zhao, this is not the 18th floor.” The boy who had been sitting in Zhao’s lap spoke up, feeling a bit intimidated. Gu He looked like a fresh face, and the boy could not help but try to intervene. He knew that if things went too far and the management stepped in, they would be even more ruthless.

Zhao Pengtai did not see the expression of shame or anger he expected on Gu He’s face. Instead, he glared at the boy who spoke. “Do you want to take his place?”

“No, that is not what I meant.”

Everyone in this circle knew that Zhao Pengtai’s methods were exceptionally cruel. He was vicious and biting; those who were not inclined toward masochism did not dare venture to the 18th floor. Very few dared to provoke him.

“The little brat has some spirit,” the surrounding men chuckled, their smiles turning predatory. They assumed Gu He was someone Zhao Pengtai had brought out specifically to discipline.

The man on the far left took a drag of his cigarette, his gaze lecherous as he slowly exhaled the smoke. Perhaps feeling particularly charismatic, he commanded rudely, “Come over here and open an Ace of Spades for me.”

In their circles, sharing the game was a common practice, often treated as a favor to smooth over social relations.

Gu He narrowed his eyes and clenched his fists. These pairs of eyes were like venomous snakes, scanning his body with insatiable greed. Since Zhao Pengtai had not spoken, they did not dare move yet.

However, someone eventually lost their patience. A plump, oily middle-aged man staggered forward. From the moment he saw Gu He, he had been shifting uncomfortably, his desire poorly concealed as he downed drink after drink to mask his agitation. Now, with the person right in front of him and the alcohol hitting his brain, he reached out to grab Gu He’s wrist.

“Quite the fiery one. I like it. If you will not follow President Zhao, then follow me. How much sponsorship do you need? I will give it to you.”

Zhao Pengtai’s face darkened. What kind of trash thinks he can touch what I have set my sights on?

Gu He stepped back, calmly breaking free from the restraint and returning to his professional stance.

The man, feeling slighted by the rejection, immediately looked grim.

“You just have a face that lures people in. Do you really think you are clean?”

The crowd burst into laughter.

“President Zhao, it seems your person is not very obedient,” someone mocked.

“Could it be that you have not even gotten your hands on him yet? That makes this a rather poor investment.”

Zhao Pengtai was naturally displeased. After having his pride wounded in public this morning, he had tolerated the boy’s temper, thinking he could slowly break that arrogant spirit later. Now, in front of everyone, Gu He still dared to put on airs. If this was a game of hard to get, then fine, he had won. But it was not. The noisy speculation of the crowd only fanned the flames of Zhao’s growing rage.

Gu He’s fingers gripped the tray so hard they turned white. Yet, his face remained a mask of indifference, as if the insults and mockery were directed at a complete stranger rather than himself.

Splash. A glass of red liquid was thrown over Gu He. The white shirt clung to his skin, making his physique visible beneath the fabric.

“You are dirty now, you bitch.”

The crude words were piercing, each syllable intended to wound his soul.

Gu He turned his indignant eyes toward Zhao Pengtai, a dangerous aura finally flickering within his gaze.

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