Chapter 527

Chapter 527 I Am a Proud Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

Since most of the wealthy people in Ninghai were of relatively high caliber and not truly nouveau riche, not many of them came forward to mock Su Rui for being a “kept man.” On the contrary, they were quite warm and enthusiastic toward him. After all, anyone who could win Lin Aoxue’s favor must have something going for them, even if he was just a pretty boy.

　　Moreover, after Su Rui married Lin Aoxue, there was even a chance he could take over Bikang Group and succeed Chairman Lin Fuzhang as the next master of Bikang.

　　With the monopoly-level money-making power of Sanzuo Aminlun, it was only a matter of time before Bikang became the foremost pharmaceutical group in China.

　　At that moment, Li Yongxing made his appearance.

　　This newly crowned richest man in Ninghai looked to be no more than fifty, slightly heavyset, and also wearing gold-rimmed glasses. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on this man who had leaped from a small-time stock trader to the wealthiest person around, as if they could see an endless halo surrounding him.

　　Quite a few women present also cast eager glances at Li Yongxing. If they couldn’t win over the golden bachelor Li Yongheng, then developing a relationship that went beyond friendship with his older brother wasn’t a bad option either.

　　At their age and status, what determined a man’s appeal was neither his looks nor his physique, and even how long he could last in bed wasn’t the most important factor. As long as a man had money, status, and standing, no matter how unattractive he was or whether he could only last five seconds, countless women would still rush to throw themselves at him.

　　After chatting with a flock of flirtatious women, Li Yongheng finally shook them off and began mingling with the various wealthy figures of Ninghai under Li Yongxing’s guidance, the scene filled with lively conversation and laughter.

　　Lin Aoxue, however, stood shoulder to shoulder with Su Rui by the window, speaking quietly about something, paying little attention to what was happening around them.

　　Li Yongheng happened to glance over and caught this scene, and couldn’t help feeling a tightness in his chest.

　　He genuinely liked Lin Aoxue, and her image had never left his mind. But now he had returned bearing countless accolades, and still couldn’t win the favor of the girl in his heart.

　　At that moment, Li Yongxing had already led Li Yongheng over to Lin Aoxue’s side.

　　”Come, Yongheng, let me introduce you. This is someone you absolutely must get to know. She is the number one beauty and number one talent in Ninghai’s business world, Miss Lin Aoxue of Bikang Group.”

　　Li Yongxing kept a warm smile on his face and seemed very approachable, the kind of person it was hard to dislike.

　　Of course, Li Yongxing had only introduced Lin Aoxue. As for Su Rui, he didn’t know him and couldn’t be bothered to introduce him.

　　This alone revealed that he was not as easygoing as he appeared on the surface.

　　”Brother, Aoxue and I were schoolmates in middle school. I was a few years ahead of her.”

　　Li Yongheng said with a cheerful smile.

　　”What a coincidence! Then you two should definitely get closer.” Li Yongxing said with feigned surprise, then clinked his glass with Lin Aoxue’s, took a small sip, and said in a seemingly joking tone, “Aoxue, you’re a few years younger than Yongheng. A talented man and a beautiful woman, he’s unmarried and you’re unattached, so you should give our Yongheng some serious consideration.”

　　These words were a bit much. It was clear that Li Yongxing was completely ignoring Su Rui’s presence.

　　As the richest man in the city, he had neither the interest nor the time to pay attention to a man who depended on Bikang Group, who was perhaps even a live-in son-in-law.

　　Li Yongxing’s focus was primarily on finance and economics, so of course he wouldn’t know that the man he was ignoring had once beaten Bai Wangchuan, crashed Ouyang Xinghai’s wedding, and single-handedly crippled the heirs of five major families.

　　He would know even less that this man was the legendary Apollo, the Sun God of the Western underworld. In a certain sense, Su Rui’s standing was far above his own.

　　The reason Li Yongxing spoke this way was that in his heart, Lin Aoxue was truly a worthy match for Li Yongheng. He knew his own son was utterly hopeless and beyond saving. Although he had always been strict with him, it had done no good. Counting on someone like that to take over the family business meant there was no hope of taking the family to new heights. Li Chen couldn’t even hold the line, let alone forge ahead.

　　Therefore, Li Yongxing had long since made up his mind to groom Li Yongheng as his successor, and on this point he genuinely had no selfish motives.

　　Not only did he want Li Yongheng to take over, Li Yongxing also planned to find a suitable and capable partner for his younger brother. Lin Aoxue was an excellent choice, not only a perfect match in terms of social standing, but also so outstanding that many men could hardly measure up to her. Li Yongxing had always admired her greatly.

　　As for the recent rumors about the Lin family looking for a live-in son-in-law, Li Yongxing had never taken it to heart. What did a live-in son-in-law amount to? Could he even be mentioned in the same breath as his own brother? Women all love outstanding men. Li Yongxing believed that the moment Lin Aoxue met Li Yongheng, she would kick that kept pretty boy to the curb without a second thought.

　　However, upon hearing Li Yongxing’s words, Su Rui furrowed his brow slightly.

　　Although he and Lin Aoxue hadn’t officially defined their relationship, they were only one step away from it. Having someone try to set up his woman with another man made Su Rui very unhappy. What did it matter if the other party was the richest man in the city?

　　”Mr. Li certainly has a sense of humor.” Lin Aoxue also took a small sip of red wine, but there was little smile on her face, still wearing that cool, icy expression.

　　”I’m being completely serious. You and Yongheng have been classmates for years, you know each other well, and you’re both so accomplished. I suggest you give it some genuine thought.”

　　Li Yongxing said with a warm smile, “I’m not boasting, but right now in all of Ninghai, you’d be hard-pressed to find a man more outstanding than my little brother.”

　　”Brother, you’re going to embarrass me.” Li Yongheng laughed. Though he appeared calm and composed, he had been carefully watching Lin Aoxue’s reaction the whole time.

　　To be honest, when Li Yongxing first opened his mouth to play matchmaker, Li Yongheng’s mood had lifted slightly. But when he saw Lin Aoxue’s quiet, understated refusal, the disappointment in his heart grew even heavier.

　　Li Yongheng felt deeply unsettled. In terms of family background, wealth, and prospects, in what way could the man beside her compare to him? Why could Lin Aoxue show such favor to that man, yet not even spare him a glance?

　　Of course, he also understood that love was completely unreasonable, and a woman in love was even more so.

　　But understanding it was one thing. No man could stay calm watching the woman he liked fall into someone else’s hands.

　　”I’m not embarrassing you at all. You’re wonderful in every way, just too modest.”

　　Li Yongxing smiled and said, “Aoxue, later you must dance one dance with Yongheng. He’s always been too shy.”

　　Lin Aoxue didn’t respond, but turned to look at Su Rui.

　　Her gaze was calm, yet Su Rui could clearly tell that she was seeking his opinion.

　　The meaning of that gesture was unmistakable, and it made Li Yongxing’s brow furrow deeply.

　　How could Lin Aoxue be so inconsiderate? He was the newly crowned richest man in Ninghai, and he had gone out of his way to play matchmaker for his brother, only to receive this kind of response. How was this any different from a slap in the face?

　　Although he kept a smile on his face, there was no warmth in Li Yongxing’s eyes at that moment.

　　It seemed that this Ninghai tycoon’s approachable demeanor was nothing more than a facade. Men were all like this. Once their status rose, their temper rose with it.

　　”Mr. Li, I wonder if you’ve been overlooking me?” Su Rui suddenly said.

　　This Li Yongxing had already gotten on his nerves.

　　”And who might this be?”

　　Li Yongxing seemed to have only just noticed that Su Rui was standing there. The question sounded polite, but was filled with contempt.

　　”I’ve been standing right here the whole time, yet Mr. Li only now thinks to ask who I am. From the most basic standpoint of courtesy, wouldn’t you say that’s a bit lacking on your part?”

　　Li Yongxing truly hadn’t expected this pretty boy who had latched onto the Lin family to dare criticize him.

　　This was simply too presumptuous.

　　Li Yongxing was undoubtedly a highly intelligent man to have come this far, but the halo of being Ninghai’s richest man had still made him somewhat full of himself. In his eyes, he was the richest man and the other party was a live-in son-in-law. The gap between their identities was enormous. It was already an honor for the other man just to meet him, and yet he dared to rebuke him?

　　”Ha, perhaps that was my mistake.”

　　Li Yongxing said with a smile, “Then allow me to introduce myself. I’m Li Yongxing, Chairman of the Li Group of Ninghai.”

　　”I know who you are.” Su Rui said with a smile.

　　Even with Li Yongxing’s composure, he nearly flew into a rage upon hearing Su Rui’s words. Who did he think he was? When he had taken the initiative to introduce himself, the other party had simply replied with a casual “I know who you are,” and that was it?

　　Su Rui had this particular talent. No matter how refined the other person was, a few breezy words from him were enough to make them completely lose their composure.

　　”I still don’t know your identity.” Li Yongxing forcibly suppressed his irritation. Today was supposed to be the day the Li family made a grand impression before Ninghai’s wealthy elite, yet he had run into this oblivious fellow. What rotten luck.

　　”My name is Su Rui. I currently work at Bikang Group.” Su Rui still wore a smile on his face.

　　”Bikang Group?” Li Yongxing clapped his hands and laughed. “Mr. Su is so young, yet already a key figure at Bikang Group. Truly impressive for someone your age. May I ask which department at Bikang Group you work in?”

　　Li Yongxing knew full well that he was asking this question to set up a follow-up attack. The other man might be a pretty boy, but he was also the Lin family’s live-in son-in-law, so being made a vice president or something similar within Bikang would have been trivially easy.

　　As long as Su Rui said he was a vice president, Li Yongxing would follow up with technical questions to embarrass him.

　　Ordinarily, Li Yongxing was not such a competitive man, but for the sake of his brother’s lifelong happiness, he decided to let himself be impulsive just this once.

　　However, Su Rui’s answer caught the well-prepared Li Yongxing somewhat off guard.

　　”I’m in Business Team One of Bikang’s sales department, just an ordinary sales rep.” Su Rui said with a grin. “Of course, most people call us pharmaceutical representatives.”