Li Xiaoxian, disregarding the wound on his arm, drew his pistol and fired three shots. He ordered his subordinates, "Seal off the area immediately and find the person for me!"
"Yes!"
In such a situation, his first thought wasn't that someone was trying to assassinate him. He believed the target was the Westerner opposite him.
The entire nation knew their country's strength was no match for others. Their land was divided into three large regions and countless smaller ones, with warlords carving out their own territories, each ruling independently and none submitting to the other. Already weakened, they were now even more vulnerable.
Westerners and the Japanese were eyeing them covetously. Any mistake would provide an excuse for them to launch a war. Therefore, Li Xiaoxian was extremely anxious about this incident.
The foreigner opposite him, however, seemed unconcerned and even wanted to rush over to check his injury.
"Li, are you all right? Who was that? It's really dangerous here. We should go to the English concession to talk about cooperation, not this..."
"Mr. Jack, I am deeply sorry for what happened. Rest assured, I will apprehend the culprit."
He finished speaking hastily, having someone escort the foreigner back first.
The entire restaurant was surrounded. This place was not Li's territory but belonged to a trusted friend. Upon hearing that he had encountered trouble here, his friend also became very concerned and quickly arrived with his men.
Luo Yonghun, as the gentle and refined male second lead in the story, even with his inherently strong Tian Gan nature, did not give the impression of being a scheming businessman. Instead, he was more like a scholar.
As soon as he entered, he quickly walked to Li Xiaoxian's side, "Xiaoxian, are you alright?"
Li Xiaoxian looked at the wound on his hand, which had already been bandaged. The white cloth was stained with blood.
"I'm fine." Due to excessive blood loss, his face was somewhat pale. He sat languidly in a chair, looking at the retro-decorated restaurant, and asked, "When did you get back?"
"Just today." Luo Yonghun replied, "I didn't expect something like this to happen on my first day back. I will personally review the guest registration for today. Rest assured, I will catch the culprit."
"Good."
Li Xiaoxian's men and Luo Yonghun's men searched the premises but did not find the person Li Xiaoxian had mentioned as having injured him.
The buildings surrounding this restaurant were relatively low. The person who shot at him earlier was on the top floor. When Li Xiaoxian's men returned fire, they had indeed hit the assailant. The area had been sealed off immediately after the incident, making it impossible for the attacker to escape.
Yet, they claimed they couldn't find anyone.
Luo Yonghun immediately sensed something was amiss. "Which areas haven't been searched?"
Some guests were important, and they naturally dared not search them.
Li Xiaoxian's subordinate hesitated for a moment. "The young master of the Jin family and Miss Qu Ninghuan from Bailemen are on the top floor and refuse to open their door."
The Jin family was not well-known in Hai City, but they held significant prestige in the north. They were related by marriage to the Chen family, a major warlord family in the north. The young master of the Jin family was visiting, and Marshal Li had sent people to escort him. If Li Xiaoxian were to order their door to be forced open for a search now, it would be an insult to his own father.
"It shouldn't be the Jin fellow," Li Xiaoxian calmly analyzed. "His father wants to curry favor by sending his most treasured son. If he intended to attack me, it would be too foolish."
After all, his father had other sons. The Li family had many descendants, and his father was still vigorous, capable of nurturing several successors without issue.
Despite this, Luo Yonghun decided to go upstairs and take a look.
The reason?
Hadn't their enjoyment been disturbed just now?
Li Xiaoxian had someone bring him a clean shirt. He changed out of his blood-stained suit and followed upstairs.
The room occupied by the young master of the Jin family was on the top floor, fully equipped. While ostensibly for dining, it could be used for anything.
As the two ascended, they heard a rather discordant sound from the room. The people present were experienced and naturally understood what was happening inside.
Li Xiaoxian's subordinates' faces turned red.
Luo Yonghun's expression was also somewhat awkward. Men, naturally, did not wish to be disturbed when engaged in such activities. They waited for a while.
However, the commotion inside showed no signs of stopping.
Finally, unable to bear it any longer, Li Xiaoxian stepped forward and knocked on the door a few times.
There was no response. He knocked heavily again. As soon as he lowered his hand, an angry male voice from within was heard, "Who is it? Can't you hear I'm busy? Get lost!"
Luo Yonghun stepped forward, "Young Master Jin, there was a minor incident downstairs. I apologize for the disturbance. Luo is concerned about Young Master Jin's safety, which is why..."
"Go to hell!" The person inside, with a tone of unfulfilled desire, cursed, "Are you wishing death upon me? Get lost!"
Luo Yonghun gave Li Xiaoxian a look of considerable difficulty.
This man was his father's guest. After careful consideration, Li Xiaoxian shook his head at Luo Yonghun.
"Yes, yes, yes, we're leaving."
"Hurry up and get out!"
Li Xiaoxian led his men away in a grand procession.
The sound of their footsteps gradually faded, and only when they had completely disappeared did the woman inside the room lower her hand from her throat, slumping weakly onto the bed.
Her face was pale, her fair skin covered in fine sweat. The other hand clutched her right shoulder, and blood seeped continuously through her slender fingers, a shocking sight.
Qu Ninghuan hadn't expected her strike to miss.
Had she succeeded then, those people would have been busy with rescue efforts, giving her ample time to escape safely.
What a pity.
Having missed such a good opportunity, she didn't know if she would ever get another chance...
She angrily slapped the bed, immediately yelping in pain.
At this moment, she was unaware that she had struck the wrong person. Still consumed by regret for failing and nearly getting herself caught, she had no idea she had attacked her future partner.
However, even without the attack, they wouldn't have become partners.
It was already dark when the matter was dealt with. Li Xiaoxian's arm was cleaned, disinfected, and bandaged. Tian Gan's natural recovery abilities were excellent; this injury would likely heal completely within a few days.
But if the two elders at home knew he had been shot, they would suffer more than if they themselves had been shot. To avoid worrying them, Li Xiaoxian didn't go home and instead sought refuge with his sixth uncle.
At this moment, a harmonious dinner was taking place at the small courtyard.
The family of four sat opposite each other, the table laden with dishes. The warm lighting in the dining room created an exceptionally cozy atmosphere. Everything was so peaceful.
Li Xiaoxian's arrival shattered this harmony.