C5 No One to Rely on

"Manager Yang, I forgot to mention that we have a new chairman, and I've been appointed as the vice chairman," Luo Xinghong said with a forced smile, feigning forgetfulness in front of Yang Yi.

He hadn't actually forgotten; Jia Zihao had specifically instructed him to bring up the matter at today's meeting, fearing that Yang Yi would not attend otherwise.

"My apologies, Yang Yi. To demonstrate my affection, I spent three billion yuan the day before yesterday to acquire all the shares of Xinghong Trade. Don't you think that deserves a toast?" Jia Zihao offered, pouring a glass of white wine and extending it toward Yang Yi.

"Sorry, Young Master Jia, I don't drink alcohol," Yang Yi declined, pushing away the wine glass. Her 'impolite' gesture left everyone in the room taken aback.

Everyone was aware of the power behind Jia Zihao—the Jia family. As the most influential family in Yangcheng, they held the city's economic lifeline in their grasp. Business owners viewed the Jia family as emperors of industry, lining up to ingratiate themselves, never daring to cross them.

With the Jia family's support, Jia Zihao acted with impunity in Yangcheng. If Yang Yi offended him today, it would signify the failure of Yangquan Wine Cellar's current fundraising efforts, with bankruptcy looming on the horizon.

Recently, new regulations were issued, requiring all food products containing medicinal ingredients to fall under medical supervision. Yangquan Wine Cellar's main product, Yangquan Medicinal Wine, which contained a variety of herbs such as cordyceps and polygonum multiflorum, was now subject to these regulations.

The cellar's equipment, however, did not meet the sanitary standards for medical production, and an urgent investment of 30 million yuan was needed for upgrades and renovations to avoid a shutdown. In the current tough economic climate, banks were reluctant to lend, and other businesses were hesitant to offer assistance. Xinghong Trade was the only company willing to extend a helping hand without interest.

Yang Yi had initially believed she was in for a stroke of good fortune, but it dawned on her that it was merely a snare laid by Jia Zihao.

"If you're not up for alcohol, how about a soft drink instead?"

Jia Zihao suggested, and before the crowd, he mixed a pink powder into the wine. Suddenly, the clear liquor took on a pink hue, resembling a benign, store-bought beverage.

"This drink is simply divine!"

The sleazy grin on Jia Zihao's face set off alarm bells for Yang Yi. It was highly probable that the powder was an aphrodisiac, and the thought of ingesting it was unthinkable.

"Come on, Yang Yi, it's just a glass of wine. It's not like it's lethal," coaxed Liu Hao, who had harbored a secret affection for Yang Yi for quite some time but never dared to compete with Jia Zihao.

He rationalized that if he couldn't have her, he might as well pass her on. This way, he could also secure the survival of his Yangquan Wine Cellar—a surefire profitable deal. With money, women would follow, and as long as Yangquan Wine Cellar thrived, he wouldn't lack for female company.

Besides, he had Shu Huan for comfort. Though she wasn't as attractive as Yang Yi, she was at least willing to share his bed.

"Exactly, Yang Yi. It's just one drink. Once you do, Young Master Jia will invest, and you'll be hailed as the savior of Yangquan Wine Cellar. It would also justify all the years Boss Liu has invested in you," Shu Huan chimed in with a snide remark, feigning ignorance about the nature of the pink concoction.

"A drink? Well, you have it then!" retorted Yang Yi sharply.

"Me? I don't drink, as you well know," Shu Huan replied, pouting like a wronged child, stepping back.

Yang Yi internally seethed at the charade. Such a great actress, she thought. Usually, you'd down a bottle of white wine claiming it was for 'feeding fish,' and now suddenly you can't drink? What a 'dear friend' you are. I should never have taken pity on you...