Operation: Get the CEO Drunk

Wen Xi immediately pulled back into the passenger seat.

Her face scrunched up in displeasure.

“Why can’t I see him?”

She pressed further.

“Didn’t you ask Brother Qiao to go to the company yesterday?”

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.

“Jiang Jibai, you’re so smart. I sent you that document on purpose. I even bolded my idol’s name. You should’ve understood what I meant. So you deliberately didn’t message Brother Qiao, didn’t you?”

“I already cooperated with you and met the parents, and now you won’t even let me see my idol? Jiang Jibai, you’re so mean—”

Her voice grew more aggrieved as she spoke.

Her eyes reddened.

She had been excited all night.

Even being scolded by Wen Junru had felt bearable because she thought she’d see her idol afterward.

Now he was saying she couldn’t.

Her heart felt like it had plummeted from a soft cloud into an abyss.

Her deer-like eyes brimmed with tears.

Her voice grew nasal.

“Even if we were just friends, this would be too much. Let alone husband and wife. Even if we’ve only been married for three days, that’s still marriage! You’re terrible.”

Jiang Jibai let her vent.

When she finally paused, he glanced at her tear-filled eyes.

“Finished?”

She pouted.

“No.”

She sniffed.

“You don’t even treat me like your wife. You treat me like a Japanese person—”

“Qiao Zhinian isn’t in the country.”

His calm voice cut through her rant.

She froze.

He continued evenly.

“Although you can’t see him, I contacted his manager last night and asked her to come to the company.”

Wen Xi bit her lip.

“But I just wanted to see him.”

“He won’t be back for a while.”

He added, “Even as his boss, I can’t force him to return.”

Her eyes welled again.

“His manager has plenty of signed photos and unreleased materials. If you still want to go to the company, nod.”

“I’ll go.”

Even if she couldn’t see him, she could at least get memorabilia.

He started the car and handed her tissues.

“I’m not crying. I don’t need your tissues.”

He didn’t expose her.

**

Fangke Entertainment stood in the city center.

A three-story standalone building.

Next to Jiang Group’s headquarters.

He parked above ground.

Wen Xi immediately spotted the red-and-blue logo on the third-floor glass.

As soon as the car stopped, she grabbed her bag and followed closely behind him.

It was a workday.

Employees bustled about.

The moment Jiang Jibai entered, the receptionists stood.

“Good afternoon, President Jiang.”

Staff wearing badges greeted him one after another.

Wen Xi wasn’t paying attention.

Until a strong arm suddenly wrapped around her shoulder.

She was pulled into a firm chest.

She looked up.

“Why are you hugging me? Men and women shouldn’t—”

She forgot that earlier she had clung to his neck like an octopus.

He glanced down and immediately let go.

“Sorry! I didn’t see you while moving the furniture!”

She turned to see two maintenance workers carrying equipment.

“Oh. It’s fine.”

By the time she looked back to thank him, he had already walked several meters ahead.

“Jiang Jibai, wait!”

She hurried after him.

She had no idea the internal company group chat had exploded.

[President Jiang is here!]

[What floor?!]

[Major news! He brought a girl! Not a celebrity. Super beautiful!]

[Wait what? I thought he wasn’t interested in women?!]

[And he hugged her!!!!]

[WHAT????]

[I saw rings on both their ring fingers!!!]

[NO WAY.]

[Is President Jiang married?!]

Chaos flooded the chat.

The once untouchable, cold CEO.

The man who had fired employees who tried to flirt with him.

Now wearing a wedding ring.

And bringing a girl.

Wen Xi knew none of this.

She followed him into the executive elevator to the third floor.

He led her to a meeting room.

“The manager will come soon. I need to handle work.”

She waited alone.

Oddly, groups of female employees kept passing by outside the glass walls.

Peeking.

Some even raised their phones.

She didn’t think much of it.

Soon, the door opened.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Mrs. Jiang.”

Wen Xi blinked.

Still not used to that title.

The woman was Huang Xia, Qiao Zhinian’s manager.

Professional.

Capable.

Respected by fans.

“Hello, Sister Huang.”

“Please don’t call me that. You’re Mrs. Jiang.”

“Just treat me like a fan.”

Huang Xia smiled and slid a thick folder over.

“Unreleased materials from last year. Interviews. Behind-the-scenes clips. Signed photos. And a costume he wore, signed as well. It’s already in President Jiang’s car.”

Wen Xi’s eyes lit up.

She hugged the folder carefully.

“Thank you!”

After a pause, she asked hesitantly.

“Can you do a video call with Brother Qiao?”

“Afraid not. He’s on vacation and doesn’t allow interruptions. Even my work calls get rejected.”

“Not even a regular call?”

“Mrs. Jiang, you know his personality.”

Her face fell.

“Which country is he in?”

“London. He’ll return after he’s rested.”

Huang Xia left.

Wen Xi held the folder and went looking for Jiang Jibai’s office.

A staff member pointed the way, staring at her ring and face with open curiosity.

She knocked lightly before entering.

His office was spacious.

Floor-to-ceiling windows.

Open skyline view.

Minimalist design.

He sat behind his desk, signing contracts stacked high.

“If you’re in a hurry, I’ll have someone drive you back.”

“Not in a hurry.”

She sat on the sofa and began messaging Jiang Yin.

Niangaogao: [Emergency!!!]

Yinyin: [Are you meeting him?!]

Niangaogao: [No.]

Niangaogao: [I think something’s wrong with Qiao Zhinian.]

They chatted rapidly.

She suspected something hidden.

A year of disappearance.

No paparazzi sightings.

Manager refusing calls.

Jiang Yin panicked.

[Ask Jiang Jibai.]

Niangaogao: [He’s the one hiding it.]

[Then get him drunk.]

She paused.

Get him drunk?

She considered it seriously.

Her alcohol tolerance wasn’t bad.

Five beers in high school hadn’t affected her much.

Niangaogao: [I’ll try.]

After ending the chat, she brainstormed.

Bar?

No.

Unsafe.

Suddenly she sat upright.

Got it.

She turned around, leaning over the sofa.

“How much longer will you be?”

“If you’re in a hurry—”

“Not in a hurry.”

She hesitated.

“My dad still seems suspicious. I thought maybe I should post something lovey-dovey. Like cooking for you. Can I go to your apartment and cook?”

“You don’t have to eat it. I just need photos.”

He looked up at her.

Her eyes blinked innocently.

“Please?”

After a moment, he said calmly, “After I finish work.”

She beamed.

“Okay! I won’t disturb you anymore!”

Perfect.

Step one of Operation: Get Jiang Jibai Drunk — complete.