C12 Snooping

In East Chuan City, outside the Hundred Spirits Company Building at 11:40 AM.

"I said we'd make it on time, and I kept my word, didn't I?" Jiang Chen remarked.

"You're insane!"

Lan Lan shot him a fierce glare before storming out of the car. At that moment, her hair was disheveled, and she was so unsteady on her feet that she nearly stumbled.

"You could take another ten minutes to rest; we're early," Jiang Chen said with a teasing smile.

"I don't need your fake concern!"

Clutching her briefcase, Lan Lan pressed on. Suddenly, she froze, then turned back and handed the briefcase to Jiang Chen.

"Here, hold this!"

"What happened?"

"I... I need to use the restroom," Lan Lan said, her cheeks flushing as she rushed off to the bathroom.

When she returned, she snatched the briefcase back from Jiang Chen, feeling a mix of shame and anger.

Jiang Chen must have done this deliberately. He's getting back at me!

With another sharp glare at Jiang Chen, she headed straight for the reception desk. Jiang Chen could only spread his hands in a gesture of innocence, though he couldn't help but chuckle as he followed her.

The Hundred Spirits Company was a major player in the industry, with numerous firms vying for the chance to become their agent, Lin Jingqiu's company included. While they waited, they watched several groups come and go.

Jiang Chen had learned from Lan Lan that despite Dark Blue's current struggles, their network and channels remained intact. This was a distinct edge Dark Blue had over competitors, and it was precisely for this reason that Hundred Spirits Company was willing to consider giving Dark Blue another opportunity.

At that moment, a woman appeared in the hallway, causing Lan Lan's face to darken.

"Is she here too?" Lan Lan's voice carried a clear note of hostility.

"A competitor?" Jiang Chen inquired.

"Her name is Zhou Ling, from the Public Relations Department at Yuhua Group, and she's our biggest competitor," Lan Lan explained, her voice laden with concern.

"You seem to be quite wary of her."

"It's more about the company she represents. Yuhua is part of Wang's Group in Jiangzhou. Wang's Group has a hand in everything from jewelry and real estate to food and healthcare. Their network is far more extensive than ours!"

"Since she's here, our chances of succeeding are slim," Lan Lan sighed.

At that moment, Zhou Ling caught sight of Lan Lan, sneered, and strutted over. "Well, if it isn't Boss Lan?" Zhou Ling said loftily, her chin raised. "I'm surprised to see you here in person today. But I've heard Dark Blue is on the brink of bankruptcy. Still hoping for a last-ditch effort? I'd advise you to abandon that idea and head home early."

"Don't get too cocky!" Lan Lan's eyebrows shot up in defiance. "Don't think you've got it in the bag. The agency rights are still up for grabs, and we've come prepared this time!"

"Oh, Dark Blue is nearly falling apart, and yet you remain defiant?" Zhou Ling scoffed. "Little sister, take some advice from someone who knows better. Go home, stop this foolishness, and save yourself the embarrassment."

"Don't you dare patronize me!" Lan Lan snapped back with a sneer. "Given your lifestyle, if you had a child, there'd be a hundred potential fathers. I wouldn't dare claim sisterhood with you—it would be a disgrace!"

"You—"

Zhou Ling's face flushed with anger, her body shaking with rage. Even Jiang Chen was taken aback; he hadn't expected Lan Lan to be so fierce.

"Bitch, I dare you to say that again!" Zhou Ling challenged.

"If you've done it, own up to it. The whole industry is already buzzing about it, so why pretend to be the picture of virtue?" Lan Lan retorted, her smile icy.

"Little bitch, I'm going to rip your mouth off today!"

Zhou Ling, livid, lunged at Lan Lan with fury. Her promiscuous reputation was no secret among their peers.

But she had never imagined that Zhou Ling would air her dirty laundry in public. How could she face such humiliation?

Lan Lan was no pushover; she grabbed Zhou Ling's arm, and the two women grappled with each other.

Jiang Chen's brow furrowed in disapproval. What was this chaos?

Was this a marketplace?

And with so many onlookers, they were both making a spectacle of themselves.

"Stop it, both of you!"

He shouted loudly, separating the two and positioning himself protectively in front of Lan Lan.

"Is this pretty boy your lover?" Zhou Ling scrutinized Jiang Chen. "No wonder you're so bold. Hmph, think you're something special because you've got a pretty boy?"

"Shut your mouth!" Lan Lan's face flushed with anger. "Stop spreading lies."

"If he's not your lover, why is he sticking up for you like this?" Zhou Ling crossed her arms and scoffed.

Jiang Chen's brow furrowed, and he tightened his grip.

"Ow!"

Zhou Ling yelped in pain, struggling to break free and dashing inside.

"You'll regret this!"

Shortly after, several staff members emerged from the office, heading towards them with a hostile air.

"Are you the representatives from Dark Blue Group?" one of the staff members asked with a hostile tone.

"Good day, Director Faang. We've come to discuss a potential partnership," Lan Lan responded, recognizing the middle-aged woman leading the group.

"Partnership? You from Dark Blue have quite the nerve. First, you stand us up, and now you show up at our company causing a scene! And you still expect to talk partnership? Please leave," Director Faang stated, her expression as unreadable as a poker face.

"It's not what you're thinking!" Lan Lan quickly tried to clarify, "The whole thing—"

"There's no need for explanations. Leave now, or I'll have to call security."

With that, Director Faang turned to leave, uninterested in further discussion.

From the side, Zhou Ling spat venomously, "Look at you, you little tramp. This is what you get for crossing me!"

"You—" Zhou Ling was livid, her complexion ashen.

But considering the dire straits her company was in, coupled with Jingqiu's earnest pre-visit admonitions, she clenched her teeth and intercepted Director Faang and her entourage.

"Hold on, Director Faang. Our actions earlier were not intentional. If you're still upset, I offer my sincerest apologies right here."

For the company's sake, personal pride was a small price to pay.

That was Lan Lan's rationale.

However, Jiang Chen, who had been quietly observing, could no longer stand idly by. He stepped forward and declared icily, "Why should you be apologizing? If anyone should be offering apologies, it's them who owe us one!"

"Apologize to you?" Director Faang doubted her ears, her sneer deepening. "And why, exactly, should we apologize to you?"

"Heh!"

Jiang Chen lifted his wristwatch, "Our agreement was for 12 o'clock, and we're still five minutes shy. Director Faang, by rushing us out now, aren't you concerned about the idle chatter that could tarnish your company's reputation?"

"Or could it be that there's some sort of insider deal regarding your company's agency rights?" Jiang Chen implied with a pointed tone.

"Silence!" Director Faang rebuked sharply, her face frosty, "Are you threatening us?"

"That's for you to interpret. If Director Faang isn't worried about the company's reputation, then by all means, send us away now."

Director Faang's expression flickered with uncertainty. She wasn't the boss and couldn't afford the heavy burden of damaging the company's good name.

Yet, Jiang Chen's tone was decidedly discourteous. For her to back down now would be to lose face.