Chapter 327: Won't Get Paid in Dirty Money

Mo Qingchen nodded. "Things are going according to plan on my end, too. I'll have some excellent news for you tonight," he told her warmly.

Qian Meng arched her brow before nodding. "I'll look forward to it, then." She waved goodbye and opened the door. 

The bodyguard was waiting for her outside. She gave him a surreptitious nod before moving down the hallway. 

As the car drove, Li Min pushed the tablet towards her.

Qian Meng took it instantly and looked through the charts. 

"The sales look good in the States and Switzerland. What is the reception like?" she asked. 

Li Min smiled. "We have some of the reality television celebrities posting about it. With the awards coming up, some of the other celebrities will be wearing it in different locations, too," Li Min assured. 

Qian Meng nodded. "People are questioning the late launch in China, though?" she asked.

Li Min nodded. "It's mostly the influencers who are putting in inquiries. We are not letting them post yet as Li Jun hasn't filed put together the files yet."

"Ask the team to monitor the activity. It's low for now. They should know what to say for now. When will Li Jun file the lawsuit though?"

"From what he told me. It's almost ready. Once we sign the contract and make the leaker the offer, he'll put it in."

Qian Meng smiled. "Sounds good. Prepare for launch in Hong Kong right after we sign. I don't want any more delays. Time is of the essence."

As Qian Meng signed the papers herself, she looked at the manufacturing company owner. Her eyes glittered with amusement as he pushed the employee he had pretended to protect for so long.

The firing procedure had been finalized as well. 

"Why don't you come with us? Let's have a chat," she said politely.

The guy looked struck by lightning in her presence. "I already told your people that I had nothing to say," he responded harshly. 

Qian Meng only smiled. "You might not have to speak to my employees, but you can speak to me. I have much more power than them, you see?" she said. 

The man contemplated for a minute. It didn't take much to convince him.

"I'll only hear you out. I don't want to make any deal with you."

Qian Meng nodded. Just his acceptance was enough to let her know he was easy to manipulate. He was open to options. He would go to the side where he could profit. 

The man was guided to a nearby restaurant. 

"You can order as you wish. It's my treat."

There was something about treating others nicely that they couldn't get enough of. He looked over the menu intently. 

Qian Meng crossed her hand across her chest and watched him. 

No matter how bad of a person one is, they will take full advantage of a person's kindness. Especially when it came to food. And Qian Meng knew how to lure them.

A man whose stomach was filled before the negotiation was sluggish. He was so happy and satisfied, that he wouldn't think sharply about his decisions. That was the theory people perpetuated. But it was actually true. 

Qian Meng cut through her food and watched him eat, only taking small bites of her food.

Hunger made her sharp. Hunger for power and money. Hunger for food. All of it. 

Once he was halfway full, Qian Meng started to speak. "Can I ask you why you did it?"

She was about the same age as the man sitting across from her. And as per Mo Qingchen, she was a rather dazzling sight. She wanted to test the theory. 

"I did what?" he acted like he didn't know. 

"Why did you send the pictures to them?"

The man shook his head. "I didn't do any such thing," he responded quietly. 

"I have all the proof with me. But I want to give you the opportunity to speak. I can't only judge you by what you did. I need to know the motivation, too."

He looked conflicted.

"Is this about how you are treated at the factory?" she asked. "Or did you have an urgent need for money?"

These were two motivators for a crime. Hatred and money. But how she put it made it sound like he was the victim who needed to get out of a situation. 

The man took the opportunity with open arms. Everyone liked an excuse for their crimes.

"I… I'm not well off. I needed the money and I was only a temp worker. I was sure they wouldn't give me an extended contract or employ me full-time. What could I have done?" he pleaded to her to understand. 

Qian Meng nodded with false understanding. 

"The employment market is so bleak these days and the person who reached out to me was offering some money that could buffer my expenses."

It made sense. 

"How did they reach out to you?" she asked curiously, not allowing the excitement in her voice to show. 

"I actually knew them from somewhere." He bit his lip. "We met online and… when she offered the money to do it, I just couldn't think of a reason not to." He shrugged. 

Add in love to the mix. This person was full of excuses. 

"Oh, a shame," Qian Meng sighed dramatically. 

The man jumped in shock. "What do you mean?"

"Did you already get the money for the work?" she asked. The man shook his head. "Oh."

"Is that a bad thing?"

Qian Meng looked up from her glass of water. "The company doesn't have a good track record of paying people. Rumor has it, they often delay the salaries of their employees. If they are not paying their employees. I wonder when they will come around to paying you."

She played coy. 

The man's eyes widened. "They won't give me the money?"

He even had the guts to act affronted in front of the woman to whom he had made lose a lot of money.

"I am not saying that," she played. "I don't know. How could I?"

He looked anxious.

"Well, they could also throw you under the bus after paying you. I don't know if the compensation will cover all your living expenses," Qian Meng said with a shrug.