352: Chapter 351 Chu Weimin arrives in Shanghai, Zhao Lintai is humiliated once again.

In the arrivals hall of Modu International Airport, crowds surged, and the sound of suitcase wheels rubbing against the floor mingled with the chatter of travelers into a noisy din.

Suddenly, a burst of hurried footsteps broke the clamor—Han Hao, dressed in a crisp Security Bureau uniform and followed by several public security officers, walked straight toward a woman in the crowd.

That was precisely Li Bing's mistress. She had just been stopped while passing through security and was about to argue with the staff when she saw the group walking toward her. Her face turned deathly pale, and her legs went weak, nearly causing her to collapse.

"Come with us," Han Hao said, flashing his ID, his voice cold and hard, brooking no resistance.

The officers stepped forward to grab the woman's arms. She struggled and screamed, instantly attracting the attention of the surrounding travelers.

Immediately, the 'click-click' of phone cameras rose one after another, and flashes continuously lit up within the crowd.

This scene happened to be witnessed by Smith, who had just arrived in Magic City.

Seeing everyone around him raising their phones to take photos and videos, Smith followed suit, pulling out his phone and snapping a few 'click-click' shots.

His secretary, Lisa, had gone to the restroom immediately after getting off the plane. After touching up her makeup, she received a call from Chu Weimin, so she did not see the scene just now.

About five minutes later, Lisa returned to Smith's side and reported, "Boss, sorry for the wait. Mr. Chu just called to say his flight has also arrived. Should we wait for him to leave together?"

From the scene just now, Smith had a faint feeling that the people from the Dragon Country Security Bureau might have already set their sights on Chu. It might not be appropriate to meet him at this time.

Thus, out of caution, Smith shook his head and said, "No waiting. Tell him we'll meet at the hotel tonight." After saying that, Smith adjusted his amber sunglasses, pushed his suitcase, and strode toward the arrival gate.

Lisa, carrying her bag, followed closely beside Smith while sending a message to Chu Weimin.

Walking to the arrival gate, they happened to see a black HQ sedan with Security Bureau markings, followed by a SWAT anti-explosion vehicle. Both vehicles, with police lights flashing and sirens wailing, drove past Smith's eyes.

"Wow, what's going on? Didn't they say Dragon Country's public security is very good? Why is there such a big commotion? Are they catching a fugitive?" Lisa muttered to herself as she watched the police cars drive away.

"Heh," Smith chuckled and remarked, "No matter how good public security is, it doesn't mean there's no crime. It's just like how the calmer the lake surface, the more undercurrents are surging!" As Smith said this, he was also secretly thinking—it seems the news that broke last night was just the beginning; things are indeed getting more and more interesting.

"Mm, that makes sense!" Lisa immediately agreed, her face showing an expression of admiration. "So, where are we going next?" She took Smith's arm, her tone intimate.

Smith raised his wrist to check his watch; the hands already pointed to 11:50. He patted Lisa's hand, his tone relaxing: "It's almost noon, let's go get something to eat first. Since we're in Dragon Country, we have to taste the most authentic Chinese food."

"Great!" Lisa jumped excitedly and immediately waved for a taxi. "I've heard for a long time that Dragon Country's food is delicious. I can finally taste it! Coming out with you, Boss, is so wonderful!"

A taxi slowly pulled up, and the driver leaned his head out. Seeing they were two foreigners, he immediately smiled and showed off his self-taught English: "Welcome to Magic City, my friends!" That English, with a thick Magic City accent, made "Magic City" sound like "Ma-ji City," instantly making Smith and Lisa burst into laughter.

"Thanks, but I can speak Chinese." Smith responded with a smile in fluent Chinese, even adding a touch of teasing, "Master, your English is very unique, but we can just communicate directly in Chinese."

"Oh, your Chinese is so good!" The driver's eyes widened in surprise as he looked at Smith through the rearview mirror, his tone full of praise.

Smith smiled and said modestly, "It's just average. I use it in my daily work, so I slowly became proficient."

"Then, where are you two headed?" the driver asked, looking at them through the rearview mirror while waiting for their answer.

"We want to eat the most authentic Chinese food. Do you have any recommendations, Master?"

"Of course! I have two choices for you. One is the Peace Hotel, a hundred-year-old brand; foreign heads of state go there when they visit, and the environment is beyond words! The other is the Magic City Old Restaurant, which locals frequent; the taste is incredible, and the price is affordable. Which one do you want to choose?"

Smith's eyes lit up, and he immediately said, "Then let's go to the Magic City Old Restaurant. I also want to experience a restaurant that you locals often visit and see how the taste and price feel~"

"Alright!" The driver agreed readily, stepped on the gas, and the car drove steadily toward the Magic City Old Restaurant.

Not long after Smith's taxi left, a black Audi A8L slowly stopped at the arrival gate. The passenger door opened, and Dong Yudong quickly stepped out, straightening his suit.

Then, the driver's side door was also pushed open, and the legal counsel for Hongtai Construction—Zhou Qian—also followed out of the car.

The two waited for about ten minutes before Chu Weimin appeared at the arrival gate pulling a suitcase. He wore an expensive custom-made suit, his hair was combed meticulously, and a gentle smile was on his face, but a trace of hard-to-detect fatigue and worry was hidden deep in his eyes.

"Chairman, you've worked hard!" Dong Yudong immediately stepped forward, diligently taking the suitcase from Chu Weimin's hand, his tone respectful.

Zhou Qian also stepped forward, taking the initiative to reach out and shake Chu Weimin's hand, a smile plastered on his face: "Boss Chu, welcome to Magic City! It's been a hard journey."

"I'm sorry to have troubled Lawyer Zhou to make a special trip," Chu Weimin responded politely, shaking Zhou Qian's hand gently. "I should have been the one to visit you, but instead, I've had you come out here."

"As I should."

After a few pleasantries, Chu Weimin suddenly sighed and said in a heavy tone, "Sigh, thinking back to half a year ago, how glorious Hongtai Construction was under the leadership of Mr. Wang Hongtai. Who would have thought that in just half a year, it would become like this... Lawyer Zhou, don't be too sad either."

Zhou Qian sighed deeply and replied, "Yes, no one expected such a thing to happen."

"Has Mr. Wang Hongtai's memorial service been held yet? If possible, I would like to go and pay my respects," Chu Weimin asked again.

Zhou Qian nodded and explained, "When Mr. Wang Hongtai had his accident, his only son, Mr. Wang Hao, was also injured and hospitalized. Coupled with the fact that the affairs of Hongtai Construction were causing a stir on the internet, in order not to affect the company's normal operations, Mr. Wang Hongtai's memorial service was not a grand affair. If Boss Chu wishes to pay his respects, I will arrange it tomorrow."

"Good. After all, we were acquaintances; I wouldn't feel at ease if I didn't go see him. Then I'll trouble Lawyer Zhou."

"As I should. Then, Boss Chu, let's get in the car first," Zhou Qian suggested.

Afterward, the three sat in the car. Zhou Qian drove, Dong Yudong sat in the passenger seat, and Chu Weimin leaned back in the rear seat, closing his eyes to rest.

At this time, Dong Yudong in the passenger seat spoke up: "Chairman, the hotel has been booked. Should we go to the company first, or go back to the hotel to rest and freshen up?"

Chu Weimin did not answer immediately but instead asked, "How is the handling of the scandals about Hongtai Construction that broke out online? Is there any new progress from the investigation team?"

Dong Yudong immediately turned around and responded to Chu Weimin in the back: "Yesterday afternoon, the city's investigation team had already withdrawn. Moreover, the city just held a meeting. I'll trouble Lawyer Zhou to explain the specifics."

Zhou Qian nodded and, while driving, responded, "It's like this, Boss Chu. The city discussed it in a meeting this morning. Regarding the scandals about Hongtai Construction that recently broke out online, the city organized the industry and commerce, taxation, and other departments to conduct a joint audit of the company's accounts and ongoing projects, and they found no issues of illegalities, irregularities, or disciplinary violations within the company."

He paused, his tone becoming somewhat grave, "However, the former chairman of the company—Mr. Wang Hongtai—did indeed have improper transactional dealings with some officials. But for the specific details, we have to wait until the Discipline Inspection Commission and other relevant departments have finished their investigation before there is a conclusion. But Mr. Wang Hongtai's illegalities and disciplinary issues do not have a significant impact on the company's operations. The specific announcement of the situation should be reported in tonight's news. By then, this public opinion storm for Hongtai Construction will be considered over."

Hearing Zhou Qian's explanation, Chu Weimin nodded with satisfaction and then said, "Dragon Country is a society based on human relationships after all. Politics and business—businessmen and politicians are always inseparable, and some interactions are normal. It depends on how the Magic City government defines this matter. Since the investigation team has withdrawn, let's go to the company first." Chu Weimin paused and asked, knowing the answer, "By the way, who is currently presiding over the work at the company?"

Dong Yudong responded, "It's the legal counsel for Lintai Investment Company—Lawyer Wang Ming."

"Good, then let's go meet him first and see how well he's managing the company."

...

Meanwhile, the entrance of Southwest International Hotel had already been prepared.

The hotel manager, dressed in a crisp suit, had his hands folded in front of him, but fine beads of sweat were seeping from his forehead. The lobby manager led a group of service staff lined up on both sides, their faces bearing standard smiles, but their eyes frequently darted toward the intersection, waiting nervously for the arrival of the Si Family members.

Finally, the three cars of the Si Family slowly turned from the intersection into the hotel parking lot.

Inside the car, Si Hongjun's gaze swept through the window toward the hotel perimeter—he saw over a dozen reporters carrying cameras, hiding sneakily behind flower beds, their lenses fixed firmly on the hotel entrance. A meaningful curve hooked at the corner of his mouth as he secretly calculated: it seemed the news of his daughter's return from Magic City had already alerted these media outlets.

Thus, a flash of calculation crossed Si Hongjun's eyes. He pointed at those media reporters outside and, with a slight smile, said to Si Yao, "Yaoyao, didn't you want to use Qin Yi as a shield? This is a good chance to use the mouths of these media outlets to spread the news to the Zhao Family of the Capital, which will also serve to test Old Master Zhao's reaction. When we get out of the car in a moment, you do this..."

Hearing her father's suggestion, Si Yao's eyes lit up, and she nodded in response: "I have no objections. Grandpa, what do you think?"

Si Zhengxiong slowly opened his eyes. His cloudy gaze swept over the reporters outside the window and then landed on Si Yao. After a moment of silence, he nodded: "Very well, it's fine to test them. Let Old Zhao have some mental preparation in advance, to save us from falling out and making things look bad for everyone later."

Soon, the three Si Family cars came to a steady stop at the hotel entrance. The black-clad bodyguards who had been waiting there immediately stepped forward and nimbly opened the car doors.

Si Zhengxiong slowly got out of the car with the support of Si Hongjun and Si Yao, and was then carefully helped into a wheelchair. He raised a hand to straighten his lapels, his gaze calmly sweeping over the surroundings, yet carrying an invisible majesty that made the service staff present subconsciously hold their breath.

At this time, Qin Yi, Zhao Lintai, Ye Ziming, and Shen Jianan also got out of the two Maybachs in front and behind.

Si Yao naturally came to Qin Yi's side, intimately hooking her arm through Qin Yi's, and whispered in his ear in a voice only the two of them could hear: "Qin Yi, kiss me!"

Qin Yi looked as if he had heard some fantasy story. He blinked his eyes and looked at Si Yao in disbelief, his gaze full of doubt and wariness—what kind of medicine was this woman selling in her gourd? Asking me to kiss you? More like, if I kiss you one second, a slap will come flying the next.

Seeing that Qin Yi had not moved for a long time, Si Yao caught a glimpse from the corner of her eye that the three cars behind were about to leave, and she couldn't help but feel a bit anxious.

She took a deep breath and, while Qin Yi was still dazed, suddenly stood on her tiptoes and gave him a light kiss on the cheek.

The soft sensation was fleeting. Before Qin Yi could even react, Si Yao was already like a shy little woman, clutching his arm even tighter. Her cheeks were even slightly flushed, but her eyes held a trace of a cunning smile as she swept a look toward Zhao Lintai not far away, as if in a show of force.

Qin Yi also reacted at this point, thinking to himself: Well then, Si Yao, you won't rest until you've angered Zhao Lintai to death. Fine, then I'll add more fuel to the fire.

Thinking of this, Qin Yi also unceremoniously lowered his head and gave Si Yao a light kiss on her forehead.

This scene caused Zhao Lintai, who was standing to the side, to instantly explode. He clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning greenish-white, and his nails nearly digging into his flesh. Seeing the two 'showing affection' like this, his whole being was about to burst with rage.

He had just been humiliated by Qin Yi in the car, and now, only a few minutes after getting out, he was being slapped in the face by Si Yao's public "display of affection"—she clearly knew he had come to propose marriage, yet she deliberately acted close to another man in front of so many people. Wasn't this rubbing his face into the ground?!

He looked at the others around him and found that they were either looking down, pretending to be busy, or their eyes were dodging his, as if all of this was perfectly natural. Only he was like a redundant joke, standing there accepting the mockery.

A surge of fury rose from his heart, making his throat tighten, yet he could only endure it and not dare to lose his temper—this was the Si Family's territory. If he dared to lose his composure, it would only make others laugh at him.

Outside the hotel parking lot, those reporters who had originally been waiting for material on the "Return of the Si Family's Eldest Miss" instantly boiled over like hungry wolves smelling blood the moment they saw Si Yao kiss Qin Yi.

The sound of camera shutters 'click-click-click' rang out in a chorus, flashes went off one after another, and some people even couldn't help but let out low exclamations.

"Holy crap! Am I seeing this right? The eldest miss of the Si Family actually took the initiative to kiss that guy?" A young reporter's eyes widened as he scrambled to adjust his camera settings, fearing he would miss the subsequent frames.

"Who is that guy? He looks plain and ordinary; how did he manage to climb onto the great tree of the Si Family?" another reporter grumbled while recording, his tone full of jealousy.

"That's not right! Isn't the one standing next to that man Zhao Lintai of the Zhao Family of the Capital? Didn't he come to the Southwest to propose marriage? A few days ago, Si Hongjun even took him to attend some chamber of commerce events. Why is Miss Si bringing back another man now? This script has too much of a twist!"

"We hit the jackpot! I thought we'd only get some photos today, but I didn't expect to dig up such a huge scoop! I have to send the photos back immediately and have the editor get them on the front page!"

...