"Beautiful Miss Jing, hello, hello, oh, you have no idea how much I love watching your show, I really didn't expect you to be even more beautiful in person..." Seeing Mei Yanli leading Jing Xueyan over, Xu Wenhai hurriedly reached out and grasped Jing Xueyan's delicate hand, revealing a face full of longing.

However, that expression of longing carried a tinge of sleaziness and blatant desire, which was blatantly distasteful to anyone watching.

"Young Master Xu, don't get too excited, her boyfriend is still here!" Mei Yanli winked at Xu Wenhai in a flirtatious manner, then nodded with her chin toward Wang Xiaoqiang, as a reminder.

Xu Wenhai glanced at Wang Xiaoqiang standing next to Jing Xueyan. He seemed to disregard what Mei Yanli said, and continued to hold on to Jing Xueyan's delicate fingers lovingly. By that time, however, Jing Xueyan calmly withdrew her hand and even cast a guilty glance at Wang Xiaoqiang, considering he was her male companion for the evening.

Li Chang flashed a mischievous smile, then pointed to Xu Wenhai and said to Jing Xueyan, "Miss Jing, you see, Young Master Xu got so excited upon seeing his idol that he even forgot to introduce himself. Let me do it for you. His name is Xu Wenhai, the favorite nephew of Chairman Zhong Ping. He is currently the sales director of Holiland in H Province, quite the high-ranking management elite."

After speaking, Li Chang paused and then continued to introduce Jing Xueyan, "There's no need for me to introduce Miss Jing Xueyan."

"I've long heard the name of the beautiful Miss Jing; just never had the chance to meet you in person. Obviously, there's no need for him to introduce you." Xu Wenhai chuckled, then turned toward Wang Xiaoqiang and said, "But I must admit, this gentleman here does seem quite unfamiliar to me."

"Wang Xiaoqiang, Little Wang, from Huagui County." Wang Xiaoqiang was about to speak lazily when Li Chang interrupted with a laugh, introducing him casually and even deliberately using the diminutive "Little Wang" to belittle him.

"Uh, Little Wang, hello. May I ask what you do in Huagui County?" Hearing the tone of Li Chang's introduction, Xu Wenhai realized Wang Xiaoqiang was a minor character. So, upon hearing Li Chang's introduction, he merely shook hands with Wang Xiaoqiang out of politeness, then deliberately asked.

"Uh, Little Wang works his own land back at home..." Mei Yanli was still sore about Wang Xiaoqiang's indifference on the electric scooter earlier, so she deliberately demeaned him, making Xu Wenhai believe Wang Xiaoqiang was utterly insignificant.

That way, Xu Wenhai would shower Jing Xueyan with attention without any reservations, which not only served as revenge against Wang Xiaoqiang but also prevented Li Chang from pursuing Jing Xueyan, considering the good relationship between Li Chang and Xu Wenhai. The two men certainly wouldn't fight over a woman.

"Uh, working the land..." By this time, Xu Wenhai was genuinely interested in Jing Xueyan, so her male companion, Wang Xiaoqiang, became an obstacle he intended to eliminate. Hearing Mei Yanli say that Wang Xiaoqiang was merely a land-worker, he immediately pictured a rural farmer and with great interest probed further, "So, Little Wang, what exactly do you grow on your land?"

"Everything, vegetables, fruits, and the like..."

Knowing that Xu Wenhai was trying to ascertain his true identity, Wang Xiaoqiang did not hesitate nor hide anything as he replied,

In fact, only those with an inferiority complex need to deliberately conceal their humble past in front of others, while those with genuine strength and self-confidence never feel the need to hide their background or lowliness.

Upon hearing Wang Xiaoqiang's words, not only did Li Chang show a contemptuous smile, but Mei Yanli felt the same, and even Jing Xueyan felt she couldn't save face, thinking to herself, why bring up such things, they could have been brushed off easily, and you could have simply claimed to be a big company boss!

After hearing the response, Xu Wenhai's smile grew more triumphant, and his gaze toward Wang Xiaoqiang turned even more dismissive and amused. He thought, this guy is just a country bumpkin, how did he even end up at Green Pine Club?

Soon he figured that Jing Xueyan must have randomly grabbed a fellow countryman to accompany her for the evening, because she too hailed from Huagui County. But then, he reconsidered, feeling that something was amiss. Surely, Jing Xueyan would have chosen a decent partner, at the very least someone from the white-collar class, so why bring in a farmer?

However, Xu Wenhai didn't have the inclination to ponder over these details. Since Jing Xueyan's male companion was a farmer, he deemed him inconsequential, hoping the small-time farmer would know his place and back off. If not, Xu Wenhai was ready to crush him thoroughly.

At that moment, he deliberately said, "Comrade Little Wang, farming is quite tough, and if the products don't sell or fetch a good price, it can be a losing proposition. So, Little Wang, even farming requires an understanding of marketing. Take, for instance, Fuxing Agricultural Products Company we consistently do business with. The company's owner also started as a vegetable grower.

But then he came to me, begging to collaborate with Holiland. I saw he was personable and knew how to handle things, so I agreed to sell his vegetables at high prices in Holiland Supermarket. In just two years, the guy made a fortune and established his own company..."

While Xu Wenhai's words were cryptic, the message was clear: he expected Wang Xiaoqiang to beg him, and perhaps in a good mood, he might offer Wang Xiaoqiang a chance to collaborate,

Li Chang and Mei Yanli, who had been anticipating Wang Xiaoqiang's embarrassment, now felt even more smug in their hearts, their faces no longer hiding their scorn and mockery.

"To latch onto the commercial titan that is Holiland is no easy feat, but once you're aboard, you can look forward to a rolling wealth. Actually, Little Wang, I think it's quite fortunate you've come here today; this could be a great opportunity..."

Mei Yanli, fearing that Wang Xiaoqiang might not have understood Xu Wenhai's words, deliberately reminded him again. Of course, her reminder was not well-intentioned. On the contrary, she deliberately wanted to make Wang Xiaoqiang embarrass himself. Just imagine, if Jing Xueyan's companion Wang Xiaoqiang approached Xu Wenhai for cooperation at this moment, where would Jing Xueyan's face go?

It would be best if she kicked Wang Xiaoqiang away—wouldn't that be satisfying for everyone?

Wang Xiaoqiang responded indifferently, "Actually, speaking of cooperation with Holiland, there was such an opportunity before, but well, I turned it down flat out..."

Li Chang and Mei Yanli both paused upon hearing this. What? No way, did I hear that wrong? Could he have had such a great opportunity? Even if he did, would he refuse it? Is this guy really bragging without a draft?!

To Jing Xueyan, Wang Xiaoqiang's words, although a bit exaggerated, were indeed a delightful counterattack. In any case, she felt a hint of refreshment.

Li Chang, hearing this, became angry. His eyes bulging, he stared at Wang Xiaoqiang, asking in a challenging tone, "Little Wang, are you saying that Holiland once approached you for a partnership, and you refused them...?"

Instead of answering directly, Wang Xiaoqiang retorted, "What's so special about that? Even now if Holiland begged for my cooperation, I would still reject them..."

Wang Xiaoqiang's remarks left Xu Wenhai agape, seething with anger. He felt that Wang Xiaoqiang wasn't just belittling Holiland, but was intentionally making things difficult for him.

"Impossible, has Holiland really become so devoid of commercial value? As far as I know, previously businesses were clamoring for a chance to work with Holiland..." Li Chang, seeing the tension escalating between them, deliberately provoked Xu Wenhai with his words.

"You, you country bumpkin, spouting such nonsense here, believe it or not I can have someone throw you out..." Xu Wenhai couldn't stand the provocation and immediately pointed at Wang Xiaoqiang's nose, commanding very dominantly.

The sound of anger drew the attention of the people around them, including some of the important guests on the second floor.

"No need for someone to escort me, I can leave on my own." Wang Xiaoqiang said coldly as he glanced at Xu Wenhai, then turned to Jing Xueyan and said, "Little Yan, these people are detestable and their words tasteless. Don't bother with them. Let's go outside for a walk..."

"What? What did you say, you country bumpkin?" Li Chang, unable to contain his anger, burst out, "Who are you calling detestable and tasteless?"

"I'm talking about you!" Wang Xiaoqiang shot back, turning his gaze towards Li Chang without any courtesy.

"You, you..." Li Chang wanted to curse out loud, but due to his status as the "mayor's son," he repressed the anger boiling inside, not daring to let it out. It was at this moment that he realized that status not only brought him privilege and convenience but sometimes became a restraint.

"Alright, Achang, what's your status, and what's his? There's no need to stoop to his level..." Although her words were meant to calm him down, Mei Yanli's tone conveyed a deep disdain and scorn for Wang Xiaoqiang's standing.

Seeing that Wang Xiaoqiang and the trio had thoroughly fallen out, Jing Xueyan felt anxious and depressed, wanting to cry, but she didn't directly kick Wang Xiaoqiang away and disassociate herself from him. Firstly, she couldn't get over her own psychological barrier; although she could be somewhat opportunistic, she wasn't the extremely mercenary kind of woman.

Even though she operated within circles of influence and vanity, she wasn't that extreme.

Despite Wang Xiaoqiang's lack of a background, wasn't he the lifesaver of her grandfather, a respected guest at her grandfather's house, a person whom her grandfather had instructed to be treated with respect?

To publicly spurn Wang Xiaoqiang now, in order to curry favor with Young Master Li, Young Master Xu, and Mei Yanli, would not only offend Wang Xiaoqiang but also mean she could never again set foot in her grandfather's house.

"Little Yan, let's go out for a walk." Wang Xiaoqiang didn't bother to compete in a war of words with Li Chang and the others. He didn't even glance at them but simply took Jing Xueyan's hand and said so.

"You really should think this through, Xueyan. You're not a newcomer here. Don't you want to make more connections?

Young Master Xu is Zhong Ping's close nephew, and who knows, he might even be the future heir of the Holiland Group..." Mei Yanli, ever the instigator, swiftly pointed out the pros and cons to Jing Xueyan, the newcomer, hoping she would brush off Wang Xiaoqiang in favor of getting on Xu Wenhai's good side.

If Jing Xueyan did as she suggested, Wang Xiaoqiang, a nobody who was inexplicably self-righteous, would lose face completely. Seeing Wang Xiaoqiang about to leave with Jing Xueyan, she hurriedly feigned intimacy by hooking arms with Jing Xueyan.

This left Jing Xueyan in torment, caught between her grandfather's lifesaver, a man her grandfather had personally instructed her to respect, and the high-level management of Holiland, the elite of the Provincial Capital, and the big sister of the radio station—she couldn't afford to offend either side! (To be continued.

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