The venue is very spacious, a hall of about three hundred square meters with luxurious crystal chandeliers, dark golden wallpaper, and pure black marble tiles, adorned with white tablecloths, beautiful candelabras, and sumptuous food and wine on long tables, making the place resemble a grand palace.

Although Chu Ge and Qin Ruojing didn't arrive late, the hall was already filled with many people. Besides the waitstaff dressed in crisp white shirts and bow ties, everyone else was clearly rich or noble.

Successful gentlemen in suits and ties, wearing various luxury watches, and socialite ladies glittering with necklaces, rings, and bracelets — everyone's attire was worth at least a hundred thousand.

No matter if they were really in harmony or not, all these people wore appropriate smiles, gathering in twos and threes, exchanging polite but pointless words, occasionally raising glasses to someone in acknowledgment, and then moving like a carousel to offer pleasantries to the next target.

Chu Ge had attended many such banquets before, but most of them were for missions, unlike today where it was much more relaxed.

Though Chu Ge could sense several hidden masters in the room, they had nothing to do with him. All he needed to do was stay with Qin Ruojing until the party ended, helping her fend off any potential pests.

The only thing that piqued his interest was the "big shot" Qin Ruojing mentioned, wondering just who they could be.

However, from the present situation, it was obvious that the "big shot" hadn't appeared yet, otherwise, the crowd wouldn't be so dispersed.

After all, the banquet was set to start at half past five, and by convention, the "big shot" would be the finale; it was understandable they hadn't shown up yet.

Glancing around the hall, Chu Ge turned his gaze to the long dining table. Having only had a piece of bread at lunch, he was indeed a bit hungry.

"Chairman, are you hungry? Want to grab a bite?"

"Not hungry. If you are, go grab something light, but remember to mind your image."

Hearing Chu Ge's voice, Qin Ruojing was somewhat speechless. Her heart was in her throat and she had no appetite at all. She couldn't tell if Chu Ge was careless or if he really thought he was here just for the food.

Chu Ge nodded and began eating beside the table but made sure to be mannerly, not gorging himself, to save Qin Ruojing's face.

Even so, being at the mostly vacant table caught some attention, and soon someone noticed him.

The first to notice was Gu Deyuan, attending with Sui Liang. With a sneer on her lips, she walked towards Chu Ge, swaying her full-bodied figure in what she deemed an elegant gait.

As a company manager, the opportunity to mock the chairman of a group company was rare — she wasn't going to miss it.

"Chairman Qin, fancy seeing you again so soon, haha. You look stunning today, but unfortunately, Miss He is a woman, so dressing beautifully doesn't count for anything, does it?"

Standing beside Qin Ruojing and Chu Ge, Gu Deyuan spoke with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

Seeing Gu Deyuan's smug face made Qin Ruojing feel indescribably disgusted. Although she was prepared to meet Gu Deyuan here, she hadn't expected her to approach so quickly.

Not seeming to expect a response from Qin Ruojing, Gu Deyuan glanced sideways at Chu Ge.

"Tut tut, Chairman Qin, why bring such a bumpkin to such a high-end party? Or are your employees' meals so bad that he can't control his mouth when seeing so much good food here?"

In a sarcastic tone, Gu Deyuan said, and Sui Liang joined in with a grinning nod of agreement, deliberately showing disdain for Chu Ge in front of Qin Ruojing.

Meanwhile, he found himself drooling at the exquisite dishes on the table, many of which he hadn't seen and was quite eager to taste.

Swallowing his food, Chu Ge turned around slowly, smiled at Qin Ruojing, and said, "Chairman, I'm done eating, shall we move somewhere else?"

Seeing Chu Ge propose to leave, Gu Deyuan assumed it was because he was embarrassed by her mocking, feeling pleased with herself. "No need to put on a show, these things are not something you'd usually eat. Have more while you can because once you leave here, you'll miss out."

Chu Ge glanced at Gu Deyuan, "Sorry, President Gu, that was indeed what I planned to do, but seeing you has ruined my appetite. To avoid throwing up, I have to leave quickly."

Gu Deyuan originally intended to humiliate Qin Ruojing and Chu Ge, but Chu Ge's blatant retort caught her off guard, making her flabby face tremble with barely contained rage, yet at such an occasion, she couldn't openly react.

Seeing Gu Deyuan fuming, Qin Ruojing gave a slight smile. As the saying goes, 'It takes an evil person to grind down another,' and Chu Ge's words certainly carried weight.

Just as Qin Ruojing was about to lead Chu Ge away, she noticed Gu Deyuan's eyes light up and her angry face turned back into a smug smile.

"Director Hong, long time no see, you still look as robust as ever."

Seeing Director Hong Zude of the City Radio and Television Bureau walking over, Gu Deyuan quickly spoke flatteringly.

Hearing the three words "Director Hong," Qin Ruojing also turned around immediately, and indeed, she saw the figures of Hong Zude and his secretary Luo Heng in her line of sight.

In Gu Deyuan's mind, this was yet another good opportunity to deal a blow to Qin Ruojing. After all, Hong Zude had always been very protective of Han Court Film and Television, whereas his attitude towards Tianjiao Film and Television was rather indifferent. As long as she exchanged a few pleasantries with Hong Zude, it would be enough to make Qin Ruojing envious on the sidelines.

However, to Gu Deyuan's surprise, even though she extended her hand towards Hong Zude, assuming a gesture of wanting to shake hands with him, Hong Zude only nodded slightly at her. Then, with a radiant smile, he proactively extended his hand towards Qin Ruojing.

"Chairman Qin, you look so beautiful today that even an old man like me feels moved!"

Gu Deyuan was stunned, Sui Liang was stunned, and even Qin Ruojing was stunned. It took two seconds for her to regain her composure and shake hands with Hong Zude.

"Thank you, Director Hong."

By rights, Qin Ruojing's two-second hesitation before shaking hands with Hong Zude might have seemed somewhat neglectful, but Hong Zude showed no sign of minding. He maintained a warm and friendly smile.

Feeling the uncharacteristically warm enthusiasm from Hong Zude, Qin Ruojing was truly puzzled. If Gu Deyuan weren't here, she could barely accept the situation, considering Chu Ge, when he was an employee of Tianjiao Film and Television, once saved Hong Zude's life.

However, since Gu Deyuan was also present and Hong Zude still behaved in this manner, it was indeed intriguing. Moreover, Hong Zude had previously sent his secretary Luo Heng to visit Chu Ge during his illness, expressing his gratitude, which was already a sufficient gesture of respect, wasn't it?

The two exchanged a polite handshake before quickly letting go. While Qin Ruojing was racking her brains over the inexplicable situation, an even more bewildering and shocking scene unfolded before her eyes.

Hong Zude shifted his gaze to Chu Ge, smiling warmly, and teased Qin Ruojing, "Chairman Qin, aren't you going to introduce this energetic and dashing young man to me?"

Qin Ruojing was genuinely baffled and didn't know what Hong Zude was up to or whether there was some hidden meaning in his words.

Hong Zude had clearly met Chu Ge before, and it was thanks to Chu Ge's help that he survived an asthma and heart attack crisis. How could he possibly forget Chu Ge's face?

Though she couldn't figure it out, Qin Ruojing didn't have time to dwell on it. She gave a polite smile and said, "Director Hong, this is my secretary and driver, Chu Ge."

"Chairman Qin, your company is indeed hiding talents. I believe Tianjiao Film and Television will certainly achieve remarkable feats, and perhaps even let an old man like me bask in its glory, hahaha."

Hong Zude nodded, saying something seemingly unrelated, leaving Qin Ruojing even more baffled, then proactively extended his right hand towards Chu Ge, assuming a gesture to shake hands with Chu Ge.

Seeing this, Qin Ruojing's pupils contracted sharply, while Gu Deyuan and Sui Liang, left aside, were dumbfounded, their expressions stiffening as if they were dreaming.

The dignified Director of the City Radio and Television Bureau, Hong Zude, actually wanted to shake hands with a mere driver by Qin Ruojing's side?

Even...even proactively extending his hand?

This...could this be a mistake?

Also, what on earth did Hong Zude mean by what he just said? Crouching tiger, hidden dragon? Who's the tiger? Who's the dragon?

At this moment, the smugness on Gu Deyuan's face had vanished, replaced by a heart full of frustration, confusion, and irritation as she pondered what Hong Zude's words and actions truly signified.

Amidst all the astonished gazes, Chu Ge casually yet gracefully smiled at Hong Zude and then shook his hand with composure.

Regarding Hong Zude's attitude, although Chu Ge found it somewhat peculiar, he had some suspicions in mind, though he couldn't quite pin down the reason at the moment.

After shaking hands with Chu Ge, Hong Zude smiled warmly and heartily but did not leave immediately. Instead, he chatted casually with Qin Ruojing like a kind elder.

Gu Deyuan could hardly stand it, feeling that her presence was not only superfluous but downright humiliating. However, just as she intended to leave with Sui Liang, another renowned figure from the city appeared in her line of sight, walking over.

This person held an even higher rank and greater authority than Hong Zude, the Director of the City Radio and Television Bureau.

This person wore a warm smile identical to that of Hong Zude.

Watching this person get closer and closer, Gu Deyuan regained some confidence, believing that this time, she could finally assert herself, surpassing Qin Ruojing, the Chairman of Tianjiao Group, in her capacity as a company general manager.

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