Chapter 355: Slap in the Face!
"What did you say?" Shi Potian was instantly displeased. He stood up and walked directly in front of Luo Jinping.
"When adults are talking, why is a child butting in? Get lost!" Luo Jinping waved his hand, giving Shi Potian a disdainful glance.
Is this the assistant Qin Luoli has supposedly been keeping by her side? He looks simple and naive, clearly someone unsophisticated and without a trace of cunning.
"Luo Jinping, what exactly do you want?" Worried that Shi Potian might resort to violence, Qin Luoli hurried over, her expression grim as she stared at Luo Jinping.
"What do I want?" Luo Jinping pulled out an invitation. "My Luo Family and the Chen Family are planning to co-host a networking reception. Since the Qin Corporation is currently the largest enterprise in River City, you naturally qualify to participate."
Qin Luoli scoffed, "Sorry, I’m not interested!"
Although the Luo and Chen Families combined were not weak, they still fell far short of the current Qin Corporation. Qin Luoli naturally had no interest. Moreover, the Chen Family had been in decline since Chen Ruoping’s death, with many of their resources carved up by others. Out of respect for Qin Hongbo, Qin Luoli had not moved against the Chen Family, but other corporations in River City had no such scruples. They took what they could without hesitation.
"Don’t be so quick to refuse," Luo Jinping said with a confident smile. "I assure you, you will agree."
"And what if I don’t?" Qin Luoli said coldly. "Surely you aren’t thinking of forcing me to go?"
Her current status was worlds apart from what it had been. Never mind Luo Jinping, she wouldn’t be intimidated even if the current Steward of the Luo Family were here.
"Heh, ever heard of the Jiangling Fang Family?" Luo Jinping said with a faint smile. "This reception was initiated by them."
The Jiangling Fang Family?
Qin Luoli was slightly startled. She had recently been planning to expand her business into Jiangling and had even secured the Haiyuan Tiancheng project. Naturally, she had researched the major corporate groups there. The Jiangling Fang Family was one of the most prominent enterprises and major families in Jiangling. They were a long-established company that had been around for decades, so a reception they initiated would carry significant weight.
Are they planning to establish a presence in River City? Why would the Fang Family be interested in a small place like River City? Could they have some other objective?
"So, are you interested now?" Luo Jinping grinned. "I don’t mind telling you, my Luo Family and the Chen Family have already reached a series of business agreements with the Jiangling Fang Family. I’ve even heard that Huasheng Technology, the Fan Family, and several other companies are considering the same."
A mocking smile touched Luo Jinping’s lips. "I hear you hold shares in those companies. Didn’t they tell you?"
Qin Luoli’s heart skipped a beat.
Those guys... they dared to go behind her back and join hands with the Jiangling Fang Family?
Qin Luoli now knew that Lin Mu and the Jiangling Fang Family were not on good terms. The fall of the Wanta Group and the destruction of the River City branch of the Fang Family were supposedly because of him. If the Jiangling Fang Family came to River City, their sole purpose had to be Lin Mu. Targeting the Qin Corporation was merely the first step!
Qin Luoli’s thoughts raced.
"Fine, I will be there on time," Qin Luoli said, taking the invitation with a solemn expression.
Now that Lin Mu had been missing for over half a year and wasn’t in River City, she needed to find out what the Jiangling Fang Family was truly planning.
"Very well." Luo Jinping snapped his fingers in satisfaction. "Then I shall await the honor of President Qin’s presence."
After Luo Jinping left, Shi Potian said resentfully, "Sister Qin, why didn’t you let me teach that guy a lesson? He’s so arrogant, daring to speak of Brother Mu that way."
He was, of course, referring to how Luo Jinping had mocked Lin Mu, even claiming he could crush him with a single finger if he showed up. It was infuriating!
"We can’t act rashly out of anger." Seeing Shi Potian’s disgruntled expression, Qin Luoli consoled him, "Just this once. If there’s a next time, I won’t stop you."
"Okay!" Shi Potian exclaimed in pleasant surprise. "Sister Qin, you said it yourself."
"Of course. Sister Qin always keeps her word."
Her own heart was anything but at ease. She was itching to beat Luo Jinping senseless for daring to speak of her man like that.
But for Luo Jinping to dare to come knocking, he must have some backing. The Jiangling Fang Family? That hardly seems sufficient. He must know something more.
With that thought, Qin Luoli immediately took out her phone and dialed a number.
The call went through, only to be immediately disconnected.
This made Qin Luoli’s expression turn sour. She then found another number. Similarly, it was hung up the moment it connected.
SMACK!
Qin Luoli slammed the phone on the table and said in an icy voice, "These treacherous ingrates! Aren’t they afraid Lin Mu will settle the score with them when he returns?"
She had been calling Huasheng Technology and the Fan Family. Normally, they would never dare hang up on her. It seemed Luo Jinping had been telling the truth.
Taking a deep breath to compose herself, Qin Luoli said, "Xiao Tian, get ready. You’re accompanying me to a gala tonight!"
「At seven o’clock in the evening.」
There was still half an hour before the networking reception began.
Qin Luoli entered the Four Seas Hotel with Shi Potian. It was here that she and Lin Mu had once been blocked from attending a gala. It was also on that day that Lin Mu’s identity as the Divine Doctor was revealed, and he humiliated Patriarch Chen, Chen Ruoping, to the point of vomiting blood. Afterward, Elder Luo, accompanied by Luo Jinping, had gone to the Qin Family to apologize.
She never expected to return to this place so soon. And this time, it seemed the Luo Family had found a powerful backer.
The Jiangling Fang Family?
A sharp glint flashed in Qin Luoli’s eyes as she exuded a cold, imposing aura and slowly entered the hotel. The reception was being held on the top floor.
As soon as she walked into the main hall, Qin Luoli sensed something was different. Normally, whenever she appeared, everyone would rush to greet her. But today was strange. The looks in people’s eyes held a peculiar mix of emotions. Fear, pity, regret... and cold mockery.
Qin Luoli’s expression remained unchanged as she proceeded into the hall.
"Well, well, if it isn’t President Qin. I was starting to think you wouldn’t come."
Just then, a voice dripping with sarcasm reached her ears. Following the distinct click-clack of high heels, several figures approached.
It was Chen Xinlan from the Chen Family! Qin Luoli’s aunt by marriage.
"Greetings, Auntie," Qin Luoli said politely.
"Oh, don’t. I couldn’t possibly bear such an honor," Chen Xinlan sneered, her eyes overflowing with venom and hatred. "I’m no longer a daughter-in-law of the Qin Family, so I’m certainly not your aunt. You can call me President Chen."
The smile on Qin Luoli’s face didn’t falter. "Greetings, President Chen."
"I am not well!" Chen Xinlan’s face darkened. She took two steps forward, leaned close to Qin Luoli, and whispered, "Qin Luoli, today I’m going to make your death an ugly one. I’ll make you regret ever being born!"
Stepping back, Chen Xinlan put on a false smile. She glanced at Shi Potian behind Qin Luoli and said in a mocking tone, "Oh, I was wondering why Lin Mu wasn’t here. It seems you’ve found a replacement. Who would have thought the great President of the Qin Corporation had a taste for pretty boys?"
Chen Xinlan’s words instantly silenced the hall.
So... it’s starting?
The gazes on Qin Luoli turned peculiar.
Qin Luoli’s eyes narrowed slightly. With the dignity of an empress, she glanced at Chen Xinlan and said coolly, "Xiao Tian, slap her."
"Yes!"
Shi Potian strode forward. Under the shocked gazes of the crowd, he raised his hand and sharply slapped Chen Xinlan across the face.