The scene instantly became quiet.

Who would have thought that even such a grand occasion, such a romantic atmosphere, such tender words could still not move her? It's really incomprehensible, what exactly does she need? This also left the crowd very puzzled.

Bai Yifan was stunned for a moment and said, "It's okay, I have been rejected by you countless times, I don't mind one more time."

"Wow, Mr. Bai is really a warm man."

"Really, he's so attentive."

"Sigh, I really envy Secretary Tang for having such a boyfriend, who would have thought that despite being rejected so many times, he still chases her relentlessly without giving up."

A bunch of innocent girls suddenly envied beyond measure. It seems that being able to find a boyfriend like Bai Yifan in this lifetime is indeed the highest realm a woman could ever reach. Actually, everyone else saw only the surface, but couldn't see the inside.

Being the most involved, Tang Yumeng of course understood the most, she didn't actually like Bai Yifan, but she had to stand with him in front of everyone, and she also had to appear as if they were very friendly, even though it wasn't that kind of relationship, she had to portray it as such.

"Xiao Yu, I have booked a Thai restaurant, let's go have dinner," said Bai Yifan.

"Alright," Tang Yumeng nodded.

Bai Yifan hurriedly opened the passenger door, and Tang Yumeng carefully crawled in. The sports car had a very low chassis which felt almost like lying down when sitting in it. It was not very comfortable, and moreover, Tang Yumeng did not like such low chassis cars. Tang Yumeng's personal ride was a Porsche Cayenne, and the official car she arranged for herself was an Audi. Both had much higher chassis than this sports car.

After Tang Yumeng got into the car, Bai Yifan immediately drove towards the direction of the restaurant.

Leaving behind a group of envious and jealous men and women.

Lin Chuan came out of the City Committee and walked arm in arm with Luo Guoqing, looking very harmonious. The two smoked cigarettes, chatting back and forth.

"Sigh, Secretary Tang is really fortunate to have such a boyfriend."

"Yeah, so envious."

As Lin Chuan passed by, he heard the two whispering and immediately froze, quickly stepping back two steps and curiously asked, "Just now... what did you guys say?"

"Said that Secretary Tang is very fortunate. Bai Yifan is a very outstanding man," a girl said enviously.

"Bai Yifan?" Lin Chuan was stunned, and said, "Secretary Tang went out with Bai Yifan?"

"Hmm." The girl nodded.

"Damn it." Lin Chuan angrily exploded.

"What's wrong?" Luo Guoqing asked.

"I have to make a call and ask about the situation." Lin Chuan quickly took out his phone and then dialed Tang Yumeng.

Soon, the call was connected.

Knowing that so many people had seen the situation, if she lied, it would definitely be exposed, so Tang Yumeng straightforwardly chose to come clean: "Lin Chuan, were you looking for me?"

"Sister, where are you?" Lin Chuan asked.

"Oh, I'm going to have dinner with Bai Yifan," Tang Yumeng said with a smile: "Today, Yifan came to the City Committee to find me, so I came out. Were you looking for me?"

"Is that so." Lin Chuan thought for a moment and said: "Doesn't this guy know you're my girlfriend? He even asked you out to dinner?"

"This..." Tang Yumeng laugh awkwardly: "Don't overthink it. Yifan is just a friend."

"Alright then," Lin Chuan nodded, "I'll be more generous, not because I trust him, but because I trust you. I believe sister will never do anything to wrong me."

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Tang Yumeng said indignantly.

"Alright, alright," Lin Chuan laughed: "Go have your dinner. I'm also going home to eat."

"Alright, be careful on your way," Tang Yumeng cautioned.

Listening to this, Bai Yifan hit the horn several times in anger, seemingly to protest to Lin Chuan.

He clearly knew about the subtle relationship between Tang Yumeng and Lin Chuan, but he deliberately used such methods to stir the pot between the two. Moreover, his previous overt proposal was obviously a deliberate move to pressure Tang Yumeng using the info that she had previously announced to everyone that he was her boyfriend. Unexpectedly, such a tactic actually worked.

Internally, Bai Yifan said to himself: Lin Chuan, I didn't lose to you. You may be Tang Yumeng's boyfriend in her heart, but I am the boyfriend Tang Yumeng's acquaintances think she has. We are evenly matched.

Thinking this, Bai Yifan's lips couldn't help but slightly curl up, clearly feeling a bit smug.

Perhaps, he was fantasizing about Lin Chuan's angry expression, even imagining Lin Chuan's hysterical roaring. Seeing Tang Yumeng hanging up the phone, Bai Yifan curiously asked, "Is Lin Chuan very angry?"

"No," Tang Yumeng shook her head, saying, "He's actually quite magnanimous."

Bai Yifan was immediately stunned. How could Lin Chuan not be angry? He should be furious, this was not what he had expected at all. Bai Yifan's smile faltered and sank again. He said with a smile, "Xiao Yu, you're not lying to me, are you?"

"Why would I lie to you?" Tang Yumeng laughed, "Lin Chuan would not get mad at me, even if I went out to eat with you, he wouldn't be angry."

"He really is laid-back," Bai Yifan said with a sneer.

"Shouldn't he be?" Tang Yumeng chuckled, then said, "What's most needed between lovers? It's trust, not suspicion. Besides, I told him that I would dine with you tonight, what's there to be suspicious about?"

"He's not afraid that I might steal you away?" Bai Yifan chuckled.

"Of course not." Tang Yumeng smiled faintly and said, "What my man needs most isn't money, but confidence."

"But, confidence also needs to be backed by excellence, a strong family background, and sufficient material assurance." Bai Yifan said in surprise, "Without these, a man can hardly be confident."

"That's just superficial confidence," Tang Yumeng laughed lightly, then added, "The confidence I perceive should be filled with love, not filled with materialism, not vulgar!"

Bai Yifan suddenly felt he could hardly keep up with Tang Yumeng's pace.

"Maybe so," Bai Yifan nodded.

Bai Yifan couldn't give up on Tang Yumeng, knowing she was an essential part of his life. Losing her, maybe his life would become meaningless. Just as Fang Yuan had told him, Tang Yumeng wasn't a simple woman, having her meant not only possessing immense wealth but also owning a vast future. This made Bai Yifan unable to let go.

......

Zhou Kai and his group had started refurbishing a bathhouse, which was no longer a secret. Moreover, at the construction site, they'd put up a huge banner with the word "Recruitment" written largely on it, hiring many people, including bathhouse managers and a large number of female technicians, offering excellent terms and historically high dividends.

The news immediately had a significant impact on the eastern part of the city.

The news was first learned by Long Wu, who was the leading gangster in the area of South Road on Huai Mountain. Since the transportation market was taken away by Zhou Kai and his group, his gang was always on the lookout, planning to take back that spot anytime.

Since Lin Chuan and his group took away the transportation market from South Road on Huai Mountain, many of Long Wu's underlings were assigned to work at the vegetable market. That job really wasn't meant for humans. Many underlings couldn't stand it and left Long Wu, only the most loyal stayed to endure hardship with Long Wu.

After the Lantern Festival, business at the vegetable market boomed.

Since losing the transportation market, Long Wu received a large agricultural and trade market area from Feng Taibao. After working there for two months, Long Wu, from initially rejecting it, gradually came to terms with reality and even saw profit potential.

In the entire vegetable market, only Long Wu's shop sold onions, garlic, and ginger, and at exorbitant prices. All other merchants were prohibited from selling these items. Having been in business for many years, Long Wu knew that only monopolies were profitable. Without a monopoly, one could never get rich.

Indeed, relying on onions, garlic, ginger, and some other essential vegetables, Long Wu made a few hundred thousand in just two months. Though not as profitable as the transportation market, it opened up new business opportunities for Long Wu. He decided to expand his business after the year, firmly offering a variety of rich dishes.

Just as Long Wu was sitting in his office, sipping tea and balancing accounts, a minion rushed in breathlessly.

"Long," the minion gasped, shouting, "This is bad, this is really bad."

Clatter...

The tea cup fell from Long Wu's hands, spilling tea leaves and water over the table. Long Wu looked up at the minion and said, "What's the matter, why the panic? I've told you many times, even if the sky falls, there is someone tall enough to hold it up."

"Yes!" the minion quickly nodded and said, "Big brother, when I passed by the transportation market just now, I saw… I saw…"

The minion hesitated.

"Damn it, saw what?" Long Wu stroked his balding head, annoyed, "Will you just finish your sentence?"

"I saw Zhou Kai… Zhou Kai and his group are setting up a bathhouse," the minion hurriedly said.

"What?!" Long Wu was startled, asking, "Are you sure you saw that right?"

"Absolutely," the minion quickly shook his head, "They are putting up large posters right now, recruiting girls."

"Really? Did they eat the guts of a leopard?" Long Wu exclaimed, "Let's go and see!"

With that, Long Wu immediately rushed out with his minion.

Long Wu drove his dark gold Cayenne, arriving at the transportation market in no time.

At that moment, in front of the transportation market, under the encirclement of green trees, a very dilapidated three-story building was having renovation work started, scaffolding had already been set up, and Zhou Kai was directing a few workers inside, appearing to be working/>.

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