Chapter 406: Showdown

Chapter 406: Chapter 406: Showdown

Meeting Wang Chenning’s gaze, Yan Dongling finally gave a solemn nod. "I’m willing!"

’Being taken advantage of by Wang Chenning doesn’t seem like such a terrible thing.’ In fact, Yan Dongling felt she would be the one getting the better end of the deal.

After all, she was many years older than Wang Chenning. If they were to do... *that*, she’d be the one robbing the cradle.

She just never imagined Wang Chenning could also be one of those filthy hypocrites—a man who preached virtue and morality while harboring a heart full of depravity.

But who would have thought Wang Chenning would say, "You’ll attend the banquet with us tonight. And at the banquet, you will tell everyone your story!"

Yan Dongling was utterly dumbfounded.

So Wang Chenning wanted her to blow the situation wide open, not to lust after her body.

’It seems I really got the wrong idea...’

Wang Chenning was surrounded by beautiful women. She couldn’t compare to them in looks, figure, disposition, or the nobility of their backgrounds.

It wouldn’t be hard for him to start a... more than friendly relationship with any of them.

’He could have any woman he wanted. Why would he be interested in me!’

If Wang Chenning was willing to help her, it could only be for his own benefit.

Of course, when Yan Dongling had asked Wang Chenning for help, she had already been prepared to give herself to him.

Age aside, Wang Chenning’s looks and immense influence alone were enough to make any woman swoon.

When she had contacted Zheng Qiuhang, Yan Dongling had guessed her former student had become Wang Chenning’s lover. Otherwise, he would never have placed her in such a high-profile position.

Zheng Qiuhang hadn’t hidden her feelings, either. She said she was incredibly grateful for his patronage and for recognizing her abilities, and that she was willing to do anything for him.

But now, Yan Dongling felt things weren’t so simple.

As Yan Dongling’s mind raced, Wang Chenning spoke again. "I have one principle: anyone who works against me, I remove. If you want my help, you become one of my people. And if you want to be one of my people, you have to adopt my way of doing things. Otherwise, this is a non-starter!"

Wang Chenning’s words made the color drain from Yan Dongling’s face.

She understood the meaning behind his words. He wanted her to be the pawn to take down Miao Jianhang.

Yan Dongling didn’t know the deeper implications, but she knew it involved all sorts of complicated intrigues.

The path they were on was treacherous, and the waters ran deep. She was terrified.

"If you don’t even have the courage to stand up and tell the truth, then there’s nothing more to discuss." Wang Chenning smiled and started to walk away. "Come on. Keep walking with me. We’ll just pretend this conversation never happened."

Only after Wang Chenning had walked some distance did Yan Dongling snap out of it and hurry to catch up.

To Wang Chenning’s surprise, as she continued to accompany him on his walk, Yan Dongling didn’t seem to have lost her composure. She introduced each scenic spot to him as they passed, though her expression lacked the easy calm from before.

’This woman has good mental fortitude,’ he thought. ’With the right support and opportunity, she could really achieve great things.’

After they had made a loop and Wang Chenning was about to rejoin the others, Yan Dongling finally made up her mind.

"Teacher Wang, I’ll do it!" she said, her head lowered and her teeth clenched. "Tonight, in front of Boss Dai and everyone else, I’ll say everything!"

Wang Chenning was quite satisfied. Yan Dongling had made her decision, and she hadn’t asked him for protection after making it.

"It’s three-thirty in the afternoon. That gives us about two hours until dinner." Wang Chenning checked the time. "Go back and prepare your evidence. Never fight a battle you aren’t prepared for. Got it?"

As he spoke, his eyes remained fixed on her.

Yan Dongling was indeed impressive in every respect. She was about five-foot-seven and well-proportioned, her professional suit unable to conceal her excellent figure, especially her long legs. The suit even added a certain commanding sharpness to her look. Her neck was long and slender, her posture was excellent, and she radiated the aura of a mature, sophisticated woman.

Seeing a woman like her would certainly stir a desire to conquer in most older men. It was no wonder so many of them wanted to take advantage of her.

Yan Dongling found it a little hard to bear his scrutiny, but she didn’t turn away. She stood for a moment with her head bowed, then nodded lightly. "Thank you, Teacher Wang. I’ll be going now. I’ll come back and meet up with you all in a bit!"

Wang Chenning nodded and strode toward where the other women were sitting.

"Zhuozheng Garden is pretty nice. Let’s take a walk," Wang Chenning said after sitting down, beckoning for the women to join him. "If I ever buy a villa in Yandu, I could model the garden after a place like this. Take a good look, you all can give me some pointers then. I’ve already decided that once I’ve made enough money, I’m buying a villa in Yandu with a massive garden. I’ll be able to invite you all over for tea and to enjoy the view. A barbecue in the garden would be nice, too!"

"A man who can afford a luxury mansion by West Lake shouldn’t have any trouble buying a villa in Yandu!" Yang Xiaofei said sarcastically. "Just as long as you don’t come asking us for donations!"

"I’ll only be asking for donations of decorating ideas, is that okay?" Wang Chenning laughed, ignoring the jealousy in Yang Xiaofei’s tone. "And if I don’t have enough money, we’ll just work harder to earn more. Maybe we’ll even be able to buy an island or a whole country. Think about it, didn’t the United States buy Alaska back in the day? Maybe we’ll get a chance like that. If so, we could build our own palace!"

"And you’d be the emperor, and we’d be your concubines, is that it?" Luo Yuqing giggled. "In your dreams! So, who are you planning to make your empress?"

"You’ve just given me a brilliant idea!" Wang Chenning roared with laughter. "I’ll start working toward that goal! Once my palace is built, I’ll come and make you all my imperial consorts!"

With that, Wang Chenning darted away, completely ignoring the volley of playful curses from the women.

After hurling a few more insults at Wang Chenning, the women dropped the subject.

They followed Wang Chenning around a few more famous spots, and soon it was five in the afternoon.

Yan Dongling had returned. When she saw Wang Chenning, she gave him a slight nod.

She then announced, "We should leave Zhuozheng Garden now. The restaurant is only about three hundred meters from here. Shall we walk?"

No one objected, so they followed Yan Dongling out of Zhuozheng Garden.

By the time their party arrived at the Gusu Grand Hotel for dinner, Dai Xingfeng and his deputies were already there.

In the lobby, Wang Chenning also spotted Miao Jianhang, an imposing-looking, middle-aged man who was balding on top.

Wang Chenning paid close attention to Miao Jianhang’s reaction upon seeing Yan Dongling, as well as the look on her face when she saw him.

When Miao Jianhang saw Yan Dongling, his gaze lingered on her for an extra moment, and there was something odd in his eyes.

Yan Dongling, on the other hand, averted her gaze, not daring to look Miao Jianhang in the eye.

After exchanging pleasantries, the hosts and guests took the elevator to a private room on the third floor.

After they were seated, Wang Chenning lavished praise on Yan Dongling for her performance that day. He said her company was an absolute delight, and that thanks to her, they had spent a wonderful day appreciating the beautiful scenery and learning about the culture of Gusu.

Luo Yuqing chimed in, "Miss Yan is so capable, I can’t help but admire her talent. However, I’ve heard that things aren’t going so well for her here. Apparently, someone is using their high position to covet her beauty and has... designs on her."

At Luo Yuqing’s words, the expressions of several people at the table changed instantly.