The next day.
In the largest private room of the Yuyuefang University Town branch, a special news report was playing on the LCD TV.
Liu Yutong sat alone at the table, in front of which was placed a set of exquisite tea ware.
She was watching Lawyer Zhao Tianyi, dressed in a suit and looking solemn, speak on the television screen.
"The addition of melamine was by no means accidental, but systematic, a deliberate illegal act by unscrupulous merchants to lower production costs."
"We have obtained solid evidence proving that these enterprises, fully aware of the harm this industrial chemical poses to infant health, still added it in large quantities..."
The TV footage cut to close-ups of a series of documentary evidence, followed by scenes of grieving families of the affected infants.
Liu Yutong picked up her teacup, gently blew on it, a trace of imperceptible cold light flashing in her eyes.
That Xue Chen, and those milk powder factories, truly got what they deserved!
As expected, the broadcast of this special report should trigger a major upheaval.
Just then, the door to the private room was pushed open.
Three young people, two men and one woman, filed in.
They were precisely Zhou Muchen, Lu Hong, and Zhu Silin.
This time, however, the aura around the trio was noticeably less imposing than last time, much more subdued.
Especially Zhou Muchen and Lu Hong, who both looked rather odd. Each wore a baseball cap, and though they pulled the brims down low, a closer look revealed redness, swelling, and bruises on their noses and chins, their eyes swollen to mere slits.
Liu Yutong looked up and, seeing their comical appearance, almost laughed out loud.
"Young Master Zhou, Young Master Lu, what happened to you?"
"It's only been a day since we last met, how have you two acquired such distinguished new looks?"
Zhou Muchen instinctively tried to pull his hat brim even lower, saying calmly, "It's nothing, we accidentally walked into a door last night."
"Oh? Really?"
Liu Yutong then looked at Lu Hong: "Did Young Master Lu also walk into a door? Could it be you both walked into the same one?"
Lu Hong's words tugged at the corner of his injured mouth, making his speech sound a bit slurred: "Yes, yes, it was the same door. That door was terribly inconsiderate, it just suddenly swung into us."
Zhu Silin, standing beside them, couldn't help but roll her eyes at this, muttering under her breath, "Could you two come up with a lamer excuse?"
Lawyer Zhao's voice from the TV happened to carry over at that moment: "On behalf of the victims' families, I solemnly state that we will never compromise and will definitely make the other party pay the price!"
Hearing this, the three of them all looked somewhat uncomfortable.
Although it was just a news interview on TV, the words somehow felt like a deliberate jab at them.
Hadn't they also originally intended to target the Wanlong Hui? The other party not only didn't compromise but also made them pay a price.
Their utterly disfigured faces were proof of that.
Liu Yutong smiled and gestured for the three to take their seats. "Since you're here, please sit. I've had the kitchen prepare some good dishes, including our shop's signature fish potstickers."
Zhou Muchen and Lu Hong sat down stiffly, their movements awkward and clearly pained.
Liu Yutong didn't miss the chance to rub salt in their wounds. "Speaking of which, it's quite a coincidence. I have a close friend who, for some reason, was so furious last night after winning a match that she went to vent her anger on a punching bag. Don't you think her temper is a bit strange?"
Lu Hong: "...."
Zhou Muchen: "......"
They were starting to realize that the women of the Wanlong Hui were truly, one after another, sharp-tongued and heavy-handed.
That Yu Xin really enjoyed provoking people, ready to pin Xue Chen down on a table at the slightest disagreement.
Li Xiaohui was the same; despite being somewhat acquainted, she had treated them to a helping of "bamboo shoots fried with pork" (a beating) as soon as they met.
As for Liu Yutong, the helm of the Wanlong Hui sitting before them, needless to say, she was the true source of the violence.
They suspected Yu Xin and Li Xiaohui had been led astray by her.
Lu Hong couldn't hold back any longer, saying angrily, "Miss Liu, what you did was really not on the level, was it?"
Liu Yutong blinked her bright eyes, looking utterly innocent. "Young Master Lu, I don't understand what you mean."
Lu Hong: "Stop playing dumb! Since you already knew Li Xiaohui, why didn't you just tell us? Deliberately hiding it, were you playing us for fools? Did you enjoy watching us get beaten up?"
"Let me tell you, even if you have Li Xiaohui backing you, if we really wanted to move against you, it's not like we couldn't find a way!"
Their pride had taken a serious hit, just like the Xue Chen they had previously looked down upon.
Who would have thought the young lady of the prestigious Wanlong Hui could be so scheming? Clearly, the Wanlong Hui had a powerful backer, yet she hadn't revealed a thing, causing them to suffer two thorough beatings for nothing.
The first was naturally for backing the wrong side in the competition, and the second was when Li Xiaohui found out they were planning to mess with the Wanlong Hui and gifted each of them a pair of black eyes.
To be honest, they weren't exactly afraid of Li Xiaohui, but she wasn't someone to be trifled with either. Otherwise, just like last night, they'd have to take the beating without recourse.
They certainly couldn't go home and tell their families they'd been beaten up by Uncle Li's daughter, could they?
Forget about their families standing up for them; they'd be lucky not to be scolded for bringing shame on themselves.
Liu Yutong smiled faintly. "Young Master Lu, that's not quite right. How could I deliberately play you for fools? It's just that Xiaohui dislikes being in the public eye. I genuinely consider her a friend, a close confidante, so naturally, I wouldn't use her or hide behind her."
"Alright, alright, Miss Liu, no more excuses, please."
Zhou Muchen cut her off. "We've witnessed Miss Liu's capabilities. We admit defeat this time. From now on, let's keep to our own territories and not interfere with each other."
Liu Yutong nodded. "Fine."
"But according to the bet, you lost, didn't you? Don't tell me the Yunshan Hui still hasn't kicked Xue Chen out?"
Just then, the TV host delivered another perfect assist.
"It is reported that senior leadership is paying high attention to this food safety incident. A special investigation team has been established to conduct a thorough investigation into all involved enterprises and individuals, with no leniency!"
As soon as the host's words fell, the footage switched to scenes of the Little Lu and other dairy factories being sealed, followed by a shot of Xue Chen's father being led away from his office.
Although the images were processed, anyone could tell what was happening.
Seeing this, Zhou Muchen and Lu Hong's expressions instantly became even more colorful.
Fortunately, they had severed ties with Xue Chen in time; otherwise, they wouldn't be the only ones implicated now besides the Xue father and son.
When they looked at Liu Yutong again, their gazes held a touch of complexity.
Strictly speaking, Liu Yutong had also saved them once.
If the milk powder scandal hadn't been exposed by someone Liu Yutong found, they would most likely have acquired shares in the milk powder factory, becoming part of the group harming infants, as Xue Chen had previously intended to transfer some shares to them.
Xue Chen knew that with Zhou Muchen and the others on board, operations would be even more secure.
But they also understood that you can't wrap fire in paper forever.
No matter how much influence they had, there would always be people and situations beyond their control. Once the truth exploded, their fate wouldn't be much better.
