Chapter 508: It's All Over

Chapter 508: Chapter 506: It’s All Over

‘Does this mean I’m a helpless weed now? That no one here will help me?’

“Do you know what you should do?”

It was as if a bolt of lightning struck Zhou Tianyi, snapping her back to her senses.

“Li Xue, I’m sorry! I deserve to die! I shouldn’t have treated you like that…”

“Please, let me go! For the sake of our four years as classmates!”

Zhou Tianyi knelt, prostrating herself on the ground, refusing to move.

Li Xue looked up at the sky. ‘If Mu Lin hadn’t stepped in, what would have happened to me?’ she thought. ‘Zhou Tianyi would have probably ruined my reputation completely…’

Li Xue said to Mu Lin, “I’m tired. Do whatever you want with her.”

Mu Lin considered it. “Kick her out?”

“I said do whatever you want with her. Don’t make me repeat myself.”

With that, Li Xue turned to look into the distance, no longer wanting to deal with the matter.

Mu Lin said to Li Tianqiang, “Go back and make it clear to Li Tian that the Di Yang Li Family’s debt to the Anhua Li Family isn’t paid in full yet! Don’t think you can rely on outside forces to take me down. It’s useless. I’m far more powerful than you are.”

As he spoke, Mu Lin took Li Xue by the hand and walked into the building. The lawn was too chaotic; it was no longer a suitable place for them to stay.

Li Tianqiang’s date watched Li Xue with envy. ‘How could she be so lucky, to have a man as powerful as Mu Lin?’

‘Compared to him, my Li Tianqiang is just a good-for-nothing, completely worthless.’

Meanwhile, Ning Zuoren wished he could find a hole to crawl into. There was no longer any reason for him to stay at this banquet!

He pointed at Wu Tianliang and said, “Come with me. We’re going back to draft the share transfer agreement. At least then you won’t die a miserable death.”

Wu Tianliang said frantically, “Fifth Uncle Ning, you have to put in a good word for me! Otherwise… I’m finished!”

Ning Zuoren said with contempt, “A real man isn’t afraid of anything. What’s the big deal? A beating will just rough you up a bit. You deserve it!”

Wu Tianliang’s heart filled with despair. He looked at Zhou Tianyi, remembering that all his misfortune was because of her. Fury rose in his heart, spawning a vicious impulse.

“My company is gone because of you! How are you going to compensate me!”

He started punching and kicking Zhou Tianyi. Her delicate skin was instantly split and bleeding, and her clothes were torn.

But the people around them were unmoved, watching as if it were a common sight.

If they had encountered the same thing, they would have wanted to beat her too—maybe even kill her.

Zhou Tianyi’s fate would be miserable, but Mu Lin felt no sympathy for her. He had given her countless chances, but she hadn’t taken a single one. Ultimately, Wu Tianliang was the one who got dragged down, and in his rage, he would beat her half to death.

Li Xue watched Wu Tianliang’s furious back, feeling an emptiness in her heart. Just like that, the detestable Zhou Tianyi was finished.

“What will happen to her?” Li Xue asked for no particular reason.

“I don’t know,” Mu Lin replied. “Perhaps Wu Tianliang will abuse her until she’s barely human. It’s all her own fault.”

“Did I ask for your opinion?” Li Xue snapped. The whole affair had terrified her. Mu Lin had attacked without any warning, and Li Xue had thought this one fight would shatter the Li Family’s upward trajectory, confining their business to a small place like Anhua forever.

She never expected Mu Lin to give her such a huge surprise. It was more shock than joy, though. If only Mu Lin had explained things beforehand, she wouldn’t be this angry.

She wanted to demand an explanation from Mu Lin, but before she could speak, she saw the security captain running toward them, drenched in sweat, his face a mask of terror.

Before he even got close, he slid into a kneel. The commotion was so great that everyone nearby turned to look.

But he couldn’t be bothered with what others thought. He cried out:

“Sir, please, do me a favor. Don’t tell Chairman Xiao what happened just now, please? I have old parents and young children to support; my whole family depends on this job!”

Mu Lin hadn’t paid the security captain much mind. He smiled and said, “Life isn’t easy for anyone. You’re just trying to make a living. In the end, it’s not your fault. Just keep your eyes peeled from now on, and don’t let people screw you over, you hear?”

The security captain felt like he’d been brought back to life, given another chance to survive. He was so grateful to Mu Lin he felt like kowtowing ten times in a row. Countless people had their eyes on this job working for Nanjiang’s richest man. The slightest mistake could be used against him.

“You’re truly a good person. Thank you!”

The security captain’s heart was POUNDING. He returned to the small booth at the entrance, feeling as if his soul had almost left his body.

Li Xue’s emotions were still in turmoil. She asked, “When did you get so much clout?”

Mu Lin replied, “Are you talking about Ning Zuoren?”

‘Calling a key figure of the Ning Family by his full name… feeling pretty tough, are we?’ Li Xue pouted but still nodded. Mu Lin answered, “It wasn’t that hard. We had to sort out some differences to get acquainted, you know? It’s been this way ever since I paid a visit to the Ning Family.”

Li Xue was stunned. “When did you go to the Ning Family? How come I didn’t know?”

“We agreed to mind our own business. Do I need to report everything to you? They weren’t acting like decent people, so I went to hold them accountable. They definitely haven’t given up on killing me, but for now, they don’t dare to make a move. To avoid escalating the conflict, they’re sucking up harder than anyone.”

Mu Lin’s words made it difficult for Li Xue’s heart to calm down. ‘What the hell did this kid do in Di Yang? Is he that crazy?’

Gossip traveled fast. Many wealthy individuals who had never met Li Xue before were now actively striking up conversations with her.

Naturally, there were still some clueless people who didn’t give Li Xue a second thought.

The Li Group was still a rising star; no one knew how far it could go.

After swallowing the Yuelong Group, there would be a difficult period of integration, and no one knew how much of it they could actually digest in the end. Whether the Li Group would be overstretched and collapse was an even bigger unknown.

Overwhelmed by the attention, Li Xue accepted the business cards from the magnates. These were all future contacts.

She was thrilled to receive several business cards from leaders in Di Yang’s construction industry.

Although it was just a small business card for now, if handled correctly, it could become a reliable source of support and assistance, helping the Li Group establish its roots in Di Yang.

A commotion erupted at the entrance to the banquet hall. Mu Lin looked toward the source and saw a stunningly beautiful woman striding in. Her features were exquisite, her figure tall and slender. The evening gown she wore accentuated her slim waist, making her look graceful and alluring.

The moment she appeared, she captured the attention of the entire room. She smiled with composure, her gaze acknowledging everyone present.

Only one person could command such a presence: Xiao Hongling, the daughter of Xiao Longjiang.

Xiao Hongling greeted a few friends, then immediately noticed Mu Lin watching her. A flash of surprise and excitement crossed her beautiful eyes.

‘He’s here! He’s here!’ Xiao Hongling quickened her pace, heading straight for Mu Lin.

Li Xue watched Xiao Hongling with envy. She possessed everything a woman could envy: wealth, beauty, and ability, all at the pinnacle.

Xiao Hongling had always been the goal Li Xue strived for. Now, seeing her shining brightly in the crowd, Li Xue was captivated.

Suddenly, she saw Xiao Hongling look back at her. She was utterly surprised. ‘Why would Xiao Hongling look at me? I’m a nobody. What value do I have?’

An ominous thought suddenly crossed her mind. ‘Don’t tell me Mu Lin has offended her?’

While she was lost in thought, Xiao Hongling had already walked up to her. Her voice was crisp and gentle, tinged with a girlish delight.

“President Li, I heard you had an unpleasant encounter on the lawn outside. I’m truly sorry that your mood was disturbed.”

Li Xue was overwhelmed by the favor. Seeing her idol standing before her, her heart thumped wildly. She replied, “It’s nothing, Miss Xiao. Someone was harassing me; it has nothing to do with you. I see you’ve come to find me… does this mean you were the one who gave me my invitation?”

Xiao Hongling’s neck was long, fair, and very beautiful; a simple curve of it could fulfill many desires.

“I was the one who sent it. I’m very pleased you could grace us with your presence, President Li. Mr. Mu saved my life during a moment of crisis, so of course, I had to give you an invitation to express my gratitude.”

“But I truly didn’t expect you to bring Mr. Mu with you.”

‘Xiao Hongling said Mu Lin saved her? When did that happen?’ At least he hadn’t offended her, so that was a relief. Li Xue felt an inexplicable sense of ease, and at the same time, she committed this piece of information to memory.

“President Li, there are too many people here to talk freely. Why don’t we go to one of the private rooms upstairs for a chat?”

Li Xue replied, “I would be honored to accept your invitation!”

Mu Lin, Xiao Hongling, and Li Xue went upstairs together, leaving the guests stunned and whispering among themselves. Xiao Hongling actually knew the president of the Li Group? How could such an unknown company catch Xiao Hongling’s eye?

The three of them entered a lavishly decorated private room. It was empty.

“Please, have a seat, President Li!”