"Before saying all that, may I ask how you view the relationship between the Four Military Regions?" Xu Guang stared at Yang Yi, a barely perceptible seriousness flickering in his eyes.

"Are you perhaps afraid?" Yang Yi couldn't help but find it amusing. The relief he had initially felt—that he wasn't here to partner with him for that specific reason—had now completely vanished into thin air.

"Afraid?" Xu Guang paused for a moment upon hearing that, then let out a burst of laughter, one that sounded deeply ironic.

"In today's Huaxia, aside from those old fossils in the Central Authority, how many people are there that Xu Guang fears?"

What Xu Guang said was not untrue; he had every right to speak so boldly. Currently, within Huaxia, apart from the politicians at the center, there truly weren't many people who warranted his fear. Although the commander of the Southern Military Region was only a commander, he wielded the power and control over troops that a marshall possessed. Who, within the military structure, apart from those in the Central Authority, would dare to offend him?

"I won't deny that statement, but do you truly believe that?" Yang Yi's lips curved into a slight smile. He didn't linger on that point, stating instead, "The reason you're here today is purely because of the smoke and negative repercussions that will arise when my Black God Gang sets out to conquer the South. You fear those old guys in the Central Authority who already look askance at you will seize this issue to make a major fuss and strip you of your authority."

"You brat—!" Xu Guang felt a wave of helplessness at Yang Yi’s directness. In his life, Xu Guang detested two types of people: petty men and clever men.

Have you often heard these sayings? Better to offend a gentleman than a petty man. It is better to encounter mediocrity than to cross a clever person.

Undoubtedly, these phrases carried astute wisdom; when conversing with the clever, one was always likely to be at a disadvantage. If you wished to avoid being exploited, you had to be cleverer than the other party. Xu Guang considered himself an old fox who had navigated the military regions for half a lifetime, yet even now, he couldn't help but form a very high opinion of Yang Yi.

"What, did I say something wrong?" Yang Yi maintained that familiar smile, seemingly having seen straight through Xu Guang.

"It seems we need to have a proper talk," Xu Guang said, offering Yang Yi a cigarette with a faint smile.

"Of course, as long as Uncle believes his time is cheap enough to spare, we can talk, we can talk!" Yang Yi accepted the cigarette, a wide, guileless smile on his face.

############################################

"Damn it, how can it still be going on after all this time?" Xu Ming paced anxiously in the reception hall of Long Wei Entertainment Company.

"Yeah, it's been two hours," Ye Xiaohou also seemed a bit anxious, though his anxiety stemmed from wanting to know the substance of their discussion.

Fatty Lin glanced at the two of them and scoffed, "What are you two fussing about?"

"Hell, Second Brother, aren't you worried at all?"

"Does worrying help? Besides, Brother Yi already said that your old man came to see him purely about the Southern situation. What's there to be anxious about?" Fatty Lin said with a pout.

"Uh! That's true!" Xu Ming sheepishly scratched his head.

"Actually, I'm not that concerned about what they're discussing; it's just that my uncle is notoriously unscrupulous, and I'm afraid—!" Ye Xiaohou admitted, sounding rather uneasy.

"Right! My old man is famously unscrupulous, and he loves taking advantage of people. Could he possibly—..."

"Hey! I tell you two, there's a limit to how clueless you can be," Fatty Lin shook his head, appearing to hold an unshakable trust in Yang Yi.

"What is it?" Xu Ming and Ye Xiaohou asked.

"Don't forget, Brother Yi is a rogue. Does a rogue let himself be taken advantage of? You guys are brain-dead!" Fatty Lin declared with righteous indignation.

"Pah!" Xu Ming and Ye Xiaohou simultaneously raised their middle fingers, showing their contempt for Fatty Lin.

"Pfft!" Feng Shi, standing nearby, couldn't help but chuckle at their exchange. And right at that moment—

"Nephew Yang Yi, good heavens, it's already been over two hours of discussion. I haven't enjoyed myself this much in ages," Xu Guang descended the stairs, chuckling heartily.

Yang Yi smiled faintly. "Hehe, Uncle Xu, you are too kind!"

"Boss!" Seeing them come down, the group rushed over. Xu Ming didn't greet his father first but Yang Yi, revealing how highly he valued the bond of brotherhood between him and Yang Yi.

"You little brat, looking for a beating, are you? Your own father is standing right here, and you greet him first instead of me?" Xu Guang glared at Xu Ming with displeasure.

"Tch, you don't mind anyway, and you haven't gotten tired of hearing me call you 'Dad' after all these years?" Xu Ming retorted to Xu Guang.

Seeing the father and son bickering again, the others shook their heads with wry smiles. Yang Yi, noticing the atmosphere had lightened, spoke up, "Let's go. Today, I'm treating—to welcome Uncle Xu and to bid farewell to Third Brother!"

"Great!" The group cheered at the prospect.

"Hee hee, it's rare for the Boss to treat. Old man, you’re in luck," Xu Ming said shamelessly.

"You little punk, you make it sound like I'm a stingy miser. You want a beating!"

"Stop, stop, stop!" Xu Ming flinched away from Yang Yi’s raised hand, clearly terrified of receiving one of Yang Yi's sharp taps on the head!

"Hahahaha!"…………

………………………

The next day——————

Xu Ming had already returned to the South with his father. The sudden absence of a person early in the morning felt strange; at least, Ye Xiaohou felt it most acutely.

"Damn, I really didn't expect to feel this sudden void," Ye Xiaohou remarked with a bitter smile.

"Heh heh!" Fatty Lin chuckled. There was a time when they had experienced the very same feeling.

It couldn't be denied: Fatty Lin and Yang Yi had grown up together since childhood, while Ye Xiaohou and Xu Ming had practically grown up inseparable. The bond between true brothers defies description with any material comparison. The feeling they shared was proof enough of how deeply they valued their camaraderie.

"Let's go! If we don't leave now, we’ll be late!" Yang Yi stated calmly.

And so, due to Xu Ming's abrupt departure—such a departure meant he wouldn't be back soon; perhaps not for half a year, maybe several months—the atmosphere at that moment settled into a strange melancholy. This mood persisted for about a week!

Currently, in Shanghai’s commercial sector, no one was unaware of the sensation caused by the disappearance of the Zhongchuan Group and the emergence of the Black God Enterprise, which sent shockwaves through the economy. People had expected Shanghai's economy not to bounce back immediately, but who could have predicted that since the Black God Enterprise appeared, it had utterly transformed the old landscape, becoming even more prosperous than when the Zhongchuan Group was at its peak?

Although it had only been a week, the speed of the Black God Enterprise's development stunned major business figures. Moreover, due to the swift growth of the Black God Enterprise, the performance of their cooperating partners, Black Guard and Dragon Guard, had also risen steadily.

Meanwhile, inside the Xuanyuan residence, Xuanyuan Hao stared intensely at some documents, his eyes constantly flashing with sharp light, confusing the middle-aged man beside him.

"What is it, Family Head?"

"Hahaha, hahaha!" Xuanyuan Hao suddenly roared with laughter. "No wonder he has so many experts surrounding him, and no wonder he possesses such a fierce killing intent. A truly remarkable youth who has risen to heroism!"

"Family Head..." The middle-aged man was completely captivated by Xuanyuan Hao's sudden change in demeanor.

"Heh heh, did you give this information to Bing'er?" Xuanyuan Hao asked with a smile.

"Uh, yes, I already did."

"Good. When are the Shangguan family planning to arrive?" Xuanyuan Hao's expression suddenly turned grave, as if a decision previously made had suddenly encountered a snag.

"It should still be some time. There seems to have been a major economic upheaval in Shanghai recently!" The middle-aged man, puzzled by the question, asked, "Family Head, what is wrong?"

"It’s nothing really, I just stumbled upon something quite interesting!" Xuanyuan Hao glanced at him as he spoke.

"Something interesting? What kind of interesting thing?"

"Something that might mean we won't have to go through with the marriage alliance with the Shangguan family, and it won't hurt Bing'er. Don't you think that's interesting?" Xuanyuan Hao smiled wickedly. Even his toes knew what he was thinking; in any case, it certainly wasn't straightforward.

"Gaga, that kid is qualified to be my son-in-law!"

"........."

"Achoo!" Yang Yi, who was currently in class, suddenly sneezed and rubbed his nose. "Damn it, is some bastard cursing me?"

"Brother Yi! What's wrong?" Fatty Lin asked curiously.

"Uh, nothing, just my nose is a bit itchy," Yang Yi replied indifferently.

"Brother Yi!"

"Wuwu!" Yang Yi and Fatty Lin both jolted at the sound.

Dongfang Mei'er approached Yang Yi's face without reserve, and amidst the incredulous expressions of the gang surrounding them, she leaned in close to his cheek, "Brother Yi, you’re not sick, are you?"

"Damn!"