C149 Gongsun Qiuyu Came to the East Sea Province

Jiang Qi regarded Lu Xiaojian with an icy stare.

"What are you staring at? Are you a disgruntled worker?" Lu Xiaojian taunted. "You look like you're just another employee at the company, right? Ever heard of Lu Yin? He's a director at Ocean Group, and he happens to be my godfather!"

"Your godfather is Lu Yin?" Jiang Qi inquired, his tone frosty.

Lu Xiaojian swelled with pride. "You've heard of my godfather, haven't you? Let me be straight with you—I'm here today for an interview, and my godfather is about to make me a manager at Ocean Group. Even President Jiang is a friend of mine! You, as a mere worker, had better stay on my good side. Who knows, I might even promote you someday. Otherwise, I could just as easily have you fired."

"Oh? You're acquainted with President Jiang? That's news to me," Jiang Qi responded coolly. "Why don't you give him a call?"

Feeling cornered, Lu Xiaojian grew furious. "What business is it of yours if I know President Jiang? Who are you to question me? Do you really think a low-level employee like you is privy to such high-level information?"

Just then, a portly man in a suit approached, his demeanor authoritative. Upon spotting Jiang Qi, his stern expression softened into a fawning smile.

"Ah! Godfather, you've arrived," Lu Xiaojian exclaimed upon seeing Lu Yin, his face oozing sycophancy. "Godfather, this clueless employee was giving me trouble. You've got to set him straight."

Jiang Qi turned to Lu Yin, his face devoid of emotion. "Lu Yin, is this man really your godson? Are you planning to bring him into the company?"

"Ah? No, no, Director Chiang, I... I don't know this person," stammered Lu Yin, visibly shaken as he hastily backpedaled.

Damn it, he had merely been tempted by a little money to offer Lu Xiaojian a minor position, and now the fool was boasting in front of Chairman Jiang?

"Heh, Lu Yin, since when did a supervisor like you become a company director?" Jiang Qi asked with a mocking sneer.

"I... I didn't mean to, Mr. Chairman." Lu Yin gazed at Jiang Qi's icy expression, fear gripping him as he slapped himself repeatedly, apologizing profusely, "President Jiang, I was wrong to boast."

President Jiang? The Chairman?

Lu Xiaojian and his father exchanged bewildered glances. Was this man the wealthiest tycoon in the East China Sea, Jiang Qi?

How could that be? Wasn't he Zhang Qimo's friend? How could Qimo possibly know such an influential figure?

"Godfather, why are you apologizing to him? You must be mistaken. Isn't this the friend that good-for-nothing Lin Yin introduced? Could he really be President Jiang Qi?" Lu Xiaojian asked, utterly confused.

"Don't call me godfather; I disown you as a son!" Lu Yin retorted furiously. "President Jiang, what should we do with these two clueless individuals?"

"I have no interest in such trivial matters. I have important guests to attend to; you must handle this properly," Jiang Qi replied with a dismissive tone. He then turned to Zhang Qimo with a respectful demeanor, "Ms. Zhang, please join me in the CEO's office to discuss the finer points of our business deal."

Zhang Qimo gave a slight nod, "Alright."

"Ah?"

Lu Xiyuan and his son shuddered with fear, now realizing the truth. It was indeed Jiang Qi, the magnate of the East Sea.

They had previously boasted without knowing they'd actually encounter the man himself.

"President Jiang, I apologize. I deserve the worst. Please, when you leave, forgive me!" Lu Xiaojian slapped his own face, rushing to kneel and cling to Jiang Qi's shoes.

"Director Jiang, we misspoke. Please, don't be upset," Lu Xiyuan pleaded as well, kneeling to embrace Jiang Qi's other shoe. "Qimo, you know President Jiang. We beg you to intercede on our behalf. Don't let the president be angry. Xiaojian is supposed to start working at the company."

Now they were truly in a dire situation. Not only had they blown their chance at having a powerful godfather, but Xiaojian might also lose the opportunity to work at Ocean Group, and they could even face retribution from President Jiang.

Zhang Qimo let out a cold snort, paying them no heed.

"What exactly are you two trying to accomplish?" Jiang Qi asked, his brow furrowed in annoyance.

"Please, Director Chiang, give me a chance!" Lu Xiaojian pleaded with a look of fear, shamelessly licking the sole of the shoe.

"Get out!"

Jiang Qi kicked Lu Xiaojian and his son away, feeling a wave of nausea wash over him.

"Alright, Director Chiang, we'll get out." Lu Xiaojian and his son actually started rolling on the ground, their faces contorted into obsequious grins.

Zhang Qimo witnessed the scene, and beyond her exasperation, she too felt repulsed. These people were truly beyond redemption.

"Director Zhang, are these two your relatives? How do you think we should handle this?" Chiang Qi asked with deference.

"What?" Lu Xiaojian and his son were incredulous. Could it be that Jiang Qi, the tycoon of the Eastern Sea, was actually seeking Zhang Qimo's opinion?

"Qimo, I'm begging you, I'm your uncle. Please speak up for us, get Xiaojian a job at Ocean Group," Lu Xiyuan and Lu Xiaojian implored, crawling on their knees to Zhang Qimo.

"Don't come begging to me!"

Zhang Qimo stood up and strode toward the elevator, with Jiang Qi respectfully making way.

As Zhang Qimo's figure receded, Lu Xiyuan and his son were left looking pale and defeated. They hurriedly transferred one hundred thousand yuan to Zhang Xiufeng.

They had not anticipated the extent of Zhang Qimo's influence; even a heavyweight like Jiang Qi showed her respect.

...

Elsewhere, on the Artificial Island in Qingyun River, there was a verdant estate brimming with rare and exotic trees and countless prized potted plants, exuding grandeur.

At the heart of the estate lay a sprawling villa complex, reminiscent of a medieval marquis's castle, surrounded by numerous traditional Chinese mansions, echoing the grandeur of ancient noble estates. Behind this impressive array of buildings was a helicopter pad, adding to the estate's splendor.

In the garden, Lin Yin sat on a bamboo chair with a pot of black tea on the table before him, while Shen San sat across from him.

"Master Lin, what do you think of this Artificial Island?" Shen San inquired respectfully. "While you were away, I've smoothed out all the issues in East Sea Province."

"It's manageable," Lin Yin nodded thoughtfully. "But the East Sea Province alone isn't enough. How is the expansion of our business overseas coming along?"

"The progress overseas isn't significant. The foreigners are quite resistant to us Dragon people," Shen San replied earnestly.

"Just go for it. We have plenty of money and manpower. You must establish a presence overseas," Lin Yin instructed.

Sending Shen San to build influence abroad was a strategic move for the future. Since the Wen Family's mysterious disappearance, Lin Yin had an inkling that something might have gone awry at Dragon Mansion. He couldn't risk exposing himself without absolute certainty. He needed trustworthy insiders.

"Don't worry, Master Lin. I'll achieve results overseas before long," Shen San assured him.

Beep. Beep.

At that moment, Lin Yin's encrypted phone rang.

"Yin, are you doing alright over there?" came an old yet strong voice filled with concern.

"I'm doing well, Grandpa. Did you call for a specific reason?" Lin Yin inquired.

He had asked Yu Zecheng and the captain to look after Qi Wending in Imperial City. The Old Master was concerned too, having gotten Lin Yin's number from Zecheng. However, it was unusual for him to call, likely indicating an important matter.

"Haha, Yin, it's about your cousin," Qi Wending chuckled. "She's been pestering me to see you every day. She should be on her way to the East Sea Province by plane as we speak."

"Gongsun Qiuyu is coming to the East Sea Province? What does she want with me?" Lin Yin wondered.