Around 3 AM, Qin Chuan and the Lin siblings, who were chatting in the villa, heard car sounds outside. They went to the window and saw two cars parked downstairs.
Judging by the license plates, it seemed Shan Xiongjin had arrived. Indeed, as the car doors opened, a group of people emerged, all robust and tall. The leader was Shan Xiongjin himself, exuding his usual imposing aura, clad in a long trench coat and sunglasses, a true embodiment of a gang boss.
After Shan Xiongjin entered, everyone exchanged brief greetings.
"Qin Chuan, calling us from hundreds of miles away this late at night, you better have something explosive, or you're going to incur widespread anger," Shan Xiongjin said with a smile after taking a seat.
Qin Chuan grinned back, "Don't worry, President Shan. Once President Wang arrives, I'll show you something that will definitely satisfy everyone."
About half an hour later, car sounds were heard again from outside, and Wang Bailin arrived with a large entourage.
It was late at night, and Qin Chuan felt bad troubling the elderly and disabled man, but the urgency of the situation compelled him.
"Everyone, since we're all here, I won't keep you in suspense any longer," Qin Chuan said, scanning the faces around him.
All eyes were fixed on him, filled with curiosity, eager to see what Qin Chuan had found that brought so many people here in the middle of the night.
Under their watchful gazes, Qin Chuan retrieved a leather bag from beneath him. He unzipped it, pulled out a thick envelope, and then took out its contents, scattering them directly onto the table.
*Rustle!*
The glossy photographs spread out on the table like falling petals.
The Lin siblings, Shan Xiongjin, Wang Bailin, and their close confidants all craned their necks, their faces alight with intense curiosity.
But as they clearly saw the content of the photographs, Lin Ting, the only woman present, let out a scream and covered her eyes, her fair face flushing crimson.
She shouted, hands still shielding her eyes, "Qin Chuan, what on earth are these? They're disgusting!"
Even the men were stunned, exchanging bewildered glances.
They had waited with anticipation, expecting something sensational, only to be presented with a stack of explicit photos.
Most of the men present were experienced and not like young lads, full of youthful vigor and lacking self-control.
"Take a good look at the female protagonists in these photos. I believe, as fellow businessmen, you should recognize quite a few of them," Qin Chuan said, leaning back on the sofa at leisure.
His words quickly elicited a response. Everyone realized Qin Chuan wasn't one to act nonsensically or for amusement, especially given the gravity of the situation. No one was in the mood for jokes.
Shan Xiongjin and Lin Xiang wore serious expressions as they picked up photos from the table and examined them closely.
Wang Bailin also had a bodyguard hand him a photo to scrutinize.
Suddenly, Lin Xiang let out a gasp, his face etched with disbelief. He even rubbed his eyes.
"President Lin, what's wrong? Do you recognize the woman in this photo?" everyone asked, noticing his unusual reaction.
Lin Xiang, visibly shocked, pointed at the woman in the photo and said to Qin Chuan, "Isn't she the wife of the director of the Qingyuan Coal Washing Plant, under Han's Coal Industry?"
"I've met them before, and I've even had dinner with them."
Lin Xiang's revelation surprised everyone. Even the shy Lin Ting forgot her embarrassment and leaned in to get a closer look. After a moment, she exclaimed, "You're right! I know her name, it's something like Gao Aihong."
"Gao Aihong… now that you mention it, I seem to have heard that name vaguely. I heard she's very beautiful and a woman with a lot of charm," Shan Xiongjin murmured. He then took the photo and examined it for a long time, sighing appreciatively, "This woman has a great figure. Look at her skin, and that seductive…"
"Ahem!"
Before Shan Xiongjin could finish, Qin Chuan coughed loudly. "President Shan, we have a lady present. Please mind your language."
Shan Xiongjin instinctively glanced at Lin Ting, who was glaring at him with mock fierceness. He gave an embarrassed chuckle.
"Qin Chuan, where did you get these photos? The content is too sensational!" Shan Xiongjin quickly asked, curiosity piqued.
The others also stared intently at Qin Chuan, eager for a satisfactory answer.
Qin Chuan wore a mysterious smile. "Don't rush, everyone. There are so many photos here; perhaps you'll recognize others. I'll give you the answers you seek after you've all had a look."
Seeing Qin Chuan deliberately creating suspense, no one said more and continued to focus on the sensational pictures.
Soon, another exclamation arose. "Isn't this the wife of Manager Shen, who is in charge of the western mountain region at Han's Coal Industry? I recognize her!" Shan Xiongjin exclaimed, pointing at a woman in one of the photos.
"I've recognized someone here too. This is the wife of Manager Wang from the sales department of Han's Coal Industry!" Lin Xiang identified another acquaintance.
"Old Man, I've found someone I know too. She's the wife of Cao Gang, the deputy general manager of Han's Coal Industry!" Wang Bailin said, looking at the woman in the photo he held.
"I've found someone too. She's Feng Li, the deputy director of Han's Coal Industry!" Lin Ting announced loudly.
As time passed, more and more female protagonists in the scattered photos were identified. Nearly half of them were recognized. The atmosphere in the room grew increasingly somber.
For at that moment, everyone realized the extraordinary nature of these explicit photos. If they were exposed, Han's Coal Industry would be plunged into an unprecedented storm.
The women in the photos were either wives or their own family members of high-ranking executives at Han's Coal Industry, or they themselves held important positions.
Each of them carried significant weight. If so many of them were exposed, under public pressure, they would likely be unable to focus on their work, and the entire Han's Coal Industry would be paralyzed.
"Qin Chuan, tell us quickly, where did you get these photos?" As more prominent figures were identified, even Wang Bailin became anxious. His breathing quickened as he urgently pressed Qin Chuan for an answer.
The others were no different, their hearts pounding with the overwhelming urge to know. They understood all too well the power of these photos, which could potentially cripple Han's Coal Industry… no, the entire Han family, sending them into an unparalleled mire.
And the fate of the exposed individuals would be rather grim.
However, for everyone present, this presented an unprecedented opportunity.
"Didn't I tell you earlier that I have a very powerful ally? These were obtained by her," Qin Chuan explained.
"Then… where is your ally? Has he/she arrived? We'd like to get to know him/her properly!" Shan Xiongjin said quickly.
Qin Chuan shook his head. "I told her, but she refused to meet you all, leaving all matters entirely to my discretion."
Everyone was disappointed to hear that their powerful and mysterious ally had not come.
"We've looked at so many photos, and it seems they all feature women, with no male protagonist. Who is this male protagonist?" Wang Bailin suddenly frowned, pointing out a significant loophole.
"Right, why are there no male protagonists in these?" This question enlightened the Lin siblings and Shan Xiongjin.
Qin Chuan smiled. "Tell me, who in the entire Han family possesses such immense power and audacity to sleep with the wives of so many executives?"
"And with so many incidents occurring, I don't believe no one knew some of these secrets. Yet, for so many years, no one has ever reported it to the police or resisted the Han family…"
With Qin Chuan's reminder, everyone exchanged glances, and a single name emerged in their minds.
"Han Guangyao!!!"