Chapter 1

"Jiang Liang, it’s no use for you to drag me here; Zheng Jiandong and I aren’t that close."

In the first-floor lobby of the Jinhe Grand Hotel, Wu Tian sat on a sofa by the entrance, took out a cigarette case, and offered a cigarette to Jia Liang, saying:

"At least we were junior high school classmates, so we should have some face, right?" Jia Liang lit the cigarette and smiled, "Don’t worry, it’s not a big deal. It’s just that the advertisement copy was a bit over the line. A few drinks will settle it, let alone the fact that you’re old classmates."

"He’s a newly appointed deputy director, basking in the glory of his success. Whether he’ll even give us a second glance is questionable. It might be better to just follow the rules and pay the dues," Wu Tian said with a bitter smile.

Wu Tian hated the most the business of watching people’s moods and socializing. When they first started the company, it was agreed that Jia Liang would handle all the business operations while Wu Tian would focus on creative planning. But when it came down to it, could he really stay out of it? He was often dragged by Jia Liang to various social events. Over the years, he had gained weight, developed fatty liver, gallstones, hypertension, and high cholesterol, and his once fiery temper had been completely worn down.

"Ah, he’s here, let’s go greet him..." Jia Liang said, stubbing out the half-smoked cigarette and hurriedly putting on a smile as he walked towards a man with a broad face and large ears at the door.

Wu Tian followed, laughing and saying, "Old classmate, it’s been years since we last met. Your official position has grown so much. Haha, we should have a good drink today."

Zheng Jiandong had a faint smile on his lips. When Wu Tian extended his hand, Zheng only half-reached out, making it seem like Wu Tian was eagerly trying to flatter him, lacking the warmth of an old classmate’s reunion.

How could Wu Tian not see through this? He naturally felt displeased, but since he was here to ask for a favor, he had to endure it. He could only suppress his anger and warmly invite Deputy Director Zheng to the private room they had reserved.

Putting aside the old classmate relationship, just considering that Zheng Jiandong was now the deputy director in charge of advertising supervision at the city’s industry and commerce bureau, the quality of the food and drinks naturally couldn’t be low. However, no matter how high the quality, it was just ordinary to Deputy Director Zheng. He only took a couple of bites of each dish before putting it aside, but he didn’t refuse the drinks. Whenever Wu Tian or Jia Liang offered a toast, he would drink it all.

Seeing that the bottle of Wuliangye was almost empty, Jia Liang thought it was about time to bring up the main issue, but Zheng Jiandong didn’t pick up on it. As soon as Jia Liang opened his mouth, Zheng immediately changed the topic.

Wu Tian couldn’t help but grit his teeth. He had been right; they were just old classmates from junior high school, with no deep friendship. Jia Liang forcing him to come might backfire. It would be better to handle it officially, even if it meant spending more money.

"Wu Tian, do you remember Xie Xiaojuan?"

As the bottle of Wuliangye was emptied and Jia Liang was opening a new one, Director Zheng looked at Wu Tian with a drunken gaze and said slowly.

"Xie Xiaojuan?" Wu Tian frowned.

"The class monitor in the second year," Zheng Jiandong reminded him.

"Oh, she sat in the middle of the third row, always with a ponytail. Haha," Wu Tian recalled, smiling.

Zheng Jiandong seemed dissatisfied with Wu Tian’s reaction, lowering his eyelids and saying, "Back then, Xie Xiaojuan really liked you."

"She liked me?" Wu Tian was taken aback, then couldn’t help but laugh.

Back then, he was a handsome and talented young man, unlike now, a 200-pound fat man. Even in clothes, he looked presentable, but his belly was bigger than a pregnant woman’s. Wu Tian was naturally gifted and had always been a top student before junior high school. Even though he never paid attention in class and spent the whole time reading novels, he could still understand everything after a quick glance at the textbook when the teacher assigned homework. His only weakness was English, which required memorization, but he excelled in other subjects. With his father, who was the deputy editor of the provincial newspaper, he naturally received special treatment from teachers, which fostered his arrogant and proud personality.

Such a handsome, academically excellent, frequently praised, and aloof student naturally attracted the attention of many female classmates. Unfortunately, Wu Tian, in his youthful arrogance, didn’t understand their feelings and unknowingly disappointed many girls.

Jia Liang opened a new bottle of Wuliangye and was about to pour it for Zheng Jiandong, but Zheng stopped him, took the bottle, and said to Wu Tian, "Xie Xiaojuan was heartbroken over you, not eating or drinking. From your reaction, it seems you didn’t know about this at all. Shouldn’t you be punished?"

Wu Tian’s eyes widened, immediately understanding that Zheng Jiandong had probably liked Xie Xiaojuan back then and saw him as a rival. It was a misunderstanding, but since Zheng brought it up and took the bottle, he had no choice but to comply. After all, Zheng was an official, and they needed his help. It was just an old story from over twenty years ago, and now it was just a joke, an excuse to make him drink more.

"Punish him, he must be punished, haha," Jia Liang chimed in.

"I accept the punishment, I accept it, haha," Wu Tian laughed.

Zheng Jiandong slammed the bottle on the table and said, "Alright, drink this bottle, and we’ll consider this matter settled, and your company’s issue will be resolved!"

Hearing this, Wu Tian’s face changed immediately!

This was a whole new bottle of Wuliangye, 52 degrees, a strong liquor. Even if the three of them had already shared a bottle, it was unlikely that Wu Tian could drink this one alone, let alone in one go.

Zheng Jiandong was deliberately making things difficult. If he didn’t drink, not only would the old grudge from twenty years ago remain unresolved, but the current issue with the company would also be unsolved!

Worse still, Wu Tian suspected that the reason the industry and commerce bureau was targeting their company was because of Zheng Jiandong. After all, how strict was advertising regulation nowadays? As long as it wasn’t too outrageous, all sorts of exaggerations and misleading tactics were common, and no one took them seriously.

You’re just a deputy director, and you happen to be in charge of this area. How dare you use this to settle old scores from twenty years ago?

"Wu Tian..." Jia Liang stood up, his eyes burning as he looked at Wu Tian.

Growing up together, Jia Liang knew Wu Tian’s temper well. How could the proud Wu Tian endure this? Even if it was just him, he couldn’t stand it. If it came to it, they could close the company and throw the bottle in Zheng’s face!

Wu Tian looked at Jia Liang, took a deep breath, and slowly stood up. He slowly reached for the bottle, a faint smile on his face, and said, "Old classmate, I’ll drink this bottle."

"Wu Tian!" Jia Liang called out.

Wu Tian raised the bottle with one hand and gently waved the other at Jia Liang, signaling him to stop.

It was just a bottle of liquor. He would take the loss and show some humility, but he couldn’t afford to have a falling out with Zheng Jiandong. After all, Zheng was an official, and he had the power to make life difficult for their small advertising company. Even if they managed to get through this, he could keep finding faults and causing trouble, making it impossible to do business.

Wu Tian didn’t care much; he was single and could always change careers. But Jia Liang had a family to support. He couldn’t let his friend suffer because of him!

He had to hold back his anger and endure!

No matter how good Wuliangye was, it was still liquor. It burned his throat and made his stomach feel like it was on fire. Wu Tian frowned, holding his breath, and drank it down bit by bit...

The alcohol quickly took effect, and Wu Tian’s head felt dizzy. He thought, if his father hadn’t lost power due to a political misstep, he wouldn’t have given Zheng Jiandong a second glance. If he had taken the job his father arranged for him after graduation and worked hard in the system, he might not be in a worse position than Zheng Jiandong now. If he had put more effort into his business and made it successful, he wouldn’t be at Zheng Jiandong’s mercy...

If he could do it again...

"Wu Tian!"

Jia Liang’s voice sounded distant to Wu Tian. He felt himself fall, but it didn’t hurt. His eyelids felt heavy, and he could only open them slightly. Through the narrow gap, he saw Zheng Jiandong’s condescending smile, his lips moving, "You still have a couple of sips left, but it’s fine. Making the once proud Tian accept punishment and show humility is already very satisfying. Haha, your company’s issue is settled. I’ll leave first. You’re drunk, so no need to see me off. Haha..."

Wu Tian tried to grit his teeth but found he didn’t have the strength. His eyelids finally gave in and closed...

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