Although Ian Song ended up paying a much higher price for rough stones #17 and #29 because of Ethan Xu's malicious bidding, Ethan also paid the price—ten billion yuan.
This made Ian Song's reputation spread quickly among the merchants; by the time he left, he'd received no less than a hundred business cards.
"Young Master Song, may I have a word with you?"
Just as Ian was about to leave, Wendy Jiang called out to him.
Ian hesitated slightly, then nodded. "Alright."
Seeing Ian agree, Wendy couldn't help but feel a surge of joy. A bit shy, she asked, "How about we go to my room?"
"Sure."
Ian nodded again, though inwardly he thought, is Wendy Jiang trying to seduce me? The idea amused him, and a playful smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
A short while later, Ian followed Wendy to her room.
Maybe because she'd stayed here for a while, the room was filled with a faint trace of her personal scent.
Wendy opened a bottle of red wine, poured it into two crystal glasses, and handed one to him with a smile. "Young Master Song, I don't have much to offer you here—would you like a drink?"
"Thank you."
Ian took the glass and replied.
"Back at the bar, if you hadn't helped me out, I might've been humiliated by that Japanese guy. This glass is my toast to you—thank you for standing up for me!"
"No need to mention it!"
Clink.
The two crystal glasses collided in midair, producing a crisp, clear sound.
Seeing Wendy finish half her glass, Ian felt it would be impolite to just take a sip, so he drank his wine as well.
After a half glass of wine, a rosy flush appeared on Wendy's beautiful face. She picked up the bottle and refilled both their glasses, then looked at Ian and said, "When we got back to the hotel, if you hadn't chased Felix Song away for me, I really wouldn't have known how to deal with him. So, this second glass is also for you!"
"Alright!"
Ian raised his glass and clinked it lightly with hers. He was curious to see what kind of game Wendy Jiang was playing.
After two glasses, Wendy's cheeks were even redder. She poured more wine for both of them and said again, "This third glass is my apology to you, Young Master Song. You saved me twice, but I arrogantly assumed you had ulterior motives. I misjudged a gentleman with a petty heart. I'll drink this one first as a sign of respect."
Three glasses in, Wendy's face was flushed all over. It seemed she couldn't hold her liquor very well—after just three glasses, her delicate figure was already swaying slightly.
Ian finished his wine and set the glass aside, then looked at the scheming Wendy and said, "Miss Jiang, can we talk business now?"
"No rush, let's have another drink." As she spoke, Wendy bent over to pick up Ian's glass to refill it. Today, she wasn't wearing her usual office attire but something younger and sexier. As she bent down, her perfectly shaped hips wrapped in a tight skirt were in full view of Ian.
For some reason, Ian felt his mouth go dry, and even his lower abdomen started to feel warm.
His gaze drifted downward uncontrollably, landing on her long, slender legs wrapped in black stockings.
Just then, Wendy finished refilling Ian's empty glass and stood up, holding both glasses in her hands.
Unexpectedly, she suddenly lost her balance and fell right toward Ian.
"Ah!"
With a startled cry, Wendy's soft body landed in Ian's arms, and most of the wine from their glasses spilled onto him, soaking his chest and crotch.
In the rush, Ian instinctively held Wendy, but quickly realized his hands were in the wrong place—he was actually holding her shapely hips.
He hurriedly helped Wendy up and asked, "Miss Jiang, are you alright?"
Wendy's face was flushed with embarrassment, but she shook her head. "I'm fine."
Suddenly, she noticed the wine stains on Ian's chest and looked apologetic. She quickly set down her glass, grabbed a tissue, and started wiping him. "I'm so sorry, Young Master Song! I got your clothes all wet!"
"It's fine, don't worry about it!"
"Oh no, it's wet here too. Let me clean it for you!"
Suddenly, Wendy noticed a wine stain on Ian's pants and, without thinking, reached over with the tissue.
"No, no, it's fine! I'll do it myself!"
But before Ian could stop her, Wendy had already wiped his crotch area twice with the tissue.
Wendy vaguely felt her hand touch something warm, and instantly understood—this was not a place on a man you should just touch.
Meanwhile, after Wendy wiped him twice, Ian felt a sudden surge of heat inside him—a wild urge to pull her into his arms and ravish her.
But just then, Ian was startled, sensing something was wrong with his condition.
Did Wendy Jiang spike the wine with something?
He activated his Clairvoyant Vision, focusing on the wine bottle to analyze its contents. Strangely, there was nothing unusual in the wine.
Suddenly, his gaze landed on a pale yellow incense stick burning in the corner of the room.
In a flash, Ian understood what was going on.
The incense itself was harmless, and the wine was also fine.
But when the two were combined, that was a problem.
That incense was called Dragon Tortoise Incense. Its scent had a calming and refreshing effect, but when mixed with alcohol, it produced another effect—an aphrodisiac.
Thinking of this, Ian's expression turned cold. He hadn't expected Wendy Jiang to be so cunning. Even though he'd been careful, he still fell into her trap.
Obviously, his guess was right—she was trying to use the honey trap on him.
Looking at Wendy, her cheeks flushed and her gaze shy and dazed, Ian couldn't help but let a wicked smile curl his lips. "Since you dared to use the honey trap on me, don't blame me for taking full advantage and not taking responsibility afterward!"
With his mindset shifting, Ian's eyes changed as well. He looked at Wendy and said softly, "Miss Jiang, you're really beautiful."
"Really?"
Wendy looked at Ian, a hint of longing in her eyes.
"Of course it's true!"
Ian stepped forward, reaching out to wrap his arms around Wendy's slender waist. As he held her, he could feel her body stiffen for a moment, but then she relaxed.
Wendy asked nervously, "Young Master Song, what are you trying to do?"
"What do you think?"
Ian gave a cold smile and pulled Wendy tightly into his arms, pressing their bodies together with no space between them.
"No...!" Wendy gasped, but to Ian's ear, it sounded almost like an invitation.
"Hmph!"
With a cold snort, Ian suddenly lowered his head and kissed Wendy's lips—roughly and domineeringly.