Volume 1, Chapter 41: Whoever Said That, Step Out and Face Me!

Ye Bing turned around, her gaze sweeping over the diners. Many of them kept their heads low, as if trying to hide from something.

"Oh my, if it isn't President Fang from Shanhai Gaming. What’s the matter? Do you consider yourself a cut above the rest, and find dining here beneath you?"

As Ye Bing finished speaking, a man with a Mediterranean-style hairline quickly looked up, smiling awkwardly. "It’s President Ye! I didn't see you there. Ha-ha, what are you saying? I’m just a common man!"

"Oh? And what do you think, President Zhang of the Hengtian Group?" Ye Bing continued. "Do you find it beneath your status to dine in the same restaurant as my friend?"

She then turned her gaze to a woman at the neighboring table.

"My dear, don't listen to them. Your presence at this restaurant is their honor. Your friend is a friend to us all!" A gaudily dressed woman draped in designer labels smiled and raised her glass to Su Ming. Su Ming simply nodded in acknowledgment.

"Since none of you feel it’s beneath you, then carry on with your meal!"

Ye Bing walked over to Chen Huilan and said coldly, "Move. This is my seat. Regardless of status, you have no right to occupy someone else’s place."

Chen Huilan snapped out of her daze and collapsed to her knees. She grabbed Ye Bing’s legs, wailing as she begged, "President Ye, I was blind and didn’t recognize you! Please, forgive me! Everything I just said was nonsense!"

"The company’s benefits are so good; I really don't want to lose this job. Please, give me one more chance."

Ye Bing pulled her legs away with a look of utter disgust. "Get out!"

The authority in her voice left Chen Huilan stunned. Once she recovered, she knelt aside and pleaded with Su Ming, "Su Ming, we’re relatives! Please, say something for me!"

However, Su Ming had already returned to his seat, waiting for his meal. He didn't even glance at her. His view of Ye Bing had shifted subtly; he had previously thought her fierce and unreasonable, but it seemed he had misjudged her. She was fiery on the outside, but kind-hearted. While he could have handled the trouble himself, Ye Bing had saved him the bother.

"You there, call your manager over!" Ye Bing commanded. "Our corporation spends millions here every month. Is this how you treat my friends? Get him over here, now!"

The situation wasn't over yet. Ye Bing was angry—not because of Su Ming, but because her precious time had been wasted. Lin Ruoxue was still at the company, facing her uncle alone, and Ye Bing was anxious to return. Being delayed here made her furious.

The waiter, trembling, replied, "I... I’ll go right away!"

Moments later, the manager arrived with a practiced smile. After learning what happened, he apologized profusely to Ye Bing and Su Ming. He then turned to the waiter and said coldly, "You, pack your things and leave. Fabricating stories and nearly losing us a major client! And don't even think about collecting this month's salary!"

The waiter’s expression turned bitter, looking worse than if he were crying. He was dragged away, forced to apologize before he left.

"President Ye, I am truly sorry for the inconvenience. Your meal is on the house as our apology," the manager said.

Ye Bing wasn't one to hold a grudge once justice was served. Her temper cooled. "Fine, I’ll leave once I’ve eaten."

After the dishes and wine were served, Ye Bing checked the time. "I’m leaving now. Eat slowly, and don't choke on it—you’ve caused enough trouble just by having a meal!"

She rose to leave, worried that Ruoxue was being bullied by that old fox of an uncle. Su Ming, hearing this, choked on his noodles, coughing uncontrollably. Ye Bing laughed and turned away.

Many people in the restaurant began waving at Su Ming, trying to curry favor and speculating about his relationship with Ye Bing. Most assumed that given his handsome appearance, he was likely a "kept man" of hers.

After finishing his meal, Su Ming left the restaurant, intending to check on his sister at school. As for returning to Lin Ruoxue’s home, he was in no particular hurry.

***

Meanwhile, at the Juntianxia Company office, Lin Ruoxue was trembling with indignation. Sitting opposite her was a middle-aged man with an imposing air—Lin Dahai, the second master of the Lin family.

"Ruoxue, I know you’re unhappy," Lin Dahai said, crossing his legs and eyeing her with a cunning smile. "You’ve managed Juntianxia for years, and it’s hard to hand it over to your cousin. But you’re about to fulfill your marriage contract, and bringing an outsider into the Lin family isn’t ideal for us. If you stay in power, the shares will be diluted. Your uncle is doing this for the sake of the family."

"If Grandfather were awake, he would never allow this!" Lin Ruoxue replied, her voice cold. "The original liquid project is about to launch, yet you’ve siphoned off two billion from the accounts! And now you want to dismiss me and replace me with Lin Yanyan? Does she even know how to manage this?"

"That’s not for you to worry about," Lin Dahai retorted, dropping his facade and showing his true colors. "If you want to proceed with the project, earn the funds yourself! The Ye family’s money isn't for you to throw into the wind!"

The atmosphere in the room turned stifling.

"Lin Ruoxue, I suggest you listen to my father," interjected a young man sitting next to Lin Dahai with an arrogant sneer. It was Lin Zhicheng, the uncle's son, a notorious wastrel. "Otherwise, we’ll just kick you out of the Lin family! This is Grandmother’s will, too."

Lin Ruoxue felt a deep sense of despair. Juntianxia was her life’s work. With her grandfather in a coma and her grandmother now holding the reins, she had no one left to support her.

"Bang!"

Suddenly, the office door was kicked open. Everyone turned to see Ye Bing standing there, eyes cold and aura fierce.

"I heard someone wants to dismiss Ruoxue from her position as president!" Ye Bing declared, her presence so overwhelming that no one dared to speak. "Whoever said it, stand up!"