"I don't know what you're talking about, Miss Lin. Why... why are you targeting me like this? I really... ah..."
Before Yun Qingqing could even finish her sentence, Lin Xingwan slapped her across the face. The atmosphere of the entire banquet instantly became incredibly tense.
These people were unaware of Lin Xingwan's background, and Zhou Jinbai was also a man of low profile. Therefore, they were all very surprised by Lin Xingwan's audacity to verbally abuse and slap Yun Qingqing in front of so many people.
Of course, there were also those who disliked Yun Qingqing, and Lin Xingwan's slap was incredibly satisfying to them.
"Miss Lin... why did you hit me?" Yun Qingqing's emotions became extremely angry at this moment. She knew she had done something wrong to Lin Xingwan, but this woman was humiliating her in front of so many people. She hadn't expected Lin Xingwan to have such a ruthless side; she had misjudged her.
*Slap—*
Lin Xingwan raised her hand and slapped Yun Qingqing again. This time, Yun Qingqing stumbled backward and fell heavily to the ground.
For a moment, it seemed as if all attention at the banquet had shifted to Lin Xingwan and Yun Qingqing.
The onlookers even began to whisper amongst themselves:
"What's going on? Why was Yun Qingqing slapped for no reason?"
"Exactly, it's so embarrassing. There are thousands, tens of thousands of people attending this banquet tonight. Yun Qingqing is a celebrity, after all. If she's humiliated like this tonight, will she still be able to survive in this industry?"
"If I were Yun Qingqing, no matter what, I would make this woman pay for her actions."
...
For a while, many people felt a sense of extreme social awkwardness for Yun Qingqing being slapped, while some were egging her on to retaliate.
Yun Qingqing desperately wanted to tear Lin Xingwan, that bitch, to shreds. But she clearly knew that even with a perfect opportunity last time, she hadn't managed to bring Lin Xingwan down. If she caused trouble tonight, she would definitely have to pay a huge breach of contract fee, and even the money she had earned recently wouldn't be enough.
As Yun Qingqing got up from the ground and prepared to turn away, two burly men walked up to her and restrained her.
The grip was so strong it felt like it would crush her shoulders. Then, Yun Qingqing felt a sharp pain in her knees, and in the next second, she was forced to her knees.
Gasps of shock erupted from the crowd again. They could never have imagined that Yun Qingqing would be humiliated time and time again!
"Yun Qingqing, are you going to confess what you did yourself, or should I make you confess in my way?" Lin Xingwan looked down at the woman kneeling before her, finding her utterly disgusting.
She even suspected that the act of saving someone in the past might have been deliberately staged by Yun Qingqing.
This woman was truly desperate to change her fate!
"Lin Xingwan, I really don't know what you're talking about!" Yun Qingqing was already incredibly humiliated, but if she admitted to everything she had done in front of so many people, her life would be ruined. With no other choice, Yun Qingqing cast a pleading look at Zhou Jinbai, tears welling up in her eyes. "Mr. Dongfang, I have never done anything to betray your wife. You must uphold justice for me. I really haven't done anything."
Yun Qingqing knew that no amount of begging Lin Xingwan would help. Zhou Jinbai had become her last hope.
However, upon hearing Yun Qingqing's words, Zhou Jinbai revealed a meaningful smile. "You... you want me to save you?"
Yun Qingqing nodded affirmatively. Although she said nothing, her bright, tear-filled eyes conveyed everything.
Zhou Jinbai's hearty laughter echoed throughout the hall. Although he appeared very happy, his laughter carried a chilling undertone. Yun Qingqing felt as if her soul was being seen through by Zhou Jinbai.
She was filled with dread, and then Zhou Jinbai's voice, like that of a devil, descended from above her. "What makes you think I would help you instead of my wife? Is it because of your little tricks to seduce people? Yun Qingqing, I find women like you disgusting."
His words were like a bucket of ice-cold water poured directly over Yun Qingqing's head. She was completely stunned.
She looked at Lin Xingwan, then at Zhou Jinbai.
She knew that no matter what, she couldn't escape today.
Confessing meant a dead end, and not confessing also meant a dead end!
"Miss Lin, I know I was wrong. Please, spare me. I'll do anything if you let me go. I was momentarily bewitched. Please don't be angry with me, okay?"
As Yun Qingqing spoke, large tears streamed down her face. "I only have my mother at home. The reason I did this was to give my mother a better life. I don't know what I was thinking at the time. I truly know I was wrong. Please, for the sake of the fact that you also have a mother, spare me this once, okay?"
Yun Qingqing wanted to crawl to Lin Xingwan's feet like a dog, but she was restrained at the moment, and even freedom was a luxury.
Lin Xingwan looked at the sobbing woman before her. Even after spewing such nonsense, she still hadn't confessed to what she had done.
She couldn't be bothered to waste any more words with Yun Qingqing. Instead, she commanded her subordinate, "Get a knife and disfigure this woman's face. I find her appearance too disgusting. From now on, if she doesn't confess her wicked deeds, we'll cut her face."
These words instantly turned Yun Qingqing's face ashen.
As expected, the subordinate quickly produced a fruit knife and, in front of everyone, slashed Yun Qingqing's cheek.
The onlookers were terrified by the subordinate's actions. They had always thought that everything happening tonight was a personal feud, and no matter how chaotic it got, it wouldn't escalate to this point.
However, they had underestimated Lin Xingwan's boldness.
Yun Qingqing screamed in pain. For years, her face had been her pride and joy. She had even received preferential treatment since childhood because of her looks. Now, her face was about to be ruined, which was simply unbearable for Yun Qingqing. *Kuaishu Pavilion*
"I was invited by the mayor. If you treat me like this, you're disrespecting the mayor." Yun Qingqing shrieked, but her words only made everyone laugh.
The reason these people were so fearless was clearly because they didn't take the mayor seriously at all.
Now, Yun Qingqing was actually using the mayor to threaten them, which was a huge joke.
Lin Xingwan smiled slightly and then, in an act of feigned kindness, explained, "You probably don't know yet that it was me who had the mayor call you. Otherwise, do you think someone like you would have the qualifications to be here?"
This statement sent Yun Qingqing plummeting into the eighteenth level of hell.
She had thought that coming here tonight was to elevate her career to the next level. But now, she finally realized that there was no such thing as a free lunch. Her being a lucky recipient was actually just a play.
"I'll say it, I'll say it! It was all me. I deliberately drugged Liu Mengqin at her wedding. I originally wanted to have an affair with Zhou Jinbai, but by mistake, I ended up having an affair with Lu Shiyan. I deliberately threatened Lu Shiyan, which is why Lu Shiyan arranged for me to join Top Peak Entertainment. I deliberately saved Xue Manting so that you would be grateful to me. I also told Helian Diejin that you were Xu Qingdai. It was all me."
Yun Qingqing's confession made everyone around her gasp.
This woman, who appeared as innocent as a white rabbit, had such a wicked heart!
Lin Xingwan showed no surprise after hearing all of this.
After all, she had come here only after thoroughly investigating the entire sequence of events.
"I've already revealed all the truth. Can I leave now?"
Yun Qingqing clutched her face, blood seeping through her fingers. She looked terrifying.
Lin Xingwan slowly squatted down, her gaze level with Yun Qingqing's face.
"What you did was intended to kill me. And you still think I'll let you go? Yun Qingqing, are you naive, or am I?"
Lin Xingwan felt like she had heard a huge joke. This woman, Yun Qingqing, was truly foolish.
"Then... then what do you want to do?"
Yun Qingqing was completely stunned and could only cast a fearful gaze at Lin Xingwan.
"Of course, you'll have to pay for your mistakes for the rest of your life. Are you curious now why your backer, Helian Diejin, is nowhere to be seen? I'll tell you, I threw her into a small mountain village to please those men. She'll never get out of that village in this lifetime."
After Lin Xingwan finished speaking, Yun Qingqing was so terrified that she fainted.
"Take her away," Zhou Jinbai said, not wanting Yun Qingqing's presence to continue to affect their mood. After saying this, he helped Lin Xingwan, who was still squatting, to her feet.
Lin Xingwan watched Yun Qingqing's receding figure, her eyes turning incredibly cold.
"Let's go. Xuan Yin must have started by now. If we waste any more time here, we'll miss a good show."
Zhou Jinbai reminded Lin Xingwan, and the two of them walked forward.
They headed towards a pre-arranged house, from which they could freely monitor any part of the banquet.
At the same time, Dongfang Qingwu also arrived at the banquet.
At this moment, Dongfang Qingwu's face was full of happiness as she linked arms with a middle-aged man in a suit.
This man was Dongfang Qingwu's husband, Cai Tianci.
The man was about 1.8 meters tall. Although he was almost fifty years old, his physique was well-maintained, and his face showed few signs of age, making him look quite young.
Furthermore, Dongfang Qingwu had been providing Cai Tianci with the best of everything over the years, and everything about Cai Tianci was adorned with expensive items, giving him a distinguished air.
"This Cai Tianci actually looks quite good. No wonder Dongfang Qingwu likes such a man," Lin Xingwan commented honestly. After all, this was Lin Xingwan's first time meeting Dongfang Qingwu. How to describe Dongfang Qingwu?
Her appearance simply didn't seem to belong to the Dongfang family!
Lin Xingwan had seen many members of the Dongfang family, and their looks, even if not breathtaking, were still among the top one percent in a crowd!
But Dongfang Qingwu's appearance, not only was it not among the top one percent, but she even looked somewhat ugly!
Lin Xingwan might have understood why Dongfang Qingwu was so devoted to Cai Tianci.
Aside from his ordinary background, Cai Tianci's face and physique were absolutely top-tier for a male model!
Indeed, in this world, good looks could defy fate!
Otherwise, how could an ordinary man like Cai Tianci become Dongfang Qingwu's man? And how could his daily expenses over the years exceed the lifetime expenses of an ordinary person?
"He's alright. I don't have any particular feelings about Cai Tianci. In fact, a large part of the conflict between Dongfang Qingwu and the Dongfang family is due to Cai Tianci's meddling."
Zhou Jinbai's expression showed clear disdain upon seeing Cai Tianci appear.
Although Zhou Jinbai claimed to have no feelings about Cai Tianci, anyone with eyes could clearly see his disgust and revulsion.
"Dongfang Qingwu attending the banquet tonight is, to put it bluntly, to supervise whether Cai Tianci will gamble again. The guests tonight are all the world's most avid gamblers. Forget a whole night; the wins and losses within an hour are unimaginable to ordinary people!"
Zhou Jinbai explained. After speaking, he tapped his tablet, and the camera switched from one to two. Soon, Xuan Yin's figure appeared in another lens.
When Lin Xingwan saw Xuan Yin below the camera, her eyes widened instantly, and her jaw dropped.
Because the Xuan Yin before her... No! This stunning beauty was Xuan Yin?
Lin Xingwan had clearly seen Xuan Yin in women's clothing before. At that time, Lin Xingwan thought it was incredibly memorable that Xuan Yin could have such a side. But now, she realized how naive she had been!
Xuan Yin's female attire wasn't just beautiful; it was even more beautiful!
Just when you thought Xuan Yin couldn't surpass herself, this person would repeatedly surprise you!
"She's too beautiful! I seriously suspect that when the heavens created Xuan Yin, they must have meticulously crafted her. Otherwise, how could there be such a beautiful person in this world!"
When dressed as a man, he was extremely handsome and spirited. When dressed as a woman, he was so captivating!
In fact, the evening gown Xuan Yin was wearing tonight was simply breathtaking to Lin Xingwan!
It was a very simple red slip dress, and over the dress, there was a fur coat.
This was to conceal some of Xuan Yin's muscles!
But!
Even though there were muscles, Lin Xingwan was incredibly envious. Even with clothes on, Lin Xingwan could see Xuan Yin's defined abs beneath the thin fabric!
That's right!
It was defined abs!
Not the abdominal muscles like Zhou Jinbai's!
"Cai Tianci has always been unable to resist beautiful women. Seeing Xuan Yin like this now, he will definitely have ulterior motives!" Zhou Jinbai's tone was full of certainty. He wasn't surprised by Xuan Yin's female attire at all. He only sighed inwardly, thinking that Xuan Yin had sacrificed too much for him. After tonight's events, he must reward Xuan Yin properly.
"It would be great if Xuan Yin were a girl," Lin Xingwan said with regret in her voice. Zhou Jinbai, however, briefly imagined it upon hearing Lin Xingwan's words!
But Zhou Jinbai's thought quickly vanished. How could a girl be so ruthless?
Thinking about how other girls couldn't even unscrew a bottle cap, while Xuan Yin could open someone's skull, the image was too much. He quickly dismissed the thought.
Just then, Xuan Yin made an 'ok' gesture towards the camera and then walked out of the room.
Even so, cameras still captured Xuan Yin's movements, immediately showing them to Lin Xingwan and Zhou Jinbai.