Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Yao Tianhao scanned Hong Dali from head to toe. “Follow you?! I’m the leader of the Cabinet Society. Why would I follow you?!”
It was no wonder he was depressed. He was a triad leader who was capable of summoning wind and calling for the rain, after all. But now, not only was he being taken advantage of and received a beating, he was further humiliated having to follow someone else. He couldn’t take revenge on the young lady, and there was nothing he could do about this young master as well…
Hong Dali looked up at the sky and said, “Actually, it’s not bad following me. You see, I will let you have a car of your own, and you get about ten thousand monthly. There is no restriction on your freedom. And if anything happens to you, I will settle it for you. Aye, now it seems like I’m on the losing end…”
Yao Tianhao was not stupid. Before Hong Dali could take back his words, Yao Tianhao promptly agreed. “Don’t say anything more, I’ll do it!”
Mu Zixiao was dumbfounded. “Damn it! Aren’t you agreeing too easily?!”
Yao Tianhao said, “I’d be a fool to take my time to decide! Dedicated car, ten thousand yuan a month, unrestricted freedom, Young Master’s protection… Where else could I find such a good deal! Do you think I’m stupid!”
Mu Zixiao curiously asked, “You don’t look like you’re strapped for cash. Don’t you own a few companies?”
It was Yao Tianhao’s turn to wonder. “That’s right. But I didn’t say I was going to forfeit them!”
“…” Mu Zixiao felt like he was punched by his own logic.
It was not long ago they were trying to kill each other. Just a blink of an eye and they became allies?!
Since Hong Dali had already said it, there was no way he could take back his words. “Eh… Alright. You will follow me with your bunch of brothers, then. When we get back, I will assign a car to you, the kind with good specs, just like that one.” Hong Dali pointed to the Prayer Angel parked a distance away. “Since you are now under me, you have to look good. Xiaoyi…” Hong Dali had called Xiaoyi out of habit. But Xiaoyi was not there, and he felt slightly despondent. “Forget it. Wait for two more days. My number one lackey is not here. It’s too troublesome to arrange it myself.”
It was not for no reason that Hong Dali was so angry. Xiaoyi was his left and right-hand man. Hong Dali was a lazy bum, it was easy for him to give instructions. But it was a headache to get involved in arranging and settling matters. Hong Dali was all bummed-out when he thought of it. “Anyway, I will assign your first task. Locate that big head, Baldy Kong, or something. I want to him see, dead or alive!”
Yao Tianhao decisively responded, “Yes… Yes, I understand! I will update you once I have any news. Oh, how do I address you in the future? Young Sir?”
“You can call him Young Master.” The male lackeys around Hong Dali knew his preference. “That salutation is good.”
Yao Tianhao promptly corrected himself. “In that case, Young Master, I will follow you in the future!”
Hong Dali snapped his fingers. “Hmm, not bad. Tip, 10,000. Come along. Follow me to attend my coming of age ceremony. I have not thought of anything else for you to do. Maybe my father will have some ideas. Let’s go!”
…
Fengyuan Lake, Yangtze River Golden Cruise.
It was half past eight. The guests who arrived at the venue were starting to get impatient. But they had just gotten the news that Hong Dali was already on the way. It helped that everyone heard that he had gone to help his people; hence, they were less irritable. There weren’t many young people who would take such good care of people under them these days.
With the guests less impatient, as a host, Hong Weiguo also felt more at ease.
“Old Tang, how is your medical research getting along?” Hong Weiguo was then sitting on a sofa in the hall of the cruise with Tang Ruisi. He smiled as he said, “It seems that Tang Muxin is having a lot of fun with Dali recently. These two kids are also considered childhood sweethearts, haha.”
“The company is still the same, progress is slow. As for the kids, as long as they’re having fun, it’s good.” Tang Ruisi and Hong Weiguo’s families had had a deep relationship since way back. Tang Ruisi was glad to hear what Hong Weiguo said. Although they had prepared to reject the marriage arrangement after the crisis, that was due to Hong Dali’s worthlessness. After all, no one would wish for their own daughter to marry an incompetent prodigal son.
Fortunately, the things that Hong Dali had fiddled with recently weren’t too bad. Profitable or not, at least the money didn’t go to nothing. What Tang Ruisi wanted was very simple. Hong Weiguo had a big family and ran a big business. As long as Hong Dali wasn’t an idiot, it was okay to squander a little. He was more concerned about Hong Dali’s health. He quickly took the chance and whispered, “Weiguo, I heard that your Dali’s health has improved recently?”
This matter was confidential. But Tang Ruisi was not an outsider, and he trusted his character. Hence, Hong Weiguo did not hide the truth. “Old Tang, to be honest, I know what you’re thinking of. But I understand too, she is your flesh and blood. Since you asked, let me tell you something…”
Hong Weiguo moved closer to Tang Ruisi’s ear and whispered, “My Dali has gotten a lot better recently. Although he might not be running and jumping everywhere, if you’re thinking about gaining a granddaughter or grandson, that should be no issue!” As he finished his words, he winked at Tang Ruisi. Even a blind person could tell the meaning behind it.
Tang Ruisi was surprised. “Are you serious! Weiguo, don’t you lie to me! Our kids get along relatively well. To be honest, I was most worried about Dali’s health. No one would wish for their daughter to become a widow or be childless, right? It’s not a joking matter.”
Hong Weiguo smiled as he said, “Why would I lie about this? I don’t think I have ever lied to you about anything, right?”
Tang Ruisi was elated to hear that. “Haha, that’s great. Very good! My Xinxin is my precious baby. I don’t even bear to lay a finger on her or scold her. Good thing she’s a sensible girl. Your Dali seems to be doing well these days. Much stronger than before. Let’s leave them be, what do you think?”
Tang Ruisi might have planned to reject the arranged marriage initially, but that was because Hong Dali was weak and squandered too much. Now, even though Hong Dali spent a lot, but his luck was good. Nothing he fiddled with had lost money. His health was good, nothing major. There was no reason to reject the marriage, then. That would be the perfect ending for both families. Happiness was the most important thing.
Hong Weiguo was clearly in a good mood. “Haha, sure! I know you love Xinxin. Any parent would understand. My Dali is thriving. Though what he’s fiddling with might not be very profitable, at least there is no loss. I can’t promise much, but judging from the inheritance that I’m going to leave for Dali, from the way he is squandering, it would take him more than two lifetimes to finish it. So don’t worry too much.”
Tang Ruisi took a deep breath. “Yes, we’re all parents. There was nowhere else I couldn’t turn to previously, which is why I made that decision.”
“Hehe, don’t stand on ceremony. Our fathers knew each other so well, and we grew up together. Don’t say things like that.” Both families bared their hearts, and there were no hard feelings between them. That would make a big difference if they were to become in-laws in the future. Hong Weiguo said, “Old Tang, let me know if you need help with your company. I have an organization in charge of medicine development. Previously, it was used to develop medicine to improve Dali’s health. Dali probably doesn’t need it now. I could gift it to you.”
Tang Ruisi shook his head. “That’s a good idea, and I really would like to have it. But think about it. Dali can do what he wants outside now without you being worried—that’s partially because outsiders are aware that his health is bad and don’t treat him as a target, right?
“But once you gift the organization to me, others will start to suspect. And if anyone tries to harm Dali and it distracts you from your work, it would not be a good thing. Your family business is big, and it might not fall easily. But if it falls, it would be hard for you to do anything. And others won’t give you a chance too. We have to be more careful handling this matter.”
Hearing what Tang Ruisi said, Hong Weiguo nodded and said, “Yes. I was too happy and did not think of that. We will leave things as such, then. Just let me know if you need any help. Based on the relationship of our families, as long as you say the word, I will help you.”
“Deal. I won’t hold on ceremony, then. Hehe.”
As their conversation came to an end, someone suddenly ran in and looked all around the hall. When he saw Hong Weiguo, he ran over in an instant and whispered into his ear.
When he was gone, Hong Weiguo exclaimed, “Is that true?”
The man spoke with a low voice, “Yes, guaranteed the truth.”
“Okay. I understand. You may leave first.” Hong Weiguo waved his hand, and the man left.
“What could have made Weiguo worked up?” Tang Ruisi was curious as he saw Hong Weiguo’s expression.
“This is interesting.” Hong Weiguo did not bother to hide any as there wasn’t anyone around. “You know about the outer circle of Tianjing Mountain? The land that I bought for Dali.”
“Yes, what about it?” Tang Ruisi was puzzled. “Don’t tell me a gold mine was found?”
“Hehe, no such luck. Moreover, if they had found a gold mine, that piece of land would have to be handed over.” Hong Weiguo laughed as he said, “Come to think of it, this is thanks to Dali.”
Tang Ruisi truly felt that Hong Dali was an amazing person. It seemed everything was related to him. “What about Dali? Found a coal mine? An iron mine? Hot spring?”
“None of those.” Hong Weiguo smiled as he said, “Dali liked that place, so I bought it. But I’m not sure what happened after. Perhaps he thought it was too dirty, so he paid someone to clean up the place.
“It’s nothing. Just spending some money in exchange for his pleasure. So I let him be. But guess what happened?”
Tang Ruisi asked, “Found ancient ruins? Antiques?”
“Haha, none of those either. I should say I’m not sure.” Hong Weiguo said, “Someone found a cave opening near the peak of the mountain. The opening was small initially, hence the workers did not pay much attention to it. But they had cleared up the rubbish and did not have much to do, so they decided to enter the cave to explore. Who knew they would find something!”
