The Drunkard Performs as Usual

Looking at Li Ziyan's eager eyes, Zhao Shumin did not refuse him.

Soon, Li Ziyan gave Zhao Shumin a very enthusiastic hug.

At that moment, Zhao Shumin's face flushed slightly, and her heart beat rapidly.

However, Zhao Shumin's fast heartbeat was destined to remain unheard by Li Ziyan, as the soundproofing was simply too good.

"Auntie."

Inhaling the delicate fragrance coming from Zhao Shumin, Li Ziyan desperately wished he could hold her like this forever. Ever since their relationship had grown closer, Zhao Shumin had always been exceptionally gentle with him.

"Alright, Xiaoyan, it's too warm."

"Let's let go now."

After gently stroking Li Ziyan's head, he finally separated from her.

Watching Li Ziyan's retreating figure, Zhao Shumin found her breathing a bit hurried. This young man certainly must view her as a woman in his heart.

"Should I really try wearing stockings and high heels today?"

The very thought of putting on high heels filled Zhao Shumin with a sense of timid hesitation; walking in shoes like that must be terribly difficult.

"I suppose I should start by trying on stockings first..."

***

Clocking in for work just like any other day.

Liu Jinxin and Liu Yichen both looked at Li Ziyan with utter disdain, yet they were completely helpless against him.

Li Ziyan simply ignored everyone's attitude. Whenever they tried workplace bullying, he would not entertain it at all and would immediately fire back with sharp retorts.

This left the two of them immensely frustrated, forcing them to pin their hopes on the foreign CEO Catherine to deal with Li Ziyan.

Surely, she would have plenty of ways to put Li Ziyan in his place.

In the morning, Li Ziyan found an internet café to idle away the time while waiting for Shen Hongmei's phone call.

Sure enough, a little past ten o'clock, Shen Hongmei called.

"Xiaoyan."

Sitting inside her office and reclining on the sofa, Shen Hongmei wore a burgundy evening gown paired with stockings, exuding an intense, captivating femininity.

"Auntie Shen."

Hearing Li Ziyan address her as Auntie Shen, she couldn't help the rising urge to grow closer to him.

There was a time when Shen Hongmei wanted to completely sever all ties with Li Ziyan after that fateful night.

Yet, due to the twists and turns of subsequent events, their entanglement only deepened, making a clean break utterly impossible now.

Today, once again, she needed Li Ziyan's help.

"There's a German client coming this afternoon. Come and help your auntie with the interpretation."

Speaking of this, Shen Hongmei couldn't help but feel a deep sense of admiration for Li Ziyan in her heart.

This young man's German had even been certified by the technician Mia; native Germans themselves had praised Li Ziyan for his fluent and natural German.

Thus, Li Ziyan was undoubtedly fully qualified to act as an interpreter.

"Alright, Auntie. Send me your company's location."

The thought of being able to see all three aunts from the Shanghai social circle together this afternoon filled Li Ziyan with keen anticipation.

"Alright, Xiaoyan. Remember to buy a bottle of water on your way, and don't get heatstroke."

Shen Hongmei instructed Li Ziyan with the affectionate concern of a mother sending off her son.

"I know, Auntie Shen."

Putting down his phone, Li Ziyan's thoughts drifted back to Mia. Working as a technician was certainly lucrative, especially for a foreign blonde beauty like her.

Her net worth was undoubtedly quite substantial.

She would naturally look down upon a mere thousand-yuan-a-day part-time gig.

"I should go practice driving for a bit."

Seeing that he still had some free time, Li Ziyan headed to the driving school. Over the past few days, he had also been busy preparing for the subject two driving test.

Although regular students received about as much practice time in a day as he had during his very first session, Li Ziyan possessed a photographic memory and remarkable coordination in his hands and feet.

Men were naturally gifted when it came to driving automobiles.

In just a few days, Li Ziyan had completely mastered all the key points for the subject two test. However, because too many people had booked the exam, he was still stuck waiting in line.

There was no telling when his turn would finally come.

***

In the afternoon, Li Ziyan arrived at Shen Hongmei's company.

Her office was located inside a somewhat aging commercial building.

"The 10th floor."

In the parking lot downstairs, Li Ziyan spotted Shen Hongmei's Audi A6 parked neatly in a stall.

Stepping inside the building, Li Ziyan felt a sense of desolation; a commercial building like this should have been bustling with people a decade ago.

Instead, it now appeared rather deserted. Upon reaching the 10th floor and walking down the corridor, he noticed that many of the office units were completely vacant and empty, with some even displaying sublet signs.

It wasn't until he reached the entrance of Shen Hongmei's company that the atmosphere finally felt lively.

Although the company was relatively small with only fifty-odd employees, everyone's face seemed brimming with energy and drive.

"You must be Mr. Li, right?"

Recognizing Li Ziyan, the receptionist wearing glasses greeted him warmly and led him deeper into the office.

"General Manager Shen is waiting for you in the chairman's office."

Reaching the office door, Li Ziyan pushed it open.

Coming into view were Shen Hongmei and He Yanrong chatting on the sofa, alongside Lai Feifei, who was lying across another sofa, sipping wine.

That hopeless alcoholic—she simply couldn't go a single day without drinking!

"Xiaoyan, you're here."

Seeing Li Ziyan once again, Shen Hongmei couldn't help but recall past events, causing her hormones to stir uncontrollably.

"Baby!"

The most excited of all was Lai Feifei. Intoxicated as she was, she was excessively affectionate toward Li Ziyan.

"Feifei, why are you calling Li Ziyan 'baby' again?"

"Didn't you always call him little Yanbao before?"

He Yanrong's face flushed slightly. If it hadn't been for Li Ziyan helping her ease the awkwardness during the previous exposure incident, she would have lost all face. Fortunately, he was there.

"I like calling him baby. Xiaoyan is my baby."

With a flushed face, Lai Feifei stood up, walked over to Li Ziyan, pulled him onto the sofa, and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Baby, have a sip."

Without waiting for his response, Lai Feifei practically shoved the wine bottle against Li Ziyan's lips.

Left with no choice, Li Ziyan passively swallowed a few mouthfuls of red wine.

"How did classmate Li Ziyan suddenly become your baby? Could it be that you really are his mother, and he's your illegitimate son?"

He Yanrong's alluring and pretty face was filled with intense curiosity.

Every time Li Ziyan looked at this seductively charming face, he found it impossible to control his hormones.

Some people were born to be sirens, living entirely for passion, and He Yanrong carried an unmistakable air of worldly sophistication. Combined with her striking looks, this vibe pushed her allure to the absolute peak.

"Feifei, we have serious business to attend to later, yet you're still feeding Xiaoyan alcohol."

Shen Hongmei frowned. Witnessing the intimate interaction between the two of them made her feel profoundly uncomfortable.

This crazy woman never maintained proper boundaries around Xiaoyan.

Yet, what on earth was wrong with her? Could she possibly be jealous?

"It's fine, Xiaoyan holds his liquor very well!"

"Hongmei, what business is it of yours if I feed wine to my own baby?"

"He is my baby, and I've fed him before."

"Whoever drinks from my cup is my baby!"

He Yanrong looked on with intense gossip-fueled interest. If it were anyone else, she wouldn't have believed it.

But coming from this crazy woman, it actually seemed quite possible.

"Really or not?"

As He Yanrong asked, a wave of stifling frustration welled up inside Shen Hongmei.

Deep down, she possessed an instinctive sense of possessiveness over Li Ziyan.

Because the two of them had already crossed every possible boundary, she instinctively detested the thought of Li Ziyan interacting closely with other women.

"It's true, but you know what? The baby actually drank from my little foot instead."

With that, Lai Feifei kicked off her high heels and rested her black-silk-clad leg right across Li Ziyan's lap.

"Baby, Auntie's foot is freezing cold. Hurry up and press it against your chest to warm it up for me."