Chapter 10, Protect Her for Life!

The opponent's blatant provocation, with each word like a steel needle, pierced Zhou Yang's heart, and he couldn't help but want to punch that hypocritical, smug face to pieces!

Zhao Furong rubbed her hands together with joy, extremely satisfied with Xu Ming, she said, "I can't thank Mr. Xu enough. We don't aspire to have major cooperation with Tianqi Group, just picking up some small projects left by others would make us happy!"

Xu Ming walked to the window and called his father.

Zhao Furong glanced at Zhou Yang, her words laced with sarcasm:

"Look at how Mr. Xu speaks and acts, everything is logical and well-founded, unlike some people, who boast without putting any thought into it! They've gone stupid from being in jail, yet they take others for fools!"

Zhou Yang sighed silently to himself. What's wrong with the world when the truth isn't believed, and yet liars are?

Xu ming stood in front of the window, dialling his father's number.

"What is it?" Xu Wan asked.

"Dad, could you talk to the deputy director of the investment department at Tianqi Group, and see if you could get a small cooperation opportunity for Xue's Shenglong Company?" Xu Ming asked in a lowered voice.

"Are you out of your mind? I can't even manage to invite the deputy director to dinner, let alone spend money to lobby for an opportunity for Shenglong Company. If I had that chance, I'd have made a fortune myself already! Don't bother me," Xu Wan replied impatiently, ready to hang up.

"Dad, Dad, it's okay if you can't get the opportunity, but could you maybe get me two invitations to the investment banquet? Preferably front-row seats, to support me in my search for a daughter-in-law, and also this is related to..." Xu Ming paused, hesitating.

"What are you doing at the investment banquet? Going to make a fool of yourself? I don't even have the chance to stand as a backdrop with a glass of wine, and now you want to sit in the front row? You sure have a big face! I'll ask the manager in charge of the banquet to see if I can buy two tickets!" Xu Wan said, dismissively, before hanging up in irritation.

Zhou Yang, with his acute perception, could tell from Xu Ming's concealed disappointment that he couldn't even get an invitation.

Inviting Su Xue to the investment banquet, he feared, would result in her rejection.

Thus, Zhou Yang took out his phone and sent a message to Hong Jiye, asking him to prepare two invitations for Xu Wan.

Xu Ming, returning with a feigned ease, spread his hands and smiled, "My dad said the person in charge of the investment banquet had invited him, but he was too busy and declined. Now you can't even buy an invitation. He'll make a call to see if he can use his influence to get two."

"Others would fight tooth and nail to get in, yet Mr. Xu's father declined the offer, what grandeur!"

While praising Xu Ming, Zhao Furong didn't forget to take a jab at Zhou Yang, "Unlike some people, who resort to lying and fabricating stories to please my daughter, what a disgrace!"

Xu Ming gave Zhou Yang a provocative smirk, secretly pleased with himself.

Zhou Yang, out of consideration for Su Xue's feelings, could only silently endure everything.

At that moment, Xu Ming's phone rang.

Xu Ming hurriedly answered, asking, "Dad, how did it go?"

"Son, you must have stepped in some crazy good luck. The person in charge of the investment banquet personally called to offer me two invitations!" Xu Wan said excitedly.

Xu Ming was thrilled and, after hanging up, said nonchalantly, "My dad says the person in charge of the investment banquet personally called him to offer two invitations. He can't make it, so I'll just take Xue with me."

Zhao Furong, excitedly obsequious, said, "Mr. Xu is so capable, unlike some people who don´t measure their own worth. They lie as easily as they fart. Xue's company will be needing Mr. Xu's care in the future!"

Xu Ming glanced provocatively at Zhou Yang and said, "Auntie, don't worry. I will take good care of Xue in the future and ensure she never gets hurt again."

Zhou Yang's heart ached like it was being cut, and he looked down, defeated, "Xue, I'll wait for you at the banquet. Auntie, I'll be leaving now."

Just as he reached the door, he heard Zhao Furong's insulting voice behind him:

"You, a criminal, are going to the banquet? What, through a window? Embarrassing! Just get lost, and take what you brought with you!"

Zhao Furong threw the fruits Zhou Yang brought onto the ground, where they rolled everywhere.

Su Xue reminded, "Mom, that's too much!"

Xu Ming, delighted inwardly, laughed and said, "Auntie, there's no need to get angry over trash. I'll head back to prepare and then come to pick up Xue."

"Sure, Mr. Xu, take your time, and come to visit us when you're free," Zhao Furong said with a smile plastered on her face.

Zhou Yang went downstairs.

Xu Ming quickly followed suit, walking side by side with Zhou Yang, and said:

"Zhou Yang, you've managed to ruin a good hand and have ended up in this pitiful state. Xue is such a wonderful girl, beautiful, kind-hearted, pure, and yet you discarded her. I truly doubt your sanity."

Zhou Yang, feeling dejected, fixed his gaze forward and kept walking.

Xu Ming insulted him, but he did not retaliate because Xu Ming was not wrong – it's what he would say to himself, as well.

Xu Ming laughed triumphantly and said:

"Recognize your place; you're just a criminal, a piece of trash with nothing to your name. Stop harassing Xue. You're not even worthy of licking her shoes. She'll be mine soon, and I'll make sure she's very happy, hahaha…"

Drip, drip, drip…

Xu Ming pressed the car key; the bright headlights of the white Mercedes blinked as he laughed, "A trashy criminal, do you see this? A Mercedes, something you can only dream of, right? Want a ride?"

Zhou Yang slowly turned his head to look at Xu Ming and said earnestly, "I indeed owe Xue an apology and don't expect her forgiveness. But if I find out you dare to hurt her, I'll make sure you regret ever coming into this world!"

Xu Ming patted Zhou Yang's shoulder and sneered, "A piece of trash criminal lecturing me? Better figure out where to scavenge for leftovers tonight, hahaha…"

Xu Ming got into the Mercedes, deliberately honked the horn to show off, and sped away.

After Xu Ming had gone far, Zhou Yang walked toward the road where a prestigious and luxurious Rolls-Royce was parked.

The bodyguard got out of the car and respectfully opened the door for him.

Zhou Yang got into the car, which slowly drove off.

"Mr. Zhou, where to?" the bodyguard asked.

"Take me home; I need to make some medicine for my dad."

Zhou Yang withdrew his gaze from the entrance of the community, leaned back in his seat, tilted his head, and stared at the car roof, feeling downhearted.

Without trust, all explanations are weak and futile.

...

As evening approached.

The Century International Hotel was filled with guests.

The Rolls-Royce pulled up, and Zhou Yang got out and headed to the hotel lobby.

Hong Sanbao came out to greet Zhou Yang, flanked by bodyguards, creating quite the scene.

"Brother, this way please. Hong Jiye has prepared a banquet in the Supreme Private Room. It's just the Hong Family brothers and a few close associates—almost like a family meal. It's mainly to thank you for saving my life!" Hong Sanbao laughed heartily as he chatted with Zhou Yang.

They circumvented the crowded throng and walked down a passage reserved for distinguished guests.

Meanwhile, Su Xue and Xu Ming were making their way through the crowded regular guest passage toward the hotel entrance.

From a distance, Su Xue noticed a group of bodyguards surrounding two people, indicating a significant display of status.

Although she couldn't see clearly who it was, one of the figures seemed eerily familiar.

"Is that... Zhou Yang?" Su Xue murmured in confusion.

Xu Ming followed Su Xue's gaze and scoffed, "That's the exclusive passage for the Hong Family, reserved for those with a net worth of at least 50 billion or the prominent and influential. Do you think Zhou Yang fits that bill?"

"But just now, it felt like him…" Su Xue said but doubted herself and hesitated.

Xu Ming could see that Su Xue still had a shred of concern for that criminal in her heart, which soured his mood significantly.

He silently swore to erase Zhou Yang from her mind!

Entering the banquet hall.

Su Xue, in her white flowing dress, tall and elegant, immediately became the center of attention.

The staff bowed politely and greeted her, "Miss Su, welcome. Director Shen has personally instructed us to place you at the front row seats of the evening's business gala."

Packed with billionaires worth tens of billions seated in the rear or even standing with only a drink in hand, was she actually ushered to the front row?

Su Xue was stunned, glancing at Xu Ming, astonished by his father's influence.

Xu Ming feigned ease and laughed, "See? I can give you everything that criminal couldn't!"

Su Xue felt a bit awkward, smiled briefly without responding.

Seeing her smile, Xu Ming was secretly thrilled, eager to showcase his charm to Su Xue as he adjusted his tie and said, "Who's in charge of the business gala anyway? They called my dad repeatedly, pleading for his attendance."

"It's Miss Shen, Shen Jun," the staff member replied.

Xu Ming liked gossip and had heard of this low-profile, mysterious lady, deliberately raising his voice to ask:

"The rumored cousin of Vice Chairman Hong from the Yuncheng Chamber of Commerce, who manages the hotels under Tianqi Group, known as the Hotel Queen, Miss Shen?"