Within a private manor, nestled by mountains and water, boasting a picturesque view.
Elder Li, Li Qinghe, and Li Jianwen waited anxiously.
They couldn't bring themselves to repeatedly rush him, as they were the ones asking for a favor. The appointed time had long passed, yet Secretary Zhuang, whom they were waiting for, was still nowhere to be seen.
After another two or three hours, bitter and humiliated expressions crept onto both of their faces.
They were once again keenly aware of the Li Family's decline. Since when did someone Elder Li personally invited dare to keep him waiting for so long?
As moonlight began to fall, a Volkswagen sedan finally drove up slowly.
A young chauffeur jogged over to open the car door. An elderly man with a noble air stepped out and said immediately, "Brother Qinghe, my sincerest apologies. I was stuck in a meeting until just now. I've made you wait."
Elder Li greeted him with a smile. "Not at all, not at all! It's remarkable enough that Brother Zhong Jia could find time in his busy schedule to come. I have a bottle of fine wine I've treasured for a long time, and I specifically invited you to share it!"
At the same time, he whispered to Li Jianwen, "Jianwen. You can have them start serving the food."
Secretary Zhuang, Zhuang Zhongjia, gave a wry smile. "Brother Qinghe, please wait!"
He took out his cigarettes, offered one to Li Qinghe, and slowly lit one for himself. The two old men stood there smoking at the manor entrance.
Zhuang Zhongjia took a deep drag and spoke frankly. "Brother Li, I have never forgotten that you saved my life all those years ago. If you're in trouble, just say the word. As long as it's within my humble power to help, we can always enjoy this fine wine later."
Zhuang Zhongjia's words made Li Qinghe's heart clench, but for the sake of the Li Clan, he had to ask.
"To be honest, I do have a favor to ask... It's about the Qingtian International project. I was hoping Brother Zhuang could help mediate on behalf of the Li Clan."
Zhuang Zhongjia tossed his cigarette butt to the ground and ground it out fiercely with his shoe.
He took a deep breath and said, "Brother Li, our friendship is a matter of life and death. If it were anyone else, I'd make an empty promise to placate them. But with you, I can only be direct. I really can't get involved in this matter! I'm powerless!"
Seeing Li Qinghe's stunned expression, Zhuang Zhongjia quickly explained, "I'm just a minor secretary now; I don't have that much influence. As for who wins the bid for the Qingtian project, that's entirely up to the project head, Zhao Wenxuan."
"The Zhao Family is a truly great family. In this little corner of the world that is Jiangzhou, no one can sway the Zhao Family's decisions. Besides, the Zhao Family has already hinted that the project is internally slated for the Huang Family. Who can argue? The Huang Family is the strongest in Jiangzhou right now."
Li Qinghe's thoughts were in turmoil. He only snapped out of it when the cigarette in his hand burned his fingers.
"Does that mean the Li Family has no hope at all? We've bet everything on this project. If there's any way, please, Brother Zhuang, give us some guidance!"
Li Qinghe's gaze was imploring!
From what he'd gathered over the past two days, he knew Li Jianwen had already staked the Li Family's entire future on this project. They had turned down numerous other projects to consolidate their capital. If this bid failed, the Li Family would be stuck in a state of financial stagnation for a long time. They would just keep burning through large sums of money, with their income and expenses severely imbalanced.
Secretary Zhuang lit another cigarette and said, "It's not that there's no way. The bidding hasn't started yet, so there's still hope. The one from the Zhao Family who came to oversee the project is Zhao Wenxuan. He's famously old-fashioned. If the Li Family can catch his eye, then who wins the bid is still up to him."
Upon hearing this, Li Qinghe immediately said, "Brother Zhuang, could you perhaps make an introduction for me? If you can, I will reward you handsomely!"
Zhuang Zhongjia raised a hand and waved it dismissively. "How could I have that much face? Brother Li, you'll have to work on this yourself! I won't stay for the wine. It's getting late, so I'll be heading back. No need to see me out!"
With that, Zhuang Zhongjia got back into the car, and the Volkswagen sped away.
Li Qinghe didn't try to stop him, knowing some things couldn't be forced. Secretary Zhuang could have arranged a meeting with Zhao Wenxuan of the Zhao Family, but he refused. The only reason he even came today to say these words was because of the life-debt from years ago. Some bonds simply fade.
Li Jianwen walked over. He had also heard what Zhuang Zhongjia said.
With resentment in his eyes, he said indignantly, "That Secretary Zhuang is so disrespectful. He wouldn't drink the wine, wouldn't eat the food, and just left?"
Li Qinghe murmured, "The fact that he came at all was him giving us face. And he brought us crucial information. A declining Li Family isn't worth him risking offending the Zhao Family to help us!"
Li Jianwen's brow furrowed. "Dad, what do we do now?"
"We'll have to find another way to get close to this Zhao Wenxuan from the Zhao Family. We should find out what he likes and cater to his tastes."
Gazing into the distance, Li Qinghe's expression was unreadable.
...
Meanwhile, Chen Dong was following the men in black and had just reached the staircase.
When he heard a loud SMASH! followed by a series of gasps.
Xu Qing roared furiously, "Huang Tao! What do you think you're doing?"
Chen Dong turned to see Wang Hao clutching his head in pain. Shards of a broken bottle were scattered around him, and several of their colleagues looked on in fear.
Opposite them stood six or seven young men. The leader had a sinister look in his eyes and was still holding the neck of a broken bottle.
Huang Tao bellowed, "Last time, this scumbag Wang Hao dared to ruin my plans. I've finally caught him today! None of you think you're going anywhere!"
As he spoke, he reached out with his other hand to touch Xu Qing's face, leering. "Sister Xu, you've changed your usual style. You're actually quite a looker. Why don't you spend the night with me? If you do, I'll let these guys go. And if you know how to please me, big brother here will reward you handsomely!"
Xu Qing slapped his hand away and cursed, "Take a good look at yourself! Get the hell away from me..."
Wang Hao pulled Xu Qing back and stood up. "I'll go with you! This has nothing to do with them!"
Huang Tao dropped the broken bottle neck, grabbed another bottle from a table, and raised it, preparing to smash it over Wang Hao's head again.
Xu Qing and the others looked on in terror. Wang Hao shut his eyes, not even daring to dodge.
Just as Wang Hao's head was about to get a second helping, a hand clamped down on Huang Tao's wrist.
It was Chen Dong. His sword-like eyes narrowed at Huang Tao as he spoke in an icy tone, "Are you looking to die?"
Seeing Chen Dong step forward, Wang Hao grew even more panicked and quickly grabbed his wrist.
"Brother Dong, don't! He's the son of the Huang Family's Patriarch. If you hit him, there will be huge trouble!"
Huang Tao nearly pissed himself in fear! Chen Dong's gaze was like a sharp sword that could pierce right through him. In Chen Dong's eyes, he was nothing more than an ant that could be easily crushed!
Wang Hao's words snapped Huang Tao back to his senses. He feigned calmness. "Let go of me. If you dare to touch a single hair on my head, the Huang Family will have you sleeping with the fishes tonight!"
Chen Dong chuckled. 'The mere Huang Family thinks they can threaten me?'
"Mr. Chen, please stay your hand!"
Xiao Kun approached, flanked by several men in black.
Chen Dong snorted coldly, raised his hand, and slapped Huang Tao across the face.
The entire room was stunned!
'How dare he!'
Huang Tao was sent flying by the slap, caught by a few of his lackeys. A bright red handprint appeared on his face as he spat out a mouthful of blood and several teeth.
"You fucking dare to hit me! Get him and kill him!"
Seething with rage, Huang Tao glared at Chen Dong, wanting nothing more than to see him dead that very instant! Hearing the command, his lackeys surged forward!
Xiao Kun, now angry himself, roared, "All of you, stop!"
As soon as Chief Xiao spoke, Huang Tao's lackeys froze. Chen Dong might dare to disrespect Chief Xiao, but they certainly didn't!
"In my territory, right in front of me, what do you think you're doing?"
Xiao Kun didn't direct this at Chen Dong, but roared it at Huang Tao and his group!
Huang Tao gritted his teeth. Retaliating in front of Chief Xiao was impossible, so he just threw out a, "You just wait!" and left the bar with his lackeys.
After Huang Tao and his men left, Xiao Kun enthusiastically came forward to shake Chen Dong's hand. "Mr. Chen, you seem more heroic and extraordinary every time I see you!"
He completely ignored the fact that Chen Dong had just disrespected him.
Chen Dong, in his new clothes, complemented by his sharp, handsome features, truly did possess a heroic air that put countless pretty boys to shame.
So, Chen Dong calmly replied, "What Mr. Xiao says is reasonable."
This response almost caught a wily old fox like Xiao Kun off guard. He then burst out laughing. "Mr. Chen, you really are a straightforward man."
Chen Dong asked, "Didn't Mr. Xiao say you had some news for me?"
Xiao Kun's brow furrowed. "Huang Wenlong of the Huang Family is back. That's why I tried to stop you just now. I didn't want you to make an enemy of the Huang Family. But it seems I was a step too late."
"Huang Wenlong? Who is he, to make even Mr. Xiao so wary?"
"He is the older brother of the Huang Family's Patriarch, Huang Biehe. His pair of iron fists were once unbeatable in Jiangzhou. His strength is astounding."
"The Huang Family was able to grow from a second-rate family into one of Jiangzhou's top-tier families, and Huang Wenlong's contributions to that were even greater than Huang Biehe's. After becoming unbeatable in Jiangzhou, he left to travel in search of a breakthrough. Now that he's returned, he's bound to be even stronger than before."
Chen Dong's sharp brows raised slightly. "How strong can he be?"
Xiao Kun hesitated. "Mr. Chen... I once fought Huang Wenlong a few years ago, and we were evenly matched. Even if he has learned from many masters during his travels and broken through to a new level, if you need it, Mr. Chen, I believe I can still hold him off."
Chen Dong smiled. "Thank you again, Mr. Xiao! But there's no need. Farewell!"
After what had happened, none of them were in the mood to have fun anymore.
After Chen Dong and his friends left, one of the men in black beside Xiao Kun couldn't help but speak up again. "Boss, that kid is truly arrogant. You told him to stop, and he still slapped Huang Tao. Now he's pissed off the Huang Family. He's finished, sooner or later!"
Xiao Kun said with a focused expression, "This is good too. He's on bad terms with the Huang Family now. If we lend a helping hand at a critical moment, he'll surely be moved and owe us a favor. Keep a close watch on Huang Wenlong's movements. I may have to intervene when the time comes."
The man in black replied, "Yes, Boss. But there's still something I don't understand!"
"Fool! His miraculous medical skills alone make him worth befriending. And look how fearless he is—he might have an even greater power backing him. Shouldn't we be doing everything we can to get on his good side?"