Shen Wanning and Song Luoluo were polar opposites. Unlike Song Luoluo's evening gown, Shen Wanning wore casual clothes today and a baseball cap. Her long black hair still fell like a waterfall.
When Shen Wanning appeared, her first glance landed on Xu Mu. Her second glance landed on her nemesis, Song Luoluo.
"Wanning, you're here." Feng Jian immediately smiled and walked over when he saw Shen Wanning.
He had already pinned his future hopes on Shen Wanning. Remember, he was only the Feng family's second son; he had an older brother ahead of him. If that older brother were the legitimate heir, fine — but his older brother was born to Feng Kang's first wife. After Feng Kang divorced his first wife and married Feng Jian's mother, that family dynamic created future inheritance disputes.
In short, Feng Jian and his mother needed allies. Marrying Shen Wanning would secure Shen family backing. With the Shen family behind him, the Feng family's assets would eventually come under Feng Jian's control. So Feng Jian cared about Shen Wanning more than anyone.
"Hmm." Shen Wanning nodded briefly at Feng Jian, then walked straight to where Xu Mu and Xu Shou stood.
Tonight's biggest star at the banquet was surely Li Feipeng. Next in prominence were the Shen family, the Feng family, and Song Luoluo.
Xu Shou and Xu Mu were somewhat ignored; only a few people came by to greet them. But when Shen Wanning stepped to their side, that corner of the room suddenly drew attention again.
Feng Jian squinted from afar — he wanted to see what Shen Wanning planned to do, and then decide his next move.
"Uncle Xu." Shen Wanning had looked into Xu Mu before and had also checked on Xu Shou; she admired the man.
"Wanning, you left so early when you came to film the ad — I didn't even get to see you." Xu Shou smiled.
"I had other matters that day, so I left first." Shen Wanning said, then looked at Xu Mu. "Come with me. I want to speak to you privately."
Xu Mu smiled and stood. He followed Shen Wanning to the large window, where they could overlook the night view of Jiang City.
"You've seen the online abuse, right?" Shen Wanning glared at Xu Mu angrily.
"I didn't pay much attention. What I saw was mostly people slandering the Xu Group — they were just calling you reckless and brainless for taking our ad," Xu Mu replied with a chuckle.
"That's not what I mean! Xu Mu, my father scolded me about this! I tell you, if you lied before, I won't let you off!" Shen Wanning clenched her small fist.
Xu Mu smiled but said nothing — the girl was pretty fierce when riled.
"Isn't that Shen Miss?" Song Luoluo came over with a smile.
Shen Wanning's face darkened. "Miss Song, what do you want?"
"Nothing really, just curious — I just endorsed a slimming product, and you endorsed one too. When I film my scenes in the future, are you going to be my body double?" Song Luoluo covered her mouth and giggled. "Just kidding."
She knew Shen Wanning's background was special; Shen Wanning had powerful patrons too. Song Luoluo's remark irritated her.
"Even if you're the double, you'll be acting as Shen Miss," Xu Mu said from the side with a smile. "Her product is the real medicine; yours is fake."
Xu Mu didn't think much of Song Luoluo — she lacked true sex appeal compared to Feng Yue, and was mostly noisy hype. In terms of talent, she was mediocre.
"What? Fake? Xu Mu, their slimming pills are made from herbal ingredients and work — how can you say theirs is fake?" Feng Jian walked over from a distance.
"Even if it's real, so what? The Xu family has money. Our slimming pill will crush theirs!" Xu Mu threw his head back and shouted theatrically, imitating the old villainous Xu Mu.
"You think your Xu family has more funds than the Feng family? We'll invest everything in Fengwei Foods; you can't outspend us," Feng Jian shot back coldly.
"How about we make a bet? Within ten days our sales will surpass Fengwei Foods'," Xu Mu offered with a smile.
"Fine! I'll bet you — what are you wagering?" Feng Jian knew the market: Fengwei's slimming drug was exploding in sales right now. Not just ten days, the next few months would likely be growth — how could the Xu family overtake them?
"We won't bet a trivial sum. I'll bet fifty billion. If, after ten days, the Xu family's sales haven't surpassed Fengwei Foods', the Xu Group will donate fifty billion — in Feng family's name — to charity," Xu Mu said, pointing at Feng Jian. "If you lose, your Feng family will donate fifty billion in our name. Do you dare?"
Feng Jian hesitated and glanced toward Feng Kang. A one-time fifty-billion donation was no small thing; few firms could do it.
"Don't dare? Old man, do you agree to my wager?" Xu Mu turned to Xu Shou.
"Agreed. Since you're so confident, I'll cover the fifty billion," Xu Shou said, raising his wine glass with a smile.
Feng Jian gritted his teeth. Being the only son in a family with secure inheritance gave him confidence.
From a distance, Lin Yan smiled faintly — what a spendthrift; he'd overestimated him before.
"We of the Feng family also agree!" At that moment Feng Kang walked over with a smile. "If it's donated to the country, even if we lose, we're happy to do it."
He had already discussed with Lin Yan and Li Feipeng and planned to invest three billion to distribute Fengwei's slimming drug nationwide. Ten days was an impossible target for the Xu family. If Fengwei also pledged fifty billion in donations later, Xu Group could be ruined — they might lose their leading position in Jiang City.
"All right! Let's sign the contract publicly now," Xu Mu said, smiling.
Those nearby sighed. What had fate done to Xu Shou in his previous life to have such a son? Agreeing to fifty billion on a whim — this kid would bankrupt the Xu family.
Lin Yan kept silent and smiled. He realized Xu Mu had reminded him that the slimming drug Xu Group obtained was a copy, not an exclusive transfer. Fengwei could produce too. With a larger supply chain, lower prices might undercut Lin Yan — people buy lower-priced items first, and if the effects match, they'd switch to Xu's pills. Lin Yan planned to find investors and expand production, even share some profits with the Feng family to crush Xu Group.
Xu Mu had the staff print the contract. It had been almost a week since — in three days, their competitor's drug would surely fail. Then the real show would begin.