"Why is it so noisy in here?"
At that moment, an unhappy voice rang out.
The crowd turned their heads, only to see Liu Xiyao walking in with a few workers flanking her, heading towards where Ling Chen and Song Yuan were arguing.
The way that Liu Xiyao walked was somewhat unique, with her hands clasped in front of her and her footsteps were light. Her skirt shook gently with every step she took, and her languid eyes were fixed in front, showing her noble and elegant temperament.
"Ling Chen, you're in for it now!"
Seeing Liu Xiyao's appearance, Song Yuan acted like reinforcements had arrived, and delight was written all over her face.
"Sis Liu."
Su Lin rapidly walked up to her, wanting to call out a greeting, only to see Song Yuan following close behind. Song Yuan angrily started to criticise, "President Liu, since when does the establishment allow men in the premises? I think you owe us an explanation."
Liu Xiyao stared at Ling Chen, only to see the latter shrug his shoulders, a look of innocence on his face. She was feeling a bit of helplessness right now, as when Ling Chen was about to leave just now, she wanted to call out a reminder. However, the other party was simply too fast, and she could not catch him in time.
"The rules of the club have not changed. Only members can enter." Liu Xiyao started to explain.
Song Yuan glared at Ling Chen with venomous eyes and with a face of someone delighting in someone's misfortune, she asked, "Since that's the case, then how are you planning on dealing with this man here?"
Su Lin was flustered. She was clear about what kind of character Liu Xiyao had, and she definitely would not allow men inside her establishment. There was an unfortunate incident with a man in the past. He had blatantly ignored the rules that Liu Xiyao had set and barged into the club, relying on the authority that his family possessed. As a result, his entire family was uprooted and had to move out of Donghai City.
If it was any other time, based on her close relationship with Liu Xiyao, as long as Su Lin could provide a proper explanation, there would not be too big a problem. But under the watchful gaze of the onlookers, Liu Xiyao would not hesitate to deal with Ling Chen. Everyone knew that Liu Xiyao was a strict stickler of rules.
"This young man is in deep trouble now."
"Yeah, who would expect President Liu to show up."
Hearing the frenzied discussion of the crowd, Su Lin bit her lips. "Sis Liu, this has nothing to do with him. I brought him in, so you..."
"Su Lin, you were the one who brought him in, so you definitely must assume responsibility for it." Song Yuan gloated by the side.
Liu Xiyao saw the sincere plea in Su Lin's eyes and could not help letting out a sigh inwardly.
"You, follow me. The rest of you, disperse." She pointed to Ling Chen as she spoke.
Seeing that Liu Xiyao was about to bring Ling Chen away, Song Yuan was panicking more than Su Lin. She still had yet to see Ling Chen suffer personally. Before she resolved the knot in her heart, how could she let Ling Chen leave so easily?
"President Liu, you are the boss of this establishment. Now that someone flouted the rules, if you don't give all the guests present here a proper explanation, how do you expect us to trust you in the future?"
Liu Xiyao's beautiful, languid eyes twitched, and a hint of dissatisfaction entered her eyes. She coldly said, "This is my club. Do you think I need you to teach me what to do?"
"I..." Song Yuan wanted to open her mouth to say something. Still, seeing the unhappiness on Liu Xiyao's face, astonishment bloomed in her heart. Rage had clouded her judgement, she almost forgot Liu Xiyao's true identity.
Recalling what Qin Yang said about this woman's background, she could not help feeling chills running down her spine and hurriedly bowed her head.
Liu Xiyao scanned the crowd, and sensing everyone's gaze fixed on her, she immediately came to a realisation.
Without rules, havoc would reign. Everyone knew that she placed great importance on following rules. If she did not give a satisfactory answer regarding Ling Chen's matter, this would undoubtedly stir up some unwanted gossip.
"Ling Chen..."
Her eyes gleamed, as though hesitant about something and in a dilemma.
Ling Chen saw that she was being placed in a spot, but he did not know what to say. He only walked up obediently, ready to sacrifice himself to help her out of her predicament. He had flouted the rules, so there was nothing else to be done about it. He could admit to his mistakes. After all, he was a true man, what was the worst that could happen to him.
"Liu..."
"Ling Chen is a shareholder of the club."
The moment Liu Xiyao spoke, Ling Chen froze and doubted what he just heard?
Shareholder?
Since when did I become a shareholder of this place?
It was not only him, but the others were stunned as well, especially Song Yuan. She looked at Ling Chen with an incredulous look. Even if you beat her to death, she would never know that this shabbily-dressed beggar was a shareholder of the club.
Su Lin, however, did not look at Ling Chen, but at Liu Xiyao instead. Liu Xiyao's words were out of her expectations.
Although her relationship with Liu Xiyao was quite good, they were not close to that extent. She was extremely curious why Liu Xiyao would make that decision. Could it be to help Ling Chen out of this difficult situation?
Keke!
Ling Chen lightly coughed, immediately attracting everyone's attention and grinned. "Miss Liu, if a customer shows disrespect to the owner, then how do you think we should settle it?"
"Apologise and revoke their membership immediately."
Song Yuan grew ashen, and her lips trembled, yet not a word came out of her mouth.
Ling Chen smilingly looked at Song Yuan. "Miss Song, did you hear clearly what Miss Liu just said? I do not want your apology, and I don't think Miss Su will care for it too. Hurry up and pack your things and scram out of here, lest you become an eyesore any longer."
Under the stares of the crowd, Song Yuan gnashed her teeth, trying to contain her boiling rage, wordlessly walking out.
Ling Chen, you better remember this!
"Alright everyone, the show's over. Ling Chen, follow me."
"Sis Liu..." Su Lin was still worried that Liu Xiyao would secretly cause trouble for Ling Chen.
"Xiao Lin, I just want to have a chat with him. I do not have any malicious intentions toward him."
With that, Liu Xiyao turned to leave.
"Miss Su, then I'll be going first. You can directly find me outside later."
After bidding farewell, Ling Chen hastened his footsteps to catch up to Liu Xiyao, following her into her office.
"Here is the agreement for becoming a shareholder. Put your signature on it."
Ling Chen gave a bitter smile. "Miss Liu, I was kidding around previously. I have no money to invest in your establishment."
Liu Xiyao blandly replied, "The words that I said cannot be retracted. You have not accepted the two hundred thousand dollars just now, so take it as your investment. From now on, other than me, you are the sole shareholder of the club."
Hearing her words, Ling Chen was at a loss for words. This private establishment must have a total investment portfolio of hundreds of millions and upwards. His measly two hundred thousand dollars was but a drop in the ocean. He had thought that Liu Xiyao said that to help him out of his predicament and never expected her to be serious about it.
Seeing that Ling Chen was motionless and did not reach for the pen, Liu Xiyao continued, "I have my businesses, and this club is but a mere subsidiary. Usually, I'm not around in Donghai City and I basically live abroad. With you around, you can help me manage the place."
"Well, I guess I can accept that."
Ling Chen forced a laugh before signing his name on the document.
He was investing time and labour, getting the title of a shareholder in return. He found it to be reasonable. As for dividends, he did not think too much about them.
Looking at the contract, Liu Xiyao kept it in a secure drawer, before saying, "We're done with the small talk, so let's discuss proper business now. When are you ready to begin the treatment?"
"No hurry. In the future, you just have to come to Donghai City once a month. I will personally administer the remedy for you. After half a year of treatment, I guarantee that the toxins will not pose a threat to your body."