To marry into the family in place of his brother? Impossible!

Jiang Jinhuan ignored Lin Yuan's anxiety. He returned to Luo Qingyi's room and turned on the computer.

He then reinvested the profits from his previous stock investments into the stock market, reasoning, "This company's future market value will definitely double; it's just not favored by investors right now, making it a great opportunity to buy at the bottom!"

He didn't know these things in advance; rather, they were conclusions he reached after investigation and verification.

Past events have also proven that his inferences have a high probability of success.

A single stock selection often involves politics, economics, and culture.

It is a complex and comprehensive consideration, not a blind choice.

However, it seems he has the key.

Before we knew it, it was already dark.

Luo Qingyi has not returned yet.

However, she had already sent a text message saying that Luo Qingyi had gone to a celebration banquet today.

I'll be back a little later.

Jiang Jinhuan thought for a moment: "Call me anytime, I'll come pick you up!"

Luo Qingyi quickly replied, "Okay!"

The celebration was held in a private room at a five-star hotel, and the decorations were very elaborate.

Jiang Zhe wore a newly tailored suit, his hair was styled with hair gel, and he looked very energetic.

Those attending the celebration included core members of the project team, several senior executives of the company, and Luo Qingyi.

Luo Qingyi wore a dark blue dress today, her hair was loose over her shoulders, and she wore light makeup. She sat to Jiang Zhe's right, with a glass of red wine in front of her.

She put down her phone, a sweet smile on her face.

Jiang Zhe's gaze remained fixed on Luo Qingyi.

Seeing the smile that flashed across her face, he felt his heart race.

That fleeting moment of alluring tenderness was mesmerizing.

Seemingly noticing Jiang Zhe's gaze, Luo Qingyi frowned slightly, somewhat displeased.

Jiang Zhe immediately stood up, raised his glass, and said, "Everyone, the successful completion of the Chengnan project is inseparable from everyone's hard work."

Especially Assistant Luo, who has been working overtime lately and deserves much credit. Come, let's toast Assistant Luo.

Everyone raised their glasses and looked at Luo Qingyi.

Luo Qingyi also picked up her wine glass and took a sip.

Jiang Zhe sat down, turned to look at Luo Qingyi, and said with a fawning smile, "Qingyi, you've worked hard these past few days. Eat more, this restaurant's signature dishes are quite good."

He picked up the serving chopsticks, placed a piece of spare rib in Luo Qingyi's bowl, and gave it to her.

Luo Qingyi glanced at the piece of pork rib but didn't touch it.

Jiang Zhe didn't notice her reaction and continued to urge her to drink: "Qingyi, come on, let me toast you again. You've been working the hardest lately, so you have to drink this."

Luo Qingyi picked up her wine glass and took another sip.

Jiang Zhe wore a smile, but in his mind he was already planning tonight.

He had already made arrangements; after the celebration party, he would offer to take Luo Qingyi back.

She'd had quite a bit to drink, so she definitely couldn't drive herself. He could then conveniently take her home, and then—

The corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up.

After a few rounds of drinks, Jiang Zhe poured Luo Qingyi another glass of wine.

"Qingyi, you must drink this glass of wine. You are the biggest contributor to the success of the Chengnan project."

Luo Qingyi looked at the wine glass in front of her, paused for a second, then picked it up and drank it all in one gulp.

Jiang Zhe's smile widened.

But he didn't notice that after Luo Qingyi finished that glass of wine, her eyes became even colder.

Another ten minutes or so passed before Luo Qingyi stood up.

"Manager Jiang, I need to use the restroom."

Jiang Zhe smiled and nodded: "Go ahead, go ahead, no rush."

Luo Qingyi picked up her bag and left the private room.

The sound of high heels clicking on the floor echoed in the corridor, crisp and resolute.

She walked down the corridor, turned a corner, and instead of going to the restroom, headed straight for the elevator.

She pressed the button, the elevator doors opened, and she stepped inside.

The moment the door closed, she leaned against the elevator wall, closed her eyes, and let out a long sigh of relief.

That feeling of relief was like having a heavy burden lifted off one's shoulders.

She took out her phone and made a call.

The elevator reached the first floor, she stepped out, walked through the lobby, and exited the hotel.

A night breeze blew by, carrying the chill of early autumn.

She stood at the hotel entrance, took a deep breath, and the wind dispelled some of the effects of the alcohol in her head.

A short while later, an electric scooter stopped beside her.

Jiang Jinhuan looked at Luo Qingyi, whose cheeks were slightly flushed and who smelled of alcohol, and asked, "Did you drink a lot?"

Luo Qingyi nodded, her body involuntarily leaning towards Jiang Jinhuan.

Jiang Jinhuan quickly helped her up and skillfully carried her to Luo Qingyi's car.

Luo Qingyi was held in Jiang Jinhuan's arms, her cheeks flushed, and her hands unconsciously wrapped around his neck.

After putting Luo Qingyi into the car, Jiang Jinhuan put his electric scooter in the trunk and then drove away with Luo Qingyi.

Meanwhile, in a private room at the hotel.

Jiang Zhe held his wine glass, his smile already beginning to freeze.

Luo Qingyi has been in the restroom for almost half an hour and hasn't come back yet.

He asked his colleague to search the restroom, but the colleague came back and said he couldn't find the person.

Jiang Zhe put down his wine glass, took out his phone, and dialed Luo Qingyi's number.

The call was connected.

"Qingyi, where are you? Why haven't you come back yet?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, then Luo Qingyi's calm voice came through: "Manager Jiang, I'm home now. I've had enough to drink tonight, so I'm going to rest."

Jiang Zhe's smile froze completely.

"You...you've already gone back?"

"Yes, Manager Jiang, you should get some rest too."

The phone hangs up.

Jiang Zhe gripped his phone, his knuckles turning white.

He sat in the private room, surrounded by his colleagues who were still clinking glasses, but he felt as if the whole world had fallen silent.

His meticulously planned victory celebration, his carefully prepared banquet, his meticulously designed opportunity—all fell through.

He suddenly stood up, causing the chair to tip backward with a loud thud. Everyone in the private room was startled and turned to look at him.

Jiang Zhe didn't look at anyone, turned around and walked out of the private room.

The corridor was empty except for the sound of his footsteps.

He walked to the elevator, pressed the button, the elevator doors opened, and he went inside.

The moment the door closed, he punched the elevator wall.

Damn it.

As the elevator descends, the numbers change one floor at a time.

Jiang Zhe leaned against the elevator wall, closed his eyes, and his face was contorted like that of a wounded wild animal.

He thought he could win over Luo Qingyi tonight.

He thought that as long as he drank too much and took her home, everything would fall into place.

But Luo Qingyi left without even saying goodbye; she just left like that.

Jiang Zhe opened his eyes and looked at his own face reflected on the elevator wall.

His face showed anger, resentment, and a hint of defeat that even he himself was unwilling to admit.

The elevator doors opened, and he stepped out, walked through the lobby, and exited the hotel.

A cool night breeze blew by.

He stood at the hotel entrance, looking at the empty streets, and suddenly felt like a joke.

All the meticulous planning probably meant nothing to Luo Qingyi.

He clenched his fist, his knuckles cracking.

"Luo Qingyi," he said softly, his voice filled with an almost morbid obsession, "you can't escape. One day, you will be mine."