Chapter 147 — The Long-Awaited...

Zhao Ying hesitated, then turned and walked back to the noodle shop window, hiding to one side and watching the scene inside. When she saw Wang Yanqiu pick up her chopsticks again after she had left and start eating from Yang Ce's bowl, and the two of them laughing and teasing each other, Zhao Ying's heart shattered in an instant. Tears spilled down her cheeks despite herself, and she could hold back no longer. She turned and walked quickly away, leaving behind only a string of glistening teardrops. There was no more room for doubt: the relationship between Wang Yanqiu and Yan was not as simple as they claimed. Zhao Ying was no fool, and she knew something of Wang Yanqiu's character. The girl might be careless and unbothered, but she was picky and fastidious—one only had to look at how she showered every single day to see that.

And food that someone else had eaten, Wang Yanqiu would certainly never touch again. If Yang Yongjin were the one disgusted and eating the noodles she had left behind, that would make sense. But for Wang Yanqiu to keep eating the noodles Yang Ce had left behind—that could not help but say something.

Zhao Ying felt a pang of resentment, and a little self-pity too. Why could her relationship with Yang Ce not move forward a step? Was it only because she was not forward enough?

But how much more forward could she be? She had asked him to pretend to be her boyfriend, and there was even the occasional hint of flirtation between them. Was that not enough? Did she have to shamelessly chase after him every day before it counted?

For a moment, Zhao Ying felt lost. Her happiness, her love—all of it had become a hopeless mess on that moonlit summer night, because of one moment of hesitation on her part.

She had thought that when her mother came to Songjiang, she could use the pretense of him being her boyfriend to push their relationship a step further. And indeed, things had grown a little closer than before—but they were still far from the stage of moonlit romance.

Zhao Ying dragged her heavy steps toward the school, her forlorn figure gradually receding into the distance.

The night before, Wei Jin had gone at it with Sister Gu several more times before he finally vented the rage in his heart. Zou Ruoguang had already left the resort, gone off to who knew where, and Wei Jin could not be bothered with him anymore. This time he had meant to avenge Zou Ruoguang, but not only had the revenge failed—he himself had been beaten so badly he could not get out of bed.

Good riddance that Zou Ruoguang had left. At least Wei Jin would not have to feel awkward seeing him.

And Sister Gu, just as Zou Ruoguang had predicted, had not said a word about being raped by him. She understood Wei Jin's temperament well enough: if he learned of it, he would certainly not dote on her the way he did now.

Sister Gu was no fool either, and she was hardly some innocent young girl. This sort of thing was nothing to her.

In another room of the Xianren Resort, Wei Dekang sat with a dark expression on his face. Beside him sat Sui Yuemin, general manager of the resort.

"Yang Ce—do you know this kid's background?" Wei Dekang asked Sui Yuemin.

"I've sent people to look into it. No word back yet," Sui Yuemin said cautiously. After all, Wei Jin had come to harm at his Xianren Resort, and he could hardly claim to bear no responsibility at all.

Moreover, the future renovation and maintenance of the Xianren Resort would depend on Wei Dekang's goodwill. Naturally, he was exceedingly deferential at this moment, not daring to show the slightest negligence.

"Hmph. Dares to lay a hand on Wei Dekang's son." Wei Dekang's voice was cold and furious. "Whoever he is, I want him to pay in blood."

"Yes, President Wei. But—this Yang Ce seems to know Brother Long," Sui Yuemin felt compelled to remind him.

"Brother Long? Which Brother Long?" Wei Dekang asked.

"Tian Long, from Donghai," Sui Yuemin explained.

"Tian Long? Hmph. That's Donghai. Songjiang is not his to speak in," Wei Dekang said dismissively. Over the past few years, he had built his fortune through half-underworld means, and his status had risen with the tide. He no longer regarded many people as worth his attention, and he fancied himself quite the big shot in Songjiang.

Sui Yuemin wanted to say more, but hesitated and shut his mouth. Since Wei Dekang did not care about that Tian Long, why should he bother speaking up?

To be continued.

956. A Litany of Misdeeds

Wei Dekang sat with a gloomy face, waiting for the results of the investigation. Sui Yuemin did not dare speak out of turn either, and sat to one side keeping Wei Dekang company.

Wei Dekang had lost two of his top men in a single day, and his son had been beaten black and blue. If Wei Dekang were not furious, that would be a miracle. Although he had no proof that Zhou Xiaoming had also been beaten by Yang Ce, he reckoned it was more or less certain.

Wei Dekang had fairly wide connections in Songjiang and plenty of men under him. It did not take long before word about Yang Juehuan came back.

Looking at the file on Heng that his men had brought him, Wei Dekang immediately furrowed his brow.

Yang Ce himself was nothing much—just a freshman at Songjiang Engineering University who had started a jewelry company with some classmates. The scale was decent enough, but the assets were not large.

None of that mattered to Wei Dekang. What drew his attention most was Yang Ce's family background. Yang Juehuan's father, Yang Cheyan, had originally been an ordinary worker at the Songjiang Bus Factory. At the beginning of this year he had suddenly risen to prominence—not only had he acquired the old Songjiang Bus Factory, but he had also entered into partnerships with several major European heavy-industry enterprises. He was not only producing auto parts but had also invested in a helicopter production line, and in the blink of an eye he had become the chairman of a major conglomerate.

With that, Yang Cheyan had become a celebrity in Songjiang. If Wei Dekang moved against Yang Juehuan, there would surely be some complications. Still, Wei Dekang was not discouraged—was he not likewise a man of standing in Songjiang? His connections and influence in the city were deep-rooted, and he did not believe Yang Cheyan could have built up any real network in a mere two months.

After all, he himself was vice chairman of the Songjiang Chamber of Commerce. If he rallied other Songjiang enterprises to squeeze out Mingyang Heavy Industry, Yang Cheyan would have a hard time of it. So Wei Dekang did not take it too seriously.

Since you moved against my son first, there is nothing so terrible about me moving against yours. Of course, Wei Dekang was not about to send someone to beat up Yang Puqi again right away—that was unrealistic.

From the look of things, Yang Juehuan must have plenty of thugs under him. Otherwise Zhou Xiaoming could not possibly have been intercepted on his way over and beaten half to death. Since he held no advantage in that quarter, Wei Dekang intended to use other means to strike at Yang Ce.

With that thought, Wei Dekang dialed a number. "Du Liuliu, this is Wei Dekang. I have a job for you. Come find me at the Xianren Resort in half an hour."

Du Liuliu was a labor contractor under Wei Dekang, a man with a criminal record who had earned Wei Dekang's deep appreciation. The fellow had ruthless hands and could settle matters—any worker who came demanding unpaid wages only had to be handed over to Du Liuliu, and he would sort them out so thoroughly they would never dare make trouble again.

Du Liuliu would do anything. Beating up workers who demanded their wages was a small matter. The cruelest case had been just a few days earlier, when he pushed a worker demanding unpaid wages off a scaffolding. The man had fallen and broken both arms and both legs, and was still lying in the hospital.