How dare you!"
Wan Xingping stood up, full of sycophancy, and proclaimed, "Who do you think you are to talk to our Mr. Duan like that?
I warn you, apologize to Mr. Duan immediately and get out. Otherwise, don't blame me for not considering our old school ties!"
Duan Zhengde turned to ask, "You know each other?"
"College alumni." Wan Xingping said with a look of regret, "Back then he was quite decent, so I contacted him after I returned to the country, but to think he has become so degraded, even showing up here.
I'm really sorry, Mr. Duan, this mess is my fault. I'll handle it—please, go inside and rest."
With that, he immediately turned to Xiao Ming, his heart aching with feigned concern, "You better leave now! There's a saying, 'help in a crisis, not in poverty,' unless you stop gambling right now, I won't lend you a penny.
Even if you spread rumors that I'm heartless, I won't lend you anything."
Xiao Ming was taken aback, thinking to himself, did this guy study drama abroad? What an addiction to acting!
However, he also had to admit that Wan Xingping did a pretty good job, because even the little girl by his side subconsciously moved a step away, her gratitude turning into disgust.𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺
"So he's just trash!"
Duan Zhengde sneered, patting Wan Xingping's shoulder, and soothingly said, "There are always people in this world who can never get enough benefits, it's not your fault. Just have the restaurant security throw him out, no need to blame yourself."
"Thank you, Mr. Duan! Not to flatter, but you are the most reasonable person I have ever met.
I am certain, under your leadership, the company's success and prosperity are just around the corner.
To work under you is a great honor for me, Xingping!"
Being able to flatter so shamelessly and sincerely in public, Xiao Ming felt that Wan Xingping had chosen the wrong career; he should not have become a swindler but a civil servant instead.
Duan Zhengde was clearly very pleased, laughed heartily, and gestured, "Hurry up! My father said we have an important guest tonight, don't leave a bad impression in front of others."
"Yes. Thank you for your support, Mr. Duan."
Wan Xingping bowed deeply again, then walked up to Xiao Ming, his voice low and triumphant, "Now do you understand what 'money talks' means?
If you dare, just stand there and don't move. I really want to see if the famous person from our college days can still be as impressive when he's being thrown out by security."
"Sure!" Xiao Ming nodded with a smile, "I'd like to see that too."
Wan Xingping's eyes lit up, he took a step back, his voice fierce, "I've said all I could, be it good or bad, this is your own doing.
Waiter, call security!"
He spoke with clear enunciation and a righteous tone, as if he were about to set dogs upon someone.
The waiter, out of options, began to call security over the walkie-talkie.
Xiao Ming didn't move an inch, in fact, he lit another cigarette, sat on the railing of Curved Bridge, and blew smoke rings towards the night sky's moon.
Not far away, Hu Xiaotong looked at his silhouette, her emotions extremely complicated.
Once, she and Jiang Xue were harassed by hooligans outside the school, and Xiao Ming ran to them immediately.
Facing four or five people, he was not the slightest bit scared, but instead turned back to smile at them, saying, "Move back a bit, so you don't get splattered with blood."
That night, the hooligans got the worst of it, but Xiao Ming was in a worse state, covered in blood all over his face and head.
Jiang Xue hugged him, weeping continuously, she wanted to hug him too, but alas, Wan Xingping arrived, so she could not.
She could never forget how Xiao Ming bared his blood-stained teeth and grinned at Jiang Xue.
"Didn't I warn you? So why the tears? You didn't think the blood would be theirs, did you?"
"You think too highly of me, one person against four or five, it's impossible to win!"
There was no bluffing, no showing off, he didn't even care about losing face in front of his girlfriend.
Only a truly strong person on the inside can do this.
Which means unless Xiao Ming's personality has drastically changed, he definitely isn't just bluffing to save face right now, he's genuinely not afraid of the restaurant's security.
What is he relying on?
Hu Xiaotong couldn't figure it out, but after hesitating for a moment, she chose not to remind her husband of this.
After all, reminding him would be useless.
It wasn't long before six or seven figures appeared at the other end of the Curved Bridge, vague and indistinct, clearly the security was coming.
Wan Xingping sneered again, and said to Xiao Ming, "It's too late for you to run now. I'll give you a piece of advice, you can jump into the water.
That way, those security guards definitely won't dare to throw you out, they'll have to rescue you, and then send you off respectfully as if you were an ancestor.
After all, no one wants to dine in a restaurant where somebody has died."
Xiao Ming shook his head, "Every word you say is a nasty idea, how did I not see that back in the day? It seems that I wasn't totally blameless in that bankruptcy, my eyes were too blind."
Wan Xingping finally realized that as long as Xiao Ming could maintain this nonchalant demeanor, he wouldn't be able to gain any pleasure from his words.
"Hmph! Enjoy your talking while you can! Just don't start crying later."
After spitting those words out in anger, he raised his voice and yelled toward the shadows on the Curved Bridge, "What, are all of your legs broken? Walking so slow, hurry up and get over here!"
It was quiet on the other side for a bit until an old voice started, "Well, well! Sir Zhou, how many years has it been since you've been cussed out like this?"
Another voice said, "I can't remember. The last time someone told me to 'get over here' like that, I think it was when I was a young lad working hard labor for a foreman."
Wan Xingping's face changed drastically, he immediately guessed who the other party was, and without a second thought, he ran over and bowed and scraped to the two old men leading the way, "Sir Duan, Sir Zhou, I'm sorry! I am truly sorry!
I didn't realize it was you two, I thought it was the security."
Duan Hongqing looked at him and asked, "Who are you?"
I'm Wan Xingping, the marketing director of Qing Yuan Group Long Yin Branch Company. Mr. Duan is already waiting for you and Sir Zhou inside Lin Feng Pavilion."
Duan Hongqing's expression immediately turned serious, "Marketing director? Is that the way you were taught to speak by Mr. Duan?"
"No, no, Sir Duan, let me explain," Wan Xingping started to sweat from his forehead, "There's someone over there causing trouble, and they won't leave, so I had to call the restaurant's security.
Just now, when I saw a lot of people on this side, I thought it was the security, I wanted them to hurry over and deal with the situation. In my impatience, I spoke without thinking. I definitely didn't mean to disrespect them."
"Alright," this time, Zhou Jicang spoke to Duan Hongqing, "Why are you, a corporate chairman, intimidating your underlings like a kid?
Let's go over and see who's causing trouble here.
Oh, and..."
He turned to Wan Xingping again, asking kindly, "Has Xiao Ming arrived yet?"
Wan Xingping felt as if struck by lightning, "Who?"
Zhou Jicang frowned, thinking this manager lacked manners, and patiently repeated, "Xiao Ming, 'Ming' as in 'startling everyone with a single display', about the same age as you."
Meanwhile, Wan Xingping was already submerged in a huge, ridiculous shock, standing there petrified, as if he had lost his mind.
Seeing this, Duan Hongqing couldn't help but grow angry, "Picking managers of such poor quality, what is Duan Zhengde doing?"