Chapter 42: Drinking to the Right Degree

Mr. Huo’s secretary gave Lu Yao a last-minute notice: the dinner had been moved up to seven o’clock at Yipinxuan, an hour earlier than originally planned.

She had no time to return home and change into attire suitable for socializing and quickly hailed a cab. Unfortunately, she ran headlong into the evening rush hour.

The traffic was completely gridlocked; ten minutes passed, and the car had not moved an inch. She glanced anxiously at her watch, her heart pounding with worry.

It was well known in the industry that Mr. Huo had no tolerance for tardiness, treating anyone who was late as if they had committed a capital crime.

“Miss, if you’re in a hurry, you’d better walk a hundred meters ahead and take the subway. This road is always jammed for at least half an hour during rush hour,” the driver kindly suggested.

Lu Yao looked at the endless sea of red brake lights in front of her and had no choice but to get out and take the subway.

She arrived at the lobby of Yipinxuan at 6:55, just five minutes before the appointed time.

At that moment, the elevator was packed to capacity; after waiting a minute without being able to squeeze in, she opted to take the stairs to the fifth floor. As she reached the door of the Ruyi private room, she could already hear Melinda’s shrill, sycophantic voice fawning over Mr. Huo.

Lu Yao straightened her clothes and composed herself, taking a deep breath before pushing open the door.

As soon as Melinda saw Lu Yao enter, she immediately stood up with a bright smile. “Oh, isn’t this the famous beauty, Lu Yao? What took you so long? Mr. Huo and I have been waiting for ages.”

With that, everyone in the private room looked over at the clock on the wall.

It was exactly seven o’clock.

“Mr. Huo, I’m so sorry for being late,” Lu Yao said with an apologetic smile.

Strictly speaking, Xu Wenjie was supposed to accompany her to this dinner tonight, but he wanted her to gain more experience so she could handle big clients with ease when she became a senior partner in the future.

Mr. Huo was momentarily stunned when he saw Lu Yao’s natural, refined features, his face lighting up with delight. Instead of reprimanding her, he enthusiastically pointed to the empty seat beside him and said excitedly, “I’ve long heard that Wenjie’s firm has a stunningly beautiful lawyer, and now I see you are even more radiant in person. Come, don’t just stand there—sit here.”

Lu Yao hurried over and took her seat, lifting her glass of red wine with a polite smile. “Mr. Huo, I’m truly sorry to have kept you waiting. Allow me to make it up to you with a drink.”

With those words, she drained half a glass of red wine in one go.

Melinda, noticing Mr. Huo’s interest in Lu Yao, subtly tugged down her own neckline to reveal her perfect figure, then leaned coquettishly toward Mr. Huo and said sweetly, “Miss Lu, usually the penalty for being late is three shots of white liquor. Just half a glass of red wine seems a little insincere, don’t you think?”

Mr. Huo was nobody’s fool; he knew full well that Melinda and Lu Yao were rivals, and that Melinda was deliberately making things difficult for Lu Yao, hoping to force her out of contention.

He thought to himself, if Lu Yao could handle her liquor, wouldn’t that mean she’d end up in his bed tonight?

His gaze lingered on Lu Yao with a hint of mischief, a sly smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, Lu Yao could only grit her teeth, fill her glass with the strong liquor, and raise it again with a smile. “Mr. Huo, a toast to you.”

Mr. Huo was only too happy to oblige, clinking glasses with her and downing his drink in one gulp.

Lu Yao dared not slack off and drank three shots in quick succession.

The fiery liquor burned her throat and seared its way down to her stomach. Her ears grew hot, and a flush crept up her cheeks.

Mr. Huo noticed every change in her expression, his eyes narrowing in amusement.

“Impressive! I didn’t expect Miss Lu to have such a tolerance for alcohol,” he said, delighted, picking up the serving chopsticks to place a piece of king crab leg on her plate. Bringing it close to her, he teased, “A young lady shouldn’t drink so quickly. It’s easy to get drunk. And when you’re drunk, anything might happen…”