Chapter 170

Ning Yao grew annoyed from the questioning.

She had hired a private detective a month or so ago, and he was one of the best in the business; for this she paid a fee as high as several hundred thousand.

But due to Ning Jinli's factory also having strict internal security.

Even that capable private detective could only tell Ning Yao that after sneaking in and hiding for over ten days he had personally seen many barrels of crude oil, but he could not find out where those oils came from.

However, he also incidentally discovered that earlier Ning Jinli had sent a sample of crude oil to an appraisal agency for testing.

Based on this information, one could completely conclude that Ning Jinli was smuggling oil.

According to Ning Yao's original plan, today she could, in front of the reporters, dig up the most direct evidence and publicly crush Ning Jinli, while also gaining great fame for herself.

But she never expected that an unforeseen change would occur.

How could she know what just happened!

Without the help of the official investigators, relying solely on her words she really couldn't make it clear.

"Miss Ning Yao, I've heard you've always had a conflict with Ning Jinli, and rumors say your parents and her parents once had a grudge; what do you think of these rumors?" a reporter suddenly asked.

Those words sparked the other reporters' curiosity, and immediately another reporter asked: "Miss Ning Yao, this time you personally led people to break into your cousin's factory, which just happened to be holding a groundbreaking ceremony; are you deliberately targeting her?"

"Are the investigators and special police the ones you summoned?"

"Is her alleged oil smuggling a misunderstanding, or is it an excuse you fabricated to cause trouble?"

As the reporters' questions grew sharper and sharper.

Ning Yao flew into a rage, "What nonsense are you spouting here?! Get lost!"

The reporters had various expressions.

One couldn't say whether this Sect Leader of the Ning Group, who recently gained a halo in the Xinghan business world, was genuinely forthright or simply lacked emotional intelligence and the ability to handle interviews.

"Sorry, everyone," the group's secretary hurried over, smiling, and said, "Our Ning Group's president only accepts interviews with prior appointments; regarding your questions just now, please feel free to make an appointment first and we'll arrange the interview later."

Hearing that, the reporters muttered a few complaints in their hearts, then shifted their interview target to Ning Jinli and swarmed over to her.

Next, the secretary whispered in Ning Yao's ear: "The representatives of the Four Major Families have arrived; they're already outside the factory."

According to the original plan, by now the official investigators should have taken control of the factory and, in front of the reporters, dug out the petroleum hidden in the workshop.

At the same time, the Four Major Families' representatives arrived and, together with her, witnessed Ning Jinli's plunge into the abyss.

Since things didn't unfold as expected, Ning Yao already felt that summoning the reporters was like lifting a stone only to drop it on her own foot.

Now that the Four Major Families' representatives have come, it seems they have also lost the original plan's significance.

Seeing Ning Yao's dark face and no response, the group's secretary pondered a moment, then said softly: "I'll go handle this; first I'll take Young Master Lu and the others elsewhere."

"Wait, Lu Jue-ming has come?" Ning Yao was very surprised.

"Yes," the secretary added, "the Lu family sent Young Master Lu, while the other three families sent senior executives of their respective groups."

So far, she has only met Lu Jue-ming three times.

Once was on the plane returning from a trip.

The other two times were because they discussed investment cooperation; otherwise, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get him to come out.

Lu Jue-ming, however, is always so busy he has no time to keep appointments.

This time Ning Yao fabricated an excuse, saying she planned to invest in her cousin's factory, and invited the Four Major Families to come inspect together; she had thought the Four Major Families would at most send a few senior executives from their own groups.

But she never expected that the Lu family, which ranks first among the Four Major Families, would actually have Lu Jue-ming himself come forward.

Ning Yao's mind raced as she analyzed.

Although she had tried every means recently to get closer to Lu Jue-ming, it had been to no avail.

But she felt that Lu Jue-ming had good feelings toward her.

Otherwise, how could he still have invested when the Ning Group encountered a crisis?

Moreover, not only did he invest far more than her father had initially budgeted, he also helped bring in the other three major families to participate.

This certainly isn't simply for profit; it must be to help her.

So, he must be helping her because he likes her.

Based on this speculation, plus the fact that Lu Jue-ming personally came for her this time, one can basically be certain it's not just ordinary fondness—it's love for her!

"I understand..." Ning Yao's eyes flashed with excited light as she muttered to herself, "Young Master Lu must be thinking of first silently giving me help so that my status matches the Lu family's; then his family won't look down on me, and he can marry me—he really means well..."

"Miss Ning Jinli, could you please explain today's situation?" a voice called from not far away.

"Miss Ning Jinli, regarding Miss Ning Yao's accusation that you smuggled oil, do you have any response?"

Ning Yao immediately perked up her ears and looked over.

Ning Jinli replied calmly:

"As for what just happened, I don't know what's going on either, but I am upright and fear no shadow; I fear no false accusation. I hereby declare that my business is entirely legitimate and legal, with no smuggling or illegal operation."

"You all saw that, although the official investigators came here for some reason I don't know, they have already left."

"As for Ning Yao's reckless rumor-mongering and slander, which has seriously damaged my reputation, I will pursue her liability through legal means. Oh, and also, she brought a gang of bodyguards to smash my factory gate and forcefully break in to cause trouble—I will sue her for that as well. In a lawful society, no one can run amok."

"Today was supposed to be the groundbreaking day for a new workshop in my factory; I had planned a simple ribbon-cutting ceremony. If I had known you media friends would come, I would have prepared hospitality in advance—I'm really sorry. After the ceremony ends, I'll arrange for you to dine at a hotel as a token of apology."

"Thank you, everyone."

That clear, composed, and steady response, plus the final thoughtful consideration for the reporters, instantly won them considerable goodwill.

Especially when contrasted with Ning Yao's attitude just moments before when facing the reporters' questioning.

It was a clear-cut difference.

The reporters couldn't help but break into applause.

Then they politely continued to interview Ning Jinli.

"You damned Ning Jinli!" Ning Yao gritted her teeth, "Accusing me of spreading rumors and slander? Wanting to pursue my responsibility? Turning the tables and blaming the victim… I'm furious!"

Lin Lina got out of the car, came to Ning Yao's side, took her hand, and said, "Yao Yao, let's just go."

"I'm not leaving." Ning Yao shook off her arm, "If I just walked away like that, everything would be what she said; when the reporters wildly report it, the image I've painstakingly built would be ruined!"

Lin Lina frowned and said, "Things haven't gone according to your plan at all; now it's even worse for you. Listen, go back first—I'll get a PR team to settle this."

"No!" Ning Yao said firmly, "Mom, the young master of the Lu family has arrived, and with him bringing representatives of the other three major families to back me up, which reporter in Xinghan City would dare oppose me? You don't need to get a PR team—I will definitely step on Ning Jinli today!"

Having said that, Ning Yao grabbed the group secretary and went to meet the people of the Four Major Families.

"Daughter, you…… sigh……"

Lin Lina's expression grew grave.

She had felt something was off ever since she arrived here, and then her daughter's original plan indeed failed, making her unease grow ever clearer.

She had a vague foreboding that something even worse would happen later.

She took off her sunglasses and stared straight at Ning Jinli, who was being surrounded by reporters.

After a moment's thought, she gently stroked her chest to comfort herself and said:

"I was probably overthinking it—back then, even her parents weren't a match for me and Ning Hai… What kind of waves could a yellow-haired girl like her stir up?"

Soon after, Ning Yao came over with Lu Jue Ming, followed by representatives of the other three families.

"Ning Jinli, do you still dare to talk about pursuing my legal responsibility?" Ning Yao shouted righteously, "More than thirty of my bodyguards were injured by your people here, and I haven't even settled the score with you yet!"

That loaded remark brought the reporters' interviews to an abrupt halt.

Ning Jinli and Lu Jue Ming exchanged glances, each giving a slight nod.

Then Ning Jinli looked at Ning Yao and said calmly, "Miss Ning, are you sure you want to keep causing trouble?"

Ning Yao crossed her arms, lifted her sharp chin, and said, "I've laid it all out now—so what if I do cause trouble?"

The reporters were stunned.

Having seen all kinds of oddballs in the news media industry, they had never before encountered someone so arrogantly overbearing.

Some reporters silently muttered that Ning Yao must have gotten a sudden burst of fame and started to get full of herself.

Or perhaps she's just too young, having received honor that doesn't match her character—the higher she flies, the harder she'll fall.

Unfazed by the reporters' frowns and stares, Ning Yao lifted her nose and said, "Let me introduce you to the person beside me—this is the young master of the Lu family, Lu Jue Ming."

The reporters blinked, then quickly shifted their gaze to the young man behind her wearing a simple white shirt, whose demeanor was gentle and refined.

Lu Jue Ming rarely appears in public, so it was unexpected that he showed up this time.

A burst of flashbulbs suddenly lit up, causing Lu Jue Ming to slightly turn his head to avoid them.

Ning Jinli casually pointed and said, "These three are respectively from the other three major families, all senior executives of the group—I'm sure you see them often, so I don't need to introduce them specially, right?"

As her words fell, the faces of all four—including Lu Jue Ming—showed a subtle odd expression.

In Xinghan City, the Four Major Families have the Lu family as unquestionably first; thus the other three families tend to show more respect to the Lu family's members, while the Lu family themselves do not become arrogant because of it, and they also give full respect to the other three families.

The Four Major Families maintain a delicate balance among themselves.

But Ning Yao, an outsider, at this moment in front of the reporters, clearly gave them differential treatment, even feeling as if she were treating those three as her underlings.

This made Lu Jue Ming and the other three somewhat displeased.

"What are you trying to convey by introducing these four to the reporters?" Ning Jinli asked with a smile.

Ning Yao glanced sideways and said, "I want to tell the reporters here that if they're going to publish news later, they should carefully consider the content and avoid putting out anything that would reflect badly on me or make me uncomfortable to see."

The reporters' faces instantly fell.

Ning Jinli said, "Is such an overt threat appropriate?"

"I'm fine with it—what, you disagree?" Ning Yao said with a look of contempt, "If you disagree, just hold it in—Ning Jinli, I now demand that you compensate and apologize to my bodyguards. Otherwise, I'll make sure you have no foothold left in Xinghan City!"

In the crowd behind Ning Jinli, Shangguan Ying speechlessly rubbed her forehead, and the two senior officials from national-level departments beside her also wore expressions of helpless amusement.

In such a situation, if the three of them stepped in to mediate, they would feel it beneath their dignity.

"How should we compensate? How should we apologize?" Ning Jinli said with a smile, "Let's hear it."

Ning Yao blurted out, "I don't care about your compensation money—a symbolic one dollar per person is enough—but you must kneel and kowtow, saying sorry, note—once per person."

"Once per person?" Ning Jinli suppressed a laugh and feigned surprise, "More than thirty bodyguards—I'd have to kneel over thirty times, kowtow over thirty times, and say sorry thirty-odd times?"

Ning Yao snapped her fingers, "Come over here, line up—Ning the big boss is going to apologize to you."

The bodyguards felt a bit embarrassed.

But unable to defy their boss's order, they endured their discomfort and stepped forward.

Lu Jue Ming's eyes were already filled with gloom, his cheeks tense, he was itching to step forward and put an end to this farce.

However, Ning Jinli silently gave him a reassuring look, and he restrained himself.

"Ning Jinli, my people are waiting," Ning Yao said in a commanding tone, "And you reporters, later you must film her apology process for me."

The reporters gripped their microphones, the cameramen tightly held their equipment, all afraid that if they couldn't hold back they'd throw something and hit her on the head.

Ning Jinli wore a smile and watched silently.

Seeing her unmoving, Ning Yao said coldly, "I'll give you three seconds to come over."

"One!"

"Two!"

"Three!"

After the three seconds counted, Ning Jinli still had no reaction.

"I gave you a way out and you still don't know what's good for you!" Ning Yao snapped, then walked up to Ning Jinli, raised her arm, and slapped her.

"Smack!"

A crisp slap rang out.

But Ning Jinli struck first, landing a slap on Ning Yao's face.

Not even those present could see her move clearly.

Only after the slap sound ended did Ning Yao tilt her head and fall into a seated position, her left cheek visibly swelling, and only then did everyone realize who had hit whom.

Ning Yao was dazed.

Having grown up this big, she's never been slapped before.

"Yao Yao!" Lin Lina exclaimed, rushing over.

Ning Yao came to her senses and wailed, "Mom! She… she hit me! Wah!"

Lin Lina felt terrible, helped Ning Yao up, wiped her tears, soothed her softly a few words, then turned and glared at Ning Jinli, "How dare you hit my daughter?!"

"What's there not to dare?" Ning Jinli said calmly. "Just now, what happened—you saw it with your own eyes. Did I slap the wrong person?"

Lin Lina knew she was in the wrong, and it wouldn't do to act like her daughter, making a scene in front of so many people. She put on a stern face and said: "Yao Yao is still a child, and she's my child. No matter what, as her mother, I cannot stand seeing her bullied. You must give an explanation."

Ning Jinli's tone turned slightly cold: "What, do you want me to apologize again? Just now, when she demanded I apologize, what were the consequences? You turned away and forgot?"

"Ning Jinli!" Lin Lina exploded in anger, "What are you?! Now you dare to talk to me like this?"

Ning Jinli's eyes flashed with a cold light as she asked, "May I ask, what are you?"