Yang Qing wouldn't fall for it so easily. Besides, going to Wall Street would lay her bare like a peeled egg, with everything on display.

But Qian Du, with a grand gesture, said, "Don't worry, Uncle will cover all these expenses. Stay for a few days, or even a month, it's all fine."

"As it happens, I just flipped a few properties the day before yesterday and made tens of millions. Here, take this to spend first. Is a million enough?"

Qian Du deliberately mentioned the tens of millions to flaunt his wealth. How could he possibly tempt Yang Qing if she didn't know the extent of the Qian Family's riches? He believed Yang Qing was a smart woman and would make the right choice.

Hearing this, Yang Qing paused. Is this the richest man in the village?

The thought alone was enough to sway her. If I establish a relationship with Qian Li early on, couldn't I use the Qian Family's power to deal with Xu Ke? Though there's still a huge gap between the Qian and Wang Families, what if Qian Li is an idiot I can easily manipulate? Wouldn't that mean I could get my revenge much sooner?

With this in mind, Yang Qing paused before saying, "Uncle, why don't you ask my parents then?"

Her implication was clear: If you can convince my parents, I'm on board.

Seeing this, Qian Du laughed heartily. "Sure, no problem! Your parents will definitely agree."

He knew Yang Qing was attracted to his family's money and likely had ulterior motives, but what did he care? After so many years in the business world, he had seen every kind of person imaginable. All he wanted was someone with a clean background and a pretty face to improve his family's gene pool. So what if she had other plans? She would never be able to siphon any real money from the Qian Family.

She would be nothing more than a child-bearing machine.

「」

As expected, Yang Qing's parents, who weren't qualified to sit at the main table and were seated nearby, promptly agreed to the arrangement.

Following their agreement, Yang Qing adopted a shy demeanor, her cheeks blushing, her expression utterly charming. The onlookers couldn't help but stare. How wonderful would it be if she belonged to one of us?

"Alright, as soon as that boy, Qian Li, gets back, I'll arrange for your trip. I guarantee it will be safe and comfortable," Qian Du boomed, laughing heartily, utterly satisfied.

"Thank you, Uncle Qian," Yang Qing replied, already pleased. She had changed how she addressed him so quickly, and a touch of pride swelled in her heart.

With this development, the day I return to Tianhai isn't far off. I heard the Qian Family has a backer in the provincial capital. If I can get to know them, I might actually have a chance to use the Qian Family's backer to crush the Wang Family.

But just as everyone was in high spirits after a few rounds of drinks, a tricycle suddenly drove into the plaza. Riding it was a middle-aged man with a dark complexion, dressed in rags.

The crowd stared, taken aback by the sight. Isn't that a junk collector?! Nobody invited him!

As the primary sponsor of the festival banquet, Qian Du was displeased. "Who let him in?"

"Sorry, Boss Qian. It must have been an oversight," a man beside him immediately piped up, bowing.

"Go, get rid of him. If he wants money, give him a few hundred to keep him from making a scene. We can't have a disturbance," Qian Du ordered dismissively. He pulled out a thick stack of hundred-yuan bills, peeled off a handful, and tossed them to the man. "The rest is for you."

The man's eyes lit up with wild joy. He grinned from ear to ear and said, "Yes, sir!" That one handful was worth two or three thousand. The onlookers' eyes went red with envy.

Qian Du is such a nouveau riche!

Even Yang Qing was stunned. The Huang and Ye families are also wealthy, but this kind of ostentatious display is rare. That stack of cash he's carrying must be at least twenty or thirty thousand. If his suit pockets weren't so big, he wouldn't even be able to carry it all...

Thinking of this, her hopes for her "dream of marrying into wealth" soared. With Qian Du's help, she could definitely make a comeback.

But just then, as the man took the money to send the beggar away, the beggar suddenly pulled out a megaphone.

"Yang Qing, the woman who profited in Tianhai by falsely accusing a friend of rape, has returned to her hometown after being exposed! She plans to continue her scams! Everyone, please be on your guard!"

The megaphone was set to autoplay and immediately began looping the message. It was loud, but not loud enough to overcome the chatter from over forty tables of guests. And yet, the plaza fell utterly silent. You could hear a pin drop.

No one had expected a beggar to show up and cause such a commotion.

Yang Qing's parents, whom she had kept in the dark, turned ashen. What was going on?

Qian Du's expression instantly darkened. "What is the meaning of this?" he demanded, his gaze snapping to Yang Qing.

Her face had changed dramatically, her rosy complexion instantly turning deathly pale. I never imagined that a beggar would suddenly appear out of nowhere and ruin my entire plan for revenge. If Qian Du finds out what I did in Tianhai, all my schemes will be ruined! No! It can't end like this! I still have to get revenge on Xu Ke; I still have to return to Tianhai...

"What nonsense are you spouting?! Did Xu Ke send you here to slander me?!" Yang Qing shrieked, pointing an accusatory finger at the beggar, tears welling in her eyes. "Tell me, how much did he pay you? Is it because he couldn't have me that he decided to ruin my reputation?! Why are you doing this to me?!"

Her voice was a piteous sob, filled with despair, painting the perfect picture of an innocent woman suffering a grave injustice. At this point, all she could do was commit to the lie she had just concocted.

Hearing this, the crowd immediately understood. Oh! So it was Xu Ke, the "bank executive's son," who couldn't accept defeat and is still targeting Yang Qing!

Qian Du erupted in fury. "That bastard! It's bad enough that he refuses to cooperate with our poverty alleviation efforts, but now he's framing Yang Qing? He's asking for death! Someone, get him out of here! Whoever throws him out first gets ten thousand yuan!"

The promise of such a hefty reward sent the crowd into a frenzy, and a group of young men immediately prepared to charge.

Seeing this, Yang Qing sighed in relief, believing she had successfully bluffed her way out of the crisis.

But just then, the looping sound from the megaphone stopped. Seeing the aggressive mob advancing, the beggar panicked and yelled, "I have a recording! I have a recording! You can hear what Yang Qing said herself!"

The moment the words left his mouth, Yang Qing's face went slack with horror.

Qian Du's gaze sharpened. "Wait," he commanded, halting the crowd in their tracks.

The recording began to play.

"So, how about my article..." It was unmistakably Yang Qing's voice.

Qian Du's face turned black. He played me?

Yang Qing's parents' faces went white as sheets.

The crowd's gaze, once filled with admiration, now dripped with disdain. So, the story about the persecuted bank executive was a lie after all. She was just a scheming bitch who framed her friend, got sent packing back to the village, and still had the nerve to inflate her own value. What a shameless tramp.

Yang Qing's body began to tremble, the strength draining from her legs.

Xu Ke, why? I've already come back, so why won't you let me go? Do we have a grudge? Do you really have to hunt me down and destroy me completely?