Zhang Ling screamed in shock and looked back to see a beautiful, innocent face looking at her.
"I'm sorry, Zhang Ling, I didn't mean to. Please don't be angry."
"Quan Jiu," Zhang Ling's face contorted with anger, and she yelled, "You did it on purpose."
Her shout drew the attention of everyone in the banquet hall. All eyes fell on one person.
The woman wore a strapless mermaid gown. The hourglass silhouette perfectly sculpted her waist and hip curves, making them comparable to a model's. The bamboo leaf embroidery on the dress made her appear elegant and refined. Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that the bamboo leaves were a combination of embroidery and feathers, which fluttered with her movements, making her even more graceful and beautiful.
Not only the departmental belle of medicine, but also the campus belle of the entire school – Quan Jiu.
Everyone was stunned. They all knew she was beautiful, but they never expected her to be so breathtakingly beautiful after seeing her again after five years. It was as if she had been a bud five years ago, and now she was in full bloom.
"Quan Jiu, you're finally here," Liu Jun said excitedly, his voice trembling slightly.
Quan Jiu smiled and greeted, "Long time no see."
Zhang Ling wiped the wine stains from her face and clothes and sneered, "Someone who hasn't graduated, relying on rich sugar daddies to save face. How dare she show up and embarrass herself."
Wu Yue exclaimed dramatically, "Don't tell me she's actually managed to catch the CEO of Chu Group."
"Beautiful women have sharp methods. It's not surprising she caught him, but it's a pity... she's never been able to go public," Fan Qiu scoffed. Everyone knew that the CEO of Chu Group was a golden bachelor.
Zhong Hong asked Quan Jiu with a gossip-filled expression, "Beautiful Quan, whose thigh did you latch onto? It's good to be pretty. As long as you take off your clothes, men will flock to you. Be careful, though. If you change men too often, you might get sick."
These words were undoubtedly malicious. However, everyone present remained indifferent, as if it were none of their business. Only Liu Yi said angrily, "Zhong Hong, you've gone too far."
Zhong Hong shrugged, "I'm just telling the truth. Don't disbelieve me. In school, she shamelessly pursued the CEO of Chu Group. As a dropout, what else could she use to afford this dress besides selling herself?"
"Are you finished?" Quan Jiu asked Zhong Hong with a smile.
Zhong Hong arrogantly raised her chin, "Finished."
"Come a little closer," Quan Jiu continued to smile at Zhong Hong.
Zhong Hong snorted disdainfully and took a step forward, "What, did I expose you..."
"Slap~" A crisp sound.
Zhong Hong covered her face in shock, "How dare you hit me? What right do you have to hit me?"
Quan Jiu casually twirled her wrist and said slowly, "Because I want to." As soon as she finished speaking, she slapped Zhong Hong's other cheek fiercely.
Zhong Hong stumbled back from the force of the blows, both sides of her face swollen and red.
"You're crazy! What right do you have to hit someone?" Zhang Ling stepped forward, scolding.
Quan Jiu said nonchalantly, "Didn't I just say? Because I want to."
She picked up a glass of champagne and elegantly walked over to Zhang Ling. "It's because I have a good man. My man said that no matter what trouble I cause today, he'll cover for me."
Zhang Ling took a step back, looking scared, "You lunatic, stay away from me."
Quan Jiu chuckled lightly, "Why are you so scared? I'm usually very friendly. I won't eat you."
Wu Yue and Fan Qiu moved back slightly.
Wu Yue whispered, "Did she really manage to catch the CEO of Chu Group?"
Fan Qiu gritted her teeth, "Even if she did, she's not presentable. How could a dropout marry into the Chu Group? She's definitely just a bed warmer, someone who will never be officially recognized."
Wu Yue nodded in agreement, "It must be. Just a paid companion who throws herself at him."
Zhang Ling stiffened her neck, "People like you, even with backing, are still illicit mistresses and paid companions. If your man is capable, let him come out.
Wearing a nice dress and you think you've transformed into a phoenix? Hmph, without parents, power, or influence, all you have to rely on is your face and your body. What's there to be proud of?"
Wu Yue, Fan Qiu, and Zhong Hong immediately burst into mocking laughter. As for the others, although they didn't laugh out loud, their eyes were filled with schadenfreude.
Those who were once on a pedestal, now fallen, and reduced to being a mistress, found a sense of superiority and balance at this moment.
Just then, a deep, powerful, and chilling voice suddenly echoed through the hall.
"Ah Jiu, do as you please. If you cripple them, I'll take care of it."
Everyone turned to look in the direction of the voice.
He walked in with a perfectly tailored suit, his impeccable proportions making him look like he was walking a runway, dazzling the entire hall and making it instantly dim.
And his cold demeanor and indifferent gaze made people instinctively keep their distance.
Zhang Ling looked at the man with infatuation, "It's Chu Rong. Why is he here?"
Wu Yue also murmured in a daze, "I never thought I'd see him in person in my lifetime. So handsome, even better looking than in photos."
Fan Qiu quickly took out a mirror to fix her appearance. Zhong Hong covered her swollen cheek and whispered, "Damn Quan Jiu, my face is all swollen."
However, as they preened and tried to attract his attention, they watched in disbelief as Chu Rong stopped in front of Quan Jiu.
Zhang Ling, her mind racing, rushed forward and said, "Hello, Mr. Chu. My father is the chairman of Yin Que Company, and we have a collaboration with Chu Group this year."
Chu Rong cast a cold glance at Zhang Ling, then looked at Quan Jiu, "Did she offend you?"
Quan Jiu suppressed her emotions, not wanting to reveal too much.
She turned away indifferently, found a chair, and sat down, leisurely sipping her champagne.
Chu Rong's lips curved slightly. He took out a ring, walked up to Quan Jiu, and knelt on one knee. His voice was as gentle as the spring breeze in March, "Ah Jiu, when will you be willing to come home with me?"
The moment he said this, not only Zhang Ling but everyone in the hall was stunned into silence.
The CEO of Chu Group was taking out a ring. Was this a proposal?
Zhang Ling looked at the handsome man kneeling before the woman she hated the most, her jealousy burning as if she were being fried in oil. Impossible, how could it be? How could an orphan with no power or influence be proposed to by the CEO of Chu Group? She must have been deceived by that slut.
She walked over a few steps, "Mr. Chu, don't be fooled by this woman. She seduces men everywhere. That dress she's wearing, who knows which man bought it for her? She's just using you."
Chu Rong's expression instantly turned cold. He looked at Zhang Ling with a dark gaze, "Yin Que Company?"
Zhang Ling's face lit up with joy, "Yes, yes, Yin Que Company is my father's company."
Chu Rong took out his phone and called Wang Xiao, his voice crystal clear, "Investigate a company called Yin Que. Acquire it by the end of today."
Zhang Ling's smile froze on her face. She looked at Chu Rong in shock, "Mr. Chu, what do you mean by this?"
Chu Rong smiled warmly at Quan Jiu, but his words were as cold as ice, "You made her unhappy."