Tong Yao looked at the immensely pleased Li Li and sneered, "Li Li, we'll see who's the frog in the well!"
Li Li glared at Tong Yao, her heart filled with resentment.
She had finally managed to climb into high society, and here, she and Tong Yao were truly considered the wealthy ones. Yet, Tong Yao kept siding with Bai Xi, which was utterly excessive.
But due to her status, she couldn't openly retort.
"Yaoyao, you and Xi'er are close. You should want her to live well, shouldn't you? Why haven't you introduced a good man to her? A woman's youth fades quickly; she can't afford to wait."
Tong Yao had pulled Bai Xi closer, intending to put Li Li in her place. Unfortunately, Bai Xi had no intention of offending Li Li. Instead, she began to show affection to Han Mo.
Since Xi'er didn't want to cause trouble, she also didn't want to stir things up. Thus, a warning was intended to make Li Li more self-aware. She hadn't expected this girl to not learn her lesson and even dare to sow discord between her and Xi'er!
Her hot temper couldn't take it anymore: "Xi'er has already taken back the Bai Corporation and is its Chairperson. She's nothing like you, a woman who clings to men and ruthlessly extorts money from them through any means necessary."
Her words shocked everyone.
The Bai Xi before them wasn't just a young lady anymore, but… a dominant CEO?
A girl who had spoken up for Bai Xi several times was the first to ask, "Xi'er, are you really the Chairperson of the Bai Corporation now?"
Bai Xi fished out the meat she had just cooked and placed it into Han Mo's bowl, replying calmly, "You could say that."
She had indeed taken over the Bai Corporation and held the position of Chairperson, but it was only because no one else had been found to inherit it yet.
Once her uncle and Lin Qi, Lin Xin completed their training, she would relinquish the power of the Bai Corporation to them.
Bai Xi admitting to being the Chairperson of the Bai Corporation meant that all the funds and power of the Bai Corporation were now in her hands.
Han Mo also peeled a shrimp and placed it in front of her.
In an instant, those who had been mocking her moments ago changed their expressions.
"Wasn't Bai Qian the arbitrator for the Bai Corporation?"
"Xi'er, you're managing the entire Bai Corporation at such a young age? Do you need anyone there?"
"..."
Those who had been flattering Li Li immediately turned to flatter Bai Xi.
They weren't foolish. Although Li Li was wealthy now, her money was earned by flattering men. They could manage to get a meal from her, but if they truly needed her help, she likely had no authority.
Bai Xi was different. Bai Xi was the Chairperson of the Bai Corporation; her authority was something Li Li, who relied on others, lacked! In fact, she herself was a powerful figure.
Bai Xi stated calmly, "Bai Corporation is indeed hiring, but Bai Corporation only recruits useful people."
Whether it was the dark department or the Bai Corporation, only useful individuals could stay. There was no job that was too lowly or too noble. As long as one could fulfill their duties and do what they were supposed to, they had value and would receive corresponding compensation. However, those who were useless, or even enjoyed causing trouble, had no reason to exist.
Li Li refused to believe this.
Even though Tong Yao said it, she didn't believe it.
She had met Bai Qian only half a month ago. At that time, Bai Qian had brought contracts to her boyfriend's company for signing, and his attitude had been quite friendly. How could things have changed so drastically in just half a month? She didn't believe it.
The poor were putting on a show, using Tong Yao for appearances.
Li Li said sarcastically, "Heh, Xi'er has actually taken back the Bai Corporation? I actually didn't know. Since Xi'er is now the heir to the Bai Corporation, shouldn't you be treating us to this meal today?"
Bai Xi glanced at the people around her calmly. "Sure."
What was a meal at a class reunion? Besides, her money was truly inexhaustible.
A hot pot meal was something most people present could afford, let alone Bai Xi. To force Bai Xi to reveal her true colors, Li Li pressed further, "Since Xi'er says her money is inexhaustible, let's have some good wine today. Xi'er, do you have any objections?"
Bai Xi looked at everyone calmly. "It's only natural to treat classmates to a good meal after not returning for so many years. Please have whatever you'd like to eat and drink."
Seeing that Bai Xi had taken the bait to show off, a sinister glint flashed in Li Li's eyes. "Since that's the case, how about a case of Lafite to start?"
Her words stunned everyone: "This, this isn't appropriate."
"There's no need to drink such fine wine with hot pot; it's unnecessary."
"Yes, yes."
Some people still didn't believe Bai Xi's identity and continued to side with Li Li. "Oh, didn't you just say you're the Chairperson of the Bai Corporation? A few bottles of wine, you can't afford it?"
"Right, didn't you just say your money was inexhaustible? Now you're reluctant? At least pretend it convincingly!"
Li Li was more direct, looking at Bai Xi and asking calmly, "What do you say, Xi'er?"
Bai Xi replied calmly, "As you wish."
Upon hearing this, a malicious thought arose in Li Li's mind. She clapped her hands and called the waiter. "Waiter, open ten bottles of 1982 Lafite."
Her words shocked everyone again.
Lafite was one thing, but 1982? The market price would be well over 60,000 yuan. Ten bottles would be hundreds of thousands. Was a meal worth this much?
The waiter was also taken aback.
While their establishment specialized in high-end hot pot and did have Lafite, she had never encountered a customer who ordered ten bottles of Lafite at once. Moreover, the customer was asking for 1982 Lafite. Aside from the single bottle the owner kept in the wine cabinet for display, there were no others. "Uh, uh, it seems we only have one bottle of 1982 Lafite in the store."
Li Li, intent on exposing Bai Xi, insisted, "Then have your boss buy some from elsewhere. What, are we not allowed to drink wine even if we have money?"
The waiter quickly said, "Yes, yes, yes..."
She turned and walked away.
Li Li looked at Bai Xi, trying to find a crack in her composure, but unfortunately, there was none.
She couldn't understand why Bai Xi remained so calm.
Tong Yao knew Bai Xi was wealthy but felt extremely displeased.
No matter how rich Xi'er was, her money wasn't blown in by the wind. Treating classmates to a meal and drinks was fine; it was a way to buy happiness. But treating a despicable person like Li Li, she was unhappy.
She was so angry she wanted to slam the table, but Bai Xi pressed her down.
Bai Xi calmly took out her phone and dialed Shen Mingxun. A groggy voice answered, "Hello, Bai Shen... Mm, ah, Bai Shen!"
Suddenly, it felt like he was forcefully woken from sleep.
Bai Xi said calmly, "I recall someone giving me a case of wine. I gave it to you last time; did you drink it?"
Shen Mingxun immediately replied, "Not yet, Bai Shen. Is there something you need?"
He wanted to, but with Bai Shen around, and the possibility of missions at any moment, he didn't dare to drink it. He had kept it safe; it was an excellent vintage.
Hearing Shen Mingxun say he hadn't drunk it, she calmly said, "Good. Then have someone deliver the wine to a hot pot restaurant inside Tianjing Hui."
Upon hearing this, Shen Mingxun felt a bit disappointed; the wine he had been looking forward to was gone.
However, the wine was originally given by Bai Shen, so it was only reasonable for him to return it. He immediately said, "Yes!"
Li Li's mocking smile grew wider. "No way, weren't you just showing off? Bai Xi, we asked for 1982 Lafite, not some cheap, off-brand wine from your poor relatives."
Bai Xi stated calmly, "That 'off-brand' is called Domaine de la Romanée-Conti."
Her words froze Li Li's arrogant and smug smile.