22: Did Hu Yourong slap Lin Feng in the face?

"Aunt Qu, Yunyan." Ling Xian greeted them simply, his attitude natural—neither overly warm nor distant.

He could feel that Leng Yunyan's scrutiny of Hu Yourong was causing the girl's body to tense up.

However, this was normal.

Leng Yunyan was, after all, a cold and glamorous CEO, while Hu Yourong was just a secretary who had only recently joined the Ling Corporation.

The temperament she had accumulated was still lacking, but that was something that could be cultivated slowly.

"And who is this?" Qu Shuiyun looked at Hu Yourong curiously.

"My secretary, Hu Yourong!" Ling Xian's voice was firm, hoping to give the girl beside him some confidence.

Qu Shuiyun sized her up, her eyes instantly lighting up as she smiled. "What a handsome young lady.

Little Xian, you have truly good taste."

These words carried a double meaning, making Leng Yunyan's expression turn even colder.

During the pleasantries, Ling Xian's powerful soul keenly perceived a gaze filled with hostility.

It was Lin Feng.

At this moment, he was dressed casually, looking completely out of place among everyone else present.

He walked into the banquet hall, guided by a manager from the Su Family.

Upon seeing him, Ling Xian raised his wine glass, pointed at Lin Feng, and smiled at Leng Yunyan. "Yunyan, look, your company's security guard."

His words carried a hint of mockery.

Leng Yunyan's face darkened further. Every time she encountered Ling Xian now, he was either mocking her or setting a trap.

"Ling Xian! Why are you so infuriating!" Leng Yunyan cursed inwardly.

Lin Feng's eyes turned icy as he watched Ling Xian talking with Hu Yourong, Leng Yunyan, and Qu Shuiyun.

Lately, he had either been suffering or was on his way to suffer more.

And yet, this rich second-generation heir was actually out picking up girls?

And it was the female CEO he had set his sights on.

Plus, the secretary beside him—how was she so beautiful?

He remembered her photo from before being quite ordinary!

Behind him followed Wolf Fang, a burly man with a pale face and a somewhat strange gait.

His eyes were hollow, and a faint pain lingered in his lower body; he felt nothing but malice toward everything around him.

He had lost his manhood!

At the thought of this, he wanted to cry but had no tears. He felt that his few days in Dragon Country had been more cruel than a decade on the battlefield.

Is this Dragon Country? Truly a forbidden zone for mercenaries.

With such methods, it's no wonder no mercenaries dare enter.

At the banquet, Uncle Su, acting as the host, mingled among the guests and soon steered the conversation toward the younger generation.

It seemed he was preparing to introduce Lin Feng to everyone, hoping to build some connections for him.

"Right now, we old fogies are in charge, but the future ultimately belongs to the young people." Uncle Su raised his glass with a smile and pushed Lin Feng forward.

"This is a young man I met overseas. He has courage and ability. Everyone, please look out for him."

Hearing Uncle Su's words, the others chimed in, "Of course, of course."

Lin Feng suddenly felt his confidence returning.

At this thought, he shot a peculiar glance at Ling Xian.

Unfortunately, Ling Xian couldn't be bothered to pay him any attention.

Uncle Su noticed this and spoke up, "I heard that Nephew Ling has recently taken the helm of the Ling Corporation with quite a vigorous style. I wonder what insights you have regarding the future commercial landscape of the East Sea?"

As soon as these words were spoken, many eyes focused on Ling Xian.

Purging the group's veterans and being caught in a storm of public opinion, this eldest young master of the Ling Family had certainly been at the center of the storm lately.

Lin Feng stood his ground, a cold smirk curling on his lips as he waited to see how Ling Xian would respond.

He was confident that with his broad horizons from overseas, he could showcase his "vision" in such a setting.

Ling Xian cursed inwardly, "Old fox!"

Uncle Su's move put him on display and could use the opportunity to aggravate the conflict between him and Lin Feng.

The old man would then stand by and watch the show, perhaps even reaping the benefits of their struggle.

In response, Ling Xian didn't plan to answer directly. Instead, he gently patted the back of the slightly nervous Hu Yourong's hand, signaling for her to step forward.

This subtle action left everyone stunned.

"I believe my secretary can represent me."

Feeling all those gazes, Hu Yourong's heart raced wildly, pounding like a drum.

But thinking of Young Master Ling's trust and the opportunity he was giving her to perform, she forced herself to calm down.

"Seniors, we at the Ling Corporation believe that the future of the East Sea should not be limited to low-level resource competition and internal friction, but rather in 'empowerment' and 'going global'."

As soon as she spoke, she captured everyone's attention with her pleasant voice and clear logic.

What followed was Hu Yourong's solo show.

Hu Yourong was a natural business prodigy. Perhaps she was afraid at first, but as she continued, she became more and more composed.

Using comprehensive data and planning, she explained her understanding of the industry.

For a moment, several observant businessmen showed looks of admiration.

Uncle Su nodded repeatedly. "Empowerment and going global... integrating resources and elevating the scope! Brilliant! Truly brilliant!

Miss Hu, you are so young yet possess such extraordinary insight."

"Truly someone Young Master Ling values," someone nearby echoed.

Uncle Su even went as far as risking offending the Ling Corporation to say, "Miss Hu, I wonder if you'd be interested in switching companies? Whatever the Ling Corporation offers, my Su Corporation will offer more."

Seeing this, the other businessmen all shut their mouths. They couldn't afford to offend either side, so staying silent was the wisest choice.

Hu Yourong shook her head.

She was innocent, but she wasn't stupid. The Su Corporation only valued her utility.

If she were a fraud, the Su Corporation would be the first to kick her out.

Moreover, Young Master Ling had shown her the kindness of recognizing her talent.

Plus, there was a little something in the back of her mind.

Naturally, she wanted to stay at the Ling Corporation, at least because Young Master Ling was there.

"Ah, that's a pity then. If Miss Hu ever becomes interested, you can notify our Su Corporation at any time." Uncle Su's face showed regret, as if Hu Yourong wouldn't be able to fully utilize her talents at the Ling Corporation.

Seeing this, Ling Xian didn't lash out at Uncle Su. He knew Uncle Su was only showing some respect for the sake of his father.

In his eyes, both Ling Xian and Lin Feng—who had saved his life—were just juniors.

Lin Feng, watching from the side, had a face as sour as pig's liver.

He had originally prepared a speech about "venture capital" and "international vision."

But compared to Hu Yourong's pragmatic analysis rooted in the local market, his words seemed detached from reality.

He actually couldn't compare to a woman.

In front of this woman, the insights from his mercenary experience seemed pale and powerless.

Of course, Lin Feng would never admit this was Ling Xian's ability.

He didn't believe he was weaker than Ling Xian.

What did this rich second-generation heir know?

It was all thanks to Hu Yourong.

"No, no, I have to stay calm and find a way to regain my dignity."

Just then, a martial arts performance scheduled for the banquet began.

Lin Feng's eyes instantly lit up.

"I may be weak in business since I've never played that game, but in martial arts, I'm a battle-hardened veteran. How could I possibly lose to this rich kid?"

Lin Feng had always believed that because this rich heir had such a powerful bodyguard like Ling Wu, his own understanding of martial arts must be inferior.