Chapter Ninety-Nine: The Mistress of the Social Elite!

Qin Luo’s words were dropped into the crowd like a bomb thrown onto a calm lake, igniting a fierce wave of debate.

Those attending such a high-level banquet came from families either wealthy or noble. The rich and powerful disliked tearing each other apart in public; to them, such behavior was utterly tasteless.

They preferred to use secret schemes and cunning to deal with rivals—one did not have to shed blood to kill.

Yet Qin Luo and Wang Jiujiu lacked the awareness expected of those with status. Feeling slighted, they rolled up their sleeves, ready to fight openly.

However, there was a subtle difference: Wang Jiujiu genuinely intended to fight. She had trained for years in military boxing and grappling techniques; her agility was commendable, and most people were no match for her.

Qin Luo, on the other hand, sought to punish his opponents severely but subtly—perhaps by pricking their vital acupoints with silver needles or pressing their bladder meridian at the waist with his fingers.

Never offend a doctor, especially a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, for they possess countless methods to make one’s life a living hell.

When Guan Xu saw Qin Luo approaching, he felt no concern over any harm Qin Luo might inflict.

In stature and physique, Qin Luo was inferior to him. Moreover, Guan Xu was a blue belt in taekwondo and had undergone a year of rigorous physical training to fulfill the “Dragon Slayer” mission assigned by the Omo Laboratory.

He had already devised a plan in his mind to disgrace this arrogant and ignorant youth publicly.

Though this was contrary to his original intent—he preferred to recruit Qin Luo into his newly established Chinese Medical Hall—the course of events had rendered that impossible.

“Let me handle this,” Ling Yun spoke, patting his sister’s shoulder and signaling her to stand.

Ling Xiao’s eyes were red and tearful, her expression full of resentment as she glared at Wang Jiujiu.

Naive and unworldly, young girls in their blossoming years were easily manipulated. Ling Xiao acted to protect the man she loved deeply, just as Wang Jiujiu did for a similar cause.

Upon hearing Ling Yun’s decision to intervene, Guan Xu smiled and stepped aside.

Ling Yun was an active-duty soldier; although fighting might affect him, it was understandable for him to take extreme measures to defend his sister.

His family also possessed the means to cover any mess that might arise.

Despite wearing a tailored suit, Ling Yun’s military bearing was unmistakable.

His expression was cold, posture upright, eyebrows sharp and commanding, as if poised to strike. He strode toward Qin Luo with fearless confidence.

Seeing this man radiate a rugged, steely charm, many of the noble ladies present felt their knees weaken and a flush of warmth spread within.

“Who is he? So manly.”

“Quite impressive. Just my type.”

“Lily, isn’t he a thousand times better than that pretty boy in your family? Now this is what a real man looks like—”

—

The women whispered among themselves. Ling Yun’s eyes swept over them like blades, his brows furrowing deeper.

“You should apologize,” Ling Yun said firmly, standing before Qin Luo.

“Do you know what happened?” Qin Luo asked with a smile.

“No, and I don’t need to. I only know you bullied my sister.”

“Then there’s nothing to discuss. I only know your sister came to bully me,” Qin Luo shrugged.

“If there’s nothing to discuss, then let’s end it here,” Ling Yun declared, suddenly grabbing Qin Luo’s shoulder.

It was a grappling move from his military training; if he could lock Qin Luo’s shoulder, a strong pull would hoist him onto his back and then toss him aside like a sack of sand.

His speed was fast, but Qin Luo seemed caught off guard, standing dumbfounded and unsure how to evade.

So, Ling Yun caught his shoulder cleanly.

The first step was smoothly executed; as Ling Yun’s body surged forward, all he needed was to press his shoulder against Qin Luo’s body to lift him.

At that moment, Qin Luo moved.

Under the bright crystal chandeliers of the banquet hall, a silver glint flashed in his palm.

In an instant, Ling Yun’s left hand, resting on Qin Luo’s shoulder, snapped back like lightning.

Qin Luo seized the opportunity, driving a silver needle toward Ling Yun’s vital spot at the waist.

This time Ling Yun reacted swiftly, retreating three large steps to avoid the needle.

But when he tried to counterattack, he realized his left hand, pierced by the needle, could not be raised.

He could not even clench his fist.

As if struck by a stroke, the hand suddenly lost all sensation and control.

“What—what did you do?” Ling Yun stared at his left hand in disbelief.

“Brother, what’s wrong with your hand? Are you okay?” Ling Xiao, seeing her brother no longer attacking and instead fearfully examining his useless hand, panicked.

No grievance was greater than concern for her brother’s safety.

“Ling Yun, are you alright?” Li Lingxi asked.

“What’s going on?” Guan Xu stepped in front of Ling Yun, worried Qin Luo might strike again, his face full of concern.

“My hand won’t move,” Ling Yun said.

A murmur rippled through the crowd.

No one had expected the fight to unfold this way. On one side stood a formidable soldier; on the other, a pale, frail man in a long robe who looked like a sickly duckling. The outcome seemed obvious.

Yet, within a single round, Ling Yun’s hand was paralyzed.

Even more astonishing was that none of the onlookers had clearly seen how Qin Luo had struck.

“Don’t worry, it’s nothing serious. Just need to numb it for half an hour,” Qin Luo said.

He then turned his gaze to Guan Xu, squinting with a smile.

“Would you like to try as well?”

Perhaps influenced by Lin Wanxi, Qin Luo bore no grudge against Ling Yun and found Ling Xiao’s sharp tongue merely irritating. But toward Guan Xu, he harbored genuine disdain.

“Gladly,” Guan Xu smiled and nodded.

Qin Luo had clearly seen their exchanges. He knew the silver needle in Qin Luo’s hand was the key to victory. If he acted first to seize the needle or denied Qin Luo the chance to use it, how could Qin Luo stand a chance?

“Gentlemen, please hold on a moment. Would you grant Miss Yan some courtesy?” Suddenly, a refined, graceful female voice came from the back of the crowd.

The spectators parted as a woman in a floor-length red evening gown, regal as a queen inspecting her troops, elegantly walked down the aisle.

Her dark brows arched like distant peaks, her lush green hair framing her face like spring mist.

The arrival of this woman seemed to make the intricate crystal chandeliers overhead blaze with dazzling light.

The phrase “bringing brilliance to a humble place” aptly described her presence.

“Who are you?” Wang Jiujiu asked cautiously, eyeing the captivating woman.

Too beautiful a woman always made her uneasy.

Beauty was acceptable, but please don’t be so overt about it.

Qiu Yanmei looked at Wang Jiujiu playfully and said with a smile, “I heard from a friend that your surname is Wang?”

“I’m Wang Jiujiu,” she replied.

“Quite interesting. A girl like you must be well-liked,” Qiu Yanmei said with a knowing smile.

“Hopefully,” Wang Jiujiu glanced at Qin Luo.

Qiu Yanmei seemed to instantly grasp Wang Jiujiu’s inner thoughts and offered advice: “When it comes to love, some men are truly foolish, while others only pretend to be. Regardless of which, as long as you persevere, you will surely see the clouds part and the moon shine through.”

Wang Jiujiu was confused by the woman’s words. She did not know her identity, yet she had stepped into their dispute with apparent fondness, speaking intimately despite being strangers.

“Who are you?” Wang Jiujiu asked again.

“Qiu Yanmei. From today forward, I will be responsible for the Socialites’ Club. I hope everyone will support me,” Qiu Yanmei said, sweeping the room with a smile.

As her words fell, the murmurs abruptly ceased; an eerie silence filled the banquet hall.

For many sharp minds present, her statement carried immense significance, demanding serious reflection.

No one expected the famed Socialites’ Club of Yanjing to be secretly hosted by the southern Qiu family.

The previous owner’s identity had been shrouded in mystery, never publicly revealed. Now, with her sudden high-profile appearance, what did this mean?

Those unaware of the full story were stunned by Qiu Yanmei’s reputation as “Yanjing’s Number One Woman of Experience.” Few expected this already legendary woman to emerge publicly—and as the Socialites’ Club’s new head.

“Today’s banquet celebrates my appointment and my wish to meet and befriend you all. Could you grant me some face and let this matter rest here?” Qiu Yanmei’s expressive eyes looked expectantly at the quarreling parties in the center.

“Such conflict at another’s celebration is most improper. Guan Xu will punish himself with three drinks later. Miss Qiu, please don’t mind,” Guan Xu said with a smile.

Qiu Yanmei’s arrival helped ease the tension around Guan Xu somewhat.

He preferred not to attract undue attention, as it would jeopardize his plans.

Besides, he could not afford to offend this woman.

“Thank you for your understanding, Mr. Guan. I’ll toast to you shortly,” Qiu Yanmei nodded with a smile.

“And you, friend, what do you say?” Qiu Yanmei turned to Qin Luo, sensing that the dispute stemmed from him, making him the key to resolving the conflict.