The sky was clear, the sun gentle, not a cloud in sight.
Feng Yuan Group’s press conference was held at the Tianfu Building conference centre. Li Feng arrived early in the morning, worried about security, so he came personally to check.
When he reached the centre, he found one person earlier than him. It was none other than Hu Yuanyuan’s assistant, Xu Qing, who was directing staff to set up the venue.
Seeing Li Feng, a flash of panic crossed Xu Qing’s eyes. Yesterday’s events had left too deep an impression. Without Hu Yuanyuan between them, she would have fewer concerns, but Hu Yuanyuan stood right in the middle.
“Assistant Xu, how are preparations?” Li Feng asked, approaching her.
“President Li, almost ready.” Xu Qing breathed a sigh of relief. She feared Li Feng might tease her, leaving her unsure how to respond with so many subordinates present.
Yet, a tiny disappointment stirred in her. Like a girl in love, she craved sweet nothings from her lover now and then.
Li Feng nodded and scanned the site with divine sense.
For martial artists, divine sense was sharper than eyes, revealing what sight missed.
“Move this table.” Li Feng stopped at one and told two Feng Yuan employees.
“Yes.” They knew he was vice president. Unsure of his intent, they dared not disobey.
“President Li, something wrong?” Xu Qing asked curiously, joining him.
“You will see soon.” Li Feng smiled faintly.
The table was quickly shifted, revealing a small listening device.
“This…” Xu Qing’s face paled. Though the conference held no secrets and a bug posed no danger, finding one here, at a venue she arranged, was hard to accept.
“Move this vase.”
“Smash this chair.”
Using divine sense, Li Feng swept every corner, uncovering many bugs. Most shocking was a chewing-gum bomb.
The moment he spotted it, even Li Feng’s face darkened. It was planted exactly where Hu Yuanyuan would stand. If detonated, the consequences were unthinkable.
“President Li, I…” Xu Qing went white, avoiding his gaze. Without Li Feng, she would never have imagined so many devices here. The bomb left her ashen.
“Xu Qing, do not worry. This has nothing to do with you.” Li Feng spoke calmly, but rage burned inside. Bugs were minor, no secrets would be shared here. But a bomb meant murder.
Who did this? Until investigated, Li Feng could not rest. This was Tianfu Building. If next time a bomb hit Feng Yuan Group, the results…
“Xu Qing, and all of you.” Li Feng eyed the pale staff. “No one speaks of this. Triple pay this month.”
He trusted Xu Qing, but not others. Leaks could alert the enemy. Until the bomber was found, staff must stay silent.
“Yes, President Li.” Fearful yet excited by triple pay, they nodded.
Li Feng dismissed them and texted Zhong Shuhui to watch them closely.
“President Li…” Xu Qing looked uneasy.
Li Feng patted her shoulder, smiling. “Do not worry. With me here, everything is safe.”
She nodded, colour returning.
Da da da…
Footsteps sounded. Song Zhiyuan’s voice followed. “Feng Shao, I knew you would be here. I am the earliest.”
Li Feng turned. Song Zhiyuan entered with Zong Yanshan, Zhang Yaokun, and Gu Shan.
“Song Shao, so early. Over an hour until the conference.” Li Feng smiled, greeting them. “Zong Shao, Zhang Shao, Gu Shao, welcome.”
“For Feng Shao’s company event, I had to arrive early.” Song Zhiyuan smiled. Days ago at Empire Hotel, learning Li Feng had an innate expert, he consulted Uncle Ning all day. An innate guard likely meant Li Feng was the Li family heir. They decided to strengthen the alliance, so he came early.
“Hehe, Song Shao is too kind. Time is early. Let us go to the lounge.” Li Feng instructed Xu Qing, then led them there.
Leaving, Song Zhiyuan glanced at Xu Qing, caught up, and grinned slyly. “Feng Shao, what is this beauty’s name? Introduce me?”
“Song Shao, do not get ideas.” Li Feng shot him a look.
“I understand, I understand. Feng Shao has good taste. A great beauty.” Song Zhiyuan gave a knowing male smile.
Li Feng smiled, said nothing. With someone like Song Zhiyuan, honesty was best. Besides, Xu Qing was his. He wanted no trouble from Song.
“Li Feng, big trouble may come to this conference.” In the lounge, Song Zhiyuan said seriously.
“Song Shao heard something?” Li Feng asked.
“Yes. Many forces want to sabotage, even steal Intelligent One core tech. Includes foreign ones.” Song Zhiyuan nodded. Tianhai’s special status aside, being in Jiangnan, Song family intelligence surpassed other top families. He received reports of sabotage plans. Deciding to ally closer, he felt duty-bound to warn Li Feng.
“They court death.” Killing intent flashed in Li Feng’s eyes.
Song Zhiyuan flinched at the intensity. “Feng Shao, if needed, say the word. My men are yours.”
“Song Shao is thoughtful. If needed, I will ask.” Li Feng did not refuse. He might truly need help.
Then a voice outside. “If Feng Shao needs help, I can too.”
“Zhu Yuanyang?” Song Zhiyuan’s face cooled.
Led by a Feng Yuan employee, Zhu Yuanyang entered the lounge. She glanced at Song Zhiyuan, then said to Li Feng, “Feng Shao, speak freely. I lack other skills, but in Tianhai I have men. They might help.”
“Zhu Yuanyang, Feng Shao’s affairs concern you?” Song Zhiyuan’s face chilled. He thought offending her at Empire Hotel would bring revenge, but now he felt presumptuous.
Among eight top families, only Song and Zhu were mortal foes. Others prioritised interests. Zhu and Li had no major conflict. Li Feng and Zhu Yuanyang would not turn enemies over one incident.
Her attitude differed completely from Empire Hotel. Song Zhiyuan sensed she sought to turn enmity to friendship.
He hated this but could not stop it. Stirring trouble might fail and sour Li Feng’s view. They were merely allies.
“Song Shao, this concerns you?” Zhu Yuanyang eyed him coolly.
“You…”
“Song Shao, mind what is not your business. Without Feng Shao here, one might think you own the place.” Zhu Yuanyang smiled, but regret glinted deep in her eyes. Anyone could see Li Feng and Song Zhiyuan’s bond. Had she known Li Feng’s power and innate guard, she would not have offended him for Han Wei at Empire Hotel.
Regret was real. Like Song Zhiyuan, she believed Li Feng the Li heir, likely representing the family later.
She needed to mend ties. Though he slapped her and humiliated Han Wei, interests trumped all.
“Miss Zhu, please sit.” Li Feng’s eyes flashed, inviting her.
“No rush, Feng Shao. I brought a gift.” Zhu Yuanyang took a box from an attendant, smiling. “Feng Shao, you will love this. You might need it now.”
