Chapter 38: A Difficult Choice!

  After getting off work in the evening, everyone from the design department was already waiting downstairs. When Zhang Ziheng saw Xu Zong, he was slightly surprised and looked at Wang Xue with a puzzled expression: "I remember asking Xu Jie this morning, didn't she say she wasn't going? Why did she suddenly change her mind?"

  Wang Xue was taken aback for a moment, then said: "Oh, maybe it's because you're her good friend, so she thought it wouldn't be right not to go, that's why she changed her mind."

  Zhang Ziheng shook his head and said, "It's impossible. She said she doesn't like crowded places, and even if she changed her mind, she should have told me about it."

  "Hey, why are you so concerned? Anyway, they've already arrived, isn't this what you wanted? Why bother about those things?" Wang Xue laughed.

  Zhang Ziheng nodded and said, "That's right."

  "Have you decided where to go yet? Everyone is getting impatient, looking at them like that, it seems like they're going to give you a good scolding." Wang Xue laughed.

  Zhang Ziheng smiled slightly and walked over, saying with a smile: "Is everyone here? If so, let's go."

  "Hey, Ziheng, where are we going to eat? But I can tell you, somewhere too cheap won't do." Ziwen said with a smile.

  "Hehe, don't worry, aren't you all clear about my character? I've already found a place, do you all know the New Heaven and Earth Hotel in the city center?" Zhang Ziheng chuckled.

  "Haha, Zi Heng, you're really willing to spend money, that's a five-star hotel!" Colleague Zhao Yu said with a smile.

  Zhang Ziheng coughed and continued: "The shaved noodles on the street next door."

  "......" Zhao Yu was stunned, and so were the others. "Hey, I'm saying you're a bit too much, aren't you? The project succeeded, can you at least treat us to some noodles?"

  Zhang Ziheng burst out laughing and said: "I was just kidding you guys, but you actually believed it? Alright, let's go hitch a ride. New Heaven is just up ahead."

  Everyone burst out laughing, Zhao Yu shook his head and pointed at Zhang Ziheng, saying: "You're getting poorer and poorer now, no wonder you can chase after such a beautiful girlfriend like Xiaojie."

  After discussing the location, Zhang Ziheng and Wang Xue took a car first. Ziwen and three other female colleagues followed closely in Xu's car. The rest of the colleagues hitched a ride at the intersection and then rushed to their destination one by one.

  It was actually Wang Xue's idea to choose the New World Hotel, because this place held special significance for her and Zhang Ziheng. She remembered that it was here that Mr. Wilson had invited Zhang Ziheng and Wang Xue to discuss advertising business over dinner, during which time Wang Xue had taken advantage of Zhang Ziheng going to the car to retrieve design drawings to put sleeping pills in his cup, and afterwards had tied him up in a forest on the outskirts of town, leading to all that followed. If you could say that Zhang Ziheng and Wang Xue's union was a coincidence, then the New World Hotel was a witness to their being together.

  About forty minutes later, in the hotel's private room, everyone had arrived and the dishes were served. Zhang Ziheng stood up nervously, raised his glass of orange juice, and smiled: "Thank you all for your support over the past month. If it weren't for everyone's help, I wouldn't have completed this project so smoothly, let alone received such a large bonus. In... haha, as you all know, I'm not very good at speaking, but my point is, thank you, thank you all." After finishing his speech, Zhang Ziheng downed the orange juice in one gulp.

  Everyone burst out laughing and applauded, and Zhao Yu hurriedly said: "Hey, Ziheng, this is not right, on such a happy day today, you can't just drink drinks, how about coming up with a cup, what do you guys think?"

  "Yes, Zi Heng, have a drink, anyway, if you get drunk, someone will send you back." The crowd chimed in agreement.

  "No, I really can't drink, one sip and I'll get drunk, and I still have to go to work tomorrow, so just spare me." Zhang Ziheng hurriedly pleaded.

  "Hey, that won't do. If it were any other day, it would be fine, but today you're the host! If you don't drink, then we can't either." Zhao Yu continued with a smile.

  Looking at the wine glass in front of him, Zhang Ziheng really didn't want to lose face in front of everyone, but after all, he had promised Yu Jie, and this dilemma was indeed difficult to decide. In the end, it was Director Xu who couldn't bear it anymore, waving his hand and saying: "Alright, don't force him, Ziheng really can't drink."

  "Director Xu, why are you helping him too? This is a rare opportunity that's finally been caught, how can it be easily let go?" Zhao Yu said.

  "I'm just stating facts, Xu Zi Heng was never able to drink in the first place." General Manager Xu smiled and said.

  "Yes, don't force him, he has alcohol intolerance, drinking will make him uncomfortable." Wang Xue said hastily.

  "What? Won't you? Ziheng, you still have this habit?" Zhao Yu asked disbelievingly.

  Ziwen shook her head and smiled, knowing the reason behind it. She continued, "Since Ziheng can't drink, then let's do it ourselves. Today is a happy day, don't argue endlessly over this little thing."

  "Yes, yes, you don't have to worry about me anymore. Eat quickly, this dish is expensive, and it won't taste good if it gets cold." Zhang Ziheng also hurriedly smiled and said.

  "Alright, since it's like this, then we won't be polite." With that said, everyone started eating.

  During dinner, Wang Xue occasionally showed affection to Zhang Ziheng, which made everyone laugh and tease them. However, Zhang Ziheng felt a bit embarrassed about it. Meanwhile, when Xu saw this, she didn't feel good in her heart and ended up drinking a few more cups as a result. All of this was noticed by Zhang Ziheng, who also felt uncomfortable in his heart.

  And both of their reactions were seen by Wang Xue, especially when she saw Xu's sorrowful expression, the corners of her mouth would involuntarily reveal a hint of a smile.

  This meal was eaten very late, and in the end, many people got drunk. The most severe one was Director Xu. As for why it was like this, only Zhang Ziheng and she herself knew. Looking at Director Xu's drunken appearance, she couldn't even stand still, Zhang Ziheng really couldn't bear to let her drive back by herself.

  "Xue Er, I think it's better if you drive Xu Zong back," said Zhang Zi Heng.

  Wang Xue glanced at Xu Zong leaning against the car door, smiled slightly and said: "I'll go see her off, what will you do? It's already late now, there are so many people, it's impossible to get a taxi."

  "I'm fine, but what about President Xue? Look at her, she's drunk to that extent. What if something dangerous happens?" Zhang Ziheng said worriedly.

  Wang Xue thought for a moment and said: "But I also can't leave my car here, how about this, you send Xu Jie back and that's it."

  "What? Me? This... this won't do! I don't have a driver's license." Zhang Ziheng said with difficulty.

  "What's the big deal? It's already so late, there are hardly any cars on the streets, let alone police. What's there to be afraid of getting caught? Besides, I've already taught you during this time, haven't I? This is a good opportunity to give it a try." Wang Xue said with a smile.

  "But..."

  "What's wrong? Is there something bothering you? I've been feeling strange since we had dinner, from start to finish you didn't say a word to Sister Xu, have you two had a falling out?" Wang Xue asked.

  "No, how could it be? You're thinking wildly again." Zhang Ziheng hastily said.

  "That's it, hurry up and send her back, don't worry, I won't be jealous. Xu is your sister, she's also my sister, it's okay." Wang Xue said as she pushed Zhang Ziheng.

  Zhang Ziheng looked at Xu in the distance and thought for a moment before saying, "Alright then, Xue'er, you go home first, I'll be back soon."

  "Be careful on the road, I'll go first." Wang Xue said as she kissed Zhang Ziheng's face and then got into her own car.

  Zhang Ziheng let out a sigh and walked slowly towards Director Xu. At this time, Director Xu was holding the car key and looking for the unlock button. Tonight, she had really drunk a lot and was quite tipsy. Suddenly, she lost her balance and fell to one side.

  Zhang Ziheng quickly supported her with a swift movement and asked worriedly: "Xu Jie, are you okay?"

  Xu raised his head and saw Zhang Ziheng, chuckled and said: "Don't worry, I'm fine. What are you doing here? Hurry back home."

  Zhang Ziheng sighed and said, "Xu Jie, look at you, drunk like this. How are you going to drive? I'll take you instead." He took the car key from Xu Jie's hand, unlocked the door, helped her into the passenger seat, and got in himself.

  Xu sister looked at him with a drunken gaze and said: "You're sending me? Aren't you afraid that the young lady will get jealous?"

  "It's okay, and it was she who asked me to send you." Zhang Ziheng smiled and shook his head, starting the engine. Director Xu sighed and opened the car window, letting the wind blow through his hair.

  Twenty minutes later, Zhang Ziheng supported Xu Zong on one side and opened the door with his key, slowly helping him in and laying him down on the sand. Looking at Xu Zong who was already drunk beyond recognition, Zhang Ziheng shook his head, walked into the bathroom, wet a hot towel, came out and placed it on Xu Zong's forehead.

  "Sorry, Sister Xu." Zhang Ziheng said with his head lowered.

  Xu smiled and said: "What do you have to apologize to me for? It's my own fault that I can't hold my liquor, and it has nothing to do with you. Why should you apologize?"

  "Sister Xü, why don't you hit me instead? That way I'll feel a bit better. Seeing you like this, I..." Zhang Ziheng said with guilt.

  Xu smiled and shook his head, saying: "You really think you owe me? Well, is it that I say something and you agree with me?"

  "Sister Xu, you say it, as long as I can do it, I will definitely agree with you." Zhang Ziheng said firmly.

  Maybe it was because of the wine, President Xu slowly sat up and smiled: "Leave Wang Xue, be with me."

  Zhang Ziheng was stunned, he never thought that Director Xu would say something like this, for a moment, he couldn't speak.

  Xu Zong snorted and shook his head, saying: "You men are all like this, just now you said you'd agree to anything I say, but immediately you go back on your word."

  "No, no, it's not like that, Sister Xu, I..."

  "What's wrong with you? Isn't that so? Hmph, you men are always good at talking, but when it comes to action? I know you're having a hard time choosing, after all Wang Xue is young and beautiful, and her father is the company's chairman. If I had to choose, I would also choose her." Xu Zong smiled.

  "But I really like you, Sister Xu."

  "Then leave her and follow me."

  This is Zhang Ziheng's dilemma. He really likes Xu, but he has already been in a relationship with Wang Xue, and in his heart, no matter what happens, he cannot betray Wang Xue. Faced with this difficult choice, he really doesn't know what to do.