8:40 AM.

Qin Corporation's Pharmaceutical Plant.

At the main entrance, a venue capable of accommodating hundreds of people had already been prepared. A grand stage, a red carpet, and rows of guest seats were all in place. All around, colorful flags fluttered and snapped in the wind.

Apart from some Qin Corporation staff, a crowd of onlookers had already gathered. They surrounded the outskirts of the venue, quietly waiting for the key figures to appear. To be precise, they wanted to see what major moves the pharmaceutical giants would make and whether the Qin Corporation could withstand the pressure this time. In whose hands would the prescription ultimately land? It was for this excitement that they had come here so early on New Year's Eve.

With the arrival of a red Ferrari, all eyes turned to the car. Out stepped Qin Qiu and Chen Yang.

"That must be Qin Qiu, right? Tsk, she truly is the most beautiful female CEO in Lingjin City."

"It's a shame, though. A beautiful flower planted in a pile of cow dung, married to a good-for-nothing."

"The man in the suit next to her is the infamous freeloader king of Lingjin City, Chen Yang! Look at that smug expression. I want to slap that despicable look right off his face."

"It really is infuriating! What did he do to deserve Qin Qiu?"

While admiring Qin Qiu's beauty, the onlookers didn't forget to hurl vicious insults at Chen Yang. As the crowd grew, the vitriol aimed at him only intensified. In their eyes, compared to Qin Qiu, Chen Yang was an absolute eyesore. Envy and indignation fueled their collective rage.

Soon, the guests invited by the Qin Corporation began to arrive and enter the venue.

"President Qin, congratulations!"

"President Qin, I hope our future collaborations can reach even greater heights."

Qin Qiu personally greeted each guest and showed them to their seats, while Chen Yang stood quietly to the side like a bodyguard.

"Who are all these people? I don't recognize a single one."

"They're probably just regular business partners. There isn't a single noteworthy person among them. It's a rather shabby affair!"

Just as the crowd was mocking the caliber of guests, Luo Sulan walked in with a group of people. Each of them looked spirited and clearly influential—either wealthy or high-ranking.

"Xiaoqiu, let me make some introductions," Luo Sulan said with a grin, pulling Qin Qiu over to her group. "This is Mr. Jiang from the Jiang Zhen Corporation, and this is Mr. Liu..." She beamed. "They're all some of the most prominent figures in Lingjin City."

Qin Qiu greeted each one of them warmly before saying with a smile, "It's an honor for me and the entire Qin Corporation that all you esteemed seniors would grace us with your presence!"

"Ah, Xiaoqiu, there's no need for such formality. Your father and we were good friends," said the middle-aged man named Jiang Zhen, laughing heartily. "We are genuinely happy to see you leading the Qin Corporation to new heights." He then cast an unsubtle glance at Chen Yang. "It's just a pity to see you married to a good-for-nothing. It truly pains our hearts."

"Uncle Jiang..."

Qin Qiu was about to explain, but Luo Sulan cut her off. "Mr. Jiang, you must be mistaken. My Xiaoqiu is still single. This good-for-nothing is just someone her grandfather forced on her. He usually just handles the cleaning and cooking at the Qin residence!" she exclaimed. "I told him not to come today. After all, what business does he have at an event with distinguished individuals like you?"

These words greatly pleased Jiang Zhen, who chuckled. "He looks presentable enough. Having him serve us tea would be fitting."

"Exactly, exactly! I'll have him serve you tea later," Luo Sulan quickly agreed.

Qin Qiu's expression darkened. "Mr. Jiang, please don't listen to my mother's nonsense. Chen Yang is my husband. The Qin Corporation has been in crisis, and if it weren't for him, this ceremony might not even be happening."

"Is that so?" Jiang Zhen tilted his head with an intrigued expression. "If he's so capable, his friends must be some of the big shots in Lingjin City, right? So why haven't we seen a single one?"

Before Qin Qiu could reply, Luo Sulan scoffed, "Don't listen to Xiaoqiu's nonsense. Someone else helped her! He's just a good-for-nothing; don't waste your time on him."

"Boy, I like green tea. Make sure you don't get it wrong later," Jiang Zhen said, shooting Chen Yang a contemptuous glance before saying nothing more. To a man of his status, even a second glance at such trash was an act of charity.

Qin Qiu still wanted to explain, but Chen Yang stopped her. "Honey, let it go," he said softly. "It's the ribbon-cutting ceremony today. Let's just be happy."

Only then did Qin Qiu relent, nodding and falling silent.

"Family Head Jin Zongquan of the Jin Family has come to extend his congratulations! Presenting a pair of finely carved stone lions, a pair of flower baskets, and ten million in cash!"

At the entrance, an attendant from the Qin Corporation responsible for welcoming guests shouted the announcement, leading an old man in lavish clothing briskly toward Qin Qiu.

Qin Qiu, Luo Sulan, and the others turned their heads in astonishment. Jin Zongquan? Why would he be here? The Jin Family was, after all, one of the eight major families of Lingjin City.

Jiang Zhen was also taken aback. He hurried forward, lowering his stance, and greeted him with a fawning smile, "Family Head Jin, I didn't expect to see you here."

"And who are you?" the vigorous Jin Zongquan asked, giving him a brief glance.

Just as Jiang Zhen was about to introduce himself, one of Jin Zongquan's bodyguards pushed him aside. Jiang Zhen was left speechless, but he gave a wry smile and fell in line behind them like an obedient dog, already scheming for another chance to exchange a few words.

Jin Zongquan stopped in front of Chen Yang and said with a respectful smile, "Lord Chen, my apologies for coming uninvited! I noticed the entrance to the factory looked a bit bare, so I took the liberty of preparing a pair of stone lions."

"That was thoughtful of you. Please, take a seat," Chen Yang replied with a slight nod. Truthfully, he wasn't surprised by his arrival. Anyone who knew his identity would recognize this as a perfect opportunity to curry favor. Why would they pass it up?

"Of course, of course. Please, carry on," Jin Zongquan said reverently before making his way to the VIP section.

The rest of the onlookers were dumbfounded. That was Jin Zongquan, the head of the Jin Family! Why was he being so polite to that good-for-nothing Chen Yang?

Jiang Zhen, in particular, was bewildered. His face flushed red as he shot a puzzled look at Luo Sulan.

"He just helped Jin Zongquan once in the mountains, that's all." Luo Sulan quickly composed herself, scoffing as she gave a simple explanation.

"Just a lucky break, then," Jiang Zhen said, sighing in relief. His expression returned to its previous condescension, and he shot a mocking glance at Chen Yang.

"Family Head Sun Zhengyun of the Sun Family, one of the eight major families, has come to extend his congratulations! Presenting a gilded plaque, a pair of flower baskets, and ten million in cash!" came another loud shout from the entrance.

"Yang!" Sun Yuli strode in at the front of his group, grinning at Chen Yang. "Congratulations!"

"You came too?" Chen Yang chuckled, surprised. "I thought you'd gone back to the Martial Department."

"I'm not due back for another two years! What, from the sound of it, you're not happy to see me?" Sun Yuli pouted in mock anger.

Before Chen Yang could respond, Sun Zhengyun laughed heartily and declared, "Lord Chen, I've always heard Yuli tell me of your heroic deeds. Today, I finally have the honor of meeting you in person. Please accept my deepest respect!"

With that, Sun Zhengyun straightened his back and gave Chen Yang a respectful bow.

Chen Yang smiled. "Please, go inside and have a seat. I'll join you all in a moment."

"Excellent!"

"This..." Jiang Zhen froze again. How could this be explained away?

"The Xue Family, one of the eight major families, has come to extend their congratulations! Presenting a golden Pixiu statue and thirty million in cash!"

Jiang Zhen was speechless.

Luo Sulan was dumbstruck.

Everyone was stunned into silence.

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