Chapter 730: The Aftershocks of a Single Word
Ling Group Headquarters, President's Office.
Ling Qingcheng sat motionless in her executive chair. Though her gaze was directed at the documents spread across her desk, her mind was miles away. Her pupils were unfocused, and a dazed, distant expression softened the usually sharp features of her exquisite face.
The events of the previous night and that very morning were branded into her memory, a whirlwind of shock and sensation she knew she would never forget.
For her sake, Shen Anyu had, in a blaze of cold fury, crippled Yu Guanxiong, the Second Young Master of the Yu Clan. He had stood against the entirety of Yanxia's Yu Clan and faced down the formidable Old Qin without a flicker of hesitation. The image of his imposing figure standing as her shield was a light so brilliant it would forever be etched into her soul.
Then, another memory surfaced, unbidden. A flush of heat crept up her neck, warming her cheeks until they burned. She thought of the tangled hours deep in the night and into the early morning, of the repeated, overwhelming intimacy and sensations so intense they had nearly shattered her.
'No,'she thought, her jaw tightening.'I can't think about that anymore. It's wrong. Shen Anyu is Zhang Yaqian's boyfriend. I shouldn't...'
"President Ling? President Ling..."
The soft, persistent calls of her female assistant finally pierced the fog of her memories.
"Ah? What is it?" Ling Qingcheng straightened her spine, clearing her throat twice as she fought to pull a mask of professional seriousness back over her features.
The assistant looked at her boss with a flicker of surprise. President Ling was a legend in the company—always sharp, decisive, and relentlessly capable. But right now, with that faint blush and dazed look in her eyes, she looked more like a young girl lost in the throes of first love. Could it be? Had their impossibly beautiful President Ling finally found a lover?
This was a scoop of monumental proportions. President Ling was the undisputed Belle of Hangzhou, the object of admiration, secret crushes, and bold pursuits from countless men.
But to have become Ling Qingcheng's personal assistant, she was no ordinary person, but a top-tier professional handpicked for her competence. She quickly suppressed her curiosity and presented the documents in her hands.
"President Ling, incredible news! Yida Group and Qinghe Group have both officially withdrawn from the bidding for the land plot in the eastern suburbs. Without our two biggest competitors, the Ling Group will be able to acquire that land at the lowest possible cost."
Ling Qingcheng's breath caught. She had coveted that plot of land for months. Its geographical location was simply perfect. Even in today's sluggish real estate market, any development on that land was guaranteed to spark a sales frenzy.
Naturally, a prize of that magnitude had attracted fierce competition. The financially powerful Yida Group and the deeply connected Qinghe Group were her two greatest rivals for the plot, a fact that had caused her no small number of headaches. In terms of sheer resources, both Yida and Qinghe were on par with the Ling Group, perhaps even a shade stronger.
And now, they had both just... withdrawn?
"And that's not all, President Ling. The good news just keeps coming today," the assistant continued, her voice laced with excitement.
"Starlight International Bank has agreed to grant our Ling Group the twelve-billion-yuan loan. What's more, the interest rate is six points lower than what we originally negotiated. It's practically an interest-free loan."
Hearing this, Ling Qingcheng was utterly floored.
To acquire the land, outbid Yida and Qinghe, and fund the subsequent development, the Ling Group had been planning to borrow from Starlight International Bank. The negotiations had stalled, however, due to the bank's exorbitant interest rates.
And now, Starlight International had not only caved but had slashed the rate by a full six points?
For a commercial loan of this magnitude, the standard interest rate hovered between four and eight percent. Starlight International had initially demanded a steep seven percent. After a grueling negotiation, Ling Qingcheng had only managed to haggle them down to 6.1%, which was still painfully high. But the bank, knowing the Ling Group desperately needed the capital, had refused to budge another inch. Other banks had offered similarly demanding terms.
But now, they had dropped the rate by six points? This was tantamount to handing them twelve billion yuan, interest-free. If they were to simply deposit that money back into another bank, the interest earned would be pure profit.
"President Ling, this is highly unusual," the assistant analyzed, her professional caution kicking in. "Starlight International isn't a charity; they're notorious for their predatory lending. Offering such a low rate now... could they be setting some kind of trap for us?"
There was no such thing as a free lunch in this world, let alone a feast of this size.
Ling Qingcheng slowly regained her composure. A spark of speculation lit up her eyes. Without a word, she picked up her phone, dialed a number, and put it to her ear.
"Director He, I'd like to ask why Starlight International suddenly decided to lower the interest on this loan by six points."
"President Ling!" The voice on the other end was dripping with an enthusiasm that was entirely new. "Our Starlight International Bank is particularly optimistic about the Ling Group's future and we're hoping to establish a long-term cooperative partnership! Consider this loan a gesture of our sincerity, practically interest-free..."
Ling Qingcheng's expression grew complicated. This same Director He had been a stone wall during their previous negotiations. Now he was fawning over her, claiming to be "optimistic" about her company? How could she possibly believe that?
As expected, after a few more empty pleasantries, Director He's voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper.
"President Ling, if... if you could perhaps put in a good word for me with Young Master Shen, then I guarantee my Starlight International Bank will become the most loyal ally of the Ling Group. We have already completely severed all ties with Yanxia's Yu Clan. From this day forward, we will only follow Young Master Shen's lead."
"I have no relationship with Shen Anyu," she stated, her voice tight. "You've misunderstood."
"I understand, I understand completely," Director He said quickly, his tone placating. "President Ling, this loan has nothing to do with Young Master Shen. This is purely a matter between Starlight International Bank and the Ling Group."
"..."
After hanging up, Ling Qingcheng pursed her red lips, a storm of conflicting emotions swirling within her. She couldn't even explain the situation; it was clear no one would believe her.
In the moments that followed, her office phone began to ring incessantly. One after another, banks, major corporations, and multinational conglomerates called to offer partnerships with the Ling Group. The terms they offered were beyond favorable; they were practically giving money away.
Initially, Ling Qingcheng tried to explain that there was no special relationship between her and Shen Anyu. But she soon gave up. It was useless. No one believed her.
After all, Shen Anyu had crippled the Yu Clan's Second Young Master for her. He had defied the entire clan, killed Old Qin, and caused an devastating commotion. And this was with the full truth of the Yu Clan's subsequent annihilation being suppressed by the authorities. If that news had spread, these tycoons and magnates would likely be lining up outside the Ling Group's headquarters to pay their respects in person.
Even with only a fraction of the story known, Ling Qingcheng was deeply shaken by the sheer weight of Shen Anyu's influence. She knew these financial giants and powerful figures weren't fawning over her or the Ling Group. They were scrambling to curry favor because of one man.
All because Shen Anyu had declared that she was his woman.
[Ding! Detected that the Destined Heroine Ling Qingcheng's favorability +3. Plundering 9,000 Destiny Value!]
...
Despite her inner turmoil, a strange, traitorous warmth bloomed in Ling Qingcheng's chest. She quickly crushed the feeling, pursing her lips and shaking her head firmly.
"No. I can't let Zhang Yaqian down. I have to make a public statement and clarify that my relationship with Shen Anyu is a misunderstanding."
Her assistant, having just recovered from her own state of shock, finally understood. All these incredible windfalls were because President Ling was with that "Young Master Shen." Hearing her boss talk about clarifying the misunderstanding, she immediately advised against it.
"President Ling, why would you clarify? This is an opportunity you couldn't find in a lifetime!"
"No," Ling Qingcheng said, shaking her head again, her voice firm. "I can't accept this."
Shen Anyu had saved her life and helped her. She had repaid that debt with her body, with her purity. But if this continued, it would be a deep betrayal of Zhang Yaqian.
Ding-a-ling!
Just then, Ling Qingcheng's private phone rang, its shrill tone cutting through the tension in the room. She glanced at the screen. The caller ID was none other than Zhang Yaqian.
A jolt of pure, unadulterated guilt shot through her.
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