Chapter Fifty-Seven: Mere Ants—Hardly Worth Mentioning

Shen Donghua nodded without overthinking it. “Alright, I’ll go get things ready,” he replied.

“Go ahead,” said Chen Yang with a slight smile.

Shen Donghua turned and left. Chen Yang continued with his work, unfazed by the impending meeting with Liu Xianghui. After all, what was a mere provincial chamber of commerce president to him?

At nine o’clock in the morning, Chen Yang and Shen Donghua set out together, heading for the Southwest Chamber of Commerce manor.

On the way, Chen Yang asked Shen Donghua to tell him more about Liu Xianghui. He learned that Liu was an old hand in the Jiangdong business circle, seasoned and experienced. He had been president of the chamber for over a decade and had managed it well. In his first few years, he was fairly even-tempered, but in the past three years, perhaps emboldened by his own achievements, he had become somewhat arrogant and overbearing, speaking with a sharp tongue.

In short, Liu Xianghui was capable and cunning but lately had grown haughty, always carrying himself as if he were the boss.

At half past nine, Chen Yang and Shen Donghua arrived at the reception hall of the Southwest Chamber of Commerce manor, where they saw Liu Xianghui, his hair slicked back, sternness written in his eyes.

Liu Xianghui sat upright by a square tea table, a bit plump, sipping his tea with measured calm. Behind him stood Cui Shangkai and several members of the chamber, all respectfully at attention. Clearly, Liu’s position was the highest.

As Chen Yang and Shen Donghua entered, Chen Yang greeted him with a smile. “You must be President Liu?”

Bang!

To everyone’s surprise, no sooner had Chen Yang spoken than Liu Xianghui slammed the table and barked, “You’ve got some nerve, daring to cross my people!”

Chen Yang paused, not expecting such directness. But then he smiled—he preferred things to be straightforward.

With that thought, Chen Yang sat opposite Liu Xianghui and said lightly, “President Liu, you have quite a temper.”

“Who told you to sit? What makes you think you have the right to sit before me, hmm?” Liu Xianghui said coldly.

Chen Yang replied just as calmly, “I’m not one of your underlings. Why shouldn’t I sit?”

Liu Xianghui sneered, “A boy who hasn’t even grown up, daring to challenge me? When I was making my way in the world, you were still wandering aimlessly. You want to go up against me?”

A hint of displeasure appeared on both Shen Donghua’s and Chen Yang’s faces.

But Chen Yang quickly regained his composure, smiling. “President Liu, I’m here to show you respect—to have a proper conversation. If you insist on speaking to me this way, then perhaps there’s nothing to discuss.”

Liu Xianghui suddenly stood, pointing at Chen Yang. “Let me tell you, you’d better behave yourself. If you want to go up against me, you—”

But before he could finish, Chen Yang stood up as well, turned to Shen Donghua, and said with a faint smile, “I really didn’t expect to come all this way just to listen to a dog barking. Let’s go.”

Shen Donghua nodded coldly, clearly harboring his own grievances against Liu Xianghui.

They turned to leave.

If Chen Yang and Shen Donghua walked out just like that, Liu Xianghui’s face would be utterly lost. He shouted, “Chen Yang, I’m warning you—if you dare walk out that door today, I guarantee you’ll regret it.”

Hearing this, Chen Yang paused, then turned to look at Liu Xianghui and the others in the chamber. “From this day on, I’m playing for real. Liu Xianghui, let me warn you: if you dare act out of line, I’ll see you begging on the streets. My word is my bond.”

With that, Chen Yang strode out of the reception hall without looking back.

Shen Donghua hurried after him.

Once they’d left, Liu Xianghui sat down with a frosty expression. Cui Shangkai quickly leaned in, frowning. “Brother Hui, that kid doesn’t seem to take you seriously.”

Liu Xianghui’s voice was cold. “No rush. We’ll play the long game.”

On the way back, Shen Donghua seethed. “Liu Xianghui sure thinks highly of himself, doesn’t he?”

Chen Yang laughed coldly. “These days, a person’s fate has a price. This is an era where money determines everything. If Liu Xianghui wants to play, let him come—I’ll show him what it means to be crushed.”

Shen Donghua was well aware of Chen Yang’s capabilities. Still, Liu Xianghui was not to be underestimated either.

After that, Shen Donghua said no more. He couldn’t predict what the future would hold, so why speculate?

Chen Yang, after all, had grown up in a prominent family, surviving the intrigues among young heirs. He harbored deep resentment for the Chen family in Yanjing, but his years there had taught him many things.

Chen Yang knew his own strength. To him, any challenge was just a joke.

He and Shen Donghua returned to Huading Company.

Around three in the afternoon, as Chen Yang worked, Shen Donghua suddenly entered with a serious report. “President Chen, the owner of Yiquan Company, Jiang Yiquan, just called. He volunteered to find someone to teach Liu Xianghui a lesson, so he’ll never dare act arrogant in front of you again. But I suspect he’s hoping you’ll owe him a favor and give him a project from our company.”

Chen Yang was amused. “That’s odd. How did Jiang Yiquan hear about my conflict with Liu Xianghui?”

Shen Donghua explained, “In Linhai City, many people have their ears to the ground. Jiang Yiquan is clearly one of them.”

“Heh, interesting. For such a small place, Linhai certainly has its share of characters. Tell Jiang Yiquan thanks, but no need. Liu Xianghui isn’t worth mentioning,” Chen Yang said indifferently.

Shen Donghua mulled this over, then nodded. “Alright.”

He seemed to have something on his mind, and just as he was about to leave, he asked, “President Chen, are you worried Jiang Yiquan might try to take advantage and extort us?”

“Extort? You think I’m afraid of that? What exactly are you thinking?” Chen Yang looked at Shen Donghua with a hint of disappointment.

Shen Donghua realized his mistake. He’d underestimated Chen Yang’s thinking. Ashamed, he said, “Sorry, I was wrong.”

“Alright, get back to work and don’t worry about these things,” Chen Yang said.

Shen Donghua quickly nodded. “Yes, sir.”

That evening, as usual, Chen Yang went to the hospital to visit his mother-in-law. In her ward, Han Qin suddenly said, “Chen Yang, these medicines you gave me are really great. I’ve taken them for two days and feel much better all over. I had my blood sugar checked this morning and the doctor said it’s normal now.”

Chen Yang smiled at that. “Mom, just think—these were personally prepared by Master Sun Shengfang himself. Of course they’re good.”

“I’ll be discharged tomorrow. You don’t need to come tomorrow night,” Han Qin said.

Chen Yang was surprised. “Mom, you’re leaving the hospital tomorrow? Isn’t that a bit soon?”

Han Qin was firm. “These medicines are so effective, I’m already well. Staying here is a waste of time. My mind’s made up.”

Seeing her resolve, Chen Yang could only smile wryly. Since she’d made her decision, whatever the consequences, she’d have to bear them herself.

He stayed in the ward for a while. Before long, Qin Muxue walked in, carrying a luxury bag worth over two hundred thousand yuan.

Seeing Chen Yang, she smiled. “You’re here, Chen Yang?”

Chen Yang glanced at her and couldn’t help but notice how the expensive handbag suited her elegant style. He chuckled, “Muxue, look at you—with that bag and your beautiful outfit, you’re the image of a wealthy lady.”

Qin Muxue blushed, chiding him, “Nonsense. What wealthy lady?”

At that moment, Han Qin also noticed the luxury bag and her eyes lit up. “Xiaoxue, that bag must have cost a pretty penny?”

Qin Muxue nodded. “Yes, it’s quite expensive. Chen Yang bought it for me.”

This time, she didn’t want to hide it. Perhaps, by telling the truth, her parents might think better of Chen Yang.

Han Qin and Qin Guoshan were both stunned, their faces full of disbelief.

Han Qin pressed, “How much did it cost?”

Qin Muxue replied helplessly, “Over two hundred thousand.”

Boom!

Qin Guoshan and Han Qin felt as if their minds had been blown. Over two hundred thousand? Bought by Chen Yang? He must be extremely wealthy.

Han Qin turned sharply to Chen Yang, clearly with a barrage of questions. But just then, Chen Yang’s phone rang—it was Shen Donghua.

Chen Yang knew something must be wrong for him to call at this hour. He didn’t give his mother-in-law a chance to ask questions. “Mom, my boss is calling. I’ll take this outside.”

With that, he hurried out, leaving Han Qin a bit frustrated with her questions unasked.

Outside the ward, Chen Yang answered the call. “What is it?”

Shen Donghua’s voice was grave. “President Chen, there’s trouble with the land in the northern suburbs…”