Chapter 26: A Blow?

Li Hanzhou held his wine glass and sipped slowly, not interrupting Fang Che's "lofty talk." His gaze fell deeply on the boy's increasingly excited profile, a gentleness that he himself did not notice passing through his eyes.

Fang Che was completely oblivious to the inner thoughts of the two big shots, immersed in his own "business blueprint." He felt that by helping his brother's partner improve performance, he was helping his brother expand his business and getting one step closer to the goal of "brothers joining forces to dominate Hong Kong Island"!

But his enthusiasm was quickly dampened.

A waiter hurried over and whispered a few words in Thirteen Sister's ear. Thirteen Sister's expression changed slightly, and she gave Li Hanzhou an apologetic smile: "Boss Li, I'm sorry, I have a little thing to take care of. Jiang Tianqi... he's here, and he specifically asked to see you and this... young man next to you."

Li Hanzhou paused in his grip on the wine glass, his gaze sweeping over Fang Che, who was still rubbing his face, oblivious to everything.

This piece of wood from Northeast China has only been out for a few days, yet it has already caught Jiang Tianqi's attention so much?

Thirteen Sister, observing Li Hanzhou's displeasure, quickly smoothed things over: "Boss Li, Young Master Jiang is right next door. He said he'd like to come over and offer a toast, and get to know this...Young Master Fang?"

Her tone was tentative, clearly indicating that she had also sensed that something was amiss.

"No." Li Hanzhou put down his wine glass, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. Why should Jiang Tianqi see his man just because he wants to?

Fang Che only came to his senses at this moment, and when he heard Jiang Tianqi's name, he perked up his ears alertly.

A smiling tiger? Looking for trouble?

He lowered his voice and pledged his loyalty to Li Hanzhou: "Brother Li! Ignore him! He's like a weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken—he's up to no good! Let's drink our own food and let him cool off somewhere else!"

He thought his voice was very soft, but during the breaks in the music, his Northeastern accent was exceptionally clear.

Thirteen Sister couldn't help but laugh out loud, then quickly covered her mouth, her eyes darting between the two of them, her interest growing even stronger.

Li Hanzhou's brow twitched slightly. Bringing Fang Che to this kind of occasion that required tact and communication skills might have been a mistake.

But this mistake... isn't entirely annoying.

The waiter returned, looking troubled, followed by Jiang Tianqi's assistant.

“Mr. Li, Miss Thirteen,” the assistant bowed politely, but his gaze was fixed on Fang Che, “Young Master Jiang said that he admires this young man’s ideas about ‘KTV private rooms’ and ‘membership system’ and would like to ask him for advice in person. Young Master Jiang also said… they met on Portland Street and are old acquaintances, and he hopes that Mr. Li can do him a favor.”

An old acquaintance? A chance encounter? Li Hanzhou's eyes turned cold.

He remembered that Ah Gui had reported that Fang Che had indeed had a brief encounter with Jiang Tianqi on Portland Street.

"Who says we're old acquaintances!" Fang Che exclaimed anxiously. "We bumped into each other once on the street, and he insisted on talking to me, but I ignored him completely! Brother Li, he's not telling the truth, don't believe him!"

His eagerness to distance himself from the situation caused his assistant's smile to freeze, while Thirteen Sister desperately pinched her thigh to keep from bursting into laughter.

The atmosphere around Li Hanzhou eased somewhat.

He looked at his assistant and said coldly, "Go back and tell Jiang Tianqi that my brother Fang Che is young and doesn't know any better. He's just talking like a child and shouldn't be taken seriously. We can't accept his 'request for advice'."

The assistant, unfazed by the rebuff, took out a small velvet box and placed it on the table: "This is a small token of Young Master Jiang's appreciation to apologize to this young man. Last time on Portland Street, his men were ignorant and caused a disturbance."

Inside the box was a platinum tie clip, gleaming coldly under the light.

Fang Che's eyes widened.

An apology? A tie clip? He doesn't even own a decent tie!

"Take it away!" He waved his hands repeatedly. "I don't need it! Tell him that if he has money, he should buy some Brain Gold for his men to boost their brains!"

assistant:"……"

This may be the first time in his career that he has encountered a player who doesn't play by the rules at all.

Thirteen Sister had already turned around, her shoulders shaking violently.

Li Hanzhou raised his hand to stop Fang Che and said to his assistant, "I appreciate the sentiment, but please take the gifts with you. No need to see me out."

The assistant had no choice but to pack up the box and leave.

Thirteen Sister turned back, her eyes shining. She looked at Li Hanzhou, then at the sulking Fang Che, and deliberately drew out her words: "Brother Li? You've really struck gold. Not only are you quick-witted, but your ability to cause trouble... no, to attract attention is quite impressive."

Fang Che didn't catch the hidden meaning in Li Hanzhou's words, only noticing the phrase "causing trouble." He immediately wilted and looked at Li Hanzhou cautiously: "Brother Li... have I caused you trouble again?"

Li Hanzhou didn't look at him, but simply picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and said calmly, "It's good that you know."

Fang Che looked even more dejected, like a shriveled cabbage, his head drooping, even the unruly tuft of hair on his head seemed to have lost its vitality.

Thirteen Sister felt a little sorry for him and wanted to tease him a bit, but Li Hanzhou had already gotten up.

"Thirteenth Sister, that's all for today. Think about the plan he just mentioned, and contact Uncle Chen if you need anything."

Thirteen Sister nodded seriously: "Don't worry, Boss Li, I think it's going to work."

Li Hanzhou nodded slightly and looked at Fang Che: "Let's go."

Fang Che felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly followed, wishing he could shrink himself into a ball.

As Fang Che stepped out of the Paramount Ballroom, a night breeze helped him catch his breath.

He stole glances at Li Hanzhou's cold, hard profile, his heart pounding. Had he messed up again tonight?

Not only did he get his face pinched, but he also attracted Jiang Tianqi, interrupting Brother Li's serious conversation...

"Brother Li," he said softly, "should I have said something inappropriate to Sister Thirteen?"

Li Hanzhou opened the car door, paused, and turned to look at him.

The boy's face was filled with frustration and unease, and his eyes looked wet under the neon lights.

"Not a bad idea." Li Hanzhou got into the car and left those four words before closing the door.

Fang Che stood there stunned until Ah Gui honked the horn, which snapped him back to reality, his heart leaping from the depths of despair!

Brother Li praised him!

He instantly came to his senses, jumped into the passenger seat, his hands trembling as he fastened his seatbelt, and grinned foolishly at Li Hanzhou in the rearview mirror: "Brother Li! Don't worry! I'll definitely use my brain more and cause less trouble in the future, and help our Heyi Hall grow bigger and stronger!"

Ah Gui snorted coldly and started the car.

In the back seat, Li Hanzhou closed his eyes to rest, a slight smile playing on his lips.

This piece of wood is a bit noisy and a bit reckless, but... it's definitely interesting.

As the car drove into the night, it left behind the hustle and bustle of the Paramount Ballroom and the gloom brought by Jiang Tianqi.

Tie Niu has been very worried these past few days; even the char siu buns in his hand don't taste good anymore.

He looked at Fang Che, who was curled up on the tattered sofa in the base, staring blankly at the ceiling, and felt a pang of unease.

Ever since Jiang Tianqi spread the word that the residents of the old building were not allowed to rent their houses to He Yitang and Fang Che, his brother Che has been like a wilted eggplant.

Staying home, not talking about the "Portland Street commercial empire blueprint," I can't even muster the appetite for my favorite pork stew with vermicelli.

Tie Niu felt that Fang Che must have suffered a blow and couldn't save face.

"Che," Tie Niu moved closer and held the cold bun to his mouth, "Don't keep it to yourself, tell me what's up? How about we go out for a walk? You can't stay cooped up all the time!"

Fang Che slowly turned his face, but his eyes were not as disheartened as Tie Niu had expected; instead, they shone with a strange brightness.

He sat up abruptly and grabbed Tie Niu's arm: "Tiezi! You're right! Come on, let's go take care of some important business!"

Tie Niu was overjoyed: "Hey! That's right! Shall we go find Brother Li to discuss countermeasures? Or should we go and fight those bastards from the Dong Sheng Society?"

"No, no, no," Fang Che shook his head, "Fighting and killing isn't sophisticated. Let's do something... spiritual civilization construction!"

Tie Niu: "???" What the heck?

Half an hour later, Tie Niu stared blankly at the creaking, half-painted secondhand stereo in front of him and the cassette tapes of "Northeasterners Are All Living Lei Fengs," "The Big Sedan Chair," and "The Boatman's Love" in Fang Che's hands.

"Che... what are you going to do?"