Having returned from P City in the neighboring province, Leng Feng and Guan Yue immediately set about making sweeping changes, quickly closing several commendable cases. While they certainly encountered some resistance, I stepped in and resolved the issues with an iron fist. Even that Director of the People's Congress is now too intimidated to utter a peep; my official appointment was granted directly by the Chairman and the Premier, so why should I fear him? Furthermore, even if I weren't in office, I wouldn't hesitate to handle matters that fall under my purview.

School has started. Today is primarily for teachers and students to meet and for the notice regarding military training to be issued. Training begins tomorrow. Frankly, after five years in the service, I’ve had enough, but the counselor insisted that not a single person could be absent, or they’d be sent straight home.

Feeling dejected, I didn't go home for lunch and returned to the dorm on an empty stomach. Xu Hu and Chen Chao were eating; upon seeing me, they both immediately stood up and urged me to join them. I didn't stand on ceremony and grabbed a steamed bun, taking a bite.

Xu Hu asked, "Little White Dragon, the computer has been brought back. Are you coming online tonight?"

Taking a bite of boiled bean sprouts, I replied, "I don't have time in the evenings these few days. You two go ahead. Get better acquainted with the school situation, and then tell me about it later."

Chen Chao said, "If you don't come online, how can we feel right about taking advantage of you, Big Brother?"

I took another bite of the bun and said, "Brothers, why talk about such things? Look, I'm not holding back with you. Eat what you want, drink what you want."

They both laughed.

"It's a pity we don't have anything better to treat you with. By the end of the month, when we have some surplus, we’ll treat you to a proper meal."

"Deal," I said. "First, fire up the forum so I can check out the Five Golden Flowers."

"Alright!" Chen Chao jumped up, forgetting his food, and rushed to boot up the computer.

I compared the photos of Li Qi, Ouyang Qian, Su Xue, Xu Chen, and Fang Yanmeng from top to bottom. Truthfully, my wife is just a bit lacking in the bust department; otherwise, she would rank even higher than Ouyang Qian. But then again, if Fang Yanmeng had breasts as large as Su Xue’s, her figure might not be right either. The Creator has surely made arrangements in the unseen realms. Forget it; I don't lack big-breasted women at home, so there's no need to insist on perfection in everyone.

Chen Chao said, "I like Su Xue the most. Cute and plump."

Xu Hu said, "I like Ouyang Qian. She has that alluring charm in her allure; one look and your bones feel like they're melting."

They then asked me, "Little White Dragon, which one do you like?"

I took a fierce bite of the bun and replied, "I like them all."

The two gave each other a thumbs-up. "You're wild!"

My phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number. When I answered, it turned out to be Su Xue. She said, "Looking for Junior Brother Qian, are you still mad at me? I'll pay you back the money, alright?"

I said, "Forget it. I’m not that petty. It’s just that you shouldn’t have lied to me; I have absolutely no time for student clubs."

"Is an apology not enough? You all start military training tomorrow; why don't we go climb the Great Wall this afternoon?"

"Not climbing!"

Su Xue pleaded again, "How about we go swimming? I have a very cute bikini; do you want to see it?"

"Don't want to!"

"How about boating? Let’s invite Ouyang Qian and Xu Chen."

"Not boating!"

"Dancing and clubbing?"

"Not dancing!"

"Shopping trip?"

"Not shopping!"

"Go see a movie?"

"Not watching!"

"The ** kind, the kind you boys love most."

"I film that stuff myself; I’m not going!" With that, I hung up the phone. Going out with her would surely lead to nothing good; I might get sold out and even end up counting the money for them.

Xu Hu and Chen Chao asked, "Who was that? You rejected such a generous offer."

I pointed to the cute and sexy photo of Su Xue on the screen and told them, "That's her. I dare not go; I’m afraid she’ll sell me out."

They both sighed regretfully.

"What a waste. It would have been nice to go see a movie; perhaps some ** things could happen in the dark."

I picked up my bun and said, "Gentlemen, you two keep daydreaming; I'm going to read."

Chen Chao called out from behind, "Really? You're that diligent?"

I turned back and said, "I have no choice. There are many pieces of knowledge I realize I don't have when I need them, so I must hurry and learn, or I’ll fall behind."

The reading room was empty at noon, which was perfect; I could eat my bun while reading without worrying about disturbances. Suddenly, a bottle of mineral water was pushed in front of me.

"Work so hard, don't choke."

I knew it was Li Qi just by the voice. She was really sticking to me, like a persistent ghost.

"Thanks," I grabbed the bottle and drank more than half; I was indeed thirsty.

Li Qi sat down and said, "You're very capable, managing to defeat the people I sent."

I replied, "It wasn't my capability; it was their incompetence."

"I lost that day, and you left the campus."

"It’s nothing; I come and go from campus every day."

"You still refuse to tell me your background?"

I asked, "Why should I tell you? You’re not my wife."

"You!" Li Qi became furious and slapped at me. Unfortunately, I’m not one of those young boys she can push around. I gripped Li Qi's wrist and applied a slight force; she cried out in pain.

"Let go! It hurts too much!"

I said, "You feel pain too, do you? I hear you enjoy hitting others. You’ve never tasted what it’s like to be hit yourself, have you? You’d better stay away from me, or I really will beat you."

"You wouldn't dare! I’ll give you ten times the courage, and you still wouldn't dare!"

"Don't provoke me. If you dare provoke me, even if you have ten times the courage, I will still beat you soundly."

Li Qi said resentfully, "You're ruthless! I heard you can’t be pierced by a knife; I wonder if poison can kill you."

A venomous woman! How unlucky I am, just running into a Nie Juan, and now another Li Qi shows up, actually trying to poison me in the water! I was so angry I wanted to smash the bottle against her. I should have realized she wouldn't bring me water out of kindness.

Seeing my expression change, Li Qi smirked triumphantly, "Scared, aren't you? If you listen to me obediently from now on, I’ll give you the antidote immediately. Otherwise, just wait to run to the toilet five hundred times a day."

I grabbed the bottle and drank the rest of the water in one go, then collapsed onto the table with a thud, closing my eyes. Li Qi was startled. Seeing I hadn't moved for a long time, she nervously poked me with a book, "Are you dead yet? Hey, stop pretending. The laxative wouldn’t kill a person."

Seeing I wouldn't respond, she raised the book to strike me. I didn't want to play along anymore, so I suddenly sprang up, let out a loud shout, and ran out of the reading room. Li Qi took a good while to calm down behind me.

A moment later, Li Qi received a tracking text message: 'He did not go to the restroom but left the campus. The original plan is canceled. Request next instructions, Miss.' Li Qi was so angry she almost smashed her phone. Why isn't he afraid of knives, guns, or poison? Why is her grandfather so secretive about him? Who exactly is he? She could not allow anyone at Longteng University to surpass her, so she had to neutralize him.

A perfectly good afternoon of reading and studying was ruined by a twisted woman. What should I do with the rest of the afternoon? I haven't seen Xu Jing in a while; maybe I should go to Baixing Shopping Group to see her.

As soon as I decided, I left the school gate, hailed a taxi, and headed straight for the Baixing Shopping flagship store. The further we drove, the more things felt wrong. I said to the driver, "Are you pulling my leg, old fellow? If you want more money, just say so. Why are we going in completely opposite directions?"

The driver said, "My apologies, young man. I was ordered to come and test your skills."

"Is it Li Qi?"

"You're very smart."

I said, "Stop flattering me. What do you want to do?"

The driver said, "Of course, we should have a contest."

"Fine, name your terms, and I’ll compete with you."

The driver pulled the car over to the side of the road and extended his wrist. "I want to test my strength against yours. We’ll arm wrestle."

When the driver turned his head, I saw his appearance clearly: he looked to be in his forties or fifties, appearing refined and composed, with an air of otherworldly elegance—the bearing of a master.

"Done," I hadn't arm wrestled anyone in a long time, so I readily agreed. This was certainly better than fighting, poisoning, or arson.

This alleyway was relatively quiet with not many people passing by. We both got out of the car and stood on either side of the hood. Then, we clasped our hands together and placed them on the engine hood. No one said "start," and both of us secretly began applying force.

This driver was quite strong; a hundred or so ordinary men probably couldn't match him. However, my strength was not to be underestimated either. The more I thought, the more annoyed I became. What kind of background does this Li Qi have to send so many people to trouble me? How did I offend her?

Thinking this, I said to the driver, "Old brother, you look quite old. Why are you getting involved in this nonsense with a child?"

The driver’s face reddened, and he suddenly relaxed his grip. "I lost."

I felt a bit awkward. "We haven't finished yet; why did you give up? It feels like I won unfairly."

The driver pointed at the engine hood where our arms rested. "Your side is perfectly flat, while mine has sunk a small pit. Your feet are on level ground, while mine have sunk a few centimeters. So, I lost."

From the bottom of my heart, I said, "The strength of an old man like you is the greatest I've ever seen. I have a friend named Cha, who calls himself the Hercules, but his strength isn't even close to yours."

"Zha Bengang?" The driver exclaimed the name unintentionally.

"You know each other? Then perhaps we shouldn't compete, lest we harm the harmony among our own people. How about we find a place for tea, and then you can go back and report to that savage girl?"

The driver laughed. "No, I actually want to compete with you. Let's test speed next. There are two trees lined up by the roadside ahead. We start from here, touch that tree, swing the trunk, and then come back. Whoever returns first wins."

I said to the driver, "You’re not young anymore; why are you so insistent on proving yourself?"

The driver said, "That’s just my nature. Ready? One, two, three, start!"

The driver practiced a long-lost form of Qigong. When practiced to a certain level, this Qigong makes one as light as a swallow and as fast as a startled rabbit, many times more formidable than the legendary Eighteen Cloud-Flying Kicks. In the decades since he started practicing, he had never met an opponent.

Unfortunately, today he was stunned. As soon as the count of "start" was finished, the opponent didn't gather his Qi and leap like him but instead flashed and disappeared. By the time he reached the tree, striking the trunk with a palm strike while looking towards the opposite roadside, the trunk was shaking violently, but the man was already gone. Looking up again, the man was already by the car, looking calmly toward him.

The driver ran back, his face flushed. He said, "This Daoist priest is truly convinced for the first time. Young man, may I dare ask your name?"

I cupped my hands and replied, "So, you are a Daoist Master. My name is Zhao Qian. Since you know Old Cha, you must be part of the government, right?"

The driver also cupped his hands. "To be frank, I am personnel from the Central Security Bureau, forced into this by that girl. I could only try to challenge you beyond my capabilities."

I said, "Daoist Master, don't put it that way. Your skills were forged through genuine hard work in the bitterest cold and the hottest summers. I only managed to take a shortcut; it’s hardly worth mentioning. Actually, I know several friends in your Central Security Bureau, such as numbers 10, 11, 15, and 16. We are all friends."

The Daoist Master was quite surprised. He said, "Those four comrades have been away on official business; I didn't expect you to know them. To be honest, I am Number 5, Hong Wei."

I took the Daoist Master's hand. "Since we are all friends, why compete? Come, I’ll treat the Daoist Master to some tea."

The Daoist Master waved his hand. "No need. We'll meet again some other time. I’m in a hurry here, so I’ll take my leave first."

I shouted after the Daoist Master's retreating back, "What about your car!"

The Daoist Master said, "Just leave it there. I'll arrange for someone to handle it."

Damn it, looks like I’ll have to find another taxi. This Li Qi must be the daughter of some major government official. Others might fear her, but I refuse to submit to that attitude. If she ever falls into my hands, I’ll beat her until her skin splits and tears.

Baixing Shopping Group has returned to a normal operating track after a period of adjustment. Most of the stubborn old members of the board have taken their money and retired. The injection of massive capital has brought greater vitality to the enterprise. Yu Qinghai is experienced, and now that he can work without restraint, he is naturally sparing no effort. The group is developing by leaps and bounds.

Floors one through six of the Baixing Building house the supermarket and mall; the office area is on floors seven and eight. Taking the elevator directly to the office area, I found the Chairman’s office on the eighth floor, next to the President’s office—that's Yu Qinghai’s domain.

I knocked on the door. A crisp voice inside said, "Come in."

I pushed the door open but didn't see Xu Jing. The secretary, a rather delicate young girl, was sitting in the outer office. She asked me, "May I ask what your business is?"

I said, "I'm looking for Xu Jing."

The girl asked, "Do you have an appointment?"

I shook my head. The girl said, "Then I’m sorry, please make an appointment in advance. Our Chairman is very busy during this time."

I could only say, "I'm her older brother. Can you tell her I’m here?"

The girl said, "I haven't heard Chairman Xu mention having a brother. They are currently in a high-level meeting inside; I cannot disturb them. Please go back and make an appointment."

I pleaded, "Can I just sit here for a while and wait for her? Please be accommodating."

The girl looked troubled. "No, Chairman Xu will scold me if she sees. Please go outside."

I wiped the sweat from my brow. "There’s no air conditioning outside, and I don't know when their meeting will end. Just let me sit quietly for a moment, and I promise not to make any noise."

The girl was near tears, probably having never encountered such a persistent guest. "Please go out, okay? Don’t make things difficult for me. General Manager Yu and General Manager Li are both inside. If they see I’m being so irresponsible at work, I’ll definitely be disciplined."

I said, "Really? Are they that scary? I'll just sit quietly for a bit. When they come out, I can say a few words."

The girl got desperate and started pulling me toward the door. At that moment, the door to the inner office opened, and Yu Qinghai poked his head out. "Little Li, why are you making such a fuss? How are you doing your job?"

The girl burst into tears. "General Manager Yu, it wasn't me—it’s him. He insists on staying here and won't leave."

Yu Qinghai looked up and saw me.

"Oh, General Manager Zhao! Look at this situation. Little Li, hurry up and step aside. General Manager Zhao is not an outsider."

Li Tieniu also came out of the inner office. "Little Zhao, you are a rare visitor. Has it really been almost half a year since you visited here?"

"Big Brother Zhao!" Xu Jing walked out, dressed in professional attire.

I waved my hand. "You all continue your meeting; I'll just listen from outside for a while. I had nothing to do at school today, so I came out to wander around."

Xu Jing took my hand. "Come in, Big Brother Zhao."

As Yu Qinghai was about to re-enter his office, he said to Little Li, "You did the right thing today, but from now on, whenever Little Zhao arrives, no matter what we are doing, notify us immediately, understood?"

Secretary Little Li nodded. "Understood, General Manager Yu."

The space inside was large. Against the south wall was a large executive desk, and in the center was a circle of leather sofas where four people were seated together. I said to the three of them, "You all continue your meeting; I'll just listen casually."

Xu Jing said, "We are establishing bases for agricultural and sideline product production, marine product aquaculture bases, processing zones for daily necessities, and factories for needlework, textiles, shoes, and hats, striving to create our own brands while also selling other companies' products. The results achieved over the past two months are quite satisfactory."

Yu Qinghai said, "We now have Baixing Shopping chain stores in all major and medium-sized cities across the country. We are actively expanding into the small city markets. Overseas markets are in the pilot phase, but sales performance is not ideal, likely due to significant differences in regional culture and consumption concepts. We are trying to utilize local personnel to manage overseas chain stores, leveraging their familiarity with their domestic markets to formulate appropriate sales strategies."

I said, "You all look at these things and make decisions. I didn't come here to check on work; I just came to look around casually."

Yu Qinghai glanced at Xu Jing, then pulled Li Tieniu. "Old Li, didn't you say you wanted me to accompany you to the aquaculture farm? We still have some time this morning, let's go."

Li Tieniu understood. "Let's go, Little Zhao, we have business to attend to. Let Jingjing keep you company here."