She could still feel people glancing over from time to time. "It's fine, look all you want. Sheng Chenjin won't be dancing with any of you tonight anyway."
Shi Xinxin didn't intend to bask in Sheng Chenjin's reflected glory, but the thought that these women were hating her out of sheer jealousy inexplicably angered her.
"You look down on white-collar workers, don't you? If you're so capable, pull Sheng Chenjin away from me right now." Shi Xinxin, no longer flustered as she was upon entering, smiled back confidently.
The gazes cast from all corners of the ballroom, from the elegant ladies who feigned indifference but desperately wished for Sheng Chenjin's attention, fell upon him, only to be met with Shi Xinxin's challenging look.
They were startled. In their eyes, Shi Xinxin wasn't even worthy of their notice, lacking any basic background. In normal circumstances, a common white-collar worker daring to be so audacious would have been taught a lesson.
But now, they could only endure it silently, forcing smiles to maintain their composure, then quickly averting their gaze to demonstrate their breeding.
If it weren't a public event, these ladies would have thrown tantrums and smashed things by now. Seeing the usually radiant young ladies so stifled, unable to vent their anger, Shi Xinxin felt a surge of happiness.
Sheng Chenjin suddenly felt a return to his early days of entrepreneurship, a sense of being at a loss. After a moment's thought, realizing the slight awkwardness between them, he asked, "Are you thirsty? I'll get you a drink."
Shi Xinxin turned her head upon hearing him and nodded. "Okay."
Engaging in scheming with these ladies as soon as she entered was quite taxing for Shi Xinxin. Afterwards, Sheng Chenjin stood up and walked towards the drinks counter alone. This scene was caught by Ye Yun, who was observing from another area.
"That little vixen is too smug, making Sheng Chenjin get her a drink. But this is my chance to strike up a conversation." Considering how Sheng Chenjin had personally greeted her at the entrance earlier, Ye Yun knew her chances of success would be slim if Shi Xinxin were present. This was the moment.
Ye Yun put down her drink, her serpentine waist swaying as she walked towards the drinks area. Her pace was unhurried, and she arrived at the table just as Sheng Chenjin was picking up a drink.
As Sheng Chenjin turned around with the drink in hand, he bumped into Ye Yun. The drink nearly spilled onto her skirt. Sheng Chenjin politely stepped back and checked if any had splashed out.
In reality, he loathed such ploys; countless people had used similar clumsy tactics to get his attention.
Ye Yun feigned innocence. "I'm so sorry, sir. It's all my fault. Please forgive my carelessness. I didn't notice you turning so quickly."
Ye Yun took all the blame. After checking, Sheng Chenjin found no spill. He looked up, smiled at Ye Yun, and prepared to leave.
With Shi Xinxin present today, he didn't want to leave her with a bad impression. Otherwise, he would have ignored such women completely.
It wasn't that Sheng Chenjin was deliberately impolite; it was simply that these women approached him with impure intentions.
Seeing Sheng Chenjin about to leave, Ye Yun grew anxious. In her haste, she pretended to accidentally knock over a glass of champagne from the table, splashing onto Sheng Chenjin's trousers.
Sheng Chenjin turned back, annoyance flashing in his eyes. Ye Yun immediately apologized profusely, "I'm so sorry, sir, so sorry. It's all my fault for being so clumsy, I'm truly sorry."
She then bent down as if to wipe his trousers. In such a public setting, Sheng Chenjin naturally wouldn't allow that. He quickly stepped back.
"No need, I can handle it myself." Ye Yun, having anticipated Sheng Chenjin's refusal, immediately adopted a pitiable demeanor, showcasing her acting skills.
She took out a white handkerchief from her handbag and offered it to Sheng Chenjin, saying with a wronged expression, "I'm truly sorry, sir. Please use this to clean it. I feel so terrible."
Sheng Chenjin sighed as he looked at her expression. "Alright."
He took the handkerchief and headed to the restroom near the ballroom.
After Sheng Chenjin left, Ye Yun looked at the two drinks on the table: a champagne and a juice. The juice must be for Shi Xinxin. "At a banquet like this, few ladies would drink juice. This kind of drink is meant for those of lesser caliber."
Ye Yun picked up the two drinks, smiled, and discreetly turned her back. Shielding the drinks with her body, she carefully opened her handbag and took out a prepared medicine box.
She dropped a white pill from the box into the left champagne glass. The pill dissolved rapidly in the champagne, forming a brief foam before disappearing without a trace.
Ye Yun lifted the champagne glass and examined it under the light, confirming there were no undissolved particles. A sinister smile then curved her lips.
The champagne glass wasn't large, and the spill on his clothes wasn't extensive. However, the stain was noticeable enough that Sheng Chenjin needed to go to the restroom to clean it. Thinking of Shi Xinxin waiting for him alone in the lounge, he became somewhat impatient. He quickly tidied himself up and exited the restroom.
Back at the drinks counter, Ye Yun stood holding the champagne and juice. "I'm truly sorry, sir. I hope..." Before she could finish, Sheng Chenjin took the drinks and left, not even giving her a chance to speak.
Ye Yun was slightly taken aback. She hadn't expected Sheng Chenjin to be so curt. After all, he had been so gentle with Shi Xinxin upon their arrival, treating her with the affection reserved for a loved one.
Yet, towards her, he reverted to his chairman persona, his face cold and unfeeling, not even listening to her apology. Despite this, Ye Yun remained triumphant.
Sheng Chenjin had taken the drinks directly from her hand, not bothering to select from the bottles on the shelf behind her.
She surmised that Sheng Chenjin's coldness towards her was likely due to encountering too many forward women at previous banquets, making him so wary. But even the most meticulous plans could have a slip-up.
Sheng Chenjin was too trusting when it came to these drinks. "Mr. Sheng, you can't blame me for this," Ye Yun said with a smile, turning away from the drinks counter and walking to the side to wait.
She still had one last worry. While she had initially judged that the juice was for Shi Xinxin and the champagne for Sheng Chenjin, if her assumption was wrong and the plan was exposed, Mr. Sheng would undoubtedly fly into a rage. Therefore, she had to monitor the final outcome.