Lin Yongsheng returned to the conference room in high spirits, giving Su Qiong's thigh a firm squeeze as he said triumphantly, "Our good days are here."
Seeing Lin Yongsheng so excited, Su Qiong guessed it must be related to the bidding project. A charming smile spread across her face.
The other two competitors, noticing Lin Yongsheng's elation, felt an ominous premonition.
Sure enough, after an hour of evaluation, Yongsheng Company was announced as the winner.
Lin Yongsheng looked at his competitors with a smug expression. "Surprised, aren't you?"
They were indeed shocked and resentful that Yongsheng Company had won. "Don't celebrate too soon," one of them muttered before leaving with a displeased expression.
Lin Yongsheng chuckled, leading Su Qiong out of the office building and into his Mercedes S600. Lighting a cigarette, he took a leisurely puff.
Su Qiong, burning with curiosity, clung to his arm and asked in a sweet voice, "Manager Lin, I never expected us to win the bid so easily—it feels like a dream! What's your relationship with Chairman Li of Chunlei Group?"
Lin Yongsheng replied mysteriously, "Be patient. I'll tell you in due time."
He then took out his phone and dialed Lin Qinglu's number. When the call connected, he said cheerfully, "Qinglu, bring Zhou Yang home tonight. I'd like to treat him to dinner."
Truthfully, if not for the need to drug Zhou Yang, he would never have invited him.
Lin Qinglu was puzzled by the call. She knew her father despised Zhou Yang, so why the sudden invitation? *This is like the sun rising from the west!*
Still, she didn't overthink it. To her, this was good news, so she happily agreed and immediately informed Zhou Yang.
Zhou Yang was equally surprised. *Is Lin Yongsheng setting up a trap for me?*
But whether it was a trap or not, he wasn't afraid. As an Eighth-Level Qi Practitioner, he could practically walk sideways through Spring River City without a care.
He smiled and said, "Alright, we'll head to your place after school. Let's skip evening self-study tonight."
Lin Qinglu nodded, her heart full of joy. She truly hoped that after tonight's dinner, her parents would accept Zhou Yang and approve of their relationship.
Just then, Xie Shiya entered the classroom. Walking up to Zhou Yang, she said with a smile, "Zhou Yang, the Elite Martial Arts Society currently has no president. I think you'd be perfect for the role."
The Elite Martial Arts Society was Spring River First High School's only martial arts club. Gaining membership was extremely difficult, and its members enjoyed a superior status, commanding fear and respect from other students.
Thus, both male and female students considered joining the society an honor. The president, in particular, was admired and revered by nearly everyone—even teachers treated them with deference.
When Li Qiang had been president, he had been arrogant and domineering, strutting around the school like he owned it. Many female students had secretly crushed on him, and several pretty girls had even given him their "first time."
Hearing Xie Shiya's words, the surrounding students looked at Zhou Yang with envy, murmuring among themselves.
"Brother Yang is the real deal. He's totally qualified to be president."
"Brother Yang is way more badass than Li Qiang. I support him! If he becomes president and lets me join the society, I'd do anything for him."
Nearly all the students were staring at Zhou Yang, certain he would eagerly accept.
Yet, after a brief hesitation, Zhou Yang replied nonchalantly, "Teacher Xie, I don't want to be president. You should find someone else."
He had never held the Elite Martial Arts Society in high regard. In his eyes, its members were nothing but bullies. Besides, as an Eighth-Level Qi Practitioner, he saw no reason to associate with them.
The students were stunned. Only someone as formidable as Zhou Yang would dare refuse such an offer. If Xie Shiya had asked any of them, they would've accepted without hesitation—it was an opportunity beyond their wildest dreams.
Xie Shiya, however, wasn't surprised. She smiled and said, "Think about it. Becoming president would only benefit you. Besides, Li Qiang corrupted the society's members—they respect no one but you. Only you can reform them and set them on the right path."
Zhou Yang considered her words. She had a point—the society's members had indeed been led astray by Li Qiang. They neglected their studies, bullied students and teachers, and even harassed an English teacher to the point where she nearly resigned and left Spring River City.
He had always despised their behavior but had been powerless to stop them before. Now, as an Eighth-Level Qi Practitioner, he could no longer stand by and do nothing.
*If that's the case, maybe I should take the position.*
Looking at Xie Shiya, he said, "Alright, I'll think about it."
Xie Shiya smiled. "Actually, everyone wants you to be president. Come in."
As soon as she spoke, over a dozen students filed into the classroom. They were the society's core members—the same ones who had followed Li Qiang's lead in causing trouble and making enemies.
Ever since news spread last night that Li Qiang had been hospitalized after a beating, students from Spring River Martial Arts School had ambushed them on their way to school that morning, giving them a brutal thrashing.
Back when Li Qiang was around, they had frequently clashed with students from other schools, especially those from Spring River Martial Arts School.
That morning, some society members had been intercepted and beaten up on their way to school. Several of them now bore visible injuries—bruised faces, swollen noses—looking utterly pathetic.
They all knew Zhou Yang was incredibly strong, at least a Fifth-Level Qi Practitioner. To them, he was practically a god. With Li Qiang out of commission, they were lost and desperate.
*If we got beaten today, who knows which school's students will come after us tomorrow?*
Each of them was anxious, pinning their hopes on Zhou Yang. They believed that with him as president, they would regain a powerful backer—one even stronger than the Li family.
Looking at Zhou Yang with utmost respect and sincerity, they chorused, "Brother Yang, please be our president!"