As a result of these words, the entire hall fell silent. Many faces showed expressions of sudden realization.
"I knew it. That's why Ye Zhiwei was so extravagant with her spending at this time. So, this villa was borrowed."
"Putting on a brave face, trying to look richer than she is. And now she's been exposed."
Some of the guests, enjoying the spectacle, couldn't help but whisper amongst themselves.
"Xin Kai Capital? You actually have backing?"
Li Bingqing, who had just exposed Ye Zhiwei in front of everyone, was so stunned by the mention of Xin Kai Capital that she froze. She hadn't had time to savor her victory.
"So what? If you're allowed to form alliances, aren't I allowed to find allies?" Ye Zhiwei replied coldly.
Her practiced acting had Song Qiao, standing nearby, staring with wide eyes.
"I never realized Ye Zhiwei was so good at bluffing. Her acting skills are almost on par with a graduate from the Beijing Film Academy," Song Qiao thought to himself, while outwardly maintaining a calm demeanor and observing the unfolding drama.
"Allies? Bah!" Li Bingqing scoffed. "You, Lan Hai Industrial, and Xiang Piaopiao, you think you're worthy of being allies with them? I think you're nothing more than puppets." She clearly didn't fully believe Ye Zhiwei's explanation. Xin Kai Capital was famous nationwide, with even strong influence overseas. Such a company would at most offer support to Lan Hai, not become an ally.
"Moreover, even if Xin Kai Capital steps in, the three of us united wouldn't necessarily win against us," President Zhou added in agreement, his expression suggesting he already saw victory.
"None of this matters now. We'll settle this on the battlefield," Ye Zhiwei retorted coolly, no longer bothering to argue with them.
"No wonder Song Qiao is so arrogant usually. So, someone is supporting him from behind the scenes," Li Bingqing said, shifting her target to Song Qiao after failing to corner Ye Zhiwei.
Hearing this, the Xia sisters, Xia Yuqing and Xia Xueqing, immediately changed their expressions. The former looked worried, while the latter was furious, itching to rush forward and confront Li Bingqing.
"No wonder Song Qiao's business is doing so well. So, someone is backing him."
"I can't believe there's such a generous boss who, with one move, can provide a whole mountain-view villa, and yet be so low-key."
"Unlike Song Qiao, who always acts impulsively and gets into trouble outside." Xia Yuqing's anger grew with her thoughts, and her gaze towards Song Qiao became increasingly disappointed.
"Sister, what's wrong?" Xia Xueqing noticed her sister's unusual expression and immediately understood. "My brother-in-law, while not comparable to Xin Kai Capital, hasn't done too badly this past year. At least Xiang Piaopiao is already famous throughout our city."
"Hmph, he gets so smug with such little achievements, acting all high and mighty. I don't think he'll ever catch up to Xin Kai Capital in this lifetime." Hearing her sister's strong praise for Song Qiao, Xia Yuqing's expression grew even more grim. Her words seemed to carry barbs.
Seeing her sister's attitude, a flicker of excitement flashed in Xia Xueqing's eyes. She obediently closed her mouth, her mind already brewing new schemes.
When all the guests had gathered, Ye Zhiwei said a few brief words and declared the party officially open. Although the two sides were subtly vying against each other, they maintained a facade of harmony.
"Crash."
Song Qiao, distracted by matters concerning his wife, accidentally knocked over a plate on the table. The sauce splattered, landing directly on a young woman next to Li Bingqing.
"Ah, what are you doing?" Su Lan exclaimed and immediately stood up from her chair, glaring at Song Qiao with fury. She was the local representative of the Li family from Kyoto and already held some disdain for Song Qiao. Now, she had found an opportunity.
"I apologize, Miss Su. I am truly sorry, it was my carelessness." Startled by the exclamation, Song Qiao quickly stood up to apologize and promptly offered her tissues. Even though she was a competitor to him and Ye Zhiwei, it was indeed his fault, and Song Qiao would not deny it.
"Hmph, I think you did that on purpose!" Su Lan snatched the tissues fiercely, her eyes burning with anger, wishing she could devour Song Qiao.
"No, no, no, I really didn't do it on purpose. I sincerely apologize." Song Qiao felt a wave of helplessness but still politely explained himself.
"I can't believe a prominent business leader like you would act so disgracefully." Li Bingqing calmly set down her cutlery and spoke up in Su Lan's defense. Suddenly, Song Qiao became the center of everyone's attention.
"Hmph, what kind of manners can you expect from a nouveau riche?" Su Lan chimed in. Unsure how to vent her anger, she picked up the sauce dish from before and hurled it at Song Qiao.
However, Song Qiao reacted instantly, slightly shifting his body and easily dodging the projectile. Faced with the continuous insults and provocations, he began to feel a flicker of anger.
"Miss Su, if you consider yourself civilized, then please have some self-respect and don't be so unreasonable." Su Lan, seeing that Song Qiao had dodged her thrown dish, stamped her foot in anger.
"You clearly reacted so quickly, yet you claim it wasn't on purpose. Song, have you no shame at all?" As she spoke, her voice took on a slightly tearful tone, presenting herself as a delicate woman being bullied. Many of the onlookers who were enjoying the spectacle began to point fingers at Song Qiao.
"I say, you're a grown man, and you're picking a fight with a woman. Are you even a man?"
"You made a mistake, and instead of apologizing immediately, you're yelling at her. Truly the behavior of a nouveau riche." These businessmen spoke with righteous indignation, almost unanimously siding with Su Lan. Song Qiao suddenly found himself the target of universal condemnation.
"Miss Su Lan, regarding my unintentional spillage of sauce on your clothes, I offer my sincerest apologies. I am also willing to compensate you for the cleaning or the cost of the garment at its original price." Song Qiao took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his inner rage.
"Who cares about your apology? You deliberately came to disgust me. You, Lan Hai, and Xiang Piaopiao, are truly shameless." Su Lan, having finally found such a good opportunity, had no intention of letting it go.
At these words, Song Qiao finally lost all patience and his expression darkened. "Su Lan, I advise you to restrain yourself and not push your luck here. Otherwise, I will have the right to ask you to leave."