Chapter 100: If We Cannot Be Friends, Then We Shall Be Rivals!

Qin Luo turned to look at Wang Jiujiu. She gave a slight nod, signaling that the matter was entirely in his hands. Whether to fight or make peace was his decision to make.

Qin Luo felt a surge of gratitude. He looked at Qiu Yanmei, who had become the center of attention the moment she appeared, and said with a smile, "This is the celebratory banquet for your new appointment, Miss Qiu. I would hate to cause too much of a disturbance."

Qiu Yanmei nodded, acknowledging his gesture of goodwill.

"However, he still owes me an apology," Qin Luo said, shifting his gaze to Guan Xu’s face with a serious expression.

The smile on Guan Xu’s face stiffened, and his expression turned unpleasant once again. He hadn't expected this seemingly gentle and weak guy to be so aggressive. Once he latched onto someone’s weakness, he refused to let go, just like a mad dog. He didn't look like that kind of person at all—more like a submissive gigolo. It seemed he had truly been deceived by his appearance before.

The smile on Qiu Yanmei’s face also faded. She fixed her beautiful phoenix eyes steadily on Qin Luo and asked, "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yes," Qin Luo nodded firmly. If they couldn't be friends, then they would be adversaries. As a qualified adversary, one should use every possible means to defeat the other.

"Now?"

"Now."

Qiu Yanmei nodded, turned to face Guan Xu, and said coldly, "Young Master Guan, please resolve your grievances first. If your side is in the wrong, he only wants an apology—just give it to him."

Guan Xu was stunned. He hadn't expected Qiu Yanmei to turn on him so quickly. A moment ago, she was offering him a drink; in the blink of an eye, she was stabbing him in the back. It was just an apology, but for people in their circle, did she not know what an apology signified? It meant that in the conflict between him and Qin Luo, he was the one in the wrong. It meant that the outcome of their battle was his total defeat. It also meant losing all face in front of so many people. How could he accept such a result?

"Why? Is it difficult?" Qiu Yanmei watched him expressionlessly.

"Miss Qiu, it’s not that I’m unwilling to apologize. If I were wrong, an apology would be a matter of course. But I don’t believe this is my fault," Guan Xu explained, forcing himself to remain patient. He couldn't afford to offend this incredibly powerful woman.

"But he thinks you are wrong."

"That is only his side of the story."

"Then can you explain what exactly happened just now?" Qiu Yanmei asked.

Guan Xu was speechless. He knew without asking that Ling Xiao must have been the one to go over and stir up trouble.

Not wanting to see Guan Xu in such a difficult position, Ling Xiao stepped forward and said, "It has nothing to do with Brother Guan Xu. It was my fault. I am the one who should apologize."

"Xiaoxiao," Ning Suisui said, gripping her hand.

"It’s okay. It’s just an apology," Ling Xiao forced a smile. She was demeaning herself solely to preserve the dignity of the man she loved.

Guan Xu patted Ling Xiao’s head and smiled. "Alright. It seems it really was my sister’s mistake. I apologize to Qin Luo on her behalf."

The effect of his words was perfect. Ling Yun looked at Guan Xu with gratitude, as if he were a friend willing to go through fire and water for him. As for Ling Xiao, she covered her face and wept with happiness—at this moment, she felt her sacrifice was worth it. Those who had come with them were also won over by Guan Xu’s willingness to take responsibility.

He bowed his head to Qin Luo alone, yet he won the unwavering loyalty of his entire circle. Some people are just that dangerous; they always find an opportunity to strike back when faced with a crisis.

Guan Xu looked at Qin Luo and said again, "I apologize for my sister’s rudeness. Please forgive us." After saying this, he nodded to Qiu Yanmei and added, "Thank you for your warm hospitality, Miss Qiu. I will keep it in mind."

Then, under the gaze of everyone present, Guan Xu led his small circle and turned to leave. Given what had happened, there was no point in staying, and he couldn't pretend that nothing had occurred. Ning Suisui walked at the back; she seemed to want to say something to Qin Luo, but in the end, she just sighed and hurried away.

"He is dangerous," Wang Jiujiu said, watching Guan Xu’s retreating figure, and reminded him in a low voice.

"I know," Qin Luo nodded. Opponents who are too rigid are easily broken, and those who are too soft lack lethality. An opponent who can bend and stretch is the most terrifying kind, the one capable of dealing a fatal blow.

Wang Jiujiu said no more. In battles between men, it was best for women not to interfere. She began introducing Qin Luo to her friends: Yatu, Gou Xiong, Zidantou, and Gongbing, all of whom were raised in the military compounds. Yatu was the delicate girl with glasses whose father was a general. Gou Xiong was a large man, the son of a deputy chief of staff. Zidantou and Gongbing were brothers from a family of officers. Naturally, without status, no one could enter this circle. Because of Wang Jiujiu’s attitude toward Qin Luo, they were exceptionally warm to him.

Just as the group was looking for a corner to chat, Qiu Yanmei called out from behind, "Please wait a moment, you two."

Qin Luo and Wang Jiujiu turned back, looking at her with confusion. They didn't know what this inscrutable woman wanted. Qin Luo clearly hadn't given her any face earlier; could she be looking for trouble? Thinking this, Wang Jiujiu couldn't help but step forward, shielding Qin Luo.

Qiu Yanmei walked toward them, her long dress trailing, her graceful figure exuding an extreme sense of allure. Many of the young men present with poor self-control were secretly swallowing hard as they watched her.

"I am new to Yanjing, and I am very happy to make the acquaintance of two such young people. If you don't mind, I hope we can be friends." As she spoke, Qiu Yanmei extended her slender hand, with its black-painted nails, toward Wang Jiujiu.

Qin Luo hadn't shown any particularly striking personality traits, but his calm, composed demeanor while fighting earlier had left a deep impression on her. And, being able to defeat an enemy in a single move, his skills were likely quite impressive. As for Wang Jiujiu, the more she looked at her, the more she liked her. The girl’s sharpness and stubbornness were exactly like herself when she was young. It was a pity that, burdened with family responsibilities and having jumped into the great dyeing vat of society, she had lost her former edges and her persistence in love. And yet, this girl remained an unpolished piece of jade.

Wang Jiujiu hesitated for a moment before shaking Qiu Yanmei’s hand. Qiu Yanmei then extended her hand toward Qin Luo and smiled. "Little handsome, may I ask your name?"

"I am Qin Luo." Under the envious gazes of the surrounding crowd, Qin Luo took the woman’s hand and shook it. No one had expected this new socialite of the capital to take the initiative to befriend such an unknown figure.

"Qin Luo? Oh, you share a surname with a friend of mine. If you have the chance, you should meet," Qiu Yanmei said with a smile.

"I hope so," Qin Luo nodded.

"Alright. I won't disturb you any longer. I have other friends to entertain. Let’s keep in touch if the opportunity arises," Qiu Yanmei said.

"Certainly," Qin Luo and Wang Jiujiu nodded.

After Qiu Yanmei had turned and walked a few steps, she suddenly stopped, gestured for Qin Luo to come over, and said, "Qin Luo, I have something I would like to say to you in private, if that is convenient."

Qin Luo looked at Wang Jiujiu and said, "That’s fine. It’s convenient." Even if you said you wanted to do something alone with me, that would be fine too. Qin Luo was currently like a starving sheep; to shed his virgin status as soon as possible, he was no longer picky about who the other person was. Any woman would do.

Qin Luo walked over, and Qiu Yanmei leaned in close. He immediately caught a seductive fragrance—a magical, intoxicating mixture of perfume and a woman’s natural scent. It didn't make one drunk; it only made one’s mind wander.

"Give my regards to your sister Qingcheng," Qiu Yanmei whispered in his ear.

"Qingcheng?" Qin Luo was startled.

"Li Qingcheng." With that, Qiu Yanmei turned and left without another word.

Qin Luo stood there, stunned. He finally understood why Qiu Yanmei had helped him earlier; she knew Li Qingcheng. But that was impossible. Although Li Qingcheng had some small accomplishments, she was just a teacher at a medical university, the owner of a beauty salon, and the second-largest shareholder of a beauty company—the largest being himself.

When they arrived, Wang Jiujiu had explained the background and influence of the Socialite Association. Qiu Yanmei was the newly appointed head of that association, and her background must be astounding. How could she possibly be connected to Li Qingcheng?

"What’s wrong?" Wang Jiujiu walked over to Qin Luo and asked in a low voice.

"Nothing. She just asked me to give her regards to a friend," Qin Luo said.

Wang Jiujiu nodded and said, "Let’s go back."

"Alright."

After leaving the building, Wang Jiujiu didn't go to get her car. Instead, she said, "Teacher Qin, let’s just walk for a bit. I left the car with Hu Niu; I plan to stay at the school tonight."

"Okay," Qin Luo agreed.

The night was deep, and there were no stars in the sky. The air was sultry and overcast, as if it were about to rain. But this did not affect the urbanites' love for the night. Wherever they walked, the lights were brilliant, and wherever they went, there was laughter.

"Jiujiu, thank you," Qin Luo said with a smile. Tonight, Wang Jiujiu had stepped up for him again, making him feel a bit like a gigolo.

"What are you thanking me for? You aren't allowed to be so polite with me in the future," Wang Jiujiu said happily. Just walking side by side with Qin Luo like this made her feel happy.

"I’m just worried about bringing you trouble."

"Don't worry. Have you forgotten who I am? Although my father is strict with me—not letting me drive fancy sports cars, not letting me carry expensive bags, and not letting me use unlimited credit cards—dealing with a few blind, petty thieves is no problem at all."

In her words, people like Guan Xu had been reduced to "blind, petty thieves."

"Besides, I won't allow them to bully you," Wang Jiujiu turned to look into Qin Luo’s eyes and said.

In the girl’s stubborn eyes, there was something intoxicating.