Chapter 279: Chapter 279 Aloof Persona Collapses

The man started slurring drunken words: “Give it to me, I can still drink! I… I can still drink!”

As he spoke, he reached out trying to grab the money on the table.

Lin Qi said, “Okay, if you drink this cup, I’ll give you the money.”

After finishing speaking, she picked up the fourth cup and nonchalantly poured the drink over the man’s head.

The man was drenched with alcohol all over his face!

Lin Qi threw the 1600 yuan held back by the fourth cup onto him, collected the rest of the money, and returned to her seat.

Maeve suddenly burst out furiously: “You bitch!”

She couldn’t just stand by and watch Lin Qi bully her subordinate!

Maeve was about to charge at Lin Qi when the door suddenly burst open.

“President Qi, this way please!”

Just as Qi Lichuan entered, he saw Maeve pinning Lin Qi against the wall, grabbing her hair, about to slap her face.

Qi Lichuan’s expression darkened and he strode forward, pushing Maeve away and shielding Lin Qi behind him: “Have you lost your mind?”

Maeve didn’t expect Qi Lichuan to suddenly appear!

She looked terribly embarrassed: “President Qi…”

Qi Lichuan said, “What are you doing?”

Maeve complained to Qi Lichuan: “She bullied my subordinate, got him drunk like this! What if something serious happens, alcohol poisoning…”

Lin Qi interjected, “It’s not like I forced him to drink! There is surveillance in this room, he wanted to drink himself, don’t blame me.”

Maeve was about to say something, but Qi Lichuan interrupted her: “Enough!”

Maeve looked extremely aggrieved: “President Qi…”

“You seem very against her?” Qi Lichuan frowned slightly, “Explain yourself.”

Maeve replied, “I’m not against her…”

Zhou Xiaoying chipped in indifferently: “Still claiming not against her, if it wasn’t for President Qi’s timely arrival, you’d have mauled her face.”

Maeve’s face turned even greener: “You just love to kick someone when they’re down! Is there no end to this?”

Lin Qi said, “This isn’t a departmental welcome party; it’s clearly a trap. President Qi, can you take me home?”

Qi Lichuan turned around, glanced at her, “Hmm, I’ll take you home first.”

After saying that, he grabbed Lin Qi’s hand and left the private room.

In the corridor, Lin Qi and Li Wanru bumped into each other unexpectedly.

Seeing Li Wanru carrying a tray and walking steadily, Lin Qi was somewhat surprised: “Wan Ru, you’re okay after drinking so much?”

Li Wanru smiled, “It’s okay, I threw up after drinking.”

Lin Qi: “…”

Qi Lichuan was also taken aback on seeing Li Wanru.

She and Lin Qi looked almost identical, except her skin was a bit more sallow, making her look older.

Li Wanru said, “Lin Qi, are you leaving now?”

Lin Qi replied, “Yeah, I’m going home first, glad you’re okay.”

After saying that, she walked out of the restaurant with Qi Lichuan.

In the car, Qi Lichuan and Lin Qi almost spoke at the same time: “You…”

Both of them stared at each other.

Qi Lichuan said, “You ask first.”

Lin Qi said, “Then I’ll ask!”

Qi Lichuan nodded.

Lin Qi asked, “Don’t blame me for being blunt, but there’s a rumor in the company that Ms. Mia is secretly in love with you and that you’ve slept together, is it true?”

Qi Lichuan: “…”

He didn’t expect Lin Qi to ask so directly.

Lin Qi covered her mouth: “Was I too blunt?”

Qi Lichuan: “Being direct is good, I like straightforward people. To answer your question, no, those rumors are baseless.”

Lin Qi said, “Then why is there such a groundless rumor?”

Qi Lichuan: “That time at the dinner, I got drunk, and she helped me to the hotel, booked a room, and took care of me all night.”

He was so drunk that even if Maeve had wanted to do something with him, he wouldn’t have had any physical response.

Qi Lichuan asked, “Now I’ll ask. Was that waitress your sister?”

Lin Qi replied, “Yes, my biological twin.”

Qi Lichuan: “… I thought you two were at least 10 years apart.”

Lin Qi said, “Ah, it’s a long story.”

Qi Lichuan: “No rush, take your time. It’s a long ride home anyway.”

Lin Qi hadn’t even begun to speak when suddenly her phone rang.

She took out her phone, it was a video call from Huo Tingdong.

Qi Lichuan sensitively asked: “Is it Mr. Huo?”

Lin Qi replied: “Hmm.”

Qi Lichuan said, “Don’t answer it yet.”

He immediately pulled the car over and opened the door to get out.

Lin Qi asked, “What are you doing?”

It’s illegal to park here, they could get ticketed within five minutes.

What is he thinking?

“Avoiding suspicion,” Qi Lichuan stated bluntly, “You don’t understand him, this man is very possessive. If he knew you were sitting beside me, he would come accusing me. You also get out, tell him you were about to take a cab home if he asks.”

Lin Qi: “…”

She got out of the car, stood in front of the green belt, and answered the video call.

The video just started.

In the video background, Huo Tingdong stood in front of the hotel’s floor-to-ceiling window, brows furrowed, slightly displeased: “Why did you take so long to answer?”

Lin Qi said, “I… I just left the restaurant, was about to hail a cab home.”

She honestly repeated exactly as Qi Lichuan had instructed her.

Huo Tingdong raised an eyebrow: “Why are you taking a cab home? Can’t you call a driver?”

Lin Qi replied, “Isn’t it the same?”

Huo Tingdong said, “It’s already 9 PM there, so late, call a driver to pick you up.”

It’s 9 AM his time.

Huo Tingdong was still in his robe, probably just got up.

Lin Qi asked, “Why did you suddenly video call me?”

Is he checking up on me?

She had only heard of wives checking on their husbands, never the husband checking up on the wife.

Huo Tingdong said, “Could it be that I missed you?”

Beside her, Qi Lichuan nearly rolled his eyes to the sky.

With his rich imagination, he couldn’t have pictured the normally cold and proud Huo Tingdong speaking such sweet and affectionate words in private.

Huo Tingdong’s cold persona in his mind completely shattered.

Lin Qi’s face instantly blushed: “You…”

She glanced at Qi Lichuan, seeing him frowning, looking like a dog forcibly fed dog food, feeling bitter but unable to complain.

Huo Tingdong asked, “Is there someone beside you?”

Lin Qi nervously replied, “No… no. I’m just looking for my cab, wondering why it hasn’t arrived yet.”

Huo Tingdong asked, “How’s it going at the company these days? Has anyone been bullying you?”

Lin Qi exclaimed, “Yes! There’s one! Qi Lichuan! He’s the one bullying me. Just fire him.”

Huo Tingdong: “…”

Qi Lichuan gave her an incredible stare.

Lin Qi quickly laughed, “Just kidding, no one is bullying me, I get along… quite well with my colleagues. If someone did bully me, would you stand up for me?”

Huo Tingdong said, “Whoever bullies you, I’ll fire them.”

Lin Qi covered her mouth and giggled, “Even if it’s Qi Lichuan bullying me, would you fire him?”

Huo Tingdong said, “He wouldn’t dare.”

He had repeatedly instructed Qi Lichuan, and although the young man might act arrogantly in front of him, he wouldn’t dare to wrong his woman privately.