"Su Ding?" Zhao Qin's expression immediately turned surprised upon hearing the name.
Even Huang Guifang was shocked.
The incident where Su Ding conspired with those thugs to stage a kidnapping and murder had not yet been thoroughly investigated, and today Su Ding was once again linked to the underworld.
"Zhu Lan, hurry and tell me, what exactly is the grievance between you and Su Ding?"
Zhao Qin asked with an unpleasant look, her heart burning with anger. Su Ding was indeed involved with those ruffians!
It was precisely because Xiao Ye was covering for her that she was still acting so unscrupulously!
Just as Zhu Lan was about to speak, she noticed the socialites coming and going casting curious glances at her face. Her head lowered further.
"Aunt Zhao, shall we go inside and talk?" Zhu Lan whispered, covering her face.
She was also a person who cared about her reputation, and this was the busiest area with the most foot traffic. She didn't want to be gawked at.
Zhao Qin heard this, also restrained her expression, and nodded.
The few of them entered the hotel lobby and found a quiet spot to sit. Zhu Lan recounted the day's events.
Of course, there was no shortage of embellishment.
"This is too much. Debt must be repaid, it's only natural. How can Su Ding be so unreasonable!"
"Yes, her friend ruined someone's child's shoes. When they saw her friend had no money, they weren't going to pursue it. But Su Ding, in front of so many people, claimed the child's shoes were fake? She clearly wanted to ruin Zhu Lan's reputation!"
"Su Ding is simply shameless!"
The socialites all felt indignant on Zhu Lan's behalf. Zhu Lan, finding that playing the victim garnered sympathy, acted even more earnestly.
Her tears flowed like a river, and she continuously wiped her eyes.
The tears washed away the foundation used to conceal her bruises, exposing the patchy, bruised marks to everyone's sight.
This further ignited a wave of righteous indignation.
"She's beating her to death! They're both women, how can Su Ding be so heartless!"
"Ah Qin, I think that incident was likely her doing..." Huang Guifang's expression shifted, and she leaned close to Zhao Qin's ear, speaking in a low voice.
Zhao Qin was thinking the same thing. Her expression was extremely displeased, and her resentment towards Su Ding deepened.
Zhu Lan continued to sob, "It's because she and I were childhood friends, and she bullied me a lot when we were little. Now that she sees me, she still wants to suppress me. I don't want to be weak all the time, so I retorted a few times. I didn't expect her to send people to beat me, several ferocious big men."
"If I hadn't run fast, perhaps I would now... would..."
She didn't finish her sentence, but the implication was clear enough.
Zhao Qin slammed the table abruptly and declared indignantly, "Zhu Lan, don't worry. I will help you with this. This kind of arrogant underworld force must be eradicated!"
"Thank you, Aunt Zhao, thank you, Aunt Zhao... I don't dare to see Su Ding again, she's so scary, so scary..."
Zhu Lan said tremblingly, drawing a flurry of comfort from the other socialites.
Some even exchanged WeChat contacts with her and became friends, which was an unexpected joy for her.
Soon, the banquet began.
Zhao Qin saw He Qing on stage, and the master's words resurfaced in her mind.
Destined person.
If their auras matched, she could bring misfortune to that damned Su Ding.
Thinking of this, she stood up and looked towards He Qing. He Qing also smiled at her, holding the microphone and inviting Zhao Qin to say a few words.
Given Zhao Qin's status, she was often invited to speak.
She was not stage-shy, and gracefully walked onto the stage, saying a few perfunctory words that earned applause from the audience.
Down below, in a seating area near the entrance.
An old woman and a young woman gazed at Zhao Qin on stage with envy. Zhao Qin's dignity and splendor were the aspirations of all women.
Their invitation to this evening's banquet was a great honor.
All the socialites present were existences beyond their reach, and if they could integrate into their circle, the glory of their Shao family would arrive!
"Hey, Qingqing, look at the bracelet on the Jin family's wife... doesn't it look a little familiar?"
The old woman, Madam Shao, suddenly focused her eyes, nudged the young woman beside her, who was Shao Qingqing.
Shao Qingqing also cast her gaze upon Zhao Qin's wrist on stage.
It was a jade bangle, entirely green.
The simple and elegant design and the lustrous, green color, when worn, made her wrist appear fair and slender, catching the eye.
"Ah, this bracelet, isn't it the one Xiao Xu bought for you?"
Shao Qingqing found it increasingly familiar as she looked, and suddenly realized something, exclaiming, "It looks like the same style."
Madam Shao also nodded in agreement, a thoughtful expression on her aged face.
"I remember Xiao Xu saying this was 'Warm Heart Jade', and there were only two in the entire Jiangcheng. The one she gave you was broken by Xiao Jun. Could that one be in Mrs. Jin's hands?"
Shao Qingqing asked doubtfully, carefully examining the bangle, and then suddenly said, "Hey, didn't Third Brother say Xiao Xu bought two at the time? Could this one in Mrs. Jin's hands also be a gift from Xiao Xu?"
Madam Shao thought the same.
She narrowed her eyes and thought, recalling Shao Xu's arrogant and indifferent attitude, and suddenly realized something!
"Qingqing, do you think Xiao Xu and the Jin family haven't fallen out?"
Shao Qingqing also showed a hint of realization. If that were the case, she could understand why Xiao Yuan would give her that role out of consideration for Xiao Xu.
"Mom, I think it's possible. Xiao Xu is doing quite well now, not like someone who has been blacklisted by the Jin family."
"I think so too."
Madam Shao's old eyes gleamed with a hint of shrewdness, and she secretly made a plan.
She had previously thought that Shao Xu had a lot of money, and if it could be used to develop the Shao family's enterprise, it would be a great help. But if Shao Xu was unwilling, they wouldn't have to fawn over her constantly.
In any case, their eldest son had already borrowed money and was about to cooperate with the Ou Ya Group.
But now it was different. Shao Xu had a connection with the Jin family, which was incredibly good news.
"How about we go and say hello to Mrs. Jin later? What do you think?"
Madam Shao suppressed the surging emotions in her heart and excitedly proposed.
"Ah?"
Shao Qingqing blinked in astonishment, "Mom, wouldn't that be too abrupt?"
Madam Shao narrowed her eyes, her gaze fixed ahead, "How so? If we can get on the Jin family's boat, our Shao family will soar!"
In the past, when Shao Lin had rumors with Jin Ye, due to Wang Meilan's relationship, they hadn't truly connected with the Jin family.
Of course, there was also the reason that Shao Lin had never been acknowledged by Jin Ye.
But now it was different. Shao Xu had been engaged to Jin Ye. They were practically in-laws, and this relationship was extraordinarily close!
"Mom, Mom, what if we're wrong? And even if Xiao Xu and Young Master Jin are still together, our family is still somewhat estranged from Xiao Xu. It's better not to go over. We should make long-term plans."
Shao Qingqing advised in a low voice. Although she also hoped that Shao Xu and Young Master Jin were still together, so she could also ascend to prominence.
However, she was ultimately a cautious person and did not approve of disturbing them directly.
Madam Shao heard this and gradually calmed down, thinking her words had merit.
But soon, she remembered something else, and her originally somewhat joyful expression instantly paled.
Her eyes suddenly widened, and her fingers trembled incessantly.
"Qingqing, quickly, quickly, get my phone!"