Inside the restaurant.

Liu Ming sat opposite Tang Huan, his drunkenness not disappearing even as time passed.

If it weren't for the fact that the person sitting opposite him was the great poet, Liu Ming would probably have fallen asleep long ago, even if he had tried his best to stay awake.

Today was supposed to be a celebration banquet, and he and his friends were drinking very happily. Because they were in a good mood, they unknowingly drank too much.

Who could have imagined that Tang Huan would suddenly lead his men to attack?

Liu Ming kept his hands under the table, pinching his thighs hard when no one could see him.

Using this method, he tried his best to remain calm.

But because of this, he experiences intense pain every time he touches his leg.

"It seems my judgment was correct; he won't be coming."

Liu Mingchao glanced at the door. Nearly half an hour had passed since the others left. In that long, he could have made several round trips from the Liu residence to here.

Since the person hasn't arrived yet, it means they won't be coming.

"Really?" Tang Huan appeared very patient, without the slightest impatience, as if she intended to keep waiting here with Liu Ming indefinitely.

“It’s been so long already, he would have come long ago if he wanted to,” Liu Ming couldn’t help but say.

No sooner had he finished speaking than there was a knock on the door.

Immediately afterwards, the door to the private room was pushed open, and a figure walked in.

Upon seeing the person who arrived, Liu Ming instinctively tried to stand up, but the pain from the self-inflicted wound on his thigh prevented him from standing steadily, so he could only hold onto the table for support.

Then Liu Ming looked at Tang Huan in disbelief. He was right about everything; Liu Xuan really had come.

"Lord Tang?"

Liu Xuan didn't look at Wan Xin, but sat down next to Tang Huan.

Tang Huan turned to look at Liu Xuan and smiled, "Young Master Liu, you are indeed a talented and handsome young man."

"What's the meaning of you calling me here today?"

Although Liu Xuan came, he only did so because Uncle Bai suggested it.

"It's nothing. I just heard from Liu Ming that the Liu family is also interested in doing business with me, so I thought I'd invite Young Master Liu out for a chat."

Liu Xuan looked at Tang Huan beside him.

I've heard of the great poet for a long time, but I've never had the chance to meet him.

I didn't expect him to be such a young person, and he doesn't seem as difficult to get along with as the rumors say.

Moreover, no matter how Liu Xuan looked at it, he felt that the other party was not as deep-thinking as Uncle Bai had described.

Would someone younger than me have so many thoughts?

“The Liu family does have the idea of ​​cooperating with Lord Tang, but my father is currently away and we can only proceed with this matter after he returns.”

Tang Huan said "Oh," and then confirmed, "So that means your father was unaware of the recent conflict between the Liu family and the Wan family?"

Upon hearing the sudden mention of this conflict, Liu Xuan's expression darkened.

"Then can I understand that this whole farce was entirely Young Master Liu's doing? Sending people to cause trouble at Wanfu Jiwai and threatening Wan Xin—was all your doing?"

As Tang Huan spoke each word clearly, Liu Xuan's expression grew increasingly grim.

"Lord Tang, these are business matters, surely they're not your concern? This is a private affair between the Liu and Wan families..."

Tang Huan laughed and said, "Well said. This is indeed a private matter between the Liu family and the Wan family. Logically speaking, it is not my place to interfere. However, I wonder if Young Master Liu has heard that my cooperation with Young Master Wan has been going on for a long time."

Liu Xuan's expression darkened.

He had certainly heard of this, but did that mean the Wan family would stop doing nothing just because they had a partnership with Tang Huan?

The Liu family and the Wan family have always been business rivals, so it's impossible for them to sit down and talk amicably.

Even before this operation, Liu Xuan had considered Tang Huan's existence, but at the time he thought that as long as the Liu family gave up more benefits in the cooperation, Tang Huan might not necessarily side with the Wan family.

But now it seems that Tang Huan and Wan Xin's relationship is somewhat unusual.

"Lord Tang, this...this is a misunderstanding."

Liu Xuan said apologetically.

Tang Huan didn't say much, but gave Wan Xin a wink, signaling him to pick up the gun on the table again.

Wan Xin picked up the gun, and although she didn't point it at Liu Xuan, it made him feel like he was facing a formidable enemy.

"calm!"

Compared to Liu Ming and the others, this young master of the Liu family had obviously heard more rumors about guns and recognized them immediately.

This is why his unease was all the more apparent.

Tang Huan said with a smile, "Young Master Liu, business is business. I don't mind what you did with the Wan family, nor will I rule out cooperating with the Liu family. But it's not right for you to cause trouble for Wan Xin."

"This grudge can't just disappear with a few words, can it? Why don't you ask Wan Xin what he thinks about this? If he can forgive you, then I will definitely not have any complaints."

Amid Tang Huan's laughter, Liu Xuan looked up and saw Wan Xin's cold expression.

This made Liu Xuan's heart sink.

During this period, the Liu family caused Wan Fuji a lot of trouble, especially with Wan Xin.

This is because Liu Xuan knew that the second young master of the Wan family was not highly regarded; otherwise, even if he had the courage, he wouldn't dare to go against him like this.

Of course, there's also the reason that he has powerful backers.

At this moment, Liu Xuan began to ponder whether he had to follow Uncle Bai's advice and curry favor with Tang Huan. Tang Huan was indeed very influential in the capital, but it didn't mean he had to be with him.

Besides, Tang Huan was just a minor official, whose position was even lower than that of the person behind him.

But after thinking it over, he still wasn't sure about the idea.

“Liu Xuan, settle scores and avenge each other. I have no grievances against the Liu family. However, I will never forgive you for instructing your subordinates to cause trouble for Wan Fuji.”

Wan Xin gripped the gun tightly in her hand.

At this moment, Wan Xin already knew that the gun would not cause any harm, but Liu Xuan on the other side did not.

Seeing the fearful and uneasy expression on Liu Xuan's face, Wan Xin felt much better.

Liu Xuan stretched out his hands, trying to stop Wan Xin, but then realized that doing so would not stop her from firing, so he could only helplessly put them down.

He turned his head to look at Tang Huan, "Lord Tang, you wouldn't allow him to shoot me here, would you?"

"That's hard to say. If he really gets angry and shoots you, I can't stop him. But I won't let you die like that, after all, things aren't resolved yet, are they?"

Tang Huan scratched his chin and smiled at Liu Xuan, "How about this, I heard that someone from the Ministry of Revenue is representing you. Why don't you invite him out tomorrow, and we can all sit down and talk about how to solve this problem?"

"Don't say I'm bullying you. I'll give you some time to prepare properly."

Tang Huan got up and left with Wan Xin.

Liu Xuan, standing behind, suddenly collapsed.

At this moment, Liu Ming hesitated and said, "Young master, that gun is empty and poses no threat."

Liu Xuan's eyes widened immediately. "What?"

He looked furious, as if he had been tricked, and smashed everything on the table.