Chapter 36: Driven Away in Anger

This youngest daughter was nothing but a handful. Ever since kindergarten, she had been constantly comparing herself with her classmates—clothes, toys, even insisting that the car that picked her up had to be better than anyone else’s. In contrast, Li Qingying had always been different. From her first days at school through to her current job, she had never given her parents a moment’s worry.

Sometimes, Song Li couldn’t help but resent her younger daughter’s lack of progress, scolding Li Qingwan so often that the girl only grew more rebellious as a result.

“Mom, how can you talk like that? I’m your daughter too! You let Li Qingying be the general manager and even gave her a BMW X5. Shouldn’t I get at least a little something out of it?” Li Qingwan snapped back, anger in her voice. “All my life, you’ve given her the best, while I just pick up the leftovers. Have you ever thought about how I feel?”

“You—you—” Song Li was so furious at her daughter’s defiance that she was nearly speechless.

Li Dong tried to calm things down. “Qingwan, your sister’s only been general manager for half a year. Those people from Second Uncle’s family are all looking for a chance to push her aside. She’s walking on eggshells at work; it’s not easy for her, either.”

“Anyway, my request isn’t much,” Li Qingwan shouted. “Just let me go to the Starlight Club, and I’ll do whatever you say after that. It’s just a hundred thousand! Don’t tell me you can’t come up with that. Our Baili Group is worth a hundred million!”

Li Qingying could only force a bitter smile. Baili Group might be valued at a hundred million, but it was collective property—far from something she could use at her whim.

A hundred thousand yuan, though… She could save that up for Li Qingwan if she cut back on her own expenses for a few months. But getting a membership card for the Starlight Club wasn’t so easy.

There was no way she could spend a million on a membership card herself, and the company certainly wouldn’t reimburse such a personal expense. She didn’t have that kind of money on her own.

“Then borrow it from someone,” Li Qingwan pressed. “Didn’t that Yang Zhiyi say he was rich last time? Does he have a membership card for the Starlight Club?”

“He does, but—” Li Qingying frowned, unable to finish. Now that Yang Zhiyi was practically their enemy, there was no way he’d lend his membership card.

Li Qingwan’s spirits lifted at once. “Sis, that makes it easy, then. Doesn’t Yang Zhiyi want to date you? Just say the word and he’ll agree for sure.”

On the other side, He Haoxuan’s face darkened. This Li Qingwan really needed a lesson! Right in front of him, she was already scheming to have her sister go to another man for favors?

Li Qingying shook her head. “Qingwan, that’s impossible.”

Song Li lashed out at her younger daughter. “You wretched girl—never focusing on your studies, always thinking about appearances and wasting the family’s money. That’s a hundred thousand! Do you think it’s a single yuan to be thrown away? I’m warning you: if you fail another exam this term, don’t bother coming home.”

“Hmph, as if I actually want to come home.” With that, Li Qingwan stormed out in fury. “If you can’t help me, I’ll find my own way!”

“If you’ve got the nerve, don’t come back!” Song Li was so enraged by her daughter’s attitude that she was trembling with anger.

When Li Qingwan ran out, she signaled to He Haoxuan. “Go after her and bring her back.”

He nodded and hurried outside, but as he reached the gates of the compound, he saw Li Qingwan already getting into a taxi and driving away.

Returning to the Li home, He Haoxuan reported that Li Qingwan had taken a cab. Song Li turned on him, shouting, “He Haoxuan, you useless fool! I told you to go after her, and you just came back? Why didn’t you take a taxi and follow her? If anything happens to Qingwan, you’ll pay with your life!”

“Mom, this isn’t his fault. Why are you yelling at him?” Li Qingying quickly stepped in to calm her mother, discreetly signaling He Haoxuan to go upstairs.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. “Excuse me, is this the residence of Miss Li Qingying?”

“Who is it?” Li Dong asked warily, eyeing the entrance.

Though there were security guards in the compound, it was still possible for troublemakers to slip in. It was nighttime—if anyone with ill intentions broke in, neither he nor the so-called useless He Haoxuan would be able to stop them.

“I’m Fang Yongsheng, the general manager of the Starlight Club. I’ve come to apologize to Miss Li Qingying and to bring her a token of our regret,” came the reply from outside.

Li Dong’s eyes lit up at once at the name. The Starlight Club was a legendary establishment in Qingshan City, connected everywhere—no matter your background, you had to show them respect.

Most importantly, they were known for their lawfulness and profits, and even high-ranking officials offered them courtesy. Rumor had it that they were protected by powerful people from above—certainly not the sort one could afford to offend.

Li Dong hurried over to open the door, Song Li following close behind. “Honey, do you think it’s a scam?”

“We’ll know soon enough. Besides, didn’t Qingying go to the Starlight Club last time? She should recognize their people,” Li Dong replied as he opened the door.

Standing outside was only Fang Yongsheng, wearing a flattering smile. “Good evening, everyone. I apologize for calling so late.”

In truth, Fang Yongsheng had been waiting outside, intending to come over only after He Haoxuan returned—otherwise, no amount of flattery would help him.

“Are you really the general manager of the Starlight Club?” Li Dong asked cautiously.

“I am. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Mr. He,” Fang Yongsheng replied, spotting He Haoxuan at the back and feeling a surge of relief.

At last, he was face to face with Mr. He—a golden opportunity to curry favor. Yet, remembering that he still hadn’t made headway into the elevator incident He Haoxuan had asked him to investigate, he broke out in a cold sweat. Tonight’s visit was, in truth, a humble apology.

Xiao Qiang had even mentioned seeing He Haoxuan at the Star Hotel that evening, with some people apparently plotting against him.

Song Li turned to He Haoxuan. “He Haoxuan, is he telling the truth?”

“He is. This is Fang Yongsheng, the general manager of the Starlight Club,” He Haoxuan confirmed with a nod.

Li Qingying glanced at Fang Yongsheng, finding him vaguely familiar, as if she had seen him somewhere before. But now he was dressed in a suit and tie, completely different from the man she’d seen at Tenglong Villa. Besides, it was nighttime—harder to recognize faces.

And generally, Li Qingying didn’t pay attention to unfamiliar men; one glance was enough. She would never have guessed that the security guard at Tenglong Villa was actually Fang Yongsheng. There were too many people who resembled each other these days.

The moment Song Li heard this was the owner of the Starlight Club, she behaved as if she’d run into an old flame, practically throwing herself at him. “Oh, Manager Fang! We had no idea you would grace us with your presence—please forgive us. Come in, please. He Haoxuan, go make some tea! Useless as ever, lounging at home all day—can’t you do anything right? Don’t you see a person of Manager Fang’s stature has come to visit?”

Fang Yongsheng nearly jumped out of his skin. Heaven forbid he let He Haoxuan serve him tea—unless he had a death wish!

“No, no need to trouble Mr. He. I just want to say a few words,” Fang Yongsheng insisted, waving his hands frantically.

“So, what brings you here?” Li Dong, a little more composed than his wife, asked.

“It’s like this,” Fang Yongsheng began hurriedly, “because of the incident with Yang Zhiyi last time, Miss Li Qingying was greatly inconvenienced. Our club has decided to present her with a membership card as an apology.” He produced a gold membership card for the Starlight Club.

This gold card had already been specially programmed by Fang Yongsheng; it had no spending limit. In other words, as long as Li Qingying brought the card, she could enjoy everything the club offered free of charge.