Seeing the women’s suspicious expressions, Robin felt a little hurt. After all, being looked down upon by beautiful women is a blow to the ego.

"If he didn’t have some skill, I wouldn’t have brought him here," Chen Xiao said. "You can rest assured. The people I bring are absolutely reliable."

Hearing this, the two women nodded. Putting other things aside, Chen Xiao was indeed dependable. Besides, they had no other options and could only choose to trust him for now.

Chen Xiao paused, then continued, "Currently, I’ve mobilized 55 billion in cash from the Jiang Family and the Heavenly Dragon Association in Jinling and gathered 50 billion from the Qin Family of Zhonghai. Adding your funds, we have a total of over 100 billion. That’s more than enough capital to fight this battle with Lu Rugao."

Upon hearing this, both Zhang Yaqing and Luo Qingli’s eyes widened in astonishment. They hadn’t expected Chen Xiao to amass such a significant amount of money in so little time.

This is simply terrifying.

However, Luo Qingli commented sourly, "It seems your lovers are quite generous."

At those words, Chen Xiao gave an embarrassed cough.

Qin Lan probably contributed so much money because of her friendship with me. As for the funds from Jinling... that was most likely Zhu Baixi’s handiwork.

Zhang Yaqing then said, "I heard that Lu Rugao has already returned to Yuncheng City. The Luo Group’s stock price has been suppressed to sixty percent of its peak value. It’s no exaggeration to call it a catastrophic collapse, so Lu Rugao believes that victory is already within her grasp. She’s already gathered a group of people in Yuncheng City to celebrate. The purpose is to gloat and feel triumphant. After all, at the Sail Raising Conference, the Lin Family she supported was crushed by you, causing her to lose all face. This time, she’s likely trying to reclaim her pride."

At her words, Xiao Zining smiled faintly. "It doesn’t matter. She can’t turn the tables. Just let her be happy for a few days."

Just then, a voice called out from outside. "I am the eighth butler of the Lu Family, sent on behalf of our Miss Lu Rugao to deliver invitations to you."

Their expressions hardened.

When they went outside, they saw an elderly man in a tailcoat standing at the door, his face a mask of arrogance. "This is our miss’s invitation. Aren’t you going to hurry up and take it?"

Hearing this, Chen Xiao’s face turned livid. "Who the hell does she think she is, telling us to attend her party? Get lost!"

"Young man, don’t be so arrogant," the elderly man in the tailcoat huffed. "Look at the state of the Luo Group. What right do you have to be so arrogant? Our miss is merciful. If you attend the banquet today, things might just take a turn for the better. You might even be able to save some coffin money instead of going completely bankrupt!"

With that, he tossed the invitation onto the doorstep and drove off.

Chen Xiao and the others were furious that even a mere servant of the Lu Family could be so arrogant.

"This Lu Rugao is truly insolent and domineering!" Robin couldn’t help but exclaim. "But I like it. I like them spicy."

Chen Xiao kicked him in the rear. That guy could never be serious.

Still, with Lu Rugao acting so arrogantly, he was curious to see what kind of spectacle she would put on at her celebration tonight. Opening champagne at halftime? Interesting. But if Lu Rugao thinks she can win this battle so easily, she is sorely mistaken!

"Since she’s so eager to see us, we might as well oblige her," Chen Xiao said calmly. "I’d like to see what tricks she has up her sleeve."

Luo Qingli snorted. "Fine! Lu Rugao thinks victory is already in her grasp. We’ll go and add to the excitement. The higher she stands, the harder she’ll fall!"

She had been forced to retreat again and again while enduring Lu Rugao’s mockery. The frustration had been building up inside her for a long time, and today she wanted to see just how arrogant Lu Rugao could be.

"There’s no rush," Chen Xiao said calmly. "It’s not time to enter the fray yet. Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad."

"Lord Chen is right!" Robin chimed in, quick to flatter.

However, judging by the current situation, it really wasn’t time to make a move. His own tactics involved playing the long game to catch the big fish, followed by a single, lethal strike.

Zhang Yaqing picked up the invitation from the ground.

"The banquet is at the Gaolin Club, a Lin Family property. It starts at five in the afternoon."

"Lord Chen, can you take me with you? I’m so bored!" Robin asked excitedly.

"Alright," Chen Xiao nodded. "You can come."

「Five in the afternoon.」

Chen Xiao’s group of four arrived at the Gaolin Club on time. Many people had already gathered. Although the celebration banquet was scheduled for five o’clock, this was an event hosted by Lu Rugao. Who would dare to arrive right on time? Thus, many had been waiting since early on.

As soon as Chen Xiao’s group entered the hall, they attracted many strange looks.

Not long ago, the Luo Group had risen powerfully, dramatically elevating the Luo Family’s status in Yuncheng City. After several other major successes, the Luo Family’s prestige and status had reached their peak. However, after Lu Rugao made her move, the Luo Group’s stock price plummeted instantly, with no power to resist. Only then did everyone clearly realize just how insignificant the Luo Family was in the face of the Lu Family’s colossal might. Facing the crushing force of a hundred billion in capital, the Luo Family was completely helpless. In a short time, its stock price had fallen to less than sixty percent of its peak value.

If this trend continued, the Luo Group would be utterly crushed within half a month. For a moment, all the eyes on Luo Qingli were filled with pity.

The group walked into the venue, their faces expressionless.

Soon, a high-spirited Lin Qixian strutted over, holding a glass of red wine. His gaze landed on them, full of mockery and amusement.

"Oh, Miss Luo, Miss Zhang, and Mr. Chen. You’ve arrived? It seems you’re quite punctual. And you’re right to be. You’ve seen the state the Luo Group is in. Arrive on time, bow your heads to Miss Lu, admit your mistakes... and maybe you can salvage some of your losses. If you’re as stubborn as before, well, the outcome won’t be pretty."

Hearing the mockery in his voice, Luo Qingli said coolly, "Lin Qixian, you sure have a lot to say."

Lin Qixian sneered. "I’m just telling the truth. If I’ve touched a nerve, Miss Luo, then you’ll have to forgive my rudeness."

At the Sail Raising Conference, Chen Xiao and his group had ruined a great opportunity for the Lin Family, a slight he remembered well. Why would he pass up this rare chance to kick them while they were down?

His smug, gloating expression infuriated Chen Xiao’s group. However, they had no interest in wasting words on a small fry like him and simply ignored him.

Seeing them ignore him so blatantly, Lin Qixian’s anger flared.

These fools! They really don’t know what’s good for them!

But he hadn’t forgotten Lu Rugao’s instructions. Suppressing his frustration, he said coldly, "Miss Lu is waiting for you inside. Follow me."