With a thud, I collapsed into the computer chair. “Are you even human? Cry until you’re done, then give me a shout. I’m going to grab a nap first.”

The summer midday heat made it incredibly easy to drift off. Listening to Li Qi’s crying, which had become almost hypnotic, I soon fell asleep. However, lying in the computer chair wasn't exactly comfortable, so I woke up after only a short while.

Strange, I couldn't hear anything. Had Li Qi cried herself out and left? I opened my eyes to see she had fallen asleep right there, weeping next to me. Her sandals had somehow slipped off; her small feet were lovely, pale and delicate. The way she looked sleeping was nice too—her small mouth slightly open and closing, her long lashes occasionally fluttering. A truly beautiful girl. It was no wonder she was chosen as the foremost of the Five Golden Flowers. Beyond her terrifying policies that demanded obedience, she certainly had the inherent qualities to be number one.

The door cracked open slightly. Xu Hu and Chen Chao rushed over, gesturing frantically for me to follow. I tiptoed out, and the two of them quickly searched me up and down. “Little White Dragon, you haven’t croaked yet? How did you manage to handle her? If you pulled that off, you’re going to be legendary—absolutely the most formidable person at Longteng University.”

I said, “Stop talking nonsense. She wants to kill me now and burn down the house. She’s just tired and decided to catch some Z’s first. You two better scram far away before she wakes up and goes ballistic again.”

Xu Hu grabbed my arm. “Brother, our happiness and peace depend entirely on you. Hold steady, you must hold steady! Xiao Zhameng and I are heading online. If anything happens, call 110.”

With that, the two bolted away in a flash. I quietly closed the door and tiptoed back to sit in the computer chair. I looked up and nearly jumped out of my skin—Li Qi was staring right at me, her big eyes wide open.

“When did you wake up? Sorry if I disturbed you.” I felt a bit awkward. It must have been the sound of the door opening.

“I’ve been awake for a bit. I didn’t see you and thought you’d run off.” Li Qi seemed much calmer after her nap.

I sighed helplessly. “Even if the monk runs away, can the temple vanish? What if you get upset and decide to burn down my dog kennel?”

Li Qi suddenly let out a small laugh. “Not bad, you’re clever. Hey, next time I find those two vixens sleeping in your bed, I’ll slap them both silly.”

“You wouldn’t dare!” I suddenly stood up. “How can you be like this, threatening to hit and kill at the drop of a hat? Are you even a girl? Even the meanest ruffian isn’t as vicious as you!”

Surprisingly, Li Qi didn’t utter her usual ‘I’m going to kill you.’ She seemed not to have heard a word I said, leaning into the pillow. “It turns out that fighting fiercely, then crying it out, and finally sleeping—waking up afterwards—is so comfortable. I’ve never experienced such enjoyment. My body feels so light and relaxed. Is this what people mean by stress relief?”

I chuckled from the side. “Exactly. In the future, if you have anything troubling you, come to me. Let me beat you up, have you cry, and then sleep. You’ll feel great when you wake up.”

Li Qi suddenly said, “Then let’s do it tonight. My father isn’t home anyway. We’ll fight, then you’ll make me cry, and I’ll sleep soundly. We’ll see how I feel in the morning.”

I exclaimed in shock, “You can’t be serious. Is there really someone who needs a good thrashing?”

Li Qi countered, “Hit me? Do you want to die? You don’t have to be serious. Just like before—pin my hands, hold my body down, let me struggle with all my might, then cry my fill and sleep.”

“Hey, how did you become the student union president? You seem a little unhinged.”

Slap! The pillow and blanket flew right at me. “Zhao Qian! I’m going to kill you!”

I caught them easily. “Forget it, I’ll just assume you’re perfectly normal. Don’t throw things, or who will do my laundry?”

Li Qi asked, “Aren’t those two vixens still around? What were they doing with you just now?”

“What could they be doing? We’re not close. They just tricked me into being their manual laborer, making them do work.”

Li Qi pressed, “Are you coming tonight or not? At worst, I’ll treat you to a meal. You’re the first person at Longteng University who gets to eat with me.”

“I think I’ll hold onto that honor for a bit longer. I have plans with friends at their house tonight; it’s already set in stone.”

“Is that so? You must have time after dinner, right? Call me then, and I’ll have my driver pick you up.”

“I need to go home after dinner. My mom won’t let me out at night.”

Li Qi’s tone turned icy. “Your phone. Give me your phone. If I don’t get a call from you by 10 o’clock, I’m coming to burn down your dog kennel.”

Li Qi got out of bed, took my phone, dialed her number into it, and then swept out the door, leaving me standing there dumbfounded. What a woman—a complete weirdo.

As dusk settled, Zhu Da drove over to pick me up. The three of us headed to Cai Bao’er’s house. Cai Bao’er lived in a luxurious complex populated exclusively by the upper-class elite. Security at the compound was tight, with surveillance cameras everywhere.

We entered a building that looked more like a villa. The enormous living room made me feel slightly uneasy. Zhu Da smacked his lips. “Baozi, if I had a place this nice, I’d have married eight wives already. Look at you now, still a bachelor.”

Cai Bao’er ignored Zhu Da and called out, “Dad, the guests are here! Aren’t you going to come out and greet them?”

A stern-looking old man emerged from the back hall. He cupped his hands together. “My apologies, my apologies. I am Cai Long. Please forgive my failure to receive you properly.”

Zhu Da cut straight to the chase. “Alright, Elder Cai, no need for coded language or veiled meanings; we don’t play that way. This here is my boss, Zhao Qian. We’re here to pay our respects today.”

I handed the gift I was holding to a servant and cupped my hands toward Cai Long. “Greetings, Elder Cai. I apologize for imposing on you.”

Cai Long waved his hand dismissively. “The food and wine are prepared. Let’s head to the dining room in the back.”

No wonder Cai Bao’er didn’t like eating at home; the atmosphere was too rigid. It lacked the excitement of fighting over chicken legs and sipping beer under the shade of a tree.

After the pleasantries, everyone started drinking. After Cai Long toasted the first round, he said, “Boss Zhu is currently the top figure in the Beijing underworld. I wonder how you plan to lead everyone forward.”

Zhu Da replied, “I listen to Commander Zhao. Whatever Commander Zhao tells me to do, I’ll do.”

I said, “Although the underworld is despised by the government, its existence over centuries has its own inherent value. I believe that as long as we can wield this double-edged sword effectively, we can still achieve great things.”

Cai Long remarked, “Bao’er mentioned that Mr. Zhao holds a significant position in the government. Won't further involvement in the underworld affect your political career?”

I stated, “I have no interest in politics, and I rarely engage with underworld affairs. However, I am willing to offer one suggestion: organized crime either declines or prospers. I plan to push the Brotherhood Alliance nationwide in the latter half of this year, and next year, we will move into the global underworld. Within six months, we must at least be on par with the Italian Mafia and Japan’s Yakuza. Within a year, we aim to unify the world's underground market, taking complete control of gambling, prostitution, and drugs.”

Cai Long inquired, “Oh? Mr. Zhao, where does such immense confidence stem from?”

Cai Bao’er, unlike her father, was not so reserved. “Dad, if Commander Zhao says it’ll work, it will work. Stop trying to—”

Cai Long’s face darkened with anger. “Children should not interrupt when adults are speaking!”