Chapter 56: Hostage.

Qin Qianyu admired the man's integrity and honesty. She truly felt the sincerity in Lu Li's apology.

"Uncle stop! Please get up this is too much, How could I possibly accept!"

Qin Qianyu helped Lu Li up, as she did, Wen Wú Ling playfully added,

"That's right Uncle, Xiaoxi's forehead has already paid for at least 8 generations in advance."

" . . . "

"I . . Haha, dad, you're troubling Qianyu, and you're making her uncomfortable."

Lu Li pursed his lips and nodded. Qin Qianyu and Lu Li chatted for a while and he then let the girls do whatever they wanted while he carried on making small talk and networking the the other guest.

The girls started picking at the finger foods, and chatting amongst themselves. In the corner of her eye, Qin Qianyu noticed a certain someone being crowded by a few people.

"Uncle Lin? . . How do you know them? . . Could it be that this is the banquet they were helping out with?"

She thought to herself with a heavy frown. The people she spotted were the driver of the car that Li Gao was in surrounded by several other young men including Li Chen and Li Gao.

Lin Xie then left, and soon the group of spritely young men kept casting glances towards Qin Qianyu and the three others.

Qin Qianyu told the girls that the one dressed as the emperor was the one driving the Li's this morning.

"That's Chang Ma, this celebration is part of his coming of age ceremony."

"Heh! And of course he'd dress up as the emperor,"

"Haha, I went to one and the guy was dressed up as a robot version of civil servant, I think it was all because he had successfully landed a job at a robotics institute after he finished his internship."

"It's not as rigid as it once was, many people dress up as many things, I went as a pirate princess for my Ji Li,"

Lu Mingxi added, Lu Mingyu had a somewhat crooked smile on her delicate face while she was recalling certain embarrassing memories.

"Hey, brother Ma, those girls are the ones we were talking about, so . . Do you know them? Introduce us,"

"Nope I don't know them, but that doesn't mean we can, well some of us anyway, isn't that right Li Gao?"

Both the Li brothers had spotted Qin Qianyu and were surprised to see her standing with the Lu sisters and another equally hot girl.

Li Gao was furious and wanted to pay her back for what she had done and soon an idea formed.

He whispered a few words to Chang Ma and he nodded, he called another person over and after issuing a few orders that man left.

The plan would be for Li Gao to get his revenge and more, he and two others will tip drinks all over the girls as revenge, Chang Ma will come in and offer up a room for them to change out of their wet clothing playing the white knight.

The room was about to be setup with hidden cameras, that was the order he had issued to one of his men.

They would then use the footage of the girls bodies to blackmail them into offering more for the recorded footage.

Li Gao and the two others got ready to execute the plan, Qin Qianyu sensed something and reminded the girls.

Li Gao came up to Qin Qianyu wordlessly and with a drink in his hand and hate in his eyes he went to pour his cup over Qin Qianyu.

However, using the plate she had in her hand, she used it as a lip to trap the liquid inside the cup and as she did so the food that was on the plate splattered on his clothes.

The girls soon followed suit and caught the other two guys wanting to douse them also.

They were too slow and they were caught off guard by Qin Qianyu's actions to notice that the drinks in their hands now had lids on them too and their clothes were covered in food.

No words were exchanged between the two groups, the young men where embarrassed enough after having their plot seen through by everyone.

Li Chen had wanted to talk to Lu Mingyu, when he had seen her there. He was surprised at how she looked and also kicking himself.

He had messed up big time, he understood what he had missed out on, he couldn't believe that he fell for Murong Meimei's ways.

He blamed Meimei for ruining what he could have had with Lu Mingyu.

When his brother was planning his attack, he joined in hoping to save Lu Mingyu from being embarrassed and hoping to rekindle any spark that was there before. However, he didn't expect for the girls to so on guard.

Lu Mingyu broke the silence as she looked disgustingly at Li Chen,

"Fool with the surname Li! . . Who would've thought you were this idiotic and pathetic!"

With that said the girls changed locations, not many saw the altercation, the ones that did just thought it was the boys failed attempt at charming the girls.

Chang Ma was furious and went to find his father. To placate him he agreed to all his son's demands and called Lu Li over.

Qin Qianyu saw this and excused herself to go to the toilet.

Out of sight, she used shadowless steps and followed the pair. At first they were just talking shop, Qin Qianyu thought that she may have overthought it all, then the discussion took a turn,

"Well you see it's my son's coming of age and as such, he'll need to become a man."

"Oh, so are you handing him the reins to gain some experience and responsibility? That's a good move, I remember my grandfather . . "

"Ah, no, no, no."

Chang Lu interrupted while waving his stout finger, then continued,

"It seems you misunderstood me. My son needs to become a man, and he has chosen the tall girl that came with your daughters, of course, he can't let his guest suffer so the other three will have to help out with three or more of his friends. Lu Li, take this key card, and let this happen, then we'll sign the deal right now . . . Otherwise."

Lu Li felt sick to his stomach when he heard Chang Lu's conditions for the deal, he snared at the portly man opposite him.

Chang Lu snorted in return, his gloating face jiggled when he did making Lu Li even more disgusted in him.

Lu Li tapped the table as he spoke,

"Let me get this straight! You're holding the deal hostage and you want my daughters and their friends as the ransom!?"

"I won't mince words, even I want a taste of all four of those tasty treats, but, it's my son's day today so I'll just make due. Ah but I digress, to answer your question, . . Yes! That's exactly it!"

" . . . "

"Those are the terms Lu Li, if you don't like it we don't have to sign, I won't force anyone. I think the Li's would be a better bet, which is why, if you don't agree, I'll just give it to them."

His disbursement from the Li's couldn't even buy him the lowest price building here in the city, but he took it all the same thinking how Gaoshan had his back he just count it as loose change.

Lu Li understood now that the Li's had made a deal with Chang Lu beforehand, it became obvious to Lu Li,

"Hahaha! . . So that's it! Seems like he was really wanting that marriage alliance Huh?"

" . . . "

"That's understandable, I mean, both my girls are outstanding and will be more so as they age, what a pathetic fellow he is. But you . . . I've never met a more pathetic person in all my life! . . Never!"

"So the deal is off!? Think it through clearly Lu Li."

"Hahaha! What's there to think about?"

"Plenty, like my connection to Gaoshan and the future of your business anywhere in this country . . . "

"I never knew you were this kind of a person. My daughters are my life! I'll not trade my life for any type of power, deal or monetary gain. And that also extends to my daughters circle of friends."

"Since the deal is off, I have no qualms over it, money and deals come and go, but trust and love of loved ones? Once it's gone it's never coming back and that's one deal I will never back."

With that said, Lu Li got up and left.

Qin Qianyu was shocked that this Chang Lu had such a plan up his sleeve.

"To think that he would join hands with the Li's just to get back at Lu Li."

Chang Lu also left, Qin Qianyu saw something in the corner of her eye,

"A hidden camera?"

The room Chang Lu and Lu Li were in was the one Chang Ma had setup a hidden camera in to capture Qin Qianyu and company changing.

She collected the camera and copied the footage to her phone after she had moved to a more isolated spot using shadowless steps and called Lin Xie, she wanted to know the deal and connection he had with such an unsavoury fellow.

"Miss Qin, how can I help you?"

"Chang Lu, what's your connection to him?"

Lin Xie heard the seriousness and underlined anger in her tone.

"It's nothing, there isn't one, in truth, he's just another name and number in a book of names and numbers."

"Well the reason I'm asking is because he's holding the deal of my friends father hostage and the ransom, it's not money, what he wants is me and my friends to "serve" his son and his friends after this banquet tonight."

Qin Qianyu told him all that was said during the conversation between the two men.

"Son of a bitch! . . He even used Gaoshan to threaten others!"

Lin Xie complained angrily to himself.

"Don't worry Miss Qin, it'll never happen. You don't have to worry about a thing. I'll handle everything."

Qin Qianyu ended her call then her phone rang again, it was Lu Mingxi.

"Qianyu! We're are you?"

"I'm in the toilet, I'll be out soon."

"Okay, Dad just asked me to call, he said it's not good to be alone. He wants us all to leave, he said the deal fell through so there's no need for us to stick around."

"Alright, I'm almost done, I'll see you soon."

Qin Qianyu ended the call then sent Lin Xie the video of the meeting between Lu Li and Chang Lu.

Qin Qianyu wanted to form a habit now of collecting evidence so that something like the "sugar baby" incident doesn't happen again.

If it had panned out to be nothing, Qin Qianyu would have deleted the footage. Unfortunately for Chang Lu and his son, since it involved her and people close to her, she'll give all of them a taste of vengeance with a side of freshly ground regret and a hearty serving of good ol misfortune thrown in to wash it all down.

"Heh! Best served cold!"

Qin Qianyu quipped as the uploading ended.

She quietly made her way back to Lu Mingxi and the others who looked totally bored and listless.

"We got dressed up for such a shitty party! It's sad that Uncles deal fell through, but judging by this shit show uncle, it maybe a blessing in disguise."

Wen Wú Ling quipped not even caring for her language. Lu Li didn't mind, he had similar thoughts as they all waited on Qin Qianyu to return.

"Haha, it's a blessing indeed, but look at the bright side, at least you got to see and feed the monkeys while you were here! That's got to be a plus right?"

Qin Qianyu added to the conversation as she slipped in behind everyone.

The quip caught everyone off guard but the words Qin Qianyu spoke made them recall the memory of the "feeding" incident and they bellowed out with a collective laugh.

"Great everyone's here, before we go, let me apologise to all of you here, I shouldn't have dragged you girls to such a sham celebration, so since it's my fault and it's still early how about I treat you all to a meal?"

"Where shall we go?"

Lu Mingyu asked, the other three looked at each other and they all had the same answer in their heart as the cried out together,

"Aunty Sun's! Let's go to Aunty Sun's!"

"Done, I'll just need directions there."

"Don't worry dad, I know it off by heart."

The party of five made their way towards the car park and quickly left the banquet.

Lu Li's and Lu Mingyu's faces were both pale, the stench affected them both greatly. They both looked on aghast as the sights and smells had no effect on the other three girls.

"How are you three able to cope?"

Lu Mingyu managed to utter. Lu Li wanted to ask as well, but he was fearful of tasting what he was smelling if he opened his mouth.

"We're use to it I suppose. Once you come here often, the smell isn't that bad of a trade off to where we're going."

"Once is enough for me,"

Both Lu father and daughter simultaneously thought to themselves.

The group soon entered, and Lu Mingxi bellowed out!

"Aunty Sun, I have Money! Give me your best!"

This call had become a trademark of the group and when it was uttered other frequent diners knew it belonged to a certain group of young girls.

Some had tried to mimic the call thinking they would get extras or of the like, but Aunty Sun would just scoff at them.

"Ah! you're all here, and you even brought more guests! Hahaha! Good girls!"

" . . . "

"Aunty Sun, this is my dad and elder sister, everyone this is Aunty Sun."

Aunty Sun gave them a nod then smiled brightly as she took their orders.

The group sat down and Lu Mingxi excitedly explained how she came to know of this place and how the homely meals here always left her smiling, full, satisfied and always wanting to come back again and again.

Wú Ling directed the newcomers attention towards the big screen and they watch the video of Qin Qianyu.

Shock flooded their faces as they watched,

"Where did it all go?"

Lu Mingyu muttered out astonishingly as she eyed Qin Qianyu's figure.

"I exercise regularly so my metabolism is quite good."

2 hours later everyone left Aunty Sun's full and satisfied.

Lu Li and Lu Mingyu were both pleasantly surprised.

"The side dish alone was better than a main at Century."

"It's so good right! Now you know why we stomach that stench. But it's totally worth it."

As they all made their way to the Main Street where the car was parked, Lu Li's rang.

"LU LI! Where are my son and his friends?"

"Huh!?"

Chang Lu had just gotten word that his son and his son's friends had been taken hostage according to a note found.

He automatically recalled Lu Li using such a phase earlier at the banquet so when he went to checked his son's private room and found it in disarray along with the note, he had figured it was Lu Li's doing.

"Do you really think you'll get away with this!? Tell me where they are now!"

"How would I know? Why don't you check all the others you've made "deals" with. Chances are you'll definitely find your answers then."

Just as Lu Li finished saying so, Chang Lu's personal assistant interrupted him.

"Sir, it's not good! Gaoshan has severed ties with us, they've made it clear that whoever helps us can also forget about working with them and have since removed all support that they previously gave us,"

"What did you say!? Why!? Why would they do that!? Have you found out? Have they given an explanation?"

"Y, Yes they have Sir, . . they, they said if you didn't propose that deal you made for your son and his friends you would have at least had a leg left to stand on."

Chang Lu looked at the phone in his hand, Lu Li was still on the line and he had heard all of what the p.a said.

"It's you! You did this to me! Since when did you have any connection to Gaoshan!?"

Chang Lu asked in a low gravely voice,

Lu Li subconsciously looked to Wen Wú Ling, as he waved them all to carry on to the cars.

He had learnt of the girl's identity from Lu Mingxi and so she was the most likely person to have the connections to pull something like that off.

"I don't, but I'll let you know something right now, one of those "tasty treats" that you so eloquently put it, has a very very strong and influential background in the capital. If I have to guess, it's most probably them who has the connection to Gaoshan."

"But nothing happened!"

"Hahaha! Chang Lu! Just because nothing happened, doesn't change the fact that YOU wanted something to happen,"

" . . . "

"Seems even karma was surprised by your actions and now you've pissed the wrong people off. Well, I have to get my children and their friends home now, it wasn't a pleasure being there or even knowing you, but seeing a scumbag being punished like this, I feel much better."

Lu Li ended the call and headed to the car.

They all left in a good mood and because Qin Qianyu could walk back to the studio from the main road, she saw the others off from there.