No sooner had she finished speaking than Shen Manshu was already approaching Fu Linzhou, swaying gracefully with a glass of wine in hand.
Su Qingsi took the opportunity to return to Fu Linzhou’s side.
Shen Manshu smiled sweetly, her voice honeyed: “President Fu, long time no see.”
Fu Linzhou’s manner was distant: “Miss Shen.”
“President Fu is still so formal.” Shen Manshu’s eyes shimmered as her gaze swept over Su Qingsi, who stood half a step behind him, her smile unchanging.
“And this is? Your face is unfamiliar—which family’s daughter are you?”
“My secretary, Su Qingsi.”
“Secretary Su, hello.” Shen Manshu raised her glass toward Su Qingsi, her eyes sizing her up, though her smile never reached them.
“Secretary Su is quite the beauty. Working by President Fu’s side, you must be very capable?”
Su Qingsi gave a slight nod, her voice soft and gentle: “Miss Shen flatters me. I only do my duty.”
“Does doing your duty also include accompanying President Fu to occasions like this?” Shen Manshu smiled, but her words carried barbs.
“Miss Wen didn’t come today?”
The atmosphere froze for a moment, and Fu Linzhou’s brow furrowed slightly.
But Su Qingsi lifted her face, her dewy eyes looking at Shen Manshu with an utterly innocent expression: “Miss Shen knows Miss Wen? She wasn’t feeling well today, and President Fu was considerate enough to let her rest at home.”
“As his secretary, it’s only right that I share President Fu’s burdens.”
Her words were flawless, her posture so humble that it made Shen Manshu seem somewhat aggressive.
Shen Manshu’s smile stiffened briefly, then returned to normal: “I see.”
“President Fu is this considerate to everyone around him?”
She said the last few words with a certain meaningful weight.
Fu Linzhou was growing impatient. He said to Su Qingsi: “I’m going over there. Wait here for me, don’t wander off.”
“Yes, President Fu.” Su Qingsi complied.
Fu Linzhou turned and walked toward the other side.
Shen Manshu was left standing in place, her expression somewhat sour.
She looked at Su Qingsi again, her gaze falling on that excessively beautiful face, a coldness flickering in her eyes.
“Secretary Su and President Fu seem quite familiar?” Shen Manshu stepped closer, the heavy scent of her perfume assailing the senses.
Su Qingsi retreated half a step, as if intimidated by her presence, and said softly: “President Fu is my superior, I am his subordinate. I wouldn’t dare claim familiarity.”
“It’s just that President Fu is kind and willing to give me opportunities to learn.”
“Learn?” Shen Manshu laughed lightly, her gaze sweeping over Su Qingsi’s entire figure, lingering especially on her chest and waist.
“With Secretary Su’s figure and looks, being just a secretary is a waste.”
“Interested in developing in the entertainment industry? I could make an introduction for you.”
The words sounded like praise but were laced with contempt.
Su Qingsi, however, seemed not to understand, merely shaking her head gently: “Miss Shen jests. I’m clumsy and not suited for such things.”
“Being able to do my job well by President Fu’s side is already more than I could ask for.”
Her meek, pure, and utterly unyielding demeanor gave Shen Manshu the frustrating feeling of punching cotton.
She was about to say more when she saw Su Qingsi’s gaze shift to behind her, her face showing relief.
Shen Manshu turned around.
Fu Linzhou had somehow already finished his greetings over there and was walking back toward them.
He was tall with long strides, and quickly arrived. His gaze first fell on Su Qingsi’s face, and only after seeing her standing there fine did he look at Shen Manshu.
“Does Miss Shen have other business?”
The dismissal was unmistakable.
Shen Manshu’s expression flickered, but she eventually forced a smile. “Nothing, just a few words with Secretary Su.”
With that, she gave Su Qingsi a long, meaningful look before turning and walking away.
Fu Linzhou approached Su Qingsi, lowering his gaze to her. “What did she say to you?”
Su Qingsi looked up. “Nothing much. Miss Shen asked if I wanted to leave Fu Corporation and go into the entertainment industry.”
Fu Linzhou studied her guileless expression, silent for a few seconds before saying, “Stay away from her.”
“In this circle, few people are simple.”
“Oh.” Su Qingsi nodded obediently.
In the shadows not far away, Shen Manshu clenched her handbag tightly.
She was glamorous on the red carpet, but she too wanted to climb higher.
She had seen too many powerful men—greasy, frivolous, hypocritical—but Fu Linzhou was different.
He was a flower on the high ridge, a peak of snow-capped mountains, someone she dreamed of reaching.
Yet he had always been cold to her.
She had sent him gifts; he returned them untouched.
She had engineered chance encounters; he didn’t even spare her a glance.
She had even hinted she could spend the night; he merely gave her a cold look and walked away.
And just now, Fu Linzhou wouldn’t even spare her a second glance, yet he was so protective of that secretary playing innocent.
Shen Manshu’s fingers found the small paper packet in her handbag.
It was something she had paid a fortune to obtain—colorless, odorless, but potent.
She had been hesitating, but now, she didn’t want to wait any longer.
Shen Manshu took a deep breath, re-pasted her bright smile, and walked toward the waiter.
She picked up two glasses of champagne, turned her back, and quickly tipped the powder from the packet into one glass, swirling it gently.
The powder dissolved; the wine remained clear.
Carrying both glasses, she approached Fu Linzhou once more.
“President Fu.” Shen Manshu smiled sweetly, offering the spiked glass.
“I was too forward earlier. Let me toast you as an apology.”
Fu Linzhou glanced at her, his expression cold, initially unwilling to take it.
Shen Manshu lowered her posture. “President Fu, just for tonight, as I’m the special guest—won’t you give me the face?”
A few people nearby had already turned to look.
Fu Linzhou frowned in irritation, not wanting to embarrass anyone in public and stir up trouble.
He took the glass and downed it in one go.
Shen Manshu watched his Adam’s apple bob as he drank the entire glass, her heart pounding like a drum.
Done.
She took a sip of her own, smiling even more bewitchingly. “Thank you for your understanding, President Fu. I won’t disturb you further.”
Having achieved her goal, she turned swiftly and disappeared into the crowd.
Fu Linzhou set down the empty glass, feeling an unusual burning sensation from the liquor, but didn’t think much of it.
Ten minutes later.
He leaned against a pillar in the corner of the banquet hall, fingers tugging hard at his tie.
His breathing had grown heavy without his notice, a fire rising from his lower abdomen, burning through his limbs, his consciousness beginning to blur.
His vision doubled; he shook his head.
“Zhou-ge?” Xie Yu’an noticed something was wrong and came over to support his arm.
“What’s wrong? Your face is so red.”
“I’m fine.” Fu Linzhou’s voice was hoarse. He pushed him away, trying to stay lucid.
“Maybe I drank too fast. I’ll go to the restroom.”
He walked unsteadily toward the restroom, struggling to control an unwanted reaction.
Fu Linzhou immediately realized something was wrong.
That glass of wine was spiked. It was Shen Manshu.
“President Fu, are you feeling unwell?” Shen Manshu appeared at just the right moment, steadying his swaying arm as her body pressed closely against his.
“Shall I help you to rest?”