Chapter Thirty-Five: Trouble

Chen John was both Hu Chaoyang’s close friend and lackey, as well as Wei Fenfen’s current boyfriend. When Zhang Cheng purchased the platinum necklace, it was this man who was considered a “premium” client, which is why Qin Jing had his details on file. The moment Chen John walked in, Qin Jing recognized him instantly.

As for Hu Chaoge, there was no need for an introduction—she was Chen Hua’s “enemy,” a plump girl, not as detestable as Hu Chaoyang, but simply an average second-generation heiress, with little interaction with Qin Jing.

Once everyone had entered, Yan Yizhen gestured toward Hu Chaoge and said, “Qin Jing, don’t blame me for bringing Chaoge along. We’re all in the same social circle, and she needed to speak with you. She asked me to arrange it, and it wasn’t easy for me to refuse. But I’m only responsible for bringing her here. Whatever business you have, you’ll have to discuss that yourselves.”

She then pointed at Zhang Wei and the others. “These are my friends. When they heard I was working with you and had taken on the art school’s resale business, they wanted to come by and see for themselves. Today, they’ve all promised me that each of them will at least bring in one transaction—whether it’s selling or buying, doesn’t matter. Don’t be shy, go ahead and make a killing.”

“Yizhen, how could you say that?” Tian Qin protested coquettishly, though her expression showed she didn’t actually care.

Zhang Wei walked up to Qin Jing, extended his hand in a refined manner, and said, “We’re all friends of Yizhen’s, and when we heard she was doing business with you, everyone was happy for her. We’re just here to show our support, no other reason. But don’t fleece us too badly, all right?”

Such words—was this a preemptive warning?

Qin Jing found it a little grating. In essence, they were here to support Yan Yizhen, but were also worried he’d see them as easy pickings. So they put on this show of camaraderie. Most telling of all, none of the others spoke; only Zhang Wei stepped forward, which made him seem like Yan Yizhen’s boyfriend, as if only he could speak on her behalf. It was clear they were wary of Qin Jing.

Of course, Qin Jing didn’t voice any of this. Yan Yizhen, the epitome of a rich and beautiful socialite, had willingly chosen to cooperate with him, and that was already a great show of respect. He wouldn’t embarrass her. So he shook Zhang Wei’s hand and said,

“Take your time looking around. If you have anything to sell, come to me directly. For now, I have to speak with these two first.”

Those two, of course, referred to Hu Chaoge and Chen John.

Hu Chaoge, seeing how crowded the tiny shop was, said impatiently, “Qin Jing, should we talk outside?”

Qin Jing, however, felt even more annoyed. He was only speaking to her out of deference to Yan Yizhen, and now she was being picky about the venue?

“Hu Chaoge, may I be frank? I hope you won’t mind.”

With that preface, Qin Jing continued, ignoring whatever expression Hu Chaoge’s face took, “Everyone at the art school knows about my feud with Hu Chaoyang. This time, he tried to frame me, but unfortunately for him, he ran into a wall. He has no choice but to accept it, and frankly, it has little to do with me. You’ve come to the wrong person; we’re not close. Out of respect for Yan Yizhen, I’ll say this to your face: believe it or not, that’s up to you. If you don’t, there’s nothing I can do.”

Why else would these two come, if not for Hu Chaoyang’s matter? Qin Jing had been keeping a close eye on the police station’s developments. Hu Chaoyang’s case had already been classified as fraud and a commercial dispute, soon to be handed over to the prosecutors for indictment. Once the formal charges were filed, the case would fully enter the legal process, and the only hope left for Hu Chaoyang was a private settlement.

But did Qin Jing need an out-of-court settlement? He had never been a forgiving person. When Hu Chaoyang reported him and got him expelled from the art academy, Qin Jing had suffered no end of hardship. Even his near year-long relationship with Chen Hua had ended, indirectly because of Hu Chaoyang. Could anyone truly believe Qin Jing felt no resentment?

The truth hurts, and Qin Jing made his stance plain: “We’re not close, there’s bad blood between us; there’s nothing to discuss.”

Chen John, ever the lackey, couldn’t bear Qin Jing’s “arrogance” and snapped, “Qin Jing, are you really going to burn all bridges? Don’t forget how you left school in the first place!”

Qin Jing raised an eyebrow and looked at Chen John coldly. “Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten. I’m sure you played your part in that, too. Thanks for the reminder. After Hu Chaoyang’s case is over, we’ll settle our own scores.”

Sensing the negotiation was about to collapse, Hu Chaoge drew a deep breath, forced down her indignation, and said, “John, be quiet. Let me talk to Qin Jing.”

She turned to Qin Jing. “What will it take for you to withdraw your lawsuit against my brother?”

She gritted her teeth, and before he could answer, she named her price: “One million. As long as you withdraw your suit against my brother Hu Chaoyang, that’s your out-of-court settlement fee.”

A million!

At these words, many in the room couldn’t help showing envy, Zhang Wei included.

Even among the second generation, money was always tight. No one’s family money grew on trees. When they needed cash, they still had to ask their parents, and being given even a hundred thousand was already a stretch, let alone a million.

“This Qin Jing, what a stroke of luck—suffer a little injustice and walk away with a million in compensation. He’s making a killing.”

Zhang Wei murmured this to his friends, but the shop was so small that, even though he spoke quietly, others caught his words.

Yan Yizhen glared at him and scolded, “Enough out of you. If I gave you a million and told you to drop out and suffer for a year, would you do it?”

Zhang Wei fell silent.

Qin Jing thought to himself that this was troublesome. If Yan Yizhen hadn’t spoken up, he would have thrown Zhang Wei out already and saved himself the trouble of doing business with such people. Now, he had no excuse; otherwise, he’d seem petty.

“Sorry, I can’t help you.”

That was Qin Jing’s answer to Hu Chaoge. The response surprised Zhang Wei and the others, while Yan Yizhen looked at Qin Jing with newfound admiration. In her eyes, a real man should return enmity for enmity. To be wronged and then bought off with a bit of money—what would that make him? Her business partners at least needed some backbone, not just an eye for profit.

“What’s wrong? Not enough?” Hu Chaoge frowned, her anger mounting, though she forced herself to keep it in check, ready to increase her offer. She had no choice; with Hu Chaoyang in custody, she was at his mercy.

Just then, Qin Jing pointed at Zheng Qiuyin and said, “I’m only one of the plaintiffs against Hu Chaoyang. The commercial dispute began with the Zheng Chamber of Commerce—she’s the main party. You should talk to her first.”

There was a time when Qin Jing wanted to use Zheng Qiuyin as a weapon against Hu Chaoyang, since he himself lacked influence back then. But things were different now. If he continued to rely on Zheng Qiuyin, he would feel indebted to her, so he simply shifted the matter onto her and waited to see how she would handle it.