Chen Yang reveals the investment opportunity is a scam. He explains that the company is in debt, with profits gambled away, and that the plan is to use Wang Jingman's funds to temporarily stabilize the business before declaring bankruptcy. He also suspects Liu Qingqing is involved in the scheme, devastating Wang Jingman.
"Liu Qingqing, how could she do this! I truly misjudged her!" Wang Jingman clenched her teeth, her heart filled with immense hatred.
"In college, without any real conflicts of interest, people tend to be more genuine. However, you haven't seen her in years, and you don't know what she's experienced. It's natural for people to change," Chen Yang offered words of comfort.
Though Wang Jingman felt a pang in her heart, she could see the situation more clearly.
"You are right; no one knows why she has become this way. It's just that it feels quite unpleasant," Wang Jingman commented.
Chen Yang remained silent.
He drove back to the Lingtianxia Hotel without another word.
"Since I know the truth now, I might as well call her and sort things out. We don't need to maintain this connection anymore." Unable to suppress her anger, Wang Jingman grabbed her phone and dialed Liu Qingqing's number.
Observing this, Chen Yang didn't interject. Someone like Liu Qingqing wasn't worth keeping in contact with; it was better to settle things quickly.
"Hello, sister, did you manage to get the funds? I'm currently with Mr. Qi right now."
As soon as the call connected, Liu Qingqing's excited voice filled the line.
She was confident in her flawless deception, believing Wang Jingman was eager to invest immediately after their meeting.
Upon hearing Liu Qingqing's words, Wang Jingman's expression grew even graver.
Initially, she had intended to leave some room for their past friendship and speak more delicately.
But seeing Liu Qingqing still stubbornly unaware, Wang Jingman's rage surged, and she spoke directly, "Liu Qingqing, I never imagined you would be this kind of person, conspiring to deceive me! If your company can't even afford to pay your employees, then just go bankrupt. Don't even think about targeting me."
"Huh? Jingman, what is going on? What are you talking about?"
Liu Qingqing was clearly taken aback by Wang Jingman's sudden confrontation, leaving her momentarily flustered and instinctively feigning ignorance.
However, Wang Jingman, now aware of everything, had no intention of believing her pretense.
"Stop acting. You know perfectly well what the situation is. I don't need to explain it further. That's all there is to it. Let's not contact each other anymore!" Wang Jingman declared, unwilling to waste more words and giving Liu Qingqing no opportunity to respond.
She swiftly ended the call, simultaneously deleting and blocking all of Liu Qingqing's contact information.
Sigh.
After the confrontation, Wang Jingman felt a sense of release, exhaling deeply.
"Chen Yang, thankfully I brought you along today. Otherwise, I might have truly fallen into their trap," Wang Jingman said, putting down her phone and looking at Chen Yang, who was driving.
"They meticulously laid this trap, so it's understandable that you couldn't see through it. Don't blame yourself. If I hadn't been unusually cautious and done some digging, I might not have noticed the discrepancies either," Chen Yang replied with a smile.
The scheme orchestrated by Liu Qingqing and Mr. Qi was indeed quite insidious.
One could even say it was almost perfectly executed.
Liu Qingqing exploited her friendship with Wang Jingman to betray her trust, coincidentally aligning with Mr. Qi's online company, which was purportedly highly profitable.
The trap they constructed together was something an ordinary person would find difficult to escape.
By sheer chance, Chen Yang had overheard a hushed conversation between two employees in a restroom, otherwise, they might have been ensnared today.
Upon hearing this, Wang Jingman decided there was nothing more to say.
She quietly settled into the passenger seat as they returned to the hotel with Chen Yang.
Later that evening, she accompanied Chen Yang to visit Ma Jiantao.
She engaged in a direct conversation with Ma Jiantao.
This time, the reason Ma Jiantao sought out Chen Yang was to request a significant favor.
It had come to their attention that Chen Yang's cultivation was not only formidable but that he also possessed skill in alchemy. The secret bureau required assistance for numerous members preparing to advance their Qi Cultivation realm.
Therefore, he wished to commission Chen Yang to ascertain if he could concoct a batch of elixirs to bolster their strength.
"Naturally, we wouldn't presume to ask for such a service without compensation. Director Zeng has already authorized the necessary funding. We are prepared to offer the market price for any elixirs you produce; we will purchase as many as you can supply," Ma Jiantao explained with a smile.
Listening to Ma Jiantao's request, Chen Yang agreed without hesitation.
The secret bureau had maintained a positive relationship with him, making it natural to assist them.
"Very well, it's a deal. Once you have them ready, just inform me, and I'll come to collect them."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries with Chen Yang, Ma Jiantao departed.
The meeting concluded, and it was already past ten at night.
Chen Yang intended to head back to the hotel, but Wang Jingman expressed her desire to return home that very night. Consequently, Chen Yang had to drive her back first.
Wang Jingman hailed from a respectable family, residing in a high-end apartment complex in the city center.
The complex was quite extensive, boasting impressive landscaping with tree-lined roads on either side.
As night had fallen, the area was sparsely populated, lending the complex an almost park-like serenity.
Following the directions provided by Wang Jingman, Chen Yang steered the car to the base of a building.
"Alright, we’ve arrived," Wang Jingman announced.
Chen Yang acknowledged her statement by bringing the vehicle to a halt.
"Have you got the jade? Please send my regards to your father," Chen Yang reminded her with a smile.
Wang Jingman nodded, assuring him, "Yes, the jade is with me. I’m certain my father will be absolutely delighted with this piece."
"Okay, I won’t accompany you inside."
"Understood, I’m heading in now. Goodbye!"
Wang Jingman offered a wave and turned towards the elevator.
However, before she had taken more than a few steps, figures began to emerge from the surrounding trees.
Concurrently, a chilling voice cut through the night.
"President Wang, heading home so late? You’ve certainly kept me waiting."
Wang Jingman paused, a sense of familiarity with the voice striking her. She turned towards the source of the sound, only to find the bald Mr. Qi, accompanied by Liu Qingqing, several bodyguards, and some thugs, encircling her.
From their positioning and demeanor, it was evident they had been lying in wait, specifically to intercept her on her journey home.
Chen Yang, still seated in the car and preparing to depart, was taken aback by this unforeseen turn of events.
"It’s you lot!"
Upon recognizing Mr. Qi and Liu Qingqing, Wang Jingman's expression instantly soured.
The memory of their previous attempt to deceive her flooded her mind.
"Liu Qingqing, how could you possibly show your face before me? I considered you a sister, yet you repaid me with such treachery? Doesn't your conscience weigh on you?" Wang Jingman accused, her voice laced with disbelief.
Liu Qingqing's face held a frigid smile, indicating a complete disregard for Wang Jingman's words and a stark absence of genuine remorse.
"Wang Jingman, aren't you being rather ungrateful? I generously offered you a lucrative opportunity, and you rejected it? Now you accuse me of deceit? Doesn't your conscience trouble you?" Liu Qingqing retorted shamelessly, twisting the narrative with an unnerving lack of guilt.
"Are you deliberately spewing falsehoods? You are fully aware of what transpired. I refuse to engage in further debate! From this moment forward, we are strangers. Do not presume to bother me again," Wang Jingman declared angrily.
Her disappointment in Liu Qingqing ran deep, and she found herself utterly unwilling to even look at the person before her.
