"What do you want? Retreat."
The moment the door opened, a middle-aged man with a wary expression and a scar on his brow appeared.
He was a good head over six feet tall.
He wore a slightly loose camouflage uniform, but it couldn't conceal the powerful muscles beneath.
The bulges on his shoulders and arms were evident.
Li Duo'er stood behind him, and further back were two men in similar attire, carrying food.
Upon seeing Li Chonglou standing at the doorway,
The burly man yelled, simultaneously stepping back with his right leg, his left leg remaining in a bow stance. One hand swiftly moved towards his waist, and the dull thud of his black hiking boots echoed.
The two men behind him, also in camouflage, reacted instantly.
Only Li Duo'er looked furious, pouting as if very angry.
It wasn't because Li Chonglou was standing at the door.
Her eyes shot daggers at the burly man in front of her.
Li Chonglou's eyes flashed with a sharp glint. He didn't speak, turned, and quickly walked away, heading into the room.
The standard defensive posture, the obvious motion of reaching for a gun,
Based on these movements, reaction speed, and physical condition, it was clear these were professionally trained individuals.
Seeing these people, Li Chonglou's brows furrowed. Forget about dual-coded locks, even opening the main door and escaping safely from these people would be extremely difficult.
Intensifying his practice of the cultivation techniques was an urgent matter. At the very least, it could increase his chances of survival in critical moments.
Li Hanlong's subordinates had people like this. It seemed the scope of his business was rather intriguing.
How many guards were stationed within such a large golf course?
As the door slammed shut, Li Duo'er, with a darkened face, put down the meal boxes.
"Damn it, I'll deal with you when my second uncle gets back."
Biting her lower lip, she sat down at the table and fell silent.
"What's wrong, Duo'er? Who bullied you? Tell me, and I'll deal with him."
Xiao Qiang rolled over and sat up, his heart aching at Li Duo'er's expression.
He immediately asked with concern.
"You? Hmph."
Li Duo'er spat out a few words dismissively, her disdainful gaze sweeping over Xiao Qiang before quickly moving away.
Her lips turned down.
Xiao Qiang gave an awkward smile. Seeing Li Chonglou burying himself in his food without paying attention to them, his awkwardness lessened slightly.
Getting snubbed again, even though Li Duo'er's attitude towards him was always like this, it was hard not to feel embarrassed.
Yet, he couldn't help but seek this kind of treatment. Who made him fall for her? Sigh.
"Well, let's eat first. Don't be angry, okay?"
He then cleared his throat, quickly picked up a meal box, and handed it to Li Duo'er.
Li Chonglou put down his chopsticks, paused for a moment, and then looked at Li Duo'er.
"Oh, dare someone make you angry? Are you throwing a tantrum, young lady?"
"I think you should stop. These people are not ordinary."
"Don't get yourself into trouble before your second uncle returns."
Li Chonglou said slowly, shaking his head with a smile.
"They wouldn't dare!"
"So what if they're skilled? They're just hired..."
Li Duo'er suddenly stopped. Although angry, she realized she might have let something slip.
For a long time, family matters had been managed by her second uncle, Li Hanlong.
Li Duo'er had only participated to a small extent when her second uncle needed her.
But she knew vaguely that many of her second uncle's businesses were shady, though she didn't know the specifics.
She only had a faint idea about the origins of the people who had recently appeared by her second uncle's side.
While she dared not defy her second uncle, she was by no means foolish. She already understood some matters.
"I just wanted to go out and buy some good food, but they wouldn't let me. I'm tired of the food here."
"No matter how capable they are, they have to listen to my second uncle. I can't stand the sight of them, all expressionless, like blocks of wood."
Seeing that neither of them showed any particular expression, Li Duo'er continued to speak indignantly after a brief pause.
Li Duo'er's careless words had already startled Li Chonglou, whose emotions were usually unreadable.
Just as he had imagined, Li Hanlong's business was not only mysterious but also extensive.
His current confinement was closely related to Lin Zhendong being his master. The target wasn't him, but his master.
Given his master's identity as an expert in antique appraisal, was Li Hanlong involved in smuggling cultural relics?
The thought sent a ripple of shock through Li Chonglou.
"Yes, daring to make our Duo'er angry, they're asking for trouble."
Xiao Qiang didn't notice the key point in Li Duo'er's words, his mind filled with trying to appease her, and he chimed in.
He glanced at Li Chonglou from the corner of his eye, and his jealousy immediately flared up again.
His own words only earned him Li Duo'er's scorn, but Li Chonglou's words were answered quite earnestly.
He helplessly withdrew his gaze, shifting his body closer to Li Duo'er, wanting to pat her shoulder in comfort.
He was startled by a sharp glance from Li Duo'er and froze mid-motion.
He let out a dry laugh and retracted his arm.
"Even restricting your freedom. Your second uncle really doesn't trust you."
Li Chonglou said faintly, with a slight smile.
"Not at all. It was that jerk who opened the door earlier."
"Although not my second uncle's direct subordinate, he's working for my second uncle now."
"Hmph, he shouldn't get too cocky. My second uncle returns in three days, and then they'll be kicked out."
As she spoke, Li Duo'er slammed her chopsticks onto the table.
Her chest heaved, indicating the burly man had truly angered her significantly.
"Alright, alright, don't be angry."
"I have a way to help you vent your anger. Do you want to hear it if you have the courage to do it?"
Li Chonglou raised his eyebrows slightly, turning his head to stare mysteriously at Li Duo'er.
He secretly pondered the grand scale of these operations and their secrecy, realizing the methods were not to be underestimated.
As Li Duo'er had said, if they weren't direct subordinates, it was highly probable that this was no longer Li Hanlong's personal endeavor.
This wasn't just a matter of skill and capability; the backing of substantial funds was also beyond ordinary reach.
After all, in Yong'an, there was no known figure named Li Hanlong among those with such financial strength. There must be a more powerful force behind him.
"Really? Tell me quickly, quickly! There's nothing I wouldn't dare to do."
Li Duo'er's eyes lit up instantly. She excitedly stood up and moved closer to Li Chonglou.
Xiao Qiang watched Li Duo'er's expression and movements, his face growing more sullen, but he only dared to be angry and remain silent.
"Be patient. Just sit there, lean your ear closer, and listen carefully."
Seeing Li Duo'er's demeanor, Li Chonglou's face immediately fell, and his tone became stern as he stopped her impending action.
He couldn't let this little imp continue to seek opportunities for intimacy whenever she pleased.
As for Xiao Qiang's jealousy, Li Chonglou was completely indifferent.
However, if he didn't stop it soon, it would easily lead to Li Duo'er misunderstanding.
"My method is very simple..."