Chapter 450: Kneel

"Let her in."

Zong Wen's leisurely voice drifted from behind the door.

The butler nodded at Liu Qingyan and opened the door just a crack. Liu Qingyan slipped through the gap with a graceful movement.

As soon as she entered the room, a sweet scent wafted into her nostrils, like some kind of artificial floral essence that made one feel as if they were in a fragrant, ethereal dream.

Wreaths of smoke rose from an incense burner in the center of the room. Behind this cloud-like mist, a completely naked, white-haired old man sat on a plush sofa. His pale hair was braided, and with the stubble on his chin, he had the air of a dashing old rake.

At the same time, five fair-skinned young women were draped around him, their milk-white skin exposed to the air—a sight that would make anyone's blood boil just by looking at it...

If Chen Ling were here, he would recognize them instantly as the "Rose Girl Group" that had appeared at the banquet, currently the most popular girl group in the Red Dust Domain.

And right now, these girls, whom countless young men worshipped as their dream lovers, were busy: some held Zong Wen's hands, some leaned at his feet, and one stood behind the sofa, her jade-like fingers gently massaging his temples. A lock of hair swayed with her movements, captivating and alluring.

Seeing this scene, which resembled a pink-hued dream, Liu Qingyan showed no surprise. She wore a black dress and stood quietly by the door, eyes cast down at the floor, like a silent ghost.

When the girls saw Liu Qingyan walk in, they merely glanced at her casually before returning to their tasks, feeling not a shred of shame for what they were doing.

Zong Wen, surrounded by the girls, slowly opened his eyes, his voice raspy as he spoke:

"I heard you went to see that Special Envoy?"

"...Yes."

"Hmph, you're quite shrewd, aren't you? Thinking that by latching onto the Special Envoy, you could break free from the Huadu Conglomerate?" Zong Wen sneered. "I used to think you were hard to handle, Liu Qingyan, but you're just a hypocritical bitch after all."

"Too bad... the Special Envoy doesn't seem to appreciate your efforts. You were kicked out after only a few minutes, weren't you? Don't tell me that Special Envoy is a 'one-minute man'."

As soon as Zong Wen finished speaking, the five "busy" girls giggled. They looked at Liu Qingyan with mockery and derision, their delicate hands roaming over Zong Wen's body as if to assert their ownership.

"You can't say that. What if Little Sister Qingyan's skills were so good that she made the Special Envoy surrender willingly?"

"That's right. Little Sister Qingyan has such a seductive look; she must have plenty of experience, right? When are you going to show us your moves?"

"Didn't Little Sister Qingyan run a fabric business in a small town before she debuted? Did she have other side jobs back then?"

"Oh, sister, don't be silly. She was so young back then, how could she run a business? Selling fabric... it must have been a 'gift with purchase' kind of deal~"

Facing their scornful gazes and Zong Wen's mocking tone, Liu Qingyan did not retort or explain.

She looked quietly at the floor, standing as still as a statue, letting their sharp words and gazes pierce her until she was covered in wounds, yet she simply endured it, as if she were long accustomed to it all.

Zong Wen squinted at Liu Qingyan, and after a long moment, he spoke slowly:

"Come here."

After a brief pause, Liu Qingyan took a step forward, walking toward Zong Wen and the Rose Girl Group on the sofa, finally stopping about a meter away.

"A little closer," Zong Wen said flatly.

Liu Qingyan took another step forward.

The naked Zong Wen spread his legs casually toward Liu Qingyan and tilted his chin slightly:

"Kneel."

Liu Qingyan stood there quietly, not moving an inch.

Seeing this, Zong Wen's brow furrowed. "I said kneel!"

Liu Qingyan still didn't move. Her eyes reflected the six mounds of pale flesh as if she were looking at nothing more than livestock, devoid of any emotion.

"Liu Qingyan, do you really think you've become a golden phoenix just because you showed your face to the Special Envoy?" Zong Wen's tone turned sinister. "Don't forget who dug you out of Liu Town and who gave you the chance to become a superstar! I can lift you to these heights, and I can just as easily smash you to pieces!"

As he spoke, Zong Wen pushed aside one of the girls. Like a wolf with glowing green eyes, he reached out with both hands toward the hem of Liu Qingyan's black dress...

Just then, a voice came from outside the door.

"Chairman, the Special Envoy has agreed to attend the banquet."

Zong Wen's hands froze in mid-air.

"...What??"

"News just came from the auction house. They said the Special Envoy will be here at noon." The butler repeated, Zong Wen still finding it hard to believe.

When he had invited Chen Ling at the banquet, the man had clearly been dismissive, showing no intention of attending for either the Paradise or Huadu. Zong Wen had assumed he wouldn't come...

But now, the Special Envoy had changed his mind without warning, completely exceeding Zong Wen's expectations.

What made the Special Envoy change his mind?

Zong Wen seemed to realize something, his gaze falling on Liu Qingyan. During this time, only she had gone to see the Special Envoy... The fact that he was willing to come to the Huadu Conglomerate likely had something to do with her.

His expression turned uncertain, but thinking of the Huadu Conglomerate's current predicament and the intelligence that the Special Envoy had attended the Beidou Conglomerate's private banquet yesterday, he spoke:

"Have everyone start preparing immediately! We must welcome the Special Envoy on a scale even grander than the Beidou Conglomerate!"

"Yes, I'll get right on it."

As the butler hurried away, Zong Wen's gaze toward Liu Qingyan became complex. He slowly stood up from the sofa, his wrinkled hands gently lifting Liu Qingyan's chin:

"You want to suck up to the Special Envoy? I'll give you that chance... If you can keep the Special Envoy entertained and turn the situation around for our Huadu Conglomerate, I'll grant you your freedom."

"Go get ready. You'll be joining me to welcome the Special Envoy in a moment."

He released Liu Qingyan and looked back at the five girls on the sofa. "You... never mind, you don't need to get dressed. Just welcome him like this."

The girls of the Rose Girl Group exchanged glances, seeing the surprise and delight in each other's eyes, but they immediately stood up and began touching up their makeup while still naked.

"Have them prepare those hidden programs as well. It would be best if we could keep him here... I don't believe he's really a saint with no desires."