After Divorce, My Ex-Wife Became My Creditor - Chapter 30 - My Grassland, My Horse

The attendees of the banquet were either the top executives or their deputies, with many socialites in attendance. Han Qian never quite understood what socialites actually did. He had asked Wen Nuan, who shrugged and said she wasn’t sure either, only knowing that they were quite popular in high society due to their good looks.

Yan Qingqing was mingling happily with acquaintances, while Han Qian stood awkwardly in a corner. Some young women approached to greet him, but upon learning that Han Qian wasn’t even a basic manager, they politely excused themselves. They weren’t interested in him as a potential target; there were plenty of handsome men, but not many who were both wealthy and handsome. Financial status was the primary consideration, followed by looks. A couple of them did leave their numbers with Han Qian, jokingly suggesting they grab a late-night snack together.

Han Qian wasn’t particularly interested, recognizing that their interest was fleeting. He scanned the room, searching for someone who might present an opportunity. A figure appeared beside him, dressed in a white fairy-style dress, tall and elegant, holding two glasses of champagne.

“I work at the same company as Lin Zongheng. We can’t let outsiders think we’re not on good terms, so we had to choose one car.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Han Qian replied softly as he accepted the champagne. It was enough that Wen Nuan came over to explain; it wasn’t easy for someone of her stature to lower herself to explain things. Han Qian glanced at a few plainly dressed individuals who seemed to be the center of attention and asked quietly, “Government officials?”

“The top brass.”

Before Han Qian could say more, two people entered his line of sight-Lin Zongheng, suave and charming, and Yan Qingqing, fiery and enthusiastic, walking together. What were these two doing together? Han Qian felt a twinge of concern. As they approached, he overheard their playful banter. Yan Qingqing stood beside Han Qian, while Lin Zongheng positioned himself next to Wen Nuan.

The four of them, with their striking appearances, became the focal point of the evening, drawing everyone’s attention. Some of the women who had previously greeted Han Qian felt a pang of regret. Surely, this guy was deceiving them; how could someone in a minor role attract the presidents of Changxiang and Rongyao to greet him?

Lin Zongheng scoffed quietly, “The standards are getting lower.”

Han Qian squinted, smiling as he retorted, “Indeed, even sea turtles can attend a banquet with humans now.”

Wen Nuan intervened to stop Lin Zongheng from making a scene, while Yan Qingqing gently tugged on Han Qian’s sleeve, signaling him not to argue here. From what she had observed since meeting Han Qian, she didn’t believe he was merely someone who liked to engage in verbal sparring. Just then, the top official from the government waved at Lin Zongheng, who smiled back at the distance and murmured softly.

“Han Qian, you better not give me the chance, even if Nuan tries to stop me, I’ll take you down.”

Han Qian ignored the braggart, sipping champagne lightly from his glass. After Lin Zongheng left, the corner didn’t grow quiet. Wen Nuan eyed Yan Qingqing coldly from top to bottom, deliberately straightening her back-an action that Yan Qingqing took as a challenge, squinting and smiling.

“How old are you, little sister? Ever read any books? Taken any medicine?”

“Not much reading, I’ve read ‘King Wu’s Conquest of King Zhou¹‘ a few times, flipped through ‘Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio²‘ a bit.”

Oh?

Suddenly, Han Qian felt the glass in his hand prickling his skin. He stepped forward to change his glass, but two arms simultaneously held him back and pushed him against the wall. Yan Qingqing, still squinting, smiled.

“Sister here actually thinks highly of King Zhou. She feels for him, pampers and adores Su Daji. What do the rise and fall of empires have to do with us women? That’s for men to worry about. Sister thinks, just serve our men well, right, little sister?”

“Heh, then General Manager Yan should find herself a boyfriend. There are plenty of passing scholars. Some things, if they are mine, are mine; they can’t be stolen or taken away, just quietly watched.”

“Don’t steal, just touch.”

As her words fell, she reached out, and her slender fingers touched Han Qian’s face under his horrified gaze, Yan Qingqing’s face full of provocation as she looked at Wen Nuan.

“I should thank little sister for bringing him to my company.”

Wen Nuan’s eyes were like two sharp blades, firmly fixed on Yan Qingqing’s hand. But she laughed, a mocking laugh.

“Some things get dirty once touched, need a good wash, they reek!”

Yan Qingqing wasn’t upset at all, covering her neckline with one hand and laughing coquettishly.

“My Grassland, My Horse, I do as I please.”

With these words, she ignored Wen Nuan’s murderous gaze and walked towards the government officials. The bidding seemed about to begin. About three meters away, Yan Qingqing suddenly turned back, smiling again at Wen Nuan.

“Sister has many horses.”

Yan Qingqing walked off with her signature laugh.

Wen Nuan exploded! Ignoring the astonished looks of those around her, she grabbed Han Qian by the collar of his suit and dragged him into the restroom! Han Qian’s heart was also bitterly distressed. How could Wen Nuan, a pampered young lady, ever match up to the cunning Yan Qingqing?

Han Qian found himself pressed against the sink, Wen Nuan rolling up her sleeves, a wire brush in hand, staring angrily at him.

“I was thinking of buying you a face spray, but now there’s no need. That vixen’s hands were soft, weren’t they? Comfortable, right? Let me give you a proper face wash.”

Han Qian looked at the wire brush in Wen Nuan’s hands, then at the laundry detergent thrown in front of him, scratching his head awkwardly.

“Not… surely not necessary?”

“Want to use sulfuric acid or shall I do it?”

“I’ll wash!”

After washing his face, Wen Nuan had already gone to attend to her matters. Han Qian always felt his face was coated in a layer of paste, all thanks to Yan Qingqing. You provoke Wen Nuan, and who ends up hurt? It’s still me. Han Qian went downstairs to smoke.

As the bidding continued, listening to the government officials talk about how these corporate groups had developed the city and how they had supported them, playing on their emotions to offload this hot potato.

Several companies started bidding tentatively, then Yan Qingqing suddenly raised her hand.

“Four million.”

As her words fell, she turned to Lin Zongheng with a smile.

“Shouldn’t President Lin, fresh from studying abroad, make a mark? Just say the word, even if it’s just one more yuan, I’ll gladly hand over this land.”

Lin Zongheng returned the smile coldly.

“Heh, you think others are as foolish as you? This land should rather go to General Manager Yan. Congratulations to Wen Nuan for securing this land. Congratulations to Rongyao for the loss.”

“Tsk-tsk-tsk, thanks to President Lin. If I didn’t know about the grudge between you and Han Qian, I’d still be suspicious of this guy’s plans. Now, I’m reassured.”

Yan Qingqing stood and walked towards the government officials to discuss signing the contract. At this point, Lin Zongheng realized Wen Nuan was missing. Searching left and right to no avail, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number, only to hear the sound of Wen Nuan closing her car door; she had gone home!

In the taxi, Han Qian sat in the passenger seat, Wen Nuan in the back.

“Han Qian, you must resign. Yan Qingqing is no good.”

“Resign and you support me?”

“I will support you. Forget the debts!”

“I’m afraid of your wire brush, do all you rich ladies have this fetish?”

Smack!

Han Qian got slapped on the back of his head!

Footnote:

1. King Wu’s Conquest of King Zhou(武王伐纣):A pivotal historical event in ancient China (circa 1046 BCE) where King Wu of Zhou overthrew the tyrannical King Zhou of Shang, establishing the Zhou Dynasty. It’s a foundational narrative in Chinese history, often recounted in various historical texts and popular stories.
2. Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio(聊斋):A renowned collection of classical Chinese short stories by Pu Songling (蒲松龄) from the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912). It features tales of the supernatural, including ghosts, fox spirits, and other mythical creatures, often interwoven with social commentary and moral lessons.