After being reborn, the school beauty's entire family knelt down to repent.

"Thank you so much, Secretary Wang. I'm relieved to hear you say that," Chen Ming said gratefully.

Secretary Wang and his entourage walked to a relatively spacious area in the center of the underground market and stopped.

The surrounding vendors and customers stared at them curiously and whispered among themselves.

"What day is it today? Why is Secretary Wang here?"

"I don't know. Judging from the way they're doing it, it seems like they have something important to announce."

Secretary Wang cleared his throat and raised his voice: "Dear fellow villagers and business friends, good afternoon! I am here today to announce some good news and to commend a young man who has made outstanding contributions to the economic development of our city!"

Secretary Wang's loud voice carried throughout the underground market, attracting even more attention.

"This young man is Comrade Chen Ming, the person in charge of our underground market!"

Secretary Wang pointed at Chen Ming, a smile of approval on his face.

A burst of enthusiastic applause erupted from the crowd, with many shopkeepers spontaneously joining in.

They all felt the benefits brought by the underground market and were filled with admiration for Chen Ming.

Chen Ming smiled shyly and nodded to the people around him.

Secretary Wang continued, "Comrade Chen Ming is young, yet he dares to think and act, making this underground market a resounding success. It has not only solved the employment problem for hundreds of people, but also boosted the development of the surrounding economy, injecting new vitality into the city's economic development!"

"Comrade Chen Ming's deeds fully embody the entrepreneurial spirit and social responsibility of contemporary young people, and he is a role model for us to learn from!"

Secretary Wang's voice was impassioned and full of power.

"The Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government have decided to award Comrade Chen Ming the honorary title of 'Outstanding Young Entrepreneur' and provide him with certain material rewards as encouragement!"

As soon as Secretary Wang finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted from the crowd once again, lasting for a long time.

In the following days, several city newspapers published reports about the underground market.

The titles are eye-catching: "Underground Markets: A Prosperous Commercial Miracle" and "A Model for Youth Entrepreneurship".

Chen Ming suddenly became a prominent figure in the city, with interviews and invitations pouring in.

After Chen Ming's story was reported, Zhao Rou was furious. She crumpled the newspaper into a ball and threw it hard on the ground.

"Chen Ming, you country bumpkin, why are you doing better than me!" She was consumed by jealousy, her sharp nails almost digging into her flesh.

Zhao Rou grew angrier the more she thought about it, and suddenly swept everything off the table, the sound of shattering glass echoing in the room.

"Ah!" Zhao Rou screamed, as if she wanted to vent all the anger in her heart.

She was resentful. Why was Chen Ming living such a good life now, and even becoming a prominent figure in the city?

She remembered how humble Chen Ming used to be in front of her, circling around her like a lapdog.

Chen Ming would do anything she asked, no matter how hard she tried.

Zhao Rou, on the other hand, was still worried about money. How could she bear it?

This immense sense of loss almost suffocated her.

"Chen Ming, you just wait, I won't let you get away with this!"

Zhao Rou growled through gritted teeth, her eyes flashing with venomous resentment.

Xuan swaggered in, holding an apple in his hand, and casually munched on it.

"Still angry? Like a shrew."

"You still have the mind to eat an apple!" Zhao Rou roared.

"Chen Ming is now a celebrity in the city, and what about me? I'm still just scraping by in this wretched place!"

Xuan shrugged dismissively, "His success is his business, what does it have to do with us?"

"How can it not be related? It was through you, the middleman, that Wang Pangzi and his group contacted me. They even promised me 100,000 yuan if I successfully seduced Chen Ming and got them to invest!"

Zhao Rou said through gritted teeth,

"When they get rich by following Chen Ming, they'll definitely make a lot of money. Why should I only get 100,000?"

Xuan raised an eyebrow. "What do you want to do?"

A glint of malice flashed in Zhao Rou's eyes. "I want 500,000! Not a penny less!"

Xuan was startled. "Five hundred thousand? Why don't you just rob someone! Why would they give you so much money?"

Zhao Rou sneered, "Just because I know their secrets, and just because Chen Ming is a celebrity now! They are also influential figures in S City. If they want to protect their reputation, they have to obediently pay up! Otherwise, I will expose everything about how they made me seduce Chen Ming! Take me to Boss Wang."

Xuan said, "If I help you, I'll also be taking risks. If Chen Ming finds out, I'll be in deep trouble. I won't get a single penny from Boss Wang, and I might even face retaliation from Chen Ming. What's in it for me?"

Zhao Rou sneered, "Don't worry, as long as you help me, I guarantee I won't treat you unfairly. You'll get the full 100,000 yuan, not a penny less."

Xuan hesitated for a moment, "One hundred thousand? Are you sure?"

Zhao Rou said firmly, "I'm sure. As long as you help me get 500,000, I'll give you 100,000 immediately after it's done."

Xuan thought about it and felt that Zhao Rou's words made sense, and 100,000 yuan was also a considerable sum for him.

So he nodded, "Okay, I'll help you, but if things get out, we're both finished."

Zhao Rou gave a cold smile, "Don't worry, I won't let you go to hell. We'll both be fine, and we'll both make a fortune."

“Okay, I’ll go with you.” Xuan readily agreed.

The two arrived at Fatty Wang's company, where Fatty Wang was sitting in his boss's chair, leisurely drinking tea.

Upon seeing Zhao Rou, his expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his smile.

"Hey, isn't this the beautiful Zhao? What brings you here?"

Zhao Rou didn't waste any words with him and went straight to the point: "Fatty Wang, I'm here today to talk to you about the price."

Fatty Wang put down his teacup, looking at her with a half-smile. "Price? What price?"

"You promised me 100,000 yuan if I successfully seduced Chen Ming. But I haven't seen a single penny. You'll be making a fortune while I only get 100,000 yuan. That's so unfair!"

Zhao Rou said firmly, "I want 500,000! Not a penny less!"

Fatty Wang's face instantly darkened. "Five hundred thousand? Are you crazy?! Who do you think you are? Worth that much money?"

Zhao Rou sneered, "Whether it's worth it or not, you know in your heart. You're a well-known figure in S City. What do you think if I were to go all out and expose this matter...?"

Before she could finish speaking, Fatty Wang suddenly stood up, pointed at her, and roared:

"You dare to threaten me?"

"I'm just stating the facts," Zhao Rou said, meeting his gaze without flinching.

"If you want to protect your reputation, you must pay the price."