Shang Rongrong looked down at Han Jianyue again. "Apologize."
Han Jianyue gritted his teeth. He had lost face completely this time. But asking him to apologize to an "actor" was tantamount to slapping his own face, the Han family's face!
"Shang Rongrong, you need to understand. Offending me is not worth the price of a single play!"
He threatened her, vowing to ruin her.
Shang Rongrong suddenly increased the pressure. "I said, apologize."
"Ah—Ap-apologize, I apologize..."
Han Jianyue's forehead was covered in cold sweat from the pain. "So-sorry."
"Louder."
"Sorry!"
"What did you do wrong?"
"?!"
Han Jianyue looked at her in disbelief. Was she kidding him?
"I asked you, what did you do wrong?"
"W-wrong... for calling you a bitch..."
"Anything else?"
"???!!"
Han Jianyue was going mad, his teeth grinding. "For saying you're an actor..."
"And?"
"..."
Han Jianyue's eyes were red with hatred as he glared at her.
Shang Rongrong, you're dead!
Lin Guanyan stepped in to mediate. "Miss Shang, Young Master Han has already apologized. Let's just let this matter go. A little teasing between young people should have its limits."
Shang Rongrong glanced at him and then slowly lifted her foot.
Han Jianyue was helped up, his legs weak. People behind him snickered. At this rate, he wouldn't be able to perform on the bed for a week.
Han Jianyue glared at her fiercely, but Shang Rongrong pretended not to see it. She had vented her anger for the night and didn't like such occasions anyway. She gave a slight nod to Lin Guanyan, who represented the hosts, said, "My apologies," and left.
Behind her, people were still talking, "She's truly the woman I like, so beautiful and valiant!"
"Wow! Sister Rong is Sister Rong! Fierce and to the point, I love it!"
The ability to win over these wealthy wives was a testament to Shang Rongrong's personal charm.
Staring at the retreating figure of that woman, Han Jianyue was about to explode with anger.
He had slept with at least eighty, if not a hundred, female celebrities, not to mention those from obscure industries or aspiring models. They had always been eager to jump into his bed with just a snap of his fingers!
Yet this Shang Rongrong dared to be so defiant. He wouldn't be blamed for showing no mercy.
He broke free from the grip of the Xiao family's bodyguard, glanced at Lin Guanyan, and said with a forced smile, "Uncle Lin, you'd better give me an explanation for this!"
Lin Guanyan looked troubled. "Young Master Han, this matter is likely..."
In full view of everyone, Han Jianyue had made the first move on his companion. Moreover, Shang Rongrong had fans present. If he showed any bias, he would be criticized.
As the Xiao family's steward, he had to handle matters appropriately for the Xiao family without offending the Han family. This was truly a difficult situation!
"Uncle Lin, since you can't make the decision, then call Grandpa Xiao out to see me!" Han Jianyue's tone was extremely impolite. He had lost face here and needed to regain it. Otherwise, how could he continue to mingle in society?
Of course, that Shang Rongrong wouldn't escape tonight either!
"Young Master Han, our master is still on his way back."
Han Jianyue stepped forward, leaned closer to his ear, and ground out, "Heh, Uncle Lin, are you trying to fool a kid?"
"Young Master Han, it's true. Our master is really not here..."
"Fine! He's not here, is he?"
Han Jianyue took a few steps back. "Then let's put our cooperation on hold for now. I have doubts about the Xiao family's sincerity."
"Young Master Han, doing this is rather..."
"Stop the nonsense! It was your fourth young master who begged to cooperate with me! I'm telling you, if young master is unhappy, don't mention cooperation to me again!"
"But from what I know, the preparatory work has already begun. If Young Master Han acts like this, won't it be a waste of a lot of effort and resources?"
"Heh, what? Young master can afford to lose this money! It's your Xiao family that..."
Just then, a person walked in from outside, his voice lazy and deep. "What about the Xiao family?"
Xiao Yi entered from outside, and many were surprised to see him. Although there were few secrets in this circle, the fact that Xiao Yi was the fourth young master of the Xiao family was not widely known.
"Xiao Yi, hah, you've come at the perfect time!"
Han Jianyue was using this as an excuse to throw a tantrum. He said with a fake smile, "I kindly came to your Xiao family to attend the banquet, which was giving you face. But what happened? I was bullied on your territory, and you all just stood there watching! If you don't give me an explanation for this, every single one of you Xiao family members will not have an easy time!"
This was a complete breakdown of civility, a direct threat.
Xiao Yi glanced at Lin Guanyan, who had no choice but to explain, "It was Young Master Han and his female companion, Miss Shang Rongrong, who had a... minor conflict earlier."
"Shang Rongrong?"
Xiao Yi didn't pay much attention to matters within the circle. He hadn't expected her to be Han Jianyue's companion.
However, what interested him more was their "conflict."
Of course, he also caught the hint in the butler's words. His expression remained calm. "So, you and your people had a conflict on our Xiao family's territory and suffered a loss. Conversely, you blame us for not helping you bully a woman? Is that what you mean?"
Shang Rongrong's remarkable strength was not a secret in the circle. Anyone who had collaborated with her on a film knew about it.
If this had happened to an ordinary artist, "unusual strength" would have been hyped up as a persona. But Shang Rongrong refused. In terms of professionalism, they shared the same conviction: the biggest marketing point was acting, and it had to be genuine.
Therefore, when Han Jianyue claimed to have been bullied, Xiao Yi could probably guess what had happened.
Han Jianyue looked at him in disbelief. "Xiao Yi, be a decent person! Aren't you afraid of retribution for twisting the facts like this?"
Xiao Yi shrugged and chuckled. "Heh, if you're not afraid, why should I be?"
"Fine! I see now, your Xiao family doesn't want to cooperate anymore! Alright, from now on, I..."
"You what?"
A stern voice echoed, and Han Jianyue froze.
"Dad?"
A middle-aged man with an imposing presence walked in, accompanied by a very young and handsome man with striking, glassy eyes.
Han Hongsui walked in and ignored his son. Instead, he said earnestly to Xiao Yi, "Ah Yi, I apologize to you on behalf of this scoundrel."
Xiao Yi was neither servile nor overbearing. "Uncle Han, you are too kind."
As he spoke, he glanced at the young man beside him.
The latter had a delicate and effeminate face, possessing a gender-neutral beauty.
Many in the wealthy circle were attracted to both genders, and this boy's appearance perfectly suited their aesthetic. Thus, some began to speculate if he might be Han Hongsui's new favorite.
However, Han Hongsui was known to be quite upright and had never been rumored to have any deviations in this regard.
"Dad, why are you here? Didn't you say I would come to check things out on your behalf?"
His dismissive tone made Han Hongsui frown.
He wondered where his foolish son got the confidence to believe the Han family had the power to crush the Xiao family!