No reconciliation, no forgiveness! Mr. Pei leaves with nothing.

Chapter 290 This idiot doesn't even have half the brains of my brother-in-law.

San Francisco, USA, 10 p.m. the previous night.

Lu Yuanzhou was dressed in a dark blue business suit. Behind him were his team of elite lawyers, a total of six people. After leaving the court, they were surrounded by foreign reporters and were interviewed by various media outlets.

The photographer, carrying a camera, filmed the six people in a row in front of him and broadcast it live…

The large screen projected Lu Yuanzhou's handsome features, and he answered questions from all the media reporters in a perfect American accent. Behind him, a pair of eyes occasionally glanced at this outstanding man…

When a van arrived, Lu Yuanzhou answered some questions briefly and was about to leave when the last female reporter, who spoke Chinese but with a not-so-fluent accent, stiffly asked him, "What's the one thing you most want to do after returning to China?"

Lu Yuanzhou faced the camera not far away, a slight smile playing on his lips, a hint of longing in his eyes, "Go find my fiancée..."

This sentence caused an uproar, but no one knew who Lu Yuanzhou's fiancée was.

After the interview ended, Lu Yuanzhou's assistant sent a message from the car: The Huo family is willing to send a private plane to take us back to China.

Over the past two or three years, they have all been so busy with this financial case that they can only finally breathe a sigh of relief now.

One of them suggested, "It's the last night, how about we go get some drinks to celebrate?"

At this moment, Liu Jiaoli interrupted him with a smile, "Yuanzhou, you all know he can't drink. He's a lightweight."

Lu Yuanzhou lowered his head and didn't speak. He held his phone as if he was sending a message to someone. After a while, seeing that there was no reply, he put his phone away. "The Huo family sent a plane over. If you want to leave, pack your things first, and then we'll go directly to the airport and fly to the capital."

Zhang Tong: "So rushed? I haven't seen you get a good night's sleep in all this time. Why don't you leave tomorrow?"

Lu Yuanzhou: "I have some personal matters to attend to and need to go back."

"No rush, you can wait until tomorrow."

"Personal matters? Don't mention them. He must be rushing to see his fiancée. But speaking of which, it's been quite a while since we've seen your little sister next door. She wasn't very old when we left. Now, so many years have passed, I wonder what she looks like now."

"No way, are you rushing back to get engaged?"

Liu Jiaoli's smile froze on her face, the smile not reaching her eyes, and her whole body exuded a coldness. "It's really enviable. If I had the chance, I would really like to meet this young lady and see what she looks like that could make our great lawyer Lu so infatuated and devoted to her."

Over the years, Lu Yuanzhou has served as the plaintiff's lawyer against a much larger conglomerate. He has used every means at his disposal, including money and women, offering various lucrative conditions that even tempted them. They even had conflicts during those six years, but thankfully, those conflicts are over now. However, Lu Yuanzhou has never violated his principles.

"Today is her birthday. I promised her that I would be there for her on her birthday this year."

Apart from Liu Jiaoli, the others exchanged glances and smiled knowingly.

Back at the star-rated hotel, Lu Yuanzhou went to his room to pack his luggage. However, as he was fastening his suitcase, a voluptuous body suddenly pressed against him from behind, embracing his strong frame. "You're thinking of going back to see her. What should I do?"

Feeling the man's body stiffen for a moment, he turned around and pulled away from the woman's hand. He saw that Liu Jiaoli had already put on a sexy lace nightgown, her body partially exposed, creating a visually striking scene in his sight.

"As I said before, what happened before was just a mistake. We are all adults, and we should take responsibility for our mistakes. Now... let's stop here."

Liu Jiaoli smiled as her fingers slowly traced down the man's chest, her eyes alluring as she looked at him. "What if I say no?"

"You don't want her to know about us either, do you?"

"That night...how many times did we do it?"

She spoke seductive words, but when she saw the person in front of her turn completely cold, Liu Jiaoli suddenly laughed.

Lu Yuanzhou: "What do you want!" His voice was icy cold.

Liu Jiaoli: "I want you to stay tonight, to spend one last night with me. When we get back to the capital, don't worry... I'll pretend that everything here never happened."

Lu Yuanzhou's gaze shifted from indifference to a chilling sharpness. "I've said I'll take responsibility for my mistakes. Do you think I'm afraid of you and will tell Qingran about this?"

“You know, as a lawyer, I always carry a recording pen with me, just in case. I also usually have a camera in the room that night, just to prevent anyone from entering the room and stealing confidential documents. That night you asked me for three million, that amount… is enough to constitute the crime of extortion.”

"If you're so fond of this kind of harassment, I don't mind. I'll tear off the mask of civility right now and send you to jail for a few days. You know that with my abilities, including the evidence I have, I can put you in there!"

"You also have a daughter, but I'm not interested in how she came to be..."

"If you don't want everything to be as peaceful as it is now, I advise you to be law-abiding and mind your own business."

Seeing the rejection and disgust in his eyes, Liu Jiaoli felt a pang of pain in her heart. When he pushed her away, she felt as if she had no strength left. She took a few steps back and watched him leave helplessly.

Meanwhile, in the capital city, Song Qingran accompanied Bai Wenjing as they moved among the various powerful families…

Many people attended Jiang Lao's birthday banquet. It was held at a simple hotel with a century-long history in the capital. Most of the attendees were Jiang Huai's former students and acquaintances, including some prominent figures from high society. Although the number of attendees was not large, they were all influential and powerful individuals.

Jiang Hua didn't like interacting in such settings, so she mingled with scions of wealthy families she had hung out with before, but whose names she couldn't recall, at the pool party on the other side of the hotel.

Seeing this poolside setup, it looks so familiar... Looking through the floor-to-ceiling windows into the private rooms, the hundreds of square meters of space were specially booked for those playboys who don't like social occasions, for a life of extravagance and debauchery.

Across a long corridor, there were elders chatting and exchanging pleasantries with the family heirs—a dull and tedious affair.

In the arena where each side can see the other, one side is lifeless, while the other side... is gambling with their chips on the table.

When Jiang Hua arrived, her father and the entire Shen family were already there. Jiang Hua didn't like those kinds of occasions, so she didn't go with Pei Zhan. Pei Zhan didn't insist and just let her stay with that group of playboys.

People in the Beijing elite circle also have different social classes, and Jiang Hua's group belongs to the top tier of the wealthy elites.

That's why she recognized him, but couldn't recall his name.

Most people, however, recognized her.

If we're talking about acquaintances, she does know someone named Shen Bulu.

"Hey, you're here?"

"Play a game?"

A waiter approached, and Jiang Hua reached for a glass. But when she tasted it, she realized it was just a beverage. The waiter, noticing Jiang Hua's confusion, explained, "Miss Jiang, everything here today is a beverage. We don't serve alcohol or cigarettes..."

Jiang Hua raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything.

A subtle blueberry flavor spread in her mouth, and then she walked over and sat down. "You're actually willing to leave the Imperial Dynasty?"

"Why didn't I see Bao'er when I got here? Where did she go?"

Shen Bulu: "Duan Qingfeng opened a studio but lacked funds. Yesterday, Bao'er contacted several company executives and smoothed things over, which allowed Duan Qingfeng to secure several investments. After Shen Yebai found out, he put Duan Qingfeng in solitary confinement."

"This idiot doesn't even have half the brains of my brother-in-law."

Now, in front of Jiang Hua, Shen Bulu is no longer pretending at all. Even if he doesn't say it outright, Jiang Hua has already guessed it.

"There's a good show going on today, want to know?" Shen Bulu leaned over, just then a woman in a sexy evening dress walked over, "Young Master Shen, why don't you come and join us?"

Shen Bulu immediately showed an impatient expression, showing no mercy whatsoever, "Get out!"

Jiang Hua glanced at the woman and saw that she was wearing a gold-inlaid jade bracelet. She immediately recognized the woman's identity from the pattern on it. She was the young heiress of the Kuayue New Energy Group. Seeing the woman's defeated expression, Jiang Hua didn't say a word and ran away sadly.

As they continued whispering, Jiang Hua also joined in, listening to the drama he was describing.

Meanwhile, in another part of the banquet hall, Pei Zhan stood in a corner, holding a glass of red wine. He stood tall by the floor-to-ceiling window, his gaze fixed on the person opposite him. "President Pei is young and promising. I heard that you secured an investment from the Huo Group for the Jiang family. I wonder if you have time to have a meal together privately?"

"It just so happens that Elder Jiang and I are quite interested in your cooperation with the Huo family..."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone gathered around. Although it was called a birthday banquet, it was actually just an exchange of interests and connections. During this period, the Jiang family had been quietly carrying out big things, but any businessman who was sensitive to the business world was aware of the Jiang family's actions at all times. In no time, a lot of people gathered around Pei Zhan.

Pei Zhan left everyone speechless with just one sentence: "Today's purpose is only for the birthday banquet, not for business. Or, when I have the intention to seek external financing, I will definitely contact you all."

Just then, one of them said with a smile, "Is President Pei here admiring the scenery, or is he looking at the people across the way? I wonder whose daughter is catching President Pei's interest so much."

"Aren't those the young master of Shen's Bank and Miss Jiang?"

Everyone could see clearly that the two people opposite were whispering to each other. They were too far away to hear what they were saying, but they could feel that Jiang Hua was smiling with her eyes wide open, covering her lips with a hint of surprise. Every move she made was designed to attract the man's attention.

Apart from Pei Zhan, everyone looked at each other, seemingly understanding something.

In that case, they seem superfluous.

Jiang Weiguo and Jiang Huai were together. "You've already come all this way, why didn't you even come over?"

Jiang Weiguo: "She only agreed to come after I asked her several times. If you want to see her, I'll have Huahua come to see you alone later."

“Huahua is in poor health and she is still bothered by what happened before. As her father, I can’t interfere with any of her thoughts.”

"We underestimated Huahua's ideas. We thought she just thought it was fun and was just being enthusiastic, but she didn't have the ability to support it. Who knew... During this time, she has been compiling the information left by Qingcheng into a book at home. She hasn't neglected any of the things she wanted to do. Now the association's affairs have been settled, but Yebai is already helping Huahua prepare for the International Jewelry Restoration Association. I hope you can help her this time."

Jiang Huai: "Let her come over and discuss this in person!"

Jiang Weiguo: "You know her personality. If I tell her these things, Huahua will be even less likely to come to see you."

Jiang Huai snorted coldly, "She had the intention to send a gift to that old geezer Shen Jianghe, but now she's unwilling to even show her face?"

"I wonder who angered our Elder Jiang?" Bai Wenjing walked over, followed by Song Qingran. Then she glanced at the person behind her and said, "Qingran, didn't you prepare a gift for Elder Jiang?"

Song Qingran stepped forward somewhat nervously, "Yes, Mr. Jiang... no, Chairman Jiang... this is what I prepared for you. It's not very expensive, but it took me several days to finish. I hope you... enjoy boundless happiness and longevity..."

Jiang Huai: "Open it and take a look."

Song Qingran opened the red gift in her hand and saw that it contained a thermos made of bamboo. "This bamboo is from my hometown, Qingcheng. I learned the weaving technique for a while. This thermos uses local intangible cultural heritage techniques. I tested it and it can keep things warm for about three days. And this fan, I scented it with sandalwood. The breeze it creates not only has a faint sandalwood scent but also repels mosquitoes..."

Jiang Huai: "You've really put in a lot of effort, haven't you?"

Song Qingran smiled happily and said, "No, what you've done for me, the guidance you've given me, the trust you've placed in me... it's nothing compared to these things."

Jiang Weiguo: "Chairman Jiang, you too, I won't let you down."

But just then, another aged voice rang out, "You think you can be satisfied with such a trivial little thing? You old codger."

“It’s not as good as the rare soft jade that your granddaughter gave me, which is a once-in-a-century find. Bao’er… take it out and let them see it so they can broaden their horizons.”

Shen Bulu, sitting opposite him, spotted a familiar figure at a glance, causing him to stand up abruptly. "Wasn't this idiot supposed to be in solitary confinement? Why is she here?"

Jiang Hua followed her gaze and saw that something seemed to have happened in the venue. She narrowed her eyes and saw Song Qingran in the middle of the crowd. She guessed that nothing good had happened. She just clenched her fist and rested her chin on it, still thinking about what Shen Bulu had told her was going to happen.

"I won't go to the theater with you; I have to go and help out..."

He then tossed a room key to Jiang Hua.