Chapter 123: Miscalculation
A new day dawned. Wang Haoran left the Grand Hotel, still feeling energetic.
Around noon, he received a call from Tang Bingyun. He had already talked to her about her concerns yesterday. Could it be that she had thought things through?
With some anticipation, Wang Haoran answered the call.
“When do you finish your classes tonight?” Tang Bingyun asked over the phone.
“Around nine-thirty,” Wang Haoran replied, then asked, “Is there something you need?”
“Not really, you’ve been helping me a lot lately, and I wanted to treat you to dinner. It’s just that nine-thirty is a bit late. What do you think?” Tang Bingyun explained her reason for calling.
Wang Haoran had classes, and Tang Bingyun finished work late, so they couldn’t find much time during the day. Thus, they had to settle for this time.
“Since Aunt Tang has invited me, I must oblige.”
Finishing class at nine-thirty, then heading to the dining place and having dinner, it would probably be past ten by the time they were done. Wang Haoran wondered if there would be any other plans after dinner.
“Alright, I’ll come pick you up then,” Tang Bingyun added.
“I have a driver, I can go by myself,” Wang Haoran said, not quite understanding Tang Bingyun’s insistence, so he instinctively declined.
“No, I’ll come personally. It shows more sincerity,” Tang Bingyun insisted.
Just sincerity? Wang Haoran was skeptical.
He guessed that Tang Bingyun was worried the driver might talk about their dinner. After all, Tang Bingyun and Zhen Li were peers. If Zhen Li found out about Tang Bingyun having dinner with Wang Haoran so late, it would be incredibly awkward for Tang Bingyun in future encounters.
“Alright, you can come pick me up,” Wang Haoran agreed.
Time passed quietly. Night fell. Before he knew it, it was nine-thirty in the evening.
Tang Bingyun arrived in an Audi A3, which she seemed to have borrowed. Given her wealth, driving a car worth twenty to thirty thousand would be laughable. Clearly, the car wasn’t hers. Not using her own car suggested she didn’t want to attract attention.
Wang Haoran’s curiosity grew. What was Tang Bingyun planning, being so secretive?
About ten minutes later, Tang Bingyun drove to an underground parking lot. After parking, she prepared to get out of the car. However, before stepping out, she fully armed herself with sunglasses and a hat, covering herself thoroughly. Luckily, the weather was warm; otherwise, Wang Haoran thought she might have added a scarf.
“Aunt Tang, aren’t you worried about not seeing the road wearing sunglasses at night?” Wang Haoran teased.
“My eyesight is quite good; I can see clearly,” Tang Bingyun replied firmly.
But as soon as she said that, she nearly bumped into a parked car.
“Maybe you should take off the sunglasses?” Wang Haoran suggested.
“I’ll keep them on,” Tang Bingyun insisted.
Leaving the parking lot, they took an elevator up and soon arrived at a couple’s restaurant. Wang Haoran suddenly understood why Tang Bingyun was being so secretive. She was afraid of running into someone she knew.
Most of the restaurant’s patrons were couples, and business was booming. Even in the waiting area, many couples were lined up. It was already past nine-forty, and most other restaurants would be empty by now. Yet, this couple’s restaurant was bustling.
Tang Bingyun had reserved the most expensive suite, so they didn’t have to wait. Guided by a server, they entered a luxurious suite. The suite was spacious, with two levels and all the necessary amenities: a dining area, a bathing area, a relaxation area, and, of course, a sleeping area. It was a one-stop service for dining, relaxation, and sleeping.
Wang Haoran took a tour and returned to the dining area, casting a curious glance at Tang Bingyun.
“The food here is quite good, so I booked it here. Don’t overthink it,” Tang Bingyun said calmly.
“Good food? Have you eaten here before?” Wang Haoran asked.
“Of course not. I don’t have a boyfriend, so why would I come to a place like this? I just heard about it from friends,” Tang Bingyun explained.
Wang Haoran gave a meaningful “Oh,” indicating he understood.
Tang Bingyun asked the server for the menu and let Wang Haoran order. The menu was filled with names like “Inseparable,” “Flying Together,” “Happiness and Harmony,” “Perfect Harmony,” and “A Hundred Years of Togetherness.” The so-called “Flying Together” was actually a double-flavored duck roll, “A Hundred Years of Togetherness” was celery with lily and shrimp, and “Happiness and Harmony” was a mixed stew of sea cucumber and abalone. The names were quite exaggerated.
The dishes themselves weren’t particularly outstanding, except for being expensive. Wang Haoran, having tasted many delicacies, wasn’t particularly interested in the restaurant’s offerings. However, he symbolically ordered three dishes. Even with just three casual orders, the total cost reached ten thousand. For an ordinary person, paying the bill would be daunting.
But today, the beautiful CEO was treating. Such a small amount of money didn’t even make Tang Bingyun blink. She even encouraged Wang Haoran to order more dishes. Wang Haoran declined and let Tang Bingyun order. She casually picked a few more dishes and also ordered a bottle of 1982 Lafite priced at 100,000.
The dinner bill, roughly calculated, amounted to 130,000. Truly befitting a female CEO, spending so much on a casual meal.
Soon, the dishes and wine were served. The suite had ambient lighting, creating a romantic atmosphere.
They began dining. Halfway through, Tang Bingyun seemed to choke on her food.
“Could you… get me a glass of water?” she coughed a few times and said.
“Right away.”
Wang Haoran quickly poured a glass of water.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m much better now.” After drinking some water, Tang Bingyun stopped coughing and suddenly raised her wine glass. “Haoran, thank you for helping me recently. Let me toast to you.”
“Aunt Tang, you’re too kind.” Wang Haoran smiled at her, then raised his glass to clink with Tang Bingyun’s.
A clear, pleasant clinking sound echoed.
Wang Haoran was about to finish the remaining wine in one gulp, but as the glass neared his lips, he paused. There was something extra in the wine…
Raising his gaze slightly, Wang Haoran couldn’t help but look at Tang Bingyun. It seemed she hadn’t choked earlier but had used it as an excuse to add something to his wine.
“Why aren’t you drinking?” Tang Bingyun sipped her wine, noticing Wang Haoran’s hesitation, and a hint of nervousness flashed in her eyes.
“I’m drinking.” Wang Haoran smiled and downed the wine.
With his understanding of the Supreme Poison Sutra, he could discern that the added substance wasn’t beneficial to the body. However, it wasn’t a potent harmful poison either. Given Tang Bingyun’s favorable impression of him, she wouldn’t do anything to harm him.
Could it be that Tang Bingyun added something like that to his wine…?
Wang Haoran speculated and allowed the effects to take hold. Within two minutes, the drug took effect. Wang Haoran felt dizzy, and a wave of vertigo hit him, causing him to panic. It seemed his estimation was off. This wasn’t the kind of aphrodisiac that would make a man lose control, but rather a knockout drug…
As his last thought drifted away, Wang Haoran slumped onto the table, losing consciousness.