Miss Beautiful C.E.O and her system-Chapter 689: Mistreatment?

Leaving behind her subordinates, Ling Qingyu followed the deputy minister inside. The latter wanted to argue that she could bring along two personal bodyguards, but thinking about the well-armed operators, he refrained from speaking.

He couldn't invite a team of armed personnel inside and risk frightening his superior, could he? Xiao Yue paced behind and observed the changing expressions at lightning speed.

She chuckled and inwardly gave a thumbs-up. Ling Qingyu's powerful, pretentious aura flooded the surroundings and affected everyone.

The deputy minister tried to warm up and chose topics to please Ling Qingyu, who reciprocated politely as if the previous sternness hadn't come from her.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yue spoke to waste time. "Poor Azi. She has a big aircraft but no opportunity to show her skills."

"What do you mean, shortie?" Ling Qingyu raised her brow. The conversation didn't affect the duo's walking pace. They were conversing in their mother tongue.

"You didn't fulfill what you promised, Miss President," Xiao Yue chuckled.

"It's not like there are so many aircraft waiting to fly. I'll send her a Virgin to shut her up," Ling Qingyu snorted. "Besides, who knew I'd get an entire crew ready?"

"Anyway, don't forget to plug the holes you've dug," Xiao Yue lightly patted Ling Qingyu's shoulder and blew away imaginary dust.

Ling Qingyu snorted and muffled her laugh. Xiao Yue's dark expression only fueled her amusement further. The scene would have been warmer if Xiao Yue weren't tiptoeing to support Ling Qingyu.

The two's height disparity wasn't so much and Xiao Yue wasn't short, frankly. Daily banter created the comedy.

The two didn't continue deeper topics. No one could be certain whether a monitoring party was present.

Of course, Athena could blind electronics, but she couldn't stop a living being. Like now, the woman following behind, one of them, spoke in her native language—clearly reporting what she and Xiao Yue were saying.

Not that it mattered, since Ling Qingyu didn't give a damn if her every word was reported. She was mature enough to know how to behave in public and avoid traps.

Sure enough, Athena, who was guarding her electronically, reported the hidden communication between the deputy minister and the woman.

Every word was translated. The deputy minister didn't slow down or change his facial expression.

Judging by the conversation, they should have known they would gain nothing more from casual chatter.

If these ministers, officials, and intelligence agents worked in the entertainment industry, no artist would survive the pure mental assault.

After so many twists and turns, to the point that Ling Qingyu was growing impatient, the small group finally arrived.

Even though the location wasn't as big as her residence, the walking tour was a nuisance.

From Athena's analysis, why not park the convoy closer to the destination instead of taking such a long walk?

If that wasn't possible, there was at least the option of riding on an electric golf cart.

Perhaps noting her emotions, the minister offered comfort: "Sorry, Milady. To ensure the best results from future discussions and to entertain you, we've chosen the finest spot."

"I understand, Your Excellency. Time is of the essence," Ling Qingyu nodded perfunctorily and expressed her dissatisfaction bluntly. "We'd better meet with your highly busy Excellency."

"Ah," the deputy minister didn't expect her to be so direct—particularly her tone.

In Ling Qingyu's opinion, it was mandatory to give due respect, but if she sensed manipulation, she wouldn't be kind.

Perhaps her tone might differ when speaking to a powerful nation, one she had to look up to, holding in the grudge and then behaving accordingly.

Nonetheless, if the situation had led to this scenario, she wasn't far from screwed because she wouldn't even visit in the first place, facing misdemeanors and suffering hidden attacks.

She had her pride, and wouldn't break her spine to cater to others' desire. She would rather cut all connections and suffered a loss when meeting these types.

But what was the status of Country E? A sovereign nation on the verge of becoming stateless.

She had obliged and treated everyone without the slightest contempt or prejudice.

Not to mention, she wasn't naïve enough to believe the walking trip wasn't intentional. The arrangement had been made long ago, when she notified them of her visit.

Even if extraordinary measures were implemented due to the recent terrorist attack, there were still alternatives to welcome her.

If the superior was truly busy managing high-stakes matters, she might have even admired him and later offered support, overlooking the unpleasantness.

But here, she was being treated as if she owed Country E compensation, while the waiting party seemed to be enjoying themselves in peace—and, who knew—perhaps watching her like an animal in a zoo.

Furthermore, with Miss System's hand, she had provided aid and funding. She was their investor, not the other way around or donors in other sense because their treasury increased from her action.

So far, she had yet to gain any benefit, aside from the option to buy islands. No parties owed another.

Respect was essential but had to be mutual. Her status didn't doom her to lick others' boots.

Such power plays, Ling Qingyu had already foreseen and steeled her emotions against. But experiencing it firsthand, she was deeply annoyed despite her preparedness.

The best response was to deter such behavior by expressing nonchalance and maintaining an emotionless state—to confuse the other party's encroachment.

Seeing Ling Qingyu's cold, chilling eyes, the deputy minister felt something catch in his throat, until the woman accompanying the group nudged him awake.

"Sorry, Ma'am. Forgive our impoliteness. Before we enter, we must conduct a body search to ensure the safety of our leader," the minister said, gritting his teeth and forcing out the words despite the dropping temperature.

The woman before him shouldn't be underestimated. He sensed terror just from the eye contact.

The information they had gathered was more than likely falsified. They must not treat her as a mere businesswoman.

In fact, nobody truly considered her as such, given the amount of donated funds in their treasury.

Xiao Yue sneered and waited for Ling Qingyu's response. She knew her pride and emotions too well.

She was too familiar with this naughty woman. Though Ling Qingyu acted servile around close peers and polite without prejudice, full of humanity, the arrogance built into her bones bowed to no one.

This type of person was extreme when it came to emotional entanglement. Sincerity was the only key—not threats, coercion, or manipulation.

They repaid everything tenfold, whether positive or negative, and were a rare breed in the business and political world.

Apologies from them were nearly as rare as extinct species. Naturally, most of the time, they were righteous and rarely made unbearable mistakes that warranted one.

If a mistake was too obvious, they would not hesitate. But unless they saw themselves in the wrong, they stood tall.

They would rather quit and start over elsewhere to make a comeback than bow down just to make life easier.

In short, such people were despised by manipulative individuals—aka those in politics and business, who needed obedient followers and tools, not idealists with strong hearts to ruin their interests.

Tensions grew as neither party elicited a word.

Silence created palpitations. Just when the minister was about to speak again, Ling Qingyu chuckled. 'I've come here with good gestures and haven't complained a single word since the airport attack. Even the long walk, enough to wear down others, I endured patiently. Now you want to pat me and my sister down? A dignified guest? This isn't going to end well. You should remember today and recall this moment in the future.'

Of course, Ling Qingyu didn't speak out loud but vented psychologically. She inhaled and took a moment of three breaths to stay steady, unbothered, unaffected.

Nonetheless, she wasn't going to take it lightly. The matter of pat-down under the excuse of safety pissed her off.

Perhaps this was a simple requirement and a necessary step, but the previous treatment had already overturned Ling Qingyu's tolerance.

Some might ask, if there was nothing, why bother? No—this was a matter of dignity and strength, a silent power struggle to rank people.

She looked the deputy minister straight in the eye.

"One inch for me, I will give one yard, Your Excellency," said Ling Qingyu.

"Please, ma'am. I know it's uncomfortable…

"But surely you understand—it's not personal. This is standard procedure for any foreign dignitary meeting with our head of state. I assure you, it's only for everyone's safety," the deputy minister said, his tone cautious.

"With all due respect, Your Excellency," she said evenly, her voice calm but cold, "I understand the need for protocol. But I have not flown here, risked my safety, and walked half a city block just to be subjected to suspicion like a criminal."

The minister opened his mouth to explain, but Ling Qingyu raised a hand slightly—stopping him mid-sentence.

"If this is non-negotiable," she continued, still composed, "then I will return to my aircraft. Cancel everything. Your government can enjoy the aid I've already granted. I'll be happy to keep future conversations strictly over the phone. That way, no one here will have to feel... uncomfortable. It's not important anyway."

Her words dropped like stones into the silence. Not loud, not emotional—but decisive and final. No shouting, no fuss.

That last word felt heavier than any accusation.

Hehe, spend her money without reciprocity? They must be seeking death.

Perhaps they were expecting her to grieve herself into giving an opportunity to meet with them so that her other goals could be achieved.

They thought too much. She had no goals whatsoever for a broken nation she could destroy with a few hidden moves.

"Madam Ling, I'm just following the protocol, please don't make us difficult—"

"But if you believe laying hands on me or my sister is acceptable, then I fear our understandings differ too greatly to proceed today. And should anyone inquire why future aid or investment or cooperations has vanished, I'll simply ask them to consult today's entry logs."

A naked threat, a clear warning. Pawns must have the knowledge of being useful. Could the minister bear the aftermath and responsibility?