Chapter 43 Her Blind Date

Chapter 43: Her Date

Wang Tao's lips moved wordlessly, unable to respond, but Ling Jue found his answer in the familiar features Wang Tao shared with the middle-aged woman he had encountered downstairs in Qin Shuyi's apartment complex—the one who had spoken with such sourness.

So this was the "Da Zhuang" Auntie Wang had mentioned.

Thinking of Qin Shuyi, whom they had just been discussing, a dangerous glint flickered in his eyes.

"You... who are you? What's it to you?" Wang Tao forced himself to muster some bravado.

His gaze swept over Ling Jue and the group of executives behind him. His initially fearful eyes suddenly lit up.

"Director Gao!" He quickly took two steps forward, eager to shake hands with one of the middle-aged men.

He boasted to others about working for the Ling Group, but in reality, he was employed by a small company in which the Ling Group had only invested—not even a proper subsidiary.

Still, his luck wasn't bad. Riding on the company's recent success over the past two years, his income had skyrocketed.

This time, returning home and taking the initiative to organize the class reunion was, without a doubt, an attempt to "return home in glory."

Originally, Qin Shuyi was meant to be the "flower" that would add the finishing touch to his "brocade"—his success. Unfortunately, Qin Shuyi's heart was as hard as iron, completely unresponsive to his advances.

He had seen this Director Gao from afar at a dinner before.

Rumor had it he was a high-ranking executive within the Ling Group. At the very least, Wang Tao had never seen his own boss fawn over any business partner the way he did over Director Gao.

If he could somehow forge a connection with Director Gao, perhaps he could break into the Ling Group's inner circle and become a formal Ling Group employee.

After all, even a low-level clerk at the Ling Group enjoyed a salary and benefits package that was the envy of outsiders.

By then, someone like Qin Shuyi? Even if she begged him, he wouldn't spare her a second glance.

"What a coincidence, running into you here. So you're from S City too," he fawned, sidling up to the man.

Remembering he hadn't introduced himself, he added, "Oh, I forgot to mention. My name is Wang Tao. I'm a member of the technical team at Zhirui Technology. We actually had a meal together in the capital once." Though they had been seated several tables apart.

"It seems we're from the same hometown then. What a coincidence. Are you here for dinner? Please, allow me to treat you this time."

Wang Tao rambled on, completely oblivious to the increasingly dark expression and the cold sweat beading on the forehead of the man addressed as Director Gao.

Gao Xiang racked his brains trying to recall Zhirui Technology, this small company.

He had been temporarily transferred this year to support the S City branch's operations. He had indeed dealt with Zhirui back in the capital, but he couldn't remember anyone named Wang Tao.

Moreover, this guy had clearly offended the big boss. And now, bypassing President Ling to curry favor with *him*? Was he trying to get him killed?

"You know him?" Sure enough, Ling Jue inquired.

Gao Xiang promptly explained the origins of Zhirui Technology.

Technically speaking, Ling Jue was the backer of that company.

Wang Tao, slow on the uptake, finally caught on from their exchange. He stared at Ling Jue, recalling someone addressing him as "President Ling" and the rumored appearance of the Young Master Ling. He stammered, "You... you're Mr. Ling?"

Ling Jue's expression was icy. He addressed the restaurant manager, who had been watching the dramatic twists and turns with wide-eyed fascination. "Stellar respects all its guests, but it has no need for guests who deliberately cause trouble."

The manager instantly understood. Beaming, he made a "please" gesture toward Wang Tao. "My apologies, Mr. Wang. Your behavior has harmed the physical and mental well-being of our staff member. Your reservation fee will be refunded in full. We regret we cannot serve you today."

Director Gao immediately followed up. "I'll contact Zhirui's management later. The company has no need for employees who sexually harass female staff and possess such poor character."

Wang Tao's face turned deathly pale.

He knew he was finished.

Terrified, he pointed at the waitress, trying to argue his case. "I didn't even touch that woman!"

Then, realizing his tone might have been inappropriate, he switched to a servile demeanor.

"Sorry, sorry! I was just too agitated. I wasn't in a good mood today. I'll apologize to her, I'll compensate her, okay?"

Ling Jue didn't stop him. Wang Tao walked over to the waitress, bowed deeply, tears and snot streaming down his face. "I'm sorry. I was just hurt by a bad woman, so I have issues with women. Everything I said was nonsense. Please forgive me."

The waitress looked anxiously at the manager.

The manager lifted his chin slightly. "That apology is what you deserve. Whether or not to forgive him is entirely up to you."

Empowered, the girl raised her head. "I have a boyfriend. He's hundreds, thousands of times handsomer than you. A man like you? I wouldn't even look at you if you were kneeling before me. You slandered me in the first place. I don't forgive you."

Wang Tao's face twisted with rage.

But the manager had already decisively signaled the security guards to remove him.

Wang Tao panicked. "I already apologized! President Ling! President Ling! Master Jue! Please, save me! I can't lose my job!"

His cries faded into the distance, and the air in the main hall finally settled.

He Yuanyuan and the group of middle school classmates exchanged bewildered glances.

The host was gone. It didn't seem right for them to linger.

Still, having witnessed such a juicy drama, they were all quite satisfied. In the time it took for Wang Tao to be thrown out, their private chat group had already exploded with 999+ messages.

Just as the group was preparing to leave, the man with the formidable aura spoke again.

He was addressing He Yuanyuan. "Are you Qin Shuyi's friend?"

He Yuanyuan let out a confused "Huh?" before realizing he was speaking to her. Her expression turned awkward. "Not really. We're just middle school classmates."

"Is she here at this restaurant for a blind date?"

His authoritative presence was overwhelming. He Yuanyuan instinctively nodded, then froze mid-nod.

"Um... you know Qin Shuyi too?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized it was a stupid question. He knew Qin Shuyi's name precisely; he definitely wasn't a stranger.

A flash of insight struck her, and she couldn't help but blurt out, "Did you kick Wang Tao out because he was bad-mouthing Qin Shuyi?"

The eagerly curious looks of all her classmates turned toward them.

Although they didn't know who Ling Jue was, anyone who could decide Wang Tao's career, who was the big boss of the Director Gao that Wang Tao fawned over, and who received the personal attention of the Stellar Grand Hotel's restaurant manager—only a fool wouldn't realize he was a powerful figure far beyond their reach.

Their old classmate actually had a connection with someone like this?

Even the S City branch executives, who were trying their best to maintain neutral expressions, couldn't hide the intense curiosity in their eyes.

They had always heard the big boss was aloof and indifferent. When had he ever personally intervened in such trivial matters? If it was truly for a specific person, then the logic made sense.

Ling Jue did not deny it.

He Yuanyuan's eyes lit up. "Then, you are her...?"

Ling Jue's gaze was dark and profound. He seemed to let out a cold, almost imperceptible laugh.

"Her date."

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