Mr. Yuan had already reserved a private room at Shangrila, and the number of people he invited was not many—besides Mr. Song and his nephew, the key guests included a certain leader from the Education Bureau of Hailin City, as well as President Qi and Vice President Xu from the Book Club (both of whom were entrepreneurs with some achievements in their respective industries), and another person whom Lu Nan also knew, Professor Zhu, a faculty leader from her university days. 

Along with Mr. Yuan’s secretary, a young male, there were eight people in total. 

In other words, with Lu Nan and Li Li added, the total was ten people, which was more than enough for a large round table.  

Although the number of people was small, the weight was significant—one leader and four CEOs were enough to meet the standard for two tasting events organized by Yuan Chuan.  

Li Li asked Lu Nan to unpack the wine, placing it into three tote bags. She carried one bag, while Lu Nan took one in each hand.  

Lu Nan followed Li Li into the private room, where the guests were casually chatting in small groups on the sofas. 

After handing the wine to the waiter, Lu Nan whispered to Li Li. 

When seeing Professor Zhu here, it’s only polite to greet him first. 

Having graduated just over a month ago, it was clear that Professor Zhu still remembered her: “Lu Nan, how have you been lately?” 

Lu Nan shared her recent experiences. 

Perhaps because it was a public setting, or perhaps because Professor Zhu truly believed it, when he learned that Lu Nan was now a sales representative at a liquor factory, he didn’t show any surprise. Naturally, he didn’t make any judgments either. He just nodded and said, “There are outstanding individuals in every profession. The liquor industry may not be easy, but it has a wide market. You’re still young and have countless possibilities.” 

Lu Nan nodded in acknowledgment and then introduced Professor Zhu and Li Li to each other. 

As the banquet was about to start, Lu Nan sensibly took a seat at the end of the table, with Li Li on her left and Xiao Song on her right. 

Apparently, Xiao Song had overheard the conversation between Lu Nan and Professor Zhu. At this moment, he whispered in confusion, “Why did you go into the liquor business? It would be better to work at my uncle’s training company.” 

What could Lu Nan say? Was this a case of the apple not falling far from the tree? Their suggestions were practically the same.  

She smiled at Xiao Song and said, “My current job is quite good. If I ever want to change my work environment, I’ll definitely seek help from Mr. Song.”  

It was just a polite remark. 

Apparently, Xiao Song took it seriously. He looked Lu Nan up and down, then slightly nodded and said, “Your appearance and temperament are good. I went to the CIMC Logistics annual meeting last time. You did a great job hosting it. I’ll mention you to my uncle. He should be interested in hiring you.” 

Lu Nan: Well, should I thank you?  

… 

President Yuan’s training institution smoothly obtained qualifications in Hailin City. Expressing gratitude to the leaders was his main purpose for the banquet today. However, it was clear that this bald president was very good at socializing. He took care of everyone present and even mentioned Lu Nan specifically when the waiter was opening the wine: “This is Lu Nan. Xiao Nan is a very good young person. Here, Manager Li should thank Professor Zhu – I heard earlier that this talent was nurtured by Professor Zhu!” 

Following President Yuan’s words, everyone’s gaze focused on the young girl at the end of the table. 

Of course, Li Li followed up with a smile, holding up her glass, and said to Professor Zhu, “Professor Zhu has noble character and is dedicated to teaching and nurturing students. I admire you greatly.” 

Professor Zhu raised his glass and toasted with Li Li: “Mr. Yuan and Manager Li both hold Lu Nan in high regard, which makes me, as her former teacher, very pleased. Lu Nan is indeed an outstanding girl. Not only are her grades excellent, but she also actively participates in both on-campus and off-campus activities. I remember well that she won the first prize in our school’s college student entrepreneurship competition during her freshman summer break—she’s a girl full of determination and courage.” 

“Professor Zhu, if you praise me any further, I might get carried away.” Lu Nan, who was being praised, wasn’t shy at all. She stood up and poured herself a small cup of wine. 

“Thanks to the opportunity provided by Mr. Yuan, I want to thank Professor Zhu for his careful guidance, thank Mr. Song for his past support, and especially thank all the leaders gathered here for making me feel like I’m listening to a beautiful melody… Finally, thanks to Manager Li. Without her, I wouldn’t have been able to present the ‘Heavenly Fragrance and National Beauty,’ a fifteen-year-old Yuan Chuan Classic Wine.”  

She made her point clear.  

Yuan Chuan Classic Wine is quite well-known in the market, so Lu Nan didn’t need to emphasize it. The people at the table could easily estimate the market price of the bottles and felt a sense of satisfaction. They had no particular aversion to the two additional women; having beautiful women at the table was always pleasant, especially when they were articulate young women. 

Even Mr. Yuan felt that inviting Lu Nan and Li Li was not a mistake. He didn’t lack the six thousand or so yuan to buy wine, but since they offered it, it made it clear that they took the invitation seriously! They provided something of value, which was a way of honoring him.  

Of course, the main focus of this meal was still the leaders. Lu Nan’s opportunity to showcase herself was something Mr. Yuan had specifically suggested.  

After she sat down, Li Li gave her an approving look and whispered, “Towards the end of the banquet, see if you can exchange contact information with the leaders. Don’t force it; the key is to maintain good relations with President Yuan and Vice President Song.” 

Lu Nan nodded in understanding. 

Xiao Song, who hadn’t caught what Li Li said to Lu Nan, felt a little uncomfortable. When his uncle introduced him to the leaders, they simply nodded. But when Lu Nan stood up and spoke for a while, the leaders even raised their glasses and took a sip. (Lu Nan thought: Please, do you think the leaders are showing me respect? Clearly, they are showing respect to Mr. Yuan, Professor Zhu, and the fine wine.) 

“Lu Nan, I didn’t expect you to be a prominent figure in the liquor industry now?” 

As soon as Xiao Song spoke, Lu Nan sensed the hint of bitterness in his words.  

No wonder Mr. Song only put his nephew in his small company instead of CIMC Logistics. He’s so narrow-minded. If he had placed him in CIMC Logistics, he might have offended people. 

Lu Nan didn’t want to upset him, but she wasn’t scared of him either. When she heard this, she just smiled and said, “It’s the wine that’s good—it doesn’t make you feel dizzy, doesn’t dry your mouth, and you won’t have a headache the next day.” 

“I don’t believe it. Liquor is all pretty much the same, both spicy and irritating. It can’t be as good as you say,” Xiao Song shook his head. 

“Heavenly Fragrance and National Beauty is really excellent. Drink a bit more, and you’ll have the right to speak tomorrow morning,” Lu Nan said with a smile, then naturally turned to whisper to Li Li. 

Xiao Song was a bit irritated but couldn’t pinpoint why he was annoyed since Lu Nan’s attitude was quite good. 

In the end, Lu Nan didn’t find an opportunity to exchange contact information with any leaders (which she admitted was due to her not actively seeking the chance). However, at the hotel entrance while waiting for the car, the two executives of the Book Club exchanged business cards with Li Li and Lu Nan. They praised the wine served at dinner and mentioned that if they needed anything related to it in the future, they would think of Yuan Chuan Classic Wine and Manager Li and Lu Nan first. 

Although their words were just polite, maintaining relationships always takes effort. A few more interactions and a few more drinks of Yuan Chuan Classic Wine might just cultivate brand loyalty. 

Li Li, having drunk some wine, called for a designated driver: “Lu Nan, I’ll take you home first.” 

The Shangrila Hotel wasn’t far from Lu Nan’s home at Xinguang Yipin, so Lu Nan accepted Li Li’s kind offer. 

When she returned to the dorm, the other girls were still playing mahjong. 

As Lu Nan changed her shoes, she almost couldn’t help but laugh. She had clearly said she was just going to rest, yet she still ended up taking on tasks.  

Looking at these little girls, this was what she called true “resting and going with the flow” — although it was Sunday, they usually played Mahjong during paid breaks every few days.  

Today was a rare occasion, and the one playing mahjong was the four girls from Yunan. Xiang Feifei was also at the table. She turned to look at Lu Nan and said, “You’re back? How was it? You didn’t drink too much, did you? I bought some grapes, feel free to wash them if you want some.” 

From Xiang Feifei’s words, it was clear she didn’t hold any grudge about Li Li bringing only Lu Nan tonight.  

Lu Nan smiled and said, “I only drank a little, but now that you mention grapes, I’m craving them. Go ahead and eat yours first. I’ll recommend a hidden gem snack place near CBD to you tomorrow.” 

Whether or not Lu Nan ate Xiang Feifei’s grapes wasn’t the main point; the focus was on the familiarity in her response, which showed that the two had developed a closer bond than typical colleagues.  

Eating fruit late at night wasn’t Lu Nan’s usual habit, but having a little grape as an exception was fine. 

“I’m looking forward to it. Your recommendations have never been wrong,” Xiang Feifei smiled, her white teeth standing out against her tanned skin. 

While Lu Nan was washing the grapes, she asked, “Are you going to eat some too? If so, I’ll wash them all together.” 

“Yes!” Xiang Feifei’s voice came from the living room. “Wash them all, let’s eat together.”  

When they paused the Mahjong game to eat grapes, the sound of the door opening echoed. 

Dong Hui was back.  

Out of friendship, Hong Danni asked, “You’re back?” 

Although no one had asked where she had been, Dong Hui, with a hint of boasting, replied, “I was at the boys’ dorm tonight. Yi Wei made braised pork, and it was amazing!” 

Xiang Feifei casually added, “So quick to think about eating meat, looks like the heartbreak is over.”  

Lu Nan couldn’t help but laugh: Feifei was as sharp-tongued as ever. 

“Ah, no matter how heartbroken, life has to go on. We spent a long time trying to comfort him yesterday. Zhou Lei said Yi Wei was so drunk last night… Ugh, Sasha is really too straightforward. She could be a bit more subtle when rejecting people,” Dong Hui said, perhaps because Sasha had been transferred out of the city or due to Dong Hui’s stance but she no longer referred to her as ‘Sister Sasha’ and seemed to be speaking up for Yi Wei. 

As everyone knew, Lu Nan and Pan Sasha had a good relationship. 

At that moment, Lu Nan couldn’t just let Dong Hui make subtle remarks about Sasha. “From what I know, Sasha has made her feelings clear to Yi Wei more than once before. Maybe she was too subtle, and he just didn’t get it.” 

Xiang Feifei nodded: “Some men just pretend not to understand what women are saying, always thinking that a woman saying ‘no’ means she’s playing hard to get.” 

Dong Hui knew she couldn’t win the argument with Lu Nan and Xiang Feifei, so she changed the topic and began sharing interesting stories from the boys’ dormitory. 

She said, “You won’t believe how messy they are. As soon as you open the shoe rack by the door, the smell that hits you is enough to send you running. When I went to the bathroom, I saw several basins soaking with socks and underwear!” 

Then she added, “And did you know? Zhou Lei’s leg hair is so thick, like a pair of thermal pants. He usually wears long pants to work, but today he was wearing shorts in the dorm, and I was shocked.”