Chapter 123: Glib Tongue

“Their master sent them to attack me. If I fight back, isn’t that self-defense?” Su Zheng said calmly, his expression remaining utterly composed.

“Yes, you can check the surveillance footage; it’s all clear!” Chen Muxue quickly chimed in, signaling to the two security guards.

“No need. It’s nothing serious anyway. You all can go about your business. This time, for Young Master Cheng’s sake, we’ll let it slide,” Angela said through gritted teeth, waving them off with a sullen, darkened face, clearly unwilling but knowing she had no choice.

She understood that her two bodyguards had struck first, and the surveillance footage would show everything clearly. If this escalated, it wouldn’t do her any favors.

“You pretty boy, you’re lucky this time!” The man in the baseball cap pointed at Su Zheng angrily, his voice harsh yet cowardly, “If we weren’t still negotiating business with Young Master Cheng, I’d have broken your legs today!”

It was obvious the man in the cap regarded Su Zheng as nothing more than Chen Muxue’s kept pretty boy.

After all, after several rounds of physical enhancement, Su Zheng’s appearance had become more handsome and fair-skinned, with a gentle and refined demeanor. Compared to Chen Muxue’s cool, aloof CEO style, it was easy to misunderstand.

Pretty boy?!

Su Zheng smiled wryly at the unfamiliar insult. Usually, he was called “useless,” “idiot,” or “good-for-nothing.” This was the first time he’d heard such a term, and it felt somewhat novel.

“Ha! You’re laughing? You should be! They’re insulting you!” Chen Muxue scolded him, then bent down to look at Su Zheng with concern in her eyes. “Are you alright? Did they hit you?”

“I’m fine.” Su Zheng inhaled her pleasant fragrance and warm breath, smiling at her with eyes full of mirth. Half-joking, half-serious, he teased, “Actually, my head did feel a bit dizzy just now. Since you’re worried about me, why don’t you give me a rub?”

“My concern for you? Don’t make me laugh!” Chen Muxue’s cheeks flushed under his burning gaze; she knew he was teasing on purpose. Rolling her eyes, she straightened up, looking both coy and annoyed.

“Alright, I know you care about my head. I was just a little dizzy,” Su Zheng said with a cheerful grin.

“You’re such a smooth talker!” Chen Muxue snorted, turning away to ignore him as she picked up the documents and resumed her careful review.

“Sitting with such low-class trash really lowers your status!” Angela sneered coldly at Chen Muxue and Su Zheng, deliberately raising her voice in scorn.

Seeing her bodyguards unable to deal with the infuriating Su Zheng, she tried to strike verbally instead.

Chen Muxue’s expression flickered slightly; Angela’s words had struck a nerve deep in her already fragile self-esteem. She lowered her head and said nothing.

Su Zheng let out a few cold laughs, a glint of frost flashing in his eyes.

“Forget it, Angela. Don’t get upset. Arguing with people from such a low social stratum is an insult to your status,” the man in the baseball cap said arrogantly, holding his head high and casting a disdainful glance at Chen Muxue and Su Zheng. “Once Young Master Cheng arrives, we’ll secure the endorsements for several high-end cosmetic lines from his company. That will raise your profile, and these two country bumpkins will see what kind of company we’re dealing with!”

Endorsements from Shenghui Group’s cosmetics?!

Chen Muxue was momentarily stunned upon hearing this. Then she clenched her fists as if a heavy stone pressed upon her heart.

She hadn’t expected that Young Master Cheng was already planning to cooperate with Angela. That meant after she partnered with Shenghui Group, she would have to frequently deal with arrogant and mean-spirited people like Angela. It would inevitably cause her much frustration in the future.

But there was no choice. She was merely a product supplier under Shenghui Group, and Cheng Hui’s high-end cosmetics brands were numerous.

What’s worse, if Young Master Cheng had any ambiguous relationship with Angela, her troubles would only grow!

Su Zheng seemed to sense her worries and smiled reassuringly, “Why worry? If it doesn’t work out, we can just give up the deal. There are plenty of agents—if one doesn’t work, just switch to another.”

“Easy for you to say! What do you know?” Chen Muxue gave him a glare.

“Young Master Cheng?!” Suddenly, the man in the cap shouted in surprise, then jumped up and rushed toward the hall’s entrance.

Su Zheng and Chen Muxue looked up to see Cheng Hui, dressed in a suit, walking in accompanied by assistants and bodyguards.

“Greetings, Young Master Cheng!” The man in the cap hurried forward, bowing slightly and extending his hand respectfully. “I’m Angela’s assistant and manager. We’ve been in contact regarding the endorsement of your company’s products. I hope you will consider Miss Angela!”

“Angela?” Cheng Hui frowned in confusion. “Which Angela?”

“Young Master Cheng, you don’t recognize her so quickly?” Angela immediately stood, hands clasped before her, swaying slightly with a pout full of grievance as she approached him. “We just met at the last banquet. You promised you’d consider letting me endorse Shenghui’s products!”

It must be known, the cosmetic brands under Shenghui Group were all top international brands, not just anyone could become their spokesperson.

If one had such an opportunity, it meant a chance to rise among the nation’s top-tier celebrities.

Moreover, affiliating with Shenghui Group meant collaborating with the wealthy Cheng family. Many entertainment company bosses would treat her favorably. If she could land a lead role in a popular drama afterward, she would truly become a first-tier star.

This was why she had turned down all other engagements today to wait for Cheng Hui.

“Oh… I remember now, it’s you. Heh…” Cheng Hui smiled faintly after hearing Angela’s words. “I did promise you, but I’m currently focusing on promoting products from Qingcheng Technology, so I don’t have the final say on endorsements.”

“Qingcheng Technology’s products?” Angela was startled, a flicker of unease crossing her face. “Which Qingcheng Technology?”

She felt a trace of panic but insisted it must be a namesake or a misunderstanding—otherwise, it was impossible!

“You’re quite timely today. The boss of Qingcheng Technology is right behind you.” Cheng Hui smiled broadly, pointing.

Angela and the man in the cap followed his gaze. When they saw that the person Cheng Hui referred to was indeed Su Zheng and Chen Muxue, their mouths dropped open in shock, as if struck by lightning, frozen in place.