The entire mess of the present moment stemmed directly from Liu Qianqian; without her, none of the subsequent events would have transpired. Su Qifeng now regretted it to the very core of his being. If he had only listened to Hu Tao’s advice and let the matter go, none of this would have followed. Furthermore, if he had heeded Dean Guo’s words and left this place sooner, avoiding any encounter with Li Ya, Su Zhantao, and the others, there might have still been a chance to salvage the situation.

But now, even if Zhang Yang chose to remain silent, there was no way Li Ya would invest in him, right? Perhaps even Su Zhantao wouldn't let him join his internet company anymore?

Understanding all of this, Su Qifeng’s mouth filled with bitterness. He glanced at Su Zhantao, Li Ya, and the others, who were chatting and laughing before him, then turned to look at Liu Qianqian beside him. His insides churned violently as he wrestled with a difficult internal conflict.

On one hand, there was the potential investment of several million dollars that could elevate him to unprecedented success—the 'carp leaping over the dragon gate' moment. On the other, there was the girlfriend he had pursued diligently for years. If there was any hope for the investment, it lay in forcing Liu Qianqian to apologize to Zhang Yang; perhaps the great Zhang Yang would overlook the petty offense and let him off the hook.

But would Liu Qianqian agree?

Su Qifeng looked at Liu Qianqian. She stood there, utterly stunned, completely oblivious to the way he was staring at her.

Li Ya had just made it devastatingly clear: the investment Su Qifeng prided himself on was essentially Zhang Yang’s investment in him. Without Zhang Yang, Su Qifeng was still just that man who stayed home playing on his computer with absolutely no future.

Liu Qianqian felt as if she had lifted a rock only to smash her own foot. She hadn't managed to strike Zhang Yang down by bringing Su Qifeng here; instead, she had been slapped several resounding slaps by the other party. In short, she had completely lost face.

When Liu Qianqian realized that Su Qifeng would definitely lose both Zhang Yang’s and Li Ya’s investment because of today’s events, he was no longer her backing; he was completely unreliable. Going forward, she would still have to continue working at Jinghe Hospital...

Liu Qianqian’s complexion shifted between pale and purplish. Inside, she was weighing her options, calculating what to do next to save her livelihood and avoid being fired by Guo Yong.

In her heart, Liu Qianqian shared Su Qifeng’s regret, but she regretted something else entirely: why had she agreed to be Su Qifeng's girlfriend in the first place? If it weren't for him, she wouldn't be in this predicament. Moreover, if Su Qifeng had been even slightly more capable, she wouldn't be facing such humiliation now!

Seeing Su Qifeng collapsed on the ground, stripped of all pretense of strength, Liu Qianqian’s gaze towards him turned entirely to disgust.

“Useless man!”

Liu Qianqian muttered to herself, the sound barely audible—at least, Su Qifeng, right beside her, didn't hear it.

It was Zhang Yang, however, who frowned slightly and glanced up at Liu Qianqian. Even her quietest murmur did not escape Zhang Yang’s ears.

What a specimen of a woman. In comparison, Su Qifeng was perhaps less detestable; he had simply loved the wrong person.

Zhang Yang looked at Guo Yong, made a gesture toward Liu Qianqian, and Guo Yong nodded, indicating he knew how to handle the situation.

Turning around, Zhang Yang addressed Wang Chen, Li Ya, and Su Zhantao. “Let’s go. This is a hospital; what’s with blocking the entrance with all your cars?”

Su Zhantao shrugged. He had rushed over after getting a call from Hu Tao saying someone here was going to attack Mi Xue. He had dragged Li Ya along when he left, not expecting that Wang Chen happened to be with Li Ya then, which is why the three of them arrived together.

With Wang Chen leading the charge, they certainly weren't going to politely drive into the hospital parking lot, which is why this young man got to show off his driving skills and act arrogantly right at the hospital entrance.

Since Zhang Yang had spoken, the three of them naturally had no objections. However, before leaving, Li Ya turned back; he hadn't forgotten about Su Qifeng.

“I believe our collaboration must end here.”

Li Ya was decisive and straightforward. What was happening now meant there was zero chance he would invest in Su Qifeng. This was the very early, wild boom period of the internet age. The software Su Qifeng had created and his personal website wouldn't be hard to track down. In these times, was he really worried about not finding an investment project if he had money?

“Wait, Boss Li, you can’t do this!”

Su Qifeng finally heard the answer he most dreaded. His psychological defenses instantly collapsed entirely. He stopped caring about his image, grabbed Li Ya’s ankle, and nearly began to cry, his voice completely altered as he begged profusely.

“Boss Li, I was wrong, I apologize! I apologize to everyone! Me and Zhang Yang—no, I will apologize to Brother Zhang personally!”

“Let go! Who is your Brother Zhang? Zhang Yang is your big brother too? You think you’re worthy!”

Li Ya despised those arrogant fellows who flaunted their wealth around. What’s more, Su Qifeng was now using the money from him and Zhang Yang to act up towards Zhang Yang—that was unforgivable!

“No, no, I misspoke! I mean Boss Zhang! Qianqian and I are both willing to apologize to Boss Zhang!” Su Qifeng quickly changed his words, but seeing Li Ya completely unmoved, he glanced around and spotted Zhang Yang, a sudden spark of hope igniting in his eyes. At this moment, if anyone present could change Li Ya’s attitude, it was only Zhang Yang.

“Dr. Zhang, oh no, Boss Zhang! I was wrong. Qianqian and I apologize to you…”

Su Qifeng looked at Zhang Yang, reaching out to grab Liu Qianqian, completely disregarding his image and the growing crowd of onlookers that had clogged the entire ground floor lobby. He began to plead with Zhang Yang.

“Let go of me!”

But Liu Qianqian violently shook off the hand Su Qifeng had placed on her. She no longer bothered concealing her disgust and shouted at him, “Apologize yourself if you must! I’m not going!”

Su Qifeng froze, taken aback by Liu Qianqian’s reaction.

Liu Qianqian scanned the area. It was packed with people—hospital patients, passersby, and staff from the hospital were all out in the lobby. Essentially, every move she made was under public scrutiny. If she apologized to Zhang Yang now, how could she ever work at Jinghe Hospital again?

Zhang Yang had already taken the lead toward the lobby exit. The people blocking the doorway naturally parted to let them through; no one obstructed them. The group was about to leave the lobby.

Seeing Zhang Yang about to walk away, with Li Ya, Su Zhantao, and Wang Chen following closely behind, Su Qifeng felt like an ant on a hot pan, utterly frantic.

“Qianqian, just apologize! If Zhang Yang is willing to forgive us, then my investment still has hope!” Looking at Liu Qianqian, Su Qifeng desperately wrung his hands, yet he couldn't bring himself to speak too loudly to her, trying only to persuade her gently.

Liu Qianqian didn't even spare Su Qifeng a glance. Instead, she walked over to Guo Yong, lowered her head, and spoke in a voice barely audible, like a mosquito’s hum, “Dean Guo, earlier… earlier my attitude was poor…”

Apologizing to Zhang Yang was absolutely out of the question, but Liu Qianqian had to apologize to Guo Yong, because Guo Yong was the Dean of Jinghe Hospital and held the power to decide whether she stayed or left.

By this time, Zhang Yang and his group had already walked out of the lobby.

“Qianqian!!”

Su Qifeng cried out with the last of his strength, nearly in despair.

In the end, Liu Qianqian didn't even look at Su Qifeng. In her mind, Zhang Yang’s group would certainly never spare Su Qifeng another thought, so even if she apologized, it would be useless. Why should she humiliate herself by apologizing to Zhang Yang in public?

Liu Qianqian’s attitude delivered the final blow to Su Qifeng’s hope. He looked at the stranger that was Liu Qianqian, his lips involuntarily biting until they bled. At that moment, he thought he could already hear the roar of luxury car engines starting outside.

“No!”

As if experiencing a final burst of energy, Su Qifeng suddenly lunged upward, frantically pushing through the crowd blocking the main door, charging toward Zhang Yang and the others outside.

“You can’t cancel my investment! We signed a contract, we have an agreement! If you cancel the investment, you’ll have to pay me breach of contract damages!”

Su Qifeng was already frantic. He burst out, screaming hysterically, while simultaneously reaching out without restraint to grab Li Ya’s back.

When a person goes mad, they often unleash a power greater than their normal capacity. Even Li Ya failed to notice the crazed Su Qifeng charging up behind him.

However, no matter how much power Su Qifeng mustered, he couldn’t possibly commit any act of harm right under Zhang Yang’s nose. Zhang Yang didn't even need to move. Wu Ying, held in Mi Xue's arms, slightly opened its mouth, and a faint stream of internal energy gently flowed out, subtly striking Su Qifeng’s body.

Before Su Qifeng could reach Li Ya’s back, he collapsed onto the ground with a thud, the pain so intense he couldn't get up.

Seeing that Su Qifeng was still not giving up, Wang Chen sneered, walked over, squatted next to him, wrapped an arm around his neck, and whispered into his ear, “Buddy, so what if you have a contract? Not only will we not pay you damages, we’ll make sure you cough up every cent of the deposit you were given. Believe it or not?”

Su Qifeng stared blankly. Wang Chen snorted coldly, pointed at Su Zhantao, and said, “Know who Su Zhantao is? The Governor’s son. You dare not return the deposit he gave you?”

Then, without giving Su Qifeng a chance to react, Wang Chen pointed at Zhang Yang and said, “Know who Zhang Yang is? Let me tell you one more time: he’s the Provincial Party Secretary’s son, the foremost young master of Changjing!”

“Now do you know how you’re going to die?” Wang Chen chuckled, staring into Su Qifeng’s eyes with a mocking air.

Su Qifeng collapsed onto the ground again, utterly stunned. Since ancient times, the common people do not fight the officials. With such immense backgrounds, his opponents could crush him however they pleased.

Meanwhile, back in the hospital lobby, after Zhang Yang and his group departed, most of the onlookers gradually dispersed. However, the nurses and doctors remained.

They were clearly waiting to see how Guo Yong would deal with Liu Qianqian, who was still standing in the lobby.

“Liu Qianqian, you are fired. Come this afternoon to pack up your things and leave.”

Guo Yong’s resolution was exceedingly direct, leaving Liu Qianqian absolutely no room for negotiation.