Chapter Sixty-Seven: The Wealthy Do Not Compete with Officials

When Xiao Lianshan and I had just returned home, we saw Yue Leiting sitting on the sofa in a very formal suit. As soon as he saw me, he hurried over.

“Yanhui, go change your clothes. Tonight, I’m taking you to meet a few people. I need you to help me judge them.” Yue Leiting looked both anxious and tense.

“Ting, let me go too. After everything that’s happened, I’d feel better if I was there with you,” Xiao Lianshan said earnestly.

Yue Leiting quickly shook his hand with a serious smile. “The people I’m meeting tonight are untouchable. It’s perfectly safe. You should stay home and recover. You wouldn’t be of any use tonight anyway, trust me.”

Seeing Yue Leiting so restless, I knew this was no small matter. I went to my room, changed, and got in the car with him.

“Ting, who exactly are we meeting tonight? Why do you need me? I don’t know anyone in the underworld.”

“Government officials.”

“What?” I was stunned and looked at Yue Leiting in surprise. “Ting, you’re in the underworld—how did you get involved with officials?”

“The poor don’t fight the rich, and the rich don’t challenge the powerful. I have money, but so what? Especially after what happened at the casino that night, I started thinking—Shen Jiangchuan dared to step all over me, simply because he had Old Huang backing him. If Uncle Gu hadn’t come that night, who knows what would have happened. But… Uncle Gu is already in his seventies. Who can say how much longer he’ll be around?” Yue Leiting sighed deeply.

“So, you want to plan ahead and find yourself a way out?” I asked, half-understanding.

He suddenly looked at me, speaking with unusual gravity. “I’m not thinking about myself. I’ve already had my share of glory. What back road do I have left? I just want to leave a way out for Lanqing and Qianling. To be honest, the world might seem peaceful now, but if Uncle Gu suddenly passes, things will truly descend into chaos.”

I nodded slowly, realizing he had a point.

“Ting, so what’s your plan?”

“Money alone isn’t enough. You need power. And it’s not about how many men you have—that’s still shady business, never in the open. You need a powerful backer, someone who can protect you—a protector, you could say. Who holds the most power? Officials, of course! If you’re connected to the right people, a single document from them can save you years of hard work, and you can live without constantly watching your back. Making money is secondary; with officials in your corner, you can act boldly. Even if you offend someone, Shen Jiangchuan wouldn’t dare openly defy an official, no matter how gutsy he is. Even if he brings a whole crowd, one phone call can wipe him out.”

I nodded in dawning comprehension, but still asked, “But Ting, if you’re meeting with government people tonight, what am I supposed to do? I know nothing about handling those circles.”

“Huo Qian worked very hard to arrange this meeting. Everyone in Rong City knows what I do. The three officials I’m meeting are all about to be promoted. But I can’t decide which one to talk to. You can read faces—help me see who’s fated for me, who could be my benefactor. That way, I won’t say the wrong thing.”

I had to laugh helplessly. “Ting, how could you arrange for the three of them to meet together? If you put it nicely, it’s socializing; bluntly, it’s collusion. Anyone who’s made it to their level in government is extremely cautious. If you talk business with all three present, that’s blatant bribery. Even if someone wants to help you, who would dare with the others watching? Worse, they might turn on you. Bribery is a serious crime—they wouldn’t hesitate to use you as a scapegoat.”

Yue Leiting slapped his forehead, frowning in regret. “Damn, I was so anxious I forgot all about that.”

“Wait… Ting, do these three officials know they’re meeting each other?” I asked seriously.

“They know. Huo Qian has been helping me with this, but until now, he always hit a wall. Strangely enough, this time they all agreed without hesitation.”

“So these three officials actually want to meet you. And you said they’re all about to be promoted. At a time like this, they’re still willing to meet you, an underworld boss. That’s really odd.”

“What’s odd about it? I just believe one thing—every cat likes fish. Money makes the world go round. If they dare take it, I dare give it. Even if tonight’s a trap, you’re with me. You’ll read their faces and we’ll know what’s what.”

The car stopped in front of Mingyue Pavilion, a high-end restaurant in Rong City, famous for its elegant décor and attentive service. As for the price—one word: expensive. Very expensive.

A waiter knocked politely at the door. Yue Leiting stood up nervously. The three men who entered were dressed casually, their smiles easy and natural.

Yue Leiting reached out from afar, and Huo Qian introduced the guests.

The first, short and balding but with a rosy, commanding presence, was Fan Liang, whom Huo Qian called District Chief Fan—a position of no small authority.

The second was Luo Deyi, with deep-set eyes behind his glasses, a man of obvious caution. He habitually clasped his hands behind his back, exuding the aura of someone used to authority. Huo Qian introduced him as Director Luo.

The last, Zhao Yuanqiao, was addressed as Mayor Zhao. Judging by his accent, he was from the northeast—tall, broad-shouldered, and boisterous, with the bearing to match.

To host a district chief, a bureau director, and a mayor—all full-ranking, not deputies—was impressive. Though Yue Leiting had seen plenty in his time, dealing with high-ranking officials was new to him, and he was visibly ill at ease, speaking hesitantly and sweating profusely.

But my eyes weren’t on the three of them. Four people had entered.

Following behind, almost unnoticed, was a younger man, smartly dressed, moving with assurance. The first three were all seasoned officials, their authority palpable. Yet as this fourth man entered, his quiet presence seemed to overshadow them all.

“And this is…?” Yue Leiting remembered Huo Qian had only mentioned three guests and asked with a forced smile.

“This is my secretary, Wei Yong. He’s one of us,” Zhao Yuanqiao replied casually.

Yue Leiting quickly invited everyone to be seated. Hearing that phrase “one of us” from Zhao Yuanqiao, his mood lightened considerably.

Even as the pre-ordered dishes arrived, the officials wore expressions of practiced indifference.

“Director Yue, you’re too generous. We agreed on a casual gathering, but you insisted on such a fancy venue. We’re bound by discipline—feasting like this, you’re tempting us to break the rules,” Fan Liang said with a laugh as he took his seat.

Yue Leiting had a registered business on the side. In these times, appearances mattered. No one would introduce him as a gang boss, so he preferred people to call him General Manager Yue.

“Just a simple meal, District Chief Fan. You flatter me. It’s my honor to have you all here,” Yue Leiting replied, raising his glass.

After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere eased. Yue Leiting, being a man of feeling, spoke more freely.

Huo Qian quietly placed something prepared in advance at Yue Leiting’s feet.

Yue Leiting picked up a delicately wrapped gift box and respectfully presented it to Luo Deyi.

“Leaders, I deal in antiques. I didn’t prepare much for this first meeting—just a little token. I hope Director Luo won’t mind.”

Inside was a square glass case containing three gold zodiac figurines—a bull, a rat, and a horse—each weighing a full jin. A jin of gold at once—Yue Leiting was confident this gift would never be considered shabby.

“What are you implying, Director Yue?” Zhao Yuanqiao put down his chopsticks and asked gravely after glancing at the others.

“We’re a nation of etiquette. Since you’ve all honored me with your presence, this small token is just a gesture. These are merely decorative pieces, crafted according to your zodiac signs—not worth much, just art,” Yue Leiting replied, smiling broadly.

“Solid gold zodiac figures, each a jin—yet in your words, Director Yue, they’re just cheap trinkets,” Fan Liang said, lifting one and weighing it appreciatively. “Such generosity! But giving such valuable gifts to public servants is not just tempting us to err—it’s a crime. Bribery is a serious charge, and you could be implicated too.”

Yue Leiting was speechless. He hadn’t expected Fan Liang to put it so bluntly. With the gifts already on the table and his words heard by all three officials, if they turned on him and accused him of bribery, he’d have no defense at all. He stood there, unable to speak for a long moment.

“Director Yue is a gracious host, a man of deep loyalty. In his eyes, guests from afar are friends, and the fact that you’ve come means he holds you in high regard. Among friends, what’s a gift between us? How could that possibly be bribery?” I said with a warm smile, rising to my feet.