"She’s my older sister’s daughter. You’d better not mistreat her," Zhang ide said, looking at Zhang ilan with a haughty expression. So what if your precious daughter is the general manager? Doesn’t she still have to bow to my son-in-law’s whims?
"That goes without saying," Li Mingjie said, his gaze lingering on Tang Xuewu with a greedy, teasing glint. Maybe I can use this opportunity to have a... deep exchange with my lovely cousin, Xuewu.
"Haha, these are trivial matters," Li Mingjie continued, raising his glass of red wine, his eyes unabashedly leering at Xuewu. "I’ve already paid in full for a sea-view apartnt in Jiangzhong and plan to marry Xiaoyue next week. It’s a double celebration! Aunt ilan, you must grace us with your presence then."
At his words, everyone else rose to toast him.
"Haha! Of course, of course," Zhang ilan replied. Though inwardly annoyed, she and Tang De stood up. Even though they were his elders, Zhang ide had deliberately stood, forcing them to follow suit. With everyone on their feet, Qin Long, who remained seated, was particularly noticeable.
"Young Master Qin, Qin Long, why aren’t you standing to toast ? Are you looking down on ?" Li Mingjie’s expression darkened for a mont before he slapped his forehead and laughed. "Oh, look at . I forgot that Young Master Qin is disabled. My apologies. Here, I’ll drink to that as a penalty."
He deliberately emphasized the word "disabled," making Tang Xuewu’s face harden. Even Zhang ilan felt a flicker of anger. She resolved then and there to never let Qin Long freeload and disgrace them again. Just an embarrassing, useless good-for-nothing.
Qin Long, however, seed completely unfazed, nonchalantly taking a large bite of roasted lamb leg and sipping his wine. Nothing seed to matter to him. He only cared about Tang Xuewu; everyone else was irrelevant.
Zhang ilan had planned to show off about the Yaolong Group order to regain so pride, but she had never expected to be so thoroughly humiliated by Li Mingjie. Her attempt to flaunt had backfired, leaving her with no choice but to remain silent.
anwhile, Zhang ide babbled on endlessly, first boasting about how his youngest daughter was about to enter the entertainnt industry, then bragging about how his son was going abroad to study. The room was filled with the voices of Zhang ide and Yang ilian, and Zhang ilan felt like she was going to explode with irritation. She completely lost her appetite for the delicious al before her.
In contrast, Qin Long continued to eat and drink heartily, clearly enjoying himself. He was a stark contrast to the man beside him, Li Mingjie, who sat with an elegant deanor and extraordinary poise. One was refined; the other simply gorged himself. After all, Li Mingjie was a governnt official, and everyone watched his expression as they spoke. Seeing him treated like an emperor made Zhang ilan feel like she was sitting on pins and needles. They’re both sons-in-law. If Li Mingjie is a qilin, then isn’t Qin Long just a toad? If only Qin Long had that kind of power, I, Zhang ilan, would willingly work like an ox or a horse for him!
「Longquan Hotel, Jiangzhong.」
At the first-floor entrance, Mrs. Zhao rushed forward with a bright smile. "Ahaha, Ms. Jiang, you’re finally here! We’ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival. The banquet is ready. This way, please."
The woman, Jiang Haijing, was a high-ranking figure in Jiangzhong. Around thirty-seven or thirty-eight with a delicate, oval face, she gave Zhao Ruoying a faint smile. "Mrs. Zhao, there’s no need for such formalities between us." In her domain here in Jiangzhong, she was a major authority, and Zhao Ruoying had gone to great lengths to secure this eting.
Zhao Ruoying imdiately moved to lead the way, but Jiang Haijing stopped her. "Mrs. Zhao, let’s walk together." She took Zhao Ruoying’s arm, and they headed upstairs together.
「Back in the private room.」
Yang ilian dropped all pretense, shooting Qin Long a disdainful look. "ilan, I heard your precious future son-in-law isn’t a simpleton anymore. Since his mind has recovered, why isn’t he looking for a job?"
"Auntie, Long is still on crutches. He can’t go out to work yet," Tang Xuewu said, placing a peeled lobster on Qin Long’s plate.
"So what if he’s on crutches? Does that an he should just be a freeloader?" Yang ilian retorted. "Our Mingjie also started from the bottom. He was recognized by his superiors and now he’s an influential figure." She was feigning concern about Qin Long’s career, but her real intent was to mock them.
"Mom, how can you compare our Mingjie with Qin Long?" their elder daughter, Zhang Xiaoyue, chid in, rolling her eyes. She deliberately flashed a deep sapphire bracelet on her wrist, her scorn palpable. "They’re not even on the sa level."
"Yue’er, watch your mouth," Zhang ide said, feigning a scolding tone. "Even though you’re right, Xuewu is still your older cousin."
"Dad, that’s exactly why I want to help Cousin Xuewu! It’s so pitiful. She could be living a much better life, but instead, she’s being dragged down by a cripple," Zhang Xiaoyue said. "Mingjie, honey, why don’t you see if there are any easy jobs at your office? You could arrange sothing for Qin Long."
Tang Xuewu’s brow furrowed. "Cousin Yue’er, please don’t trouble yourself. My salary is more than enough to support Long."
"Silly girl, what nonsense are you talking about?" Zhang ilan shot her daughter a sharp look. "It’s about ti he got so real-world experience after freeloading for so many years." She turned to her husband. "Tang De, Mingjie has connections. Ask him to arrange a job."
Hearing her mother, Tang Xuewu fell silent, nervously twisting the hem of her dress. She was determined not to let Qin Long go out and suffer at a difficult job. He’s already bullied by the cleaning staff at ho; he’d surely be ostracized out in the world.
Li Mingjie took a slow sip of red wine, smacked his lips, and glanced arrogantly at Qin Long. Feigning deep thought, he sighed dramatically. "Well, all the good positions are filled. There’s only a job for a latrine cleaner left. I wonder if he’d find that beneath him? Besides, what else could he do other than shovel dung?"
At this, Zhang ide and his family burst out laughing. Qin Long is so useless he can’t even handle a lowly job like that. Utterly worthless.
Zhang ilan’s face darkened. She realized now that they had never been sincere about helping Qin Long. She had actually hoped to use Li Mingjie’s connections; even if Qin Long couldn’t do much, she thought he could at least work as a gatekeeper. She never imagined Li Mingjie would insult them so brazenly.
"How about this," Li Mingjie said suddenly, setting down his wine glass, his voice flat. "Our company’s back kennel needs soone to watch the dogs. If Young Master Qin Long is willing, the job is his. It might not sound prestigious, but it’s much easier than shoveling dung. It even pays three thousand a month. I’m sure Young Master Qin Long is more than capable of handling it."
His tone was cold, his expression one of pure contempt as he looked down on Qin Long.
BANG!
Tang Xuewu slamd her hands on the table and shot to her feet. "Li Mingjie, don’t push it too far!" she seethed, her fists clenched and her eyes burning with fury.
"Sister Xuewu, what are you doing?" Li Mingjie asked, feigning a look of utter grievance. "I was just trying to help Qin Long out of the kindness of my heart."
"Has Qin Long ever done anything to offend you? Why must you mock him like this?" Tang Xuewu retorted. "We don’t need your help. I can support him myself. But thank you for your kind offer."
With that, she gave a slight bow, returned to her seat beside Qin Long, and gently placed so food on his plate. As she did, his hand accidentally brushed against hers.
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