The Sweetest Marriage Ch.306

Chapter 306 – The Hongmen Banquet

The Transportation Department suddenly got busy. However, Wei Chen was destined to be marginalized. From the manager of the Transportation Department to the most basic employees, everyone treated Wei Chen respectfully but kept him away from any departmental affairs.

Wei Chen, for once, seemed indifferent to current affairs. Surprisingly, unlike his previous actions in the Marketing Department and Logistics Department, he didn’t try to change anything. He clocked in and out every day, staying in his office without venturing anywhere, doing nothing.

It was Wei Chen’s demeanor that made the manager of the Transportation Department suspicious. As an adversary standing against Wei Chen, he knew well what kind of person Wei Chen was — resourceful, cunning, and capable. Whether in the Changfeng Group’s Marketing Department or Logistics Department, after Wei Chen’s involvement, both departments flourished with new vitality.

Such a capable individual—was he truly content with idling in a small Transportation Department, remaining obscure? Didn’t he desire to create another significant achievement?

The current Wei Chen was unusually quiet, making the manager of the Transportation Department increasingly paranoid, feeling as if danger lurked around every corner.

The manager of the Transportation Department became restless. Despite Chen Yunzeng’s instruction to maintain the status quo, he knew the consequences once the department’s secrets were exposed. He couldn’t allow any risk and felt the urgency to remove Wei Chen from the department as soon as possible.

To him, Wei Chen was now an unpredictable time bomb, ready to explode anytime and obliterate everything in his path!

After lunch break, the manager of the Transportation Department visited Wei Chen’s office again.

Wei Chen’s computer screen still displayed stock market charts. Without looking up, Wei Chen remained engrossed in studying the market as the department manager entered.

The department manager had been frequenting Wei Chen’s office lately, but this time, he didn’t need Wei Chen’s hospitality. He found a seat and said, “Deputy General Manager Wei.”

Only then did Wei Chen lift his head and focus his gaze on the department manager. “Is there something?”

The manager said, “Deputy General Manager Wei, you’ve been with our Transportation Department for quite some time, and we’ve not held a welcoming banquet for you. We feel quite remiss about it. Today, after discussing it with several management members, we’ve arranged a welcome banquet for you at the Junyue Hotel. You’re the guest of honor; you must attend.”

Unable to find a handle on Wei Chen, the only option was to create one, to lure Wei Chen away. Otherwise, the department manager felt that sooner or later, the department would fall into Wei Chen’s hands.

“Alright, I’ll come after work,” Wei Chen agreed promptly to the Transportation Department manager’s invitation, his sharp gaze lingering on the manager’s face, seemingly contemplating something.

The manager of the Transportation Department felt uneasy under Wei Chen’s piercing gaze and quickly stood up. “We’ll eagerly await Deputy General Manager Wei’s arrival tonight,” he said before leaving Wei Chen’s office hastily. He seemed afraid that staying a moment longer in Wei Chen’s office might expose his intentions.

Wei Chen impassively watched the manager of the Transportation Department leave. He then messaged Cookie, asking for help to hack into the surveillance system of the Junyue Hotel. He was curious to see what kind of banquet the Transportation Department had prepared for him.

Cookie readily agreed without any conditions. Regardless of whether it was his honeymoon time with Wei Hua, before Wei Chen joined the Transportation Department, the Sheng family had instructed Cookie to assist Wei Chen whenever needed.

The afternoon passed in dullness. Wei Chen sent a text to Chen Li, saying he would be late returning today and headed alone to attend the banquet.

The Junyue Hotel was a mid-range hotel in the capital, but regular visitors knew it concealed more than just accommodation—it was a place for indulgence.

Here, as long as you had money, you could buy the services you desired. Rumors suggested the hotel had connections to a prince from Sijiu City, which probably explained why, despite its notoriety, it remained untouched by authorities.

Having traversed the business world before joining Changfeng Group, Wei Chen was familiar with the hotel’s reputation. This was why upon hearing the Transportation Department manager’s choice of the Junyue Hotel for the celebration, Wei Chen asked Cookie to hack into its surveillance.

Wei Chen had a premonition that the opportunity to pry open the iron-clad lid of the Transportation Department was approaching.

As Wei Chen stepped into the Junyue Hotel, his phone rang. It was a message from Cookie: [Sender: Sheng Qi; Content: Be cautious. Don’t consume any beverages, not even plain water.] Wei Chen expressionlessly pocketed his phone, having already gleaned the intentions of the Transportation Department manager.

How impatient he was! He had quietly stayed in the Transportation Department for a few days, and now the manager was resorting to such underhanded tactics.

Wei Chen had a clear understanding of the situation but played along as if he knew nothing, attending the banquet.

The Transportation Department manager likely intended to show Wei Chen respect by reserving a large private room. When Wei Chen entered, several people were already present—some were from the Transportation Department’s management, while others were unfamiliar faces to Wei Chen.

Except for one, whom Wei Chen recognized instantly. It was Young Master Han, the noble son from Sijiu City who had clashed with Wei Chen during the event when Grandfather Qu took him and Chen Li to a gathering. Young Master Han was the owner behind the scenes at the Junyue Hotel. Despite the hotel’s notoriety, it remained open due to Young Master Han’s intervention.

Young Master Han remembered Wei Chen, specifically how Wei Chen had made things difficult for him that day. He harbored resentment towards Wei Chen. Today, upon learning that the manager of Changfeng Group’s Transportation Department intended to outwit Wei Chen, Young Master Han had come, even going as far as adding something extra to the drinks on the table. He didn’t believe Wei Chen wouldn’t fall into the trap given such high probability.

Of course, Young Master Han didn’t reveal this to anyone from Changfeng Group sitting there. Even though he disliked Wei Chen, he knew Wei Chen was formidable. If these people found out about the tampering in the drinks and made Wei Chen suspicious, things would turn unpleasant.

“Deputy General Manager Wei, didn’t expect to meet again,” Young Master Han said, taking the initiative to approach Wei Chen, extending his hand with a keen interest in his eyes.

“Young Master Han,” Wei Chen nodded slightly, his eyes remaining cold.

Everyone in the room knew Young Master Han’s identity and naturally treated him with respect. Only Wei Chen’s attitude made Young Master Han feel slighted, fueling his annoyance. Yet, the thought of what Wei Chen would face later on brought a sense of balance to Young Master Han’s mind.

He knew very well that what the Transportation Department manager added to Wei Chen’s drink wasn’t just a simple additive.

Seeing that Wei Chen and Young Master Han had finished their conversation, the Transportation Department manager, sensing Young Master Han’s displeasure towards Wei Chen, quickly relaxed. He understood that if the young master voiced his discontent, his plans for the evening would utterly fail.

“Deputy General Manager Wei, it’s rare for you to visit our Transportation Department. This welcoming banquet is a bit late, so we’ve prepared a gift for you. We hope Deputy General Manager Wei can forgive us for this delay.” The Transportation Department manager seated Wei Chen and clapped his hands. The door to the private room opened, and several young men and women walked in.

The Transportation Department manager had done his research—knowing Wei Chen’s partner was a man, implying Wei Chen was homosexual. Thus, amidst the abundance of beautiful women in the Junyue Hotel, there were also handsome young men.

He refused to believe that surrounded by so many attractive men, Wei Chen could continue to maintain his cool demeanor.

These young men were indeed attractive—rosy lips, white teeth, fair skin, well-trained, and flexible. Upon entering, at the Transportation Department manager’s signal, they all approached Wei Chen, wearing shy, bashful smiles on their faces. However, their hands were already aimed at some off-limits areas on Wei Chen.

Wei Chen, expressionless as ever, grew colder upon seeing these young men. His icy gaze froze the young men in their tracks.

“What is the meaning of this, Manager Zheng?” Wei Chen’s cold gaze fell upon the Transportation Department manager like a sharp dagger. Initially, the manager thought Wei Chen was pretending, so he chuckled and said, “Deputy General Manager Wei, we’re all men here; it’s understandable. You don’t need to pretend; your family won’t know.”

“If today’s gathering was simply a welcome banquet, I would stay. But if it’s like this now, Manager Zheng, I apologize,” Wei Chen said, turning to leave.

The Transportation Department manager hadn’t actually considered Wei Chen to be virtuous. He squinted and smiled, “Alright, I’ll ask them to leave now.” He gestured for the young men to depart. Yet, in his mind, he wondered, ‘You might play virtuous now, but what about later? After you’ve had a drink, can you still maintain control?’

Young Master Han sat on the sofa, holding a highball glass, watching the scene unfold, waiting for the real drama to commence later. He knew his presence now would only heighten Wei Chen’s suspicions.

The Transportation Department manager didn’t dare to detain anyone. Once Young Master Han left, the atmosphere at the table loosened up. The high-level members of the Transportation Department stood up one after another, offering toasts to Wei Chen.

“Deputy General Manager Wei, welcome to the Transportation Department. We know you are a capable person. We hope Deputy General Manager Wei can lead our department to new heights!”

Thinking their drinks were free from tampering, the managers of Changfeng Group’s Transportation Department emptied their glasses, eager for Wei Chen to drink his.

Wei Chen held up his glass, his gaze chilling. He brought the rim of the cup to his lips just as all eyes focused on him, hoping he would drink it, when suddenly, Wei Chen’s phone rang precisely at the right moment.

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**TN

The Hongmen Banquet is a historically significant event in Chinese history, known for its political intrigue and betrayal. It took place in 206 BC during the late Qin Dynasty, specifically during the Chu-Han Contention—a period of conflict and power struggle following the collapse of the Qin Empire.

The banquet was hosted by Xiang Yu, a prominent military leader and contender for power, to welcome Liu Bang, another influential figure. Liu Bang was a regional ruler and the future founder of the Han Dynasty. Xiang Yu’s gesture seemed friendly, aiming to negotiate and potentially reconcile their differences.

However, the banquet was a trap. While seemingly a peaceful gathering, it was a setting for Xiang Yu to ambush and eliminate Liu Bang. Liu Bang, however, managed to escape the trap, which led to further conflict and battles between the two forces.

The phrase “Hongmen Banquet” has since become a metaphor for an event or situation that appears benign on the surface but harbors hidden motives or dangers. It represents a deceptive and treacherous situation where appearances deceive and betrayals occur.