In a nondescript small eatery in Ninghai City.
Li Qiutao and Li Qiurong booked a private room. The former looked at the somewhat humble surroundings and sighed, "You're something else, why did you specifically choose such a cheap place? Wouldn't a grand hotel be better?"
Li Qiurong snorted without explanation.
She didn't much care for so-called grand hotels; they made her feel constrained and even uncomfortable.
"If you like grand hotels, then go to a grand hotel. Why subject yourself to this place?" Li Qiurong retorted, showing no hint of joy from their reunion, even deliberately mocking Li Qiutao.
Li Qiutao felt awkward.
"Sister, don't be angry. I haven't been to a small eatery in years. Come to think of it, I quite miss it. Can you drink?" he asked Li Qiurong. Li Qiurong shook her head, "I don't like drinking."
Li Qiutao nodded, then ordered some dishes and two bottles of white wine.
Li Qiurong initially didn't drink, but as the two chatted and emotions stirred, they shared half a cup of white wine and then it was an unstoppable torrent as they poured out their hearts to each other.
They both cried and laughed.
Li Qiurong, drunk, glared fiercely at Li Qiutao, "You're living a good life now, while I can only be a village woman in the countryside, enduring hardships with me for over twenty years. Do you think this is fair?"
Li Qiutao, also drunk, said with a bitter mouth, "Give me some more time, and I will give you an answer you'll be satisfied with."
He was unwilling to remain a farmer his whole life!
So when an opportunity presented itself, he would seize it with all his might. Even if it meant losing something, he would do it without hesitation.
"Have you ever regretted it all these years?" Li Qiurong asked.
Li Qiutao paused.
Then he nodded, "Regret! How could I not regret it? Sometimes I wonder, where is my home?"
Just as he had said before, when he walked far away and looked back, he found he could no longer find the way home.
Li Qiurong smiled, "Your home is in Yanjing. You are the live-in son-in-law of the Wu family."
"Perhaps..." Li Qiutao didn't refute.
After so many years, he had grown accustomed to the title. Li Qiurong continued, "I don't care what you do next, but don't set your sights on my son. If you dare to treat my son as a tool for your profit, I won't let you rest even as a ghost."
A woman is naturally gentle, but a mother becomes a warrior.
Li Qiutao blushed, "It's not like that, not at all. How could I treat Jinchao as a tool? I'm his uncle. It's my duty to help him. You can rest assured."
"I am not that kind of person."
A mocking smile appeared on Li Qiurong's face, making Li Qiutao feel even more guilty.
"For the next while, I'll be staying in Ninghai. If you need anything, just ask me. As long as I can do it, I will never refuse," Li Qiutao changed the subject.
Li Qiurong smiled, "Forget it, there's no need."
"I just want to know, where did those seven people who came to my house in the middle of the night last time end up?"
Li Qiutao truthfully replied, "They were all dealt with. They shouldn't have dared to cross me."
Although Li Qiurong had already guessed the possible fate of the seven, she was still startled when Li Qiutao confirmed it. Those were seven lives! And seeing Li Qiutao's nonchalant demeanor, she could guess that he had done such things many times over the years.
It made her feel like he was a stranger.
Time could change everything, let alone a person?
"These matters have nothing to do with you. I did them all myself, and you don't need to worry about implicating Jinchao," Li Liutao said.
"Speaking of which, that guy named Ning actually dared to lay hands on you. Does he really think no one can deal with him? Even if Qin Fengwu is backing him, I'm still capable of eliminating him!"
Li Qiutao narrowed his eyes, a killing intent surfacing.
For the next few days, Chen Jinchao spent his time in the hospital room. This was a strict requirement from Li Qiurong and Yu Mengzhi; if Chen Jinchao didn't comply, the two would surely fall out with him.
Outside, Ninghai began to stir.
Li Qiutao's appearance was like a bomb dropped into water, creating immense ripples, causing many to travel from afar just to meet him. If they could establish a connection with this magnate, their future would undoubtedly be bright. Qin Fengwu, far away in Jiangning, also received this news. Upon learning that Li Qiutao was Chen Jinchao's uncle, he became considerably more subdued.
If you don't sow, you don't reap.
Qin Fengwu had adjusted his mindset, believing that as he continued to grow stronger, Chen Jinchao, that little ant, would eventually be crushed under his heel.
This was the foundation of the Qin family!
Even if Li Qiutao wanted to intervene at that time, he would have to consider whether the Wu family was willing to antagonize the Qin family for the sake of their son-in-law's nephew. It was obvious to anyone that this possibility was slim.
The consequences of antagonizing the Qin family were severe.
Although the Qin family's status was slightly lower than the Wu family's, the Qin family had been actively courting various families over the years, forming a vast network of connections, also known as a community of interest, making them more than a match for the Wu family.
"So your confidence lies with your uncle. However, I am the legitimate heir of the Qin family, raised in the imperial capital since childhood, and a leader among the younger generation in the capital. What can you use to fight me?" Qin Fengwu muttered.
The image of Yu Mengzhi and Chen Jinchao holding hands flashed in his mind, causing Qin Fengwu some pain.
"I will not allow such a failure to happen to me again!" Qin Fengwu lit a cigarette and turned his chair to gaze out the window.
"I want to see how the Su family will deal with Chen Jinchao!"
Su Hao had privately approached him earlier, inviting him to join a club without clearly stating its nature. Qin Fengwu, valuing his reputation, would never agree so casually.
Moreover, he had an inkling that Su Hao must have already colluded with certain forces behind the scenes and was now trying to drag him down with them.
"The next stage should be a battle of titans. Then I can only sit back and watch the tigers fight," Qin Fengwu chuckled.
A week later.
Chen Jinchao was discharged from the hospital after his stitches were removed. His injuries had largely healed, and the speed of his wound recovery was nothing short of miraculous.
On the same evening, Xu Mingzhi personally cooked a table full of dinner, awaiting his daughter's return. He knew that the period when Chen Jinchao was injured was also his best opportunity to act.
Xu Mingzhi intended to set up his daughter with Ning Fei.
Ning Fei had arrived at Xu Mingzhi's house early that morning, hiding to avoid the eyes of those protecting Xu Nianqing. Once Xu Nianqing drank the drugged beverage, he would be able to make his move.
Once the deed was done, how could Xu Nianqing escape his grasp?