The middle-aged man was stunned.
He looked at Qin Heng in disbelief and then burst into laughter, "Hahaha! You little brat! Thinking you can play the hero and save the beauty when you've barely grown any hair? Do you even know who I am?"
In the middle-aged man's eyes, a teenager like Qin Heng, probably seventeen or eighteen, had surely let youthful impulsiveness get the better of him, recklessly rushing to his death.
Fools like this died in droves every year!
With his own status and power, crushing a little brat like this was as easy as pie!
"Then, do tell," Qin Heng remained unmoved, speaking indifferently. "I'd like to see what gives you the audacity to speak to me this way."
"Ungrateful little brat!" The middle-aged man gritted his teeth, his gaze toward Qin Heng now laced with murderous intent as he said sternly, "I am Li Tianhu! Ever heard of the Tianlong Group in Tianhai City? CEO Li Tianlong is my younger brother!"
"What, Tianlong Group!?" Qu Linglong was instantly terrified, her face turning deathly pale.
She had attended university in Tianhai City and knew exactly what kind of behemoth the Tianlong Group was. It had a market value in the tens of billions, with businesses spanning real estate, dining, entertainment, and more.
Its CEO, Li Tianlong, though only thirty, was already among the top fifty wealthiest individuals. He had extensive connections in both official and influential private circles, managing them exceptionally well.
It was no exaggeration to say he wielded immense wealth and power, his influence overwhelming!
In Tianhai, apart from the four major families, the Tianlong Group was arguably the most powerful force.
This detestable, balding middle-aged man was actually Li Tianlong's older brother, Li Tianhu!
Why!
Why did it have to be like this!
Despair filled Qu Linglong's eyes as she slumped to the ground.
Her world had lost all color. Coming from an ordinary family, she was utterly powerless against such a colossal entity.
However, she hadn't forgotten Qin Heng, who had come to her aid.
"Sir, I'm fine. You... you should go," Qu Linglong said to Qin Heng, her voice choked with sobs. Her kind heart couldn't bear the thought of him getting into trouble for her sake.
"It's all right." Qin Heng walked over slowly, calm and composed, smiling as he said, "Li Tianhu, I advise you to pick up my wallet and look inside. If the Tianlong Group were to go bankrupt, many people would lose their jobs, and that wouldn't be good."
"Who are you?" Li Tianhu, though self-assured, was no fool. Seeing Qin Heng's composure, he felt a knot in his stomach. He glanced at the wallet on the ground, picked it up, and opened it, flipping through its contents while snorting coldly, "Fine, then let's see what tricks this little brat can pull…"
His voice died abruptly, as if a feather were lodged in his throat. His mouth hung open, unable to utter a sound. Utter shock and disbelief contorted his features. His hands clutched the wallet tightly, his eyes bulging as if they would pop from their sockets!
"You! You, you are…," Li Tianhu looked at Qin Heng in utter terror, his body trembling violently as if in an epileptic fit, and with a THUD, he collapsed to his knees.
"Hmm?" Qin Heng shot Li Tianhu a look, warning him not to reveal his identity.
"So, it is you, sir!" Li Tianhu exclaimed. Although terrified to his core, he understood Qin Heng's gaze and immediately changed his tune.
Then he knocked his head on the ground several times with a THUD. Like a lowly dog, he crawled up to Qin Heng, courteously offering the wallet with both hands, saying, "Young Master Qin, I was blind not to recognize Mount Tai and offended you. I beg you not to hold it against me."
Qu Linglong, standing by, was utterly dumbfounded. She watched this scene in disbelief; it completely exceeded her comprehension. What was going on? Li Tianhu was a big shot in Tianhai City's high society! How could he be kowtowing to this young man, who looked to be only seventeen or eighteen, displaying such utter humility? My God! Had a miracle really happened? What on earth was going on?
Qin Heng retrieved his wallet, carefully putting back the appointment letter that read 'Vice President of Daqin Group, Qin Heng.' He then glanced at Li Tianhu and said calmly, "Just now, when you took the money, was it your left hand or your right?"
"Left, left hand." Li Tianhu was somewhat confused, but he answered honestly.
"After we deplane, you have one week. Sever three fingers from your left hand and present them to me. Otherwise, the Tianlong Group can prepare for its demise." Qin Heng's tone remained calm as he added, "You should know I can make that happen."
"Young Master Qin!" Li Tianhu started to plead, but upon meeting Qin Heng's piercing, icy gaze, a shiver ran down his spine. He could only nod and say, "Yes, Tianhu understands."
Although the Tianlong Group was powerful, it was, after all, merely a local power in Tianhai City.
The Daqin Group backing Qin Heng, however, was a true behemoth—a domestic leader in industries like the internet, finance, entertainment, real estate, and automobiles, also enjoying significant international prestige and wealth.
There were even rumors that the Daqin Group was involved in the military-industrial complex, possessing an unbelievably powerful background, far beyond what any ordinary business conglomerate could compare to.
Compared to the Daqin Group, the Tianlong Group was like a feeble ant. A mere whim from the former could crush the latter to oblivion, leaving no trace, turning all its achievements into a fleeting dream!
As the only son of the Daqin Group's founder, Qin Heng was, in effect, the true crown prince of the conglomerate. To some extent, his will represented the will of the Daqin Group itself!
It was just that rumors painted this crown prince of the Daqin Group, Qin Heng, as a profligate son. Though not a womanizer, he supposedly did nothing but travel for leisure, roam the world, and had no interest in schooling. But now, it seemed he wasn't quite like that at all!
If a Daqin Group vice-presidential appointment letter weren't impossible to counterfeit—and no one would dare try—Li Tianhu would have doubted if this Qin Heng was genuine.
"Oh, right." Qin Heng suddenly remembered something, pointed at Qu Linglong, and said to Li Tianhu, "After you get back, remember to compensate Miss Qu for her emotional distress. It doesn't need to be much; five million yuan should suffice."
"Yes, Young Master Qin!" Li Tianhu didn't dare defy a single word from Qin Heng, terrified of displeasing him and inviting retribution upon the Tianlong Group. He respectfully replied, "As soon as we land, I will immediately transfer five million yuan to Miss Qu."
Five... five million yuan!?
Qu Linglong had just regained some composure, and now she was nearly struck dumb again.
She was just a girl from an ordinary family. Her parents were ordinary workers, their combined monthly income only six thousand yuan. Her own starting salary wasn't high either, barely eight thousand a month.
Five million yuan! That was equivalent to nearly thirty years of her entire family's income!
"Are you okay?" Qin Heng helped Qu Linglong steady herself.
Qu Linglong had been so terrified earlier that if Qin Heng hadn't supported her, she probably wouldn't have been able to remain standing.
Now, gazing at Qin Heng's young, handsome face, her mind raced with countless questions.
Who exactly was this person?
How was he so powerful?
It took a long moment for Qu Linglong to somewhat regain her senses.
She hurriedly straightened up from Qin Heng's support, her face flushing crimson as she lowered her head and murmured, "Thank you."
Li Tianhu had long since made a tactful exit.
Now, only Qin Heng and Qu Linglong remained.
Seeing Qu Linglong was alright, Qin Heng smiled. "The flight is about to land. I should return to my seat. Goodbye, Miss Qu."
"Wait a moment."
Qu Linglong couldn't help but call out. She hesitated for a bit, then asked softly, "Young Master Qin, may I know your name? And... your WeChat ID?"
Qin Heng paused slightly, then smiled. "Qin Heng. WeChat ID: ***."