National Tide 1980.

"Excuse me, everyone, Mr. Ning has had quite a bit to drink tonight, and he'll get drunk if he drinks any more."

She was meticulous and efficient, avoiding openly offending anyone while steadily protecting Ning Weimin.

Some people, unwilling to give up, still tried to come up and offer a toast.

Yao Peifang simply took the wine glass from the other person's hand and said with a smile, "It's not that I'm being a spoilsport, it's just that President Ning has an important schedule tomorrow. At worst, I'll drink this glass for him. President Ning will remember everyone's good intentions."

Then, he tilted his head back and drank the wine in one gulp, his posture decisive and swift, without the slightest hesitation.

If this is not enough to deter those female celebrities who use ambiguous language and keep pestering you, then...

Yao Peifang had no choice but to be more direct, which resulted in a polite rebuff.

"Mr. Ning has always been careful about his interactions with women, so he has never been involved in any scandals. Moreover, Mrs. Ning is a senior figure in the Japanese entertainment industry and is very aware of the trouble that such things can cause. She has also reminded me many times how to prevent such incidents. So please be understanding and don't put me in a difficult position. If I make a mistake or fail to fulfill my responsibilities, I will have to bear the consequences."

To be honest, female celebrities in Hong Kong's entertainment circle are really not afraid of ruining their reputation by being mistresses.

Especially "tycoon killers" like Michelle Reis and Rosamund Kwan.

The problem is that Keiko Matsumoto is one of the most influential figures in the Japanese film industry, and offending her has consequences that are quite different from messing with an ordinary wealthy woman.

There's no need for that; nobody wants to needlessly create obstacles for their acting career, right?

Thus, faced with Yao Peifang's unwavering and strict defense, even the most envious and cunning female demons could not resist.

The only option is to back down and look for another opportunity.

Yao Peifang remained calm and composed throughout, demonstrating a measured approach to both advancement and retreat.

While dealing with the endless stream of people offering toasts, she secretly gave Ning Weimin a look, signaling him to drink less and talk less. She also secretly signaled Le Yun and the other two to come and help, asking them to accompany her to fend off the drinks and help Ning Weimin out of the predicament.

Ning Weimin sat on the sofa, watching Yao Peifang's busy figure. He smiled to himself, while a hint of approval and appreciation flashed in his eyes.

He knew that if it weren't for Yao Peifang's efforts to mediate and protect him today, he would probably have been entangled by these scheming women long ago.

His sycophantic and persistent tactics in harassing those people only increased his trust in Yao Peifang's abilities.

She managed to handle even a chaotic situation like today, so it seems unlikely that there will be any situation she can't handle...

Yao Peifang finally managed to get rid of those persistent people and breathed a sigh of relief. She walked to Ning Weimin's side, lowered her voice, and spoke with a hint of weariness that was barely perceptible, but still gentle.

"Mr. Ning, are you alright? Did you drink too much? Would you like me to get you a glass of warm water?"

She lightly touched Ning Weimin's wine glass with her fingertips, and only after confirming that the wine inside hadn't been touched much did she feel a little relieved.

Ning Weimin shook his head gently and said in a mild tone, "It's nothing. I owe you a lot today. You've worked hard. Thanks to you for shielding me, I was able to remain sober and sit here. I'm increasingly grateful that you agreed to come to Dachuan Entertainment. Otherwise, I would have lost such a good and capable assistant."

Yao Peifang blushed slightly upon being praised, and quickly lowered her head to hide the panic and joy in her eyes, saying softly, "It's what I should do, President Ning. As long as you're alright."

Ning Weimin's gaze first fell on her forehead, noticing fine beads of sweat clinging to her stray hairs, and her face showing signs of fatigue.

Then he glanced into the private room again and saw several female celebrities glancing over from time to time, their eyes still filled with resentment. He then had an idea.

He turned slightly to the side, lowered his voice, and his tone carried a hint of casual concern.

“You look exhausted, your forehead is covered in sweat. It’s too stuffy in there, and there are still some people who won’t give up. Why don’t we go out and find a quiet place to get some fresh air, so we don’t have to deal with them anymore? Just hold on a little longer, and we’ll come back to say goodbye after midnight…”

Yao Peifang suddenly looked up, a hint of unexpected surprise flashing in her eyes, and even the blush on her cheeks deepened.

She never expected that Ning Weimin would take the initiative to suggest going out for some fresh air alone with her.

This secret intimacy, like children sharing a secret, filled her with a secret joy, and all her weariness seemed to vanish.

She nodded vigorously, her voice carrying a barely perceptible hint of lightness, "Okay, I'll do whatever you say."

Soon, the two left the private room one after the other, each under the pretext of going to the restroom. They then quietly avoided the noisy areas and walked along a secluded corridor deeper into the nightclub.

The noisy singing and laughter were left far behind, and the surroundings gradually quieted down, with only the corridor lights illuminating the two figures side by side.

Yao Peifang glanced at the several unused dishwashing baskets in the stairwell and pointed at them with a smile.

"President Ning, the stairwell must be quiet. Let's sit there and rest for a while. It won't attract attention."

Ning Weimin readily agreed, took the lead in sitting down on a dishwashing basket, and then helped Yao Peifang set up another one, gesturing for her to sit next to him.

A cool night breeze blew through the window cracks in the corridor, dispelling the heat of the nightclub.

The two sat side by side, and for a moment, the formality between superior and subordinate completely disappeared.

As the faint sound of music drifted from afar, their conversation gradually became more relaxed.

"Of all the dishes at Treasure Pavilion today, you seemed to eat the steamed grouper the most. You really liked it?"

Ning Weimin spoke first, his tone casual, yet with a hint of unintentional attention.

Yao Peifang felt a warmth in her heart, surprised that he had noticed these details, and quickly responded with a smile.

"Yes, President Ning, I've loved eating fish since I was a child. The grouper at Zhenbaofang is steamed so tender and delicious. It's a pity that you can only eat it here. I won't be able to enjoy it after I leave."

"Not necessarily. If you like it so much, I'll definitely find a way to make it happen for you. I'll make sure you can eat it in the capital."

"Don't joke around. Someone of your status can't easily fool a girl like me."

"How could I be joking? Have you forgotten I have an aquarium? I'll keep a tank of grouper just for you. After it opens, you can come anytime you want to eat, and my chef will cook it for you."

"Wow, really? I'm so flattered by this treatment. Boss, why are you so kind to me?"

"Of course, it's because you're capable, you're my right-hand man. As the boss, I can't be stingy if I want to retain talent. Actually, let alone a mere grouper, I'm even planning to build a ship like the Treasure Pavilion and take it to the capital. Then, I'll let you eat this dish in our own ship's restaurant—that would be truly delicious..."

"Haha, this is a fantastic idea. If it really works, then our Big Ship Entertainment will truly live up to its name..."

The two chatted back and forth, getting more and more into the conversation.

Ning Weimin asked her where the best place to shop in the port city was, which cosmetics and jewelry were worth buying, and how the LVMH and Saint Laurent boutiques were doing.

Yao Peifang then explained to him in detail where ready-made clothes were cost-effective and where jewelry designs were novel, her tone meticulous and earnest.

As they talked, the topic veered further and further off track.

They chatted about everything from shopping to childhood anecdotes, from the local customs and culture of the port city to their years working hard in Japan. Without the entanglements of profit or the interference of others, the distance between them grew ever closer.

The boundaries between boss and subordinate gradually blurred, and a faint, inexplicable ambiguity filled the air.

At this moment, if someone unaware of the situation saw them, they would definitely think they were a young couple on a date.

Looking at the composed and gentle Ning Weimin beside her, Yao Peifang couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions welling up inside her.

After hesitating for a moment, she finally mustered her courage and spoke in a tentative tone, her words carrying a hint of humor to mask her nervousness.
"President Ning, I have a question for you... Today I stopped those women from getting close to you. Will you blame me? Will you think I was meddling and ruined your plans? After all, they are all so beautiful. Don't you really have any feelings for them?"

Upon hearing this, Ning Weimin was taken aback at first, then couldn't help but laugh out loud, his tone a mix of exasperation and amusement.

"What are you thinking, girl? You and I both know what those people are up to. They're only after my money and resources. How could I possibly be tempted? Besides, I have you as my 'gatekeeper' by my side. Even if I had ideas, I wouldn't have the chance. Your power is greater than my wife's right now. My innocence is entirely in your hands."

As he spoke, he deliberately raised an eyebrow at Yao Peifang, his tone becoming even more playful.

Yao Peifang blushed at his words and couldn't help but lower her head.

But she couldn't help but smile, her mind racing with wild guesses as she wondered if Ning Weimin was giving some kind of hint, and a glimmer of hope crept in.

The two chatted and laughed for a few more minutes, and the atmosphere became increasingly relaxed and ambiguous, as if even the air itself had become warmer.

However, at that moment, a fierce argument suddenly broke out outside the stairwell, mixed with a woman's resistance and rude shouts, all in authentic Cantonese, spoken quickly and urgently.

This unexpected interruption caused both of them to frown slightly, feeling that their mood had been dampened.

Ning Weimin's Cantonese isn't very good; I could only understand part of it.

The dispute outside seemed to be about two drunk female models who didn't want to continue serving drinks and tried to sneak away under the pretext of going to the restroom. However, a woman chased after them and stopped them, threatening them with her personal relationships and forcing them to go back.

He originally didn't want to meddle in other people's business.

Hong Kong's nightlife scene is a mixed bag, and it's not uncommon for celebrities to be forced to drink with others. He doesn't need to play the role of a righteous hero and get himself into trouble.

Just as he was about to look away and continue talking to Yao Peifang, the two female models who had refused suddenly became agitated and switched from Cantonese to standard Beijing dialect.

And their resistance was tinged with sobs, faint yet clear.

"We're not going! We're not hostesses! Let us go!"

"Let go! If you keep doing this, we'll call for help. We're all legitimate fashion models, not the kind of people you're thinking of..."

"Go ahead and call for help. See if anyone will help you. This is Hong Kong, not your mainland. You want to make a big deal out of this? Then I'll tell the people who brought you here tomorrow that you're trying to seduce men to get your status here..."

That voice... Ning Weimin's heart jolted, and he suddenly remembered one, his eyes instantly turning serious.

Without waiting for Yao Peifang's reaction, he decisively stood up and quickly walked towards the corner.

Yao Peifang's heart tightened, and instinctively, she quickly followed.

She had no idea what had happened, but she could sense the urgency in Ning Weimin's voice.

At the corner, two tall girls wearing skirts and with somewhat disheveled makeup were blocked by a plump middle-aged woman who was holding their arms tightly. The woman's face was pale and her eyes were filled with fear.

One of the girls struggled fiercely, her hair disheveled and her face full of panic; it was Qu Xiao, whom Ning Weimin knew well.

Qu Xiao also happened to look up, and the moment her eyes met Ning Weimin's, she froze. The fear on her face was instantly replaced by shock, and her eyes widened as if she couldn't believe her eyes.

Ning Weimin was also stunned. He never expected that he would actually encounter Qu Xiao in this place and under these circumstances.

After a brief moment of shock, Qu Xiao, as if grasping at a straw, cried out for help, "Brother Ning, Brother Ning!"

Ning Weimin had no other reaction at this moment. He rushed to the middle-aged woman without thinking and grabbed her hand, shaking her off.

"Who are you? What do you want? Let them go!"

His shout carried the authority of someone who had long held a high position; his voice wasn't loud, but his presence was imposing.

The middle-aged woman's face changed instantly. He flung her hand away and she staggered back two steps. Her wrist went numb. She was both shocked and angry, but when she saw that Ning Weimin was well-dressed and had a cold look in his eyes, she didn't dare to act recklessly. She could only put her hands on her hips and shout in broken Mandarin.

"Where did you come from? Mind your own business! Be careful you don't offend someone you can't afford to offend..."

As she spoke, she reached out to grab Qu Xiao's arm again, her arrogance quite overbearing.

"You dare touch my people?"

Ning Weimin took a step forward, shielding Qu Xiao and the other girl behind him. His aura suddenly plummeted, and his tone was icy cold. "At the 348 Nightclub, you forced girls to drink with you and assaulted them. You have some nerve. Do you know whose place this is? Believe me, I'll make Mr. Hong Hanyi come down right now!"

The moment the words "Mr. Hong" were uttered, the middle-aged woman's face turned deathly pale.

No matter how domineering she was, she knew this was Hong Hanyi's territory, and she understood that someone who could address Mr. Hong by his name was someone she, a mere middleman, could not afford to offend.

Qu Xiao gripped Ning Weimin's clothes tightly, her knuckles turning white. Her body trembled uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face like broken beads, her voice choked with sobs, almost incoherent.

“Brother Ning…we really just came here part-time for the fashion show. She tricked us into a private room and forced us to drink and entertain the customers. When I refused, she blocked us from leaving and said she would blacklist us and make it impossible for us to stay in Hong Kong…”

Her companions were also so frightened that their bodies went limp, their faces turned pale, and they shrank behind Qu Xiao, not daring to even cry out loud.

Yao Peifang immediately stepped forward, gently supporting Qu Xiao's shoulder, soothing her softly while calmly looking at the middle-aged woman, her tone carrying an undeniable authority:
“Look carefully, these two young ladies are our friends. We are also friends with Mr. Hong. Today, either you apologize and release them now, or we will immediately call Mr. Hong and the security department to settle this matter. In that case, it won't just be you who loses face; the person who brought you in will also be in deep trouble.”

Her words combined soft and hard tactics, both bringing up Ning Weimin and exposing the relationship between Da Chuan Entertainment and Hong Hanyi, completely cutting off the other party's confidence to act recklessly.

Seeing Ning Weimin's cold and intimidating gaze, and hearing Yao Peifang's words, the middle-aged woman no longer dared to be arrogant. Her arrogance instantly diminished, and she muttered a few words of resentment, but dared not step forward again. She could only glare hatefully at Qu Xiao before turning around and slinking away.

Once the crisis was over, Qu Xiao could no longer hold on and leaned softly into Ning Weimin's arms, bursting into tears.

All the grievances, fears, and helplessness I had felt in the port city these past few days erupted the moment I saw Ning Weimin.

Ning Weimin stiffened for a moment, then gently patted her back, his tone softening but still carrying a reassuring strength.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here, no one can bully you anymore."

Yao Peifang stood aside, watching the scene before her. Her heart ached for no reason, but she still sensibly stepped back and silently stood guard, leaving this space for the still-shaken Qu Xiao and Ning Weimin who had come to her rescue.

But her hands, hanging at her sides, unconsciously clenched slightly. (End of Chapter)