Jack Ma looked at the smug face in front of him, feeling an unspeakable disgust.
As the saying goes, when you dislike someone, every move they make seems nauseating.
"Washed."
Penguin Ma threw the basin aside and swaggered out of the back kitchen.
"This is truly exhilarating. It feels so good to finally retort. Before, Jack Ma always left me speechless. Today, it's finally my turn to retort."
"Old Ma, come here for a moment."
As Penguin Ma stepped out of the back kitchen, Old Wang beckoned him over.
"What's up?"
Penguin Ma walked over with a smile, full of confidence, and asked.
"Look, your investment in Ugly Group Delivery was fined over three billion. Why are you always doing such awful things?" Old Wang took out his phone and shoved it in front of Penguin Ma.
"Let them fine it. I'm just the largest shareholder; I only get dividends, not decision-making power. It has nothing to do with me," Penguin Ma said dismissively.
Ugly Group Delivery, Penguin Group held a 20% stake, making it the largest shareholder. However, this was merely equity, entitling only dividends. Ugly Group's development had nothing to do with it.
"At the time, investing in Ugly Group was solely to suppress Jack Ma's 'Baole'."
"All in all, you're just doing awful things." Old Wang said with disapproval.
"Even if you don't have decision-making power, your words carry weight. Others will listen."
"I'm in a good mood today, say whatever you want," Penguin Ma replied indifferently with a smile.
Old Wang looked at him curiously. Why was this guy so happy even after being fined?
"What happened?"
Old Wang then craned his neck to look into the back kitchen for a while.
"Nothing much, just a small matter," Penguin Ma chuckled.
The two of them began to chat, boasting and bantering, their conversation drifting from one topic to another.
At noon, Xia Lin had lunch at Liu Jingru's house. After an hour, she left. Before she departed, Cai Wenli mentioned Xia Feng a couple of times, even suggesting Xia Lin bring her brother over for a meal sometime.
Liu Jingru, as if fleeing, grabbed Xia Lin and hurried away.
"Jingru, your mother is worried you won't get married," Xia Lin said with a smile after they went out.
"Sigh... If I don't get married, I'll just follow you around forever. You'll be so annoyed," Liu Jingru sighed. This question always came up whenever she returned, and it was indeed bothersome.
"Nowadays, there are plenty of girls between 25 and 28 who aren't married. Besides, you're only 23. What's the rush?"
"It's fine to play for a few more years. Marriage shouldn't happen without finding the right person."
"It's not like the old days. Back in my parents' time, they'd arrange a marriage, and engagement would happen without even meeting. That was true love. Now, it's just messing around."
"Then I won't get married either, hee hee..."
As they chatted, they reached the roadside, hailed a taxi, and headed towards the hotel.
...
Vatican.
Church.
A knight knelt on the ground, head bowed in silence.
After a moment, Pope Paul emerged, his steps light, as if he were weak and feeble.
"Failed?"
Pope Paul spoke.
"I ask for Your Holiness's punishment." The knight placed one hand on his chest and bowed his head deeply.
"Explain the reason." Pope Paul's eyes remained fixed eastward, never looking directly at the knight.
"The Dark Queen intervened," the knight said.
"You may withdraw. It is not your fault," Pope Paul waved his hand at the knight.
"Yes." The knight rose, kept one hand on his chest, took three steps back, and then turned to leave.
"That old woman is still alive? It seems I'll have to go there myself," Pope Paul muttered to himself.
This time, the Pope dispatched a Knight Commander to Lithuania to control the local forces, intending to use this as a means to curry favor with China.
Not long ago, Lithuania dared to provoke China. How could such a small nation contend with the radiant moon? China, of course, paid it no mind.
However, Pope Paul thought differently. If he handled Lithuania properly, he would have an excuse to visit China and find an expert.
China might not care about such trivial matters, but he, as a subordinate, had to act with the awareness of a subordinate. The minor issues that the big brother disregarded, the younger brother must handle perfectly.
Subsequently, Pope Paul dialed King Hughes's number.
"Old friend, there's something I'd like to cooperate with you on," Pope Paul began.
"I don't think I have anything to cooperate with you on," King Hughes scoffed.
"You old schemer, what good thing would you call me for cooperation?"
"Regarding China," Pope Paul ignored King Hughes's words and continued on his own.
King Hughes's interest was piqued. His master was Chinese, and he was extremely attentive to any matters concerning China.
"Tell me, but don't blame me for not warning you. I will not do anything that harms China. If you intend to, I don't mind breaking your neck."
King Hughes's warning was clear. He was not Chinese, but he was China's dog. A dog must guard its master's home; that is a dog's duty. Although this dog was not kept at home by its master, but was allowed to roam and live independently, he was indeed a bona fide dog, recognized by Xia Feng.
"You're overthinking it. I can only respect China," Pope Paul chuckled.
"Then tell me," King Hughes asked.
"Accompany me to Lithuania to deal with the Dark Queen," Pope Paul stated directly.
Upon hearing Lithuania, King Hughes understood Pope Paul's intentions. This was an attempt to show favor to his master. While it might not achieve much, it could at least earn him some goodwill.
"With your strength, isn't it enough? Is there a need to drag me along?" King Hughes frowned.
Wasn't it effortless for him to subdue the Dark Queen?
"Cherish your reputation," Pope Paul offered no explanation, speaking the truth.
His strength was indeed sufficient to defeat the Dark Queen, but he might sustain minor injuries. For Pope Paul, cherishing himself was paramount. Why take even a slight risk when two people could bully one person and defeat them easily? After all, even a rabbit cornered would bite, let alone a powerful woman.
"You're truly shameless. Only people like you can say such shameless things," King Hughes was utterly speechless.
"Just say yes or no. Fight for China," Pope Paul, unoffended, asked courteously.
"Just for that remark, I have to go with you. Wait for me." King Hughes hung up the phone.
Pope Paul looked at the hung-up phone and smiled, utterly unconcerned.
Then, Pope Paul's profound gaze turned eastward, and he thought to himself:
"China is indeed worthy of its millennia of civilization. Cultivators, these high-level practitioners beyond reach, truly stand at the pinnacle of this world. I must be a useful dog."
Pope Paul had been stuck at his current realm for too long. He needed to break free.