C13 I Am a Big Boss!

As Soong Yan stepped through the front door, she immediately noticed the commotion and, with a furrowed brow, approached, "What's going on here?"

Her eyes caught the figures displayed on the PoS machine, and she paused, momentarily taken aback. "Where did all this money come from?"

Meng Shuran glanced up at her mother, then at Lin Hao, and with a slight purse of her lips, answered, "Lin Hao gave me his card."

"What? Lin Hao gave it to you?" Soong Yan's disbelief was evident as she turned to Lin Hao. "And where did you get all this money?"

Lin Hao simply smiled and wagged his finger with a hint of mystery. "I can't reveal that, so let's not dwell on it. What I can tell you is that the money is completely legitimate. Shuran, feel free to use it without any worries."

He then shifted his attention to Zhao Xiaoke, scratching his ear playfully. "You said you'd start calling me 'dad.' Well, I'm all ears."

Zhao Xiaoke glared at him, her face turning a shade of crimson as she pointed accusingly at Lin Hao, on the verge of unleashing a tirade. In that instant, Meng Shuran acted swiftly, grabbing the card and the PoS machine, and whisked Lin Hao into the bedroom.

"Now that it's just us," Meng Shuran said as she locked the door and faced Lin Hao with a lowered voice, "tell me the truth. Where did this money really come from?"

Lin Hao, observing her mix of caution and concern, couldn't help but feel a twinge of satisfaction—she was worried about him, wasn't she? Of course, she was!

After a brief pause, he mirrored her hushed tone, asking with a playful grin, "What if I told you that I'm actually a very wealthy tycoon, and to me, this amount of money is just a drop in the bucket? Would you believe that?"

Meng Shuran shot him a look and stepped back, her eyebrows arching skeptically. "Stop joking. Look, if you don't want to tell me, I won't press you. But you need to assure me that this money was acquired legally. I'd rather face bankruptcy than touch a cent of illicit funds."

Lin Hao let out a sigh, "Relax! I assure you, the money is clean. Just use it to get out of this tight spot."

Still unsure, Meng Shuran eyed him a moment longer before securing the card. "Fine, I'll take your word for it. And don't worry, I intend to repay you as soon as possible. When that time comes, make sure you return the money just as quickly."

"Okay." Lin Hao gestured with his hand and was the first to leave the room. Upon reaching the living room, he discovered that Zhao Xiaoke had already departed.

"She didn't even call me 'Dad' before she took off."

Later, Soong Yan pressed Lin Hao about the source of the four million, but Meng Shuran pulled her aside. Whatever they discussed, it stopped Soong Yan's inquiries, and her demeanor toward Lin Hao softened ever so slightly.

Wangjiang City has been unsettled of late.

Tianyue Media, a flagship enterprise in Wangjiang City, had unexpectedly appointed a new, young CEO. As numerous entertainment and media-related companies were eager to propose partnerships, Tianyue Media turned them down, including some of their former major collaborators.

Conventional wisdom would suggest that only top-tier families or major corporations in Wangjiang City could secure a deal with Tianyue Media. Yet, to everyone's astonishment, the obscure Meng family, with Meng Shuran—a name unfamiliar to many—struck a deal with Tianyue!

The Meng family was at best a minor player in Wangjiang City, and Meng Shuran, a mere branch member of the family, was virtually unknown in elite circles.

The confusion deepened when it was learned that Meng Junjie had previously sought a partnership with Tianyue Media and was turned away. If the influential Meng Junjie was dismissed, how did Meng Shuran manage to secure a partnership?

What was the new CEO of Tianyue Media thinking? Why choose to collaborate with the modest Meng family over numerous capable and established companies?

The puzzle wasn't just for outsiders; even Meng Shuran herself was baffled. No one would believe that on the day she went to negotiate the partnership, without even meeting the CEO of Tianyue Media, she walked away with a contract in hand. Everything had gone so smoothly it felt surreal.

Tonight, the Meng family had reserved the entire banquet hall of the opulent Wanggaang Hotel in Wangjiang City. Old Madam Meng was throwing a celebration in honor of Meng Shuran's triumph in securing the partnership with Tianyue Media.

In response to Old Madam Meng's request, every member of the Meng family was in attendance to commemorate this celebratory feast.

Moreover, Old Madam Meng had extended invitations to numerous influential figures in Wangjiang City to join the Meng family's celebration banquet. The objective was singular: to announce to all that the Meng family had secured a partnership with Tianyue Media! With this alliance, the Meng family was poised to ascend into the ranks of Wangjiang City's elite families.

At the banquet hall, Meng Shuran was the center of attention. As the Meng family's key contributor and the evening's protagonist, she was the embodiment of their success.

Lin Hao trailed behind the elegantly attired Meng Shuran, preparing to take his seat when a sharp reprimand cut through the air.

"Move aside, that's Miss Ding's seat," commanded Meng Junjie, with a striking young lady in a cheongsam standing behind him.

Lin Hao gave her a second glance, a sense of familiarity washing over him—he was sure he'd seen her before.

Noticing Lin Hao's hesitation and his gaze fixed on Ding Yue, Meng Junjie stepped forward and bumped into him intentionally.

"Didn't you hear me? I reserved this seat for Miss Ding."

Caught off guard, Lin Hao stumbled but remained seated. He watched Meng Junjie's fawning over Ding Yue, who maintained a frosty demeanor. Lin Hao quirked an eyebrow.

"Miss Ding?"

Meng Junjie shot Lin Hao a sidelong glance, his voice laced with impatience. "You don't recognize Miss Ding?"

The commotion had drawn the attention of many guests. Meng Shuran, standing nearby, wore a look of discomfort, seething internally at Meng Junjie.

She had already noted Ding Yue's original seating at another table; Meng Junjie had intentionally reassigned her seat. Meng Shuran understood that his jealousy over her successful negotiation with Tianyue Media was the root cause. His bullying of Lin Hao was a ploy to make her feel embarrassed.

Lin Hao, still seated, noticed Meng Shuran's distress and leaned in with concern. "What's the matter? Are you feeling alright?"

Meng Shuran shook her head, contemplating whether to ask Lin Hao to relinquish his seat. After all, avoiding conflict might be the wiser choice, especially since Old Madam Meng favored Meng Junjie above all.

Although Soong Yan remained silent on the sidelines, her subtle gestures were nudging Lin Hao, suggesting that he should offer his seat to Ding Yue.

Ding Yue was a guest of honor, personally invited by Old Madam Meng. The Ding family, a prominent lineage in Wangjiang City, had made their fortune in the jewelry trade, boasting a wealth of several billion.