My Perfect Female CEO

The dishes in the private room where Li Dingguo and Zhao Gongming were seated had already been served.

The private room was opulent and extravagant, showcasing an exquisite beauty—evidence of skilled interior work.

Li Dingguo’s briefcase, which he had brought with him, hung in his field of vision, containing work-related computer and keys, hence Li Dingguo’s gaze occasionally and unconsciously glanced at the briefcase, fearing it might disappear from view.

The briefcase was too important, and Li Dingguo’s subtle gaze was naturally locked on it as expected.

Zhao Gongming observed all this, silently calculating.

"President Li, here, I toast to you." Zhao Gongming poured the wine, raised his glass in front of him, and handed another glass to Li Dingguo.

"You know, I can’t drink alcohol; my health issues force me to avoid it. If I drink this glass and my wife finds out, she’d scold me harshly." Li Dingguo spoke decisively.

"Your wife is strict, I can understand; it’s for your health after all." Zhao Gongming smiled broadly, saying, "Don’t I know you? Whenever it’s a colleague gathering or work-related event, you never miss a chance to indulge. Are you seriously going to abstain today? This wine is exquisite; beware of the cravings acting up inside your belly."

He leisurely shook the wine bottle, looking at Li Dingguo with apparent accidental temptation.

Li Dingguo’s love for wine is widely known.

He often argued with his wife over indulging in wine.

This fact, Zhao Gongming was naturally well aware of.

Li Dingguo hesitated, looking at the wine in the glass as if craving it, his throat even moving once.

He looked at Zhao Gongming, helplessly saying, "You know my character inside-out. I make it clear, I’ll only drink one glass to satisfy cravings, but dare not drink more."

"Suit yourself." Zhao Gongming expressed a genuine smile.

Their glasses clinked, both appearing enchanted, and they drank the entire glass.

"President Li, come, let’s eat. The delicacies here are superb and truly authentic." Seeing Li Dingguo finish a glass, he didn’t rush him for another but rather urged him to eat.

"Eat while hot, you should drink less and eat more." Li Dingguo said with care.

As they ate and drank, they reminisced.

At the institute, they had frequent interactions, with decent personal relations, which was why Zhao Gongming could invite Li Dingguo for a meal; otherwise, there wouldn’t even be a possibility or chance to dine and converse.

This meal, Zhao Gongming had his own intentions and plans.

Li Dingguo held a typical sense of vigilance, an attitude he carried towards people and things, which gave Zhao Gongming no reason to doubt.

The dishes had passed through five flavors.

Zhao Gongming pointed at the wine bottle with a smile, regretfully saying, "President Li, are you really not going to drink a bit more?"

"No more, if I drink freely now, I’ll face bitter scolding at home, better to pace myself." Li Dingguo rejected decisively.

Zhao Gongming didn’t press further, nor did he provoke using Li Dingguo’s fear of his wife. Understanding Li Dingguo’s situation well, Zhao Gongming knew due to health reasons, self-discipline was strong with little indulgence, while home supervision played a role.

And there was an unknown reason; research institute tasks incomplete left Li Dingguo restless, thus he strictly adhered to the doctor’s advice without excess indulgence.

"Alright, I won’t urge, I’ll drink, and you can substitute with tea." Zhao Gongming said understandingly.

They chatted a while longer, after Li Dingguo had two cups of tea, his stomach felt discomfort.

He endured for a moment, discomfort intensifying, needing the restroom, finally saying urgently, "Apologies, please wait a moment, I need to use the restroom."

"Is it serious, should we go to the hospital?" Zhao Gongming’s expression changed, appearing worried.

"Just an upset stomach, don’t be alarmed." Li Dingguo spoke swiftly, heading for the restroom.

The private room had its own restroom, so Li Dingguo didn’t have to go far.

The restroom door closed, Zhao Gongming’s expression darkened, shedding the relaxed demeanor for a more conflicted one.

He glanced at Li Dingguo’s briefcase, muttering to himself, "Once I step forward, there’s no turning back, it’s a dead end."

Time was ticking; after a brief hesitation, he finally decided, laughing internally, "At this point, do I have a choice?"

Clearly, he had neither retreat nor decision space.

Thus, he decisively moved towards the briefcase, retrieved the key, and began duplicating using pre-prepared equipment.

Meanwhile, he called to Li Dingguo with concern, "President Li, are you feeling better? If discomfort persists, consider the hospital."

"Just a moment, feeling much better." Li Dingguo’s voice came from the restroom.

Zhao Gongming watched the progress bar, calming his racing heart while conversing with Li Dingguo.

Once duplication was successful, he tidied up, suppressing fear and urgency, striving to regain composure.

Just as Zhao Gongming sat down, the restroom door opened, and Li Dingguo emerged.

"President Li, are you okay now? Why the stomach trouble?" Zhao Gongming expressed ample concern.

Actually, the reason Li Dingguo’s stomach was upset was Zhao Gongming’s doing.

He anticipated Li Dingguo might abstain from drinking, hence the next tactic, meddling with the tea; it’s no wonder Li Dingguo’s stomach had issues.

"Perhaps it’s the richness of the dishes, some upset isn’t a big deal." Li Dingguo had diagnosed his own stomach issue.

In fact, he harbored basic suspicions.

Zhao Gongming had problems.

Furthermore, significant ones.

Upon Zhao Gongming inviting him for dinner, he feared unforeseen occurrences; if nothing transpired, there’d be no concern.

Yet, worry invites trouble.

Although Li Dingguo hadn’t seen Zhao Gongming duplicate the key, just the stomach upset indicated much.

"Feeling better now? I truly feel guilty for the incident." Zhao Gongming said remorsefully.

"Minor trifles, no need to exaggerate." Li Dingguo replied nonchalantly.

After chatting for half an hour more, they parted ways.

"Li Dingguo, old friend, I’m sorry." Zhao Gongming watched Li Dingguo depart, with complex emotions and a hint of shame in his deep gaze.

Yang Shu and Qian Weiguo’s figures emerged, each of Zhao Gongming’s actions unable to escape their watchful eyes.