Guan Zhizhi was quite loyal and also intended to help Xie Sui. She had to help Lin Wanwan, especially since Lin Wanwan was now an artist under Xie Sui and they were friends.
Coincidentally, there was a business gathering that evening, attended only by industry bigwigs. Guan Zhizhi managed to get two invitations and went with Lin Wanwan.
This was Lin Wanwan's first time wearing a formal dress and high heels, and she felt a bit awkward. Lin Shishi accompanied her, and a look of contempt flashed in her eyes. She didn't deserve such a good occasion. Lin Wanwan's appearance was too provincial and embarrassing.
The more she thought about it, the more jealous Lin Shishi became. Even if Xie Sui was gone, the fortune he left behind was more than enough for her to live off for lifetimes.
Guan Zhizhi patiently told her, "Don't be self-conscious. Everyone is like this. You are so beautiful and have such a good figure. They can only envy you, not mock you. If you can't walk well in high heels, move around less. Let's go to the bar over there. There are bar stools, so you can sit without being impolite."
"Okay, these shoes are too high. I'll practice later. I really can't walk now. Who makes such high shoes? Might as well wear stilts."
"If you could wear stilts, you would have by now. If your height isn't enough, your shoes will compensate."
Lin Wanwan's heart relaxed, and she was no longer so nervous.
"Zhizhi, I've been waiting for you."
A young man walked over, looking at Guan Zhizhi with eager eyes. He only saw her, and everyone else was like air.
"Do you need something from me?"
"Nothing, I just wanted to see you. Your company is about to go bankrupt. Why don't I buy it and give it to you, so you can be your own boss?"
Lin Wanwan was startled. Wasn't he talking about his family's company? Who was this guy, with such a big mouth?
"Um, my company hasn't gone bankrupt, and we're not planning to sell it. Sir, please don't say that. It's not good for my company's reputation."
Lin Wanwan interrupted them, drawing the man's gaze. It was dark and sharp, like a lone wolf. "Who are you? You look unfamiliar. Are you from Xie Sui's company?"
Guan Zhizhi said, "This is Mrs. Xie, my friend. Young Master Liu, thank you for your kind offer, but I don't accept unearned favors. I have no plans to start my own venture right now."
"Xie Sui's wife? I didn't expect her to be such a beauty. Nice to meet you. I am Liu Kai, and Liu Zixiong is my father."
"Hello."
Lin Wanwan shook his hand politely, her expression unchanged. She didn't know how formidable Liu Zixiong was or who Liu Kai was. In Liu Kai's eyes, this showed great confidence.
"Mrs. Xie, do you think you can turn the tide and stabilize the current situation?"
Liu Kai's eyes were full of provocation. Xie Sui was gone, and he wanted to see how much ability his wife had.
"Whether I can or not, we'll find out when we try. Until the end, no one can say for sure who wins or loses. Thank you for your concern, Young Master Liu."
Who the hell is concerned about you? Liu Kai found this woman a bit arrogant and didn't want to talk to her.
"Miss Guan, may I have this dance?"
Guan Zhizhi thought for a moment and accepted his invitation. She also wanted to gather some information.
Lin Shishi finally found an opportunity to speak, "Sister, do you know who Young Master Liu is? You're talking to him like that. His father is Liu Zixiong!"
"That's his father, not him. Besides, we're not asking anything from the Liu family, and we have no business dealings. Why should I flatter him? Didn't you hear him? He even offered to buy our company. He's not a good person."
Lin Wanwan had her own principles, which left Lin Shishi speechless.
"Your task is to establish contact with the direct descendants of the Huo and Li families. The specific level of interaction depends on your performance. It would be even better if you could gauge their attitude towards our company. If you can arrange for me to have dinner with the direct descendants of both families, you will have succeeded."
"Okay, leave it to me."
Lin Shishi had researched the wealthy families in Hong Kong. The third young master of the Li family was notorious for being a playboy. Even though he was in an arranged marriage with Xu Yingying, the daughter of the Xu family, it didn't stop him from womanizing. Such men were the easiest to approach, and Lin Shishi was confident in her beauty. Moreover, the third young master of the Li family, Li Hongze, liked pure and clean girls. She had deliberately put on minimal makeup that day, making her look like a girl next door.
Li Hongze was not very interested in such occasions. He held his wine glass, fending off various beautiful women who came to strike up a conversation, but unfortunately, he wasn't interested in any of them. He got up to go to the restroom, only to be bumped into. "Oh no, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to. Let me wipe it for you."
Lin Shishi looked flustered and began wiping the wine off him. Li Hongze gave a sarcastic smile. "I've seen such clumsy tactics countless times. This outfit cost me 1.2 million Hong Kong dollars. Please compensate me, and I won't pursue the matter further."
"No, I really didn't mean it. I don't have that much money..."
Lin Shishi looked on the verge of tears. This wasn't what she had imagined! The commotion attracted onlookers. Such incidents were not uncommon. Sometimes, Young Master Li would change three or four outfits in one night, which was truly a nuisance.
"Young Master Li, someone spilled on you again? Wear a waterproof outfit next time. It's not good to be spilled on all the time."
"It's because of Young Master Li's great charm. Don't be so sour. Why hasn't anyone spilled on you?"
"I'm too old to enjoy such things. I had my share of romantic encounters when I was young."
Lin Shishi was extremely embarrassed and wanted to slip away, but she was blocked. "Don't go yet. You haven't paid for the damages. If you leave, won't our Young Master Li suffer a loss?"
"I'm sorry, I will compensate you, but I don't have the money with me today. Young Master Li, how about I personally bring it to your house tomorrow?"
Li Hongze said impatiently, "You want to find my house? Such a schemer. No, compensate me now. If not, drink all this wine." He called a waiter over. On a tray were more than ten glasses of wine, forcing Lin Shishi to drink them.
"Enough. We will compensate."
Lin Wanwan walked out and said, "1.2 million, right? Here's the check, take it."
"Another one? Are you two working together?"
Li Hongze's eyes lit up when he saw Lin Wanwan. She was beautiful, but there was an indescribable aura about her, something Li Hongze had never seen before. Years later, he would understand that Lin Wanwan possessed a spirit of resilience and refusal to yield, something that aspiring starlets and wealthy young ladies lacked.
"She is an artist from my company. Please forgive any offense, Young Master Li. Here is the check. Please take off the clothes for me. They belong to me now."
"What?"
Everyone gasped. They wanted Young Master Li to take off his clothes? This woman was too audacious.
Li Hongze laughed in anger. "Are you kidding me?"
"I'm not joking. Young Master Li is being aggressive, and I'm simply returning the favor. Since we can't be friends, why should I save your face? I want the pants too. This is the price for the entire outfit. Young Master Li won't renege, will he?"
Guan Zhizhi broke out in a cold sweat. Li Hongze had a terrible temper. Once, a woman who broke up with him and kept bothering him was beaten up by his men. He was capable of anything and had no pity for women. Wanwan was truly snatching a tiger's tooth, why was she arguing with him so seriously!