Chapter 114: 114, Lin Fan, why aren’t you kneeling yet!

“Whether or not we succeed all comes down to this.”

At that moment, in a corner of the conference hall, Mrs. Xue stood behind their display booth, staring intently at the live stream on her phone with a nervous expression. She was too far from the press conference stage to see the scene clearly, but fortunately, many news outlets were broadcasting live, so she could watch it online.

On the screen, a group of people walked onto the stage, their faces glowing with excitement. They carried various items and came to a stop before Mr. Wang Sr. and the others. The Fang family had prepared a simple basin of clear water, while the Meng family, ever creative, had a plate of chili powder. The Wang family, however, was holding a small iron cage veiled with black gauze. It looked quite mysterious, drawing curious glances from the audience both on and off the stage.

“Lin Fan, I’ve always had a question… How were you so sure they would test the medicine today according to your plan?” Mrs. Xue asked, turning to Lin Fan with suspicion.

Yuan Youwei also looked over, her eyes full of curiosity. After all, if they used the newest batch for the on-site test, its efficacy wouldn’t have deteriorated significantly. In that case, Lin Fan’s entire plan would be ruined.

“I wasn’t entirely sure,” Lin Fan said calmly, shaking his head. “After those nine families got the prescription, the first batch of medicine they made would have undoubtedly used the best ingredients and the most meticulous process. Moreover, they would have immediately found people for clinical trials… If it were you, which batch would you choose?”

At his words, the color drained from Mrs. Xue and Yuan Youwei’s faces, and they clenched their fists nervously. Good heavens, this is a complete gamble! And here you were, acting so confident, as if you had them right where you wanted them!

“But, what if…!” Mrs. Xue was flustered, so angry she wanted to curse. Seeing Lin Fan’s unflappable demeanor only infuriated her more.

“There are no ’what ifs.’ Even if they successfully hold their new product launch, they’ll discover the quality issues later and will still have to come begging me,” Lin Fan remained indifferent, turning to give Yuan Youwei a reassuring glance.

“…Right, Lin Fan is correct. It’s only a matter of time. Mrs. Xue, there’s no need to worry so much,” Yuan Youwei said, managing a weak smile to comfort her.

“Miss, but if that happens, our booth will become a complete joke!” Mrs. Xue’s face went pale with rage, and she stamped her foot. The two of them weren’t worried at all. It made her feel like she was panicking for nothing while they remained calm. The emperor isn’t worried, but the eunuchs are frantic!

“Lin Fan doesn’t care because he’s thick-skinned, but Miss, your image and the Yuan family’s reputation will be severely damaged! It might even get exposed online!”

“That’s right! You scheming people deserve to be exposed!”

Before Yuan Youwei could respond, a harsh voice cut in from the restroom entrance a few meters away. Su Mengqing strode toward them, clutching a janitor’s uniform in one hand and her phone in the other. A venomous, cold smile played on her lips, her eyes glinting with the triumphant glee of someone who had seen through everything.

“Su Mengqing! What… What did you hear? You were hiding by the restroom, eavesdropping!” Mrs. Xue was stunned for a moment before her expression changed drastically.

Yuan Youwei shot to her feet, her face grim. They had thought the area was deserted and never imagined someone might be in the restroom. And of all people, it had to be Su Mengqing, who despised Lin Fan and had overheard their entire secret conversation!

“Su Mengqing, what do you think you’re doing?” Yuan Youwei asked coolly, her gaze flicking to Su Mengqing’s phone. “If you pretend you heard nothing, I can make an exception and let Su Gang and Yang Tingting off the hook.”

This was the most critical moment of Lin Fan’s plan. If Su Mengqing exposed them to Mr. Wang Sr., it would all be for nothing. Their hearts sank as Yuan Youwei and Mrs. Xue exchanged a nervous glance.

“Heh, those two ungrateful wretches don’t care if I live or die, so why should I care about them!” Su Mengqing spat resentfully, her eyes shifting to the live stream on the phone at the booth. Onstage, the hosts were inviting audience members up to test the medicine. The crowd was laughing and bustling, creating a lively scene.

“Lin Fan! You never expected this, did you? That you would fall into my hands?” Su Mengqing sneered, looking up at Lin Fan with a face full of hatred.

“Su Mengqing, do you think you have me cornered and can do whatever you want with me?” Lin Fan asked, his expression placid as he shook his head at her resentful, bloodshot eyes. He had noticed someone eavesdropping by the restroom much earlier and had guessed it was likely Su Mengqing, but he hadn’t paid it any mind. “If you think you can use this to control me, then go right ahead.”

“Heh, keep pretending! Just keep putting on a show for me!” Su Mengqing’s lips curled into a disdainful sneer. “Let me tell you something. I’ve already written a text to Mr. Wang Sr. One press of the send button, and your vicious little plan will go up in smoke! Does that make you angry? Then beg me. Kneel down, kowtow, and beg me to be merciful and spare you!”

Her gaze shifted to Yuan Youwei and Mrs. Xue. “And if you think you’re so shameless you have nothing to lose, can you really watch these two become laughingstocks right alongside you?”

After her loud threat, Su Mengqing lifted her chin, her eyes filled with cold pride. “Kneel, Lin Fan! Your time is running out!”

At these words, Yuan Youwei’s composure finally shattered. She shot Mrs. Xue a look. With a grim expression, Mrs. Xue’s eyes narrowed as she prepared to rush forward and snatch the phone.

“Don’t even think about it! One step closer and I’ll press it!” Su Mengqing cried out, retreating warily as she sensed their intent.

“Su Mengqing, if you dare to ruin Lin Fan’s plan, you will face consequences you cannot afford!” Yuan Youwei was furious, her beautiful face turning to ice. Her heart was a whirlwind of anger and anxiety.

“What consequences could possibly be worse than my current situation? You’re all driving me to my death! What do I have left to fear?” Su Mengqing laughed with venom, but her eyes remained fixed firmly on Lin Fan. She had personally witnessed his skills, which were as mysterious as they were unpredictable. If Lin Fan made a sudden move, she knew she wouldn’t have time to react.

Hearing this, Yuan Youwei’s face darkened, and she didn’t know what to do. She could only exchange a glance with Mrs. Xue before they both turned to the still-indifferent Lin Fan.

One second, two seconds, three seconds passed… The atmosphere grew increasingly tense and oppressive.

“Lin Fan, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and kneel! Beg for mercy!” Su Mengqing was also getting anxious and couldn’t stop herself from urging him harshly. If this dragged on any longer, the official drug test at the press conference would begin.

“I’m waiting for you to send that text to Mr. Wang Sr. and rat me out. If you don’t send it soon, you’ll run out of time,” Lin Fan replied, his expression utterly calm. His indifferent gaze was like he was looking at an idiot.

“Fine! Then don’t blame me for being ruthless! You brought this upon yourself!” Su Mengqing’s breath hitched, so choked with rage she felt her lungs might burst. His detached response felt like punching cotton—utterly futile. It was infuriating, leaving her feeling deeply aggrieved and indignant. What are you playing at, Lin Fan? Do you really think I don’t have the guts to do it?!

In a fit of rage, her fingers began to tremble. As Yuan Youwei and Mrs. Xue watched with horrified expressions, she viciously slammed her finger down on the send button.

BEEP—!

Almost at the same instant, on the distant product launch stage, Mr. Wang Sr. instinctively pulled out his buzzing phone.

“Su Mengqing? What’s this all about, texting me now… Hmph.” Mr. Wang Sr. looked slightly annoyed as he glanced at the screen, preparing to put his phone away.

“Mr. Wang Sr., Lin Fan tampered with the medicine! There’s a quality issue with your new product! Cancel the press conference immediately!”

However, the corner of his eye caught the message’s content. Mr. Wang Sr. froze, his heart sinking. Su Mengqing and Lin Fan have completely fallen out; she has no reason to lie to me. What if she really did discover something?!

“Mr. Wang Sr., what’s wrong?” The Family Heads of the Fang and Meng families, standing beside him, sensed something was amiss. They leaned in and asked quietly.

“It’s nothing. Let’s continue. Heh,” Mr. Wang Sr. said with a wave of his hand after a brief hesitation. What a joke. How could we possibly stop the press conference at this stage? But… I can’t shake this feeling of unease. To be safe, it’s better to be cautious.

“Change the medicine,” he gritted his teeth and instructed in a low voice. “Use the finished products from the first batch our three families produced. The demonstration effect should be better.”

“Alright, let’s switch to the best batch we made.” The other two exchanged a look and nodded in tacit agreement.

The first production batch used the best ingredients and the most meticulous manufacturing process. Although using it for the test sample wasn’t representative of the product’s average quality and verged on exaggeration, the demonstration effect would undoubtedly be immediate. It was guaranteed to stun everyone in the audience.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep