He was somewhat known in the Black Triangle, and had been one of the most active businessmen in real estate over the years. However, Hong Wenyao’s fame wasn’t due to the quality of the houses he invested in and built, but rather that any house Hong Wenyao took on eventually became a white elephant. Hong Wenyao’s usual modus operandi was to take the owners’ money and then find a few scapegoats to go to jail, yet he remained at large all these years. If that piece of land by the sea were given to Hong Wenyao, it would also end up as a white elephant.
Zhou Jinbai explained slowly. Although he didn’t take men like Hong Wenyao seriously, he still chose to answer when his wife asked.
After speaking, he added, “As for that brat Liang Sichen, I’ll handle him. You don’t need to be afraid of him. If he dares to provoke you again, I’ll cripple him.”
Lin Xingwan shook her head. “Actually, I’m not afraid of Liang Sichen. I’m just wondering why Cheng Yanzhe would be with Liang Sichen. He clearly knows that Liang Sichen is a walking time bomb, and being with him could cost him his life in an instant. But tonight, when I saw Cheng Yanzhe, he seemed unwilling to get too involved with me.”
“You’re being silly. Everyone has their own choices. Cheng Yanzhe isn’t a child anymore; he must have considered the consequences before making such a decision. In our adult world, we shouldn’t try to change others, but rather respect their choices.”
Before the plane had even flown back to Rongcheng, Lin Xingwan had fallen asleep inside the helicopter.
She was simply too exhausted to even know when the plane landed.
Zhou Jinbai didn’t wake her up either. Instead, he held her, and they spent the night in the helicopter.
For the next two days, Lin Xingwan was busy with company matters.
“Miracle” had entered the review stage, and if everything went smoothly, they could schedule a release date.
Lin Xingwan also spent a lot of money on advertising and signed a few new artists.
As for Liu Mengqin, she was busy with wedding preparations and was rarely seen for several days.
During these two days, the second most reported news online was about the Qiao family in Yanjing.
Since the Xue family’s banquet, the Qiao family had been plagued by various negative news. Within just two days, all the stocks under the Qiao family had hit their lower limits, major shareholders were selling off their holdings, and small shareholders were vocal with their complaints. Not only that, but the Qiao family had also gotten into legal trouble, with one of their companies being accused of plagiarism. The compensation demanded by the other party had reached astronomical figures.
The scandals involving Qiao Ruosheng were also being reported extensively online.
Losing her innocence at a young age, then dropping out of school due to pregnancy…
Her behavior abroad over the years had also been extremely promiscuous, with dozens of boyfriends. Sometimes, on a whim, she would even entertain several boyfriends at once.
From a talented socialite heiress, she had been branded with titles like ‘shameless,’ ‘slut,’ and ‘public transport.’ Her jewelry stores were exposed for using fake gemstones.
Items that cost one or two yuan were being sold for thousands or tens of thousands after being stamped with her brand logo…
In an instant, Qiao Ruosheng was ruined, and the Qiao family went bankrupt.
At this very moment, Qiao Ruosheng, confined to the Qiao family villa, was like a madwoman, smashing everything she could get her hands on in the room.
She had always believed that even if the Qiao family offended the Dongfang family, they would decline slowly like the Xue family.
But in just two days, the Qiao family, which had been among the four great families and was poised to become the foremost among them, had gone bankrupt.
They had tens of billions in assets, yet it was all useless.
Especially the reports about her online, which were undoubtedly leaked to the reporters by Xue Manting.
“That bitch Xue Manting! I’ll drag her down with me even if I die!” Qiao Ruosheng was so enraged that she had been smashing things in her room and browsing news websites for two days straight, with nothing else to do.
After years of meticulous planning, her efforts had been ruined in an instant!
Especially seeing how the Xue family was visibly improving while the Qiao family collapsed so quickly, how could she accept this stark contrast?
“Miss, the Qiao family is already in such dire straits. You can’t provoke Miss Xue anymore, or we won’t even have a place to live.”
The maid, seeing Qiao Ruosheng’s desire to drag Xue Manting down with her, also had her own grievances.
If Qiao Ruosheng had been more well-behaved and hadn’t publicly challenged the Xue family at the banquet, she wouldn’t have ended up in this situation!
The Xue family’s backing was none other than the Dongfang family!
If Qiao Ruosheng disrespected the Xue family, she was disrespecting the Dongfang family!
It seemed she had lived too comfortably for too long and forgotten her own place.
“Provoke? That bitch won’t be arrogant for much longer. I absolutely cannot stand by and watch the Qiao family go bankrupt.” Qiao Ruosheng said, then took out her phone and dialed a number.
However, the other party didn’t answer.
Qiao Ruosheng’s determined expression began to crumble. If even this person refused to answer her call, then she would truly be helpless.
Qiao Ruosheng was unwilling to give up and dialed a second number.
This time, after a long wait, the other party finally answered.
A lazy voice came from the other end of the line, “Hello?”
“Miss Cen, I am Qiao Ruosheng. Please help our Qiao family. Otherwise, our Qiao family will truly be finished this time.”
Hearing Cen Zhiyuan’s voice, Qiao Ruosheng felt as if she had grasped a lifeline. Even though Cen Zhiyuan wasn’t by Qiao Ruosheng’s side, her face was filled with humble pleading.
“Qiao Ruosheng, everything that has happened to the Qiao family these past few days is all thanks to you. You want me to save you? You’re just a nobody; there’s no point in me making a move for you.”
Cen Zhiyuan was the most esteemed young lady and the most capable heir in Yanjing, and even across the country.
Just listening to her speak made Qiao Ruosheng’s teeth chatter uncontrollably.
“I may be a nobody, but I am willing to be your most loyal dog, Miss Cen. I am truly desperate now. Please save me. As long as you save me now, I am willing to make that woman Lin Xingwan disappear.”
Qiao Ruosheng had actually found leverage before calling Cen Zhiyuan.
As expected, the other party paused before speaking again, her tone becoming dismissive. “Lin Xingwan? Do you think this woman poses a threat to me?”
“She does!” Qiao Ruosheng replied resolutely. “Dongfang Junze is clearly your fiancé, yet he married Lin Xingwan. Lin Xingwan’s appearance has stolen what rightfully belonged to you. Moreover, as long as Lin Xingwan is around, Dongfang Junze will not separate from her, even if he falls out with his family. At that point, you will become a laughingstock in all of Yanjing and even China. No matter how outstanding you are, you will still lose to a woman like Lin Xingwan. Besides, you were the one who grew up with Dongfang Junze, so why should you pave the way for others?”
“Qiao Ruosheng, Lin Xingwan doesn’t need me to make a move. However, what you’ve said has made me change my mind. I can prevent the Qiao family from going bankrupt, but as you said, you must also remember your promise to me.” Cen Zhiyuan’s tone remained largely unchanged throughout.
Why not have someone willingly step forward to be her blade, while she herself remained clean when blood was shed?
Qiao Ruosheng finally received a satisfactory answer. As soon as she hung up the phone, Xue Manting’s call came in.
If it were not long ago, Qiao Ruosheng would absolutely not have answered Xue Manting’s call. She could imagine how smug that woman Xue Manting would be.
But with Cen Zhiyuan’s promise, Qiao Ruosheng quickly answered the phone.
“Xue Manting, what new trick are you up to now?” Qiao Ruosheng’s tone was full of impatience.
“Oh, I haven’t said anything yet, and you’re already so angry? Qiao Ruosheng, let me guess, are you currently in your room, smashing everything you can get your hands on? Hating me to death, yet unable to do anything about me?”
After saying that, Xue Manting burst into laughter.
Her laughter was so piercing that Qiao Ruosheng was almost driven mad.
“I haven’t lost; I just don’t have as strong a backing as you, Xue Manting. One day, I will get it all back, with interest.” Qiao Ruosheng declared confidently.
“You’ve already become a stray dog, and you’re still telling me you’ll get it back with interest? Qiao Ruosheng, Qiao Ruosheng, you really think too highly of yourself. Do you know why you haven’t been thrown in jail yet? Do you think the only dirty things you’ve done are the ones exposed online?” In fact, Xue Manting had privately found evidence of many illegal things Qiao Ruosheng had done, but she hadn’t handed them over to reporters because Xue Manting had her own plans.
“Why?” Qiao Ruosheng was surprised that Xue Manting knew so much about her secrets.
“Tomorrow at noon, Wangyou Mountain in Rongcheng. I’ll tell you all the answers, and… about Xuan Changan.”
“Heh, I’m not interested in anything you have to say. As for that man Xuan Changan, his affairs have nothing to do with me.”
Just as Qiao Ruosheng was about to hang up, Xue Manting’s tone suddenly turned serious. “You were the one who caused Xuan Changan’s death, not me. Xuan Changan and I were just playing along, all for the purpose of making you miscarry the child in your womb.”
After saying that, Xue Manting hung up the phone without giving Qiao Ruosheng a chance to speak.
Qiao Ruosheng’s face was filled with confusion. Subconsciously, she felt that Xue Manting must be hiding some secrets!
But when Qiao Ruosheng tried to call Xue Manting, she had already been blocked.
Her hand, hanging by her side, clenched into a fist. Finally, she decided to meet Xue Manting tomorrow!
However, tomorrow was also Liu Mengqin and Bai Xiao’s wedding.
The two had known each other for nearly half a year and were considered to have found their happy ending.
Although Liu Mengqin had been married before, the Bai family did not look down on her for remarrying with a child, as Bai Xiao was also remarried.
On the wedding day, Liu Mengqin woke up as early as three in the morning to start her makeup. Lin Xingwan, as the bridesmaid, naturally had to accompany her.
Of course, Lin Xingwan also had some little plans of her own for this wedding.
After Lin Xingwan finished her makeup, she could rest on the side.
Liu Mengqin, on the other hand, had a tough time, with various customs and etiquette keeping her busy.
Around seven in the morning, the doorbell rang at the entrance of the villa where Liu Mengqin was staying.
Lin Xingwan quickly went to open the door, but the man standing at the entrance made both Lin Xingwan and Liu Mengqin freeze.
The man in front of them, with his plump figure and a face full of coarse flesh, was none other than Liu Mengqin’s ex-husband, Li Tao!
Lin Xingwan remembered the last time she saw Li Tao was about a year ago.
At that time, Li Tao, relying on his small fortune and his position as a company supervisor, spoke to them with an air of arrogant superiority.
Back then, Li Tao looked ordinary, not as ugly as he was now.
But such an ordinary man could still despise Liu Mengqin, cheat, and it just showed how many men today, despite being ordinary, were so promiscuous.
“Li… Li Tao?” In just one year, this man had become as ugly as a toad.
Li Tao ignored Lin Xingwan and rudely and impolitely strode towards Liu Mengqin’s bedroom.
When Li Tao saw Liu Mengqin, he immediately said in a reprimanding tone, “Liu Mengqin, you’re actually getting married? Are you worthy of Congcong, are you worthy of me?”
Li Tao’s words stunned not only Liu Mengqin and Lin Xingwan, but also the makeup artist and Liu Mengqin’s family members.
“What does it have to do with you whether I get married or not? Li Tao, today is my big day, get out.”
Liu Mengqin felt extremely disgusted upon seeing Li Tao.
Every time she saw this man, she began to doubt herself.
How blind had she been in the past to fall in love with such a disgusting and greasy man, and even begged him not to leave her and their family for that other woman.
Now, it seemed that even if Li Tao licked her shoes, she would feel disgusted.
“Get out? This is my home, why should I get out? Liu Mengqin, do you know that if you remarry with Congcong, Congcong will be mistreated? Only I, his biological father, will treat my son well. Don’t get married, let’s get back together. I know I made mistakes this past year, give me a chance, and I don’t mind that you’ve been slept with by other men so many times. We’ll be even.”
Li Tao was being unreasonable. After speaking, he even sat down on the sofa and crossed his legs, acting like a lord.
“Get out, or I’ll call the police!” Liu Mengqin was so angry that she got up from her chair and picked up a foundation bottle from the dressing table, intending to smash it at Li Tao. Fortunately, Lin Xingwan quickly stopped her.
“Sister Qin, please don’t. No blood at a wedding,” Lin Xingwan said, then turned to Li Tao and said, “You’re already divorced from Sister Qin. Sister Qin is free to marry. Moreover, this house belongs to Sister Qin. Please leave immediately.”
“I won’t allow her to get married. I want to remarry her, otherwise, her wedding today won’t happen.” Li Tao’s arrogant demeanor showed that he was still immersed in the feeling of having absolute control over Liu Mengqin and her family in the past.
However, as soon as Li Tao finished speaking, a very tall figure rushed out of the bedroom.
Lin Xingwan felt a gust of wind pass by her ear, and then Li Tao’s pig-like screams echoed from the bedroom.
“Bai… Bai Xiao…”
“Why is he here?”
“This… Isn’t this the groom? Why is the groom here instead of staying at home? What’s going on?”
The people present were even more confused. They watched as Bai Xiao easily beat Li Tao to the ground. Bai Xiao was already taller and better built than Li Tao, and he was also a trained fighter. Li Tao posed no threat to Bai Xiao.
“Stop hitting, stop hitting…” Li Tao said, spitting blood, while Bai Xiao sneered and kicked him in the abdomen.
Li Tao clutched his stomach in pain, and his eyes widened in terror.
“Ah–” A deafening scream echoed throughout the entire building.
Even the birds perched on the trees in the neighborhood were startled by Li Tao’s scream and flew away in unison.
Bai Xiao had stomped on Li Tao’s most vulnerable spot, and blood soon seeped through his jeans.
“What, are you addicted to bullying my Mengqin? You piece of trash, who gave you the confidence to think everyone would wait for you? Don’t you like it? Want to threaten Mengqin? Fine, I’ll play with you.”
Bai Xiao grabbed Li Tao by the collar. In fact, Liu Mengqin had told him a few days ago that her ex-husband had been harassing her recently and had threatened to kill Liu Mengqin’s family and child if they got married, making Liu Mengqin pay the price and regret it!
If Liu Mengqin hadn’t met Bai Xiao, she would have compromised with a scumbag like Li Tao for the safety of her family.
But this was Bai Xiao, a man of integrity, how could he let his woman be threatened by someone like Li Tao?
“Brother, I was wrong, I was really wrong. I’ll never dare to do it again.” Li Tao had not expected that the man Liu Mengqin was marrying would be so difficult to deal with and so brutal.
He was naturally a bully who preyed on the weak. Now, his face was pale with fear.
“Remember, if you dare to show your face here again, I’ll chop off your hands and feet.”
After speaking, Bai Xiao spat at Li Tao. “Get lost.”
Li Tao, enduring the excruciating pain in his crotch, quickly rolled away.
“Bai Xiao, why are you here?” Liu Mengqin finally recovered from her shock. The way Bai Xiao beat Li Tao just now was too cool.
Indeed, when getting married, one should marry the right person.
“I guessed that that beast Li Tao would come to threaten you, so I rushed over to beat him up. I didn’t expect my guess to be right.” Bai Xiao said, then looked at Lin Xingwan and said, “Sister-in-law, you’ve worked hard. When you and Jinbai get married next time, I’ll have all the guys from the police station come.”
“Okay.” Lin Xingwan couldn’t help but chuckle at Bai Xiao’s words.
With so many men from the police station, it would indeed be a beautiful sight.
“Since I’ve already beaten up that beast Li Tao, I’ll be leaving now. Wife, wait for me to pick you up! You guys can play some rough wedding games later, it’s fine, because the groomsmen are Jinbai, Lu Shiyan, Su Moli, and Jia Yanzhen. You can play with these four however you want!”
Lin Xingwan: “…”
Honestly, she didn’t want to play with her husband!
But she also really wanted to see Zhou Jinbai flustered.
After Bai Xiao left, Lin Xingwan and Liu Mengqin began to quickly brainstorm the wedding games for later, and Xue Manting finally arrived around ten o’clock.
However, Xue Manting also brought bad news: the bridesmaid she had arranged had stood her up.
“What should we do? Weddings require pairs. Now there are four groomsmen, and if there are only three bridesmaids, it will be unlucky.” The makeup artist began to worry for Liu Mengqin.
“What should we do? Should we reduce the number of groomsmen by one?” Liu Mengqin asked.
“If there are three, it’s unlucky. We can only find another bridesmaid, but we don’t have anyone suitable here…”
Everyone looked around at the people present, while Xue Manting kept apologizing. “I’m so sorry, Sister Qin. I never expected that person would stand me up. Should I call the wedding company now and have them arrange a beautiful bridesmaid no matter what?”
“But if the bridesmaid arrives, there won’t be enough time. You know the groom’s party will be here soon.” Lin Xingwan’s mood also became anxious. Who would have thought that the problem would arise at the last minute?
Suddenly, Xue Manting’s gaze fell upon someone.
“I’ve thought of a way!” Xue Manting quickly walked over to Xuan Yin, who was leaning against the wall with his eyes closed, resting.
Sensing a sense of danger, Xuan Yin suddenly opened his eyes.