At the villa’s entrance, Li Quan looked uncertainly at Li Feng stepping out of the QQ car. In just a few days, he almost didn’t recognize him. Li Feng’s demeanor and presence had undergone a dramatic transformation.
Li Quan was puzzled. How could Li Feng have changed so much?
“What, don’t recognize me anymore?” Li Feng glanced at Li Quan, a glint in his eyes. Several days had passed since the Emperor’s Pavilion incident, and it seemed the other side had already planned their next move.
“No, it’s just that in a few days, Young Master Feng’s complexion has gotten even better,” Li Quan hurriedly said.
His words sounded like something you’d say to a woman, awkward no matter how you heard it, leaving Li Feng somewhat helpless. This was the one thing he couldn’t change.
With a light chuckle, Li Feng said, “It’s been a while since I came by. Li Quan, what brings you here today?”
“Young Master Feng, Young Master Liu said he offended you at the Emperor’s Pavilion last time and wants to apologize in person. He’s wondering when you’re free to meet,” Li Quan said.
Apologize? Li Feng sneered inwardly. At the Emperor’s Pavilion, he had nearly taken Liu Shichao’s life. Not only was Liu Shichao not seeking revenge, but he wanted to apologize? Who would believe that?
“No need.” Li Feng waved his hand dismissively. His focus now was on quickly recovering his strength, not playing games with these small fries.
“Young Master Feng, Young Master Liu is sincere this time. He specifically asked me to ensure you give him a chance to apologize,” Li Quan said urgently. He didn’t know what had happened at the Emperor’s Pavilion, unaware that Liu Shichao’s fainting was related to Li Feng. He could only curse Liu Shichao inwardly as useless, unable to handle even a small matter.
Li Feng stopped, turning to look at Li Quan, his voice low. “Li Quan, how have I treated you?”
Li Quan’s heart skipped a beat, caught off guard by the sudden question. Fortunately, he was quick-witted and said, “Young Master Feng has treated me like a brother.”
Though it was a spur-of-the-moment response, it was true. In Li Feng’s memories, his former self had treated Li Quan like a brother, both in Yanjing and here in Tianhai City. Li Feng had been exceptionally good to him.
But Li Quan? Ungrateful and treacherous. Despite Li Feng’s immense kindness, Li Quan had betrayed him, secretly scheming against him multiple times.
“If that’s the case, why don’t you represent me to accept Liu Shichao’s apology?” Li Feng said with a faint smile.
“Young Master Feng, you’re joking. How could I represent you?” Li Quan breathed a sigh of relief, thinking Li Feng might have discovered something. But now, it seemed he was overthinking. Li Feng was just a useless fool—how could he know what Li Quan had done behind his back?
At the same time, he felt a surge of anger. To think he’d been scared by this good-for-nothing Li Feng. When had he become so timid?
But what did Li Feng mean by having him represent him? This was unprecedented. No matter how useless Li Feng was, his status was undeniable. Who would dare represent him? Li Quan dreamed of taking his place, but he knew that as long as Li Feng was alive, with the Li family and his parents backing him, that was impossible.
“If I say you can, you can,” Li Feng said firmly, leaving no room for argument. “Li Quan, I know you’ve been helping me all these years. Without you, I’d have made countless mistakes. I, Li Feng, am not ungrateful. From now on, I’ll do my best to support you, ensuring you enjoy wealth and glory.”
His words sounded heartfelt, but Li Feng felt nauseated hearing himself. Anyone unaware might think he and Li Quan were as close as brothers.
“But, but…” Li Quan stammered.
“No buts. It’s settled,” Li Feng said, patting Li Quan’s shoulder. “Li Quan, I have no choice. I’m really too busy. So you have to help me with this. Whatever benefits Liu Shichao offers, they’re yours.”
“What?” Li Quan nearly cried. If Li Feng didn’t go, his efforts would be for nothing. He’d made big promises to Liu Shichao. “Young Master Feng, you’re kidding, right? How could you not have time?”
Though he didn’t know what Li Feng was thinking, he had to make him go. He’d made plans beforehand, and if Li Feng didn’t show, they’d be ruined.
Li Feng said helplessly, “It’s your sister-in-law. She’s been nagging me to go to work every day. These past few days, I’ve stayed in the villa claiming illness, but she’s getting impatient. Starting tomorrow, I’ll probably have to go to the company.”
Li Quan sneered inwardly. He’d heard Li Feng had gone to Xiangfeng Investment Company recently, likely at Hu Yuanyuan’s or his parents’ urging. But Li Feng’s abilities were limited. He could handle small tasks, but as a company vice president? He’d likely fail.
More importantly, Hu Yuanyuan’s disdain for Li Feng was no secret. If Li Feng spent too much time at the company, she’d probably be even less pleased. As for why she was pushing him to work, it was likely due to pressure from both families.
Hearing Li Feng call Hu Yuanyuan his sister-in-law, Li Quan’s sneer deepened. Li Feng and Hu Yuanyuan were engaged, their families both powerful. Marriage was inevitable unless something drastic happened. But Li Quan knew Hu Yuanyuan’s attitude ensured they’d never be together. Li Feng dreaming of a family with her was delusional.
Moreover, the Li family was vast and influential, and Li Feng, as a direct heir, was both prominent and seemingly useless. For the family’s future and control, many wanted him out of the picture.
Li Feng likely didn’t know how many assassination attempts he’d faced since birth. If not for the Li family’s bodyguards protecting him in secret, he’d have died countless times. This fool thought he lived in a lawful society, oblivious to reality’s cruelty.
At the same time, Li Quan felt intense resentment. Why was Li Feng, this useless fool, the Li family’s direct heir, backed by a powerful family and engaged to a beautiful woman like Hu Yuanyuan? Meanwhile, Li Quan, a collateral member, had to grovel and flatter to survive.
Every time he thought of this, his hatred for Li Feng grew.
What Li Quan didn’t know was that Li Feng and Hu Yuanyuan were already married. He assumed they lived together to build affection, per their parents’ wishes.
Hearing that Hu Yuanyuan was pushing Li Feng to work, even if it was under parental pressure, made Li Quan feel uneasy. A voice in his head urged him to sabotage this. Li Feng and Hu Yuanyuan living under the same roof at night was bad enough, even if nothing happened. But working together during the day? Unacceptable.
No matter how useless Li Feng was, he was still a man. Facing a beauty like Hu Yuanyuan, how could he not be tempted? If he won her over, wouldn’t that be a huge loss?
“Young Master Feng, you can’t go to work,” Li Quan said urgently.
“Why not? If I don’t work, how can I bond with your sister-in-law?” Li Feng said insincerely.
In truth, he was troubled by this. Since developing the new smart chip, Hu Yuanyuan wanted him at the company daily. He’d been dodging with excuses, but he knew he couldn’t keep that up.
“Think about it, Young Master Feng. If you work, you’ll be swamped with endless tasks, no time to eat, let alone have fun. Think of those girls at the Emperor’s Pavilion. If you’re working, you won’t have time to see them,” Li Quan said.
“Those girls can’t compare to your sister-in-law in looks or figure. Besides, if my parents found out I went to the Emperor’s Pavilion, they’d kill me,” Li Feng said, shaking his head with dissatisfaction. “I don’t want to work either. Can’t you come up with a better idea?”
A glint of killing intent flashed in Li Quan’s eyes. How dare Li Feng compare the Emperor’s Pavilion girls to Hu Yuanyuan? What poor taste. Then, he rejoiced inwardly. If those words reached Hu Yuanyuan, her disdain for Li Feng would deepen, giving him a chance.
Li Quan’s small eyes darted as sinister schemes flashed through his mind.
