Song Tang had not encountered such a shameless person in a long time.
Originally, she had planned to simply have a meal with Qiu Meng and use the opportunity to subtly pressure Qian Li.
She did not intend to go all the way and completely ruin the cooperation between Qian Li and Hua Yuan.
After all, if the deal collapsed entirely, Qian Li would no longer feel threatened.
But now that she had seen how shameless Qian Li was, she even felt a little reluctant to let Hua Yuan continue working with him.
If Qian Li ended up tricking Qiu Meng later, would she not be complicit by staying silent?
Song Tang thought for a moment, then looked up at Qiu Meng.
“Ms. Qiu, there is actually another reason I invited you to dinner today.”
Qiu Meng became interested. “Oh? What is it?”
Song Tang answered honestly, “I want to use Hua Yuan to recover a debt from Qian Li.”
She briefly explained the situation.
“Four million, delayed for three years. Qian Li has been deliberately refusing to pay.”
After hearing this, Qiu Meng smiled. “So you want to use our cooperation with him to force repayment?”
Song Tang nodded. “Yes.”
“I originally didn’t intend to really interfere with your cooperation,”
“But Qian Li is not an honest person. If he really partners with you, and later causes trouble for Hua Yuan, I would feel guilty if I knew and said nothing.”
Qiu Meng paused slightly, then smiled.
“Song Tang, you’re even better than I expected.”
Song Tang smiled awkwardly. “Doing business still requires some conscience.”
Admiration filled Qiu Meng’s eyes.
She took out her phone. “Let me help you with this.”
Song Tang looked up in surprise. “Thank you, Ms. Qiu.”
Qiu Meng had already dialed Qian Li.
He picked up instantly.
“Hello, Ms. Qiu.”
Qiu Meng said calmly, “Mr. Qian, I am currently having dinner with Miss Song from Song Group. I heard there is some unfinished business between you and Song Group?”
Qian Li felt a jolt of alarm. Song Tang had actually brought this up, and even got Qiu Meng involved?
“Ms. Qiu, it’s nothing serious, just a small misunderstanding. It won’t affect our cooperation.”
Qiu Meng replied lightly, “Whether it affects it or not depends on whether you resolve that issue.”
Qian Li quickly said, “It can be resolved. Today. I will handle it today.”
Qiu Meng responded, “Alright. That’s all.”
She ended the call decisively.
Song Tang was pleasantly surprised. “Thank you so much, Ms. Qiu. I appreciate you personally making the call.”
Qiu Meng smiled. “It was nothing.”
Song Tang asked again, “Are you still planning to continue cooperating with Qian Li?”
Qiu Meng nodded. “Our cooperation is almost finalized. But we are not worried that Qian Li would dare to play tricks.”
Song Tang understood immediately.
Hua Yuan was backed by a powerful force, and it was rumored to have connections with Lin Group.
Qian Li dared to owe Song Group money precisely because Song Group was seen as a newly risen company without a strong background.
But he would never dare to offend Hua Yuan.
Song Tang took a sip of tea, silently making a decision in her heart.
She had to build her career properly.
She needed to make Song Group stronger so that no one would ever dare bully them again.
At that moment, her phone suddenly vibrated.
It was a message from Song Zhenkun.
Song Zhenkun: 【Good daughter, Qian Li transferred the money. Four million two hundred thousand. He said the extra two hundred thousand is interest.】
Song Zhenkun: 【Amazing, my daughter! How did you do it?】
Song Tang could almost imagine her father’s excited expression through the text.
She replied with a smile.
【Just used a small trick.】
After sending it, she put the phone aside and continued chatting with Qiu Meng.
A while later, while Qiu Meng was speaking, her gaze suddenly shifted past Song Tang toward the entrance.
She raised her hand and waved.
“Yanchen, over here.”
Song Tang’s hand holding the teacup paused.
Yanchen? Which Yanchen?
She slowly turned her head.
A man was walking in from the entrance.
Tall and straight, wearing a white shirt and black trousers, his expression calm and distant.
It was none other than Lin Yanchen.
Why was he here?
And how did Qiu Meng know him?
“Surprise?” Qiu Meng asked with a smile.
Song Tang turned back, meeting Qiu Meng’s amused expression.
There was only shock, no surprise at all.
Qiu Meng continued, “Lin Yanchen is my cousin.”
“He’s been busy lately. Haven’t you two not seen each other for a while? I specifically called him here for a meal.”
Cousins?
Song Tang understood immediately.
The rumors were true. Hua Yuan really had ties to Lin Group.
And not just ties, but actual family relations.
No wonder Qiu Meng dared to cooperate with Qian Li. No matter how bold he was, he would never dare offend Lin Group.
Song Tang forced a smile. “What a surprise, I didn’t know you two were cousins.”
Qiu Meng nodded. “Yes, real cousins. His father is my uncle.”
“I see. What a coincidence,” Song Tang said politely.
At this moment, Lin Yanchen had already reached the table and was about to sit next to Qiu Meng.
But Qiu Meng stopped him.
“Hey, why are you sitting here?”
She pointed at the seat next to Song Tang.
“Shouldn’t you sit with your girlfriend? Honestly, you’re so dense.”
No wonder he was still single for so long before finally getting a girlfriend.
No sense at all.
Song Tang quickly said, “It’s fine, Ms. Qiu.”
Lin Yanchen sitting here was actually fine, just not next to her.
But Qiu Meng smiled. “You can just call me Sister Meng. Maybe we’ll all become family someday.”
Song Tang thought silently, absolutely impossible.
But she still said, “Alright, Sister Meng.”
Lin Yanchen naturally sat down beside Song Tang.
Song Tang was speechless. Was he really this obedient to his cousin?
Qiu Meng added, “Song Tang, being with my cousin must not be easy for you.”
Song Tang glanced at Lin Yanchen and answered honestly.
“It is a bit difficult.”
She had never seen such a strange boyfriend before.
Clearly her nominal boyfriend, yet colder than a stranger when they met.
She wanted to break up, but he refused, always wearing a cold expression.
Acting all mysterious.
Lin Yanchen glanced at her briefly upon hearing this.
Song Tang met his gaze directly.
What? Was she wrong?
Lin Yanchen raised his eyebrows slightly and looked away, refusing to engage.
Qiu Meng watched the interaction, her smile deepening.
“Alright, everyone’s here. Let’s eat.”
The dishes were already ordered when Song Tang and Qiu Meng were talking.
Shortly after, the food was served.
Steamed sea bass, salted pepper prawns, garlic vegetables, sweet and sour ribs, and a signature clay pot tofu dish were placed on the table, steaming hot.
Song Tang had a good impression of Qiu Meng and took the initiative to ask,
“Sister Meng, have you been here before?”
Qiu Meng shook her head. “No.”
Places like this required introductions from acquaintances, otherwise people were afraid of bad experiences.
“You should try it properly. The food here is really good.”
Song Tang said as she picked up serving chopsticks and placed a piece of fish on Qiu Meng’s plate.
“The steamed sea bass here is especially good.”
Qiu Meng smiled. “Thank you.”
Then she turned to Lin Yanchen.
“See how thoughtful Tangtang is.”
Lin Yanchen gave a faint “heh” and said nothing.
But his peripheral vision landed on Song Tang’s attentive behavior.
This woman had become smarter than before.
Before, Song Tang was simple-minded, only capable of causing trouble. Ignoring her would solve everything.
Now, she could actually win over Qiu Meng’s favor.