Inside the training grounds of the Security Department.
Everyone stared with wide eyes at the scene unfolding in the arena, many with their mouths agape, too astonished to react.
The vast training ground was now so quiet you could hear a pin drop!
The next moment, a torrent of discussion erupted.
“How is that possible? Damn, this is too much!”
“Instructor Song took down Fan Zhou in one move?”
“Hell, I thought he was supposed to be tough. Turns out this Fan guy is all show.”
…
The crowd erupted like a boiling pot.
Wu Meng’s eyes were also wide, disbelief etched on her face. When she saw Fan Zhou strike a pose, his muscles bulging, she thought he was formidable.
But this… this was pathetic…
And he had the nerve to call others trash.
However, the most shocked person in the entire training ground was Fan Zhou himself.
Impossible, absolutely impossible!
How could this be?
Veins bulged on Fan Zhou’s forehead, sweat beads the size of soybeans rolled down his cheeks, his muscles tensed as he desperately tried to rise from the palm strike.
But he simply couldn't.
That seemingly light palm strike felt like a mountain pressing down on him, instilling despair. He couldn't possibly lift it.
“You lost.”
Song Qiao’s face was relaxed and mocking, a stark contrast to Fan Zhou’s sweat-drenched, vein-popping struggle.
After a moment, Fan Zhou gave up struggling. He realized the gap in strength was too immense.
Forget fighting, he couldn't even stand up.
“I lost.”
Resigning himself to defeat, Fan Zhou gritted his teeth.
“What do you want?”
Song Qiao merely shrugged and withdrew his hand.
“You need to understand, it’s not about what I want, it’s about you fulfilling your promise.”
Hearing this, Fan Zhou’s fists clenched with a creaking sound.
Fulfilling his promise meant kneeling in front of everyone and leaving Yangcheng Security Department, never to interfere with its affairs again.
This was utter humiliation!
But with so many people watching, and a place like the Security Department valuing its word above all else, going back on his promise would reveal him as deceitful and cunning.
He would lose the respect of his subordinates, and even those above him would be disappointed.
Yet, he was unwilling to accept it, his eyes bloodshot.
“Song Qiao, what kind of ability is it to beat me? Have the guts to go to the capital, to see what true ancient martial arts are!”
Song Qiao adjusted his clothes, appearing nonchalant.
“Don’t worry, I’ll go. But are you not going to keep your word?”
With a raised eyebrow, Fan Zhou gritted his teeth.
“Hmph, of course I’ll do as I say!”
With that, he actually knelt down, his knees hitting the ground with a thud.
“Alright, since you’re keeping your word, you don’t need to crawl out. But from now on, don’t interfere with the Yangcheng Security Department’s affairs.”
Fan Zhou, swallowing his pride, said nothing more. He stood up and left in a huff.
As he had promised, for a period of time, he would no longer interfere with the Yangcheng Security Department. His role as an inspector had ended before it truly began.
“Not even a thank you. So rude.”
Song Qiao watched his retreating back and chuckled. At this moment, cheers erupted from the soldiers on one side of the training field.
“Instructor Song is amazing, Instructor Song is mighty!”
“Instructor Song, you must come and guide us more often!”
“That’s right, Instructor Song is so skilled, teach us more!”
…
The crowd cheered joyously, as if Song Qiao had defeated a great enemy for them.
Song Qiao waved to the soldiers.
“I’ll teach you another day. I have something to do today, so I’ll be going.”
When interacting with soldiers, one had to be more hearty.
A moment later, outside the main gate of the Security Department.
“Song Qiao, winning is winning. You didn’t have to make him kneel.”
“If you do this, that Fan Zhou will surely resent you, and he might cause you trouble later.”
Wu Meng’s face was full of worry. Song Qiao’s victory had earned her more admiration, but making an enemy was not ideal.
“You don’t understand. He would have caused me trouble regardless of whether he knelt or not. Li Bingqing found him specifically to embarrass me.”
Song Qiao said casually. If it weren’t for the soldiers watching, and the negative impact of making Fan Zhou crawl out, he wouldn’t have minded ensuring the man strictly adhered to his promise.
Wu Meng said nothing further. She had already guessed that Fan Zhou was brought by Li Bingqing. It seemed this trouble was unavoidable.
As the two were about to get into the car, Song Qiao’s phone suddenly rang.
“Why is she calling?”
Seeing the caller ID, he froze in surprise. The call was from Gao Mengmeng.
Gao Yuan had visited before, and now Gao Mengmeng was calling him. Clearly, something was up.
“Hello, Brother Song, I need to talk to you. I’m at the newly opened Changle Clubhouse in the city center right now.”
“Why don’t you come over? I have something to tell you.”
Song Qiao agreed, hung up the phone, and first asked Wu Meng to return to Xinkai.
About half an hour later, in the dance hall of a clubhouse in the city center.
“Brother Song, I finally see you again! Why haven’t you contacted me?”
Gao Mengmeng was wearing a stylish, light yellow dress today, looking like a little princess.
But the girl was pouting, clearly displeased.
“I’ve been very busy. A lot has happened recently.”
Song Qiao offered an explanation, then quickly changed the subject.
“By the way, what did you want to talk about?”
“Oh, it’s like this. My uncle hopes you can give the Gao family an opportunity. He said he’s changed his mind and wants to invest in the Ye Corporation.”
“Invest in the Ye Corporation?”
Song Qiao was slightly taken aback but quickly understood. Gao Yuan was clearly a man who cared about face. He hadn’t brought up the matter himself when they met, but had instead asked Gao Mengmeng to approach Song Qiao. This proved that Gao Yuan’s previous meeting with Song Qiao was to gain leverage.
This was good news.
“Sure, investing is no problem.”
He had invited Gao Liang and his associate to invest in the Ye Corporation before. It was even better that they were now proposing it themselves.
“However, for investment, a contract of at least five years is required. I hope your uncle and his associates can establish a long-term cooperation with the Ye Corporation.”
Gao Mengmeng nodded, her face filled with excitement.
“That’s great! My uncle will definitely agree. I knew Brother Song would agree!”
The dance hall was dimly lit. She took Song Qiao’s hand and began to sway gently to the music.
After a while, Gao Mengmeng’s excitement subsided, and a hint of sadness appeared on her beautiful face.
“Brother Song, I… can I ask you for one more thing?”
She suddenly looked up, her bright eyes fixed on his face.
“Anything you need, just say it. We’re friends, after all.”
Song Qiao replied with a smile. He would naturally help with ordinary requests.
Gao Mengmeng gained some confidence.
“Actually… actually, I want you to save my father.”
“Save Secretary Gao?”
Song Qiao’s body stiffened.
“Mengmeng, are you joking? Someone like Secretary Gao, why would he need me to save him?”
He chuckled, thinking Gao Mengmeng was joking.
“No, it’s not. My father offended someone back then, and that person has now become powerful. They recently declared they want revenge on my father, and I’m afraid…”
“I see.”
Song Qiao understood generally but was still a little confused.
“If it’s just this, you don’t need me. The Security Department can handle it.”
After all, Secretary Gao was an official, and the Security Department would surely intervene.
“No, this person is different. The Security Department won’t be able to stop him, which is why I’m scared and want to ask for your help.”
Gao Mengmeng’s eyes were a little red, clearly worried about the matter.
“Even the Security Department can’t stop him?”
This statement surprised Song Qiao.
“Who?”
“His name is Sheng Xiong. I heard he has a lot of influence. I really don’t know what to do.”
Having said that, Gao Mengmeng looked at Song Qiao with anticipation.
However, upon hearing the name, Song Qiao immediately shook his head.
“I’m sorry, I can’t help with this.”