As the police officers approached Catherine, she yelled, "Which one of you dares to come closer?"
The police officers paused, stopping in their tracks.
Catherine furiously rebuked them, "You bunch of clueless bastards, do you know who I am? I am the president of the American Pharmaceutical Association! I am a superior being! What right do you inferior beings have to arrest me? Even if I broke the law, your China has no right to apprehend me, understand?"
A "superior being."
In Catherine's eyes, Chinese people were inherently inferior to Americans.
Superior beings could bully inferior beings as they pleased.
And inferior beings were not to defy superior beings, let alone arrest them.
Catherine continued, "I'm going back to sleep now. I'll be leaving China first thing tomorrow morning. You inferior beings can only watch me leave, you have no right to arrest me! Do you understand?"
The police officers' teeth itched with anger upon hearing this.
However, they indeed dared not act rashly.
Catherine's identity was sensitive, involving issues between two countries. They had to seek instructions from their superiors.
Just then.
A black Audi car drove over and stopped at the hotel entrance.
The car door opened, and a man stepped out.
This person was Xu Zhijian, the Mayor of Jinling City!
Lu Ming had anticipated early on that Catherine's identity was sensitive and that arresting her wouldn't be as smooth as arresting Qiao Qiong and Liang Youde. A high-ranking official from Jinling was needed for Catherine's arrest to proceed smoothly.
Therefore, Lu Ming had informed the Mayor of Catherine's criminal activities beforehand.
Xu Zhijian did not dare to be negligent. Upon receiving the news, he rushed to the scene personally to make the arrest.
Xu Zhijian had also heard Catherine's defiant words just moments ago.
He calmly walked into the hotel lobby. All the police officers stood at attention and saluted him.
Xu Zhijian looked at Catherine with great anger and said, "Catherine, you have quite a temper. You, an American, dare to run rampant and do as you please on Chinese soil! Do you really think we Chinese are easy to bully?"
Cold sweat broke out on Catherine's forehead.
She feared no one else, but facing the Mayor, she could not help but be afraid.
She just couldn't understand why Xu Zhijian had arrived so quickly.
Taking a few deep breaths, Catherine said, "Mayor Xu, I advise you to think carefully before acting. I, Catherine, am a superior being of the United States. If you dare to touch me, you will be opposing the United States! Is China an opponent of the United States? You cannot bear the consequences!"
Heh.
Unbelievably arrogant.
Xu Zhijian raised an eyebrow and said, "When has the great China ever feared enemies? Catherine, you know our Chinese people too little. Do you think we would grovel and beg like the cherry blossoms and Koreans? You're dreaming! Catherine, let me tell you, if you commit a crime in our China, you will be punished by Chinese law!"
Immediately.
Xu Zhijian commanded, "Someone, handcuff Catherine!"
"Yes!!!"
The police officers, already seething with anger, charged forward as soon as they received the order, pinned Catherine down, and handcuffed her.
This unreasonable, demon-like woman who constantly opposed the Chinese pharmaceutical industry was finally arrested.
"Take her away!"
"Yes, sir!"
The police officers escorted Catherine out.
As she passed Lu Ming, Catherine glared at him as if he were death itself, roaring defiantly, "Lu Ming, do you think it's over after defeating me? Let me tell you, no! For every me you defeat, there are thousands more! We Americans have many more destructive operations targeting China. Industry, agriculture, commerce, nobility, commoners, every sector is targeted. Lu Ming, do you think you, alone, can oppose the entire United States? Hahaha, sooner or later, your China will be utterly destroyed by us Americans!"
Upon hearing this, everyone frowned repeatedly.
Some were angry.
More were worried.
If, as Catherine claimed, every sector was targeted by the United States, then it was indeed a troublesome matter.
However...
Lu Ming smiled dismissively.
He faced Catherine and said calmly, "Do you know why China has a five-thousand-year-old immortal civilization? It's because we are unyielding and humble. Friends who come will be welcomed with wine, and wolves who come will be met with a shotgun! Threats and intimidation cannot crush China. Catherine, I can only tell you one thing: no matter how many people the United States sends, they will only end up on the chopping block like you!"
Catherine was anxious, angry, and helpless.
Whether it was in terms of schemes, medical skills, or eloquent speech, she was inferior to Lu Ming in every aspect.
Her trip to China had been a complete and utter defeat.
She had failed to complete any of the tasks assigned to her by her superiors.
China's medical system, protected by Lu Ming, remained intact.
On Catherine's proud face, a hint of fear, a trace of helplessness, and a sliver of regret finally appeared. She should never, ever have confronted Lu Ming head-on.
She had lost, utterly and completely.
Catherine's body instantly went limp, like a puddle of mud, and she was dragged away by the police officers.
After dealing with the three criminals.
Xu Zhijian cupped his hands towards Lu Ming, "These three individuals have special identities. I need to interrogate them overnight and won't be able to chat further."
Lu Ming replied with a smile, "Mayor, your official duties are urgent. Please."
Xu Zhijian nodded and led his team away.
Only Qiao Ling, Qiao Kaicheng, Lu Ming, and the hotel staff remained in the hall, which suddenly became quiet.
The three of them looked at each other.
After a moment.
Qiao Kaicheng sighed, blaming himself, "Ling'er, I was wrong to misunderstand you. You were right, Lu Ming is indeed not some disreputable person. His medical skills are superb, his character is first-class, and you missed one point – Lu Ming's intellect is also exceptionally sharp."
Qiao Ling was overjoyed upon hearing this.
Hearing her grandfather praise Lu Ming made her happier than if he had praised her.
These words indicated that Qiao Kaicheng's prejudice against Lu Ming was gone. Qiao Kaicheng no longer looked down on Lu Ming and no longer despised him for once being a tomb keeper.
Qiao Kaicheng continued, "Ling'er, your judgment of people is better than mine. If it weren't for Lu Ming's strong support this time, Ren Zhi Pharmacy would have been finished, and the hundred-year-old signboard of the Qiao family would have collapsed under my watch! Grandpa thanks you, and thanks Lu Ming."
Qiao Ling was delighted.
She said, "Grandpa, it's all Catherine, Liang Youde, and Qiao Qiong's fault. You don't need to blame yourself."
Qiao Kaicheng sighed, "Qiao Qiong, I spoiled that child too much."
After a brief silence.
Qiao Kaicheng suddenly said again, "Right, Ling'er, you should return to the Qiao family. I said before that I would remove you from the family tree and cancel everything, but you are still a member of my Qiao family. Furthermore, from today onwards, you are the head of Ren Zhi Pharmacy!"
Qiao Ling was startled.
The head?
This meant Qiao Kaicheng was officially stepping down and handing over all power to Qiao Ling!
Qiao Ling was overwhelmed, "Grandpa, isn't that inappropriate?"
"There's nothing inappropriate about it," Qiao Kaicheng said. "Grandpa is old and was going to step down anyway. I am very satisfied with your performance, and it is most appropriate for you to take over. Moreover, with Lu Ming helping you manage Ren Zhi Pharmacy, I believe it will make Ren Zhi famous."
He paused.
Qiao Kaicheng asked, "By the way, Ling'er, what stage are you and Lu Ming at now? Are you preparing to get married? When do you plan to have children?"