My conversation with Sun Jiwei continued. After I calmed down a bit, I finally spoke to him and said, "I don't understand. Even if Cao Jinbo changed all the locks on Jiulongju's shops, what would it mean to him? ... After all, it was Luo Zhuming who sealed off his factory. I've only met Luo Zhuming once at most. Even if he takes his anger out on a nobody like me, it won't make a difference... right?"

"You don't understand... It's not just taking your anger out on him, it's also a test... Although you and Luo Zhuming only met once, we have a brotherly bond... So he's testing me to see if I'll go to him on your behalf and then use that as an opportunity to negotiate with me."

"Dude, can you explain this more clearly?"

Sun Jiwei sighed, and after a long while said, "This matter is very complicated now... Let me put it this way, Luo Zhuming is actually hoping that I have a close relationship with Cao Jinbo, so that he has a reason to target me... In the underworld, this is actually a factional struggle within a department."

I understood, and replied, "If Luo Zhuming really has such thoughts... you should keep your distance from Cao Jinbo. I'll figure out how to handle this myself."

Sun Jiwei replied with great concern, "If I don't step in, Cao Jinbo will be even more convinced that the last dinner was a scheme orchestrated by Luo Zhuming and me... He might not dare to touch me, but it's hard to say about you... This guy is notoriously vengeful."

"Brother, stop talking. I understand your situation, so there's no way I'd drag you into this... You need to calm yourself down first... But speaking of which, this Luo Zhuming is a real ruthless character. He can even come up with such a double-edged scheme over a meal!"

Sun Jiwei's laughter sounded helpless: "Everyone says that the waters of officialdom are the deepest, but they don't know exactly how deep they are... Now you know! Even a simple meal can be turned into such a big fuss... Compared to Luo Zhuming, I really still have a long way to go!"

I remained silent, but the pressure I felt in my heart grew ever stronger.

Sun Jiwei then asked me, "How's the temporary inn over there going?"

To be honest, "We've already spent all the money we needed... We've reached the standards for occupancy, and all that's left is to open it to the public."

Sun Jiwei pondered for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Brother, give me some time... let me see if there's a way to resolve this situation that satisfies both sides."

...

After ending the call with Sun Jiwei, my mood became extremely heavy because I could sense that I was facing a situation far beyond my control, and I was in a very passive position...

If this matter were only directed at me, I could still talk to Cao Jinbo. But now Cao Jinbo just wants to use me as a pawn to restrain Sun Jiwei. As a pawn, how much say do I have?

I frowned, put my phone in my pocket, and then walked towards Cao Xiaobei, who was still sitting on the ground...

I don't know what my expression was like at that moment, but it startled Cao Xiaobei, who instinctively moved back a little.

I whispered to him, "What's wrong? Are you trying to scam me by sitting on the ground like this?"

"If you fucking dare to lay a finger on me again, I'll call dozens of men to kill you right now..."

I interrupted him, sneering, and said, "Too late, I'll kill you right now... You little bastard, do you know what it means for the sins of the father to be visited upon the son?"

"Don't you fucking move... If it weren't for my relationship with Sisi, you wouldn't even have a chance to step into this community... Don't really piss me off, my cronies could drown you with their spit!"

Cao Xiaobei was truly terrified... to the point that his speech became slurred, which shows just how ferocious I looked at that moment!

I was frantically thinking to myself: If I kidnapped Cao Xiaobei, this problem would be solved, since Cao Jinbo only has one son.

I eventually gave up on the idea because I am a highly educated person, and I have a deep respect for the law... I also know that I was really "forced" into a corner this time, otherwise, as an honest person, how could I dare to have such an extreme idea?

...

Under the glaring sunlight, I sat wearily on the curb next to the fountain. I lit a cigarette, my mind a jumble of thoughts, like boiling water—not only panicked, but also burning.

Cao Xiaobei finally stood up from the ground, then turned around and ran back into the villa. He closed the iron gate tightly, then opened the window and cursed at me, "Idiot..." Actually, I didn't really want to beat him up anymore. Whether he was on guard or not, whether he cursed at me or not, I didn't want to beat him up.

I had only smoked half a cigarette when the phone rang again. I took it out and saw it was Lao Mi, whom I hadn't contacted for over a week... I knew he was worried about whether I could have a good New Year.

I exhaled the smoke from my mouth forcefully before answering the phone. I smiled and asked him, "Dad, what's up?"

"Ask me when you're coming home."

"Didn't I tell you last time? It will definitely have to wait until after the New Year."

"Your mother wants you to come back as soon as possible. Once the inn's peak season business is over, come back quickly... Don't wait until after the first month of the lunar calendar, and your mother and I still won't see you."

"Yes, I'll go back as soon as I'm done. I definitely won't wait until after the Lunar New Year."

Old Mi was silent for a moment before saying, "I sent you twenty pounds of smoked meat and ten pounds of sausages, all homemade... On New Year's Eve, go to the supermarket and buy some food and drinks to have a good time with your friends. Make sure to create a festive atmosphere."

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!