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Chapter 8: How Dare Yan Man?

Tan Qishen placed his wine glass on a nearby counter and said calmly, “Yan Man is different from her.”

He raised an eyebrow and glanced at Jiang Linjin. “I’m also different from you.”

Jiang Linjin raised his brows in surprise and let out a faint snort. “Where does that confidence come from?”

He clinked glasses with He Cheng, both of them watching Tan Qishen with amusement, waiting for him to embarrass himself.

——

On the other side, Yan Man hadn’t yet found Tan Qishen when someone tripped her up.

A few men in suits approached. They looked to be in their forties or fifties—the same ones who had been watching Yan Man with keen interest during her runway walk.

“Miss Yan.”

These men were all CEOs of entertainment companies, quite influential in Beijing.

Yan Man remained composed and calm, offering a professional smile. “President Zhang, President Li, President Chen—pleased to meet you.”

After years in the entertainment industry, she had some familiarity with most major company execs.

“I saw your opening walk. You have great potential. Why not come to my company? I guarantee you’ll be treated better than at ‘Senlai.’”

The man known as “President Zhang” didn’t even try to hide his attempt to poach her.

Though he looked refined in his suit, Yan Man had heard rumors—this Zhang was infamous for coercing female stars. Just last year, he’d made the trending searches after a starlet accused him by name. But the case vanished without resolution, and her works have since disappeared from the internet—likely blacklisted.

Yan Man wasn’t sure how to respond when she heard President Li whisper a warning.

“Zhang, are you sure? ‘Senlai’ is under President Tan’s umbrella.”

“She’s just a model. Why would Tan remember someone like her?”

President Zhang scoffed, clearly unconcerned.

“What do you think, Miss Yan?” he asked, clinking his glass against hers with a crisp sound.

“I appreciate the offer, President Zhang, but I have no intention of switching companies.”

Yan Man’s tone was polite but firm, her expression calm beyond her years.

President Zhang clearly didn’t expect such a blunt rejection. His smile disappeared as he coldly said, “You’d better think this through. I’ll even cover your breach fee. This is a one-time offer—it won’t come again.”

He thought money was the issue.

Yan Man only smiled and didn’t reply. Instead, she raised her glass. “Then, a toast to you.”

She brought the glass to her lips, red wine touching them lightly.

Zhang saw her response and grew annoyed. He mocked, “A sip like that isn’t enough.”

Then he signaled to a waiter, took a full glass of baijiu (a strong Chinese liquor), and thrust it toward her with a tone that was more order than offer. “Drink this.”

The atmosphere turned cold and tense.

The conversation had gone on long enough that people nearby started to notice. With President Zhang’s movement, more eyes turned their way.

No one knew exactly how Yan Man had offended President Zhang.

He held a powerful position in both business and entertainment circles—if she didn’t handle this well, her career could be over.

The crowd around them grew. Most were just watching the drama unfold.

Yan Man lowered her eyes to the drink he offered, a faint and cold smile tugging at her lips.

“If you drink this, we’ll pretend none of this ever happened. Otherwise…” President Zhang let the end of his sentence drag, filled with implication. “It’s your choice, Miss Yan.”

Yan Man swallowed the curse rising to her lips. For the sake of maintaining her public image, she only rolled her eyes internally.

She had never been humiliated like this in her life.

“Apologies, President Zhang.”

Her voice was sincere as she reached out and took the glass of liquor.

Zhang smiled condescendingly, assuming she’d given in. He watched her, smug and entertained.

Just as everyone thought Yan Man was about to give in and drink—

She suddenly raised her hand, and in the next second, the entire glass of liquor splashed directly onto Zhang’s head.

Gasps echoed from the crowd.

“How dare Yan Man do that?”

“She’s done for—Yan Man’s finished!”

…

Zhang clearly hadn’t expected this.

Liquor dripped down his face, ruining his perfectly styled hair—his toupee even fell off, revealing a nearly bald head.

Covering his scalp in panic, he erupted in rage. “You f***ing—!”

He raised a hand, aiming to slap her.

But before he could swing, his wrist was seized.

“Hiss—!”

A sharp pain shot up his arm—it was twisted behind his back with such skill that he thought his tendons would snap.

Turning in anger, Zhang’s face changed the moment he saw who it was.

“President… Tan.”

“W-What brings you here?”

Just seconds ago, he’d been arrogant and overbearing. But upon seeing Tan Qishen, he shrank in an instant, his tone groveling.

The banquet hall’s lights glowed on Tan Qishen’s cold and chiseled face. He stood tall and imposing like a statue of judgment, shielding Yan Man behind him.

He slowly released Zhang’s wrist. Uncle Nan handed him a clean handkerchief.

Tan Qishen wiped his hands leisurely, as though he’d touched something filthy.

His deep, icy eyes locked on Zhang. He gave a faint, unreadable smile as he spoke in a hoarse, low voice, “President Zhang… shall I drink with you instead?”

Zhang froze, completely stunned. He had no idea why Tan Qishen would stand up for Yan Man.

He was nearly twenty years older than Tan, but their social standing was worlds apart. And now, soaked and humiliated, he looked utterly pitiful.

President Li and President Chen, who had been watching and snickering, instantly stiffened. They bowed their heads and respectfully greeted, “President Tan…”

Zhang wiped his face with his sleeve and quickly tried to smile. “You’re joking, President Tan. It should be my honor to drink with you.”

In all of Beijing, only Tan Qishen’s father could expect him to “drink with” someone.

Tan Qishen’s face remained cold. He turned slightly to ask Yan Man in a low voice, “What did he say to you?”

Yan Man was still a little stunned by his sudden appearance. She answered honestly, “…President Zhang said he wanted me to join his company. Said the treatment would be better than at ‘Senlai.’”

Tan Qishen gave a cold chuckle. “Oh? And you’re not tempted?”

Every word sounded polite—but had a chilling undertone.

“No, no, of course not! I was just joking with Miss Yan,” Zhang stammered, terrified.

“Just a joke?” Tan Qishen raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, yes.” Zhang nodded frantically.

“Well then, let me joke with you too.”

Tan Qishen’s tone was casual as he glanced at Presidents Li and Chen—who’d been waiting to see Yan Man embarrassed.

They wouldn’t get away either.

“Uncle Nan, find a room. Entertain these gentlemen properly.”

His final words were drawn out, voice cold as snowmelt.

Uncle Nan bowed with a smile and gestured for the men to follow.

Suddenly, several bodyguards appeared from nowhere, surrounding the group and forcing them to leave.

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