Chapter 43: Chapter 43: Outraged by Shame, Lord Long Arrives!
Seeing the odd looks from everyone in the Xu Family, especially Xu Muge's somewhat mocking gaze, Qin Xiao's face turned a pale shade of green, and finally, he gritted his teeth.
"Who said that? If I said I'm treating, then I'm treating!"
Zeng Liu chuckled, clearly seeing that things were not right between Qin Jiang and Qin Xiao. However, he couldn't insert a word and could only silently watch from the sidelines.
He knew who the real boss in this private room was, so whatever Qin Jiang commanded, he would do just that.
Xu Muge couldn't help but smile. She had been displeased with Qin Xiao all along, pretending from start to finish. Now, it seemed he was firmly in Qin Jiang's grip and would undoubtedly be fleeced mercilessly.
Liu Ya spoke indignantly, "Qin Jiang! Do you really treat people like this?"
Qin Jiang smiled, "Qin Xiao said he's picking up the tab today, so of course I have to honor his good intentions."
"Besides, I still have a free meal voucher. Wouldn't it be wonderful to invite you all to dinner at that time?"
Qin Jiang's words left Liu Ya with no comeback.
At this point, Qin Xiao had no choice but to stiffen his upper lip and continue the charade, saying, "Auntie, it's okay, a small sum of money doesn't count for much! I'm not as stingy as some people!"
"Let's eat!"
Qin Xiao waved his hand to beckon everyone to the table.
Qin Jiang didn't bother with pleasantries and began to eat and drink voraciously. Half an hour later, a table full of dishes and two bottles of wine had all been swept clean.
Though Qin Xiao was forcing a smile, his complexion looked very unwell, and he was in quite an agony. Originally, booking an ordinary private room for a meal would have cost at most tens of thousands...
Now, with this kind of treatment, the price was probably more than ten times that!
His eyes, fixed on Qin Jiang, were filled with hate.
This damn bastard dared to plot against him!
Seeing Xu Muge occasionally passing tissues to Qin Jiang with caring gestures on the side, his liver was about to explode with rage.
"Alright, we've finished eating!" Qin Xiao sneered, "Qin Jiang, once you step out of this door, you're going to kneel down and apologize to me! I really want to see how you'll tough it out then!"
Qin Jiang glanced at him and said sarcastically, "Instead of thinking about making me kneel and apologize, you better think about giving me that painting that grandfather left behind."
Qin Xiao snorted coldly, "Let's go!"
He was no longer in the mood to continue eating.
The group left the Royal Private Room and headed downstairs.
Qin Jiang took Xu Muge's hand directly.
Xu Muge struggled a few times but eventually gave up.
Qin Xiao, witnessing this scene, felt even more devastated as if his whole body was trembling...
He felt like he was the big sucker today, spending money to watch this couple shower each other with affection!
"Whew!"
Taking several deep breaths, his clenched fist relaxed, and finally, he forced himself to calm down.
"Let the guy show off for a while!"
"Later, I'll damn well force him to kneel and show him what 'death' means!"
In his heart, Qin Xiao thought about the bet he had just made with Qin Jiang, and moreover, he had just contacted one of his friends, Chong.
Chong was a big shot in the area.
He had over a dozen men under his command.
At least, that was enough to deal with Qin Jiang.
If Qin Jiang didn't kneel for him, Chong would press Qin Jiang down to his knees!
Soon, Qin Xiao arrived at the cashier's desk.
"Check please!"
He was in a terrible mood and his tone with the attendant was equally unpleasant.
"Sir, your bill amounts to 1,625,400 yuan," said the attendant.
"What?!"
When he heard that, Qin Xiao completely lost his composure, "That expensive?"
"That's right!" said the attendant with a smile. "The Royal Private Room, plus the top-tier set menu, that's the price. Plus, the two bottles of wine, they are all premium."
"That's the price set by our boss."
Qin Xiao's face turned gloomy, and though his heart ached, he still clenched his teeth and paid the money...
Over a million yuan!
Although the Qin Family was wealthy, he was just a second-generation heir, where would he have so much money to squander?
A million and more could nearly cost him half his life!
He glared viciously at Qin Jiang, if it weren't for this guy's smart mouth plotting against him, how could he have suffered such a heavy loss? But on Zhang Shuqing's turf, how could he dare to go back on his word?
He could only painfully cut off a piece of his own flesh.
After paying the money, Qin Xiao sneered continuously, "Qin Jiang, you're done for this time! You said Miss Zhang had matters to ask of you, but now, Miss Zhang isn't even here. It seems that, in the end, you'll be the one kneeling before me."
"Kneel before me now, bow your head, and I'll mercifully let you off! A man's word is his bond; you better not think of going back on it!"
"Otherwise, I'll make sure you won't be able to walk away unscathed!"
As soon as his words fell, he saw Zhang Shuqing walking out from backstage, smiling and heading straight towards Qin Jiang.
"Sir!"
Her tone was very respectful as she asked, "Do you have a moment? I have a favor to ask of you, if it's convenient, please come with me inside to talk!"
Seeing Zhang Shuqing's hurried and anxious demeanor, everyone was taken aback once more!
What's going on?
Qin Jiang had just treated her with such coldness, but Zhang Shuqing actually came searching for Qin Jiang?
Moreover, her tone carried a plea.
What value did Qin Jiang have that could make Zhang Shuqing, the esteemed daughter of a prominent family, lower herself?
Upon hearing her, Qin Jiang said indifferently, "Sorry, but I have to return with my fiancée today."
"Then... may I have your contact details? We can set another time to talk."
"Sure." Qin Jiang nodded calmly.
Afterward, Zhang Xueqing respectfully took out a notebook, offering him a pen.
Qin Jiang left his contact information.
This scene stunned everyone, including Qin Xiao. Why was Qin Jiang receiving favor from such an important figure?
Especially Qin Xiao, his eyes turned red with jealousy!
Upon finishing all this, Qin Jiang turned back and glanced at Qin Xiao, saying, "It seems I've won our bet, the painting is mine! Do you want to deliver it yourself, or should I come to get it?"
Qin Xiao sneered, "Come and get it if you dare! That painting was left to us by Grandfather! What does it have to do with you? You want to just give away an antique worth millions?"
Qin Jiang coldly responded, "I will personally go to the Qin Family to claim it. When the time comes, you will have no choice but to hand it over, whether you want to or not."
Enraged to the point of shaking, Qin Xiao turned and left through the main door, gritting his teeth, and immediately made a phone call, "Chong, give that kid a good lesson, he's too full of himself! I'll transfer the payment to you afterward; don't hold back, be ruthless!"
He spat venomously.
"Understood, leave this kind of work to me."
No sooner had Chong's voice dropped than he appeared with a group of men on the main street ahead.
His territory was not far from here, and upon receiving a call from Qin Xiao, he had already been waiting in the area for a short while.
Qin Xiao signaled to Chong with his eyes.
Chong did not hesitate, his gaze directly falling upon Qin Jiang and the others who had just stepped out of Yuepin Pavilion.
Seeing the group charging aggressively, Xu Mulin and others turned deathly pale!
"Qin Jiang, it looks like they're coming for you!"
"What trouble have you gotten yourself into?" Liu Ya said angrily, "You're always causing trouble!"
Qin Xiao was smirking incessantly, "Qin Jiang, this is the result of your arrogance. You're finished now, right?"
Chong approached in a pretentious manner, his eyes scrutinizing Qin Jiang, "Yo, kid, was it you hitting on my girlfriend at my club last night?"
Qin Jiang smiled wryly, "I don't know you at all, and I didn't go to the bar you're talking about. If you want to pick a fight, just say so! However... This few people you've brought, they really aren't enough."
"Insolent!" Seeing that his ruse was seen through, Chong didn't bother to pretend any longer, "Hit him, now!"
But, just at this moment, a stern shout erupted!
"I'd like to see who dares to touch him!"
With the shout came an intense aura of danger.
Everyone's heart quivered upon seeing a middle-aged man striding around the corner with a few men, moving with authority!
Qin Xiao scoffed with disdain, "Who the hell are you? Just with these few underlings, you think you can defend Qin Jiang? You must be tired of living. Do you know who Lord Chong is?"
However, he didn't see that Chong's face had turned deathly white the moment he saw the middle-aged man, his whole body trembling.
He immediately bent over and walked towards Xu Tianlong, shaking as he addressed him, "Lord Long!"