Chapter 32: An Unearned Achievement

The eyes of the crowd once again focused on the passageway to the left of the stage; everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of Mr. Lin, the man who had become famous overnight in Luo City. The main reason was that Cao Keming had made it clear—Mr. Lin was from Luo City and very young, not the elderly figure everyone had imagined. This made people all the more curious.

Yet Lin Yang’s silhouette never appeared; only Murong Zhang stepped out alone.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize. Mr. Lin is a modest man, unwilling to stand out in public. He has already left,” Murong Zhang said, helpless. He’d gone backstage but hadn’t found Lin Yang or Murong Yun. He had no choice but to call Murong Yun, who told him over the phone that Lin Yang had left and would not attend the birthday banquet.

“Why? Did we do something wrong to anger Mr. Lin?” Murong Zhang asked.

“I don’t think so. I haven’t seen him either. He only told me over the phone that he wouldn’t attend the event, expressed his apologies, and asked that we refrain from disclosing too much about him for the time being,” Murong Yun replied.

“Yun’er, you don’t need to attend the banquet either. Go find Mr. Lin and see what’s going on,” Murong Zhang said.

“Alright then,” Murong Yun said and hung up.

After Murong Zhang returned to the banquet hall and explained the situation, he announced that the banquet would begin. The guests were somewhat disappointed; they had hoped to see the famed Mr. Lin in person, but he had simply left, never showing his face. This only deepened everyone’s interest in Lin Yang.

“He just left without appearing. Who is this Mr. Lin from Luo City? We’ve never heard of such a person before,” people murmured.

Qin Menong felt regret as well. She had no appetite, her gaze searching the room for Lin Yang, her heart anxious, unsure how he might retaliate against her.

At the main table, Murong Ze asked, “Dad, is it because of my attitude earlier that I offended Mr. Lin, so he left without appearing?”

“That’s possible. You’ve sat in your official post too long, always putting on airs. Do you understand how important it is for us to win over Mr. Lin?” Murong Zhang scolded him.

“This is indeed my fault. I’ll personally go and apologize to him tomorrow,” Murong Ze said.

Cao Keming, sitting nearby, interjected, “I heard what happened at the hospital today. I think Mr. Lin is a broad-minded man, not one to fuss over trifles.”

“I’ve already sent Yun’er to find him. Let’s wait for her to return,” Murong Zhang replied.

As the banquet drew to a close, Jiang Lin walked over to Liu Chengzhi’s table.

“Mr. Liu, our Director Yun has chosen your Zhicheng Group as the new partner. Please come to Ding Sheng Group tomorrow morning to discuss the details of the cooperation,” Jiang Lin announced.

Liu Chengzhi was stunned, barely able to believe his ears.

“Secretary Jiang, is this true?” he asked, delighted.

“I wouldn’t come to inform you if it weren’t,” Jiang Lin replied.

“That’s wonderful! Please thank Director Yun for me. By the way, may I ask why Zhicheng Group was chosen?”

Liu Chengzhi knew his own capabilities; among the companies seeking cooperation, his was the weakest, with almost no hope.

“Your company’s strength is indeed a bit lacking, but you have someone influential supporting you,” Jiang Lin said, then turned and left.

Others at the table quickly congratulated Liu Chengzhi and raised their glasses to toast him. Previously, these three bosses had looked down on Liu Chengzhi; after a few polite words, they’d ignored his family. Now, their attitudes changed completely.

Liu Chengzhi lifted his glass in return, pondering, “Secretary Jiang said I have an influential supporter—who could it be?”

“It must be Liang Kuan. Didn’t his father promise you could join the Wan Hao Chamber of Commerce? He must’ve said good things about you to Director Yun,” Yu Ping suggested.

Liu Chengzhi nodded slightly. “Then I really must thank young Liang.”

“Xiaoyu, you’ve really made a great contribution this time. Without your connection, we wouldn’t know what to do,” Yu Ping said happily.

Liu Fuyu beamed. “I’ll go thank him in person.”

“We’ll go too,” Yu Ping agreed.

Liu Chengzhi rose, taking Yu Ping with him to Liang Kuan’s table.

“Liang, thank you so much for helping us. Without you, Ding Sheng Group would never have chosen us as their partner!” Liu Chengzhi said.

Liang Kuan was taken aback. “Ding Sheng Group chose you?”

“Yes! Secretary Jiang just informed us. You didn’t know?” Yu Ping added.

Liang Kuan thought to himself, “I know nothing about this!”

“Well, congratulations to you,” Liang Kuan said.

“This is all thanks to you. If your father hadn’t spoken up for us, how could such a good thing fall to us?” Liu Chengzhi said.

Liang Kuan was even more bewildered. He thought, “My dad doesn’t have that much influence.”

But then he realized—might as well take credit for it; they’re just assuming anyway.

So he said, “My father only mentioned it in passing. I didn’t expect them to give us so much face. Besides, I’ve always said that Fuyu’s matters are my matters—I should help.”

“Good, good, as long as you have this intention, Auntie approves of you and Xiaoyu dating,” Yu Ping said, barely able to contain her joy. Liu Fuyu basked in the prestige Liang Kuan brought her.

Only Liang Kuan, harboring ulterior motives, cursed the Liu family as fools in his heart.

“Thank you, Auntie, but ultimately it depends on Fuyu’s wishes,” Liang Kuan said, elated inside.

Yu Ping quickly signaled Liu Fuyu to respond.

Liu Fuyu, a little shy, said, “This is so sudden. I’m not ready yet. Let me think it over for a couple of days.”

Though willing, she didn’t want to appear too eager.

“With your words, no matter how much I help, it’s worth it,” Liang Kuan thought gleefully. As an experienced player, he knew he would soon win Liu Fuyu over.

The banquet soon ended. Guests departed one after another; Lin Yang never appeared, and Qin Menong finally let out a sigh of relief. She had truly feared Lin Yang would cause trouble at the banquet, ruining her reputation beyond redemption.

A hint of murderous intent flashed in Qin Menong’s eyes; her resolve to eliminate Lin Yang grew even stronger. Otherwise, she would be entirely at his mercy.

Before leaving, Qin Menong sought out Jiang Lin.

“Why didn’t Director Yun attend? She didn’t announce which company would be chosen for cooperation either.”

“Director Yun left early; the partner has been decided—it’s Zhicheng Group,” Jiang Lin replied.

“What? Zhicheng Group? Are you sure?”

Qin Menong could hardly believe it; she never expected Zhicheng Group to be chosen.

“I personally notified Liu Chengzhi. Do you think I’d be mistaken?” Jiang Lin said.

“Why? Why choose Zhicheng Group? Liu Chengzhi doesn’t have the capability—it shouldn’t have been him!”

Qin Menong was baffled. Had the always shrewd Murong Yun lost her mind?

It made no sense for the business queen Murong Yun to make such an irrational commercial decision!