Chapter Seventy-Seven: Remember Our Bet!

Hiss.

Everyone couldn’t help but draw in a breath of cold air.

“This kid’s skills are that impressive?”

“Catching bullets with his bare hands? Is this a movie?”

“Incredible! He threw four fruit knives, and every single one landed in Lin Dong’s hands and feet.”

“My god, with him around, who would dare cause trouble?”

Earlier, there had been doubts about him among the crowd.

But now, having witnessed his methods, no one dared make another move.

An Lan quickly composed herself, offering a charming smile as she asked, “Well then, does anyone still have objections to Ye Wushang serving as tonight’s chief of security?”

Her words rang out, but her gaze drifted toward Pei Qinghu.

Pei Qinghu’s body shuddered; he nearly lost his footing.

“Tiger,” Master Wang rushed to steady him, his expression dark as he muttered thoughtfully, “I hadn’t imagined this youngster was so formidable.”

“He managed to foil our plans twice before—he’s certainly no ordinary man.”

Pei Huaide took a deep breath, his eyes cold. “If we don’t eliminate him, he’ll be a problem sooner or later.”

“Father!” Pei Qinghu clenched his fists, gritting his teeth. “No matter what, he must die.”

“He’s ruined so many of our schemes; if he isn’t killed, I’ll never be able to let go of this hatred!”

“Hmm…”

Pei Huaide nodded slightly. To avoid further complications, he chose to back down. Looking toward the stage, he smiled and said, “The Pei family has no objections.”

“Miss An, you have a discerning eye. Ye Wushang is not only skilled in martial arts but also possesses keen insight. With him here, I believe tonight’s banquet will proceed smoothly.”

“We agree, we agree,” others echoed.

“We were only joking earlier, just a joke.”

“Please forgive us.”

The other guests, still shaken, hurried to flatter her.

“Take him away,” An Lan ordered. “Don’t let this man spoil our enjoyment.”

The bald-headed leader obeyed, quickly calling several security guards to drag Lin Dong off.

Afterward, at Sun Huiru’s invitation, everyone settled down, and calm was restored.

Ye Wushang spoke briefly with the bald-headed man and his colleagues; they dispersed to various corners, observing and patrolling as previously arranged.

“Sister, let’s go. My lips hurt so much.” Lan Ruoshang held her swollen lips, her face full of grievance.

Zheng Yiren was equally anxious. “Yes, Ruoxue, that useless man has An Lan backing him—we won’t get any advantage here.”

“With your history with her, the proxy position is hopeless now…”

“We can’t just leave.” Lan Ruoxue’s face darkened as she muttered, “I’ve already offended An Lan; if we leave before the banquet is over, she’ll surely find some excuse to retaliate.”

“We can’t count on the proxy role now. What matters most is appeasing her anger.”

“At least until the Lan family grows stronger, we must endure humiliation and bear the burden. The An family… I can’t afford to offend them.”

“This banquet—I must see it through, even if it means crawling.”

Gazing at An Lan on stage, radiant and commanding, Lan Ruoxue’s nose stung, and her eyes grew red with emotion.

Clap, clap, clap.

A moment later, as An Lan finished her speech, the hall erupted in thunderous applause.

Compliments and flattery flowed without end.

An Lan smiled and nodded, speaking loudly, “Alright, everyone.”

“Next, we move on to the second item of tonight’s banquet. I will announce the final selection for the An family’s business agent.”

Upon hearing this, Lan Ruoxue froze, her expression gloomier than ever.

She no longer hoped to win the agency rights; now she just wished An Lan wouldn’t target the Lan family.

Though her heart still burned with resentment toward Ye Wushang, she silently prayed he would consider the bond of marriage and not push her family to ruin.

“Everyone must be eager to know who the final candidate is,” An Lan said, smiling broadly as she looked at the eager faces in the audience.

Her gaze circled the room and finally rested on Lan Ruoxue.

“Don’t be impatient.”

“Before I announce the result, I’d like to invite someone to the stage.”

“That person is Miss Lan. Please, come up.”

Me?

Lan Ruoxue was stunned.

Why would she call her up before announcing the list?

Seeing An Lan’s sly smile, for some reason, a sense of unease crept into her heart.

“Sister, don’t go up.”

“That woman must want to humiliate you—don’t fall for it,” Lan Ruoshang instinctively tugged at her.

Zheng Yiren also urged, “Yes, Ruoxue, she hasn’t announced the list yet but calls you up—it must be for another purpose. With Ye Wushang between you, she’ll surely want to take revenge for him…”

“I have to go up!” Lan Ruoxue interrupted coldly.

She knew well—the enemy was strong, she was weak.

Challenging An Lan would only bring disaster.

Especially since this was An Lan’s territory; everything was under her control.

Whatever An Lan planned, she’d have to endure it.

Agency rights were out of reach, but she didn’t want her group to suffer.

She had fought tooth and nail to take her company public; the Lan family was on the cusp of flourishing, and she didn’t want it all destroyed by her own hand.

“You two, listen carefully.”

“Without my permission, don’t act rashly.”

“Especially don’t anger An Lan with provocative words.”

“Remember this.”

With that, Lan Ruoxue rose and walked straight to the stage.

As she brushed past Ye Wushang, her gaze was venomous, filled with hatred.

“Miss An, I know my sister has offended you, and I…”

“I have decided to grant the An family’s agency rights to the Lan Group!”

Just as Lan Ruoxue was about to take responsibility and seek reconciliation, An Lan suddenly seized her hand, raised it high, and publicly announced the result!

Hearing An Lan’s words, Lan Ruoxue was struck as if by lightning, frozen in place, at a loss.

She stared at An Lan in shock, never imagining that she would be chosen as the agent!

Leaving aside their personal grievances, in terms of overall strength and future prospects, the Lan family couldn’t compare to the other companies.

Yet now, An Lan had chosen the weakest among them.

Sun Chuan Zhi had become a vegetable.

Lin Dong’s secrets were exposed in public.

Who else could An Lan possibly choose but her…

“Congratulations, Miss Lan.”

“Though the Lan family is a second-tier clan, under your leadership it has thrived and even gone public.”

“In this, you are much like Miss An herself—thanks to her efforts, the An family has prospered.”

“Their cooperation is a win-win; truly something to celebrate!”

At this moment, as An Lan announced the final selection, the hall erupted once more in enthusiastic applause.

Leaders of various families and companies offered their congratulations.

At the same time, they plotted quietly: with the Lan family receiving the An family’s support, their future would surely be smooth. It was time to find a way to connect with the Lan family!

“Miss Lan, what’s wrong? You seem reluctant to cooperate with the An family,” An Lan teased, her manner light and casual.

Lan Ruoxue shook her head instinctively, forcing a smile. “Not at all. I just never imagined you were the CEO of An Group.”

Her heart was a jumble of emotions, full of mixed feelings.

In truth, she should have realized it long ago.

This woman had twice entrusted Ye Wushang with security duties.

She was strikingly beautiful, possessed extraordinary presence, and could come and go freely at the An family’s venue.

If she wasn’t An Lan, who else could she be?

Thinking back, it was her own narrow-mindedness—or perhaps an unwillingness to believe that Ye Wushang could be involved with such an heiress.

“There are many things you didn’t expect.”

“For example, that I’d choose your Lan family as the business agent,” An Lan smiled, showing no sign of past conflict between them. She reminded, “By the way, we made a bet at the workshop door before—haven’t forgotten, have you?”

“Of course,” Lan Ruoxue nodded reflexively. “Within six months, if Wushang can build a credible business, I’ll apologize to him.”

“And from then on, I won’t interact with him anymore, admitting I misjudged him.”

“But…”

An Lan raised her brows. “But what?”

“His business development must depend on him alone.”

“If you intervene, not just Wushang—even a beggar could become a billionaire with your help.”

She admitted An Lan’s background was superior, but she never believed An Lan’s abilities surpassed her own, especially in judging people.

Ye Wushang might have some talent, but without external help, to build a successful business entirely on his own…

She doubted he could do it.

“You’re overthinking it.”

An Lan sneered, her contempt for Lan Ruoxue’s blind arrogance deepening. “I won’t offer any help to Wushang in his business endeavors.”

“On the contrary, if my own business runs into trouble, I may need his support.”

“His excellence is far greater than you realize.”

Lan Ruoxue replied indifferently, “So your feelings run that deep—you depend on each other. I never expected that.”

“Empty words mean nothing; facts speak for themselves. In six months, you’ll see a brand-new Wushang.”

“And it’ll be by his own ability, not yours.”

An Lan didn’t waste more words, inviting her to give an acceptance speech.

Watching her speak fluently, Lan Ruoxue’s presence and ability were indeed remarkable.

Yet her vision was still too narrow; even now, she doubted Ye Wushang’s capabilities.

Once the time came, An Lan looked forward to seeing Lan Ruoxue’s astonished expression when Ye Wushang achieved greatness.

…