Chapter 65: President Su, How About Spending the Night With Me?

When Xue Tian'ai saw Su Jiaqi speaking those words with a sly grin, he immediately sensed trouble. This Su Jiaqi must have come up with some wicked scheme to mess with him!

“Hm? What suggestion is that, Jiaqi?” Qin Mengxue was taken aback for a moment, but quickly regained her composure.

“I think Assistant Xue’s idea about bargaining is quite feasible,” Su Jiaqi replied with a faint smile. “After all, the Yangda bidding conference is imminent. We’ve invested a lot of effort and made many preparations, but our funds aren’t as abundant as we’d hoped. While we pursue the highest quality, we really do need to negotiate with Tianming Group and see if they can lower their quote for building materials.”

No sooner had Su Jiaqi finished speaking than both Qin Mengxue and Gan Bingning stared at her in surprise. Xue Tian'ai’s ignorance of Tianming Group’s Ye Hairuo might explain his suggestion to bargain, but Su Jiaqi knew better—how could she bring up the idea of haggling?

In the past, whether it was Qin Mengxue or others, they’d tried negotiating with Ye Hairuo, only to be rebuffed—the door slammed in their faces. It was utterly pointless. After all, Ye Hairuo was famous throughout the Northeast business circles as the “Iron Rooster”—not one feather plucked!

“So I think our company should appoint a negotiator to go to Tianming Group and discuss the price…” Su Jiaqi paused for effect.

At this point, both Qin Mengxue and Gan Bingning fully understood what Su Jiaqi was getting at. Sure enough, Su Jiaqi turned to Xue Tian'ai with a mischievous smile and continued, “And I believe the best candidate for this job is Assistant Xue!”

Damn it! He knew she was up to no good! As Su Jiaqi again shifted the focus onto him, Xue Tian'ai cursed inwardly.

“Su Jiaqi, do you have a grudge against me? I’m sitting here quietly, and you’re finding ways to put me to work! Besides, negotiating isn’t exactly part of an assistant’s job description!” Xue Tian'ai protested.

“Nonsense. I’m just being practical. With your superb speaking skills, I’m confident you can handle a mere bargaining session with ease!” Su Jiaqi asserted, her smile both approving and cunning.

“Come on, you’re doing this on purpose! Absolutely on purpose! One hundred percent on purpose!” Xue Tian'ai exclaimed, mimicking her earlier tone.

“No, not at all! I simply have immense faith in Assistant Xue’s abilities. Aren’t you the very embodiment of confidence and integrity?” Seeing Xue Tian'ai flustered, Su Jiaqi’s heart felt as sweet as honey.

“Hell, if you want proof of my manhood, we can book a hotel room and I’ll show you!” Xue Tian'ai grumbled, though he knew Su Jiaqi’s challenge wasn’t really a big deal, he still felt a bit displeased.

“Xue Tian'ai, you…” Su Jiaqi’s face darkened, but she remembered they were still in a meeting, so she forced her anger down.

“Looks like Assistant Xue is just a paper tiger—talks big, but afraid of everything. I must have overestimated you, my apologies!” Su Jiaqi, though not shouting, couldn’t resist the urge to jab at Xue Tian'ai to vent her irritation.

As soon as she finished, both Qin Mengxue and Gan Bingning looked visibly uncomfortable. For some reason, Qin Mengxue felt unsettled hearing Su Jiaqi’s disparaging words. Although her feelings for Xue Tian'ai weren’t deep yet, he was her husband; why should he be insulted like that?

Gan Bingning was even more straightforward—she genuinely liked Xue Tian'ai, and hearing her beloved spoken of this way naturally displeased her.

Xue Tian'ai was also getting angry. He, the legendary Phantom Butterfly, leader of the Wolf Pack, eldest son of the Xue family—when had anyone ever mocked him like this? If the uncle can endure, the aunt certainly cannot!

“Damn it, I can’t take this anymore! It’s just bargaining, what’s so hard about it? I’ll do it!” Xue Tian'ai slapped the coffee table, looking bold and spirited.

“I knew Assistant Xue was a true man of character!” Su Jiaqi clapped, then added, “But if you fail, shouldn’t there be some sort of penalty?”

Hearing this, Qin Mengxue grew anxious. It was clear Su Jiaqi had set a trap for Xue Tian'ai, knowing full well that bargaining with Ye Hairuo was impossible. She’d provoked him, angered him, and now had a pit ready for him to fall into.

This wouldn’t do—Xue Tian'ai was her lawful husband. What wife would watch her husband walk straight into a trap?

But before Qin Mengxue could speak, Xue Tian'ai cut in, “There’s no chance of failure. As long as I’m involved, nothing is impossible! Name any penalty you like—I won’t fail!”

Qin Mengxue watched as Xue Tian'ai continued to play along with Su Jiaqi’s scheme, feeling deeply frustrated. How had her usually sharp husband suddenly become so foolish?

Gan Bingning was equally anxious, like an ant on a hot pan. She saw through Su Jiaqi’s plan, but didn’t know how to help Xue Tian'ai, so all she could do was blink at him anxiously.

“Very well. If Assistant Xue fails, how about you streak naked through the offices of Menghua Group for a whole day?” Su Jiaqi’s smile curled uncontrollably, as if she could already picture Xue Tian'ai’s humiliation.

She’d designed this penalty with care; knowing Ye Hairuo’s character, Xue Tian'ai’s bargaining was bound to fail, which meant he’d have to face the punishment. The prospect of him streaking would certainly disgrace him!

If he refused, she could spread word that Xue Tian'ai wasn’t trustworthy—not a real man—and continue to shame him. It was a win-win penalty!

Qin Mengxue’s face darkened at this suggestion. If Xue Tian'ai really had to streak through Menghua Group, not only would he lose face, but she would too!

“Fine, whatever. I can accept any penalty, because I won’t fail. But if I succeed, shouldn’t I have the right to make a request as well?” Xue Tian'ai smiled with confidence.

“Deal! I’ll take your bet. If you fail, you’ll streak through Menghua Group. If you succeed, you can make any request that’s within my power!” Su Jiaqi, having forgotten the original purpose of the meeting, was now focused entirely on getting revenge on Xue Tian'ai.

“You said it!” Xue Tian'ai’s gaze suddenly turned lecherous, his eyes wandering over Su Jiaqi’s figure. “If I succeed, how about you spend a night with me?”

All three women were stunned; none had expected Xue Tian'ai to propose such a demand. After a brief moment, Qin Mengxue and Su Jiaqi glared at him furiously, and even Gan Bingning’s eyes reflected her displeasure.

Qin Mengxue was angry because while she was still trying to help Xue Tian'ai, he was shamelessly flirting with Su Jiaqi right in front of her—outrageous!

“Xue, you’re going too far!” Su Jiaqi slammed the table, eyes blazing.

“A bet must be fair. If I have to streak, shouldn’t I be allowed to make a comparable request if I win?” Xue Tian'ai spread his hands with a light laugh. “Unless you’re afraid to bet, Su?”

“Hmph! Why wouldn’t I dare? If you really succeed, I’ll… spend…” Su Jiaqi’s face reddened as she spoke, her voice growing softer. She didn’t believe Xue Tian'ai could pull it off, but saying those words was still mortifying.

“Great, but just so you know, I don’t have money for a hotel, so you’ll have to pay for the room!” Xue Tian'ai joked.

“You…!” Su Jiaqi already knew Xue Tian'ai was shameless, but hadn’t realized he could be so brazen.

Watching the two become increasingly outrageous, Qin Mengxue’s expression grew darker. She’d even forgotten they were still in a meeting—not a marketplace.

Taking a deep breath to calm her inexplicably agitated heart, Qin Mengxue was about to speak when Gan Bingning, who had been silent and anxious, suddenly stood up.

“President Qin, I’d like to help Assistant Xue with the negotiation!” she declared.

Qin Mengxue, Su Jiaqi, and Xue Tian'ai were all dumbfounded, turning their attention to Gan Bingning.

Qin Mengxue had no idea why Gan Bingning would step forward now. Su Jiaqi was equally surprised; she couldn’t believe Gan Bingning would want to help Xue Tian'ai, especially with a wager involved. Helping Xue Tian'ai meant helping him defeat her!

Xue Tian'ai was left speechless. He guessed Gan Bingning was trying to prevent him from being humiliated, but her actions would offend Su Jiaqi and possibly arouse suspicion from his wife, Qin Mengxue. What a mess!

Qin Mengxue neither agreed nor disagreed, but remained silent, her eyes sharp as she looked at Gan Bingning. Her intuition told her things weren’t so simple.

Qin Mengxue was in the company’s group chats, as well as some departmental ones, so she knew Xue Tian'ai had already attracted many female admirers among the staff. Many female employees were quietly smitten.

Could Gan Bingning be like those women, interested in Xue Tian'ai? Qin Mengxue’s gaze couldn’t help but linger on him.

But Xue Tian'ai looked just as confused as she did, seemingly surprised by Gan Bingning’s actions. Seeing this, Qin Mengxue felt a slight relief.

“Ah… actually, since I’m the head of the diplomatic department, negotiating should be my responsibility. So I just wanted to help Assistant Xue,” Gan Bingning explained, feeling the weight of their stares.

She’d acted on impulse, just as women in love tend to lose their wits. After a pause, she continued, “But I don’t really agree with the wager between President Su and Assistant Xue. No matter who wins or loses, it harms the company’s reputation.”

This was partly selfish; she didn’t want Xue Tian'ai to lose, but neither did she want him to win and then spend a night with Su Jiaqi. She didn’t want more rivals for his affection.

Hearing Gan Bingning’s explanation, Qin Mengxue relaxed first—it seemed Gan Bingning was only acting for the company’s sake, and not for Xue Tian'ai personally. Su Jiaqi’s expression softened as well; Gan Bingning wasn’t just helping Xue Tian'ai to defeat her.

Xue Tian'ai inwardly cheered. With Gan Bingning’s explanation, Qin Mengxue wouldn’t suspect him. He’d definitely sensed her scrutiny earlier, so he played the clueless fool when looking at Gan Bingning.

“Yes, yes, I think Bingning makes sense. What do you think, Jiaqi?” Qin Mengxue nodded. “Maybe you could change the bet—there’s no need for anyone to streak or spend the night. How about the loser treats the winner to a meal?”

Though Qin Mengxue regretted suggesting it—dining together was still alone time—once the words were spoken, there was no taking them back.

“Alright, since both President Qin and President Gan have spoken, I’ll change the wager to whoever loses treats the other to a meal!” Su Jiaqi agreed, though reluctantly, secretly vowing to make Xue Tian'ai pay dearly for the meal.

If she couldn’t disgrace him, she’d at least make him spend money!

“Deal, it’s settled!” Xue Tian'ai nodded, then turned to Gan Bingning with a gentle smile. “But, President Gan, since this is between Su and me, I won’t trouble you. The wager needs to be fair, so let me handle it myself.”

“Oh, alright…” Gan Bingning could only nod mechanically, mesmerized by his smile.

“Okay, that concludes this meeting. I’ll discuss the bargaining details with Assistant Xue. Bingning, Jiaqi—you two can go back to work,” Qin Mengxue said.

Su Jiaqi and Gan Bingning nodded and stood to leave. Before exiting, Su Jiaqi shot Xue Tian'ai a fierce glare, while Gan Bingning cast a lingering look at him before following Su Jiaqi out.

As the door to Qin Mengxue’s office closed, her previously calm face transformed into one of fury.

She stared at Xue Tian'ai beside her, enunciating his name with chilling deliberation:

“Xue!”

“Tian!”

“Ai!”