Manipulative Harem God

The once lively lobby fell into a stunned silence. Guests and staff stood wide-eyed, witnessing the spectacle of the four formidable guards, now groaning on the ground. They were completely overpowered by Zhang Wei, whose calm demeanor had given no hint of the storm he was capable of unleashing.

Tring~Tring~

The receptionist's phone rang, momentarily escape from this growing tension. With a trembling hand, she answered, her voice barely audible. After a brief conversation, her eyes widened in realization.

She hung up and turned towards the crowd, her voice unsteady. "Miss Mei, you are free to go. And Mr. Zhang, I deeply apologize for the misunderstanding."

Zhang Wei shrugged nonchalantly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "In a small world like this, misunderstandings are normal," he said, his tone light yet carrying an undercurrent of authority.

He turned to Mei Ren, his demeanor respectful but confident. "I apologize for the poor service. Allow me to guide you to your room personally."

Mei Ren, still processing the whirlwind of events, found herself slightly mesmerized by Zhang Wei's demeanor. The corner of her lips curled into a faint smile, her earlier reservations giving way to a newfound curiosity.

"Okay," she said, her voice steady but softer than before, acknowledging his unexpected chivalry.

A faint blush colored her cheeks as she followed him, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. 'Why don't I have someone as dominating and capable as him? Why does fate bind me to someone else?' Her glance lingered on Zhang Wei's confident stride, a sense of admiration mixed with a tinge of regret swirling within her.

As they walked towards the elevator, the lobby still buzzing with whispered conversations and furtive glances, Mei Ren found herself intrigued, wondering what other surprises this mysterious man might hold.

As the elevator doors slid closed, Mei Ren's gaze shifted, revealing a flicker of hesitation. "Are... you Sun Shao?" she asked, her voice slightly restrained, tinged with nervousness.

Zhang Wei raised his eyebrows but offered no immediate reply.

'Did I offend him?' Mei Ren's mind raced with panic. She was about to speak again when Zhang Wei finally broke the silence. "Sun Qiang is my little brother. I'm here to attend a wedding of a distant relative."

!?

"Oh.. really?" Surprise and a hint of intrigue lit up Mei Ren's eyes. Zhang Wei gave a small nod in confirmation, and seizing the moment, she proposed, "That's great then. You must not be familiar with Beicheng City. If you encounter any issues, I can help you." She extended her business card, which Zhang Wei accepted after a brief glance.

"Star Energy Incorporation?" He muttered under his breath, seemingly recalling the name.

Mei Ren peered at him curiously. "Have Mr—" she paused, realizing she didn't know his name.

Zhang Wei supplied, "It's Zhang Wei."

A sigh of relief escaped Mei Ren. "Mr. Zhang... Have you heard of our company somewhere? It's a small listed company..." She began to introduce her company, but their conversation was interrupted as the elevator doors opened, and they stepped out together.

Zhang Wei, cutting through her introduction, asked directly, "Which room?"

"Ah!?" Taken aback by his abrupt question, Mei Ren mentally admonished herself for getting carried away before pointing towards the end of the corridor. "It's that one," she indicated.

Zhang Wei simply nodded. "Okay."

As they walked down the plush carpeted corridor, an unspoken understanding seemed to form between them. Mei Ren, usually so guarded and composed, found herself inexplicably at ease with Zhang Wei, a man she had only just met.

Zhang Wei's presence was reassuring, yet it carried an undercurrent of mystery. Mei Ren, usually so in control, found herself curiously drawn to him.

Upon reaching her room, Mei Ren fumbled slightly with her keycard, a rare show of nervousness. Zhang Wei observed quietly, a faint, unreadable smile on his lips. As the door beeped open, he stepped back, maintaining a respectful distance.

"Thank you, Mr. Zhang, for your assistance," Mei Ren said, her voice steady but her eyes betraying a hint of reluctance.

"It was no trouble at all," Zhang Wei replied, his tone courteous. "If you need anything else during your stay, feel free to call."

With a polite nod, Mei Ren entered her room, turning to give Zhang Wei a final glance before the door closed behind her.

Click!

The click of the door echoed in the spacious suite, leaving Mei Ren in a sudden, enveloping silence. She leaned against the door, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. 'What was I thinking?' she questioned herself, a sense of emptiness settling in her chest.

She was engaged, bound by duties and expectations, yet in those brief moments with Zhang Wei, she had felt an unfamiliar thrill, a yearning for something undefined.

Shaking her head, Mei Ren tried to dispel the thoughts. 'It's just stress,' she rationalized, 'nothing more.' But deep down, she knew it wasn't that simple. The encounter with Zhang Wei had stirred something within her, a realization of her own desires and the constraints of her life.

She moved away from the door, her steps slow, as she tried to refocus on the reality of her situation. Yet, the image of Zhang Wei, calm and commanding, lingered in her mind, a reminder of the choices she had yet to make.

Just as Mei Ren was grappling with her thoughts, a knock on her door jolted her.

Thump! Thump!

Her heart leaped in her chest, a mix of anticipation and anxiety washing over her. She hurried to the door and swung it open, her breath catching in a sigh of relief when she saw Zhang Wei standing there.

"Apologies for disturbing you again," Zhang Wei began politely, his demeanor calm as ever. "I forgot to mention that, along with attending the wedding, I'm also here to negotiate a deal on behalf of a friend's company. They're interested in securing some energy contracts, and it so happens that your company is on our radar."

Mei Ren's gaze sharpened instantly at his words. A surge of professional interest replaced her earlier emotional turmoil. "May I ask, on behalf of which company are you dealing?" she inquired, trying to keep her voice steady. Internally, her heart raced with the possibilities; a significant contract could indeed skyrocket their share prices.

Zhang Wei responded nonchalantly, "Powergen Cooperation."