Su Qi was even younger than him. Yang Tianhao hadn't taken Sister Huang Ying's words seriously back then, but now, he realized Sister Huang Ying's words were heartfelt.
Yang Tianhao left the office and quickly handled the situation.
The announcement from Huan Yu was released, instantly clarifying the situation and siding with the Qin family. Overnight, major media outlets and gossip sites shifted their focus. Yang Tianhao didn't even need to contact them to have the previous rumors removed; they were all taken down.
After all, the Qin family was immensely wealthy and a renowned capital force. No one wanted to offend a capitalist over Su Qi.
In just two days, the sensational news of Qin Yusheng's proposal and their impending engagement was retracted. There wasn't a single trace of it online. Whether it was entertainment gossip or mainstream news, all mentions had vanished. Only those who surfed the internet knew, but with no trending topic, there was no public outcry.
That night, Su Qi worked overtime. As she left the company, a man in a suit approached her.
Yang Tianhao frowned and blocked Su Qi's path. "Who are you?"
The man smiled slightly and said politely, "I am a bodyguard from the Qin family. Our master wishes to speak with Miss Su. We hope Miss Su will be sensible and get in the car."
"A Qin family bodyguard? Your master?"
Yang Tianhao knitted his brows and looked at Su Qi behind him, sensing a bad premonition. He didn't move. "Have your master arrange a meeting place. Meeting in a car... who knows what you intend to do?"
Su Qi was slightly surprised. She raised an eyebrow, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Ask Mr. Qin to meet me at the hot pot restaurant. Although it's lively, there are private rooms. If Mr. Qin is unwilling, then there's nothing more to discuss."
With that, Su Qi got into the car first. Yang Tianhao then got into the driver's seat, closed the door, and couldn't help but give her a thumbs-up.
"Sister Su Qi, you're amazing. I guess this is some big shot from the Qin family. They have such airs, not even coming down to speak personally, and sending a bodyguard to relay a message. I thought you would just go inside?"
"If I had gotten into the car directly, my fate would be uncertain... Although the Qin family could crush me like an ant, I can't just rush to my death, can I?"
Su Qi found it amusing.
Those who knew her knew she was a woman. Those who didn't might think she was some man-eating monster.
To think that Qin Ruhui himself had to come to Shencheng to find her!
Upon arriving at the mall, they entered the hot pot restaurant.
This hot pot restaurant was famous for its enthusiastic service.
There were seven or eight colleagues who had also worked overtime, enough to fill a private room with a large table. Su Qi had booked two private rooms. Yang Tianhao took the other colleagues into one room, while Su Qi excused herself to the restroom and went to the other.
The two rooms were some distance apart. Su Qi entered her room, ordered dishes, and then leisurely played a mobile game. When the hot pot arrived, she adjusted the broth and sat down. Just then, the door to the private room was pushed open. A server opened the door, and a tall, middle-aged man walked in.
Su Qi didn't even lift her eyelids. After the middle-aged man sat down in front of her, she said with a smile, "Mr. Qin, you're finally here. I'm already hungry. I'm pregnant, so I ordered a clear broth pot. I don't know your preference, so I didn't order for you. Please order whatever you'd like to eat."
When Su Qi spoke, she didn't sound like she was addressing a renowned, world-famous business magnate, a titan of heavy industry. It was as if she were speaking to a friend or a family member.
Qin Ruhui was taken aback. His initial anger was instantly extinguished. He couldn't help but look up and examine Su Qi closely. "You are Su Qi?"
Su Qi smiled and met Qin Ruhui's scrutinizing gaze. "Are you the illustrious Mr. Qin Ruhui? As expected of Mr. Qin, you truly live up to your reputation!"
For an ordinary person, such flattery would have made Qin Ruhui feel disgusted.
However, coming from Su Qi, it was playful and charming, with a hint of ambiguity.
It seemed like a compliment, but it also implied something more.
"Miss Su, you are so intelligent, you must have already guessed the purpose of my visit."
"I am foolish and do not know why Mr. Qin has come to Shencheng to find me. However, I haven't eaten yet and am hungry. Mr. Qin, please speak slowly, and I will eat slowly."
Su Qi stirred the tripe and intestines in the broth, dipped them in sesame sauce, and ate heartily. She didn't care about her manners and acted as if she were eating at home, relaxed and at ease, as if the person in front of her wasn't Qin Ruhui, but a friend or family member.
Qin Ruhui had expected tonight to be an interrogation, but he was caught off guard. Su Qi's every reaction was beyond his expectations.
As Su Qi ate heartily, Qin Ruhui watched her. Su Qi was clearly hungry, eating bite after bite. Qin Ruhui watched as the dishes on the table were cleared one by one. In front of him were the mushroom broth and clear water broths, very different from the lamb hot pot in Beijing. However, the sesame sauce Su Qi used was similar to that in Beijing.
When Su Qi was full, she picked up a cup of hot milk and drank it down in gulps. Then, she placed her hand on her round belly and rubbed it.
"I'm full. Mr. Qin, have you forgotten why you came to find me? Why haven't you said anything?"
Qin Ruhui snapped back to attention. "Miss Su is full? I was afraid you would lose your appetite if I said it!"
"Of course, I'm full. The ancients said, 'A broad mind leads to a plump body.' No matter what Mr. Qin says, I can bear it and won't lose my appetite. Mr. Qin, please don't worry, go ahead!"
Qin Ruhui's eyes darkened. "I heard Yu Sheng transferred thirty million yuan to you?"
"That's right. It seems Mr. Qin is very well-informed." Su Qi raised an eyebrow and took a sip of milk.
Her guess was correct. He had indeed come to collect a debt.
"Yu Sheng is still a child. The money he spent was all from my company account. Every move he makes is under my watchful eye. The custom-made ring is one thing, but transferring thirty million yuan to you in one go is no small sum. Ordinary families can't earn this much in a lifetime. Moreover, Miss Su, you come from an ordinary family. You should know that thirty million yuan is not easily earned..."
Su Qi finally understood.
Qin Ruhui wasn't here to collect a debt. He was using the pretense of collecting a debt to mock her, belittle her, and make her recognize her own status and position, to let her know she wasn't worthy of Qin Yusheng. Fortunately, she had always been self-aware.
An ordinary woman would have been completely charmed and dazed by Qin Yusheng's pursuit.
While she had almost fallen for him, a woman who had been hurt was always more likely to maintain her guard and stay clear-headed.