Did Viney really think that just because he bought the machine from them, his reputation in China wouldn’t be affected?

He was dreaming!

"Heh, business with China isn’t something a mere woman like her can call the shots on." A contemptuous sneer appeared on Viney’s face, showing his complete disdain for Xie Changning.

In his eyes, Xie Changning didn’t have the authority to make such a decision.

"You’re right, I don’t have the final say on this matter," Xie Changning admitted. She truly couldn’t make decisions for other factories, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t deal with him.

For instance, her lawyer was collecting evidence right now.

Once they were in court, everything Viney was saying now would become evidence.

Viney shot a smug look at Smith.

Smith, however, didn’t think her words were any reason to underestimate her.

Just because she said that didn’t mean Viney could do anything to her.

"However, when I return, my superiors will surely ask about my time abroad, and I will report everything truthfully. When that happens, I imagine many factories will become quite concerned about after-sales service."

’These foreigners have always been a pain to deal with.’

They just wanted to earn foreign currency, not find themselves a master to serve.

Especially after the Autumn Trade Fair, where Xie Changning had told everyone they didn’t need to be so subservient to foreigners.

From now on, no one would be fawning over them and begging for their business. Their backbones would only get stiffer, and their attitude would become: take it or leave it!

Xie Changning’s words made a vicious glint flash in Viney’s eyes.

"I suggest you keep your mouth shut!"

Viney was different from Smith. Smith was at least a decent human being, but Viney seemed to have no interest in being one at all.

Even on Smith’s turf, he looked ready to get physical with Xie Changning.

Xie Changning met his gaze without a shred of fear. "I’d like to see what you can do to me if I don’t shut my mouth."

Her taunt was met with action. Viney lunged to strike her, but her eyes sharpened as she raised a hand to block his attack, then followed up with a swift kick to his stomach.

Xie Changning was no pushover.

"Ever heard of Chinese Kung Fu?"

The people Xie Changning had brought with her: "?"

Chinese Kung Fu...

’Our director knows Chinese Kung Fu?! Wow! She’s incredible!’

Viney hadn’t expected such a slender woman to possess so much strength.

If Xie Changning had known what he was thinking, she would have scoffed.

’Every factory worker has to have some muscle, don’t they?’

Realizing he was no match for her, Viney abandoned the idea of using brute force. He glared at Xie Changning. "I’m telling you, if you don’t refund me for this machine, you’re not leaving our country!"

’He wasn’t going to let her leave!’

"Wow, holding me captive? By all means, give it a try. See if you can pull it off." Xie Changning’s expression turned cold as she stepped in front of him. "Since we’re not solving anything today, you can get lost."

’He wasn’t here to find a solution anyway. It made no difference whether he was here or not!’

Smith was furious as well. He turned to Xie Changning. "Xie, I honestly had no idea he was this difficult. This has nothing to do with me, he..."

As he was speaking, Smith saw Viney pull out something black.

He never imagined Viney would have brought something like that with him.

Xie Changning’s staff had never seen such a thing before, though the translator and the lawyer, both of whom had studied abroad, appeared much calmer.

Xie Changning turned her head to face Viney.

"Are you declaring war on China?" Xie Changning asked, stepping toward him without the slightest fear of the gun. "You’d better think this through. My superiors know I’m here."

"You’d better be prepared for how the United States will answer to China if you harm me."

Wasn’t Xie Changning afraid?

Of course she was. It wasn’t easy getting a second chance at life, and she wanted to live it peacefully.

But in a situation like this, the more fear she showed, the less likely he was to let her go.

So, Xie Changning resorted to a verbal assault.

’That’s how it always goes in TV dramas and anime,’ she thought. ’As long as the protagonist’s words are effective, they never die.’

’What if I’m the protagonist?’

"Stop trying to scare me! I’m not easily intimidated. You’re just some minor factory director. So what if I kill you?"

"You can try it. See what happens when you kill me."

Businessmen who traveled the world knew that factory directors in China were appointed through official channels.

It wasn’t like the system in their own countries.

This was why Viney was hesitating to pull the trigger.

The moment he fired, there would be no going back. All he wanted was money; now that he couldn’t get it, he couldn’t afford to throw his own life away for it. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"Tell your people to stop what they’re doing, and I’ll let you go," Viney threatened.

Unfortunately for him, Xie Changning wasn’t easily intimidated.

While he was speaking, Xie Changning suddenly shot a kick at his wrist. Before Viney could react, a sharp pain shot through his arm, and the gun clattered to the floor.

The lawyer, who had been waiting for an opportunity, rolled between them and snatched the gun.

He gave Viney no chance to retrieve it!

Viney’s eyes looked ready to pop from their sockets. He’d had a weapon, and now he’d lost it!

"Excellent, Mr. Viney. We’ll see you in court." With that, she had one of her men secure the gun.

Then, she had her team put the machine back together before turning her gaze to Viney once more.

Xie Changning’s face was filled with utter disdain for him.

The way she looked at him—like he was a vanquished foe—made Viney roar with frustration, but this time, he didn’t attack.

Without his weapon, attacking Xie Changning would be suicide.

Viney shot Xie Changning one last venomous glare before turning and storming away.

Before he left, he threw a final threat over his shoulder at Xie Changning. "You just wait!"

Xie Changning simply smiled, paying his threat no mind. He could say whatever he wanted; she had come here to win damages, after all.

Seeing that Xie Changning was prepared to wage a long war with Viney, Smith’s face contorted in agony.

’That Viney is such an idiot!’

’The longer Xie Changning stayed, the more money they would lose. Damn it!’

After Viney left, Xie Changning didn’t linger at Smith’s company. Instead, she and her team left for a nearby hotel.

After checking in, her staff couldn’t help but sigh. "This hotel is so expensive..."

The thought of their director footing the bill made them feel the pinch!

’When are these foreigners finally going to pay up!’

’Even the air here feels stifling!’

"Don’t worry. We’re not the ones who will end up paying for this. Someone else is far more anxious than we are." Xie Changning had deliberately chosen a mid-to-high-range hotel precisely to make Smith sweat.

The reason they hadn’t found any other signs of tampering wasn’t because Smith was a good person.

It was because he hadn’t had a chance to do any tampering himself yet.

’He wasn’t that kind of person.’