Chapter 056: The Wealthy Merchant of Hong Kong

Everyone spoke up in support of Zhao Feng, and witnessing this scene, Zhao Stingy was so frustrated he could barely contain himself.

“Zhao Feng, you’re shameless!” he shouted.

Zhao Feng merely shrugged, unwilling to stoop to Zhao Stingy’s level.

He nodded toward Chen Ying, signaling her to continue.

Chen Ying smiled, her confidence restored.

She said, “Our village’s current plan is just as I described. The factory construction will begin after the road is finished, and by then, trucks will be able to get through!”

“What?” someone exclaimed.

“We have to wait that long?” another complained.

“Indeed, it won’t be done in less than three months!”

Zhao Feng laughed. “Everyone, don’t be anxious. All of the things Chen Ying mentioned take time. We must be patient.”

“Well, there’s nothing else we can do,” someone sighed.

“That’s right,” another agreed.

In that moment, hope blossomed for the future; the villagers began to long for the life ahead.

When the meeting ended, everyone returned to their homes.

Zhao Feng and the others also headed back.

After lunch, Chen Ying found herself alone with Zhao Feng.

She stood before him, a bit shy. “Zhao Feng, thank you so much for today.”

Zhao Feng smiled lightly. “We’re all friends here, there’s no need for thanks.”

Blushing, Chen Ying asked, “Just friends?”

Zhao Feng paused, thinking for a moment before replying, “At least for now, we are only friends.”

Chen Ying blinked, not quite grasping his meaning. She always felt that when Zhao Feng spoke, there was a hidden layer to his words, something she could never quite decipher.

Zhao Feng gazed off into the distant sky. “Senior Sister, you have to wait for me. Even if it’s a thousand years, ten thousand years, you must wait. I will come back…”

Suddenly, a violent pounding at the door pulled Zhao Feng from his reverie.

He steadied himself. “What is it?”

“I’ll get it!” Chen Ying called, dashing off.

She hurried to the front, and with a creak, opened the bronze door, only to be stunned. “You? What are you doing here?”

Liu Dahua squeezed out a stiff smile. “Miss Chen, it’s been a long time!”

“Hmph!” Chen Ying snorted coldly and slammed the door in his face.

Bang!

Liu Dahua’s nose smacked against the door.

“Ow!” he yelped, clutching his nose, crouching on the ground in pain. “This little brat better hope she never falls into my hands,” he muttered under his breath.

A cold voice cut through the air. “Who are you hoping never falls into your hands?”

Liu Dahua looked up to see Zhao Feng standing right in front of him.

“Ah!” Liu Dahua shrieked, falling back onto the ground in fright.

He stammered, “Brother Zhao, wh-when did you come out?”

“Just now,” Zhao Feng replied coldly.

Smack! Liu Dahua slapped himself. “Brother Zhao, my tongue got away from me. Please forgive me!”

“Hmph.” Zhao Feng closed his eyes. “Speak. Why are you here?”

Liu Dahua’s face brightened instantly, and he obsequiously produced a box.

“What’s this?” Zhao Feng asked.

He chuckled nervously. “This is a fifty-year-old lingzhi mushroom.”

“A fifty-year-old lingzhi?” Zhao Feng was surprised.

Liu Dahua grinned. “After interacting with you, Brother Zhao, I could tell you’re someone who practices martial arts. So I brought this fifty-year-old lingzhi for you to nourish your energy and blood.”

Zhao Feng nodded serenely. “You’re thoughtful.”

Liu Dahua paused, then his face lit up with delight—there was hope!

He bowed his head, waiting anxiously for Zhao Feng’s next words.

Zhao Feng tilted his head. “So, why are you here?”

Liu Dahua perked up, smiling. “Brother Zhao, I came because I have a small favor to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Well, it’s just…”

“Just what?” Zhao Feng’s brow arched, startling Liu Dahua so much that he dropped to his knees.

Liu Dahua wiped the sweat from his brow, relieved—this was the Zhao Feng he knew.

Zhao Feng’s quick agreement had made him suspicious something was amiss.

Zhao Feng fixed his gaze on him. “Speak. What’s the matter?”

Liu Dahua forced a weak smile. “Brother Zhao, when I got home last night, I discovered…”

“Discovered what?”

Zhao Feng’s sharp tone made Liu Dahua jump again.

With a mournful face, he confessed, “Brother Zhao, I found that… that part of me doesn’t work anymore.”

“Hmph,” Zhao Feng snorted. “Serves you right. Consider it your lesson.”

Liu Dahua burst into tears, kowtowing repeatedly. “Brother Zhao, please have mercy! I can’t live without that! My concubines are all waiting for me!”

Zhao Feng sneered, “Your desires are too great, Liu Dahua. It’s not good for you. Restraining your desires could add years to your life.”

Sobbing, Liu Dahua pleaded, “Brother Zhao, I don’t want to! I just want to enjoy the pleasures of life—you’re robbing me of so much joy!”

Zhao Feng shook his head. “Go home, Liu Dahua. I won’t see you for this.”

“This… this…” Liu Dahua scratched his head in desperation, but after a moment, his eyes lit up with an idea.

He quickly said, “Brother Zhao, I know why Young Master Xiang covets your family’s heirloom!”

“Oh?” Zhao Feng’s brow arched sharply.

He was genuinely surprised—this was an unexpected windfall. In truth, even if Liu Dahua hadn’t mentioned this, Zhao Feng would have eventually healed him, as it was necessary for the next step of his plan.

Stroking his chin, Zhao Feng played along. “Oh? And why is that?”

Liu Dahua took a deep breath and beckoned Zhao Feng closer.

Zhao Feng’s lips curled slightly as he slowly stepped closer.

Liu Dahua whispered into Zhao Feng’s ear, “Brother Zhao, don’t say I told you this. I don’t know all the details. That night, Young Master Xiang summoned me to his villa. When I arrived, no one was there, so I waited in the study. I must have dozed off, because when I woke, Young Master Xiang was speaking with a stranger.”

Zhao Feng narrowed his eyes. “And then?”

Liu Dahua grinned. “Brother Zhao, you’ll never guess who that stranger was!”

“Stop beating around the bush. Out with it!”

“Yes, yes!” Liu Dahua replied, lowering his voice mysteriously. “Brother Zhao, you won’t believe it—the stranger was a wealthy businessman from Hong Kong. He’s the one who wants your family heirloom.”

He held up a finger. “He offered ten million for it!”