C148 I Know the Richest Man in the East Sea Province

"No? How can you be so unreasonable?" Zhang Qimo exclaimed in disbelief. How could someone demand a million yuan just like that? And claim to be a relative?

"Reasonable? Alright, let's talk reason," Lu Xiaojian retorted with a sneer. "I'm only asking for one million because we're family. If it were anyone else, I'd make sure they paid dearly!"

"Look at this medical assessment!" Lu Xiyuan pulled a document from his briefcase and spoke with grave seriousness. "See this? It's a certificate of depression from the hospital. The doctor says she's at risk of suicide and shows signs of schizophrenia. Do you realize how serious this is? Mental illness like this can't be cured with a hospital stay!"

With a heavy sigh, Lu Xiyuan continued, "I'm only asking for a million because we're family. If it were anyone else, I'd be out for blood! My daughter's life has been ruined."

Zhang Qimo, with a look of shock and suspicion, glanced over the assessment. It listed symptoms: poor sleep, nervous exhaustion...

"Just this minor issue? I'll cover all the medical expenses," Zhang Qimo declared, her voice tinged with anger. Lu Xiyuan's family was clearly trying to extort them.

"Qimo, what kind of talk is that? Your cousin is still in the hospital, you know!" Lu Xiyuan snapped back. "Zhang Xiufeng, Yahui, I'm not leaving without an answer today. How much money can your family come up with?"

"Aunt, Guye, you both know who my godfather is. Don't make me resort to using his influence," Lu Xiaojian threatened.

Last night, upon hearing that Lu Wei had been dumped, Lu Xiyuan and his son didn't ask for details; they were only interested in how much money they could get from Qin Fei. They knew Qin Fei was married; their objective was to cash in.

After finding out they'd only managed to get a few thousand in spending money, Lu Xiyuan and his son decided on the spot to send Lu Wei to the hospital and demand compensation from Zhang Qimo's family. It was a clear case of fraud.

"This..." Lu Yahui and Zhang Xiufeng looked mortified. They had met Lu Xiaojian's soon-to-be godfather, a shareholder of Ocean Group. Rumor had it he was a favored associate of Jiang Qi, a tycoon from the Eastern Sea.

"Our family really isn't wealthy," Lu Yahui stated.

Lu Xiyuan scoffed. "Not wealthy? You live in this villa and wear luxury jewelry every day. How can you say you have no money? Qimo has been the Vice Chairman for so long; surely she has some savings?"

"If you refuse to compensate, just wait. I'll go straight to my parents' house when I get back and tell everyone in the village about your family's true colors. Pretending to be poor while framing your own niece, Lu Wei," Lu Xiyuan said icily.

"What?" Lu Yahui's expression turned to one of alarm. The thought of her family's reputation being tarnished in her hometown frightened her. She had invited Lu Xiyuan's family to stay to maintain appearances, wanting to return to her parents' home in style and show them how well she was doing in Qingyun City. She couldn't afford to lose face.

"Qimo, how much money can you spare? Maybe we should give your uncle's family some compensation," Lu Yahui suggested.

"Mom, isn't this ridiculous?" Zhang Qimo questioned, confused by her mother's reasoning. Were they really going to pay off someone just for making threats?

"Fine, you don't want to pay? Let's go, Xiaojian. We'll find your godfather and call the folks back home to spread the word," Lu Xiyuan threatened, making a move to leave.

Lu Yahui, desperate, urged, "Qimo, how much do you have? Quickly, take out some money for your uncle's family."

Lu Xiyuan and his son exchanged smug looks, having accurately gauged Lu Yahui's character. She was the type to avoid conflict and was particularly concerned about her reputation, especially in front of her family. They had come to Qingyun City with the intention of extorting money from Lu Yahui's household.

"I don't have a million," Zhang Qimo admitted.

"How much do you have then?" Lu Yahui pressed.

"Just over a hundred thousand in savings," Zhang Qimo responded nonchalantly.

"That'll do!" Lu Xiyuan interjected promptly. "Qimo, in consideration of you, we'll let it go. A token gesture from your family is enough; we won't delve deeper into this. Just hand over a hundred thousand, and keep some tens of thousands for your family's expenses."

"What?" Zhang Qimo's face paled in shock. How could she possibly have such an outrageous uncle?

"Hurry up, Qimo, transfer 100,000 yuan to me. I'll give it to your uncle," Lu Yahui urged anxiously.

Zhang Qimo felt like she was going to pass out from frustration. Why did her mother have to be so vain and timid?

"I'm going out to take care of some business," Zhang Qimo said, seething with anger. She transferred the hundred thousand yuan to Lu Yahui and immediately stood up, striding out of the villa. She planned to quickly meet with Lin Yin's friend to finalize some matters. After that, she would devote herself to working at the company and avoid returning to this chaotic home.

Ding!

Lu Xiyuan received the hundred thousand yuan transfer from Lu Yahui and smugly remarked, "I'm off to see Xiaojian's godfather with him. We won't be staying any longer."

"Xiyuan, you absolutely must not tell our relatives about this, and don't let Xiaojian's godfather cause trouble for our family!" Lu Yahui pleaded, clearly terrified.

"Well, that will all depend on how well Lu Wei recovers," Lu Xiyuan replied nonchalantly.

The father and son duo left the villa in high spirits, already thinking about the gift they could buy to ingratiate themselves with Xiaojian's godfather.

Over an hour later.

Zhang Qimo arrived at the Ocean Group's headquarters in North City, the Ocean Building.

Ocean Group had become a powerhouse, no longer the simple real estate company of the past. It had expanded into over twenty different industry sectors, becoming a formidable financial conglomerate. Even the chairman, Jiang Qi, was now hailed as the wealthiest man in East Sea Province, with a stellar reputation and seemingly limitless wealth in the business world.

Zhang Qimo entered the reception hall and called Lin Yin's friend. The person on the other end courteously promised to meet her in the lobby within three minutes.

Sitting on the sofa in the reception hall, Zhang Qimo waited, her mind replaying the events at the villa. The more she thought about it, the more infuriated she became with Lu Xiyuan's family.

"Hey? Qimo, what a surprise to run into you here! What brings you to this place?"

Suddenly, an ostentatious voice filled the air.

Lu Xiyuan and Lu Xiaojian sauntered into the Ocean Group's grand reception hall, eyeing Zhang Qimo with a mischievous gaze.

"Sister Qi, are you here job hunting?" teased Xiaojian. "You should've told me sooner. Getting a job at Ocean Group is a piece of cake. Just give me a heads-up. Of course, we don't take in any riffraff. I could find you something like cleaning toilets."

"Hahaha!" Lu Xiyuan burst into laughter. "Xiaojian, why are you ribbing your cousin? Cleaning toilets is hardly suitable. How about I arrange for her to be your godfather's personal assistant?"

"You guys! What are you even saying!" Zhang Qimo stood up, shouting in fury.

"I came here to seek financing and discuss business, not to find a job," she retorted indignantly.

"Oh, really?" Lu Xiyuan said with a smug look. "You're here to secure financing and make deals? What status do you even have? A vagrant like you has no business in such an upscale establishment."

"What business is it of yours where I go?" Zhang Qimo snapped back.

"Don't get cocky with me, Sister Qi. Just so you know, I'm acquainted with Jiang Qi, the tycoon of the East Sea. Even the chairman here is a friend of mine!" Xiaojian boasted. "Want to talk business? Apologize to me right now, or you can forget about any deals."

While they were speaking, a man dressed in a dark blue suit approached, smiling at Zhang Qimo.

"Director Zhang, a pleasure to meet you. I'm a friend of Lin Yin," said Jiang Qi with respect.

Xiaojian gave Jiang Qi a scornful once-over and barked, "Who the hell are you? Can't you see I'm in the middle of a conversation? How dare you interrupt me?"