Chapter 23: Get Lost Right Now

A sudden voice interrupted the conversation. Zhou Ming, Lin Muqing, and Tang Ran turned to see a young man in a Zhongshan suit standing nearby. He was wearing a gold necklace and several gold rings, smiling as he looked at Lin Muqing.

"Hello, do you need something?" Lin Muqing asked politely.

The young man introduced himself, "Let me introduce myself first. I'm Pan Wei, a local from Nanjiang. My family runs a textile factory in the West District, earning tens of thousands of yuan easily every year. From the moment I walked in, I was very impressed by your beauty. I was wondering if I could have the honor of inviting you to dinner? We could have a nice chat and get to know each other better."

"Hey, are you out of your mind? Can't you see we're eating?" Tang Ran was annoyed by the unwelcome guest.

Lin Muqing also said, "My friends and I are here to have a meal, and I don't know you. I don't think there's anything for us to talk about."

Pan Wei glanced at Tang Ran and Zhou Ming, nodding to Tang Ran with a smile but ignoring Zhou Ming. He said, "Not knowing each other is no problem. We start as strangers and become familiar through conversation! By the way, I don't even know your name yet!"

Lin Muqing didn't want to engage with him, but Pan Wei was undeterred. He pulled out a chair and sat down, deliberately placing his gold-ringed hand on the table. When Lin Muqing and Tang Ran instinctively looked at the sound, Pan Wei waved his hand in front of Lin Muqing's face, saying, "Do you like my rings? Which one do you like? I can give it to you; they're not expensive, just about a thousand yuan each."

"No thanks, I don't want it." Lin Muqing leaned back, visibly repelled by the increasingly close hand.

Pan Wei pressed on, moving a little closer and saying, "Don't be shy. Just pick the one you like; it's a gift."

At this point, Zhou Ming reached out and grabbed Pan Wei's hand that was waving in front of Lin Muqing, saying, "Hey, aren't you being shameless? She said she doesn't want it. Why are you still here causing trouble?"

Pan Wei shot Zhou Ming a disdainful look and said, "Oh, so you're with this lady? I didn't notice before, my apologies. I was wondering why a place with such a high standard would let a worker like you in. But then again, with so many construction projects in Nanjiang, people like you are indeed needed."

"He's not a worker; he's a big boss here to do business in Nanjiang!" Tang Ran retorted angrily.

Pan Wei laughed derisively, "Little sister, are you joking with me? What big boss would dress like him? Look at his shabby clothes and his unrefined appearance. I'm doing him a favor by calling him a worker. Even a beggar off the street would be more respectable. Sitting with him must be a disgrace for you."

"How my friend is is not for you to judge. Watch your words, or I'll call the staff and have them call the police!" Lin Muqing's patience was running out.

"Don't be angry; I won't say anything more," Pan Wei said. "But from your accent, I can tell you're not local. Let me tell you, you need to be careful in Nanjiang. There are many fraudsters here who pretend to be wealthy to deceive beautiful ladies. Don't be fooled."

Pan Wei then took off a ring from his finger and offered it to Zhou Ming, saying, "This is a pure gold ring. Many people work an entire year without eating or drinking just to afford one. If you disappear from my sight right now, I'll give it to you. If that's not enough, I could consider letting you work at my factory with a monthly salary of 200 yuan, and you won't need to do any work. How about that?"

Zhou Ming slapped Pan Wei's hand away, "Get your dirty hands off me. I wouldn't even look at that money. Get out of my sight right now."

"How dare you be so ungrateful, you filthy bumpkin!" Pan Wei fumed.

At that moment, Zhou Ming noticed a plump middle-aged man and a woman in her thirties entering the restaurant. Pan Wei, seeing them, said to Zhou Ming, "See that? The person entering now is Director Yang from the Bank of China. People like you from the mainland probably have never met such a leader."

Pan Wei, eager to make an impression, approached Director Yang with a warm smile, "Hello, Director Yang! I'm Pan Wei. I really appreciate your help with my 100,000 yuan loan! I heard you were supposed to be on a business trip today. How come you're back so soon? It's truly a stroke of luck to meet you here!"

Zhou Ming recognized Pan Wei's game—he was trying to show off his wealth and connections to impress Lin Muqing and make Zhou Ming leave. Zhou Ming also realized that the Director Yang accompanying Pan Wei was indeed the same person he'd met earlier in the afternoon, making him the bank leader expected to discuss the currency exchange.

Zhou Ming approached Director Yang and said, "Hello, Director Yang. I'm Zhou Ming."

Pan Wei immediately scolded Zhou Ming, "Wasn't I supposed to wait on the side? This is a place for leaders and bosses. What are you doing here?"

But Director Yang's reaction stunned Pan Wei. Upon hearing Zhou Ming's introduction, Director Yang immediately shook off Pan Wei's hand and greeted Zhou Ming warmly, "Hello, Boss Zhou. I'm the director of the Bank of China. I apologize for being out on a business trip. I heard from Ms. Zheng that you have 400,000 yuan to exchange. I came back immediately to assist you."

Zhou Ming replied, "No rush. I'm not in a hurry."

Director Yang's attentive behavior left Pan Wei in shock. He couldn't believe the Director was treating Zhou Ming with such respect. Even though Director Yang was just a branch director, he wielded significant economic power and was highly respected by many bosses seeking loans. Why was he so courteous to Zhou Ming? Pan Wei was bewildered.

Moreover, Director Yang had mentioned 400,000 yuan. How could Zhou Ming, whom Pan Wei had labeled a worker, have such a large sum? It didn't make sense!

Director Yang looked at Pan Wei and asked Zhou Ming, "Do you know this person?"

Zhou Ming shrugged, "Not really, but he's been making a fuss here, probably trying to interfere with my business with Director Yang."

Director Yang's expression darkened. He glared at Pan Wei and said, "Pan Wei, what's the meaning of this? Boss Zhou is an important client of mine. If you offend him, I might have to reconsider your loan."

"Don't, Director Yang. My factory relies on your loan!" Pan Wei pleaded urgently.

Director Yang gave Pan Wei a look, and Pan Wei quickly realized that Zhou Ming was the key figure. He turned back to Zhou Ming, saying, "Boss Zhou, I sincerely apologize for my earlier behavior. Please forgive my rudeness and do not hold it against me."

Pan Wei's tone was humble, fully aware that anyone who could produce 400,000 yuan was not an ordinary person.

Zhou Ming said nothing and led Pan Wei to Lin Muqing's table, saying, "Muqing Jie, this guy has come to apologize."

Pan Wei was stunned. He hadn't expected Zhou Ming to bring him over for an apology. He felt as if he were a clown in front of Lin Muqing, wishing he could disappear. Nevertheless, he had to apologize, "Ladies, I'm really sorry for my earlier behavior. If I caused any disturbance, please forgive me."

Tang Ran was amazed and asked, "Pan Wei, what's going on? Just now you were insulting us and offering to give my brother a ring to make him disappear. Why are you apologizing now?"

Tang Ran's innocent and playful comment felt like a slap in Pan Wei's face, making him feel a burning shame.

"I'm sorry, little sister. I shouldn't have disturbed you. I know you're kind-hearted and won't hold a grudge against someone like me," Pan Wei said.

"You're so lacking in manners, speaking like that," Tang Ran said, dissatisfied.

"Yes, I'm rude and my mouth is cheap. I'm apologizing!" Pan Wei said, hitting his own face as he spoke, "I'm sorry for my bad behavior. I promise not to repeat it."

Lin Muqing, more composed and accustomed to Zhou Ming's surprises, glanced at Pan Wei and calmly said, "That's enough. Just be more mindful in the future. Remember, there are always better people out there."

Pan Wei, now a sycophant, promised, "I'll remember your words and never look down on others again."

After receiving Lin Muqing's forgiveness, Pan Wei turned his attention to Zhou Ming. Zhou Ming waved his hand impatiently, "Get lost. I don't want to see you."

"Got it, I'm leaving. I'll leave right away."

Pan Wei nodded repeatedly and hurriedly left the restaurant, disappearing as if running for his life.