Lin Feng let out a cold laugh, not bothering to exchange pleasantries with Tang Qinghe. He rose and walked to an empty corner.
Seeing no one around, Lin Feng made an international call.
"Old Phil, it's Lin Qi,"
The call connected, and Lin Feng spoke with a poker face.
"Lin, Mr. Lin, where have you been all these years? I've been looking for you, and you've finally deigned to call."
An aged voice came from the other end, filled with emotion and trembling.
"No need for pleasantries. I have two matters to discuss with you. Firstly, inform your son, Little Phil, that the Qingcheng Six-Star Hotel project can only go to Tang Wan."
"Secondly, apart from Tang Wan, no one else is allowed to interfere with this project. Whatever Tang Wan requests, fulfill it! Do you understand?"
Lin Feng commanded, leaving no room for refusal.
"Understood. I'll inform my son immediately to proceed according to Mr. Lin's wishes!"
"Also, I have a small request, if you would be so kind as to help me once more."
Old Phil's voice held a hint of supplication.
"Speak!"
"It's like this, I have a gold mine in North Africa, and a big drug lord there has set his sights on it. He even threatened to blow it up if I don't hand it over!"
Old Phil stated, troubled.
"Simple. Tell that person that this mine is under my protection, Lin Qi. If he still refuses to back down, I will arrange for him to be eliminated!"
Lin Feng said concisely and decisively hung up the phone.
Meanwhile, at the venue, Phil gazed admiringly at Tang Wan. "Miss Tang, your speech was excellent. I'm very curious, the person who said such words, what kind of stunning work can you present to us? If it's convenient, could you show us your design now?"
Tang Wan gave a despondent smile. "Mr. Phil, I'm truly sorry, my work is not yet mature. Perhaps next time."
"That's a great pity!"
Phil spread his hands in disappointment and announced, "Ms. Hai Mei, congratulations then. I am very satisfied with your design."
"Mr. Phil is too kind. To achieve today's success, I am indebted to my father's upbringing. He deserves half of this honor!"
Tang Hai Mei pointed to Tang Qinghe in the audience, not forgetting to acknowledge him.
"Ms. Hai Mei is too modest. However, I must solemnly announce that the sole partner for the Phil Group's investment in Qingcheng's Six-Star Grand Hotel is..."
Phil drew out the announcement, but his phone rang.
Originally, Phil had no intention of answering, but seeing it was his father, he apologetically said, "Everyone, please excuse me for a moment, I need to take a call."
With that, Phil went off stage to take the call.
Tang Wan, with a look of dejection, quietly walked off the stage.
Her reason for going on stage to explain the initial intention of her design was not to help Tang Hai Mei win, but because she couldn't bear to see her work buried.
For this design, she had stayed up for several nights, pouring everything she had learned in her life into it.
This work was like her child, one she had nurtured and raised little by little.
Even if this child ultimately didn't belong to her, she wanted to give it its due recognition!
"Xiao Wan, thank you for this. Don't be discouraged. Although your work wasn't mature, at least the cooperation with Phil Group has fallen into the Tang family's hands, which is a great thing."
Tang Qinghe saw Tang Wan approaching and smiled reassuringly.
"Second Grandfather, is that how you speak? What do you mean my sister's work wasn't mature? Don't you know if it was mature or not?"
Tang Pinliang couldn't stand it, wishing he could give the old geezer Tang Qinghe a slap.
"Pinliang, what are you trying to say? Second Grandfather really doesn't understand?"
"Xiao Wan, is there some misunderstanding here?"
Tang Qinghe feigned innocence.
"No misunderstanding. I was just not thorough enough in my considerations. Speaking of which, I should thank you, Second Grandfather. You all have taught me a lesson!"
"This is the first, and it will be the last time!"
Tang Wan maintained her usual smile. As a mature woman, she knew that it was her own lack of caution that gave Tang Qinghe and others an opportunity.
Therefore, she didn't blame anyone but herself for underestimating them!
"Xiao Wan, it seems you hold quite a grudge against Second Grandfather. Well, today is a joyous occasion, and Second Grandfather won't bicker with you juniors. Keep up the good work. Your grandfather's lineage is counting on you to bring them glory!"
Tang Qinghe continued with his condescending remarks.
Tang Pinliang's eyes were bloodshot with anger, his fists clenched so tight they were almost broken.
Just as Tang Pinliang was about to curse, Lin Feng appeared and gently pressed him back into his seat. "Old Mr. Tang, you don't need to be so happy. Have you heard a saying?"
"Oh? What saying?"
Tang Qinghe asked, feigning curiosity.
"Good and evil will eventually be repaid. It's not that it's not repaid, it's just that the time has not yet come!"
As Lin Feng spoke, he took Tang Wan's hand and sat down.
A hint of darkness flickered in Tang Qinghe's cloudy eyes, knowing full well Lin Feng was mocking him.
Thus, Tang Qinghe shamelessly replied, "Young friend Lin Feng, let me give you a saying too!"
"There is no inherent good or evil in this world; there are only the triumphant smiles of the victors!"
Lin Feng applauded. "Well said. Then I shall await your smiles!"
"Brother-in-law, what's wrong with you? Why are you praising them? My sister has been bullied so badly! You should stand up to them!"
Tang Pinliang was going mad.
His brother-in-law wasn't like this before. How could he let them walk all over him like this?
"Pinliang, stop talking nonsense! This matter ends here!"
Tang Wan rebuked Tang Pinliang, then put on a brave face and smiled. "Little brother Lin Feng, Pinliang is naturally impulsive. Don't take his words to heart. Sister doesn't care about this cooperation."
"Failure is only temporary. I'm fortunate that certain people have made me grow once again!"
Tang Wan said it nonchalantly, but her heart felt a bitter taste.
She just didn't want Lin Feng to be upset because of her!
However, to Tang Wan's surprise, Lin Feng chuckled and said, "You may not care, but I do!"
"Today's victory belongs only to you. No one else has a chance!"
"Ah!?"
Tang Wan was stunned, not quite understanding Lin Feng's meaning.
At that moment, Phil returned to the stage after finishing his call.
"My apologies for keeping you all waiting."
Phil said apologetically.
"No waiting, Mr. Phil, you can announce now, can't you?"
Tang Hai Mei wore a triumphant smile, like one awaiting an award, her face creased with joy.
Zheng Bowen, seeing Tang Hai Mei's smug expression, felt a strong sense of disgust. Yet, he still hoped Tang Hai Mei would achieve victory.
At least in this way, his Zheng family could still gain a share from Tang Hai Mei through their relationship with Yang Ming.
As for Sun Zheng, he was already angrily departing.
Before leaving, Sun Zheng forced himself to suppress his inner displeasure and apologized to Zheng Bowen with a smile. "Mr. Zheng, please don't take my earlier words to heart. I wasn't targeting you. We're all businessmen, after all, and it's all about profit, isn't it?"
"Mr. Sun, you're absolutely right. I'm not angry, really!"
Zheng Bowen said with a cold smile, his words denying anger but his eyes glinting fiercely.
"It's good that you're not angry. Then I'll be going. Let's have dinner together another day."
Sun Zheng said, then hastily left.
"Now, on behalf of Phil Group, I announce that the sole partner for the Six-Star Grand Hotel is Tang..."
Phil drew out the announcement, and Tang Hai Mei's smile was reaching the heavens.
"It's Miss Tang Wan!"
Phil finished, then pointed to Tang Wan in the audience, who looked utterly astonished.