Lu Ming's words completely baffled Jiang Mengxin.
So, Lu Ming recounted the morning's events to Jiang Mengxin, omitting the beginning and end.
"In a nutshell, I bumped into them on the road and, by the way, educated them on basic traffic rules. That's how we got on the wrong side of each other."
Jiang Mengxin frowned repeatedly. It sounded plausible, yet somehow felt off.
She couldn't tell if Lu Ming was lying.
On the other hand, Jiang Lan immediately calmed down. From Lu Ming's clear eyes and steady demeanor, she could tell he wasn't lying.
Jiang Lan said, "Sister, I think Lu Ming is telling the truth. Think about it, Guo Jianrong and his cronies not only smeared Lu Ming but also Jiang's Enterprise. Aren't the fabricated scandals about Jiang's Enterprise also fake? Looking at it this way, they're a bunch of habitual offenders who kill with their pens and are skilled at smearing others!"
Jiang Mengxin nodded.
What she said made sense.
Upon calming down and thinking it through, it was true. Although Lu Ming often talked big and courted trouble, he had always been quite upright when it came to women.
Furthermore.
Guo Jianrong already had a bad reputation in Jinling.
There had been many times when he had abused his position at the television station to smear and slander numerous entrepreneurs.
Jiang Mengxin glared at Lu Ming.
She said, "Even if Guo Jianrong is slandering you, does that mean you're entirely blameless? Just to deliver a crown, you managed to stir up such big trouble for me in less than half a day! Lu Ming, you truly are a master at causing trouble."
Lu Ming smiled, offering no comment.
Jiang Lan said, "The deed is done, and blaming Lu Ming now is meaningless. What we should do now is find a way to resolve the conflict with Guo Jianrong and prevent them from continuing to smear Jiang's Enterprise."
Admittedly, Jiang Lan was much calmer.
Jiang Mengxin nodded and said, "Guo Jianrong is a notorious 'fly' in Jinling, incredibly annoying. It's impossible to get away with provoking him without losing some skin. I'll invite Guo Jianrong over right now and have a good talk with him."
She glanced at Lu Ming again and instructed, "You caused this mess, and you must bear the responsibility. When Guo Jianrong arrives, you will be in charge of serving tea and apologizing! No matter what demands Guo Jianrong makes, you must accept them unconditionally. Do you understand?"
Before Lu Ming could reply, Jiang Lan chimed in, "Sister, isn't this being too cowardly? They are the ones in the wrong, so why should we grovel and apologize?"
Jiang Mengxin said, "Little sister, you're still young and don't understand the rules of the world of fame and fortune. Guo Jianrong may not seem capable, but he controls the television station and can kill people with his pen. If we don't back down, he'll keep slandering us. Remember, rumors are spread with a word, but refuting them takes a thousand efforts. By the time we're done clearing our names, it will be a huge undertaking, and we might not even succeed. The longer this drags on, the more damage it will do to Jiang's Enterprise's reputation!"
"So..." Jiang Mengxin sighed, "to stop the losses immediately, we have no choice but to bow our heads and admit fault."
Jiang Lan's expression shifted.
Although reluctant, she had to agree with her sister's reasoning.
Often, being strong doesn't guarantee victory.
These pen-wielding individuals, though physically weak, could ruin someone with a single report or photograph.
One cannot confront them head-on.
One must yield!
However, Lu Ming let out a cold chuckle. The Dragon Warlord understood nothing of yielding.
Besides, Guo Jianrong was in the wrong. Why should Lu Ming apologize? Lu Ming tightened the cuffs of his sleeves, remaining silent, but inwardly, he formulated a strategy.
Guo Jianrong would surely regret coming.
Two hours later.
A black SUV pulled up in front of the Jiang Enterprise office building. Guo Jianrong, accompanied by his three underlings, alighted from the car and, under Jiang Mengxin's warm reception, were led to the VIP lounge.
Guo Jianrong settled onto the plush leather sofa, accepted the premium red wine served by the secretary, and took a sip with relish.
"Hmm, good wine!" Guo Jianrong's wrinkled old face broke into a smile.
Jiang Mengxin said softly, "Mr. Guo, I believe you are aware of why you were invited here today. The television station has been broadcasting too much unfavorable news about Jiang's Enterprise, severely damaging our family's reputation. I hope you will be magnanimous and let us off the hook."
As she spoke, Jiang Mengxin placed a bank card on the table. "Here is one million yuan. A small token of our appreciation, but please accept it."
Guo Jianrong didn't even glance at it.
He was still furious.
This morning, Lu Ming had not only toyed with him, causing him to lose face in front of Yuan Chengji, but had also swindled him out of twenty thousand yuan.
This was a matter of pride, not money!
Did she think one million yuan could appease him? Not a chance!
Moreover, Guo Jianrong wasn't after money; he wanted the position of station director. If Lu Ming was dealt with, Yuan Chengji would promote him.
The position of station director was worth far more than one million yuan.
Therefore.
Guo Jianrong had absolutely no interest in the one-million-yuan bank card.
He remained silent, sipping his red wine. The editor, reporter, and makeup artist also said nothing, drinking their wine, treating Jiang Mengxin as if she were invisible.
The atmosphere became incredibly awkward.
"Ahem," Jiang Mengxin coughed. Despite her efforts, she received a cold shoulder. She continued, "Mr. Guo, I know you are still angry. I also know that my good-for-nothing fiancé offended you this morning and made you unhappy. I will have him come to apologize to you now. I only hope you can feel a bit better and be lenient towards our company."
After speaking, Jiang Mengxin clapped her hands.
The VIP room door opened, and Lu Ming entered carrying a tray. On the tray was a bowl of clear tea.
It appeared Lu Ming intended to serve tea to Guo Jianrong as a gesture of apology.
Guo Jianrong was pleased.
This was exactly what he wanted!
Lu Ming had humiliated him this morning, and now he would humiliate Lu Ming, reclaiming his lost dignity.
Not only that.
Guo Jianrong planned to use Lu Ming's own tactics against him.
Lu Ming had played a trick on Guo Jianrong once this morning; now, Guo Jianrong was preparing to play one on Lu Ming.
He secretly planned to feign acceptance of Lu Ming's apology, wait for Lu Ming to serve tea, kowtow, and call him "Grandpa," and then abruptly change his mind and refuse the apology!
This way, he could both insult Lu Ming and eliminate him, thus becoming station director.
A double kill.
Guo Jianrong mused gleefully.
At this moment, Lu Ming arrived with the tray. To his surprise, Lu Ming didn't utter a single word of apology.
He simply placed the tray gently on the coffee table.
Then, Lu Ming turned and sat on the sofa opposite Guo Jianrong, crossed his legs, and said with a chilling tone, "Mongrel dog, are you here to apologize to me?"