Chapter 7: You Didn’t Sleep Well Last Night

Li Qingying and her companions stepped onto the open ground outside the villa, just as Second Master Li brandished his cane and shouted ahead, “Listen up, everyone. Line up properly. I am the first generation, so I stand at the front. The second generation, arrange yourselves by age—Li Dong is the youngest and stands at the end of the second row. The third row is for the third generation, and Qingying, being the youngest, takes the last spot. As for that useless fellow, stand behind Qingying and keep out of sight so you don’t disgrace the Li family. Chairman Shager is a distinguished man. If we show the slightest disrespect, our whole family will be ruined.”

He Haoxuan listened to Second Master Li’s instructions, secretly amused. Distinguished man? In his eyes, Shager was nothing but an ant. Second Master Li was truly contemptible; Shager had come for Li Qingying, yet he arranged for her family to stand at the back, clearly angling for his own household to stand out.

Less than half an hour later, a helicopter descended from the sky. The door opened, and four tall black men in suits and sunglasses leapt out. They scanned the surroundings for danger and, seeing none, took positions outside, securing the area.

Second Master Li, seeing this display, couldn’t help but secretly admire, “The wealthy truly are something else. Look at those foreign bodyguards, so imposing—not people we can afford to offend.”

Shager was a man in his fifties: stocky, very fat, and of average height. As soon as he disembarked, he looked around, and upon spotting He Haoxuan behind the crowd, felt a surge of joy.

Second Master Li darted forward, smiling obsequiously at Shager, “Chairman Shager, thank you for your effort. I’ve arranged for you to dine at the finest hotel in Qingyang City. Please honor us with your presence.”

“Very well, very well,” Shager replied, unsure who Second Master Li was, but since he could stand here, he must be connected to He Haoxuan. Shager dared not offend him.

“Which one is President Li?” Shager asked.

“I am,” Second Master Li immediately straightened his chest. His family’s shares in Bailey Group were less than the old master’s, so he could only serve as vice-general manager.

Not you, you fool—I’m looking for the female general manager. Shager glared fiercely at Second Master Li, who stumbled back two steps and fell to the ground in fright.

“Which one is General Manager Li Qingying?” Shager asked.

“I am,” came Li Qingying’s voice from the rear.

Shager hurried toward her, waddling like a penguin—a somewhat comical sight. “President Li, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Since it’s our first meeting, I’m giving you goods worth ten million as a token of respect. Please accept them.”

“Chairman Shager, there’s no need to be so generous. Just charge me the original price for the goods,” Li Qingying replied. Shager was helping her tremendously; she couldn’t possibly accept ten million in gifts for nothing.

“It’s nothing, just a small gesture,” Shager said, glancing at He Haoxuan. “Is this gentleman yours?”

Li Qingying hesitated, a little reluctant, “He is my husband, He Haoxuan.” With Second Master Li and his family present, if she didn’t acknowledge him, they’d surely drive her out of Bailey Group. The old master had declared at the board meeting that Li Qingying couldn’t serve as general manager unless she married He Haoxuan.

“Oh!” Shager was taken aback. What was this? The famed War King, so formidable abroad, was actually married? True, Li Qingying was strikingly beautiful, but it seemed excessive to forsake the whole forest for a single tree.

Still, Shager dared not comment. He Haoxuan never asked others for help; this time, since he had requested assistance, Shager would make sure everything went perfectly.

So Li Qingying was War King’s woman—he must cling tightly to this connection.

“President Li, you’re so beautiful, and Mr. He is so handsome—a perfect match. Do you have time? Let me treat you both to a meal,” Shager flattered eagerly.

“All right, enough of your fuss. Let’s go already,” He Haoxuan waved Shager away.

Last night, he’d slept soundly in Li Qingying’s bed, right up until now; he hadn’t even had breakfast yet.

“He Haoxuan, how dare you speak to Chairman Shager like that?” Second Master Li leapt up in fury.

Seeing He Haoxuan angry, Shager dared not linger. He quickly boarded the helicopter and departed with his entourage.

“This is terrible, Father. We’ve not only missed out on a golden opportunity, but we’ve also offended Chairman Shager,” Li Liang cried, clutching his chest in anguish.

Then Li Liang reconsidered—perhaps it wasn’t so bad. If Bailey Group ran into trouble, they’d have another chance to oust Li Qingying.

Song Li berated He Haoxuan, “Useless! This is all your fault. You drove Chairman Shager away. What if he orders his people not to deliver the goods?”

Li Qingying grew anxious, hurriedly calling Shager. “Chairman Shager, I’m sorry—my husband can be a bit blunt.”

“It’s all right, President Li, your husband is a fine man. Here’s what we’ll do: Once you receive the goods and arrange factory production, we’ll meet again for dinner. I’d like to discuss some collaborative projects with you,” Shager schemed inwardly.

Working with War King’s woman would guarantee smooth sailing, especially in Europe, where he’d make a fortune.

“Wonderful, wonderful,” Li Qingying replied, relieved that Shager was magnanimous and bore no grudge, secretly pleased. This was all thanks to her grandfather.

As for dining together, she would not bring He Haoxuan again—better to avoid offending anyone else.

Second Master Li’s family left, and Song Li breathed a sigh of relief, “Thank heavens Shager helped us. Otherwise, Bailey Group would have suffered heavy losses. We stand to make ten million this time—not bad at all.”

He Haoxuan scoffed, “It’s more than that. If Painting Group fails to deliver on time, you can sue for triple compensation.”

Li Qingying’s eyes sparkled—why hadn’t she thought of that? Normally, lawsuits took ages, and Painting Group hoped to drag Bailey Group down this way. But now that the goods were delivered on time, their funding was secure, and they’d have time to tangle with Painting Group.

“I won’t let them off so easily,” Li Qingying said coldly.

“Heavens, that’s another thirty million!” Song Li exclaimed, excitedly dragging Li Dong off to find a lawyer, planning to sue Painting Group the next day.

Li Qingying looked up and asked He Haoxuan, “Just now, you jumped from the third floor—how are you unharmed?”

He Haoxuan laughed, “I used to work as a laborer, climbed walls and things like that.”

“Try not to be so reckless in the future,” Li Qingying said, her heart still pounding from his leap. “And don’t be so harsh when you act. I’m afraid Yang Zhiyi won’t let you off—he’s badly injured.”

She remembered last night: Yang Zhiyi’s teeth scattered on the floor, blood streaming from his head—a truly miserable sight.

Qingyang City People’s Hospital, VIP ward.

“President Yang, bad news!” Yang Wei, office director of Painting Group, rushed in. Yang Wei was Yang Zhiyi’s trusted aide, sly and devious, always plotting and scheming on his behalf.

Seeing Yang Zhiyi’s two black eyes, Yang Wei asked with concern, “President Yang, didn’t you sleep well last night? You’ve got terrible dark circles.”

“Dark circles—dark circles, my foot! That useless He Haoxuan did this to me!” Yang Zhiyi cursed in fury.