Zheng Bing barged into the room with a swagger, his demeanor exuding an air of supreme arrogance.
Inside the private dining room, five pairs of eyes turned towards him. National Xiaowang and Qin Dou were particularly incensed.
Everyone had been enjoying a harmonious meal when a complete idiot burst in, shouting, "Who the hell is Xia Lin? Stand the f*ck out here!"
Did you forget to take your medicine before leaving home, or was your head kicked by a donkey?
Upon seeing the individuals seated inside, Zheng Bing's pupils instantly contracted, and a wave of urge to urinate washed over him.
President Ma???
National Xiaowang???
Young Master Qin???
And Qin family's little firecracker, Qin Wen???
Zheng Bing could barely believe his eyes. This was a hornet's nest! Zheng Bing felt like crying.
Wang Li, who followed closely behind, then entered. Without even properly seeing who was inside, she pointed at Xia Lin and loudly declared, "Xia Lin, Young Master Zheng is calling you. Hurry up and get over here!"
*Slap...*
A crisp, pleasant slap echoed. Wang Li received a hefty blow from Zheng Bing.
"What the f*ck are you? What are you even?"
Without a word, Zheng Bing unleashed several slaps on Wang Li. All his gentlemanly demeanor, the principle of not hitting women, was completely thrown to the wind.
Wang Li was stunned by Zheng Bing's sudden outburst.
She looked up and saw President Penguin and National Xiaowang.
She didn't recognize Qin Dou and Qin Wen; they weren't yet qualified to be recognized. But President Penguin was such a famous entrepreneur, who didn't know him? National Xiaowang was an internet celebrity. Wang Li naturally recognized them.
Wang Li was petrified. No wonder Zheng Bing had turned around and slapped her several times.
"Stop the act, Zheng Bing. Do you want to die?" Qin Dou said sternly.
"President Ma, Young Master Wang, Young Master Qin, Sister Qin, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. It was all this b*tch who instigated it. I was wrong."
When Qin Dou fixed him with a sharp gaze, Zheng Bing was terrified and quickly shifted the blame to Wang Li.
Wang Li couldn't hear anything anymore. She had forgotten the pain in her cheeks. Looking at the scene before her, her eyes were filled with terror, and her body trembled uncontrollably.
She never dreamed Xia Lin had such a background. Weren't the people she was dining with all incredibly influential figures?
She was just a pitiable creature, one that no one even wanted to glance at.
"You reap what you sow." If Wang Li hadn't been jealous of Xia Lin's beauty, none of this would have happened. Perhaps she could have become good friends, even best friends, with Xia Lin.
Then, she would have been among those dining here today.
She truly regretted it.
"Is 'sorry' enough? Is Lin'er someone you can call out by name? Kneel and apologize to Lin'er." National Xiaowang was not someone to be trifled with. Although he followed Lin'er around like a subordinate every day, National Xiaowang could be fearsome when he got serious, even to himself.
He wasn't afraid of offending people. Once he set his mind on something, even ten oxen couldn't pull him back. He would confront anyone he disliked.
Zheng Bing had some influence in Shanghai, but he was no match for National Xiaowang and Qin Dou.
If it were someone else, they might have shown some respect. But now, Xia Lin had been insulted, which was far more serious than insulting themselves.
"Wang Li, you can leave. I don't want to see you again," Xia Lin said, still too soft-hearted and unwilling to go too far, considering they were once classmates.
Wang Li nodded repeatedly and, after bowing to Xia Lin, fled the room.
"Young Master Wang, Young Master Qin, let it go. Don't let these people disturb our meal," Xia Lin then said to Qin Dou and National Xiaowang.
Xia Lin, being a girl, was ultimately kind-hearted and didn't want to cause further trouble.
"Zheng Bing, I'll let you off today. If you offend again in the future, I won't be lenient," National Xiaowang said, warning Zheng Bing as Xia Lin didn't want to pursue it further.
"Thank you, Lin'er, thank you, Young Master Qin, Young Master Wang, President Ma. Enjoy your meal. Sorry for the disturbance." Zheng Bing was instantly relieved. He bowed and scraped his way out of the private room, gently closing the door as he left.
Zheng Bing stood outside the private room, his clothes soaked with sweat, looking shaken. Those who had entered with him weren't faring much better.
"That b*tch Wang Li, I'm not letting her off," Zheng Bing said viciously after coming out.
Those around him dared not respond, looking at each other with deep regret.
President Penguin had remained silent throughout the entire ordeal. To him, this was just child's play, and it wasn't his place as a magnate to intervene.
"Uncle Ma, I'm truly sorry for disturbing everyone's meal because of my affairs," Xia Lin apologized profusely after Zheng Bing left.
"Lin'er, there's no need for such formalities. Since you call me Uncle Ma, we are all family from now on. If you need any help, just let Uncle Ma know," President Penguin said, waving his hand comfortingly.
President Penguin was adept at fostering relationships, narrowing the gap between himself and Xia Lin in just a few words.
"Here, Uncle Ma, I'll toast you," National Xiaowang began, trying to liven the atmosphere.
Everyone quickly forgot the unpleasant incident and continued eating and drinking.
By the end of the meal, the relationships among them had deepened considerably. Qin Wen, in particular, was chatting enthusiastically with Xia Lin. As they were leaving, Xia Lin even invited Qin Wen to visit her home anytime.
Qin Wen happily agreed.
National Xiaowang and Qin Dou, standing nearby, looked on with envy, wondering if it was still too late to go to Thailand.
President Penguin came and left swiftly. His purpose of meeting Lin'er in Shanghai had been accomplished, and future matters would have to proceed slowly. After finishing his meal, he returned to Fisherman City.
After all, the age gap between them was too great, and they had little in common. President Penguin was contemplating how to arrange for his daughter to meet Lin'er in Shanghai.
After sending Xia Lin back to her villa, National Xiaowang went to find Qin Dou and Qin Wen.
Neither of them expected Qin Wen to have bonded so quickly with Xia Lin. Some things were truly enviable.
"Brother, how was my performance today?" Qin Wen asked Qin Dou proudly.
"Heh heh... very good. Remember your big brother if you build a good relationship with Lin'er in the future," Qin Dou chuckled.
"And me, and me!" National Xiaowang chimed in promptly.
"Then will I be able to see Xia Feng often?" Qin Wen asked proudly.
"If you maintain a good relationship with Lin'er, you can visit her home, and naturally, you'll see Young Master Xia. However, Young Master Xia is not Lin'er, so don't mess around."
Qin Dou advised with some concern, emphasizing that Xia Feng was the principal figure.
"Tch... you still don't believe me? I don't have as many ulterior motives as you guys. I'm just purely curious about Xia Feng." Qin Wen exposed their true intentions.
"Aren't you all interacting with Lin'er just to latch onto Xia Feng?"
"Heh, men."
"Not a single one is good. To achieve their goals, they don't even care about their pride." Da Feng Novel Network.
National Xiaowang and Qin Dou smiled awkwardly upon being exposed so directly, feeling a bit embarrassed.
But what did it matter?
If they weren't stealing or cheating, and not employing cunning tactics, was it wrong to want to gain favor?