The forces behind Tianhai City’s four major families and the secrets hidden within the city were a source of curiosity for everyone, including Li Feng.
From Zhong Shuhui, he had learned that the power controlling Tianhai City was comparable to, or even stronger than, the eight top families. If he didn’t uncover the nature of this force, Li Feng would feel uneasy, unable to rest or eat in peace.
In Li Feng’s view, Tianhai City was his future stronghold. The Li family’s base was in Yanjing, but that belonged to the Li family, not him personally. The Li family was the Li family; he was himself.
To control Tianhai City, he needed to understand this force. Otherwise, who could live comfortably under its shadow?
This business networking event was, for Li Feng, a rare opportunity.
Previously, he had manipulated Liu Shichao not only to deal with the Emperor’s Pavilion but also to probe the forces behind Tianhai City’s four major families.
Unfortunately, Liu Shichao now showed signs of betrayal, which infuriated Li Feng. Liu Shichao, a cowardly, opportunistic playboy, had somehow disregarded the poison in his body. Had someone neutralized it for him?
Li Feng couldn’t figure it out, but he knew one thing: the next time he saw Liu Shichao, he wouldn’t show mercy. Those who betrayed him would never meet a good end.
Zhong Shuhui was currently his top expert, controlling Eagle Eye and someone he planned to rely on heavily. But she was injured now, limiting her effectiveness at the upcoming networking event.
Could the enemy’s goal have been to target Zhong Shuhui, to sever one of his key allies?
Li Feng’s pupils narrowed. Few knew Zhong Shuhui was by his side. For someone to strike at her now suggested it wasn’t a simple attack.
Had Liu Shichao leaked information about Zhong Shuhui?
Li Feng shook his head. Liu Shichao only knew of Zhong Shuhui’s existence, not her true identity or strength. From the ambush, it was clear the attackers knew her capabilities.
Thus, it was certain the ambush was orchestrated by someone familiar with Zhong Shuhui.
Mu Chunfeng had sent Zhong Shuhui to protect him, and now someone wanted her dead. What was the connection?
Li Feng had a rough idea but still had unanswered questions.
“I’m not afraid,” Hu Yuanyuan said. She was only worried about the event’s potential harm to Fengyuan Group; fear wasn’t in her vocabulary.
“That’s the spirit. With us united, what’s there to fear?” Li Feng said, pulling Hu Yuanyuan to sit on the sofa. “This time, let’s turn the networking event upside down.”
“Maybe it’s just your suspicion. It could just be a normal networking event,” Hu Yuanyuan said calmly.
“Even if it’s a suspicion, better to be prepared. Besides, with Fu Yanxiong there, things won’t stay calm,” Li Feng said, pulling out the event’s guest list and pointing to names. “Fu Yanxiong, Qin Feng, Song Zhiyuan, and the Emperor’s Pavilion’s special representative, Ye Fei. With these people showing up, even if there’s no scheme, they won’t let me off easily.”
“Li Feng, you’ve got so many enemies you can barely count them on two hands,” Hu Yuanyuan sighed. “I don’t know how you manage to stir up so much trouble. With this many enemies, can you even sleep at night?”
“Yeah, I often can’t sleep well,” Li Feng said, grabbing her hand with a grin. “So, Yuanyuan, starting tonight, I’ll sleep holding you to feel at ease.”
Hu Yuanyuan rolled her eyes, raising her fist playfully.
“I’m serious,” Li Feng said, catching her hand with a smile. “Yuanyuan, you know, these past few days without you, you’ve been all I could think about.”
“Hmph, smooth talker. How many girls have you tricked with that mouth?” Hu Yuanyuan snorted.
“So, Yuanyuan wants a taste of my tongue? You should’ve said so,” Li Feng said, feigning realization. With a tug, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply before she could react.
“Mmph…”
Hu Yuanyuan’s eyes widened, stunned. She’d just seen Fu Yanxiong’s despicable side, but Li Feng was proving even more shameless.
Savoring the kiss until she was breathless, Li Feng finally released her, grinning. “Yuanyuan, did you put honey on your lips? So sweet.”
“Li Feng, can you be any more shameless?” Hu Yuanyuan glared at him, but before he could respond, she quickly added, “Let’s talk business. You think someone will target our company at the event. Is it Fu Yanxiong and his group? They’re your enemies.”
“If it were just them, I wouldn’t be worried,” Li Feng said, knowing when to stop joking. “Fu Yanxiong only wants the chemical machines. Qin Feng and the Emperor’s Pavilion are more interested in me than Fengyuan Group. Song Zhiyuan is currently an ally. They’re not my concern.”
“Then what are you worried about?” Hu Yuanyuan asked, puzzled. She’d assumed it was Fu Yanxiong’s group causing trouble. If they were targeting Li Feng personally, the impact on the company would be limited.
“I’m worried about the others, like Tianhai City’s top hundred companies,” Li Feng replied.
“Them? How could they?” Hu Yuanyuan asked incredulously. “Why would they target our company?”
“This networking event is essentially a redistribution of Tianhai City’s commercial resources. Isn’t our Smart One part of those resources? If they demand you hand it over, what will you do?” Li Feng asked.
“They’re dreaming. Smart One is the foundation of Fengyuan Group’s survival. Why should we give it to them?” Hu Yuanyuan snorted.
“But what if they force you? Anything could happen at this event,” Li Feng said gravely. “Zhong Shuhui told me that years ago, someone opposed this, but behind Tianhai’s four major families is an incredibly powerful force that once destroyed a first-class family.”
“What? That’s impossible!” Hu Yuanyuan’s face paled. Even her Hu family wasn’t a first-class family. To think the force behind Tianhai’s four families could destroy one stronger than hers was shocking.
What kind of power would it take to annihilate a family stronger than the Hu family?
“There’s nothing impossible in this world, only things you haven’t thought of,” Li Feng said solemnly. “Our Smart One is a groundbreaking revolution in the intelligent field. It’s bound to attract interest. If we’re not strong enough, they’ll pounce like wolves.”
“I won’t let them succeed,” Hu Yuanyuan said, a cold glint in her eyes. Fengyuan Group was like her child; she’d never let anything happen to it, no matter how strong the opponent.
“Don’t worry, with me here, they won’t succeed,” Li Feng said, gripping her hand.
“Mm,” Hu Yuanyuan nodded. With Li Feng by her side, it felt like he’d hold up the sky if it fell, giving her an immense sense of security.
“Yuanyuan, I’m telling you this so you’re prepared. It’s not just them interested in Smart One. Domestic and international forces, countless eyes are on it,” Li Feng said, briefing her on the foreign players to ensure she was ready and wouldn’t be caught off guard.
“I never thought Fengyuan Group would become such a coveted prize,” Hu Yuanyuan said with a bitter smile, unsure whether to feel proud or angry. She hadn’t realized so many were targeting her company.
She knew the brutality of the business world from her time running Xiangfeng Investment, but she hadn’t expected the situation with Fengyuan Group to be even worse.
Hu Yuanyuan understood that Fengyuan Group couldn’t afford to back down. One step back, and it would be reduced to nothing.
She couldn’t help but feel worried. No matter how skilled she was at managing the company, she was still a novice compared to the cunning old foxes who’d run businesses for decades.
“No choice. They can’t create Smart One, so they resort to snatching it,” Li Feng said with a smile. “But isn’t that our pride? As long as we’re strong enough, they’ll have no chance to take it.”
“The business world is a battlefield. We must win this fight, Yuanyuan. Leave the business side to you; I’ll handle their underhanded moves,” Li Feng said firmly.
Hu Yuanyuan nodded. She knew Li Feng controlled a force and intended to use it to deal with the hidden threats.
Before, she would’ve objected, confident she could handle things herself. But now, she didn’t. Recent events had shown her there was a darker side to this world, and Li Feng was there to tackle it for her.
“But be cautious on the company side. Commercial espionage is a common and effective tactic. If those forces want Smart One, they might send spies. We can’t let our guard down,” Li Feng said, thinking of Mu Jiajia, whom he’d met before leaving Tianhai City.
Mu Jiajia had gone to great lengths, even using her charm, to get close to him, likely to infiltrate Fengyuan Group. Could she be a commercial spy?
The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed. If not, what was her goal?
