After ending the call, Chen Yang held a glass of red wine and gently swirled it. His lips curled into a slight smile as he watched Kong Haoyan receive compliments from numerous people nearby. It seemed Kong Haoyan hadn't taken his words to heart, still carrying on with the donation event as if nothing had happened.

He had to admit, that took some nerve!

Meanwhile, Qin Qiu was networking with a few colleagues. They seemed to be getting along well as they exchanged business cards. Although several men with ulterior motives approached her, she tactfully brushed them all off. She gave them no openings, yet still managed to appear graceful and poised.

Chen Yang stood alone in a corner, yet he commanded the entire room.

Hmm? His eyebrows lifted as that annoying Jiang Xiaoxiao came into view once again. She exchanged a few words with a balding, middle-aged man, who then smiled lecherously and headed straight for Qin Qiu.

Jiang Xiaoxiao, meanwhile, shot a provocative look at Chen Yang and gave him the middle finger.

A small smile playing on his lips, Chen Yang strode over.

Once the balding, middle-aged man reached Qin Qiu, he gave a very polite bow and said cheerfully, "Ms. Qin, they say seeing is believing, and you are truly as stunning as the rumors claim!"

"You are..." Qin Qiu was a bit startled, as she had never seen this man before.

"I am Ning Qiang, the general manager of Extreme Sea Pharmaceutical's marketing department!" the middle-aged man said with an arrogant air, his lecherous gaze roving over Qin Qiu without any attempt at subtlety.

Such behavior was undeniably rude at an event like this.

"I hear Ms. Qin is looking for business partners? I don't think you'll find anyone more suitable than me," Ning Qiang said with a smile. "If you're also interested, why don't we find a quiet place to discuss the details after the banquet?"

Qin Qiu frowned, a flash of disgust in her eyes. "Sorry, I have no such interest!"

"Ms. Qin, I hear your Qin Corporation is in decline, without a proper successor, and that you married a good-for-nothing husband? None of that matters. As long as Extreme Sea Pharmaceutical supports you, the Qin Corporation will surely soar!" Far from being deterred, Ning Qiang pressed on even harder. "The pros and cons should be obvious, shouldn't they, Ms. Qin?"

Many onlookers shook their heads discreetly. Ning Qiang's behavior was detestable, but wasn't it also a consequence of the Qin Corporation's long-standing weakness? Her father died early, the company was floundering, and she married a useless husband. In such circumstances, how could she not be bullied? The business world is a battlefield, ruthless and unforgiving. And that went double for a woman as beautiful as she was.

Before Qin Qiu could speak, Ning Qiang pulled out a business card and held it out to her. "Don't be so quick to refuse, Ms. Qin. Call me anytime after you've thought it over!"

Just as Qin Qiu was about to decline, someone swooped in like the wind, snatched Ning Qiang's business card, and crumpled it into a ball.

"Who are you?" Ning Qiang was startled, staring at the newcomer with hostility.

The newcomer, of course, was Chen Yang.

"Me?" Chen Yang stepped forward, grabbed Ning Qiang by the jaw, and stuffed the crumpled business card into his mouth. With a faint, cold smile, he said, "I'm Ms. Qin's husband!"

The surrounding crowd erupted in an uproar. Seeing Chen Yang's hand practically disappearing into Ning Qiang's mouth made everyone's skin crawl.

"URGH!" Ning Qiang gagged, struggling to pull his own business card out of his throat, nearly choking to death.

He then looked up sharply, staring viciously at Chen Yang. He seemed about to spit a threat, but instead, he saw a fist flying toward him. With a dull THUD, his vision went black.

Chen Yang's punch sent him staggering back several steps before he collapsed onto the ground, blood streaming from his nose.

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Who was this guy? Did he just start swinging without a word? Did he not care about the occasion?

"You... you dare to hit me?" Ning Qiang scrambled to his feet, glaring at Chen Yang with menacing eyes.

Chen Yang pulled a couple of tissues from a nearby table and wiped his hands. "You dare to harass her, so why wouldn't I dare to hit you?"

Ning Qiang's mouth twitched.

"You... just you wait!" After spitting out the threat, Ning Qiang slunk away. Having lost so much face, how could he possibly remain?

Not far away, Jiang Xiaoxiao was stomping her feet in anger. She could never have imagined that this good-for-nothing freeloader had such a side to him.

She wasn't the only one. Many people found his actions unbelievable—so utterly domineering and forceful.

Chen Yang ignored everyone's stares and turned to Qin Qiu. "Darling, are you alright?"

"I'm fine!" Qin Qiu shook her head. Though she was somewhat displeased with Chen Yang's violent approach, a warm current flowed through her heart. What woman could resist this feeling of being cared for and protected?

He might be aimless and lazy his whole life, known by all as a good-for-nothing who lives off his wife, but at least his feelings for me are real! For a moment, she was lost in a swirl of complex emotions.

The venue was very large, so this minor incident didn't attract too much attention. Furthermore, as the banquet officially began, the atmosphere was pushed to a climax.

"Friends, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to attend this banquet," Kong Haoyan said, the picture of gentlemanly elegance. "On behalf of the Zhennan Prince Foundation, and all the communities in need that it benefits, I wish to express our heartfelt gratitude."

"Today's donations will go toward providing winter clothes, quilts, and medical supplies to children in remote mountain areas, as well as repairing schools and roads! The minimum donation is 500,000!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a portly, middle-aged man raised his hand and shouted, "I'll donate 50 million!"

His bid immediately electrified the room. One after another, people scrambled to donate, with pledges ranging from 500,000 to 10 million.

Chen Yang watched the pot-bellied man with a cold gaze. That guy is obviously a plant. After the donation drive ends, he and Kong Haoyan will split the money according to a prearranged percentage. This kind of scheme is all too common in this circle!

Swept up in the intense atmosphere, Qin Qiu was also moved. She tilted her head, considering what an appropriate amount to donate would be. If she donated too much, she couldn't afford it. If she donated too little, she'd open herself up to criticism.

However, before she could say anything, Jiang Xiaoxiao suddenly appeared beside her, raised her hand, and shouted, "The chairwoman of the Qin Corporation, Qin Qiu, donates 50 million!!"

What?!

Instantly, all eyes in the room turned to fix on Qin Qiu, staring at her in astonishment.

That was no small sum! And given the Qin Corporation's current situation, could they really afford 50 million?

Facing the countless scrutinizing gazes, Qin Qiu's face went deathly pale. She stood rooted to the spot, completely at a loss. She could never have imagined that Jiang Xiaoxiao would resort to such a vicious trick!

"Donate my ass!" Chen Yang snarled, pointing a finger at Jiang Xiaoxiao.

...

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