C2 The Cold Lin Xiaoyue!

As the CEO of a conglomerate, Lin Xiaoyue was not one to back down easily. She shielded her chest with her hand and retorted with a cold snort, "Xia Xianfeng, don't assume that everyone in C City's business circles is intimidated by you!"

"Feel free to test that theory," Xia Xianfeng replied, spreading his hands with an air of nonchalance.

Biting back frustration, Lin Xiaoyue turned to a man beside her.

He rose to leave before she could speak. "Excuse me, Director Lin, something just came up that I need to attend to. Farewell."

Dissatisfied, Lin Xiaoyue approached several partners who usually maintained a good relationship with her group.

Yet, before she could even begin, they preemptively tried to dissuade her.

"Director Lin, being courted by Young Master Xia is an honor. We think you should accept his terms," one advised.

"Indeed! In C City, becoming Young Master Xia's partner would elevate the Lin family to new heights," another added.

Lin Xiaoyue forced a wry smile at these words of 'advice.' She had considered them allies, yet they were ready to kowtow to the Xia family.

Surveying the room, Lin Xiaoyue's voice was tinged with anguish as she challenged them, "We are the business elite of C City. Are we really so weak that we fear Xia Xianfeng when united?"

Some attendees averted their eyes in silence, others scoffed in response.

"Director Lin, it's not about disrespecting you. It's just that Young Master Xia holds you in such high regard, and you don't seem to recognize this privilege," one remarked.

"Exactly! Marrying Young Master Xia is the dream of countless women in C City. Why resist it?" another questioned.

Sure, Xia Xianfeng alone wasn't a threat, but the Xia family was the preeminent power in C City. As the heir to the Xia family, crossing him meant crossing the entire clan.

All present were C City's business magnates, and if they wished to thrive here, they couldn't afford to snub the Xia family.

Witnessing their stance, Lin Xiaoyue felt a profound sense of defeat.

A month ago, the Xia family unexpectedly showed up with a marriage proposal, insisting that I marry their eldest son, Xia Xianfeng. When Lin Xiaoyue refused, the Xia family started to systematically oppress Lin's Group.

The Lin family issued an ultimatum: if I couldn't avert the company's crisis, I'd have no choice but to marry Xia Xianfeng and beg the Xia family for forgiveness.

I had hoped to use this banquet to attract new partners and alleviate the peril facing Lin's Group. Now, however, it's clear that Xia Xianfeng was merely toying with me.

Confronted with Xia Xianfeng's smug expression, Lin Xiaoyue suddenly let out a cold laugh and lifted her hand. "So you're enamored with my looks? Well, I'll just ruin them!"

If beauty is a sin, then I'll be the one to obliterate it!

Xia Xianfeng's brow furrowed as he watched her abruptly pull out an eyebrow razor and press it to her cheek. "Lin Xiaoyue, if you dare disfigure yourself, I swear I'll obliterate the Lin family! Consider the consequences!"

His shout left Lin Xiaoyue frozen. Facing Xia Xianfeng, she felt utterly powerless. In that moment, she truly grasped the meaning of a fate worse than death.

"Bullying a girl in front of all these people, don't you have any shame?"

At a loss for what to do next, Lin Xiaoyue was startled by a thunderous voice that erupted from the entrance of the hall.

All eyes turned to Qin Dongfang as he entered. His handsome features were at odds with his plain attire, creating a stark contrast with the opulent surroundings of the hall.

Amidst the crowd's gaze, Qin Dongfang approached Xia Xianfeng nonchalantly and inquired, as if no one else was there, "Were you just now threatening Director Lin?"

Xia Xianfeng scowled. "Who let this country bumpkin in? Do you realize the consequences of speaking to me like that? You're now the most..."

His words were cut off by a sharp, resounding slap that left him rooted to the spot in shock.

No one could have predicted that this seemingly harmless man would lash out and strike Young Master Xia across the face. As a vivid handprint emerged on Young Master Xia's pale cheek, the crowd gasped in disbelief and turned their astonished gazes to Qin Dongfang.

"Hiss! Who is this guy? How dare he lay a hand on Young Master Xia!"

"Who cares about his identity? With that outfit, if he's bold enough to strike Young Master Xia, he's a dead man!"

Lin Xiaoyue also gave Qin Dongfang a surprised glance. After pondering for a moment, she was certain that he was not among the elite of C City, and she certainly didn't recognize him.

"You dare to hit me?" Young Master Xia stared at Qin Dongfang incredulously. How could he have the audacity to slap him in front of everyone?

"Threatening Director Lin? Just where do you get the nerve?" Qin Dongfang remained unfazed. He was just some dandy from C City; so what if he had hit him? What could possibly happen?

This response left Lin Xiaoyue momentarily taken aback. Was he actually defending her? It seemed more like he was just inviting trouble!

Sure enough! Xia Xianfeng, upon hearing his words, was seething with anger. "Lin Xiaoyue, is he your bodyguard? I've never been slapped in the face in my entire life, let alone publicly! You better give me an explanation today, or you won't be leaving here!"

This man had not only struck Xia Xianfeng but was also mistaken for her bodyguard. Annoyed and embarrassed, Lin Xiaoyue fixed Qin Dongfang with a fierce gaze and demanded, "Who are you? And why did you do this?"

From this close, Qin Dongfang could clearly see the half-moon necklace he had given her still adorning her neck.

The sight of the necklace stirred ripples in his heart, which had been still for a decade.

It was the necklace he had put on her when she asked him to be her follower, the only valuable thing he had at the time.

Noticing that he was rooted to the spot, his gaze fixed on a place he shouldn't be looking at, Lin Xiaoyue felt a surge of disgust. "Xia Xianfeng, I don't know this man. Whatever you want to do to him, it's none of my concern!"

Her indifference caused Qin Dongfang to frown. My foolish princess, you were never like this before.

Xia Xianfeng, clutching his heated cheek, glared with murderous intent. "Hmph! Stop pretending you don't know him! Would this pretty boy stick up for you if he didn't know you? Kneel down and apologize to me right now!"

Lin Xiaoyue clenched her jaw, her eyes brimming with tears as she prepared to kneel. She stood no chance against Xia Xianfeng!

"You expect her to apologize to you? You don't deserve it!" Before Lin Xiaoyue could drop to her knees, Qin Dongfang swiftly scooped her up around the waist and strode away.

Caught off guard, Lin Xiaoyue let out a startled cry. "Ah! What are you doing? Release me at once!"

Xia Xianfeng's face turned to ice, and he barked out in fury, "Someone! Take this punk down!"

Bodyguards, previously concealed in the shadows, surged forward, encircling the auditorium's exit. "Halt! Put Director Lin down this instant and return to apologize to Young Master Xia!"

Confronted by the wall of bodyguards at the door, Qin Dongfang's expression chilled. "Step aside!"

The lead bodyguard sneered with contempt. "Impudent! You've insulted Young Master Xia and think you can just walk away? Do you take us for fools? Director Lin stays; this kid gets taken down!"

With a resounding "Thud!" the bodyguard was sent flying by a powerful kick from Qin Dongfang before he could finish his sentence.

The other bodyguards, ready to intervene, were likewise swept aside. The sheer force knocked the entire group of bodyguards at the door to the ground in an instant.

Amidst the stunned onlookers, Qin Dongfang didn't spare a glance for the groaning bodyguards sprawled on the floor. He confidently escorted Lin Xiaoyue out of the hall.

Xia Xianfeng, momentarily taken aback, whipped out his phone. "I've encountered a real piece of work at the grand banquet. Get over here with backup, now!"