At the Shu Se Group, Su Nian looked at the intruder with a grim expression and demanded, "Who are you people? Why are you disturbing our business?"
Sensing the tense atmosphere, the customers inside put down their merchandise and began to walk out. However, they didn't leave entirely, instead finding safer vantage points to watch the unfolding drama.
"What's going on here? Didn't Shu Se Group announce they had resolved their issues? Who are these foreigners?"
"I think maybe Shu Se Group isn't in the legitimate clothing business. If we buy from a fake company, we might be abetting evil!"
"Can you all keep quiet for a moment and see what's actually happening? Don't jump to conclusions!"
...
With that, everyone fixed their eyes on the scene inside.
From the group of men in black, one stepped forward, arrogantly addressing Su Nian, "Have your person in charge come out to see us. We have something very important to deliver to her personally!"
"Just tell us what it is," Su Nian retorted. This group had barged in aggressively, scaring away their customers. They clearly weren't good people. What if Chen Lishu was hurt if she came out? So, she absolutely refused to yield.
Seeing Su Nian's firm stance, the man in black let out a cold snort, disdainfully saying, "If you don't call out your person in charge today, don't blame us for lingering here and disrupting your business!"
Listening to their righteous words, Su Nian's eyes widened. She put her hands on her hips and stepped forward, a glint of murderous intent in her eyes. "If you don't leave today, I have plenty of ways to deal with you! Get lost now."
As the two sides reached an impasse, a voice echoed from upstairs, "What is it? What do you need me for?"
Everyone turned to look in the direction of the voice. Su Nian warily eyed the men in black, then rushed to Chen Lishu's side and whispered in her ear, "Madam, please be careful. These people don't look like good people. It would be terrible if you got hurt."
Chen Lishu offered Su Nian a reassuring smile before walking towards the men in black with a stern face. "I am the person in charge you are looking for. What do you want?"
"You are Chen Lishu, aren't you?" The man in black sized Chen Lishu up, confirming a familiar face. He then beckoned to his subordinates, and a delicate invitation card appeared before Chen Lishu.
"Our master asked me to deliver this invitation to you personally. The banquet will be held at the Dynasty Hotel tomorrow evening at six o'clock. We hope you will be punctual."
Chen Lishu looked at the invitation card they handed her, hesitated for a moment, then took it. Upon opening it and seeing that the host was Alice, she raised an eyebrow. She then shoved the invitation back into the man in black's chest.
"I'm truly sorry, but our store just opened a couple of days ago and we have a lot to attend to. We probably won't have time to attend your banquet!" After saying this, Chen Lishu turned to leave. However, as soon as she took a step, her shoulder was grabbed by one of the men in black.
Seeing this, Su Nian's eyes turned completely cold. She executed a high kick towards the man in black. Clearly, these men were not to be trifled with; they reacted immediately and dodged Su Nian's attack.
The man in black frowned and said, "Regardless, you must attend this banquet. You know, our master has also invited other major companies in the fashion industry. Don't you want to use this opportunity to meet more people?"
Like a weasel wishing a chicken a happy new year, Chen Lishu refused without a second thought. "I don't want to. My family's business has always been solitary. We don't need any additional partners, so please don't trouble your master."
Frustrated by the repeated rejections, the man in black grew unhappy. "I advise you not to be ungrateful. You should know our master's status, right? We have traveled all the way from Country M. Surely your country won't refuse to give us this little face?"
Faced with the man's moral blackmail, Su Nian clearly didn't appreciate it. She straightened her back, blocking Chen Lishu, and retorted with disdain, "What stray dog has come to our territory to cause trouble? We in Huaxia advocate for democracy and freedom. Our country hasn't ordered us to do anything, and you, a guest from Country M, want to issue orders over the host? Don't you think you're disrespecting Huaxia?"
The people outside heard Su Nian's words and nodded in agreement.
"Didn't they say men from Country M are the most gentlemanly? I don't think that's entirely true!"
"Don't you know there's also the term 'fake gentleman'? By the way, who is the host of this invitation? How dare they try to make such a big move here?"
"If I'm not mistaken, it seems to be an invitation from Alice, the chief designer of Country M. Speaking of this designer, she's truly remarkable. Every work has new creative points, and a single outfit can completely transform you!"
"I've heard about this banquet too. Many influential people have chosen to attend in order to open up business channels with Country M. I think Shu Se Group's clothing designs are quite good. If they could be circulated abroad, it would be a form of cultural export and bring honor to our country!"
...
Just as the atmosphere inside grew peculiar, a figure squeezed in from the doorway. Upon seeing Chen Lishu, his eyes lit up, and he said in broken Chinese, "Chen Lishu! I've finally found you!"
Chen Lishu looked towards the direction of the voice and was surprised to find it was Kruskov. She had thought they wouldn't interact again after leaving Modu, but they had met for the second time within just a few days.
A fawning smile appeared on Kruskov's face. He approached Chen Lishu and nudged her with his shoulder, saying, "Why don't you accept this banquet? Let me tell you, I visited Lin Che these past few days. He has other matters he wants to ask me about. Otherwise, shall we resolve it using the same method as last time?"
Chen Lishu sized up Kruskov and asked with narrowed eyes, "Old man, who exactly are you? How could Uncle Lin always be asking you for favors? Aren't you trying to trick me!"
Kruskov feigned anger, glaring at Chen Lishu, and then pouted, "Little girl, don't get so worked up. If you don't believe me, we can find a way to prove it!"