Chapter 198: Is this all your classmate has?

"Little Hui, you should learn a thing or two from your sister."

"Stop playing around every day and hang out less with those fair-weather friends."

Cui Jinghui's expression shifted slightly upon hearing this.

With Cui Ziqing present, he didn't dare utter a single word of defiance against Zheng Qian.

Good grief, how many people did Zheng Qian just insult with that remark?

He had managed to insult everyone, including himself, Yu Nana, Tang Xingyu, and all their old classmates.

And that wasn't even the end of it.

After hearing that, Cui Jinghui still had to force a slight, apologetic smile.

"Yes, yes, yes, Brother Qian is right to lecture me."

Damn it!

Before this, aside from a few close friends, who didn't call him Brother Hui?

Only Zheng Qian would dare call him that.

"Little Hui"—that was something only his father, Cui Hongliang, and those uncles and elders in the family called him.

In normal circumstances, who would dare address him like that?

"Jinghui, don't take President Zheng's words as a joke. How many times have I told you in the past to break up with that girlfriend of yours? You just won't listen."

"A gold-digging, vain girl—what is there to be attached to? I could find you a handful of girls like that in minutes."

"With our family's status, what kind of girl can't you find?"

"What's more, we now have President Zheng as our backing. There are plenty of good girls in the world; don't hang yourself on one tree."

By using the opportunity to lecture Cui Jinghui, Cui Ziqing was also flattering Zheng Qian, wanting to curry favor with him.

Once this contract was signed, the Cui Family's lifeline would be completely in Zheng Qian's hands; the relationship between the two families absolutely could not collapse.

If Zheng Qian were to get angry one day and stop supplying the Cui Family, the Cui Family would be finished immediately.

By then, they would be begging everyone they knew for help.

Although the clause just now allowed the Cui Family to profit, it also carried the risk of a backlash.

As Zheng Qian's largest agent in Jiuzhou, the Cui Family had inserted this layer for no reason, profiting 5% to 10% just by doing minor tasks; naturally, others would be jealous.

If they angered Zheng Qian and he gave the position of largest agent to someone else, the Cui Family would suffer a huge loss.

Cui Ziqing had a long-term vision and could already see the situation three years down the line.

Zheng Qian was someone who absolutely could not be offended.

Cui Jinghui lowered his head silently, like a child who had made a mistake: "I know, Sister. I'll break up with her when I get back."

He also knew that Zheng Qian was a figure he could not afford to offend now.

It wasn't just him who couldn't afford to offend him.

Even the entire Cui Family couldn't afford to offend him.

Once Zheng Qian was angered, the Cui Family would collapse immediately; even if he took over, he would just be inheriting a mess.

"Brother Qian, I will heed your teachings. I apologize to you once again here—I'm sorry!"

"At the same time, I also apologize to you on behalf of my ex-girlfriend!"

Cui Jinghui bowed 90 degrees to Zheng Qian.

If this scene were filmed and posted, it would immediately cause an explosion within the circle of young masters and socialites of Yebai.

Cui Jinghui was actually quite clever.

In reality, his conflicts with Zheng Qian were basically all because of Yu Nana, and Cui Jinghui realized that Yu Nana was a burden.

Apologizing to Zheng Qian again was also his way of distancing himself from Yu Nana directly in front of Zheng Qian.

Zheng Qian, satisfied, told Cui Jinghui to get up and patted him on the shoulder: "You're not so slow-witted after all, kid."

Patting someone on the shoulder was a gesture of guidance from an elder to a junior.

Patting someone on the arm signified intimacy between peers.

Cui Jinghui and Zheng Qian were college classmates, and seeing Zheng Qian naturally patting his shoulder, he knew that Zheng Qian no longer looked at him as an equal.

He was no longer the Cui Jinghui who could get the upper hand over Zheng Qian.

The entire Cui Family was Zheng Qian's subordinate.

Naturally, Zheng Qian didn't consider him a threat.

...

"Shanshan, you've been gone all day. How did your talk with that college classmate go?"

"Mom, it's not even close to being over. I didn't see him until after five in the afternoon; my legs are numb from sitting." After returning home, Lu Shanshan rubbed her legs continuously.

"Really? You only saw him after five? Your classmate sure has a big ego. Let Mom rub them for you."

A well-dressed, well-maintained woman, who still looked charming, knelt in front of the sofa and rubbed Lu Shanshan's legs.

She was Lu Shanshan's mother, named Zhao Ying.

In the 80s, Zhao Ying was a director at a garment factory. After being laid off, she founded her own factory, specializing in simple children's clothing. Starting from scratch and building assets of over 20 million, she was quite a formidable woman.

However, with the development of the internet and the increasingly prosperous economy, parents were becoming wealthier. Unable to bear seeing their children suffer, and with children maturing earlier—compounded by parental spoiling—those who should have been wearing children's clothing at their age began pursuing mature, trendy styles early on.

Major international brands and established companies also scrambled for the children's clothing market, releasing many small-sized garments.

Starting five years ago, Zhao Ying's garment business began to decline, with profits decreasing year by year.

If it weren't for kindergartens and elementary schools mandating that students wear uniforms, the company would have gone bankrupt long ago.

In the last two years, the company had even turned from profit to loss. Many bosses didn't care for Zhao Ying, feeling that the children's clothing industry had no future and was only suitable for kindergarteners.

Zhao Ying was under immense pressure and had been struggling to hold on for years.

"My good daughter, why haven't I heard you mention this college classmate before?"

"The predecessor of Qianhe Group was Zhengxin Shipyard, and the capital behind it is very powerful."

"The Group was just founded, and it has already acquired Jiyuan Woodworking, Dafu Timber, and Yamei Group—old-established enterprises that have survived in Yebai for decades."

"It even holds a large amount of stock in Jinxiu Group, reportedly as high as 40%."

"To be able to become a director of Qianhe Group, he must be a person of great ability!"

"Does he have a girlfriend now? Or is he already married?"

After hearing Lu Shanshan say that she had a college classmate who was a director at Qianhe Group, Zhao Ying's eyes widened.

It was she who had suggested that Lu Shanshan go ask Zheng Qian for help.

The enterprise had reached a critical point; without new capital entering, it would have to go bankrupt and face millions in debt.

If they could rely on the capital of Qianhe Group, the future development prospects of the company would be very bright.

"My dear daughter, tell Mom, what exactly is the situation?" Zhao Ying continued rubbing Lu Shanshan's legs, asking urgently.

Lu Shanshan told her mother the situation in detail.

After she finished, Zhao Ying's expression changed immediately.

"What kind of director is this? How can he not even make independent decisions about such a small amount of money?" Zhao Ying changed her expression faster than flipping a book.

"He said investment projects aren't under his management; there is a President Li above him and a President Chen, and they have to hold a meeting to discuss it," Lu Shanshan explained.

"Good grief, 'not under his management'? Do you know what a director means? In any enterprise, you have a certain say in matters big and small throughout the company."

"This kid is lying to you. Could he be an honorary director? The kind that just hangs a name without any shares?"

"Mom, do you mean to say that he is just a minor director in the company? With no status?" Lu Shanshan frowned.

"Exactly. If he were a director with power, how could he speak so humbly? 15 million would be decided on the spot, not needing discussion."

"Either he doesn't want to help, or he has no say in front of those big directors."

Seeing that Lu Shanshan hadn't negotiated it immediately, Zheng Qian's status in Zhao Ying's mind plummeted.

She had initially thought he was some big shot; who would have thought that this was all he was?