After finishing the meal, Qin Hanchu and Lai Caiyun returned to the apartment.
When Qin Hanchu closed the door, Lai Caiyun returned to her room with a sense of loss.
For the next week, Qin Hanchu spent his days consolidating his cultivation.
On the eighth day, the Black Tower executive from the Southern Desert Kingdom called.
The underground world was not connected to the outside internet, and outsiders could not contact anyone in the underground world without specific equipment.
As an external staff member of the Black Tower, the executive from the Southern Desert Kingdom naturally had the equipment to communicate with the underground world.
"Alchemist Ye, there's something I need to tell you."
Although the Black Tower executive was in the outside world, he was aware of some of Qin Hanchu's affairs in the underground world.
He had initially believed Qin Hanchu to be merely powerful in martial arts, but he hadn't expected Qin Hanchu to become an honored alchemist so soon after arriving in the underground world.
As Qin Hanchu's referrer, the Black Tower executive had also benefited considerably.
To foster a good relationship with Qin Hanchu, the Black Tower executive had assigned people to look after Ye Changqing's family.
Just yesterday, Ye Changqing's "stepfather" had provoked a major figure from the provincial government.
Upon hearing this news, the Black Tower executive immediately called Qin Hanchu.
If Qin Hanchu asked for his help, Qin Hanchu would owe him a favor.
"What is it?" Qin Hanchu asked.
The Black Tower executive first recounted the incident involving Ye Changqing's "stepfather's" family, then asked, "Do you need me to arrange for someone to help your family out of this predicament?"
Ye Changqing's family was like strangers to Qin Hanchu, and he didn't truly care about their lives or deaths.
Despite this, Qin Hanchu couldn't truly remain indifferent.
If he were to be indifferent, the Black Tower executive would surely become suspicious.
"Will it be very troublesome?" Qin Hanchu asked.
The Black Tower executive smiled, "A phone call is all it takes."
"Then I'll trouble you. I will certainly reward you handsomely when you return," Qin Hanchu had no intention of returning to the surface world for this matter and would let the Black Tower executive send someone to resolve it.
The Black Tower executive chuckled, "No problem, I'll handle this worldly matter for you."
...
Southern Desert Kingdom, Jianghai City.
"Husband, that's the richest man in the provincial capital. How can we possibly fight against them?"
The woman speaking was none other than Ye Changqing's mother.
She had thought that marrying Zhou Haizhe would allow her to continue enjoying wealth and status, but she never expected Zhou Haizhe's son to assault the son of the provincial capital's richest man.
The provincial capital's richest man had already declared that he would see Zhou Haizhe's group removed from Jianghai City.
Zhou Haizhe said solemnly, "I have already asked the Jianghai Executive Mayor to intervene. This is just a minor conflict, and the Hu family should give the Jianghai Executive Mayor some face."
"Really? That would be wonderful if the Jianghai Executive Mayor is willing to step in."
Zhou Haizhe looked at his son, "Tomorrow, you will personally apologize to Young Master Hu. No matter what, you must gain his forgiveness."
"Understood!" Zhou Hanwei understood how serious the matter was. If he couldn't obtain the Hu family's forgiveness, everything he now possessed would vanish into thin air.
Given the Hu family's power, it would only take a few days for their family's industries to collapse.
Zhou Hanqing said gravely, "The Jianghai Executive Mayor alone might not be enough to change the Hu family's minds. Don't forget that the Hu family's backer is a significant figure in the Imperial Capital."
"Who else can we ask for help?" Zhou Haizhe sighed helplessly. "If the Jianghai Executive Mayor cannot help us, then we can only leave Jianghai City with our cash."
Ye Changqing's mother and the Zhou family spent the night in trepidation.
At nine o'clock the next morning, over ten luxury cars arrived in front of Zhou Haizhe's villa.
As the car doors opened, dozens of bodyguards in black emerged first.
As the bodyguards alighted, the Zhou Haizhe family walked out of the villa.
"Young Master, please alight."
With the bodyguards' deferential invitation, a young man with his head wrapped in bandages stepped out of the car.
This young man was the Hu family's young master.
The Hu family was not only the richest in the provincial capital, but several prominent figures from their family also held positions in the Imperial Capital.
Compared to the Hu family, Zhou Haizhe's group was like a roadside stall; it was effortless for the Hu family to bring down Zhou Haizhe's group.
Let alone Zhou Haizhe's group, even Zhongcheng and Wansheng groups were not qualified to be enemies with the Hu family.
"Zhou Hanwei, is it? I've come to see you as promised." Young Master Hu glared fiercely at Zhou Hanwei.
Zhou Haizhe quickly said, "Young Master Hu, it was a misunderstanding before. Our family apologizes to you."
"Apologize? Can an apology return the blood I've shed to my body?" Young Master Hu retorted coldly.
At this moment, a public bus arrived in a hurry.
As the bus door opened, the Jianghai Executive Mayor walked towards Young Master Hu, "Young Master Hu, I apologize for not meeting you sooner."
"Uncle Wang, why are you here?" Young Master Hu's attitude was very distant, indicating he didn't hold the Jianghai Executive Mayor in high regard.
The Jianghai Executive Mayor smiled awkwardly, "Young Master Hu, I have heard about the matter between you and Chairman Zhou. Chairman Zhou is willing to offer thirty billion as compensation. Could you be magnanimous?"
"Thirty billion? Do I lack money?"
As Young Master Hu was speaking, Zhou Hanqing walked out of the villa.
Seeing Zhou Hanqing, Young Master Hu's eyes lit up.
"Young Master Hu, please state your conditions. As long as we can meet them, we will certainly satisfy you," Zhou Haizhe said urgently. "Our family can kowtow to you and beg for forgiveness."
Young Master Hu's gaze was fixed on Zhou Hanqing, "Who is she to you?"
"This is my youngest daughter," Zhou Haizhe replied.
A sinister smile appeared on Young Master Hu's lips, "Since you are so sincere, I will give you a chance. I like your daughter very much. As long as she accompanies me for three months, I can let you go."
"What?" Zhou Hanqing was stunned by Young Master Hu's demand, and she angrily declared, "You wish!"
Young Master Hu chuckled, "The opportunity has been given to you. Whether you seize it or not is up to you. As long as she agrees, I will let bygones be bygones! Otherwise..."
"Sister, Young Master Hu is a talented and distinguished gentleman, and also the heir to the Hu family."
"It's your fortune that he fancies you, why refuse?"
"As long as you agree to Young Master Hu's terms, you will be the benefactor of our Zhou family."
Zhou Hanwei cared nothing for Zhou Hanqing's happiness. He only knew that if Young Master Hu's wrath could not be appeased, then everything he currently possessed would be gone.
As long as Zhou Hanqing accompanied Young Master Hu, this matter could be resolved, and Zhou Haizhe's industries could be preserved.
Zhou Haizhe sighed and also said to Zhou Hanqing, "Daughter, please agree for the sake of our family."
"Why should my happiness be sacrificed for the mess he created?" Zhou Hanwei's and Zhou Haizhe's words made Zhou Hanqing even more furious.
Zhou Haizhe said, "As long as you agree to Young Master Hu's terms, I can give you twenty percent of the company's equity!"