The timeline goes back five minutes, to the moment when Xu Qing answered the phone. Li Wu walked into Li Zhengxiang’s study with a cheerful smile and said to Li Zhengxiang, who was reading a book, “Fourth Uncle, it’s my fault for only visiting you now. But this time, I’ve prepared a gift for you. You’ll like it.”
“Oh, really? What gift is it?” A sharp glint flashed in Li Zhengxiang’s eyes when he saw Li Wu. He had been in Tianhai City for so long and, although he had kept in touch with Li Wu, Li Wu had never visited him. What was the purpose of this sudden visit?
“It’s Professor Steve, the psychiatry expert from England. He’ll come to Tianhai City in a week.” Li Wu said.
“Steve?” Li Zhengxiang was stunned.
“Yes. Yu’er has been ill for so long without improvement, so I sent someone to England to invite Professor Steve to examine her.” Li Wu nodded.
“You’ve been thoughtful.” Li Zhengxiang said gravely.
Yu’er, whose full name was Li Xinyu, was Li Zhengxiang’s daughter. She had fallen ill several years ago. Over the years, Li Zhengxiang had invited many experts and professors for her, but there had been no improvement.
He had not expected Li Wu to invite Professor Steve. Li Zhengxiang had considered inviting him before, but Professor Steve’s eccentric temperament was notorious in the medical world. Several attempts to invite him had failed.
Yet now that Li Wu had succeeded, Li Zhengxiang felt more worry than gratitude. He knew very well the price required to invite Professor Steve, so Li Wu must need his help with something important.
“Where is Fourth Uncle saying that? This is what a nephew should do.” Li Wu smiled.
A glint appeared in Li Zhengxiang’s eyes. He said gravely, “Li Wu, you wouldn’t come just to tell me about Professor Steve. What do you need from me?”
“Where is Fourth Uncle getting that idea? Can’t I simply visit you?” Li Wu said.
“Of course you can.” Li Zhengxiang sneered inwardly. He recalled his last meeting with Li Feng. Li Wu was very similar to Li Feng. They were indeed cousins. But unlike with Li Feng, he found Li Wu even more hypocritical.
However…
Li Zhengxiang snorted coldly in his heart. Playing games of small talk was something he feared least. After so many years in officialdom, he had mastered it.
At once, Li Zhengxiang began chatting idly with Li Wu. He wanted to see how long Li Wu could hold out.
Five minutes later, Li Wu could not resist and said, “Fourth Uncle, I hear you brought quite a few people with you to Tianhai City this time?”
“Yes, I did bring many people. Li Wu, why do you ask? Do you have something you need me to handle?” Li Zhengxiang gave a cold laugh. Only five minutes, and he could not wait any longer. Li Wu’s patience still needed work.
“I’d like to borrow a few people from Fourth Uncle. Everyone around me has been assigned elsewhere right now. I need to handle something and lack manpower, so I thought of you first.” Li Wu looked at Li Zhengxiang and said.
“Borrow people? No problem. Say how many you need. If my men aren’t enough, I’ll personally assist you.” Li Zhengxiang said quickly.
“Fourth Uncle is joking. I don’t need many. Ten will suffice.” Li Wu said.
“Ten? No problem. I’ll send them to you shortly.” Li Zhengxiang nodded.
“Then thank you, Fourth Uncle.” Li Wu stood up and said, “I have other matters now, so I’ll take my leave.”
Li Zhengxiang smiled and nodded, watching Li Wu leave the study.
Shortly after Li Wu left, a man in black military attire entered the study.
“Fourth Master.”
“Has something big been about to happen in Tianhai City recently?” Li Zhengxiang asked gravely.
“Yes. It seems Li Feng and the Hongmen people are about to clash. The whole city feels like a storm is coming. All forces have noticed. I reported it to you a few days ago.” The man in black replied.
“I see.” Li Zhengxiang had been focused on Li Xinyu these past days, so he had not paid attention to his subordinates’ reports. Only now did he remember.
He had wondered why Li Wu suddenly wanted to borrow people. The Fist King Championship had not started yet. Surely Li Wu’s own men were sufficient?
But now Li Zhengxiang realised Li Wu’s sinister intentions.
Clearly, borrowing people this time was to deal with Li Feng. Whether Li Wu succeeded or failed against Li Feng, once his men acted against him, they would be enemies forever after.
“I didn’t expect Li Wu to be so scheming.”
Li Zhengxiang’s heart filled with wariness. If Li Wu was already calculating against him now, supporting him as family heir in the future would mean being swallowed whole, not even bones left.
With this thought, Li Zhengxiang said to the man in black, “Immediately send ten men to Li Wu. Let them follow his orders.”
“Yes.” The man responded.
Li Zhengxiang took out his phone, edited a text message, and sent it. Then a cold smile curved his lips as he muttered to himself, “Li Wu, today I’ll give you a big gift.”
At the same time, Wenxiang Pavilion.
“Sorry, I think I’ve entered the wrong private room.”
Xu Qing entered the room and saw neither Aunt Xia nor her father. Her expression froze, thinking she had the wrong place.
“No, no, Assistant Xu, you have the right room.” The middle-aged man smiled and shook his head.
“What do you mean?” A bad feeling rose in Xu Qing’s heart.
“Assistant Xu, I had that woman surnamed Xia call you.” The middle-aged man stood up, approached her, looked her over, and smiled. “I didn’t realise you, Xu Qing, were such a mature and charming woman. It seems Li Feng has thoroughly developed you.”
Xu Qing’s expression changed. She turned to leave.
“Assistant Xu, since I had you come, do you think I’d let you leave easily?” The middle-aged man sneered.
Just as Xu Qing tried to exit, two burly men appeared at the door, blocking her way.
“What do you want?” Xu Qing’s face paled dramatically. She had not expected the phone call to be a trap aimed at her.
“Assistant Xu, don’t worry. Just do one thing for us, and I guarantee your safety.” The middle-aged man said with a cheerful smile.
“This is Wenxiang Pavilion. Do you plan to kidnap me here?” As Xu Qing spoke, she reached into her handbag.
“Assistant Xu, I’ve booked the entire Wenxiang Pavilion. Moreover, the moment you entered, all electronic signals were jammed. Even if you take out your phone to call the police now, it’s impossible.” The middle-aged man noticed her movement and smiled.
Xu Qing’s face changed. She asked, “What do you want me to do?”
“Very simple. I need something from Li Feng.” The middle-aged man smiled.
“Impossible.” Xu Qing finally understood. This man wanted to use her against Li Feng. Something she would never agree to.
“Assistant Xu, don’t refuse so quickly. This is easy for you.” The middle-aged man looked at her and said, “Moreover, do you have a choice right now? You know the consequences of refusal.”
“Consequences? What consequences?” Xu Qing’s gaze turned cold.
“Assistant Xu, you’re a great beauty…” The middle-aged man looked at her meaningfully. “You’ve been developed by Li Feng, haven’t you? I believe you’ve experienced the joys of being a woman. But I can have others develop you instead.”
“You, despicable.” Xu Qing’s face paled dramatically.
“Haha, yes, I’m despicable. What can you do about it?” The middle-aged man said indifferently. “Xu Qing, don’t reject a toast only to drink a forfeit. I can do anything. Your only choice now is to cooperate obediently. Once it’s done, I can give you a large sum of money, enough for you to live comfortably for the rest of your life.”
“What do you want me to do?” Xu Qing took a deep breath. She knew she had no power to resist this man.
“I want you to kill Li Feng.” A cold glint flashed in the middle-aged man’s eyes.
“Impossible.” Xu Qing said without hesitation.
“Xu Qing, I said you have no choice to refuse, unless you want to become a woman for my men. The choice is between you and Li Feng. You only have one option. I know Li Feng is your man, but so what? He’s just a playboy. He’s only toying with you. He doesn’t truly care about you. At most, you’ll remain his secret lover. Why care about his life or death?”
Pausing, the middle-aged man continued, “Following Li Feng is just because he’s young and rich. With him, you get lots of money. I can satisfy that. As long as you kill Li Feng, I’ll give you a huge sum. You can find a place and live peacefully for the rest of your life.”
“Li Feng is so powerful. I couldn’t kill him.” Xu Qing said.
“You’re his woman. I believe he has no guard against you. Killing him would be easy for you.” As he spoke, the middle-aged man took out a dagger and said to Xu Qing, “This dagger is coated with deadly poison. It seals the throat on contact with blood. With it, you’ll have complete certainty of killing Li Feng.”
Xu Qing’s pupils contracted. Fear flashed in her eyes.
“Xu Qing, if you won’t think for yourself, think for your family.” The middle-aged man said coldly.
“What do you mean? You’ve captured my parents?” Xu Qing’s face changed dramatically in an instant. Besides Li Feng, the people she worried about most were her parents. She had not expected the other side to actually seize them.
“No, I’ve only invited them for tea.” The middle-aged man shook his head.
“You…”
“Xu Qing, you have ten minutes to consider. After ten minutes, I’ll choose for you.” The middle-aged man said coldly.
“She doesn’t need to consider.”
At that moment, an icy voice rang out.
