“President Chu, aren’t you exaggerating? Would anyone really be that shady these days?”
“No wonder I saw you looking so down when you came back from Bright Pearl City. I was wondering why you were frowning then, given the strong momentum of your Universal Select investment. Now I finally understand.”
Chu Hai sighed. “I didn’t even want to bring up these embarrassing things. Who would have thought that young lady would suddenly appear here?”
“I’m not sure if she saw me just now. If she did, I figure none of us are getting out of here today.”
With that, he glanced at the others at the table. “When the time comes, you’ll each have to look out for yourselves.”
“Oh, and let me tell you one more thing: the billionaire Huang got sent away because he crossed her. You’ve all heard about that, right?”
Lei Yun nodded. “I’ve heard it, but what I know is that the billionaire went down for economic crimes…”
Chu Hai cut him off. “That’s just the surface. I’ve actually confirmed it with the man himself. He admitted to me it was this young lady who made the move.”
“In short, whether you’re a crime boss in the underworld or a billionaire business magnate, if you provoke her, you won’t end well.”
The others remained silent.
These high-ranking business elites, long accustomed to power, now had obvious tension on their faces.
“President Chu, so… what should we do now? Should we go downstairs and say hello?”
“Yeah, maybe we should greet her, at least make ourselves known and leave a good impression.”
Chu Hai waved his hand quickly. “No! Absolutely not! I can’t figure out that young lady’s temper at all. If she ends up roping us into something, it’ll be trouble.”
“Besides, she’s here in the capital for her own reasons. Let’s just pretend we didn’t see anything.”
Lei Yun, Huang Zhangming, and Lin Bing all nodded in agreement.
Just as they were whispering among themselves…
A black Audi pulled up at the entrance of the courtyard.
Then, two strikingly beautiful women with refined auras stepped out of the car.
The one walking in front was a woman in her mid-to-late twenties, dressed in a deep blue business suit. Her demeanor was sharp and commanding, exuding an imposing presence that inspired awe without need for anger.
The other, in her thirties, wore a custom-made moon-white cheongsam. Her figure was graceful, and every move carried the charm of a classic Jiangnan beauty.
The executives upstairs recognized the two women at a glance.
The one in the cheongsam was Qin Yunlu, the owner of Cloud Dew Club.
She was a well-known socialite in the capital’s circles, smooth and resourceful, with extensive connections.
The younger one, who had an air of authority, was named Lin Yi.
She was the only daughter of the Lin family’s eldest son and a greatly favored granddaughter of the Shen family. Currently serving in a government department, she had already reached a C-level leadership position at a young age—a rising star in the political arena.
The group’s expressions turned subtle at the sight of them.
This was going to be interesting.
On one side was someone who had swept in from Bright Pearl City—a “dragon crossing the river” with, let’s say, “just a hint” of dark methods.
On the other were two figures: one from a deep-rooted capital dynasty and a political rising star, the other a well-known local power player.
No one knew what sparks would fly when they met.
…
Downstairs, in the courtyard.
Qin Yunlu stepped inside and saw the wreckage, along with the security guards and the manager pinned to the ground. She frowned slightly.
But as someone who had weathered many storms, she didn’t lose her composure. Instead, she first looked at the unfamiliar girl surrounded by men in black.
This girl had an extraordinary aura.
Even dressed in such gentle, elegant attire, standing before those men, she looked like a queen on high.
Qin Yunlu had mingled in the capital for years and met countless people, but among the younger generation, only a handful could give her such a sense of pressure.
Still, as the owner of Cloud Dew Club, she maintained impeccable composure. With a smile on her face, she walked directly toward the girl.
“Miss, how should I address you?”
Liu Yutong replied, “My surname is Liu.”
Qin Yunlu said, “Miss Liu, a pleasure. I’m Qin, and I own Cloud Dew Club.”
She paused, glancing at the security guards and the manager under the control of the men in black.
“I’ve already heard about tonight. Young Master Zhou and Miss Lin were thoughtless and offended you—that’s their fault. You’ve vented your anger and administered your lesson. Could you do me a favor and let this matter rest?”
Liu Yutong didn’t reply. She just calmly studied Qin Yunlu.
Qin Yunlu was in no hurry, standing quietly with her professional smile still in place.
At that moment, Lin Yi approached.
She saw Lin Yue sitting on the ground, her face swollen like a pig’s head, and frowned deeply.
Lin Yue spotted Lin Yi too, like seeing a lifeline, tears streaming down her face.
“Sister Yi… Sister Yi, save me…”
Lin Yi found her disappointing, but nevertheless, Lin Yue was a member of the Lin family. She couldn’t just ignore her.
“Miss Liu, Lin Yue is from the Lin family. She was thoughtless and offended you, which was wrong. I apologize on her behalf.”
Liu Yutong asked, “Are you Lin Yi? Lin Dong’s niece?”
Lin Yi nodded. “It seems my third uncle has mentioned me. That figures.”
“Since you already know, I’ll be straightforward. We’re practically family—there’s no need to go too far, is there? No matter how reckless Lin Yue is, she’s still a Lin. If you really do anything harsh, it won’t be easy for my third uncle and aunt to explain things, right?”
Liu Yutong understood immediately upon hearing this. It seemed Lin Yi knew she was Jiang Lu’s daughter—why else would she speak in such a tone?
Interesting.
This eldest Miss Lin was much smarter than the foolish Lin Yue.
“Family? Miss Lin, you make it sound like I’m closely tied to the Lin family. I am myself, and the Lin family is the Lin family. We have no connection.”
Lin Yi replied, “Regardless, your mother is my third uncle’s wife, and you are her daughter. That blood relationship can’t be erased.”
“Of course, I know you didn’t grow up in the Lin family and have no attachment to it. What Lin Yue did tonight was indeed over the top—I wouldn’t let her off easily either.”
She paused and changed her tone.
“Still, Miss Liu, you’ve taught her enough tonight. Her face won’t recover for at least ten days or two weeks. Could you do me a favor and let her off the hook?”
Liu Yutong looked at her and suddenly smiled.
“Miss Lin, since you’ve put it that way, it would seem unreasonable of me to refuse.”
Lin Yi said, “Miss Liu is a wise person.”
Liu Yutong nodded. “Fine, I’ll grant you this favor.”
“But I have one condition.”
Lin Yi said, “Go ahead.”
Liu Yutong replied, “You owe me one.”
Lin Yi was taken aback for a moment, then nodded readily. “Alright, I agree!”
Liu Yutong raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised that the other woman had agreed so quickly.
She didn’t dwell on it. Instead, she turned to Qin Yunlu and reached out to take the gold card.
“Manager Qin, I’ll accept this card. Let’s call what happened tonight settled.”
Qin Yunlu, who had been anxiously holding her breath, finally relaxed. “Miss Liu, you’re very gracious. I’ll remember this favor.”
She then took an exquisite business card from her handbag and handed it to Liu Yutong with both hands.
“This is my private card. If you ever need anything in the capital, Miss Liu, feel free to reach out.”
Liu Yutong took the card and glanced at it.
The design was simple and elegant—just the name “Qin Yunlu” and a phone number, with no titles at all.
A card like this was usually only given to people she truly acknowledged.
“You’re too kind, Manager Qin.”
Liu Yutong put the card away, then lifted her gaze toward the second floor.
There, a curtain in one of the windows was still faintly swaying—clearly, someone had been watching from behind it.
“Manager Qin, let’s leave it at that for tonight. I happen to have a friend upstairs, so I’ll go say hello.”
Qin Yunlu was momentarily taken aback. She followed Liu Yutong’s gaze to the second floor.
A friend?
That private room upstairs was reserved tonight for General Manager Lei Yun, wasn’t it?
“Oh, so Miss Liu has a friend here. In that case, I won’t keep you. I’ll invite you for tea another day.”
Liu Yutong nodded and, accompanied by a few men in black from Cloud City, headed upstairs.
Qin Yunlu stood still, watching her retreating figure, a sharp glint flickering in her eyes.
By the time Liu Yutong disappeared at the top of the stairs, Qin Yunlu had already sent Zhou Dashao and Lin Yue to the hospital, then pulled Lin Yi into her office—clearly, she had something to discuss.
Meanwhile.
After seeing Zhou Dashao and Lin Yue onto the ambulance, Manager Han slipped into a corner and made a phone call.
“Boss, Liu Yutong has shown up in the capital...”
