If the twists and turns of Su Ning's "romance" were merely the subject of street gossip in Beiping, it was a different story elsewhere.
In places like Nanjing, where her influence was lacking, newspapers acted with impunity to boost sales, each headline more sensational than the last:
"Shocking News: Wealthy Miss Su Contradicts Herself, From Foes to Lovers, Falls for Mixed-Race Foreigner Antonio, Wedding Bells May Be Ringing."
"Exclusive Insider: Playboy Aristocrat Dabbles in Romance, A Street Brawl for a Beauty, Miss Su Furious, Aristocrat Begs Outside Her Door in Vain, Hospitalized in Haggard State."
"Spending a Fortune for Love to Help Seize Assets, Miss Su Has a Cold Face but a Warm Heart."
"Toughened Steel Turns into Soft Iron, A Brief Discussion on How Antonio Won the Beauty's Heart, Gaining Both Love and Wealth... Hahahahaha."
Reading up to this point, Yu Tai couldn't help but burst into laughter.
The newspaper in his hands rustled loudly as he shook.
The others in the room, who were either drinking tea or conversing in low voices, all looked over at him.
"Apologies, I'm truly sorry."
He folded the newspaper, his face flushed as he shook his head with feigned sincerity.
"I just think it's such a pity."
As for what was a pity, everyone present knew very well. Lately, the newspapers had been running continuous reports, and the people in Nanjing loved reading them. Who didn't know that as soon as Su Ning returned to Beiping, she fell in love and allegedly lost her mind, throwing money around to help her lover?
"Who says otherwise?"
Ono was the one who spoke, sitting upright and sighing softly.
"I originally thought that, regardless of her character, Miss Su was a formidable figure in these chaotic times, an absolutely decisive and ruthless person. I never expected her to stumble over the word 'love'."
The others also broke into laughter.
Everyone present was on Yu Tai's side, tied together by mutual interests.
Naturally, they were delighted to see Su Ning suffer a setback.
"Now that's where you're wrong, Mr. Ono."
Someone immediately stood up, looked around, paused for a moment, and then said the rest with a smile:
"You had such high expectations for Su Ning for no reason. She never had what it takes to begin with. In the past, she just relied on her ancestors' legacy to run amok, putting on a front. In reality, the moment she met a man, didn't she completely lose her head?"
"You, you're too mischievous."
"Exactly, be careful that Su Ning doesn't find out about this, fly into a rage out of humiliation, and pay for your head."
The rest of them laughed and joked.
Yu Tai laughed the hardest. Someone else brought up Su Ning's previous declaration about taking in a live-in son-in-law, which had now completely become a laughingstock.
Someone jumped in:
"She used to be so incredibly arrogant, but when she truly met a man who conquered her, all her conditions, principles, and her father's dying wishes were thrown out the window... Tell me, what is so extraordinary about that Antonio that he managed to pluck this thorny rose?"
"Don't even say it, I really want to learn a thing or two from him. Even if I can't, having my sons learn would be fine too."
The tone was thirty percent envy and seventy percent jealousy:
"I heard that Su Ning threw at least tens of millions at her lover. Tsk, tsk, tsk, if converted into gold bars, it could fill these few rooms. She also has other businesses, and her fertilizer factory has been in the limelight lately. Some people are even calling her the Fertilizer Queen. If one were to marry her, the benefits would be countless."
"It's just that she has a domineering temper, but being a bit unforgiving is fine..."
Before he could finish, someone immediately cut him off:
"To outsiders, there's nothing to say, her temper is terribly bad. But towards her lover, Su Ning is very tolerant. Haven't you seen that the news of Antonio being unfaithful has even reached us in Nanjing, yet we haven't heard of her doing anything about it?"
"And this is before they're even married. Once they tie the knot and have a few children, it goes without saying."
Everything was understood without being said.
They all got the picture instantly.
By then, the deal would be done, and Su Ning's temper would surely mellow out... As long as he gave her some face, keeping the main wife at home while having affairs on the side would be a matter of course.
"Damn it, how did that Antonio stumble upon such a good thing?"
The topic circled back again.
Everyone spoke at once, discussing what Su Ning saw in Antonio.
Aside from opening the conversation, Ono just watched with a smile and didn't interject further. Suddenly, he noticed Wu Yi, who was also sitting silently to the side.
The plan to secure investment without putting up any capital was going very smoothly.
Initially, the people from the Northeast were very cautious. Their purpose for coming here was of great significance, and they didn't want any unexpected complications. Ono wasn't discouraged. He noticed that most of the delegation members were older and naturally sought stability.
With a sharp eye, he singled out the younger Wu Yi to lobby first.
This choice proved to be correct.
Wu Yi was moved, and with the help of this second-generation member, the people in the delegation were persuaded one by one.
Although the exploration equipment hadn't arrived yet, the preparatory work in the Northeast had already begun. They were using the money and resources of these people from the Northeast delegation and enjoying their protection. What made Ono even happier was that he had established a good relationship with the Northeast factions.
This would be of great help to the Great Japanese Empire's next plan.
"Mr. Wu, are you feeling bored?"
He asked, showing great empathy.
"No."
Perhaps due to his appearance, Wu Yi's smile always carried a wild feel, like a beast from the mountain forests of the Northeast.
"I just think this matter isn't that simple."
"Oh?"
"Falling in love might be true, but to throw away a fortune purely for love would be underestimating Su Ning too much. Don't forget that she holds shares in Swire Shipping, and that Antonio is the youngest son of the chairman."
"With her methods, after the marriage alliance, Swire Shipping will definitely be under her control!"
Wu Yi's tone was very certain.
As he spoke, there was even a bit of admiration on his face. He felt that he and Su Ning were the same kind of people: money, power, and interests always came first. Once those were secured, it didn't matter if other things were temporarily lost.
Just like how he had given up on Xing Qiu before.
Years later, she had still come back, hadn't she? Hah, and even popped out a fairly old son.
"Mr. Wu, what you say makes a lot of sense."
"If I'm not mistaken, she has another motive as well."
Seeing Ono reveal an expression of attentive listening, he smiled inwardly—preparing for a rainy day, gradually showcasing his abilities now was to gain dominance in future oil development.
"She must know that she is bound to lose the bet. To salvage her prestige, announcing the acquisition of Swire Shipping is the simplest and most effective method!"
In Wu Yi's opinion, Su Ning truly lived up to her reputation. After returning to the country, she had won every battle, carrying vast wealth while not only living well but also seeing her status rise steadily. Her reactions were quick, and her ability to take action was strong.
She took a tumble over the oil issue.
Quickly thought of a countermeasure.
And then made up for it.
He even began to anticipate Su Ning's next moves. With the two-month betting period coming to an end, after the oil venture was declared a failure, she would immediately release the good news about Swire Shipping, sweeping away her declining momentum in one fell swoop and stabilizing her position.
After all, the importance of shipping was on par with that of oil.
"What a terrifying woman," Ono remarked with a sigh, having also figured it out.
"Are you praising yourself?" Wu Yi raised an eyebrow and smiled. "After all, such a terrifying woman still fell by the hands of Mr. Ono."
Everyone loves hearing good things about themselves. This moderate compliment brought a smile to Ono's face. Indeed, no matter how formidable Su Ning was, under his arrangements, she had still ended up doing the groundwork for him and the Great Japanese Empire.
At this moment, Yu Tai also noticed that Wu Yi had remained silent the entire time, and clamored for the young man to share his thoughts.
Wu Yi did not suffer from stage fright in the slightest.
He mused, "Since ancient times, winning a woman's heart has always come down to five classic traits: handsome looks, wealth, tenderness, and plenty of free time. That Antonio is naturally incredibly handsome, and he certainly has the money, the attentiveness, and the time..."
There was one more trait—being hung like a donkey—which he deliberately left out.
Sure enough.
Soon, someone winked and made a face:
"I think the most important one is the donkey. I heard that foreigners in that department... hahaha..."
The crowd roared with laughter, and the atmosphere instantly reached its peak. The ensuing conversation went further down a vulgar path. Wu Yi feigned a helpless head shake, but then noticed that the looks people gave him had grown a bit friendlier.
Goal achieved.
He drank his lukewarm tea, his expression relaxed, his thoughts drifting. He thought of his brilliant future, of Xing Qiu... and of that son of his who felt like a stranger.
Everything was so beautiful.
Suddenly, the sliding door of the Japanese-style room was violently pushed open. A man ran in, sweating profusely and panting heavily:
"Th-this is bad."
He looked at the crowd in a panic, took a deep breath, and shouted:
"They struck oil! Su Ning succeeded! There really is oil in Yumen!"
His voice even cracked on the last few words.
Dead silence.
There was not a single sound in the room. No, wait—heavy, distinct breathing could be heard. The newcomer wanted to say something else.
The next second.
An uproar shot through the roof.
"What!"
"Impossible, impossible! Didn't they say Yumen didn't have the conditions for oil production? Yu Tai, and Ono, those Japanese experts, you guaranteed it."
"The international newspapers also said it was impossible! Where are the newspapers? I remember there were a lot of them, where are they..."
The harmonious atmosphere from moments ago vanished completely. There was disbelief, questioning, and furious cursing. Yu Tai and Ono looked especially pathetic and flustered.
Wu Yi sat frozen in place.
His hands trembled uncontrollably, and cold sweat broke out on his back. All the beautiful illusions of a bright future in his mind were wiped clean, replaced by the furious faces of those "uncles."
What was he supposed to do?
He closed his eyes.
Su Ning, what a terrifying woman.
