Chapter 25: A Power That Dominates an Entire Region!

Jiang Zheng knew well that once her brother made up his mind, not even ten horses could pull him back. When she was little and bullied at school, she would come home with a miserable face. If Qin Mu saw it, not only would her own pleading be useless, but even Jiang Haishan’s strict orders—threatening to break Qin Mu's legs if he dared interfere—could not stop him. Qin Mu would still rush back to the school and beat up the culprit without hesitation.

After Jiang Zheng finished her breakfast, Qin Mu took her downstairs and personally drove her to work. On the way, he instructed Wu Mu to quickly switch cars; driving a military vehicle every day attracted too much attention. Anyone unaware might mistake Qin Mu for a government official.

After a ten-minute drive, Qin Mu delivered Jiang Zheng to her company. One had to admit, Elegant Beauty Cosmetics truly had some strength. Especially after obtaining Qin Mu’s secret formula, Lin Qingxue had turned the tables, decisively defeating her rival Han Mei, who fled back to her hometown in Korea in disgrace. Now, under Lin Qingxue’s leadership, Elegant Beauty Cosmetics was on the verge of monopolizing the beauty industry in Jiangcheng.

The security guards, upon seeing Jiang Zheng, nodded repeatedly, “Good morning, Manager Jiang.” Yet the man following her, Qin Mu, was a stranger. If he hadn’t been brought in by Jiang Zheng, they would have stopped him.

At the reception desk, Jiang Zheng answered a call. “Has he arrived?! Bring him up directly!” Lin Qingxue’s voice was filled with excitement.

Ding!

Jiang Zheng and Qin Mu took the executive elevator straight to the top floor, to Lin Qingxue’s office. As they entered, they saw Lin Qingxue seated loftily, with Elder Hua beside her, both fervently discussing the importance of the secret formula. Even a fragment of the recipe had allowed them to crush Han Mei’s company. What if they possessed the complete formula?

Spotting Jiang Zheng, Lin Qingxue quickly stood up. “Jiang Zheng, where is the person you mentioned?”

“President Lin, this is him,” Jiang Zheng stepped back.

Lin Qingxue gazed at Qin Mu, her delicate brows furrowing. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Jiang Zheng, but the man before her was simply too young! Usually, anyone entering this office would be awed by the opulent décor or would fix their gaze on Lin Qingxue herself. Yet Qin Mu, from the moment he entered, merely glanced at her and paid no further attention. For the first time, Lin Qingxue felt she could not read someone.

“Hello, I am the president of this company, Lin Qingxue. I wish to discuss the secret formula with you. No matter the price, I am willing to buy it.” Lin Qingxue went straight to the point.

Qin Mu was unmoved. “How did that piece of paper get damaged?”

“It was due to a minor dispute among my staff. That was my failure,” Lin Qingxue nodded.

“And what about the injury on Jiang Zheng’s hand?”

At that question, Lin Qingxue, with her experience, immediately understood: this was not a negotiation about the secret formula, but a reckoning.

“Well…”

Lin Qingxue’s expression became awkward.

“Where’s the culprit?” Qin Mu asked coldly.

“I’ve already punished her adequately. She’s been dismissed and is barred from working at any beauty company.”

“That’s not enough.”

“Seize her.”

Qin Mu ordered Wu Mu, who nodded and left at once.

“What are you planning?” Lin Qingxue exclaimed. Zhou Shuying, the perpetrator, had already been expelled on the day of the incident. In a city as large as Jiangcheng, finding her would be like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Yet after giving his order, Qin Mu calmly sat down on the sofa.

Lin Qingxue had no choice but to turn her gaze to Jiang Zheng, who could only shrug helplessly.

Barely half an hour later, the sound of boots echoed outside the office, accompanied by a woman’s furious shouting and cursing. Wu Mu pushed open the door and unceremoniously threw the woman he was holding before Lin Qingxue—it was Zhou Shuying.

“Lin Qingxue? I’ve already been dismissed by you! What do you want?” Zhou Shuying spat.

Having lost her position at Elegant Beauty Cosmetics, she could only leave Jiangcheng and return home to seek a livelihood. She was just about to board the train when Wu Mu seized her from behind, ignoring everything and dragging her back from the station to Elegant Beauty Cosmetics.

Along the way, she passed through anger, confusion, incomprehension, and finally despair.

“It wasn’t me,” Lin Qingxue replied simply.

Zhou Shuying was stunned, turning to look at Jiang Zheng. “It’s you! You wretched woman! I only cursed at you a little, and you just won’t let it go!”

Before Jiang Zheng could respond, Qin Mu’s voice rang out, “Slap her!”

Wu Mu didn’t hesitate; a resounding slap landed on Zhou Shuying’s face.

Clutching her burning cheek, Zhou Shuying stared wide-eyed at Jiang Zheng, then turned to Qin Mu seated nearby.

“Who are you! How dare you hit me! Do you know my father is a provincial party secretary? Even Lin Qingxue wouldn’t dare touch me!”

Lin Qingxue tried to intervene. “I know you’re angry, but Zhou Shuying does have some status. If this continues, it will be hard to explain to her father…”

Zhou Shuying spat blood, sneering, “I get it. You’re this little bitch’s lover, aren’t you?”

But Qin Mu merely waved his finger indifferently. “Hit her!”

Wu Mu lifted Zhou Shuying and delivered another slap.

“Try hitting me again! I’ll have my father destroy—”

“You filthy—”

After more than a dozen slaps, Qin Mu massaged his temples, perhaps feeling it was too noisy. “Drag her out. Whichever leg she used to step on Jiang Zheng, break that leg.”

“Yes, sir.” Wu Mu dragged Zhou Shuying out. Outside, a chilling sound of bones breaking was heard—a sharp, tearing snap. Her leg was truly broken!

Lin Qingxue’s delicate body trembled as she stiffly sat back in her chair. She could see perfectly well: Qin Mu was no fool; his status was such that Zhou Shuying’s father was nothing to him. Qin Mu had done this in front of her as a demonstration.

Lin Qingxue no longer dared underestimate the young man before her.

“Now that this matter is settled, can we discuss the secret formula in detail?”

“Don’t rush. It’s not over yet.”

Qin Mu opened his eyes slightly, fixing Lin Qingxue with a piercing gaze. Lin Qingxue felt as if a wild beast had locked onto her, and she quickly looked away, trying to escape.

“I heard you were present at the time?” Qin Mu asked, the corners of his lips curling into a playful smile.

A sudden dread gripped Lin Qingxue’s heart.

“I didn’t stand by on purpose. It all happened so fast—I couldn’t react in time…” Lin Qingxue hurriedly stood, approaching Qin Mu with bows and apologies.