Chapter 50: First Encounter with a Rival

Now, after finally setting his eyes on a woman, she showed no interest in him at all. Even worse, there was a boyfriend who, no matter how you looked at him, was far inferior to himself. This made Han Lei even more unwilling to accept the situation.

Seeing Han Lei's increasingly cold expression, Xie Zhonglin's face changed. Although he had no particular fondness for Han Lei, a playboy who only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun, his jewelry company still relied on the supply from Han's Jewelry. Therefore, he couldn't remain aloof at this moment. Moreover, Wang Qiang was originally recommended to Han Lei by him. If anything went wrong, he would be in real trouble!

"Oh, really? I wonder where Mr. Liu works? I don't think Miss Wang has mentioned you before?" After sizing up Liu Dong from head to toe, Xie Zhonglin asked with a smile.

Earlier, while shopping at the mall, Wang Qiang had already changed Liu Dong's entire outfit. Since they were attending a banquet in the evening, she hadn't changed back. So, at first glance, the tall and well-dressed Liu Dong, wearing all brand names, really looked like a successful person in society. Therefore, Xie Zhonglin, who was unsure about his background, did not show his emotions as openly as the inexperienced Han Lei.

Liu Dong, who had struggled at the bottom of society for three years, was no longer the naive young man he once was. So, when faced with Xie Zhonglin's probing, he quickly composed himself and replied, "I wouldn't say I have a high position, but I do have some spare money now and am planning to start a small business."

Pausing for a moment, he glanced at Wang Qiang beside him, then said calmly with deep affection in his eyes, "As for me and Qiang, we've known each other for many years. We officially became a couple six months ago and are planning to meet both sets of parents soon and get married. Didn't Qiang mention this to Mr. Xie before?"

'Sigh!' Liu Dong inwardly gasped, because as soon as he finished speaking, Wang Qiang's small hand had already grabbed the soft flesh on his waist and twisted it fiercely. However, even so, Wang Qiang's lack of public opposition made Liu Dong very happy. In the past, with no money, he couldn't afford to support a beauty like Wang Qiang, so he didn't have any thoughts about her. Now, with his newfound abilities, whether it was antiques or gemstones, he could earn unimaginable wealth. Thus, the issue of basic sustenance was completely resolved for Liu Dong.

As the saying goes, 'When one is well-fed and warm, one thinks of lust.' After his material needs were met, Liu Dong's pursuit of physical and spiritual satisfaction naturally became more intense, especially with a beauty like Wang Qiang by his side. 'The one who stands closest to the water gets the moon first,' so he naturally didn't want to let others benefit.

At this moment, Liu Dong himself didn't realize that his possessiveness was also very strong.

"Bang!" As soon as Liu Dong finished speaking, Han Lei, who had been holding a gift from his bodyguard, dropped it to the ground. His breathing became heavy, and his eyes flashed with anger as he stared at Liu Dong. If looks could kill, Liu Dong would have died hundreds of times over.

However, Liu Dong felt no pressure from this meaningless glare.

"Mr. Han, Mr. Xie, we need to prepare for the banquet tonight, so we'll be going back now!" Sensing the awkward and tense atmosphere, and seeing Han Lei's angry stare at Liu Dong, Wang Qiang quickly said.

She was afraid that Han Lei and Liu Dong might fight here. After all, Han Lei had two burly bodyguards behind him, dressed like gangsters. If they fought, Liu Dong would be at a disadvantage.

"Alright, many important figures from Quancheng will be attending the company-organized banquet tonight, so Miss Wang mustn't be late!" Xie Zhonglin also sensed the tension between the two. Although he was on Han Lei's side, he was unsure about Liu Dong. If Liu Dong turned out to be a wealthy young master or a powerful official's son, it would be disastrous for him to offend him now. Therefore, he hoped they would separate as soon as possible. So, after hearing Wang Qiang's words, he hurriedly agreed.

Just then, the elevator arrived. Wang Qiang said, "See you tonight," and quickly pulled Liu Dong inside!

"Damn it, if it weren't for this place, I'd make that guy pay!" Seeing the elevator doors slowly close, Han Lei could no longer contain his anger and kicked the gift box on the ground to the wall. The force was so strong that the box split open, revealing the exquisite and finely crafted women's clothing inside.

If it weren't for his concern about losing his composure in front of Wang Qiang, Han Lei would have ordered his subordinates to teach that guy a lesson long ago. In college, he had done this kind of thing many times. Although he had become more composed after some experiences, his nature remained one of strong jealousy and possessiveness.

"Xie Fatty, didn't you say that Wang Qiang was a virgin? Why does she have a boyfriend, and they've been together for half a year! Are you playing me? Do you still want your Dinfu Jewelry to stay in business?"

Seeing Han Lei in a rage, Xie Zhonglin, though angry at his open threat, had to endure it and said, "Mr. Han, please calm down!"

"Go to hell with your 'calm down.' Xie Fatty, if you don't give me an explanation, you won't get those African diamonds, and you can forget about the gemstone appraisers too!" Han Lei shouted in a fit of rage.

The reason he was so angry this time was indeed because he really liked Wang Qiang.

When he first met her in Qingdao, Han Lei felt that all the women he had played with before were庸脂俗粉compared to Wang Qiang, not even reaching a fraction of her beauty. So, he had pursued her from Qingdao all the way to Quancheng. Now, seeing his beloved goddess in the arms of another man, his feelings were understandable.

Hearing his words, Xie Zhonglin was startled and his face showed worry. Although he had started Dinfu Jewelry from scratch in the mid-1980s and had grown it into a large jewelry company spanning Dongshan, Hebei, and Henan provinces, his business still mainly focused on traditional Chinese jewelry, such as gold and silver accessories, and some jade pendants and earrings.

With the introduction of Western wedding culture in the new century, exchanging diamond rings at weddings had become increasingly popular among young people. Therefore, major jewelry companies in China were all investing heavily in this area. Dinfu Jewelry was no exception, but the domestic diamond market was already dominated by established jewelry companies, and he had no channels overseas. So, he could only get a small share from Han's Jewelry.

As for the gemstone appraisers, it was only after he wanted to enter the jade jewelry market that he thought of it. In recent years, jade jewelry had been the fastest-growing category in the jewelry market, and he didn't want to miss out.

Originally, as a newcomer to the jade market, buying already cut jade would have been the best choice. However, Xie Zhonglin's funds were limited, and he couldn't afford the high-end jade pieces that cost millions. He was also unwilling to be just a mid-to-low-end jade jewelry company.

Therefore, after hearing from Han Lei that Han's Jewelry had been successful in the jade auctions in Myanmar, Tengchong, and Ruili, he was tempted to try his luck, just like those who had never gambled but had some capital. He always thought he could win.

However, fortunately, he hadn't lost his mind and knew his limits. So, he asked Han Lei to lend him one of the many gemstone appraisers from Han's Jewelry.

Originally, the diamond deal and the loan of the gemstone appraiser had been successful when he introduced Wang Qiang to Han Lei. Because of this, his share of diamonds from Han's Jewelry had even increased this year. So, he couldn't afford to lose the benefits he had already gained.

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End of Chapter 50