RETURNING FROM THE IMMORTAL WORLD

Chapter 161 - Chapter 170

Chapter 161: Giving Someone a Favor with a Small Price

Upon seeing that Tang Xiu recognized him, the plump middle-aged man immediately felt somewhat special as he smiled ear to ear and said, "You're most welcome! I did what I was supposed to do since it's my work. Idol, I thought I would never be able to see you again for the rest of my life! So I didn't expect that today I would come across with you here. Even I didn't expect that this restaurant belongs to your family. But the news about your family's restaurant has entered my ears so many times before. Your family's restaurant is truly great. The meals are sumptuous, the prices are cheap and the tastes are also wonderful."

"Thanks for the kind words of praise."

Tang Xiu nodded and smiled. And then, he turned again toward the inside.

For a moment, the plump middle-aged man stared blankly as he watched Tang Xiu walk away. He was somewhat quite clueless, and thought that Tang Xiu didn't like some of the words he said.

"What was that? Trying to worm your way in to get close to a woman by approaching her child? Is she ignoring you? Those warm feelings of yours are clearly meeting with the cold rebukes from them, aren't they?" The middle-aged woman who talked a moment ago, looked at the plump middle-aged man with a contemptuous expression on her face as she ridiculed him.

In just a split second, the face of the plump middle-aged man turned crimson.

Tang Xiu, who just walked for a few steps, could clearly hear the ridicules from the middle-aged woman behind him. His brows were slightly wrinkled as he stopped walking and looked back slightly. Then, he looked at the familiar attendant and said, "I just recalled that Mom said that she must keep one or two of the most luxurious boxes to entertain the distinguished guests. Do we still have them?"

The attendant said, "Yes, we still have two of them."

"Is there anyone using the box now?" Tang Xiu asked.

The attendant said, "Yes, one of them is being used by the City Leaders. But the other one is empty!"

"Since there's still an empty box, I presume it's fine if I take it! This Fatty Big Brother is my acquaintance. He's a good man!" Tang Xiu said

"Alright!"

The attendant respectfully nodded.

In this instant, the plump middle-aged man was shocked. Tang Xiu's praise for him made his anger instantly turn into happiness as he cast a grateful expression toward him.

As for the middle-aged woman, her breathing slightly paused, with an angering expression immediately drawn on her face. She pulled the fierce-looking middle-aged man's hand, dragging him to leave. However, that middle-aged man sized up the plump middle-aged man with an astonished expression. Then, he turned toward the middle-aged woman and spoke in a low voice, "Don't incite trouble deliberately. Our family finally can get together today. The others have scheduled us the best room in this restaurant with great difficulty. And this is already giving us a face, greatly."

"Hmph..."

The middle-aged woman obviously was afraid of this fierce-looking middle aged-man. She snorted coldly and then turned her head with an obvious resentful expression on her face.

Tang Xiu no longer paid attention to these trivial matters anymore and headed straight to his mother's office. When he saw that his mother was doing some accountings with a calculator and seeing her smiling expression, Tang Xiu also felt warm and comfortable inside.

"Mom, your restaurant is doing great. I think you can afford to hire someone to help you manage the finances."

Upon seeing Tang Xiu, Su Lingyun's eyes immediately brightened up. She put down the account book from her hands and said with a smile, "Sonny, don't be silly! We can't hand over the accountings to others. What should I do if they report dummy accounts? Your mother might be old, but my brain is still fine in dealing with calculations. So I can still deal with this."

Tang Xiu said with a laugh, "Who dare say that Mom is old? You are and you will always be forever young and beautiful in my heart. Ah, right, the school is on holiday so I don't need to go to school for tomorrow and the day after. Four days later I'll attend the College Entrance Test, and the test itself will be held in our school."

Su Lingyun said with a deep concern expression, "Xiu'er, you don't need to feel pressured. Consider it as an ordinary exam. Even if you can't get the admission to enter a top university, Mom will still feel happy even though you can only enter an ordinary one."

Tang Xiu said, "I have the confidence that I can give you the provincial top scorer for this test."

Su Lingyun was amused by his words and said with a tease, "Smelly boy, you do know how to coax you Mom to be happy, don't you? Ah, right. Have you eaten yet? I'll go to the kitchen to cook some food for you..."

Tang Xiu promptly replied, "It's ok, Mom. I had already eaten. Recently, I've been tutoring some classmates of mine for supplementary lessons and they just treated me to dinner this evening."

Whilst looking at the gray hairs on his mother's temples, Tang Xiu thought for a moment and decided to not go back to South Gate Town tonight, but to his real home. Spending time and accompanying his mother was, after all, his lifelong greatest wish.

At early hours...

Tang Xiu accompanied Su Lingyun to shut the shutters and close the restaurant. Then, they walked home together. The street lights outside were dim and there was only a handful of pedestrians on the street, while vehicles were still converging on the road as though a dragon and steadily flowing.

"Mom, do you always go home at this time, everyday? Alone?" Tang Xiu's expression was a bit unsightly. With his Spiritual Sense he had observed the surroundings and he didn't find Banshou and the others around.

Su Lingyun said with a smile, "Ah, yes! Our home is very near from here, and it only takes ten minutes on foot. Take a look at those street lights. The light is so bright and the ground is well-illuminated, so you don't need to worry to step on something and sprain your legs."

Tang Xiu continued, "And, what time the restaurant is open for business everyday?"

"Ah, I can only come over at 9AM every morning. As for buying vegetables and meats, Banshou and the others are doing the job. If not, I could have died due to fatigue." Said Su Lingyun.

Tang Xiu nodded and no longer said anything. However, he was actually thinking about it inside. His mother went back home at this very late hour every night, that was too unsafe. He must assign someone to protect her in secret. Nowadays, it was better to be safe than sorry and be prepared just in case. If something unfortunate occurred to her, he would regret it for the rest of his life.

After arriving at home...

Whilst lying on a familiar bed, Tang Xiu looked at the familiar scenes in the room with quite a headache as he felt that he was lacking in manpower. When he was in the Immortal World, he commanded a large number of loyal and devoted subordinates who were always ready to do each and every bidding he threw at them. As long as he issued any orders, some Immortals would carry them out.

But now, he had just only returned back to Earth recently and he must do a lot of things by himself. He lacked abilities and was weak; he wanted to do his own things, wanting to make money for his cultivation practice, going to college to fulfil his mother's wishes. But then, he wouldn't be able to protect his own mother.

"Should I train some trusted subordinates?!"

The thought popped inside his mind. However, in this age where wealth was of the most import, he found himself really too poor. Although he got a lot of money recently, but he only had a few millions on him right now. Such as the money he got from Tie Long as well as the compensation from the Rising Dragon Martial School, all of them had been taken by Kang Xia to develop the company. Moreover, the recent purchases of medicinal herbs and ingredients also cost him quite a sum.

"I owe Chen Zhizhong 2.5 billion yuan, and also 100 million to Gu Xiaoxue. What should I do to get my hands on some big money again?"

For a long time, Tang Xiu was thinking. But he finally tossed aside the idea of "training subordinates" inside his heart.

"Bam, bam..."

The dull knocking sounds on the door woke Tang Xiu, who had slowly fallen asleep. When he dressed up and looked at the time, it was at a very late 2 o'clock at night.

"It's so late. Who's knocking on the door?"

Tang Xiu's brows deeply wrinkled. He went out of his room and saw his Mother also had dressed up and came out.

"It's in the middle of the night. How come someone in knocking our door this late?" Su Lingyun hesitated. She wasn't sure whether she should open the door or not. After all, there door had no peephole and she didn't know if it was a good or bad people outside.

Tang Xiu said, "It's alright, I'll take a look at it."

After having said that, he strode to the door. After he opened it, the very first thing that came in was a fluttering pungent smell of liquor, and quickly followed with Su Shangwen with his messy clothes and red eyes who crashed and fell inside.

Seeing that, Tang Xiu quickly moved. He reached out and grabbed Su Shangwen's collar, throwing him directly out of the door. With a cold and detached expression, he watched him fall heavily and smash on the ground.

"What the hell are you doing?"

Su Shangwen struggled and crawled, trying to get up from the ground. After he flung his head and could clearly see that the one standing in front of him was Tang Xiu, he immediately threw a rain of curses, "YOU FUCKING DAMN LITTLE BASTARD! IT'S BECAUSE OF YOU! Because you want to... if it weren't for you, do you think I—Your Father, will be so miserable now? You gotta fucking pay me... compensate for my company, my money..."

"Pa..."

Tang Xiu pulled him up and slapped his face, causing him to sit with his ass down on the concrete floor in front of the door. Then, he spoke with a cold and detached expression, "Did you not hear clearly what I've said before? If you drink too much and get drunk, get the hell out of my face and go sleep in your house! Don't act crazy because of liquor here! Otherwise, it won't be as simply as losing your company, you also won't be able to guarantee your own safety!"

Su Shangwen covered his face with his palm as he then spurted out a strong and disgusting smell of alcohol and cursed, "You... you damn little bastard. You've just barely grown up... a-and you even dare to hit... to hit this FATHER? HOW DARE YOU? IF IT WEREN'T FOR I—YOUR FATHER—DO YOU THINK YOUR FAMILY CAN BE BETTER NOW? IF IT WEREN'T FOR ME... Your mother... your mother could've been become a beggar and died in the corner of an unknown alley a long time ago!"

Tang Xiu took a deep breath. He turned around and looked at the door. Su Lingyun was there with a miserable expression. Then, with a deepened tone, he said, "Mom, if you trust me, let me solve this problem. You go to rest!"

Su Lingyun hesitated for a moment and then replied in a low voice, "But, Xiu'er, he..."

Tang Xiu said, "My people will do something about this. But you don't need to worry. I guarantee that there will be no problem with his personal safety."

"You..."

Su Lingyun stared in a daze at Tang Xiu. She suddenly realized that her son had really grown up and no longer needed to be protected by her. Moreover, she also found that her son was as though he became a lot more mature in the last two months; even becoming somewhat mysterious.

"Alright."

Su Lingyun had already been disappointed thoroughly by this blood brother. So, shooking her head, she turned around and went back to her room.

Tang Xiu went out of the door and closed it from the outside. His hand grabbed Su Shangwen and dragged him downstairs in big strides. As he arrived at the roadside, he fiercely slapped his face again, making him faint. Then, he stopped a taxi, throwing two hundred yuan to the driver, he gave him Su Shangwen's home address.

After the taxi had gone quite far, Tang Xiu stopped looking and dialed Chen Zhizhong's cell number. Although it was very late at 2AM, he had no choice but disturb Chen Zhizhong. His mother must no longer receive any harassments again whatsoever, and he wanted to solve the problems with Su Shangwen as fast as possible.

He was really glad he went home tonight. Otherwise, judging from Su Shangwen's character, he would absolutely insult his mother, and likely beat her.

"Master, you're looking for me?"

Chen Zhizhong's voice came out of the phone.

"Were you sleeping just now?" Asked Tang Xiu.

"No, I'm still taking care of something at the moment. Anyway, do you have any commands for me, Master?" Chen Zhizhong said.

Tang Xiu said, "About Su Shangwen's matters. How's the progress now?"

Chen Zhizhong said, "We've started to pull him into the net. The Shangwen Real Estate company owned by Su Shangwen has a lot of problems and also many black debts. At the most, five days later, he will be arrested. Even if he won't be imprisoned for life, he will be behind bars for at least ten or twenty years."

Tang Xiu asked: "What else?"

Chapter 162: College Entrance Test

Chen Zhizhong said, "Two and half a year ago, his wife once had a hit-and-run case, but she got away from the charges. But I've sent some people to investigate it even though the charges against her have been dropped. Are you intending to..."

"Send them together."

Tang Xiu said with a dry and cold tone.

It wasn't that he was a cold person. But he was acutely aware of one thing: an anxious rabbit could and would bite. People who didn't belong together wouldn't get to live together, and they were married because they had something in common. Su Shangwen and Zhang Meiyun had the same morality and conducts. They were narrow-minded, with a sharp and unkind mouth. In the case that Chen Zhizhong was to send her to prison, then it meant that she wouldn't be able to do anything crazy.

As for their children, Tang Xiu had long made up his mind. If they were able to turn a new leaf and make a fresh start, he would let them go. But if they were stubborn and refused to repent, then, he would also clean them up in the future.

Familial affection?!

For Tang Xiu, it was all a joke! Aside from his mother, it could be said that in his heart, family affection no longer existed whatsoever in this mortal world! The kindness as small as a water drop had to be recompensed with a gushing spring?! They did kindly treated the mother and child for once. And for that, he felt grateful. But if they dared to bring troubles to his mother, then, he would fully remove all of these threats.

"Master, do you have any other commands for me?"

Chen Zhizhong's voice came again from the cell phone.

Tang Xiu said with a calm tone, "Send some people to conduct a surveillance on the Su Shangwen couple. I don't want them to harass my mother again before they go to jail. In addition, if you have time these days, come to South Gate Town at night."

"Understood!"

The call ended.

Tang Xiu put back his cell phone into his pocket as the ruthless glint inside his eyes gradually disappeared. And yet, he was still suppressing the wisp of flame inside his heart. Su Shangwen was none other but the one person he most loathed and hated after he returned back to Earth. And now, he finally learned through his own experience the meaning behind the sayings that close neighbors were much better than relatives so distant and afar.

Neighbors at the very least would smile, nod, and greet each other. But the ice-cold blood relatives would only create constant troubles for the family.

Within the vast and obscure dim light of the night, Tang Xiu didn't rush to go back home.

He was contemplating, questioning his own conscience.

After returning back to Earth, he found himself coming across problems that tied his hands and bound his feet. He was fettered by family affection and kinship, as well as being constrained by laws and regulations. Had it been in the Immortal World, he wouldn't hesitate to dispose and kill those who dared offend him. But in this world, there would always be various kinds of scruples in every case.

He was not a ruthless and merciless person, but to have troubles emerging one after another was also something he had never wished for. Thus, completely eliminating the source of the problems was the best choice in his view. And yet, these constraints actually chained him, causing him to be unable to act and move freely.

"Nevertheless, I'm still too weak."

Tang Xiu secretly sighed inside.

For him, laws and regulations were enacted for those who were weak. He just had to transform himself and became stronger, either his cultivation strength or his wealth accumulation. For these two were the symbols of one's status and position.

Half an hour later.

Tang Xiu returned home and found that the light in the living room was still lit. His mother was wearing a coat as she sat on the sofa with traces of dry tears still hung on her cheek.

"Mom, please go rest!"

Tang Xiu sighed slightly as he spoke softly to her.

Su Lingyun raised her head. She looked at Tang Xiu and asked nervously, "Xiu'er, you didn't put him..."

Tang Xiu interrupted her and said earnestly, "Mom, I stopped a taxi and had the driver send him back. Moreover, I hope you can forget him later. Otherwise, not only will you be pained and sad, even I also won't have a good end. Please don't forget how he treated us before."

Su Lingyun hesitated, "B-but, after all, he's..."

Tang Xiu directly put out his trump argument and said with a sinking tone, "Mom, I know that there's still a chance for Su Shangwen to mix in and behave better even if his company doesn't go out of business and he doesn't go broke. But he hates us so much that he doesn't want us to have easy times and feel better! Do you want to wait for the future when he's richer and more powerful and then force you to transfer the ownership of the restaurant to him? Don't tell me you want him to force me to drop out of school and go home? Or just like before, finding a group of thugs to smash our restaurant, beating and sending us to the hospital?"

Su Lingyun's pupils contracted as the past events hit her heart. She was kind hearted by nature. But yet, being forced and pressed would also make her to be extremely tough and unyielding. She gave a heavy nod and said, "Xiu'er, you're right. You said he doesn't want us to feel better and have easy times. if so, then we'll give him the hard times. Mom won't ask you what and how you handle this matter. But you must never break the laws in handling this!"

"Don't worry about it Mom!"

Tang Xiu nodded as he propped her up from the sofa and walked her to the bedroom.

The next morning...

Tang Xiu stayed at home until his mother left. And then quickly went out of the house to rush toward South Gate Town as he still had to give the tutoring and supplementary lessons for Yuan Chuling, Cheng Yannan, and his two other classmates. Moreover, the Everlasting Feast Hall's people from Jingmen Island had also arrived and were waiting for him.

After he bought the Tianshan Snow Lotus yesterday, he had been thinking carefully, and he thought that he was not yet ready to concoct pills by himself. His cultivation level, after all, was limited, and refining best quality pills would consume huge mental and physical energy. Although Ji Chimei was still injured, however, she also knew alchemy, and it would also benefit her injuries, once it had been refined.

"The most important thing to do after having the College Entrance Test, is to find precious ores. I already have the Void Crack Stone. So long as I have the materials to refine an interspatial container, I should quickly refine it. Purchasing things carrying them with his own hands isn't very convenient."

Tang Xiu took the Tianshan Snow Lotus when he returned to South Gate Town, and gave it to Ji Chimei who had arrived. After sending her away, he stood before the window of his bedroom and thought deeply.

Human's desire, as always, truly was never-ending.

Tang Xiu's heart had gone through countless mental and psychological tribulations. He practically had reached the point of having it tempered into a steel. But even so, he somewhat still cherished the memory of having those treasures he had in the Immortal World.

Two days had just passed by in a flash...

The College Entrance Test that came slowly, now was at the footsteps, at last.

At Star City First High School's gate...

Tang Xiu arrived in a taxi. He saw that all of his classmates had arrived, as the teacher-in-charge—Han Qingwu was counting the students present.

"Tang Xiu, you finally came."

Han Qingwu finally felt relieved upon seeing Tang Xiu.

"I'm sorry, there was a bit of a traffic jam on the way, so I came late." Tang Xiu replied with a smile.

Han Qingwu snapped, "Bah, then why didn't you come earlier?! Anyways, our turn to enter the school will come soon. But you mustn't be nervous when you enter the exam room. Give everything you got and strive to get outstanding results!"

"Don't worry, will do!" Tang Xiu nodded.

Shortly...

The Class 10 students lined up to enter the school gate. After having gone through the inspection of their ID and admission cards, they went inside, and then separated to look for each one's exam rooms.

"Eldest Brother, I'm in the 36th Exam Room. What's yours?" Whilst holding his stationery bag, Yuan Chuling walked closer to Tang Xiu and asked.

"18." Tang Xiu said.

A bit of regret was revealed on Yuan Chuling's face as he said, "Duh, it's a pity that we're not in the same exam room. Else, I would have more confidence to pass this College Entrance Test and be admitted to one of the best universities in the country."

Tang Xiu snapped despite being in a good mood, "You know that the College Entrance Test is different from our previous tests! It's highly unlikely that you'll be able to cheat this time. So you better toss out those crooked thoughts of yours and do the tests with your own ability!"

However...

He was secretly happy. Because he just thought that even though it would be inconvenient for others to cheat, but for him, it was very easy. So long as he released his Spiritual Sense, he could "see" the other examinees' test papers and answers in the classrooms.

If the answers were very few, comparing the answer and copying it wouldn't have much effect. But if he got hundreds of answers, and coupled with his own knowledge, Tang Xiu felt that if he couldn't get any good results out of it, then it would mean that his ability was but only making him a fool.

The exam papers had all been sent down and distributed.

Tang Xiu skimmed through all the questions from the beginning to the end. Then, he took the pen and wrote the answers at a very fast speed. About half an hour later, he had already finished answering all the questions in the exam paper. This was the first time he didn't hold back. Ten years of bitter and hardship life study, only to win the top marks in the exam. And this very College Entrance Test was but only to inspect and verify the results of more than ten years' studying.

Tang Xiu checked his answers again. It was, all in all, just the boring time. Making use of his Spiritual Sense, he began to "peep" on the answers from the other examinees. After looking, he was at a loss whether to cry or laugh. The rate of the correct and accurate answers from the examinees around him were surprisingly low. There was even a guy who was only able to write obscure answers for the most basic essay questions.

"Time is up! Hand over your exam papers!" The proctor said.

The test for this morning was for Language and Literature. Mathematics would follow in the afternoon. While the other tests would continue in the next day for this two-day long exam. The examinees and their guardian passed the days with concern and anxiety.

Tang Xiu faced the test very smoothly. And in particular, he was in very good mood. It was because he, at last, didn't have to waste time in the classroom anymore. With two months of holiday also in front of his eyes, everything gave him a freedom feeling, as though a bird flying in the sky.

After going back to school, Tang Xiu, with his Class 10 classmates, took a picture together as he immediately left in a flash. He only had a few friends at school. Even amongst his classmates, he only had a handful of people he had a good relationship with, such as Yuan Chuling, Cheng Yannan and a few others.

"Eldest Brother, I'm under a command decree from my Dad. He said that no matter what and how, I must take you to visit our home by all means necessary. So, can you go with me now?" Whilst passing through the school gate, Yuan Chuling who was walking along with Tang Xiu asked him with a beaming smile on his face.

Tang Xiu swept over at the Mercedes-Benz that was parked on the roadside outside the school with a driver who standing near its door. After being silent for a moment, he said, "Have you decided to which university you're going to?"

"Yep. Already thought and made up my mind about it. I'll go to Shanghai." Yuan Chuling nodded.

Tang Xiu was quite surprised and said, "Eh? Didn't your Dad want you to go to Beijing? What did you run up to Shanghai for?"

"It's because I don't think my nature is suited to study in the capital. The public security is way too strict and way too many silk pants playboys there. If I were to study in Beijing, maybe one day I would mix with those playboys, and fuck up there. I never speak about it! I might be a strong dragon who's able to keep the lowly snakes under pressure in Star City, but I'll be nothing but a fart in Beijing. Going to the capital and suffer there? Hell no!" Yuan Chuling spoke seriously.

Tang Xiu couldn't help laughing involuntarily as he then said, "Hahaha, I never thought you could be this thoughtful and full of consideration. Anyways, going to Shanghai is fine as well. The city, after all, is the financial center and one of the most prosperous cities in the country. If you study well, you'll be able to run and snap as you want to, maybe you can even start your career there."

Yuan Chuling said with smile, "Aii, Eldest Brother. Let's cut the crap and don't play dumb again, will you? In the end, are you going with me or not? Gimme a quick and straight reply so I can prepare myself in advance. But I gotta tell you one thing, my old man definitely will whip me out if I don't bring you with me."

"Okay, I'll go!"

Tang Xiu nodded with a smile.

He was acutely aware about the intention behind Yuan Zhengxuan's invitation to visit him. It had been a month since the kidnapping case, and the police didn't visit him again. This meant that Yuan Zhengxuan and Zhao Jing kept their mouth shut about his involvement with the case. He also knew that some people would keep thinking and remembered the graciousness they owed from others, even if they didn't say it.

Chapter 163: Secrets

Tang Xiu had his reasons in agreeing to visit Yuan Chuling's home. One was to make Yuan Zhengxuan and Zhao Jing feel relieved. And the other was wanting to figure out and clarify the reason as to why they were faking their divorce. After all, Yuan Chuling was the one who had been having unwavering faith in him and he didn't mind to push anything that could help him at home.

"Great."

Yuan Chuling was perfectly aware of Tang Xiu's character. He was actually prepared to be rejected. And what he said to Tang Xiu was actually a lie. He had grown up, and his father naturally wouldn't whip him just because of this matter. But even so, he was very happy that he could accomplish the request from his parents.

Half an hour later...

The Mercedes-Benz had already entered Golden Emperor Villa area. This complex was also one of the high-class villa complexes. And even though it couldn't be compared with South Gate Town, the people who lived here were all also wealthy and respectable people.

Inside the luxurious villa...

Yuan Zhengxuan was sitting in his study room whilst looking at the financial statement report. His expression, in particular, was quite solemn; as a middle-aged man in a suit stood in front of him.

"Boss, unidentified people have intruded our research lab for three times. Even the recent two intrusions were done in a row even though our security system is very tight, and we also have tried to intercept them for many times. Therefore, I think the more we delay it, the more problems will arise. And I'm also afraid that these people will use these loopholes and cause a huge loss for us. Would you please consider to move the core classified data in our current research lab to the new one earlier than planned?" A forced smile hung on the middle-aged man's face as he spoke with a helpless expression.

Yuan Zhengxuan didn't promptly answer him, and still carefully read the financial statement report. Then, he put it on the table in front of him. After staying silent for a moment, he said, "Since they are keeping an eye on us, then now is not a good time for us to move. Besides, we haven't done our best in our actions since those people could get and take advantages of the loopholes once we make our moves. In this sense, you don't understand the point that the slightest negligence is exactly the point we should take a very careful consideration for. Therefore, for now, just increase the security force."

The middle-aged man said hesitatingly, "But, most of our trusted security personnel have already been assigned to the research lab. How would we reinforce more security force there?"

Yuan Zhengxuan said, "To begin with, we are a defense contractor company. And I've passed this problem to the military top brass. So, I believe they will help to solve this problem. If they didn't make any moves at all, then I will spend a large sum of money to hire the best professional security personnel from the domestic private security companies."

The middle-aged man asked with a confused expression, "We've spent some money to hire those security personnel, but their loyalty is questionable. If those forces offer them a huge sum of money, I'm afraid that they can't resist the temptation."

Yuan Zhengxuan asked, "How about the progress with the investigation for the information I gave you? About the military's secret task force that will soon be decommissioning some of their special force members. Is there any news about it now?"

The middle-aged man answered, "We have been in touch with the military HQ, and they have sent us the list of names for the batch of secret special forces' soldiers who are about to retire. Our people also have contacted them, but..."

"But what?" Yuan Zhengxuan slanted his brows and asked.

The middle-aged man continued, "But, not long after that group of special force soldiers had been decommissioned, it was as if they were somewhat, repelling us. Furthermore, they also proposed to have a contest between our people and them, and the result was that our men weren't even able to withstand a single blow. That time, I looked for the opportunity to find some information about them. They seem to be very respectful toward their special force's team leader with Wolf Head codename. Some of them have even indicated that if we can obtain this Wolf Head's consent, they would agree to work for us." [1]

"Wolf Head?"

Yuan Zhengxuan inquired further, "And? Have you investigated about this Wolf Head codename?"

The middle-aged man shook his head and said, "The investigation is of no use. This man is simply doesn't exist in this world. No file, no data, no information, everything is a blank. I've asked the military to help investigating this man, but yet, there's no result."

Yuan Zhengxuan said, "If so, I'll visit the military top brass to find the identity of this Wolf Head. For now, leave the list of names here, you can go back!"

"Understood!"

The middle-aged man took out the list of names from his briefcase. After placing it on the table, he then turned around and walked out of the room.

At this time, Zhao Jing appeared from the door as she said with a bit of excitement on her face, "Honey, Little Ling just texted me. He said that their car has entered the villa complex. Let's quickly greet them at the door!"

For a moment, Yuan Zhengxuan was surprised, and then immediately got up in a flash.

Tang Xiu. He was really curious about this classmate of his son. If he was just only the person who saved his wife, he wouldn't have wanted to deign himself to greet him personally. However, recently, he was quite close with the Big Bosses of the Long Group and the Endless Virtue Pharmaceutical, Long Hanwen and Chen Zhizhong. From them, he knew quite a lot of things about Tang Xiu. But even in his dreams, the fact that Tang Xiu was Chen Zhizhong's master, was beyond his imagination. Up until now, he hadn't clearly investigated as to why Chen Zhizhong worshipped Tang Xiu as his Master as well as what he wanted to learn from him.

Lying low and hiding his abilities, as well as shrouded with unfathomable mysteries!

This was Yuan Zhengxuan's real appraisal toward Tang Xiu.

Outside, at the front courtyard...

The Mercedes-Benz stopped at the parking space. After the car doors were opened, Zhao Jing's eyes turned bright with excitement, gratefulness, and... a trace of fear on her face. Even until now, she was unable to forget the scene when she witnessed Tang Xiu killed the kidnapper who was about to rape her. [2]

"IT'S REALLY HIM!"

Even though Zhao Jing had seen Tang Xiu's photo numerous times, but only after she saw Tang Xiu in the flesh did she finally confirm with 100% certainty that he was her savior.

Tang Xiu's expression was very calm. And after seeing Yuan Zhengxuan and Zhao Jing, he let Yuan Chuling grab his arm to drag him over to them.

"Dad, Mom, I've succeeded in inviting Tang Xiu. So, my mission has been accomplished!" Yuan Chuling reported with a laugh.

Ever since Tang Xiu got off from the car, Zhao Jing's vision hadn't even moved from him. Only after her son spoke did she finally bowed and spoke with a grateful expression, "Tang Xiu, thank you."

Tang Xiu replied with a pale smile, "Please don't be too polite. Besides, it should be me who should be thanking you."

"Thanking me?"

For a moment, Zhao Jing stared blankly. Her expression was remained puzzled even though she tried to figure it out.

As a wise person, Yuan Zhengxuan could understand the meaning behind Tang Xiu's words in an instant. He pulled Zhao Jing and said with a smile, "Tang Xiu, that case, after all, was quite big. Since you were keeping it under the radar, we thought that you didn't want anyone to find out about your involvement. Even if we also wanted to repay our gratitude to our savior, we also felt that we mustn't make this issue public. This was what we felt we should do."

Tang Xiu slightly nodded and said, "Let's just forget it, this matter is already in the past, after all! I'd like to say thank you for the invitation, and I'm really sorry for disturbing your time today."

Zhao Jing was also a smart woman. However, she was too excited and couldn't catch the meaning behind Tang Xiu's words before. Only after she heard the response from her husband did she immediately realized about it and said with a smile, "Tang Xiu, we feel honored to have you visiting us at our home. How come you say you're disturbing us? Anyway, let's go inside quickly. I have personally cooked some dishes and prepared them on the table. So let's chat while having a meal!"

Yuan Zhengxuan also said with a smile, "Tang Xiu, let's have a chat inside."

"Alright!"

Tang Xiu complied, and then followed the family of three into the villa. Soon after, while having chatting with Yuan Chuling's parents, they arrived at the dining room.

Yuan Zhengxuan took a bottle of wine and opened it as he spoke with a smile, "Tang Xiu, normally I don't drink, but I actually love collecting wines. And this bottle of wine is one of my valuable collections for more than twenty years. It was fermented from hundreds of flowers and the taste is excellent. You try the taste yourself and tell me."

Tang Xiu recalled the best wine he enjoyed in the Everlasting Feast Hall when he became an honorable guest there. Then, he said with a light smile, "Since Uncle Yuan loves to collect wine, I will send you two bottles of good wine some other day."

Yuan Chuling replied with a smile, "As far as I know, Chen Zhizhong has collected a lot of excellent wines. If you can bring me two bottles of them, it would really..."

He abruptly stopped speaking and paused.

Tang Xiu's expression moved. Whilst letting out a smile that was yet unlike a smile, he said, "It seems that Uncle Yuan is very concerned about me. You even know that Chen Zhizhong is my apprentice."

The moment Yuan Zhengxuan spoke candidly, he secretly regretted it inside. But after hearing Tang Xiu's response and didn't finding any profound meaning behind his words, he let out a forced smile. "Tang Xiu, you are my son's classmate as well as the person who rescued my wife. That made me want to know more about you. It's just that I didn't expect that the results of the investigation about you were very hard to believe. But I can tell that you you're not an ordinary youth, so you should be able to understand my thoughts. And hopefully, you don't feel offended by it."

"I understand!" Tang Xiu nodded.

Yuan Chuling said, "Dad, there's no way someone who I regard as my Eldest Brother can be ordinary! I might as well tell you that not only is Tang Xiu very good in academics, he's also an awesome and powerful martial arts expert. Ah, right, I gotta tell you this also, he has just started his own business. And comparing me with him, I'm just lame!"

Yuan Zhengxuan and Zhao Jing glanced at each other with astonished expressions on their faces.

"Tang Xiu, haven't you just attended the College Entrance Test? What line of business are you setting up? I didn't know that you unexpectedly have started your own business. Anyhow, you can tell this Uncle Yuan if I can help you with anything." Yuan Zhengxuan asked.

"Thanks for the concern and the kind offer, Uncle Yuan. It's just only a small business, I don't need to bother you for the time being. But if one day in the future I need your assistance, I won't hesitate to speak about it to you, though." Tang Xiu said.

Yuan Zhengxuan said with smile, "So be it then. I give you my word that if you need anything that requires my assistance in the future, speak freely to me. As long as it's within my power, you can count on my words that I will give a hand, absolutely."

"Hey Dad, don't look down on my Eldest Brother! He's much more amazing than you think! Even the famous Kang Xia..." Yuan Chuling said.

"Hey, Yuan Chuling!"

Tang Xiu used his hand to touch and shout at him with a low voice.

Yuan Zhengxuan looked at his son and then shifted his vision toward Tang Xiu, before he asked with a puzzled expression, "Kang Xia? Are you referring to Kang Xia, the business genius, who has just set up the Magnificent Tang Corporation in Star City?"

Yuan Chuling cast a glance toward Tang Xiu. Upon seeing that his face turned quite unpleasant to look at, he cried out petulantly, "Eh? Eldest Brother, is there a need to conceal it from my parents?"

Tang Xiu couldn't help but sigh inside. He looked at Yuan Zhengxuan and said, "Actually, I'm the owner of the said Magnificent Tang Corporation. However, I'm rarely there. I leave the management and issues in the company to Kang Xia to take care."

"WHAT?"

Yuan Zhengxuan suddenly got up as a shocked expression burst out on his face.

Who in the business world didn't know Kang Xia? She was a business genius who had once caused a worldwide sensation. Since she left the Wall Street of the World Finance Center and returned back to China, everything she had done had proved that she truly deserved her reputation. And this very same business genius also had refused numerous offers and invitations from major companies, breaking the hearts of lots of ultra-rich and powerful people as a result. She came to Star City, set up a corporation, but turned out to work for Tang Xiu?

This... how could this be possible?

Zhao Jing's face was also fully covered with a disbelieving expression.

She had an advertising company and had an office in the same building as the Magnificent Tang Corporation. She knew some information about this company, but it was beyond her imagination that Tang Xiu owned this Magnificent Tang Corporation. Much less thought that Kang Xia turned out to work for him.

Notes:

1. There was no word for codename in the raws. I added the word to this Wolf Head character since each and every member of special force unit usually has their own unique codename.

2. The word in the raws was offend, but I chose to use rape since it was the true scene in Zhao Jing's kidnapping event (Chapter 60)

Chapter 164: Mutual Cooperation

The lunch with fine dishes and great taste had been finished, and the collection of more than twenty years old good wine also had all been drunk up. Tang Xiu and Yuan Chuling had eaten and drunk to their heart's contents, but for the couple Yuan Zhengxuan and Zhao Jing, even after the lunch had ended, they were somewhat still in a daze and weren't yet able to fully recover from their shock.

"Uncle Yuan, do you have a moment for us to talk alone?"

Tang Xiu looked at Yuan Zhengxuan and said.

Yuan Zhengxuan was silent for a moment. Then, he nodded and said, "Come to my study room! Jing honey, please make a pot of tea for us and send it to my study room!"

With an astonished expression, Yuan Chuling asked, "Eh? You got something to talk with my Dad, Brother? So confidential and mysterious that even I can't listen?"

Tang Xiu didn't answer.

Yuan Zhengxuan replied to him with a deep tone, "Little Ling, go watch TV in the living room."

"Fine, fine!"

With a helpless expression, Yuan Chuling shrugged and headed to the living room with lack of interest.

Yuan Zhengxian's study room was antiquely designed and full of literary atmosphere. A lot of precious calligraphies and paintings hung on the wall. Aside from the notebook on the table, there was also a set of the "four treasures of the study"— pens, ink, paper and ink-stone, with the bookshelves around filled with a variety of books.

Yuan Zhengxuan motioned Tang Xiu to came to the coffee table. After the both of them took a seat on the sofa, Yuan Zhengxuan asked, "Tang Xiu, you want to talk to me alone, what is it you want to ask me about?"

"There are two things I want to ask you. Firstly, is there anything that makes Uncle Yuan unable to speak freely about why you husband and wife took the decision for the divorce?" Tang Xiu asked.

Yuan Zhengxuan's face slightly changed as he asked with a deep tone, "Little Ling even told you this matter?"

Tang Xiu said, "Yes! Before, he was very disturbed and pained due to this. He was depressed, behaving bad, and hated you; so I was often at his side, talking to him to lighten his mood. Then, he discovered that you two were faking your divorce, but didn't want to tell him the difficulties you were facing; it made him kind helpless inside. Of course, you also may not tell me about the reason, though. Also, the second thing I want to tell you is that you can tell me if you come across some troubles you're unable to solve later. And I'll help you once."

Yuan Zhengxuan silent.

If he hadn't known that Tang Xiu was Chen Zhizhong's Master and also the Big Boss of the Magnificent Tang Corporation, he might have laughed and scoffed at his promise.

But at the moment, he couldn't.

After Yuan Zhengxuan was silent for a few minutes, Zhao Jing brought a fragrant tea pot and left the study room afterward. Then, he slowly looked up and stared at Tang Xiu as he asked cautiously, "How do I believe you?"

"You may choose not to believe me. If you think you can face it yourselves then you need not to look for me later. Besides, I also don't like to have much troubles. If you weren't Yuan Chuling's father, even if you were a rich Big Boss, I'd not even spare you a glance." Tang Xiu said indifferently.

Yuan Zhengxuan's brows slightly slanted and slowly said, "I do have some troubles right now. But I think I can handle it for now. The things I do, I mean the business, are confidential and it's not for me personally, but for the entire country. So I can't tell you about this."

Tang Xiu said with a smile, "I understand."

Yuan Zhengxuan's face slightly moved and asked, "Anyways, I heard that you're very good in martial arts, is that right?"

"I know a little." Tang Xiu said.

With a forced smile, Yuan Zhengxuan said, "Young men like you are already few to begin with, it's even extremely rare finding one with a low-profile. From our talk now, I simply can't feel that you're a youngster, but it's like I'm talking with someone on the same level of status and age."

Tang Xiu said, "You should be glad that you are Yuan Chuling's father. If we didn't meet today, maybe eight to ten years later you might need to look up to me."

Yuan Zhengxuan involuntarily laughed and said, "Kid, you really speak grandiosely!"

Tang Xiu confidently replied, "The strong and powerful need not to boast; and even though the road to the future is very long, yet we're still going forward to see and try ourselves."

Going forward to see and give it a try?

Yuan Zhengxuan narrowed his eyes as a thought suddenly crossed his mind. Then, he probed, "Tang Xiu, since you can kill five or six A-class wanted criminals, that proves that you're very strong. If I ask you to help me now, can you do that?"

"What kind of help?" Tang Xiu asked with a tranquil expression.

"My company has a laboratory and we need to divide the core data and information into two parts and send them to the newly established secret laboratory. This information is very important. No, it's of the extremely, utmost importance. Not only is this related to the success or failure of my business, but it's also related with a national secret. If I let you go with the escort, can you guarantee that nothing will go wrong?" Yuan Zhengxuan said.

For a moment, Tang Xiu was silent and slowly said, "If it's related with a state's secret, why didn't you ask the escort from police force or, the military?"

Yuan Zhengxuan said, "Like I said, this is a top secret information. I don't want other people, or forces to get a sniff of it. Otherwise, my business will have no way to continue."

Tang Xiu nodded and said, "Okay, the first batch of the materials, will be free of charge. The second batch will cost you quite a sum, 10 million. If you agree to my condition, I'll come to help you with the escort. However, if there are some problem midway, I'll have to charge you 100 times the basic payment."

A hundred times?

1 billion?

Yuan Zhengxuan stared blankly and looked distracted. Then, he patted his thigh and said, "No problem, it's a deal. Give me three days. The first batch of information will be sent out three days later. I'll have to explain in advance that my people will be responsible for the delivery, while you will be responsible for escorting.

Tang Xiu asked, "Can I ask you the person or the force who want to snatch this information?"

Yuan Zhengxuan said seriously, "The only thing I can tell you about them, is that there isn't only one of them. But more than one power who want to get it."

Tang Xiu nodded and said, "Anyway, three days later I'll also lead my own people. But you can rest assured that these people are absolutely trustworthy and reliable."

"What people?" Yuan Zhengxuan was startled and asked.

"You don't need to care who they are. You only need to remember that we will be responsible for ensuring the safety of the confidential information."

Suddenly, his expression moved as if he recalled something in his mind and said, "Uncle Yuan, your business should be related and involving the military, yes? I presume that you have some personal network with the military. If so, I want to ask your help for something."

"Do say!" Yuan Zhengxuan nodded.

Tang Xiu said, "I just bought an isolated island overseas, and I've been preparing to set up a security force there. I think the military has quite a bunch of capable people. So, could you help me ask them a list of veteran-retired soldiers? What I need is retired special soldiers as I don't have much hope for ordinary retired soldiers. Also, I don't need too many people, thirty people is enough."

"You..."

Yuan Zhengxuan didn't expect that the help Tang Xiu was seeking turned out to be this kind of matter. He subconsciously turned his head to look at his desk as he couldn't help smiling wryly inside.

A piece of cake, surely never enough for two people to eat!

If it was only ordinary retired soldiers, it wouldn't be much a problem. But Tang Xiu, after all, was the benefactor who saved his wife. If he were to hide it from him, it couldn't be justified.

So, tell him about the list, or...?

And thinking about his capital, perhaps, it would also be very difficult for him to recruit these rebellious retired special soldiers to work under him, of which, even he couldn't do it. By that time, he'd still able to recruit them again. And not only could he follow his own conscience, he would also have done the right thing by him.

After Yuan Zhengxuan thought up to there, he immediately got up and walked over to the table. He took the name list, handed it over to Tang Xiu and said, "My subordinate has spent a lot of effort for this one, but even so, he could only get a batch in this name list. The special soldiers in this list have just recently retired this year. I was planning on recruiting them myself to work under me. If you can recruit them yourself, then take them. If you can't do it, then I'll recruit them to work for me. So, you can't complain and blame me later."

Tang Xiu looked at the names on the list a few times. After he memorized the names as well as the means to contact them inside his mind, then, he gave the list back to Yuan Zhengxuan as he nodded and said, "Thank you very much, Uncle Yuan. If they are not interested to work for me after I invited them; naturally, I won't have any bad thoughts for you if you can get them to work for you."

Yuan Zhengxuan loudly laughed with a clear and resonant voice as he said, "Tang Xiu, you give me the feeling as if you're the kind of 'rear waves of the Yangtze river that drive on the waves before, as I am as the first wave who will end up in the sandy shore' [1]. How true is this saying. And speaking about it, the clouds and winds will indeed have to change if they ever meet with a dragon. You know, you're already this capable at present, and I'm totally clueless as how high your achievements would be in the future. Just like you have just said, maybe I really will have to look up to you ten years later."

Tang Xiu faintly smiled and naturally accepted Yuan Zhengxuan's praise.

Shortly after...

They chatted for a short while as Tang Xiu then got up and left.

At South Gate Town...

After Tang Xiu arrived at home, he saw that Gu Yin was leaning on the sofa and sleeping soundly. The house was very quiet, but he couldn't see Mu Qingping inside.

Tang Xiu then went upstairs to take a wool blanket and then gently covered Gu Yin's body. Then, he personally boiled a pot of tea and drank it in the living room whilst waiting for Gu Yin to wake up. After thinking about many things, he just remembered that he had promised Gu Yin he would take her out to play for a full day after he took his College Entrance Test. Thus, he called the New Idea's private tutor, informing her to take the afternoon off.

He liked this little apprentice of his. Even more so, it could be said that he was really fond of her. After all, being capable of enduring the suffering with the kind of physique she had for two years and don't even dying, was a tough. He could tell that had it been himself in her shoes and with the same age, perhaps, he would have long been unable to endure any longer and died already.

Moreover, she was very sensible and very filial.

Tang Xiu also had doted on Gu Yan'er once. It was because she experienced a painful and pitiful life. She was as though a lonely, solitary wild grass in the wild, withstanding the severe test of strong winds and storms, but in the end, was still alive and strong.

Gu Yin and Gu Yan'er were very much similar.

And at present, Gu Yan'er was suffering a tribulation. As she risked her life, braving the danger and travelling through time and space to come to earth, for him. This greatly touched his heart.

Therefore, he believed that with the kindness he gave to Gu Yin, she wouldn't let him down in the future.

Half an hour later...

Mu Qingping had just arrived from the outside. For a moment, she was slightly surprised upon seeing Tang Xiu in the living room. But when her vision landed on her daughter, warmness immediately filled her heart.

"Tang..."

Tang Xiu waved his hand to interrupt her as he got up, went over and said, "Yinyin is still sleeping and seemingly very tired. Let her sleep for a while! I just called her private tutors to cancel this afternoon's course. It's just that I have promised to take her out to play."

Mu Qingping could feel Tang Xiu's concern and affection for her daughter. She almost didn't hesitate as she nodded and said, "Then, you two go! I'll be at home, doing the housework."

Notes:

[1] The saying means that the old generation will be replaced by the new generation who excels the previous. I translated the idioms fully, albeit with a slight modification to retain the nuances in the dialog.

Chapter 165: It's for You Sweetheart!

At Star City Zoo...

Tang Xiu was holding Gu Yin's small hand as they strolled on the bypath in the zoo's bamboo groove. In the afternoon, Tang Xiu told Gu Yin that he would take her out to play, for which, she instantly happily agreed. However, she didn't like amusement parks but preferred going to the zoo. And naturally, Tang Xiu went along with her wish to make her happy.

"Can I ask you a question?"

A smile hung on her delicate, small face as Gu Yin answered, "Master, please do!"

"The other children like amusement parks, but why do you like the zoo? Those small animals are indeed very cute and lovable, but I don't see much differences seeing them on TV with looking at them in person." Tang Xiu asked.

The smile on Gu Yin's small face quickly disappeared as a sad and sorrowful expression flashed from her eyes. However, she then replied with a strong voice, "Dad once promised me that he would take me to zoo someday. However, he already died, so he couldn't take me."

Suddenly, Tang Xiu gently squeezed her little hand to show his consolation and to comfort her.

Gu Yin looked up as a smile returned to her small face. "Master, there's an old saying that a Master for a day is equal to a father for life. You've become my Master for a while now, and inside Yinyin's heart, you're my father. Besides, you take me to the zoo now, so the regret in my heart is also gone."

Warmness struck Tang Xiu's heart as he hold her up, and said with a smile, "My family's Yinyin is really sensible and thoughtful, then... come here, let this teacher—father hug you."

"Tee hee... it's itchy!"

Gu Yin's laughter was very sweet as though a silver bell as it reverberated in the bamboo forest.

"Ring, ring, ring..."

Inside his pocket, Tang Xiu's mobile phone ringtone suddenly ringed.

Whilst still holding Gu Yin with one arm, Tang Xiu took the mobile with his other hand as he looked at the caller ID number on the screen with a sudden surprised expression on his face.

"Hello, Tang Xiu speaking."

Miao Wentang's voice came out from the mobile, "Tang Xiu, remember you asked my help for something? Well, I've already managed it, and I should be arriving at Star City at the most by noon tomorrow."

"You mean, it's about the steward instructor tutors I asked you to look for?" Tang Xiu asked.

"Yes, they are."

"Thank you!"

After saying his thanks, Tang Xiu was prepared to hang up the phone; however, Miao Wentang's voice came out again, with a slightly hesitating tone.

"Anyways, Tang Xiu, can I ask for your help? I have come across some troubles recently; otherwise, I could have finished managing what you've asked earlier."

"What happened?" Tang Xiu asked.

Miao Wentang said, "I and Shao Mingzhen have found a Sky Cavern, and we suspect that there are special ores there. We've explored a layer of the cavern for a few times, but we came back disappointed every time, we also even got injured. We also tried to bring some people there, but the losses were quite serious."

"Sky Cavern? What's that?"

Tang Xiu was somewhat confused.

Miao Wentang explained, "The Sky Cavern is a very deep big hole created by meteorites that fell from the space and crashed on the ground on Earth. However, finding this place is quite troublesome. It's located in the Spring Forest Mountain Range in Dongyuan Province. The terrain is quite rough, as vipers and fierce beasts roam around here and if we aren't cautious, we'll be dumped in the swamps. The most important thing is that the place also seems to have a formation array. We went to this Sky Cavern a few times, and even have successfully arrived at the edge of this Sky Cavern. However, it's located at a precipitous mountain massif. Even more so, there are a large number of tunnels in the interior of this mountain massif. In short, the situation in this place is very complicated."

Tang Xiu narrowed his eyes. At present, he was indeed eager to find the ore materials to refine interspatial rings, and now the news about special ores came to him. Thus, he didn't hesitate any longer and asked, "Where are you now?"

"We're now in Cangbei County of Dongyuan Province, in a small town called Qingshan Town, located nearby this Spring Forest Mountain Range." Miao Wentang said. [1]

"Well, I'll settle down those foreign steward instructors first, then I'll immediately catch up with you. But I need to tell you in advance that I have to get a share of the precious ores if we can get them!" Tang Xiu said.

"No problem!"

Miao Wentang was greatly overjoyed as he promised without hesitation.

After the call ended, Tang Xiu put down Gu Yin as he said with a smile, "It seems that not only did you become a student, but your Mom is also going to become a student, since I have hired very good teachers for her from abroad."

Gu Yin laughed. "Mom certainly won't be as smart as me, though."

Tang Xiu pinched Gu Yin's small face as he said with a smile, "Yup, our family's Yinyin is the smartest in the world. Anyways, there's a lion enclosure there, let's see those lions."

"Yes!"

In afternoon...

Tang Xiu lingered around the zoo along with Gu Yin as they played and enjoyed themselves to the fullest. As the evening came, he took Gu Yin to eat at McDonald's and only after then did they return to South Gate Town.

At night...

Tang Xiu called Long Zhengyu. After he got to know that the latter was drinking in the Long's Dining Hall, he immediately went there to see him. Some foreign steward instructors were about to arrive tomorrow and he needed to arrange the accommodation for them in advance. Moreover, it was also best to find them a proper villa in South Gate Town.

The night in the Long's Dining Hall was filled with flashing neon lamps, giving off the scene as though a group of stars was falling to Earth. Tang Xiu himself had come to this place a few times, so it could be said that he was the regular for this place as the security guards also remembered him and directly let him pass after recognizing him.

"Huh? Boss, is that you?"

Suddenly, a bewildered voice came from the inside of the hall.

Tang Xiu followed the direction of the voice, and found that it turned out to be the young Lolita, Andy. He nodded to her slightly as he went over and asked, "You came here to dine?"

Andy's dress tonight was very attractive with a floral skirt, a hanging loose long hair, high-heels and also wore a slightly pale makeup on her face. She laughed playfully upon hearing Tang Xiu's question and said, "Chief Kang invited me here to attend a charity party. And since she doesn't like to bring along male companions, she wanted me to accompany her. By the way, are you also going to attend the charity party?"

"Nope, I'm looking for someone here." Tang Xiu shook his head and said.

"Aiih, Boss, are you looking for a woman or a man? You're one hell of an outstanding man. If you ever find yourself a woman, I'll surely be very jealous of her." Andy said with a smile.

Tang Xiu faintly smiled. He also had heard about the straightforwardness foreign girls had, so he didn't mind Andy's remarks. Then, he said with a smile, "He's a man, a friend of mine. Anyways, what are you doing outside? Aren't you attending the charity party? Is the party over already?"

"Nope, the charity party hasn't yet started! I came early and am waiting for Chief Kang." Andy replied.

"That being the case, you can wait for her here! Anyways, I still have some things to take care of, so I'll go inside first." Tang Xiu said.

Andy quickly said, "Ah, can you take me in Boss? The security did let me in but I'm actually not a member of this place so they just let me wait here. And before Chief Kang comes, they won't let me in."

Tang Xiu was surprised as he asked, "Huh? They let you pass through the entrance, but they didn't permit you to go inside?"

Andy nodded as she showed a pitiful appearance, saying, "Yeah, they didn't let me in. And even more so, I'm starving right now, I got my lunch too early before."

Tang Xiu looked toward the security guards who were unceasingly patrolling as he waved his hand toward a familiar one he had seen before. The security guard then quickly came over as he greeted respectfully and said, "Is there anything I can help you with, Sir?"

Tang Xiu pointed to Andy as he said with a smile, "She's an employee in my company. I'll take her inside with me."

The security was hesitated and said, "Sir, you have visited this place a few times, so I know you and I can let you go inside. But, if you want to bring other people, I'll have to consult this..."

Tang Xiu lightly said, "The person I'm going to meet is Long Zhengyu."

The security guard was surprised for a moment before a more respectful expression quickly revealed itself on his face. "Sir, since you are our Chief Long's friend, then you are our honorable guest. Please do come in!"

Tang Xiu nodded along with Andy beside him. However, he had never thought that Andy would unexpectedly took his arm and even make "a face" toward the security.

"She's such a childish woman!"

Tang Xiu was somewhat feeling slightly amused upon seeing Andy's nature.

Shortly after.

Tang Xiu took Andy along with him to the main hall. Whilst looking at the well-dressed visitors inside, he was secretly sighing in his heart. For ordinary people, they could only enter the Long's Dining Hall if they knew some powerful people and followed them inside. Otherwise, let alone dining inside, even those ordinary people would find it very difficult to even pass through the front entrance.

The two of them took the elevator to the sixteenth floor as Tang Xiu then looked at Andy and asked, "Wait for me and my friend finish our talk, then you are free to find a place to eat."

Andy smiled even as her eyes narrowed when she asked, "Err, Boss, what about the reimbursement?"

Tang Xiu was at a loss whether he to laugh or cry before he replied, "No need for that. Eat to your heart's content. That friend of mine is very rich, just add the bill on his tab. Besides, I'll ask someone handling this place for a membership card for you. Then, you can come this place whenever you want later."

Andy blinked her eyes. Then, she tightened her legs as she bent down and instantly jumped up toward Tang Xiu's face. Since Tang Xiu was caught unprepared, he was straightly kissed on the face. As Andy's feet landed on the floor, only then she laughed, saying, "Hehehe, I knew it. I knew God sent you to save me. You even let me become your sweetheart! Well, I'm going to serve you well later."

Tang Xiu was stunned and dumbfounded. He looked at the extremely cute little face Andy had, but this boldness and directness of hers truly made him shocked. After hesitating for a moment, he raised his hand and stroked her forehead as he muttered a few seconds after, "Huh? You don't have a fever, but why are you talking such nonsensical things?"

Andy stared with a pair of big saucer eyes and exclaimed, "Boss, I do really want to be your lover. Don't think that I'm very casual. You know what? I'm still a virgin! If you don't believe me, you can try me yourself!"

Her voice was a bit loud as a lot of people in the surrounding immediately cast a sidelong glance over them one after another. After they looked at Tang Xiu and Andy, they were shaken as they saw the cute and lovable appearance Andy had as though they were seeing an angel. And then, they immediately cast their sight over toward Tang Xiu with a shocked expression. They truly couldn't figure out as to why such an angelic-looking girl would unexpectedly shout and want to be this young fellow's lover? Who was he? What kind of charm and capital did he have?

Nearby.

A elegant-looking young man with a jade-like face, who was just coincidentally passing by the two of them, suddenly stopped upon hearing the conversation between Andy and Tang Xiu. The pair of his eyes avariciously stared at the two big lethal weapons that burst out on Andy's chest as he immediately looked at her and said, "Little Sis, this young fellow is too insensitive and unromantic. You'll be bored as hell if you want him to be your lover. How about you become this big brother's lover? I assure you that you'll be happy ever after!"

"You immoral hoodlum!"

Andy turned her head and angrily glared at the young man.

Notes:

[1] I can't pinpoint which Qingshan Town written by the author here. There are a lot of places with Qingshan name in China mainland. Either it's Qingshan District in Wuhan, Baotou; or the Qingshan in Shandong (Wendeng) as there are also quite a ton of townships called Qingshan.

Chapter 166: Being Forced to Suffer in Silence

The young man was called Huang Xu, the eldest son of the renowned Huang Family from the provincial capital of Blue Town. He was also famous as the hedonist young master of the rich family. This was his first time coming to Star City to visit his old friend as well as seeing someone of a great talent that came to light recently.

And upon hearing Andy cursing at him, a look of disbelief was cast on his face as he pointed to his nose and asked, "What did you say what I am? A hoodlum? How am I a hoodlum? You yourself shouted at this young fellow, wanting to be his lover. This in itself is unbecoming to say already. I did say that I'll let you be my lover, and you say that I'm a hoodlum? If I were a hoodlum, then what would he be?"

After having said that, his hand pointed at Tang Xiu with a heart full of depressing feelings.

Andy turned her head to look at Tang Xiu. Her eyes were flashing as though small stars as she spoke without batting an eye and didn't even try to gloss over her words, "He's my Boss, of whom I'm about to target as my lover. I don't give a damn who you are, but I can be sure that you're not in any way around one hundredth of my Boss... Ah no, you're not even one thousandth of him!"

"Pfft..."

The visitors in the surrounding who stopped and were ready to watch the fun couldn't help laughing the instant they heard Andy's words.

Huang Xu's expression was somewhat embarrassed, but he still straightened up his chest and said, "Pretty girl, you've got to have your eyes opened wide. This Big Brother simply isn't as simple as you thought, judging by the fact that I can enter to this Long's Dining Hall only. I'm not afraid of telling you this. Go to provincial capital Blue City and ask about my name there. You'll find that there is no one there who doesn't know about me! If you follow me, you'll absolutely become very popular. Even after you sleep, when you awake you can count the number of money until your hands are cramped. How about it? Isn't that good enough?"

With a contemptuous expression, Andy looked at Huang Xu and ridiculed him, "Want to show off how much dirty money you have there? Who the hell do you think you are? A country leader? The richest man in the entire world or something? Eh, you said the entire people in Blue City know you, don't tell me that you're a sweet-looking transgender, do you?"

It was sour and harsh!

Andy's words were as though a knife that pierced through Huang Xu's heart. Even his face instantly turned crimson. Never in his wildest dream had he ever thought that a delicate and lovely angelic-looking girl would unexpectedly say such sour, harsh and mean words.

Tang Xiu who stood at the side, gently patted Andy's shoulder as he looked at Huang Xu and said, "If you don't want to invite troubles and disaster upon you, you should immediately leave, as we ourselves also have something to do. In case you want to find someone to accompany you and have some fun, I might have an idea to help you."

Huang Xiu might be a playboy. But he wasn't stupid enough to the point that he thought Tang Xiu was someone that was easy to bully. After all, as someone who was able to come to this Long's Dining Hall, this meant that he was not a casual person who was easy to be trifled with. In particular, this was Star City and not his Blue City. As people say, the strong dragon could be kept in check by local snakes. And if by chance the identity of the young man in front of him was not ordinary, he also would probably suffer a heavy loss.

However, as far as he was concerned, a wise man knows better than to fight when the odds are against him.

With this in mind, Huang Xu very cautiously looked at Tang Xiu as he asked, "Your excellency, care to share who you are? As you have quite a big tone in you!"

Tang Xiu lightly said, "You don't need to know who I am, but if today's matter is resolved, then you and I are just passersby only, and no longer have any issues whatsoever."

Huang Xu pricked his brows as he asked with a deepened tone, "Then, tell me this idea of yours!"

"Say if your hormone is excessively abundant, just don't harass others' girls as you wish. Take a look by yourself around you, find yourself nearby beauty parlors or pedicure salons. The price is cheaper and even you'll be served better by the 'senior old hands' there." Tang Xiu said.

"What?"

Huang Xu was stunned.

He stared at Tang Xiu with a look of disbelief as he almost couldn't hold his urge to punch him. Who was he to begin with? Serving his needs with those in beauty parlors or pedicure salons at the roadside?

If even he ever wanted a woman, with only a flick of his finger, a group of belles would rush to him, asking to be his 'pets'. Did this fellow have no eyes? Or was there something wrong with his head? Did he even use his head to think before he spoke?

Tang Xiu no longer paid any attention to Huang Xu again as he took Andy to walk down the corridor toward the box where Long Zhengyu was in. Huang Xu was but only a passerby to him, and speaking a few words to him was already a lordly treatment he could give.

Inside A1608 suite...

Long Zhengyu was hugging a young and beautiful girl as he chatted with another young man who wore a florid sleeveless cloth, big pants and flip-flop sandal beside him. There were also several beautiful girls inside the room as some of them were playing and laughing, some others were holding microphones to sing, while some others acted as though young maids who were unceasingly mixing and blending foreign wines.

And these dozen pairs of eyes then immediately cast their sight on Tang Xiu the moment he opened the door.

"Ah, it's very lively here!"

Whilst leading Andy through the door, Tang Xiu looked at Long Zhengyu who was getting up and said with a smile.

Long Zhengyu waved to the singing girl while smiling, motioning her to stop. After the room quieted down, only then he spoke with a smile, "Some friends from Blue City came to visit today, so I invited them to drink some wine and have some fun. It's just that I didn't expect that you would come, and unexpectedly with a beauty also! Tsk, tsk... this little angel of yours is truly a beauty. No wonder she can enter your eyes!"

"Bah, no good words are to be expected from a scoundrel!"

Tang Xiu snappily cursed.

Long Zhengyu laughed loudly as he turned toward the lazy sitting young man and said, "Fei Shan, he's Tang Xiu, the one I've told you about. Tang Xiu, this is Fei Shan, the second son of Fei Family from Blue City. A wild and unyielding person, but even more so, a very lazy chap. But nevertheless, his nature is kinda go-in-between, though; and worthy to be a long and close friend."

If it wasn't called as cold, Tang Xiu didn't have much interest toward Long Zhengyu's friend at all. However, he slightly nodded at him since he took Long Zhengyu's face into account.

Fei Shan himself didn't show any arrogance as he even laughed with an easy-going attitude, saying, "How do you do, Tang Xiu? I've been looking forward to meeting you for a long time. This time the purpose of us visiting Star City, firstly is to see this famous Young Master Long and secondly, we also wanted him to introduce us to a well-known reputed person, which is you."

"Huh? Is there something the matter with me?" Tang Xiu asked.

Ugh!

Fei Shan was quite dumbfounded with Tang Xiu's question. Whilst wryly smiling inside, he replied, "It's nothing important. Anyways, it's still alright if I were to introduce myself to you, isn't it? "

Upon seeing this, Long Zhengyu quickly followed with a smile, "Yo, yo people, it's alright. It's me who told them about you, so they came here and wanted to know you better. And Tang Xiu, if you ever visit and have something to do in Blue City later, you may contact him. This fellow is kinda a local boss in Blue City; he can do quite a lot of things over there."

Personal contacts?

Tang Xiu could tell the meaning and purpose behind Long Zhengyu's reminder. Then, he faced Fei Shan as he nodded and said, "Anyways, there's something I'd like to talk with Long Zhengyu today. So we'll have our chat afterward."

"No problem!" Fei Shan said with a smile.

At this moment, the door was pushed open again as Huang Xu, with an embarrassed expression, entered the room dejectedly. But when he saw that Tang Xiu and Andy were inside the room, he stared blankly for a moment before an angry expression then was instantly drawn on his face. He glared angrily at Tang Xiu and shouted, "Hey punk! You did walk quickly. But I've never thought that you'll unexpectedly appear here. Don't think that I can't teach you a lesson even if I'm in Star City!"

Tang Xiu glanced at Huang Xu before he turned over toward Long Zhengyu and asked, "You know him?"

Long Zhengyu quickly said, "Tang Xiu, is there any misunderstanding here? He's also my friend. Huang Xu, a young master from the renowned Huang Family in Blue City."

Tang Xiu shook his head and said, "Long Zhengyu, I have always believed that similar things will group up together as similar people will also fit together. I used to think that this line has its own truth. But it seems that today, I was wrong. This guy is not a good thing; and you're actually befriending him? Anyways, let's just forget it. Enjoy your fun time, I'll leave first!"

"No, don't leave!"

With a forced smile, Long Zhengyu stopped Tang Xiu as he glared fiercely at Huang Xu and shouted angrily, "What the hell is happening with you? You wanted me to introduce you to Tang Xiu, and yet, you actually have your eyes and still failed to recognize Mt. Tai? Tang Xiu has never provoked trouble on his own initiative, and this character of his, I know perfectly well. So it should be you that should have done something untoward to provoke Brother Tang and made him unhappy, shouldn't you?"

As surprised as he was, Huang Xu's eyes turned saucer and asked, "He's Tang Xiu?"

Long Zhengyu angrily replied, "Of course he is! Haven't I told you before that Brother Tang will come tonight?"

An embarrassed expression was revealed on Huang Xu's face as he recalled all the things that had happened between him and Tang Xiu. Forcing himself to smile all over his face, he said, "Brother Tang, it's my bad for being rude to you before. It's just I didn't know that you were Tang Xiu. I've heard so much about your deeds from Long Zhengyu, and in fact, I really admire you from the bottom of my heart. I failed to recognize a familiar person, thus led to the dispute. It's kinda the same with the fact that we can't recognize all the family members we have, isn't it? Haha..."

In the end, Tang Xiu couldn't help but sigh. Huang Xu's character, that very easily invited troubles and disaster, was something he had never liked. After all, had it been in the Immortal World, such person would have already been smashed into a pulp for hundreds of times. However, since he was Long Zhengyu's friend as well as the fact that he also wanted to ask some help from Long Zhengyu, he also didn't want to get to the heart of the matter and let it go.

"Let's just forget it and consider that the things that happened before didn't happen. But you should pay attention to this point; it's best to inquire about the others' details before you do something to provoke them. Otherwise, it would be very easy to have troubles upon you."

Tang Xiu critics caused Huang Xu's mood to turn slightly bad, but he still nodded his head nonetheless.

With a smiling face, Long Zhengyu then pulled Tang Xiu to sit down on the sofa as he also ordered the girls to get out of the room at the same time. Only then did he continue asking, "So, Brother Tang, you said that you need something from me before, what's up?"

"Firstly, please get some food since Andy is quite starving." Tang Xiu said.

Long Zhengyu pressed the bell button and an attendant arrived shortly after. After he ordered Tang Xiu's request and selected special dishes the Long's Dining Hall had, then, he looked at Tang Xiu and said, "Yup, everything's done. So, can you tell me now about the matter?"

"I've asked someone to invite some steward instructors from abroad, and they should arrive at Star City by tomorrow. So I was thinking to prepare accommodation for them in South Gate Town. That's your place, after all, so I want to ask for your help if there's anyone who is willing to lease their villa for rent. Also, I'll be using the villa for a few months."

With a strange expression, Long Zhengyu looked at Tang Xiu and said, "Huh? Buddy, you're not doing this intentionally, are you? Did you figure out that I just bought a villa in South Gate Town?"

"Did you? In South Gate Town?" Tang Xiu asked back with a confused expression.

Long Zhengyu said with an intentionally forced smile, "I did! I preserved one lot for my own use, not the one I've given to you, though. By chance, a friend of mine who already bought a villa in South Gate Town was preparing to immigrate abroad, so he wanted to sell it. Likewise, I was about to spend some money and renovate that place!"

"Hahaha..."

Tang Xiu laughed heartily as he looked at the depressed expression on Long Zhengyu's face. Then, he said with a smile, "If so, rent the villa to me for a couple of months, and I'll give it back to you after those foreign steward instructors leave."

Long Zhengyu shook his head as he said with a sigh, "Aii... you're simply like my ill-fated match you know. But, you can have it, as I haven't had the place renovated yet. If you want to use it, I'll ask my female cousin to send the key to your house this evening."

"Your female cousin?" Tang Xiu asked with a confused expression.

Chapter 167: Forgetting the Previous Discord

Whilst looking at Tang Xiu's confused expression, a smile emerged on the corner of Long Zhengyu's mouth as he said with a smile, "You didn't know that Long Xueyao is my elder cousin?"

Tang Xiu replied with an astonished expression, "She turns out to be your cousin? I really didn't know that. But nevertheless, I'm the one who ignored this point, though. Not too many people have your Long family's name, to begin with. Your family name is Long, as well as hers; while she's also the Property Manager of South Gate Town, so it's no wonder that she's your relative."

Long Zhengyu replied with a laugh, "Well, it's not like it's an unpleasant thing to have, no? Anyway, in order not to make me a lot more depressed, you've gotta stay here and drink a few glasses with us tonight."

Tang Xiu shifted his sight at Andy as he nodded and said, "Alright. I'll stay and accompany you to drink a few cups. Anyways, this is Andy, Kang Xia's right-hand woman. She's actually here waiting for Kang Xia to attend a charity auction party and got starved waiting. That's why I ordered the dishes for her to eat first."

With an amazed expression, Long Zhengyu said, "Andy? The extraordinarily 'big' famous succubus, Andy?"

"Mr. Long, the words you said, was that supposed to be a praise or a curse? I might not be too proficient in Mandarin, but savoring the taste of your words, it seems like the flavor is kind of unbecoming, don't you think so?" Andy said with her lovely smile.

"Ugh..."

Long Zhengyu's complexion was strangled as he secretly rolled his eyes inside. A foreign girl who said she wasn't particularly proficient in Mandarin but yet was able to understand the subtle meaning behind his words? As he shook his head, Long Zhengyu let out a forced smile and said, "It's my bad to have misspoken out of indiscretion. Those people who say that you're a succubus are truly blind. You're very lovely as though a fairy that descended to the mortal world. If later on there are still people speaking that you're like a succubus, those people are complete and total jerks."

"Hee hee..."

Andy let out a laugh that reverberated as a pair of her two big lethal weapons on her chest waved and surged forth. All the young men present, including Tang Xiu, couldn't help but secretly swallow their saliva upon seeing it.

It was seductive and way too tempting!

As young and vigorous as they were, the four young men couldn't help but whisper inside their hearts one after another: 'You're neither a succubus nor an angel, but a seductive-coquettish young demoness who can wreck a country and bring ruin to the people!'

"Cough cough..."

Tang Xiu coughed to conceal the awkwardness inside his heart as he spoke to divert the focus, "Long Zhengyu, I just recalled that your little brother hasn't come to harass me recently. Do you know where he is?"

Upon hearing this, Long Zhengyu shook his head and said with a smile, "He's leaving for Blue City. I don't know what that kid is thinking. He unexpectedly spoke to my father and said that he wanted to set up his own enterprise. He said he'd mix in first in Blue City before going to Shanghai to develop himself further, as well as asked five million yuan from my father. It's been a couple of days since he has gone to Blue City, and he hasn't contacted me since."

"Ah, it turns out that he's really leaving Star City?" Tang Xiu was astounded.

"Huh? You seem to know about it. Care to tell me?" With a curious expression, Long Zhengyu asked.

"Well, I can say that he left because of me. I told him that he won't have a bright future if he's always under the shelter of you and your parents' wings. Even though he's very smart and has a keen sense of business. However, he lacks ambition. I did stimulate him, but I never imagined that he'd really go to the outside world, though." Tang Xiu replied with a smile.

Fei Shan and Huang Xu glanced at each other. The both of them knew Long Zhenglin's character inside out. As surprised as they were, for Long Zhenglin to listen to Tang Xiu and adhere to his opinions was something that they had never imagined, causing their impression toward Tang Xiu to deepen a bit at this instant.

Huang Xu said, "Young Master Long, your second brother ran away to Blue City, and he didn't even contact me? Man, did we not have enough camaraderie? Ah, whatever. I'll look for him when we go back there. Regardless of any businesses he wanna do, I'm gonna help him and give him green lights to open his way."

Fei Shan also said with a smile, "I might not be able to help in anything if he's in other places. But in Blue City, our words are quite useful. I know your little brother. He's kinda, well, quite wild and unruly, and it will be inevitable for him to come across some of the Blue City's local bullies. That reminds me of something, what line was it? Ah, that's right, there's a common saying that a wicked person will be bedeviled by another of the same ilk. But heck, you can rest assured that we'll be looking after him in Blue City!"

Long Zhengyu grabbed the blended imported fine wine on the table and poured it into Tang Xiu's cup. Then, he raised his own cup and said, "To express my thanks and respect to all of you. Let's drink..."

As the wine entered his stomach, Tang Xiu squished his lips as he shook his head and said, "I have heard about these imported wines, but never had a chance to drink any. But, the taste is quite unpleasant! As I recall, we also have quite strong liquors brewed in our country, don't we?"

Fei Shan's eyes lightened up as he immediately walked toward a cabinet at the side. Then, he grabbed a bottle of wine that was still wrapped in it's package and went back to his previous position. As he handed the bottle to Tang Xiu, he said, "Brother Tang, you're also a man. You know that men like us like to drink strong liquors. So, you wanna try tasting this wine I brought from Blue City?"

Tang Xiu took the bottle as his sight landed on a sticker with the written slogan: "Serve the People!" on top of the bottle. As he also saw the yellowish glutinous rice wine inside the bottle, he said with astonishment, "Isn't this the legendary special wine supply?"

Fei Shan gave his thumbs up and exclaimed, "You do have good eyes, Brother Tang! This indeed is a special good wine supply for PLA military district. My big brother is a Chief of Staff in the Northern Theater Command and he brought back this wine to give my grandfather, while I just happened to sneakily get my hands on it. I heard him saying that this wine is nearly thirty years old as it has been cellared in the Northern Theater Command's cellar and only just came out six months ago."

Tang Xiu smiled faintly. Let alone drinking good wines that merely aged for three decades, he had even drunk quite a lot of good wines that had been cellared for thousands of years. However, on Earth, the thirty years old cellared wines were already considered quite good wines.

He opened the bottle and poured the wine into four cups.

As he drunk up the wine from the cup, he immediately felt a strong fragrant and mellow taste lingering on his tongue. It was as though there was a fire that went down through his throat and finally burst out inside his chest, as the strong heat flowed and quickly entered his stomach and spread out to his limbs and skeletal bones.

"Ah, it's really great and comfortable!"

Tang Xiu couldn't help but exclaim in praise. He felt that this wine was even better than the wines the Everlasting Feast Hall had.

In this moment, he had quite an impulse. He wanted to homebrew a number of good wines himself. After all, a lot of people loved wine on Earth. And if he found someone who could truly appreciate the taste of good wine- moreover, tasting the wine he brewed himself- it would definitely be a joyous thing.

And not only did Tang Xiu himself had a good winemaking technique, even the end product of his home-brewing wine was of the absolute best quality.

And at this moment, Fei Shan's eyes were especially bright. He was as if meeting a soul-mate as he felt a little closer to Tang Xiu when he said with a smile, "It seems that it was really worth it to steal this bottle of wine since I can get Brother Tang's appreciation. But I never expected that Brother Tang was also a wine lover. It's just a pity that I have too few of this good wine, otherwise, our drinking time could have been more joyous."

"It's alright. If you want to drink a good wine, just wait for some time. I'll bring some when I go to the university in Blue City. I'm sure the wine I bring will keep you satisfied." Tang Xiu said with a smile.

Since he had the idea, then he might as well put it into motion.

Tang Xiu decided to brew some good wines, since he thought that the materials to brew the wine was very easy to find, while the production cost was also very low. Not to mention that he also had a summer vacation coming, and he could take some time to brew it. Even if he couldn't drink it all, he could send them to his mother's restaurant.

With a curious expression, Fei Shan asked, "Brother Tang, you also have some good wines?"

"Hahaha, not any yet. But I'm preparing to brew some." Tang Xiu said with a laugh.

"Wow! You also know how to brew wine?" Fei Shan was astounded as he replied.

"I did brew once. And the taste is kinda good." Tang Xiu said with a smile.

Fei Shan clapped his hands and said with a laugh, "Hahaha, Brother Tang, it seems that not only are you an aficionado, but you also have already arrived at the point of becoming an oenophile yourself! I'm really looking forward to your homebrewed wine! I'll be waiting for you to go to Blue City, and treating you with a welcoming reception dinner in Blue City's best restaurant!"

Huang Xu patted Fei Shan's shoulder as he said with a smile, "No can do. How could it be your turn to treat Brother Tang a welcoming dinner? I'm the one who has misspoken to him, and I can't just walk away without washing my wrongdoings, no? Brother Tang is much more mature than me, and he didn't lower himself to act like me. But I—Huang Xu, put this matter seriously in mind. So, Brother Tang, I gotta be the host for you when you come to Blue City. Of course, that means I'll also be tasting the homebrewed wine you've personally made. Hahaha..."

Tang Xiu nodded with a smile.

He might particularly don't like Huang Xu. But as people say, hit not the people who are smiling at you and reach out your hand toward them. So, as Huang Xu repeatedly expressed his goodwill toward him, it was a necessity to give him some face.

Not to mention that he also perfectly realized the truth that having personal contacts in society was absolutely equal to having divine armament. If he could use it perfectly, it would be very helpful in dealing with a lot of things in the future.

As for Andy, she didn't have much interest in wine. However, she was actually listening to the conversations with full enthusiasm. In particular, she could see as how Long Zhengyu and the two others wanted to be on good terms with Tang Xiu. This made her feel good inside as she felt that her judgment toward the man she was eyeing was really correct.

In actuality, the made up words she said to Tang Xiu that she wanted to be his lover, was 20% true, while the rest 80% was but only a joke. Although she had a small figure, however, she still had what a normal person had with seven apertures on her head and also a brain. She knew perfectly well about the nature of people. She was the kind of person who was keen in reading the intention within the words people said, as well as the expression whether ones were lying, or being sly and crafty to conceal their true intention in a mishmash speech.

However, after having gone through things tonight and had a closer contact with Tang Xiu quite a lot, Andy could perceive and realize that not only was Tang Xiu an upright gentleman, he was also not the type of person who was fickle in love.

She was just only eight when her parents took her to China. After having lived here for six years, only then did they return back to the United States. In particular, after she returned back to the States, she made friends with a lot of Chinese descent people there, so she had a very deep knowledge about domestic customs. If it weren't for her Westerner looks, perhaps, nobody would have believed that she was a foreign girl.

"Ladies, Sirs, the dishes have been served."

A middle-aged manager entered the box along with dozens of waitresses carrying a trolley of dishes. Although everyone couldn't see the dishes, for it were still covered, everyone could still smell the fragrance fluttering into their noses.

Long Zhengyu looked at Tang Xiu and said, "So, how about we have the meal now?"

Tang Xiu said with a smile, "Good wine has always been added with fine delicacies. So let's have a meal now."

Immediately, everyone headed to the dining room. As they looked at the row of dishes lined up on the table, their appetite was sparked up. And just when some of them were ready to eat the meal, Andy's mobile phone ringed.

"It's the call from Chief Kang!"

Andy took out her mobile as she looked at the Caller ID number on the screen.

Tang Xiu asked, "What time the charity auction start?"

"At 8:30 PM, twenty minutes from now," Andy replied.

"If so, then ask her to come here to have a meal first! Tell her later that after being busy at work all day long, use the rest of the time to relax and rest. Create a balance between work and relaxation, and you'll be able to bring about more wealth and riches."

Andy let out a sweet-bright smile as she replied, "Having such a kind Boss as you, is truly a blessing for us."

Chapter 168: A Fly

Upon hearing Andy's praise, Huang Xu couldn't help but cast a glance and curled his lips as he secretly whispered: "Such a good sweetheart like you truly can make a man happy. I really don't know how Tang Xiu could have such achievement. Not only he had such awesome abilities, even such a peerless beauty took the initiative to run into his embrace."

Shortly after discovering that Andy was accompanying Tang Xiu, Kang Xia came to the A1608 suite. She had met Long Zhengyu before, and even though she didn't know Huang Xu and Fei Shan, she still plastered a smile on her face as she greeted everyone. Finally, she glanced at the smiling Andy and sat beside her.

"Hey, Boss! It's really unfair, you know. I'm working hard dealing with the company and you're actually having fun here?! How about you accompany me to attend the charity auction?" Kang Xia looked at Tang Xiu with a beaming smile.

Tang Xiu shook his head.

Just when he was about to respond, he heard Long Zhengyu speak, "Is this charity auction the one arranged by Yang Weilan? Actually, I was also going to attend it, but since these two friends of mine came, I didn't prepare myself to go there. Anyways, Fei Shan, Huang Xu, since the two of you have come, why don't we go to this charity auction? Even though Star City's auction can't be compared to your Blue City's, maybe you can still come across something that interest the both of you."

Fei Shan and Huang Xu nodded with a smile.

Tang Xiu looked at these people as he finally let out a wry smile and said, "Such being the case, then I'll also attend it to broaden my knowledge. To tell you the truth, I've never had the chance to attend any upper-class charity party before."

Fei Shan stood up and said with a smile, "Actually, this kind of charity party has two main purposes. The first is the charity auction, which in fact, is supposed to gather donations. The second one is, quite a lot of big names in business society, as well as a lot of scions from major respected and renowned families, will be attending this level of charity party. In itself, the event is also used by the young masters and ladies to get to know each other and have closer exchanges, as it's best to directly meet the people in the interest of whom they would set their eyes on marriages."

Tang Xiu suddenly lost his interest upon hearing this. However, since he had already promised, it would be awkward to go back on his word.

"Anyways, you all have a meal first as I gotta change my clothes. Otherwise, people would blast me out of the party if they see me dressed up like this." Fei Shan said with a laugh.

Ten minutes later...

After everyone had eaten, they waited until Fei Shan returned and then headed together to the hall on the eighteenth floor, where the charity party was being held. Since Kang Xia had the invitation, while a lot of people also knew Long Zhengyu's status as the Long Family's young master, nobody stopped their group as they entered the spacious and bright party hall.

The glowing, crystalline lamps illuminated everyone with its soft light as the party hall was already jam-packed with people. There were at least nearly a hundred people that had already arrived inside. Each and every one of the guests was well-dressed and had elegant looks. Even if an ordinary person wanted to imitate such elegance, they would find it very difficult to do so with natural looks.

As their group arrived, they attracted the attention of a lot of people; as they were also approached by a lot of people with beaming smiles whilst carrying a cup of red wine. Although Long Zhengyu was the Star City's Long Family's successor and also had quite a reputation in the business society, Kang Xia's fame was far above his. However, Tang Xiu had told Kang Xia and the others to keep his identity a secret before they entered, so even though Kang Xia greeted all courteously, she didn't disclose Tang Xiu's identity.

Taking advantage of this, Tang Xiu, Fei Shan and Huang Xu went over toward the sofa at the side as the three of them then sat down.

"This is almost no different from the soap opera series on TV."

Tang Xiu commented as he sat down.

Fei Shan and Huang Xu glanced at each other with looks of being at a loss whether to cry or laugh drawn on their faces. Only at this moment did they finally believe that this was Tang Xiu's first time attending an upper-class charity party.

"Brother Tang, there are a lot of famous young ladies coming tonight. The organizers also invited a lot of actresses and female celebrities. Take a look at that side, that person is a small star who has performed in some TV series. Although she can't be regarded as even a second-tier actress, however, it's obvious that someone wants to hook her up, see?" Huang Xu was much very fond of females with sex appeal as his pair of greedy eyes also always cast their sight on the female's body inside the party hall.

Tang Xiu followed the direction pointed by his finger, but he didn't recognize the pointed young star who was said to have performed in some TV series. He shook his head and said with a smile, "I'm still at school and have little interest with females' charm. If you like them, why don't you hook up some of them? But I politely advise you, though; never look for ones who have male companions, else you'll be incurring their rage."

"Brother Tang, I do like beauties, but it's not like I always straightly hit on the girls the moment I see them, you know. The thing is, when we just met tonight, it was because your girlfriend is way too... too beautiful. I've seen innumerable femme fatale beauties, but I gotta admit that not even one of them is at the same level." With a somewhat embarrassed expression, Huang Xu explained with a wry smile.

Tang Xiu only gave a smile and shook his head.

He had seen a lot of femme fatales before. Even the fairy maiden maidservants he had in his Immortal Palace had an appearance that was on par—or even more beautiful than Andy's. The one he chose as a partner was mainly because he looked at the person's cultivation level as well as her character.

Unfortunately, his judgment turned out to be gravely mistaken as he had never thought that the woman he chose betrayed him at the end!

This was precisely the reason as to why Tang Xiu didn't want to involve himself with too many women. Had he ever had such a sexual drive, he would have just chosen to have sex with women with only mutual consent between him and the said women; albeit he didn't want to be attached to emotional and sentimental feelings between them. Perhaps... he would find himself a fairly pleasing-to-the-eyes woman for him to marry in the future. But that would be in order to satisfy his mother's wish of being a grandmother only.

Ten minutes later...

When Tang Xiu felt bored and wanted to leave early, Andy came over while carrying a dessert and sat next to him. Her pair of bright and smart eyes looked at him as she said affectionately, "Boss, take this dessert, it's the best one I chose for you."

Nodding, Tang Xiu picked it up and ate it. Then, he said, "How come you aren't accompanying Kang Xia, and instead running here?"

"Well, I often attend this kind of party, and it kinda makes me bored. Those men are way too avaricious! They're always looking at me with those greedy eyes of theirs. Honestly, it's truly annoying. Besides, I'm your sweetheart, Boss. No matter what, I won't have them look at me like that." Andy replied.

"Cough... cough..."

Fei Shan, who just drank his second red wine cup, choked upon hearing this. His face flushed red as he looked at Tang Xiu and Andy with an inconceivable expression.

As for Huang Xu, he secretly rolled his eyes. It reminded him of the things that had happened between him, Andy and Tang Xiu before. With a bit of a worshipping expression reflected in his eyes, he said, "Brother Tang, you're simply the reincarnation of the Saint of Love. If this femme fatale Lolita is willing to throw herself in my embrace, I won't even mind having my lifespan shortened for three years, truly."

"Hahaha, no no, Andy was just joking. You don't need to take it seriously." Tang Xiu said with a laugh.

"Brother Tang, you really don't know that you're blessed and really lucky, right? Just get lost and take her to bed already, will you? Don't get me all stimulated and aroused here." Huang Xu replied with a depressed expression.

Tang Xiu didn't reply and looked at somewhere else.

With a puzzled expression, Fei Shan looked at Tang Xiu and Andy as his sight then turned toward Huang Xu and asked with a confused expression, "Ugh... I don't get it. What situation is this in the end?"

Huang Xu said with a forced smile, "What do you think it could be? Andy, this femme fatale, was crying and shouted that she wanted to be Brother Tang's lover. While he- he just shut her out. Perhaps, the only person in this world who would refuse such good thing is but the one and only Brother Tang."

Fei Shan looked at Tang Xiu with a look of disbelief as an expression of respect was cast on his face when he exclaimed, "Wow! Brother Tang, you can still keep your composure even with this temptation? You're truly an upright gentleman. I might not be in the same rank as you, but I really worship you! Oh Deity, please accept my knowtow!"

Tang Xiu involuntarily laughed. He suddenly realized that being with Huang Xu and Fei Shan turned out to be quite refreshing. The more familiar he became with them, the more he was able to enjoy this kind of relaxed and fun feeling.

"Miss, may I invite you to a drink?"

A voice abruptly came from the few people around as a young man in a white suite and well-done hairdo came to stand before Andy with a face full of a confident smile as he spoke.

Andy just glanced at him and replied indifferently, "I don't drink, thank you."

Tang Xiu glanced at the crystal cup in her hand as his mouth severely twitched twice when he saw the cup was filled with a dark blood-red wine.

What would the lying through one's teeth look like? This was it! And in particular, the way she refused the man, was truly one of a kind on its own.

Even in his wildest dream, the young man surely never expected that Andy would even use such an excuse to refuse him. A look of humiliation and and anger was immediately revealed on his face as he said, "If I'm not mistaken, you're Kang Xia's personal servant, aren't you? If you were Kang Xia, I might actually think to win your friendship. But you! You're just her subordinate and you're even so arrogant? Who gave you the confidence? Do you believe that I can make Chief Kang kick you out of the Magnificent Tang Corporation with only a word?"

With an expression as though looking at an idiot, Andy looked at the young man and intentionally directed her mumble toward Tang Xiu, "Trust me, I don't believe it even a bit! Why don't you try it?"

The young man was infuriated. He quickly waved to an attendant and whispered a few words to him. The attendant nodded and walked toward Kang Xia. After spending some effort to release herself from the crowd, Kang Xia came over to the group with a surprised expression.

"What happened?"

The young man quickly said, "Chief Kang, do you remember me? I'm the Vice General Manager of the Meisya Cosmetics. We've met about the deal with our companies for the upcoming sales of your cosmetic products to the market. We also had a dinner before."

"Yes, I remember you. You're Chief Wu." Kang Xia nodded and said.

A glint of surprise emitted out of Wu Changqing's eyes, as if to be remembered by Kang Xia was a great honor for him. Then, he glanced at Andy and said, "Chief Kang, I've helped you with your request before. And now, could you do me a favor?"

Kang Xia's brows slanted and inquired, "And what's the favor?"

Whilst pointing at Andy, Wu Changqing spoke with a proud expression, "Can you dismiss her? This staff of yours can't even understand the importance of the matter. So I think keeping her will only be courting a disaster. If only because of her the sales of your company would be affected later, the gains you'd have wouldn't equal to the losses."

Kang Xia's face turned cold and said dimly, "Are you threatening me?"

"No, no. Chief Kang misunderstood. I just asked for your help." Wu Changqing quickly replied.

"You're way too busy, it seems. I can't help you with this. In fact, even if I fire her it won't change anything. Besides, she's also a shareholder in the Magnificent Tang Corporation. Moreover, I have to tell you this, the Magnificent Tang Corporation has just made a decision that our company is about to be listed in the cosmetic market and we will no longer use the Meisya Cosmetic Group's channel. Tell my message to your General Manager when you go back."

Chapter 169: Courting Trouble

As surprised as he was, Wu Changqing froze as his face immediately changed tragically.

Even in his wildest dream, he had never thought that it would unexpectedly turn into such a situation. He knew that the talks and negotiations between their companies, more or less, had already been done. And even though the Magnificent Tang Corporation was the one that took the initiative to find his company, however, the profit they would get, was extremely huge!

In the case... that all the deals fell through because of this; then perhaps, he would no longer be able to keep his position as the Vice General Manager anymore.

Upon figuring out this point, cold sweat emerged on his forehead. He quickly let out an obsequious smile and said, "Uh, this is only a misunderstanding. Truly a misunderstanding. Actually, I was only joking with this lovely and beautiful lady. Chief Kang, you've more wisdom than me, surely you'll understand. I give you my guarantee that our business relation will be very smooth. Moreover, I'm going to report to the General Manager to give you some benefits and concessions after I go back."

Tang Xiu looked up at Kang Xia and slowly asked, "Anyway, if we set up our own chain stores in every big city in the country, how much investment should we prepare?"

For a moment, Kang Xia stared blankly as she then replied with a wry smile, "We'd need quite a huge sum! And spreading out specialized chain stores to sell the products all over the country within a short time, will be quite difficult."

Tang Xiu said, "Since it's a cosmetic business, we'll take a high-end route. Firstly, open our own exclusive stores in the biggest cities and then continue expanding to the second-tier cities! After the funds return, we'll continue to the lower-tiered cities. Do bear in mind that this is the sale of our cosmetics products. We must hold an absolute right to speak for ourselves."

Kang Xia's expression changed as she nodded repeatedly, saying, "Understood! I'll revise the plan after I go back and modify it as per your request. However, about the preparation funding..."

"Give me some time. At most up to one month, I'll give you the necessary funds needed for the early investment." Tang Xiu said.

Pleasantly surprised, Kang Xia replied, "Great, if we have enough funds, I believe the time for our products to be listed on the market will be greatly shortened."

"Do remember, we might not make luxurious jewelry, but it's imperative for us to take the high-end route. As long as our cosmetic products are good enough, selling the products is not the aspect we should worry about." Tang Xiu said.

"Understood!" Kang Xia nodded with a smile.

Upon seeing as how Tang Xiu and Kang Xia were related to each other, Wu Changqing was at a complete loss as his mind was messed up. He just found out that the famous General Manager of Magnificent Tang Corporation—Kang Xia, turned out to accept orders from someone else. Even more so, Kang Xia was just like a wage earner, an employee who listened to her Boss's instructions.

Who was this young man? How would he be able to give the orders to Kang Xia?

Could he be...

Wrong guesses out of his shock popped out inside Wu Changqing's mind, but he dismissed all of them the instant they appeared. He just simply didn't believe that Kang Xia would work under a twenty years old young man. What was most unacceptable for him was that the Big Boss who recently invested an enormous investment for the Magnificent Tang Corporation turned out to be a young man!

"You are..."

Finally, Wu Changqing was unable keep the doubts and questions inside his heart.

As for Andy who had an angelic appearance but an extremely sharp mouth, she gave out a big supercilious look toward Wu Changqing as she snapped at him, "Are you really an idiot? Our Magnificent Tang Corporation luckily hasn't done any business cooperation with your company! Otherwise, we would surely have been implicated by a dead no-brainer idiot like you! I thought Chief Kang had obviously shown her stand, but you are so stupid that you still asked?! If I were you, I would've simply left to look for a block of tofu and hit myself to death and be done with it. It's better than hiding myself from the world because I've made myself a disgrace!"

"WOW, that was harshly AWESOME!"

Huang Xu secretly raised his thumb with a face full of a schadenfreude.

His heart could be described as shattered to pieces when Andy humiliated him. The anger even almost drove him crazy. And now, upon hearing how Andy humiliated others, he felt somewhat comfortable. Even the feeling of shame he got from her before was dispelled.

As words could say, Huang Xiu might be a lustful and lascivious person, but he was somewhat mindless in nature.

With a face as white as wax paper, Wu Changqing looked at Tang Xiu with disbelief. He then shifted his sight toward Kang Xia. Still attempting to reconcile and redeem the situation, he squeezed out a smiling expression that was even more unsightly than crying, saying, "Chief Kang, this... Brother, I humbly admit that I'm at fault here. Please don't lower yourselves to my level, and I swear that there won't be any next time for what I've done! Our company needs this deal. If anything, we can have any matters settled through discussion."

"Get lost!"

Tang Xiu wanted no more explanation from him at this moment as he detested Wu Changqing's arrogant and domineering attitude from before.

"Vice Chief Wu, I've clearly told you about how I vision this matter already. No matter how hard you try to redeem this act of yours, this won't affect anything whatsoever. Please leave now! Don't make your company lose face here." Kang Xia said.

Wu Changqing's lips twisted a few times. Upon knowing that he really couldn't save the day, he immediately turned hostile as he glared furiously at Kang Xia and Tang Xiu, saying, "What good people you all are! You have gut and courage eh? Just wait later, I hope you won't regret this when the time comes!"

Huang Xu raised his leg and curled it up on top of the other as he raised his palms and shouted, "Yo, punk retard! You talk too much. Do you believe that I, your Big Daddy, won't be able to drag you out? Brother Tang has told you to get the fuck out. Save your chirping somewhere else!"

Wu Changqing's neck shrunk as he left with a dejected look.

Whilst slowly standing up, Tang Xiu then spoke, "Kang Xia, I'll leave everything here for you to handle. I'm not used to this kind of atmosphere, so I'll go home first. Anyways, Andy has drunk some wine tonight, so you should send her back."

After having a guarantee from Tang Xiu about the provided funds, Kang Xia was in quite the good mood as she replied happily, "Boss, do you want me to send you back? Well, let's just say, I'm used to entertaining courtesy with courtesy as well. As for this auction, it's just for raising donations. Besides, we're too poor now, and I won't pretend to be a generous person here. So it won't be a problem if I take my leave either way."

"Is it okay if you leave now?" Tang Xiu asked with hesitation.

"Yup, no problem." Kang Xia nodded heavily.

"Alright. If so, then drive me back home! Having said this, you also have to go home and rest as fast as possible." Tang Xiu said.

Shortly after...

Tang Xiu bade farewell to the trio Long Zhengyu, Huang Xu, and Fei Shan, as he then left along with Kang Xia and Andy.

At the entrance of the party hall...

Looking at the three's backs, Huang Xu spoke with a sour expression, "Tang Xiu's luck with chicks is really way too awesome! Kang Xia alone is an outstanding belle, she could even overcome the light of the most beautiful woman in the capital. And that angelic looking XXX Lolita—Andy doesn't lose to her. She also belongs to the rank of a rarely found most beautiful-looking women in the world. I think that on the surface, Kang Xia is going to send Tang Xiu back home, but I highly suspected that will go to bed and have an XXX, surely!"

With an expression of being at a loss whether to cry or laugh, Long Zhengyu replied to him, "Hey, Big Young Master Huang, how the hell those words come out of your damn mouth? Since when have you changed your skin? I tell you, Tang Xiu is not that kind of person. He's not like you who will do XXX tricks."

"No, no. Young Master Long, I gotta rebuke what you just said. Haven't you heard the common saying that even heroes have a weakness for the charms of beautiful women? Kang Xia and Andy belong to the ranks of the most beautiful women, and you can only pick one of this kind of woman out of the thousands, no? Tang Xiu might have good self control, but tell me, can he stay firm and able to withstand their enticements?" Fei Shan shook his head and said.

"You two are really have a dirty mind!" Long Zhengyu cursed as he said with a laugh.

However, he deeply admired Tang Xiu as much as them inside. He was a smart person and had a good ability to observe and judge people's feelings and their mood. He could see that Kang Xia and Andy had deep impressions toward Tang Xiu. Once this kind of feeling was nurtured to a certain point, the feeling probably would change in essence and turn into a dead-set diehard love.

The next day...

Kang Xia sent the company's car to pick up the four steward instructors from Great Britain who already arrived at the airport. She then drove them to South Gate Town's villa.

Each of the four instructors had their own unique ability, and they were also very famous amongst the British aristocrats.

After seeing these four he had spent quite a sum of money to hire, Tang Xiu directly sent them to Mu Qingping. As for what kind of skills she could learn from them, it depended entirely on her.

At the evening, the same day...

Tang Xiu took a high-speed train to Dongyuan Province. There was no direct passenger flight from Star City to Cangbei City. But the railway line was highly developed. It took him only three hours by high-speed train to get there. At 10:00 PM, he finally arrived at Cangbei City. At first, he intended to catch a cab outside after he left the train station. However, he was quite desperate afterward. There were a lot of taxis, but when he told the drivers the destination "Qingshan Town", not even one of those drivers was willing to take him there.

"Why aren't you willing to go there?"

Tang Xiu couldn't help but ask the woman driver.

The woman driver let out a forced smile as she replied, "Little Brother, it's not that we don't want to take you there. It's just the distance from this train station to Qingshan Town is kinda distant, while the pay we got is also, well, not enough. Besides, it's very late and the location is very remote and it's very dangerous on the way there. Even if our customers are good people, but in the case we happen to bump into highwaymen... we'll surely be miserable!"

"Road robbers?"

Tang Xiu didn't want to give up in vain, and asked curiously, "We are highly likely to encounter road robbers on the way from here to Qingshan Town? Shouldn't the law reach this place too? Besides, the police force should handle this problem, shouldn't it?"

The woman driver replied with a sigh, "Take care of this problem huh? It's not like the cops haven't tried to handle this problem. But those road toll brigands are just like rats. They are familiar with the surrounding topography. Not to mention that that there are also quite a ton of paths to remote areas where you will rarely find people from the surroundings for dozens of miles. Even if the police want to arrest these brigands and bandits and stop them by force, it would still be very difficult to apprehend them. Every time these brigands see that the situation is not right, they will quickly drill into the roadside toward the forested mountain. It's hella difficult to catch them even if the police deploy a lot of manpower."

Suddenly, the woman driver's voice quieted down a lot. She then turned and looked around. After she confirmed that no one was paying attention to her and Tang Xiu, she whispered, "Little Brother, I advise you to spend the night in Cangbei City. You can still rush to Qingshan Town tomorrow. Those highwaymen and road toll brigands are way too rampant and wild. I also heard that they have connections with some dirty cops in this city. So, it's better safe than sorry. We'll be out of luck if we come across these scourges."

After hesitating for a moment, Tang Xiu let out a forced smile and said, "That being the case, then take me to Cangbei Hotel. It's the hotel my friend suggested me to go."

Seeing that Tang Xiu accepted her suggestion, the woman driver smiled all over as she replied immediately, "Good good, then get on board, Little Brother. I'll take you to the best five-star hotel in Cangbei City. Ah right, do you need me to pick you up and drive you directly to Qingshan Town tomorrow morning?"

"You also have this service?" Tang Xiu was astonished.

The woman driver said with a laugh, "Well, you can say this as a big job scheduled in advance anyhow! You know, we—the taxi drivers of this Cangbei City, can in no way be compared to those black limousine chauffeurs. So you've gotta know how to work your way through if you wanna keep your rice bowl, if you ask me!"

Tang Xiu said with a laugh, "So be it then. Come and pick me up in the early morning."

Notes:

1. Uh, well... XXX is censored in the raws with asterisks... ah well, you guys won't have to be a genius to figure it out, though. But I myself was wondering whether it was a threesome, gangbang or not... lol. And no, I'm not a porn lover...

2. About Dongyuan Province, there should be a Dongyuan County in Guangdong. But the story doesn't seem to refer to this one though.

Chapter 170: Traveling Across the Road Ruled by Might

The economic development of Cangbei City was ordinary. Although it should be at the same urban classification level with Star City, the development and construction of its urban area and districts were far inferior than Star City. Even though the woman driver took Tang Xiu to the city's best five-star hotel, but after he entered the hotel, he felt that the hotel was not even up to the four-star standard.

Certainly, the price here was also a lot cheaper.

Both sides of Cangbei City were encircled by hills as well as water. Obviously, this caused its geographical location in the mainland to be slightly remote. In the early morning of the next day, Tang Xiu had a breakfast in the hotel's dining hall after he took a bath, after which, he met the woman driver's taxi who came to pick him up.

"How long do we need to travel to Qingshan Town from here?" Tang Xiu asked.

"Nearly two and a half hours. Although the distance isn't that far, the road is quite rough. The government has been shouting all day, saying that a road from here to there will be built. It's been a couple of years already, I think. And yet, they haven't done anything. If the road is smooth, such a distance of a hundred to two hundred kilometers should be easy to reach within a little more than an hour's driving." The woman driver said with a smile.

Tang Xiu nodded slightly. After he thought for a moment, he suddenly asked, "I heard that there's a Sky Cavern there, is it real?"

For a moment, the woman driver was surprised. Then, she seemed to immediately awaken as she scrutinized Tang Xiu's eyes afterward. With a beaming smile, she then said with a smile, "Little Brother, I presume you're going to Qingshan Town in order to visit the Sky Cavern, aren't you? You've got to listen to Big Sis, don't throw yourself into danger there! This Sky Cavern is located in the remote area of the mountains and ancient forest. The mountain pathway is very steep, with vipers and beasts preying around as well as filled with miasma and swamps. A lot of people had ventured into the mountains, and they never came out! And every year, the next visitors find the bones of the dead, a lot."

Tang Xiu curiously said, "This Primeforest Mountain Range is a kind of large mountain range in the country, then why the local government hasn't thought to develop it into a scenic site? Nowadays, in every part of our country, if one place has only a bit of scenic site, the authority wantonly builds tourist attractions there. In the hope to attract a large number of home and foreign tourists to help improving the economic development of the region. Why wouldn't Cangbei City exploit this capital they have?"

The woman driver replied with a forced smile, "Well, I tell you three words that would be the most appropriate to describe the authority in Cangbei City."

"Huh? Which three words?" Tang Xiu asked.

"DO NOT ACT!"

The woman driver bluntly said.

Tang Xiu couldn't help but laugh. The woman driver said it in a simple manner, but the meaning brought along with her expression was very vivid and made him lament. In regard to this point, he recalled the remark Yuan Chuling had told him, for which he could clearly remember it vividly until now:

"In regards to government officials, they're not worried having voracious corrupt acts. Just like all the crows in the world, they're all sort of blackened as this is what is required to be promoted in their organization. If one wanted to stay clean and not become corrupted themselves, whoever they are, they would find themselves in difficult predicament. Some of these corrupt officials are but only executing the orders of their bosses, while some others are doing it out of their own interests. Of these two types of bureaucrats, the latter is the most loathsome."

Tang Xiu didn't want to continue chatting about the issues with the local government, so he smiled and shook his head as he shifted his vision to the outside of the window. The taxi drove very fast, and it only took half an hour to leave Cangbei City downtown into the country road. Without spending much effort, they already arrived at the end of the fairly wide road, as the rough graveled road was seen in front.

"Ugh, every time I take this road, it gives me a headache."

The woman driver clearly wasn't the solitary type. Not long after their conversation ended, she started talking again.

Tang Xiu, on the other hand, didn't want to chat anymore. As he sat in the back row and looked at the woman driver driving, he said, "I want to rest for a while. Wake me up when we have arrived at Qingshan Town."

"Ah, you're going to sleep? You didn't have a good rest last night?" The woman driver was surprised and asked.

"Mmm!" Tang Xiu hummed, confirming it.

The woman driver said with a laugh, "Ah, right. It was already past 10 PM when you arrived in Cangbei City last night. Checking into the hotel, having a bath and then hitting the bunk, you were only able to sleep till 12 AM. And you had to get up early in the morning as well, so it would be strange if you don't feel sleepy. Anyways, take your rest until this Big Sis shouts to wake you up, Little Brother!"

"Thanks a bunch!"

Tang Xiu replied and then slowly shut his eyes.

He did sleep very late last night. It wasn't at 12 AM but around 2 or 3 AM. After all, no matter how busy he was everyday, he was determined to allocate some time to cultivate. Although the increase of Star Force inside his body wasn't too much, he could still accumulate it, albeit quite slowly. One day, as the conditions were ripe, he would naturally be successful and breakthrough to the Skin Strengthening Late Stage.

Time passed by...

The sudden sound of brakes made Tang Xiu abruptly awake from his deep sleep.

"Ugh, what happened?"

Tang Xiu's body was thrown to the front. If it weren't for his fast reaction, he would've had his head bump into the back of the front seat. After opening his eyes, he frowned and immediately asked.

The woman driver's complexion had turned white as a restless expression could be seen from her eyes. With an astringent expression, she turned her head and replied, "We're in bad luck! I didn't expect that we'd encounter road robbers in this broad daylight."

Tang Xiu looked at the outside through the window. He immediately saw that three vans were surrounding the taxi after it stopped. There were also four or five big stones blocking the road about seven or eight meters in front of the taxi.

Looking at the surrounding environment, Tang Xiu quickly figured out. The road had a three fork junction in front and the three vans should have long been parked on both sides of the junction, waiting for the passing cars. As soon as the car passed by, they would immediately drive inside and outflank the car to stop it. And those four or five stones were probably thrown on the road for this temporary use.

It was just that he didn't expect that these people would be so bold and go as far as waylaying in the road, robbing in broad daylight when the earth and the sky were so clear. From this only, it could be seen as how rampant these people were.

"The local government really doesn't act!"

Sighing inside, Tang Xiu was in fact, not feeling very anxious. As he watched brawny men rushing out of the three vans with knives in their hands, he calmly said, "You wait in the car, I'll go out and see them."

The woman driver hastily said, "Little Brother, don't rush at them. These people usually only want money. As long as you give them money, your safety will be guaranteed. But if you resist them, they won't hesitate to ruthlessly smash you!"

Tang Xiu didn't reply. He opened the door and got off. And then looked at the fierce looking big men as he said, "You're waylaying the road, playing the robbers?"

In front of more than ten big men was a bald man with a thick gold chain around his neck and a grim knife scar on his left cheek that looked like a centipede. He was holding a mountain knife, as he grimly laughed and said, "Hehe, you kid knows our business eh? Since you know that we're waylaying here, then be obedient and take out all of your money and valuables. Perhaps, you'll make us brothers happy and you'll save yourselves from broken legs!"

For a moment, Tang Xiu was silent. Then, he slowly said, "Have you ever heard the saying that, the wicked will be grounded by the evil?"

The bald big guy stared blankly for a second, and then burst into laughter immediately before he replied, "You mean, you're also the evil? And you must give us the lesson or something?"

Tang Xiu raised his thumb up and praised with a sigh, "Ah, since you can understand it well, so I presume you're a smart one. But it's a pity, though. The path you took is not a good one, and your brain is filled with crooked ideas. Today, on the behalf of your parents, I will help them educate you well. So as to make you completely redeem your wrongdoings and help their prodigal sons turn a new leaf in life."

"Pfft... Hahaha..."

The dozens of big men and the baldy big guy were laughing wildly. Even some big men around were also smiling amidst their laughter, looking at Tang Xiu as if they were looking at an idiot.

After a long while, the baldy big guy stopped laughing. He watched Tang Xiu while hooking his fingers and said with a smile, "Kid, do you know what people call me? The Scarblade Qiang! Even the people on the street call me Big Brother Qiang! How is it? Have you heard the name of this Big Brother?"

Whilst shaking his head, Tang Xiu replied, "I'm just a country bumpkin and have shallow experience. The name doesn't ring a bell, truly. Are you that famous?"

One of the big guys grinned and said with a smile, "Famous? Far more than famous! Brother Qiang absolutely has a reputation outside. You're very tactful kid. You know yourself as being a country bumpkin so it's natural that you didn't know."

"Nah, I gotta refute your words. I don't think he's really famous. You wanna know why?" Tang Xiu said and shook his head.

"Huh? Why?" The big guy replied with a puzzled expression.

"So to speak, the shot will hit the birds that poke its head out. Thus, if he's really that famous, the cops probably had him apprehended already. The public security here might be bad, but I don't think that the police will tolerate notorious people who act too rampant, don't you think so?" Tang Xiu replied with an unenthusiastic response.

"You punk! You're specially courting your own death!" The big guy flew into a rage and pointed his knife toward Tang Xiu.

The Scarblade Qiang waved his hand to stop the big guy. As he narrowed his eyes to scrutinize Tang Xiu, he lightly said, "Kid, I admire your balls, really. Facing and talking so frankly with us with such confidence, that means you're not ordinary. Are you also one of us? Tell these Brothers your name."

"I told you that I come from the countryside, didn't I?" Tang Xiu said.

The Scarblade Qiang looked deeply at Tang Xiu's eyes. As a bit of fiendish-looking grin appeared on his face, he said, "You had the opportunity, but you didn't take it. If so, we brothers will be polite no longer. Take out all of your belongings, and drag out that driver in the cab also! All of you must take out all of your money to pay out. Else, you'll have yourself drown in a bloody disaster today!"

With a cold and detached expression, Tang Xiu replied, "I throw these words back to you! Gimme all of your riches, else don't blame me if I fuck you up! Also, take off the dog chain on your neck, your wrist watch, and give all of your money and valuables to me!"

Scarblade Qiang blankly stared for a moment, and even the ten big men around were also dumbfounded.

However, within just a few seconds later, they reacted. As anger hung on the face of each and every one of them, they aggressively swarmed over toward Tang Xiu.

A cold and grim expression emerged on Tang Xiu's face. Looking at the slashing knife that was coming at his face, his feet flashed and instantly avoided it by a hair. His fist at the same time hit the bridge of the man's nose. Even though he didn't use much strength, but the punch was enough to smash the man's nose.

"Peng, peng..."

Tang Xiu was as though a brave tiger, whilst those big men were as soft as lambs. When a tiger ran into a flock of lambs, the end result was naturally obvious.

Within just seven or eight breaths, the dozens of big men had already been knocked down by Tang Xiu. Each and every one of them was as though a curling shrimp on the ground, wailing and screaming in pain.

Scarblade Qiang hadn't yet acted. Now, he was the only one who was still perfectly intact and standing. His pupils were contracted, while an expression of disbelief flashed from his eyes as he stared tightly at Tang Xiu as if he was looking at a terrifying monster.

He had seen a lot of martial arts masters, but such a frightening one he had never seen before! At this moment, he even suspected himself that if he wasn't dreaming right now, then, could it be Tang Xiu in front of him was a retired special forces' soldier? A super soldier commando?