After work, Chen Yang and Qin Qiu returned home together.

Luo Sulan was standing at the door, looking around as if waiting for someone.

Qin Qiu asked in confusion, "Mom, what are you doing?"

"Waiting for Han Rui! He said he'd come see me today!" Luo Sulan clutched her phone, sounding helpless. "What time is it? Why isn't he here yet? I wanted him to go to the banquet with you!"

"Mom, the banquet requires couples to attend! What's the point of him going with me?" Qin Qiu rolled her eyes, utterly exasperated by her unprincipled mother.

At the same time, she was also quite curious. Since he had already won over her mother, given his personality, why wouldn't he show up today?

"In my eyes, you two are a couple!" Seeing Chen Yang approach, Luo Sulan pointed at him and snarled, "Besides, do you really want to take this loser with you? Haven't you caused enough of a scene already?"

"He's my husband, so he's the only one who can go," Qin Qiu stated firmly, though a hint of helplessness crept into her voice.

What woman doesn't want her husband to be outstanding—someone who can not only help her but also make her proud?

"No! We'll wait a little longer. I'm sure Han Rui will come!" Luo Sulan insisted.

"Still waiting for Han Rui, Mother-in-law?" Chen Yang waved a hand dismissively. "I already told you he went to hell. Why don't you believe me?"

"You shut your mouth!" Luo Sulan shrieked, flustered and enraged. "Han Rui was just held up by something! Just wait until he gets here, I'll tear that mouth of yours right off!"

Chen Yang shrugged, saying no more.

Waiting for a dead man? Heh…

Half an hour later, Chen Yang, dressed in a black suit, met Qin Qiu in the corridor. She wore a long purple gown, her hair elegantly pinned up, and her makeup was so exquisite she looked like a celestial fairy.

For a moment, they both froze.

Chen Yang's eyes widened in awe. Is this what they call a beauty that could topple nations and leave the world breathless?

Qin Qiu was taken aback. She never would have imagined that this man, who paid no attention to his appearance, could evoke the image of a peerless gentleman, as elegant as jade, just by putting on a suit. The subtle air of rugged masculinity emanating from him was especially striking.

If she didn't know Chen Yang was a useless bum, she might have actually found her heart stirring for him.

"Let's go, it's getting late," Qin Qiu sighed inwardly, her astonishment giving way to resignation.

Outside the villa, Qin Qiu handed the Ferrari keys to Chen Yang. "You're driving today."

"Alrighty!" Chen Yang first opened the passenger door, bowing with a flourish. "After you!"

Qin Qiu rolled her eyes and got into the car.

VROOM!

As the engine roared to life, Luo Sulan rushed out of the house. "Xiaoqiu, Han Rui isn't here yet!"

Her only reply was a cloud of dust and the rapidly vanishing taillights.

「In the car.」

Chen Yang held the steering wheel with one hand and propped his head up with the other, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Still putting on an act," Qin Qiu couldn't help but scoff, then asked, "Why do you keep saying Han Rui went to hell?"

"A scumbag like him deserves to go to hell, don't you think?" Chen Yang retorted.

Qin Qiu was speechless. She wanted to ask if Chen Yang had done something to Han Rui, but she quickly dismissed the idea. The gap in their statuses was enormous. How could Chen Yang possibly do anything to him?

「Huaqing Grand Hotel.」

Today, the venue was a showcase of luxury cars and a gathering of the city's elite.

Chen Yang and Qin Qiu had just stepped out of their car when a jarring voice cut in from nearby. "Well, if it isn't Lingjin City's most beautiful CEO and her useless husband."

A gaudily made-up woman in an off-the-shoulder gown teetered toward them from a nearby Lamborghini, wobbling on stiletto heels that were at least five inches tall.

"Jiang Xiaoxiao? Did you forget to brush your teeth this morning?" Qin Qiu shot her a dark look.

The woman named Jiang Xiaoxiao stood before Qin Qiu. Her mocking gaze swept over the couple, undisguised. With a smirk, she said, "Everyone in Lingjin City knows you married a good-for-nothing husband."

"So what? If you have the nerve to bring him out, you should let people talk," Jiang Xiaoxiao said, covering her mouth with a snide laugh. "But I have to admire your courage, bringing a freeloader to an event like this. Aren't you the least bit ashamed? Hahaha!"

The two already had a history of business-related grudges. Seeing Qin Qiu looking as beautiful as a goddess today, Jiang Xiaoxiao's jealousy exploded. With new grievances piled on top of old, her words were merciless.

"No matter what, it's better than you bringing along a kept man," Chen Yang stepped forward, walking up to Jiang Xiaoxiao's male companion. He smirked. "Look at how soft and weak he is. Can he really satisfy an insatiable old woman like you?"

He then turned to the young man. "Kid, how much does this old woman pay you a month?"

"Th-thirty thousand," the young man stammered.

"You… you…" Jiang Xiaoxiao's face turned livid. She spun around and slapped her companion across the face. "You worthless thing! Why are you afraid of him? You don't have an ounce of manliness in you!"

A slight smile touched Qin Qiu's lips. Feeling a strange sense of satisfaction, she took the initiative to link her arm with Chen Yang's. "Ignore her. Let's go."

Chen Yang was momentarily stunned. They had been married for so long, but this was the first time they had ever been so close. His heart swelled with pride.

"No matter what, I'm still better than a good-for-nothing who lives off his wife! By the way, I'll be donating ten million to the Zhennan Prince Foundation today. How much are you two donating?"

Brimming with malice, Jiang Xiaoxiao sneered, "Just you wait. I'll deal with both of you later!"

With half an hour to go before the banquet officially began, the eighth-floor hall was already packed. Guests mingled, clinking glasses and using the brief interlude to curry favor with useful contacts.

Such is always the way in the world of fame and fortune.

As Chen Yang and Qin Qiu appeared, countless eyes turned toward them.

"She really is Lingjin City's most beautiful CEO! Absolutely stunning, tsk tsk…"

"What a waste! A perfect flower stuck in a pile of cow dung! Look at that phony beside her, all dressed up. What right does he have to stand next to Qin Qiu? Ptooey!"

"I don't know how he got so lucky, marrying into the Qin family. Hmph, sooner or later, I'm going to cuckold him!"

"He's just a freeloading loser. Best to just ignore him."

"..."

Whispers broke out all around them.

Qin Qiu's expression faltered. Many of the comments were spoken loudly enough for anyone to hear, but she could only pretend she hadn't.

"Stay here and don't wander off," Qin Qiu instructed, letting go of Chen Yang's arm. She then took a glass of red wine and made her way into the crowd.

Her purpose here tonight was to network and see if she could find any potential business partners.

「Meanwhile.」

The event's organizers—Kong Haoyan, Kong Yanxiang, and Xu Yu, key figures from the Zhennan Prince Foundation—emerged from backstage.

"It really is you," Chen Yang grinned upon seeing Kong Haoyan and dialed Yang Hu's number. "Have the foundation's financial statements been published yet?"

"Not yet," Yang Hu replied. "Boss, should we send people to investigate his family?"

"Do it."

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