God-Level All-rounder Expert

Chapter 720: Chapter 790: Meet Them in Person

After a hearty meal, Zhao Xueying had the nanny come over to clear the table, while she personally made two cups of hot tea and brought them out to the courtyard, where Fang Yi was chatting with Jian Rong.

Zhao Xueying set down the hot teas, initially wanting to eavesdrop. The conversation at the dinner table had piqued her curiosity about Fang Yi because this irritating, unpredictable guy turned out to have such a secret and astonishing background. Eventually, Zhao Xueying decided to leave without intruding.

Jian Rong picked up the hot tea, blew on it twice, took a sip, and after placing the cup back on the table, he said, "Fang, you’ve come today, I wonder what you’re here for."

Fang Yi replied, "Elder Jian’s insight is sharp, like a flaming eye; this junior admires you."

Jian Rong waved his hand and responded, "Don’t flatter me. Just tell me what it is. As long as I can help, I’ll do my best."

Fang Yi probed cautiously, "But aren’t you afraid this could be trouble?"

Jian Rong chuckled and said, "Though I’m old, my courage isn’t, I’m still young at heart, I trust you, lad."

Actually, Jian Rong had a favorable opinion of Fang Yi, not just because Fang Yi had once saved his life, but also because their subsequent interactions convinced Jian Rong that Fang Yi was no ordinary young man. He wanted to offer his support. noveldrama

"Good, thank you for your trust, Elder Jian," Fang Yi pondered for a moment before continuing, "Elder Jian, I’d like to ask for your help in meeting with an official."

"An official?"

Jian Rong was a bit surprised. There were only a handful of officials in Xuan Cang, wielding great power and busy with innumerable tasks. Not just anyone could meet them, and even for him, Jian Rong, it was difficult to see them when he was a marshal, let alone now. To meet one seemed next to impossible.

However, Jian Rong did not show any hesitation as he said, "Alright, no problem."

Fang Yi lifted his hot tea, expressing his gratitude from the heart, "Thank you, Elder Jian."

As it was getting late, Fang Yi stood to take his leave. Jian Rong had Zhao Xueying escort Fang Yi out, not without Fang Yi’s usual slick talk, of course.

Zhao Xueying walked gracefully back into the courtyard and, looking at Jian Rong, she pondered before asking, "Dad, are you really going to take him to meet an official?"

Jian Rong replied, "Although it’s difficult, it’s not impossible. While that young man has a special identity, he truly is a talent. After I’m gone, the Jian Family will need support, we’ll need someone to stand by us."

As he spoke the last words, Jian Rong sighed sorrowfully.

Zhao Xueying was taken aback; she could clearly hear what Jian Rong meant. He clearly wanted to bring Fang Yi into the fold, and it seemed her father-in-law was preparing to fully support him.

...

In the car, Fang Yi lit a cigarette and drove while smoking.

It was approaching evening, and he had just left the Jian Family when suddenly his phone rang; it was a call from Ying Zheng.

Fang Yi answered, "Marshal Ying, how did it go?"

"Brother Fang, the local situation has been settled as you instructed; we acted swiftly and almost finished it all in one day," said Ying Zheng on the phone, though his tone was far from cheerful.

Fang Yi exhaled a puff of smoke and asked, "Ran into some trouble?"

Ying Zheng sighed over the phone, "The Chamber of Commerce came looking for trouble."

Fang Yi fell silent for a moment before saying, "Where are you? I’ll come right away."

In the lobby of a high-end hotel on the second floor.

A large round table was laden with fine wines and delicious dishes, red lobsters, king crabs, oysters with dipping sauce—a lavish spread of seafood alongside some Chinese dishes. The table was a feast for the eyes.

Sitting at the head of the round table was a portly man with plump cheeks and large ears, who looked to be in his early forties. Dressed in a suit, he was now keeping a straight face, his smile more a grimace than a sign of genuine pleasure, and was hard to approach.

Next to this chubby man sat a young man with a prominent nose, but his forehead was flat, lackluster. He had small eyes that squinted slightly when he looked at someone.

"Come, come, come, I’d like to propose a toast to Deputy Chairman Sun and Young Master Sun." Ying Zheng stood up, raising his glass.

As far as socializing was concerned, the plump Ying was always adept. At the dinner table, Ying Zheng was even more skilled; he knew all the ropes.

However, once Ying Zheng stood up and raised his glass, Deputy Chairman Sun and Young Master Sun didn’t show the slightest intention to respond. They acted as if they hadn’t heard, sitting there as if in meditation, utterly nonchalant.

Ying Zheng’s heart sank. Being extremely shrewd, he could tell that the two were genuinely not interested in interacting with him and were clearly looking to assert their dominance.

Rong Quan, who had accompanied Ying to the gathering, noticed this too. Although a prodigal, he couldn’t tolerate such arrogance, and was about to stand up and slam the table. Fortunately, Ying Zheng, with his sharp eyes, quickly stopped him.

Deputy Chairman Sun was the Vice Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, his name was Sun Jiancheng. The Young Master Sun was his nephew, named Sun Zhihong. Both carried themselves with arrogance, clearly not taking Ying and Rong seriously.

Ying Zheng didn’t get angry, but instead put on a smile. He took out a bank card from the inner pocket of his jacket and presented it with both hands, saying, "Deputy Chairman Sun, this is a small token of my appreciation. Please, accept it."

Sun Jiancheng didn’t take it. Enduring his frustration, Ying Zheng took a few steps towards Sun Jiancheng and placed the bank card next to his hand.

Sun Jiancheng picked up the bank card and asked indifferently, "How much is on it?"

Ying Zheng hastened to reply with a smile, "Two hundred thousand."

Upon hearing this, Sun Jiancheng’s face darkened. The bank card was abruptly thrown onto the floor by Sun Jiancheng. Cold laughter came from Sun Zhihong, seated beside him, "Two hundred thousand? That’s what you give to beggars."

Ying Zheng bent down to pick up the bank card, clenching it so hard he almost crushed it. Still holding back his anger, he said, "I wonder how much Young Master Sun desires?"

Sun Zhihong picked at his teeth with a toothpick, flicking away bits of food, and said, "Five hundred thousand each for me and my uncle, a million for my father—that is, the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, and a monthly fee for the Chamber itself, twenty million every month."

At these words, Ying Zheng’s expression changed dramatically; his chubby face couldn’t contain the rising anger any longer.

Five hundred thousand per person, a million for two, another million for the Chairman, plus a monthly fee of twenty million. This added up to forty million. With a scoff, Ying Zheng said, "Deputy Chairman Sun, Young Master Sun, don’t you think you’re being overly greedy? Business isn’t conducted like this."

Sun Zhihong said indifferently, "These are our fees here in Tianjing. If you want to do business here, you must pay up. If you don’t want to pay, that’s fine. Don’t even think about running your business, and just roll back to your Moon City."

Sun Jiancheng also mocked, "Ying Zheng, you are a magnate of Moon City and should bleed a bit more. Our Chamber has the support of the seven masters; you’d better think carefully."

The uncle and nephew sat confidently, both looking down at Ying with mockery. They believed they had Ying cornered—a piece of fat meat ripe for a good bite.

But at that moment, a voice suddenly rang out.

"The seven masters support you? Great. If you want money, call them here. I, Fang Yi, will meet them personally."