C19 The Juice Formula

"How could you let such a promising investment opportunity slip through your fingers? Explain yourselves!" Liu Meng slammed the investment contract onto the conference table and sank into the leather sofa, visibly struggling to catch his breath.

His intense reaction was somewhat justified; the failed investment meant that Yangquan Wine Cellar, which he had managed for most of his life, was now in jeopardy.

"It's all Yang Yi's fault, Director Liu. Director Jia from Xinghong Trade simply wanted to share a drink with her, but she flatly refused. Her rejection infuriated him, and as a result, the investment deal fell through!" Shu Shuang threw Yang Yi under the bus in front of Liu Meng, then watched for her reaction with a smug look on her face.

"Yang Yi, what's your side of the story?" Liu Meng demanded, his tone laced with irritation.

Standing up, Yang Yi was filled with a sense of deep injustice. "There were drugs in the wine; I couldn't possibly drink it!"

The room fell silent, only to be followed by a wave of commotion.

"What's all this noise about?" Liu Meng banged on the table forcefully, quelling the chaos in the conference room. He then turned to Yang Yi and asked skeptically, "What kind of drug was it? Are you suggesting it was poison?"

Yang Yi was taken aback, not expecting such harsh words from the normally gentle Mr. Liu. She remembered how Ye Yu had saved her once before, and how Liu Meng had learned of her plight. He had generously offered to finance her university education on the condition that she would work at Yangquan Wine Cellar for at least five years after graduating.

Though it was a transaction, it had been a lifeline for Yang Yi at the time, allowing her not to be a burden on her mother and to realize her dream of attending university.

"The drug wouldn't have killed you. What's the harm in spending one night with him? What's the value of your body compared to the worth of Yangquan Wine Cellar? Don't you understand the gravity of the situation?

"When I agreed to fund your education, it was because you had some looks. I never imagined you'd be so clueless!" Liu Meng's words hit Yang Yi like a ton of bricks, and she collapsed into her chair, overwhelmed.

"I think it's clear you're no longer fit to be the manager of the operating department. The position will go to whoever can secure the funding!"

Liu Meng decisively stripped Yang Yi of her position, much to Shu Shuang's delight. She was confident that her charm would be enough to secure Jia Zihao's signature on the investment contract, and with that, the role of Operating Department Manager would surely be hers.

"Meeting adjourned!"

Liu Meng bellowed, striding towards the exit. But the sweltering heat and his boiling anger took their toll. He hadn't gone far when he collapsed in a fit of rage.

"Dad, Dad, call an ambulance!" Liu Hao rushed to Liu Meng's side, his face a mask of concern at the sight of his father's purplish complexion. "Water, get some water!"

The room fell into a frantic search, only to find the water cooler's bucket empty.

"I've got some, I've got some!"

Yang Yi remembered the juice Ye Yu had brought her and quickly offered it to Liu Meng. A few sips later, his complexion began to return to normal.

Liu Meng's eyes fluttered open, fixating on the liquid inside the pink thermos. He was momentarily stunned before taking several more hearty gulps. The cool sensation slid from his mouth down his throat, settling in his stomach before radiating throughout his body. This juice was an exceptional beverage for beating the heat!

"We're saved, Yangquan Wine Cellar is saved!"

The crisis at Yangquan Wine Cellar stemmed from their medicinal liquor falling under medical regulations, which their equipment couldn't meet. However, it did satisfy food standards. By shifting production from medicinal liquor to the beverage Yang Yi held, they could navigate their current dilemma.

Liu Meng had each manager sample Yang Yi's juice, and it was met with unanimous approval.

"Yang Yi, if you provide the recipe for this juice, the Operating Department Manager position is yours!"

Liu Meng's demeanor toward Yang Yi softened dramatically, treating her as if she were invaluable.

While some rejoiced, others despaired. Shu Shuang's face fell upon hearing this, as the managerial position she thought was within her grasp suddenly slipped away.