Chapter 72: Qian Mingxun

"You can't treat me like this, Young Master Zhang. I turned against President Liu on your advice, and now you just kick us out with a single word. You really have no conscience."

"Conscience?" Zhang Jun looked at Xue Qing with utter contempt. "How naive are you to talk about conscience with capital? If capital had a conscience, it wouldn't be called capital, it'd be charity."

"I was really foolish. I should never have listened to you."

At this moment, Xue Qing regretted it so deeply it felt like his guts were twisted. He'd been bewitched, left the group, and loudly challenged them. He thought he could thrive with the backing of the larger Zhang Group, but as soon as negative news broke about him, Zhang Jun, that bastard, announced that he'd stop investing.

Without Zhang Jun's support, such a large team would soon be out of resources, and he, the company's main face, was now blacklisted. It wouldn't be long before everything collapsed.

"And you're shameless enough to bring up the past? When I signed you, you promised there'd be no scandals. I didn't even make you pay the breach-of-contract penalty—I've already been more than generous."

"Stop making a scene," En Hui shouted hoarsely.

"You wretch, who gave you the right to speak here?"

Zhang Jun was already angry, but En Hui stepping forward sent his temper through the roof. Even Xue Qing glared at her coldly, clearly regretting his association with the woman.

"Could you stop being so childish? Stop fighting over this petty possessiveness. Channel it into deep love instead. Don't you want me to be better cared for?"

Zhang Jun was stunned.

Even Xue Qing thought his own worldview was far too normal compared to hers. If anyone ever questioned his values, he'd just send En Hui to argue with them.

"Get out. Don't let me see you again, or you'll regret it."

Furious, Zhang Jun drove Xue Qing and En Hui out of the Zhang Group tower, then slumped into the expensive executive chair he'd bought for tens of thousands, breathing heavily.

Disgusting. Absolutely revolting.

The thought alone made his stomach churn, especially remembering he'd once video-chatted with such a woman—it was enough to make his insides flip.

"Boss Jun, I found out. An obscure, low-tier actress felt threatened by En Hui because of a role, so she hired a PR company to dig up dirt on her."

The investigator's expression was vivid as he reported this.

Truth be told, Zhang Jun was caught up in the mess. Who would have guessed he'd have a taste for video chats?

"Jiaqi, right?" Zhang Jun stood up, furious. "Dig up all her scandals. I want her out of the entertainment industry. Also, bring Zhang Yi back."

"Boss Jun, is that really necessary? If we go that far, won't it alarm the old man?"

Zhang Yi was known for his ruthless methods. He'd once single-handedly fought off more than a dozen armed thugs who tried to kidnap Zhang Jun. While Zhang Jun suffered only minor injuries, the thugs were either dead or crippled by the time the police arrived, desperate for rescue.

But Zhang Yi always caused trouble whenever he acted. The last time, his methods were so brutal he had to leave the country. Bringing him back would stir up a storm of blood.

Zhang Jun's face twitched, the muscles under his skin dancing. He gritted his teeth. "Since Liu won't take the hint, I won't be polite. Tell Zhang Yi: I can let the other matters slide, but I can't swallow this one."

"Alright, I'll bring Zhang Yi back."

With a sigh, seeing Zhang Jun on the verge of exploding, the man could only agree.

"And tell Zhang Yi I want Liu Yiran. Let him take care of Ye Qiu for me."

"I'm on it."

He wasn't bothered by Zhang Jun's order to eliminate Ye Qiu—after all, it was just getting rid of a pretty boy.

...

"Second Sister, your friend seems pretty wealthy. This model must cost tens of millions."

"Shut up! Say that again and I'll tear your mouth off."

Xiao Yuru shot Ye Qiu a glare.

At the restaurant entrance, a Bugatti Veyron was parked. Beside it stood a man holding a bouquet, dressed stylishly and immediately becoming the most eye-catching figure on the street.

For those confident in social situations, it was a moment to shine; but for the socially anxious, it was unbearably awkward, especially becoming the focus of attention in a busy street—it was enough to make someone want to curl up and disappear.

"Second Sister, he's waiting for you."

"Shut up."

Xiao Yuru stomped her foot angrily, slipped her hand through Ye Qiu's arm, and walked toward the man.

"Qian Mingxun, what are you doing?"

Qian Mingxun said nothing, staring at Ye Qiu. When he saw Xiao Yuru coming out of the hospital, his eyes sparkled, but when she emerged arm in arm with another man, his face fell.

After a moment, Qian Mingxun raised the flowers to her. "Yuru, these are for you."

He wasn't a scheming man; his expressions shifted awkwardly, his face stiff and unmoving.

"I don't want them," Xiao Yuru frowned. "Didn't we agree I'd just do a repair surgery for your employer? What's all this about?"

She leaned closer to Ye Qiu. "If you keep this up, my boyfriend won't be happy."

Qian Mingxun glanced at Ye Qiu, his eyelids twitching, but then he simply ignored Ye Qiu, focusing on Xiao Yuru with excitement. "Yuru, when did you get a boyfriend? You never mentioned it before."

"Do I need to report my relationships to you?"

"No, it's just..."

"Enough, you lead the way. We'll take a taxi ourselves."

"Alright."

Qian Mingxun opened his mouth, swallowed his words, and turned to his luxury car.

Ye Qiu waved, and a stretch Lincoln appeared at the hospital entrance.

Xiao Yuru's eyes lit up—not because the car rivaled Qian Mingxun's, but because of Ye Qiu's thoughtfulness.

"Let's go, my beautiful Second Sister."

"That's more like it."

Xiao Yuru was delighted.

They got into the car. Xue Yishou, understanding the situation, didn't ask questions. At Ye Qiu's instruction, he followed the car ahead.

The car drove toward the outskirts, left the asphalt for cement roads, and gradually arrived at a sparsely populated scenic area.

The place was still under development, but the developer had run off, leaving it idle. Though a dozen villa-style hotels had been completed, there were no supporting facilities nearby, so no one lived there.