Chapter 101

 

One second Ming Xi felt that she feared neither heaven nor earth, the next second—

Sorry, she was still a little afraid of Gu Shuangyang.

Her current feeling was like when she had arrogantly bullied a classmate at school, only to turn around and met with the scrutinizing gaze of the head teacher.

Ming Xi blinked twice. Because she had just acted ruthlessly in the private room, it was difficult for her to put on a nonchalant smile.

Of course, she hadn’t seen Gu Shuangyang since New Year’s Eve and didn’t know how to face her.

So, in such a complicated state of mind, Miss Ming quite honestly tilted her head slightly and turned her still unpleasant-looking face to the other side.

She hoped Gu Shuangyang wouldn’t misunderstand—she wasn’t deliberately giving her the cold shoulder; she was just trying to avoid showing her unfriendly expression.

Gu Shuangyang: …

She hadn’t expected Miss Ming’s temper to be so big that even 50 million couldn’t appease her.

Gu Shuangyang had appeared here tonight naturally to attend a dinner gathering. Only because some matters had delayed her did she arrive late. Before she even reached the private room, she ran straight into Ming Xi. Since they had run into each other, she figured he should at least exchange a few words to “make peace” with her future daughter-in-law.

So, Gu Shuangyang instructed her secretary to go ahead and inform the private room that she would arrive later, all for the sake of stepping forward now to say a couple of words to Miss Ming.

“Seems Mr. Liang lied to me. Miss Ming is still angry,” Gu Shuangyang said as she walked with steady steps to stand before Ming Xi.

Ming Xi: … She was truly speechless right now.

On New Year’s Eve, Gu Shuangyang had forcefully taken out the background investigation report. Several months had passed, yet Director Gu’s dominance had not diminished in the slightest. Because Ming Xi had deliberately avoided eye contact, Gu Shuangyang directly took a couple of extra steps and closed the distance, standing right in front of her. Then she lowered her head slightly, those eyes—identical to Liang Jiancheng’s—like two spotlights that could see through a person’s heart, landing on Ming Xi’s face.

“You child—short in height, but quite big in temper,” Gu Shuangyang added.

Ming Xi: “… ” Her breathing almost stalled.

It was really awkward. She now looked “cold and fierce,” but that was because she hadn’t yet come out of the villain-role mood from inside the private room. It truly had nothing to do with New Year’s Eve.

It truly had nothing to do with it! She was wrong about New Year’s Eve…

Gu Shuangyang smiled to herself and took the initiative to stretch out her hand, placing it familiarly on Ming Xi’s shoulder. Somewhat helplessly, she voiced a typical domineering-CEO-style compromise: “How should I apologize to Miss Ming for you to forgive my offense on New Year’s Eve?”

Ming Xi took a breath and was just about to speak.

“If you don’t say anything, I’ll take it as you’ve forgiven me?”

“Director Gu…” Ming Xi turned her head slightly.

“Good. At least you still know how to address me. I thought Miss Ming would completely ignore me.” Gu Shuangyang’s hand remained on Ming Xi’s shoulder, her words slow and deliberate. Though her words weren’t exactly warm, the slow tone and faint smile made it very obvious that she was taking the initiative to seek reconciliation. Even if Ming Xi was still sulking over New Year’s Eve, the step Gu Shuangyang had offered smoothed her temper.

Finally suppressing the emotions from the private room, Ming Xi explained in a normal tone, “Director Gu, I was never angry with you.”

“That’s good. Then are you free now? I’ll take you to meet a few people.” Gu Shuangyang lightly guided her arm, intending to lead Ming Xi toward a certain private room.

No, no—she wasn’t free right now. The matter of collecting the debt still needed her to wrap it up.

Ming Xi stopped in place and refused seriously, “Director Gu, I can’t go meet people with you right now… I still have something to handle.”

“Haven’t you already paid the bill?” Gu Shuangyang’s brows slightly furrowed. She had seen Ming Xi come out to settle the bill, which was why she stepped forward.

Ming Xi met Gu Shuangyang’s gaze directly. Since Gu Shuangyang knew her situation perfectly well, she didn’t mind bringing it up: “I still need to handle some family matters. Thank you for your kindness, Director Gu.”

Gu Shuangyang paused. She instantly understood what Ming Xi meant by “family matters.” Recalling how Liang Jiancheng had asked her at noon which private room she and Director Sheng were dining in, with her strong logic, even if she couldn’t claim foresight, she could guess the general situation.

“If you need any help, just let me know,” Gu Shuangyang said.

Ming Xi: “Thank you, Director Gu.” She had been as arrogant as a female hooligan in the private room, but now she was as docile as a student.

Gu Shuangyang smiled and did not linger. She walked straight toward the large Spring Banquet private room opposite Fengming.

A waiter who had been paying attention from not far away hurried to follow, preparing to open the door for her.

Ming Xi lowered her eyes slightly. She truly hadn’t expected that Gu Shuangyang was attending a banquet right opposite her private room. Soon, the door to the Spring Banquet room was opened wide. Leaders and distinguished guests sat at a grand table; the scene was imposing. Gu Shuangyang stood at the entrance, about to step in, then stopped and turned back to glance at her.

Ming Xi forced a smile and nodded at Gu Shuangyang, her eyes practically saying: Director Gu, please, hurry and go inside!

Just then, the door to the Fengming private room opened, and He Yuan and Ming Yue walked out together.

He Yuan tried to pull the enraged Ming Yue to leave quickly. Ming Yue turned her eyes, caught sight of Ming Xi, and once again flew into a rage. She charged toward Ming Xi, raising her hand high, clearly intending to land several fierce slaps to vent her anger.

Earlier inside the private room, since He Yuan couldn’t help repay Ming Decheng’s debt, he wanted to leave quickly. He was originally an uninvolved outsider; Liu Xinjun couldn’t arbitrarily make things difficult for him. As long as He Yuan chose to stay out of it, he could leave safely—he could even take Ming Yue with him. If Ming Yue could promise to stop interfering in her parents’ debts from now on, He Yuan could consider not divorcing her.

But Ming Yue simply couldn’t do that! She was led out of the private room by He Yuan and saw Ming Xi standing alone in front of the artificial hill and spring. Without thinking, she rushed towards Ming Xi, determined to get her revenge. How could there be such a heartless person in this world! To actually team up with debt collectors to bully her own parents!

Ming Yue’s hand was raised high, her momentum fierce—but the slap did not fall.

“If you dare touch her, try it!” A thunderous, stern shout came from inside the still-not-closed Spring Banquet room. With a “bang,” Gu Shuangyang swiftly shut the private room door and returned to stand before Ming Xi.

Ming Yue didn’t recognize Gu Shuangyang, but He Yuan did. Originally, He Yuan also wanted to stop Ming Yue, not wanting things to escalate further, but whether in speed or reaction, he was far inferior to Gu Shuangyang.

…Originally, he only needed to deal with Ming Xi, but now things had taken a sharp turn, and he also had to face Gu Shuangyang.

In the entire Haigang, who could stand up to Gu Shuangyang!

He Yuan felt like he couldn’t breathe. Having just left the private room, he thought he could escape quickly, but another unexpected complication arose.

Then…

Ming Xi was also a little surprised—surprised that Gu Shuangyang would disregard the group of leaders waiting inside the private room and turn back to stand in front of her.

Gu Shuangyang already possessed a powerful aura; her tall stature and the imposing presence she had cultivated over the years in a high position made even her own people feel pressured. Now, standing firmly in front of Ming Xi, with just a single glance, she made people feel caught between advancing and retreating.

Facing Ming Yue’s resentful gaze, Gu Shuangyang merely frowned, her eyes cold as ice. She shot Ming Yue another merciless look, frightening Ming Yue into completely lowering her raised hand.

Actually, even if Gu Shuangyang hadn’t stepped in, Ming Xi could have shaken off Ming Yue’s swinging hand. It wasn’t as if her limbs didn’t work.

But Gu Shuangyang was used to being forceful. Since she had encountered this, she absolutely would not stand by with folded arms. She then looked toward the man beside the woman who had tried to strike—who was attempting to make himself invisible.

“Director Gu, it’s a misunderstanding. It’s all family matters. We’re relatives of Miss Ming,” He Yuan forced himself forward to explain.

It would have been better if he hadn’t stepped forward. The moment he did, he became even more unlucky.

The door of the Spring Banquet private room was pushed open again. Director Sheng, who had originally been waiting at the large table inside, walked out.

“He Yuan, what exactly happened?” Director Sheng’s hair was gray-white, and his tone carried the full bearing of a leader. Because he concurrently held the position of chairman of the Foreign Trade Association, compared to Ming Xi, he was more familiar with He Yuan, who was the vice chairman.

Ming Yue didn’t recognize Gu Shuangyang, but she recognized Director Sheng. Since matters had already escalated to this point, she wasn’t afraid of losing face and rushed to speak first: “Director Sheng, please take a look at the so-called impressive Miss Ming of Mingzhou Foreign Trade Company. Today, He Yuan and I kindly organized a family gathering, but now that someone has become successful, she not only refuses to acknowledge her parents, she even colluded with thugs to bully them. They’re inside right now… sob!” Ming Yue’s eyes reddened, and her voice choked with emotion. She deliberately mentioned that her parents were in the private room, hoping Director Sheng would go in and witness just how ruthless Ming Xi had become—so that Ming Xi’s reputation in the industry association would be utterly ruined.

Sure enough, upon hearing Ming Yue’s words, Director Sheng’s gaze fell upon Ming Xi. Ming Xi looked calm and did not rush to state her position. Compared to Ming Yue, who was recounting the “charges” with tears and snot, Ming Xi stood in front of Gu Shuangyang. Because of Gu Shuangyang’s powerful head-of-the-family aura, she was instead made to look like a child who had made a mistake.

Yes, what Ming Yue said was true, but she had a clear conscience.

When Gu Shuangyang and Director Sheng suddenly intervened, Ming Xi frowned slightly, wanting only to let out a long sigh. What could have been a private matter had been forced into a public spectacle. Was she, the daughter estranged from her family, the one who was losing face? Perhaps. But it didn’t matter; she’d only lose face for one day, and tomorrow she’d have nothing to do with these people!

The scene was undeniably comical. Ming Yue was sobbing, while He Yuan wore a forced smile.

Director Sheng’s gaze shifted to He Yuan.

He Yuan was extremely embarrassed and hurried to smooth things over. “It really is just a misunderstanding. Ming Xi was only joking with us…”

Look—his wife had been wronged to this extent, and yet Boss He still didn’t dare to explain the truth clearly?

“It’s not a misunderstanding. I wasn’t joking,” Ming Xi spoke up, directly refuting He Yuan’s excuse of a “misunderstanding.” Her eyes clear and open, she said to Director Sheng—who had just written a poem for Mingzhou a few days ago— “Director Sheng, I did call people over. They’re in the private room right now.”

Ming Xi smiled, readily admitting the truth.

Director Sheng glanced at Gu Shuangyang. Gu Shuangyang leaned close to his ear and quietly said a few words. Director Sheng fell into thought. His gaze did not turn toward He Yuan and Ming Yue; it remained on Ming Xi.

Gu Shuangyang gently patted Ming Xi’s arm, her tone calm but firm, carrying a hint of encouragement: “Ming Xi, you might as well explain why you did this. You probably don’t know—Director Sheng is not only your association’s chairman; back in the day he was also a top student in political science and law. Tell him about your difficulties. Even if he can’t uphold justice for you, he can at least give you some advice.”

Hmm? Ming Xi turned to Gu Shuangyang, who nodded at her.

Ming Xi wasn’t stupid; she naturally understood that Gu Shuangyang was encouraging her to lay things out on the table, practically telling her directly that there was no problem with Director Sheng!

At this moment, Ming Yue’s eyes were red and swollen with tears, overwhelmed with grief. Ming Xi also tried to squeeze out a tear, but she had been too immersed in performing the role of “petty villain intoxicated with success” in the private room. Now she didn’t have the slightest trace of grievance—if anything, she still had a lingering sense of “bullying others by relying on power.”

If she acted pitiful now, it would be meaningless.

So Miss Ming could only state the facts. Only facts could withstand scrutiny and examination. Only facts could make her absurd behavior understandable.

Of course, not being understood wasn’t a problem.

Over the years, she had gained some knowledge of the law. Since she dared to invite Liu Xinjun over, she naturally could ensure that everything that happened inside the private room was within the bounds permitted by law. On this point, she could guarantee it.

If Director Sheng and Director Gu wanted to go in and see, she could personally open the door for them.

She believed that Liu Xinjun’s behavior inside would definitely be more polite and civilized than his appearance suggested! Fierce-looking—but not breaking the law, right?

Oh, right! She still had her “protective talisman” on her.

Ever since receiving Ming Yue’s text message, she had been carrying Liu Xinjun’s IOU from that year. After clearly and steadily explaining everything, Ming Xi directly took out the evidence—the handwritten IOU from Ming Decheng five years ago.

She carefully unfolded it and politely handed it to Director Sheng. “Director Sheng, since you are an expert in law, please take a look. My father ‘sold’ me for two hundred thousand yuan back then. Is that legal? I finally reunited with my parents, so I just wanted to settle this debt. It hasn’t been easy for a young woman like me struggling outside all these years. My parents used this money to fund their eldest daughter’s overseas studies. Shouldn’t I at least claim back a portion?”

Ming Xi had put it this way, and if He Yuan wanted to save face, he had no choice but to repay the money. What does it mean to “lift a rock only to drop it on your own foot”? He Yuan was now in a dilemma.

Sure enough, upon seeing the IOU, Director Sheng instantly understood the reason why He Yuan and Ming Yue were hosting a dinner party today.

Director Sheng shook his head at He Yuan, then turned to Gu Shuangyang, “Director Gu, I’ll go in first. Please take your time.”

Ming Yue was unwilling to accept this and wanted to call out to Director Sheng. He Yuan grabbed her and pulled her back. That Director Sheng was willing to turn around and return to the private room was already giving him, the vice chairman, face.

Gu Shuangyang also looked at Ming Xi and asked with a smile, “Miss Ming, do you need me to stay and help?”

Ming Xi shook her head.

“Then should I call Mr. Liang for you and have him come over?”

Ming Xi shook her head again.

“Thank you, Director Gu. I can handle it. This kind of family matter doesn’t require troubling you or Mr. Liang.”

“Alright.” For the first time, Gu Shuangyang chose to compromise. Her sharp gaze swept toward the Fengming private room, where several men who looked like they were from a debt-collection company were still standing guard. Since Miss Ming had already pushed things to this point, she indeed didn’t need her to intervene.

With Liang Jiancheng’s upright, gentlemanly temperament—even if he came, he probably wouldn’t be of much use. At most, perhaps he could serve a bit of a “decorative” effect.

“If you need anything, I’ll be in the private room opposite.” Leaving this final instruction, Gu Shuangyang went to the Spring Banquet Hall to socialize. Before leaving, she turned back once more, her gaze sweeping calmly over He Yuan and Ming Yue—the warning in her eyes unmistakable.

Well then…

If earlier Ming Xi had merely been a “petty villain intoxicated with success,” now that Ming Yue had personally escalated matters before Gu Shuangyang and Director Sheng, as Ming Xi and Ming Yue faced each other, her expression now looked less like “petty triumph” and more like “bullying others by relying on power.”

“He Yuan, you saw it—my relationship with Director Gu, and Director Gu’s relationship with Director Sheng. But don’t worry. I won’t target people without reason, and I won’t ask you to repay any debt. But in the future, please control your wife. Don’t send me those disgusting text messages again. Deliberately trying to disgust me won’t benefit you either. Like today—you could have had a harmonious family reunion. Why insist on calling me? I can’t be family with you.”

After she finished speaking, He Yuan could no longer endure it and raised his hand.

What—was he going to hit her? Ming Xi raised an eyebrow. If He Yuan dared to lay a hand on her now, she might think more highly of him. But she knew He Yuan too well. Three years ago, when the police were about to arrive, he didn’t dare to strike—let alone now, with Director Sheng and Gu Shuangyang in private rooms not far away.

Ming Xi walked past He Yuan with an air of nonchalance.

Then, she heard the sound of a slap. Ming Xi turned her head slightly; it turned out He Yuan’s raised hand was aimed at his wife. Sure enough, this was the He Yuan she knew—some ability, but not much real capability.

Ming Yue covered her face and let out a sharp scream. He Yuan had already walked off quickly; he had originally intended to take Ming Yue with him out of the hotel, but now he wanted nothing more than to walk away alone without looking back.

Then, Ming Xi pushed open the door to the private room again. Inside, Liu Xinjun’s “civilized debt collection” from Ming Decheng was nearing its end.

She sat down in the chair next to Liu Xinjun.

“Brother Liu, did you get the money?” Ming Xi asked Liu Xinjun casually.

Liu Xinjun shook his head. “No. At most they can repay twenty thousand.”

“Ah, that little?” Ming Xi sighed, then turned and spoke kindly to Ming Decheng. “Dad, if you have the money, just hurry and repay it. Three percent monthly interest—interest rolling over interest. If you had paid it off earlier, the interest wouldn’t have grown higher than the principal by now.”

Ming Decheng didn’t speak. Yang Yumei was even more unable to speak. Today, in front of their daughter and son-in-law, if they could have repaid the money, they wouldn’t have been forced into such an embarrassing situation.

“Ming Xi, are you trying to force us to our deaths!” Yang Yumei looked at her resentfully.

“Aunt Yang, weren’t you and Dad forcing me to my deaths back then? And how did I force you? Are you referring to me and Brother Liu forcing you to pay back the money? Isn’t it normal for creditors to come to you to collect money? How did we force you? Are you injured right now? When you owe a debt, repaying it is only right!”

Yang Yumei shut her mouth, trembling with anger. Ming Decheng was equally devastated, completely losing any hope of a resolution.

Alright. It was time to make a clean break. If the law allowed the termination of a father-daughter relationship, Ming Xi wouldn’t have had to go this far. Unfortunately, a blood-based father-daughter relationship cannot be severed through legal means, so she could only attempt this non-legal yet still “civilized” way of resolving things.

Ming Xi once again took out an agreement from her briefcase. She had drafted it in advance. She could help them repay this money—but from now on, they could never come looking for her again. Nominally the relationship couldn’t be cut, but mentally they could draw a clear line. Ming Xi politely handed the agreement and a pen to Ming Decheng and Yang Yumei.

“Think about it,”

Ming Decheng burst into tears, crying uncontrollably, almost snot and tears together as he accused, “Xi’er, I’m really your biological father!”

“Stop performing. Hurry up and sign. While the dishes on the table are still hot—after signing, you can still eat a couple of bites,” Ming Xi said, frowning slightly.

Her voice carried a hint of weariness, faint yet full of sarcasm, mercilessly puncturing Ming Decheng’s act.

Compared to Ming Decheng’s reluctance to part with Ming Xi, his “cash cow,” Yang Yumei wished she could sever all ties with Ming Xi immediately. To her, if Ming Xi was willing to repay the money and never contact them again, that would be exactly what she wanted.

“Ming Decheng, do you still think Ming Xi will care about you in the future!”

Indeed, not only would she not care, she might even cost him his life…

At that thought, Ming Decheng directly picked up the pen and quickly signed the agreement.

The agreement was made in duplicate. Ming Xi left one copy for Ming Decheng. Whether or not it had legal effect, both sides at least had clarity in their hearts.

“Remember—if you harass me again, this agreement will immediately become void. Then the creditor relationship will change, and the fifty-nine thousand owed with principal and interest will still have to be repaid.”

An agreement to cease contact between father and daughter might not have legal effect—but a debt assignment agreement does comply with the law. Over the years of running a company, Ming Xi had studied laws and regulations thoroughly.

After the signing, there was no need for reminiscing. Ming Xi put the agreement back into her briefcase and stood up. Today Brother Liu had brought a group of men; she naturally needed to host them. When she had paid the bill earlier, she had already arranged another table in an empty private room.

“Brother Liu, thank you for your hard work. This way, please.”

“Ming Xi, you really are my biological daughter!” Ming Decheng tried once more to prove the “biological” claim from behind her.

Biological… is being biological so great? Ming Xi’s lips twitched slightly, finding it amusing.

At this moment, the bright light filling the private room fell above Miss Ming’s thick eyelashes. A faint shadow, like feathers, settled beneath her eyelids. Miss Ming turned back, her tone cool as she delivered the final sentence: “Boss Ming, for our father-daughter accounts to end like this… you’re already not at a loss.”

Ming Xi left.

Magnificently, she led Liu Xinjun and ten of his subordinates down the hotel corridor, walking from the far-left Fengming private room to the far-right Jingzhe private room.

The door opened. Someone was standing inside.

Dressed in high-end elite attire, his suit jacket removed and draped over his arm, not yet set down. As the so-called “pretty boy,” Liang Jiancheng had ended his own social engagement at top speed and now stood there, handsome and extraordinary, waiting in advance.

“Brother Liu, it’s been so long, please come in,” Liang Jiancheng gestured, ushering Ming Xi and the others inside.

Ming Xi frowned slightly, wondering what Liang Jiancheng was doing here.

As they passed each other, Liang Jiancheng winked at Ming Xi alone.

Came to polish things up a bit…

Today Miss Ming had made such a grand display; it truly wasn’t suitable for him to appear too early. He had always listened to her. However, entertaining guests—he was very good at that. Could he take care of it?

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