That lad had had quite a good sleep just now, didn’t he know nothing about how big a matter he’d caused?!
However, fortunately, Lin Chuyin beside him saw that he was awake and extended her finger to jab him again. Hong Dali, this time, couldn’t fall asleep anymore. “Who’s jabbing me, don’t you know I wanna sleep…” After he saw clearly that it was actually Lin Chuyin before his eyes, it was obvious that he was shocked for a moment. “Chuyin, what are you doing here?” Soon after, he started to grumble again, “It must be my way of sleeping that isn’t right, you wait first while I start to dream again…”
Lin Chuyin expressionlessly jabbed him again.
“Aiya, can’t you let me sleep!” Hong Dali instantly crawled up and was finally wide awake this time. “Aye?! Chuyin, it’s really you? Why are you here?!”
“Mm.” Lin Chuyin gave an answer and replied, “The diving setup has been fully tested. I see that you should be a friend, so I came to ask you to take a look. If there isn’t any problem, we can go and save Big turtle.”
“Aye?!” After listening to that, Hong Dali’s eyes instantly lit up. “What you mean is that the setup has already been completed, and we can go and save that big turtle already?!”
That was really good news, so much better than this boring family meeting!
“That…” At this point, Hong Tu at one side finally had a chance to question. “Dali, that big turtle that you two are talking about, what’s that?”
Everyone else present became curious too.
Hong Dali’s luck was so exceedingly great, so the things that he liked definitely shouldn’t be too bad. But what kind of big turtle would require Lin Chuyin to even have to invent a setup to rescue it? That question was making everyone really puzzled!
At that point, he had long already pulled Lin Chuyin along as he ran towards the car to look at the setup. To Hong Dali, it didn’t matter how the car had entered in the first place. Thus, relying upon him to explain what was the issue with that Big turtle was useless…
“I’ll say it, instead.” Mu Huishou fished out a USB drive from his pocket and handed it over to Hong Tu. “Once Old Elder sees this, you’ll understand. However, I need to put things straight first. Before that big turtle has been rescued, this video clip must be kept as a secret.”
Actually, the National Security Bureau definitely did not allow the video to be leaked out.
However, now that Lin Chuyin’s setup had been more or less completed, the time would most probably come soon where that big alligator snapping turtle would be rescued. Thus, it wasn’t a big issue to let people of the Hong Family know about it beforehand. In fact, the biggest key was that Mu Huishou wanted to sell that “Mascot of Tianjing City” Hong Dali a favor to strengthen his influence. After all, that prodigal’s luck could be said to be overboard. News of Liang Yifeng striking a 200,000 lottery with the lottery ticket that he’d randomly bought was naturally made known to them…
“Oh? Quickly play it and let us watch it!” With an audio-visual video, that was naturally much more reliable than any form of speech. Hong Tu hurriedly gestured for his assistant. “Be careful, the information is valuable.”
After the assistant had connected the USB drive to the big screen, very quickly, everyone present was completely astonished.
“This is…” Hong Tu watched till his mustache started trembling. “This is a divine beast!”
All the descendants below exclaimed in astonishment too.
It was not that they hadn’t seen a big turtle, but a turtle of such a huge size was truly nowhere to be found.
The video clip soon finished playing. Hong Tu took a deep breath and looked towards Hong Dali who was playing around at one side, as he mumbled, “Sir, that big turtle, Dali was the one who discovered it?”
“It wasn’t only him who had discovered it.” Mu Huishou smiled and said, “In fact, that big turtle was just in a karst cave at the outer area of Tianjing Mountain which is under Hong Dali’s name. At the present moment, it can be counted as Young Master Dali’s… personal pet.”
Everyone below was shocked again.
“God, that has to be counted as a Black Tortoise 1, right? With such a thing as a pet, who would still dare to touch him in the future?!”
“Raising the sacred beast, Black Tortoise, as a pet… Can I learn from Young Master Dali and squander like him…”
While their side was completely shaken, Hong Dali’s side, on the other hand, spared no attention to them. To him, he’d naturally not care about what others say, as it was most important to have fun.
Very quickly, after letting his assistant keep the USB drive, Mu Huishou looked around the place, smiled and said, “Now that everything has been completed, I won’t disturb everyone anymore, then. En, I’ll bring this person back first. Oh right,” Thinking of which, Mu Huishou loudly shouted towards Hong Dali. “Young Master Dali, how do you think this person should be dealt with? He’s that Bighead that you’ve been searching for.”
“Aye?” At this point, Hong Dali had just discovered Bighead and turned his head to take a look. Soon after, he waved his hands. “It’s up to you, it’s fine now that you’ve caught him. I’m not free to bother about him now.” After he’d finished, he added, “Oh right, tell him not to go out there and harm others.”
What he meant was clear now. Mu Huishou instantly smiled and said, “I understand. I’ll go back first, then.”
Hong Dali continued to tinker around with the diving costume that Chuyin had finished making, not even looking at him as he said, “En, go, good luck.”
Heh heh, whatever he said was incomparable to how pleasing that “good luck” sounded to his ears. Mu Huishou excitedly gestured. “Brothers, let’s go buy lottery tickets!”
Speaking of which, striking the lottery was a source of legal income, it didn’t count as accepting bribes from others…
After Mu Huishou and the rest had left, Hong Tu let out a long sigh. As he looked at Hong Jianye and Hong Anbao, he said with a bitter laugh, “The two of you, all the face of my Hong Family has been completely lost because of you, sigh…”
Hong Jianye was too embarrassed to speak, while Hong Anbao pleaded. “Old Elder, Grandfather, we…”
“Harming your fellow clansman, that’s a big offense.” Hong Tu took in a deep breath, thought for a while, and then continued, “Hand out all your business services on hand, I’ll find a specialist to help you handle them. The two of you, don’t run around anymore and stay here to properly reflect on yourselves.”
As he said that, Hong Tu looked towards Hong Wei and Hong Ying as he asked, “What do you think about that?”
“Good enough for me.” Hong Wei turned the gym ball on his hand as he said cheerfully, “These two children are indeed a little impatient, it’s good to let them have a good rest for a year and revitalize themselves. Cultivate your heart and your character, heh heh.”
Hong Ying nodded as well. “I agree.” As she said that, she went down the platform and helped the kneeling Hong Anbao up, saying, “Anbao, it’s not that we’re biased, but it’s that character of yours that really needs to be changed.”
All three of them agreed unanimously. Thus, that was counted as a final decision. Hong Jianye and Hong Anbao could no longer escape from that one year of isolation.
No matter what, this punishment could already be said to be rather lenient.
That was also because Hong Tu took into account that he was his biological grandson, so he didn’t ask Bighead to say out the whole course of the incident. Otherwise, even with only these two offenses of instigating others to take drugs and secretly harming the subordinate of a fellow clansman, they would be imprisoned for at least three years and would not even be able to stay on in the Hong Family in future.
However, no matter what, they had biological ties with him. Thus, Hong Tu couldn’t bear to see them in that state. However, “to be impartial, to take an impartial approach,” he had to at least ensure some fairness.
Hence, that was already a kind way of handling the issue.
“I understand, Old Elder, Second Elder, Third Elder.” Hong Anbao cried bitterly. “I will properly learn from my mistakes and change for the better.”
“Heh heh, good boy, a fault confessed is half redressed.” Hong Tu consoled Hong Anbao. Soon after, he looked towards Hong Dali who was messing things around at that side, as he smiled and asked, “Dali, do you have any opinions about that?”
“Ah?” Hong Dali did not even hear about anything that was going on. “What is it?”
“I’m letting Jianye and Anbao stay here for a year to recuperate their minds, is it fine?” Needless to say, the trap that they had set up was targeted at Hong Dali. Hong Tu naturally had to ask for Dali’s opinion too.
“Oh, whatever, I’m fine with anything.” Hong Dali was not the least concerned about the two of them. “Big Grandfather, it’ll be done as you say!” After he’d finished, he went to ask Lin Chuyin again. “Chuyin, what’s this for…”
“Alright.” Hong Tu patted Hong Anbao on the shoulder. “The two of you may leave first. If there’s anything else that you need, feel free to let me know.”
“I understand.” Hong Jianye’s face was pale; however, he also knew that anything that he said now would not help at all. Hong Tu had at the very least left him some face. Looks like he could only properly stay put for this year. “We’ll leave first, then.”
Now that everything had come to an end, the two followed the guards and left to seclude themselves.
“Alright.” Hong Tu looked towards the crowd present. “I trust that at this point, everyone would have ideas about the rankings for this session. I hereby declare that in the Year 2014, the first place for the Hong Family outstanding descendants goes to, Hong Dali! Does anyone have other opinions?”
What other opinions would there be left at this point in time? Now all the descendants present had long ago lost their battle. A living example had been placed in front of them, and even Mu Yuxi had nothing left to say. Who would still be so silly to interfere in it and go against Hong Dali?
Regardless of whether Hong Dali earned money based on luck or his capability, at least he had earned that money in a fair and square manner. That was enough.
Many a time, it was that simple to contradict oneself, which totally did not require any explanation and completely depended on results to do the talking.
Right now, everyone present stared at Hong Dali with only admiration and envy.
Everyone had jealousy in them, but that was only in situations where they were almost of the same profile.
Someone who earned five thousand monthly might be jealous at someone who earned eight thousand a month, but it was unheard of that anyone who earned five thousand a month would be jealous of someone who earned 50 million a month.
In front of absolute ability, jealousy could not produce much effect.
Since everything was in place already, Hong Tu slowly walked in front of Hong Dali, smiled and asked, “Dali, now that you are already the Rookie of the Year of our family, do you have any requests?”
The Rookie King of the Year of the family had many benefits. Moreover, there was only one place for it every year, truly one place. Every descendant only had one chance. Last year, it was Mu Yuxi, and after she’d been the Rookie King of the Year for a year, she could only stay in her position of first place for two more years. After two years, she would enter the mid-tier of the family, which belonged to the level of those who were 40 years old and below.
Now that Hong Tu had asked Hong Dali about any requests that he might have, basically, as long as it was not a request that was too overboard, he would definitely satisfy him.
However, Hong Dali was, after all, still Hong Dali. He was not the least concerned about what Family Rookie King of the Year might be. To him, the most important thing was to live happily. With this troublesome title of the Rookie King of the Year tied to him, wouldn’t it mean that he had to properly focus on earning money in the future?
By then, with those so-called elites following him around every day and meddling with his matters, how could he still squander?
How could he still play around happily?!
Thus, Hong Dali said matter-of-factly, “There’s not much of a request I guess, it’ll be enough if Big Grandfather releases those few lackeys of mine.” Afterward, he continued to study into that fun setup together with Lin Chuyin.
Upon hearing Hong Dali’s words, everyone present was stunned. Those were all people who had come into contact with the business world since they were young. When had they ever seen someone who treated rewards as nothing? However, they saw that he indeed did not put that matter to heart, and his tone sounded like he was saying: “I couldn’t care less, that’s above my pay grade.”
“This…” Hong Tu was surprised too. Nevertheless, since he’d already promised, he naturally could not go against his own words. Waving his hand, he said, “Go release Dali’s people. Since it’s the Rookie King’s request, as long as it doesn’t go against matters of principles, I naturally cannot object to it.”
The assistant instantly went out.
After arranging this, Hong Tu asked again, “In that case, Dali, the money meant for the Rookie King…”
“What money?” Hong Dali directly rejected it as he shook his head like a rattle-drum. “No thanks, no thanks. I’ll be busy earning money after I take the money, how would I have the time to do that? No thanks, just distribute it to the others.”
Currently, he only wanted was to break free from all his relations with the family assessment. If he took the money for the Rookie King, he would then be subjected to the assessment and examination by the family—that was too troublesome and meaningless. Thus, he definitely had to reject it.
Upon hearing what Hong Dali had said, all the descendants below were instantly shocked. For a moment, the entire big conference room was silent.
“Dali, do you really not want it?” Hong Tu asked in surprise. “It’s not a small amount of money…”
“No thanks, no thanks,” Hong Dali said with a humph. “I’m doing just fine with squandering leisurely, I don’t care for this money…” Speaking up to this point, he thought for a while and suddenly added, “Oh right, Big Grandfather, I came here this time to take leave. I don’t want the placing anymore, just rank from onwards after me. Oh right, Big Grandfather, speaking of which, how did I even manage to become that Rookie King or whatnot? Why didn’t I know about it?”
Of course, you didn’t know, you had been sleeping the entire time, small ancestor!
Hong Tu’s sweat covered his entire forehead. He couldn’t explain about that matter too, alas. He decisively gritted his teeth and said, “We’ll do as you say then, continue the ranking down the list.”
Soon after, Hong Tu turned towards the platform and asked, “Are the results out?”
“Yes, they are.” The assistant handed the printed results slip over to Hong Tu, and Hong Tu read out. “Since Hong Dali has forfeited his right to participate, then the rankings of the descendants’ results this year are as follows!
“Third in place, Hong Tianyun. Overall score of 67.4 points. Reward for third place: Development funds of 50 million.”
Hong Dali: “Aye?!”
“Second place, Hong Anjin. Overall score of 87.8 points. Reward for second place: Development funds of 80 million.”
Hong Dali: “Ah?!”
“First place, Mu Yuxi. Overall score of 93.5 points. Reward for first place: Developments funds of 100 million!”
Hong Dali: “What the heck…”
His hands trembled as he took out a pair of sunglasses from his the pocket and put them on. Just then, Tang Muxin, Li Nianwei, Ling Xiaoyi, and the others ran over. Once Tang Muxin saw Hong Dali, she hurried toward him and asked, “Dali, are you fine here? Are you alright? I heard that you’re acting cool even indoors, you’ve even put your sunglasses on. But you do look quite cool now that I look at you.”
“Haha… Haha… What could happen to me.” Hong Dali laughed cheerfully as he said, “I’ve had a… rather nice sleep… Let’s go back tonight to do gaming again for a good while… I’m really unsure of how’s it going with Yao Tianhao and the rest in training up our game accounts.”
“Heh heh, seems like Young Master is rather energetic. “Li Nianwei walked to Hong Dali’s side and gently said, “Moreover, Miss Chuyin is also here, you must have had a good time playing. Why don’t we go back to relax tonight.”
Hong Dali: “OK… OK…”
As she spoke, she walked to Lin Chuyin’s side. “Miss Chuyin, if you’re not rushing for time tonight, you can play with us.”
“Uh.” Lin Chuyin thought for a while. It was true that she didn’t really have anything urgent to handle tonight, so she instantly nodded. “OK, then.”
That matter was finally settled.
Currently, everything could be said to be decided on already. Hong Tu walked forward, smiled and said, “In that case, all of you, please go back and rest. We still have to arrange other matters over here. Dali’s body is weak, please don’t let him play till too late.”
“En, we understand.” Li Nianwei played the role of the big sister within the group, so she agreed and said, “We will make sure to remind Young Master to sleep early, please rest assured Old Elder.”
“Good girl.” Hong Tu stretched out his rather wrinkled and dry hand and gently patted Li Nianwei on the shoulder, saying, “You’re very good, I’m very pleased. You’re welcome to come here often and be my guest in the future.”
Once he said that, it was already obvious what he meant. Li Nianwei instantly blushed and smiled as she agreed. “In that case, please take care of me in the future.”
“Heh heh, go.”
Instantly, Lin Chuyin boarded that cool black super-sports car, while Hong Dali and the rest went out of the big conference room. Hong Dali raised his head and looked at the moon in the sky, as he said in a super cool manner, “The sunlight today isn’t too bad!”
“That’s a moon for goodness sake!” Tang Muxin couldn’t help but shrug her shoulders. “Are you still dazed from sleeping?”
Actually, it was not that Hong Dali had become dazed with sleep…
No wonder Big Grandfather said that the amount of money for first place was not a small one. That was 100 million ahhhh!!!!
It’s enough to exchange for a hundred points ahhhh!
Hong Dali’s eyes almost went blind from crying. Had I know it would be so much money, what business did I have to act cool back then, I should have decisively taken it ahhhhhhh!
Footnotes:
Despite its English name, it is usually depicted as a turtle entwined together with a snake.
