Chapter Forty-Eight: Pillar of Strength

Tang Long stood there, gazing at Zhang Xiu’e, uncertain of her intentions.

“Between you and me, it’s purely a matter of ‘colleagues.’ You’re the village head, I’m the Party secretary, working together to develop Yutou Village’s economy.”

Zhang Xiu’e frowned slightly as she spoke. “Right now is a critical period for Yutou Village. I don’t want our personal relationship to affect its development. Put simply, I hope you understand this.”

Clear distinctions between love and hate? Public before private?

Tang Long forced a dry laugh. ‘Understanding’ and ‘not understanding’ are just opposing sides of the same coin. In essence, Secretary Xiu’e wasn’t interested in pursuing the matter right now and certainly didn’t want to waste words with him.

As for the future, she hadn’t made up her mind. When she did, perhaps she’d settle old scores.

Her words brought Tang Long a measure of relief. What he dreaded most wasn’t Zhang Xiu’e quarreling with him, but her abandoning Yutou Village, leaving everything behind. If that happened, Tang Long’s guilt would be immense.

“Is there anything else you want to say?” Zhang Xiu’e asked sternly.

Tang Long rubbed his nose and shook his head with an ingratiating smile.

Zhang Xiu’e shot him a cold glance, her face full of disdain, then walked toward Lian Gouwa.

“……”

This Secretary Xiu’e, after just a few days apart, seemed to radiate an ever-growing aura of leadership.

He didn’t know why there’d be a ‘killer’ in the impoverished Yutou Village, but judging from Zhang Xiu’e’s unconcerned attitude, as well as the smiles she wore when mingling with the village children, the threat didn’t seem severe.

Forget it, he would leave her alone for now.

Tang Long instructed Lian Sheng to drive to the town and pick up Zhao Xiaoyue, Qiu Yuxia, and Li Ergou.

The goods ordered from the provincial capital wouldn’t arrive until tomorrow.

……

Rui Shao left Yutou Village with his entourage, not stopping at Donghe Town, but heading straight back to Taoyuan County.

“Rui Shao, are we just going to let today’s events slide?” Hou Qiwen asked through gritted teeth.

The others were fine; they’d watched the ‘drama’ in Yutou Village without loss. But he was a ‘victim,’ savagely beaten by those unruly villagers.

Rui Shao’s eyes flickered as he shook his head grimly. “We’ll deal with Yutou Village later!”

He sent most of his lackeys away, keeping only Hou Qiwen, the smoky-eyed girl Jiaqi, and a few bodyguards.

That evening,

At Xiantao Manor, Liu Meijia of Qiangyuan Company hosted a banquet for Rui Shao.

‘Xiantao Manor’ was a private estate on the outskirts of Taoyuan County, renowned throughout the region.

It was said that the manor boasted delicacies from all over the country, its own small entertainment venues, and nightly gambling, dogfights, cockfights, and even underground boxing matches. Anything one could imagine for amusement was found here.

Beautiful women abounded, both local and from elsewhere, with rumors of celebrities coming to earn extra money or perform.

So despite Taoyuan County’s poverty and remoteness, ‘Xiantao Manor’ kept pace with big cities—its interior was as luxurious as any outside, and its entertainments even wilder.

Many wealthy individuals from other counties and cities flocked here by reputation.

The mastermind behind ‘Xiantao Manor’ was none other than ‘Scorpion Lady’ Liu Meijia.

“Rui Shao, please come in!” Wang Chengwei personally came out with Liu Meijia to welcome Rui Shao and his group.

This wasn’t Rui Shao’s first time at ‘Xiantao Manor,’ so he was familiar with the terrain.

Jiaqi, on the other hand, had never been here before and was full of curiosity.

Rui Shao didn’t know Wang Chengwei, but anyone sent by Liu Meijia to greet him had to be a trusted confidant.

Within ‘Xiantao Manor,’ Liu Meijia had a suite reserved for entertaining guests.

“Rui Shao, it’s been a while—you’re looking even more spirited!” Liu Meijia, proud of her status, didn’t meet them at the door but waited by the room, smiling sweetly as she greeted Wen Rui.

“Heh, I could never compare to you, Sister. You’re truly ageless, your beauty everlasting.” Rui Shao grinned wickedly, full of playful flattery.

Liu Meijia was not unattractive—in fact, she was very beautiful. But Wen Rui dared not make any moves on her.

To conquer her wouldn’t be difficult. In the animal kingdom, after mating, the male often gets devoured by the female, becoming her nourishment.

Liu Meijia was just such a venomous creature.

“You always know how to charm, no wonder you’re so popular!” Liu Meijia glanced at the people following Wen Rui.

“Please, come inside!”

Wen Rui didn’t stand on ceremony, swaggering in.

“The one with the bruised face is Hou Qiwen, Zhang Kang’s nephew from your company. We all call him Skinny Monkey!” Wen Rui said, motioning to Hou Qiwen as he sat down.

Hou Qiwen bowed and smiled obsequiously. “Sister Liu!”

“Sit, all of you, don’t just stand around!” Liu Meijia’s gaze lingered on Hou Qiwen’s face for a moment, then she invited everyone to sit with a pleasant smile.

Once everyone was seated, Liu Meijia looked at Wen Rui and asked curiously, “Was today’s problem really solved so easily?”

A shadow flickered in Wen Rui’s eyes. He gave a bitter smile. “Wu Zhengyao came to Yutou Village himself—we had no choice but to retreat.”

“Wu Zhengyao?” Liu Meijia was taken aback by the name. She frowned. “What was he doing in Yutou Village?”

Currently, the one keeping a close watch on Qiangyuan Company in Taoyuan County was Wu Zhengyao, the county magistrate. Of course, Liu Meijia wasn’t about to tell Wen Rui that.

She still wanted to use this ‘Rui Shao’ as a weapon. If he were scared off, that wouldn’t do.

“How would I know?” Wen Rui shook his head.

Lowering his voice, he said, “Sister Liu, I think Yutou Village is promising. Let’s not beat around the bush—can you tell me what you really think?”

“I’ve told you my terms—thirty million. Are you not satisfied?” Liu Meijia asked, smiling.

Wen Rui shook his head, his expression darkening. “It’s not just about money. If that bunch from Yutou Village isn’t given a place to vent, sooner or later, trouble will brew.”

Liu Meijia hesitated, then waved everyone out of the room except those who needed to stay.

“Is it convenient to talk?” she asked.

With his own people present, Liu Meijia was asking whether he wanted to be cautious, since their conversation might touch on secrets.

Wen Rui hesitated, then shook his head. “It’s fine, say what you want, Sister. If anyone leaks a word, I’ll make sure their next life is worse than death.”

Jiaqi shivered. Was Rui Shao’s warning meant for her? Her rational mind told her she should go to the bathroom, but her curiosity kept her rooted, eager to hear what Rui Shao and Liu Meijia were about to discuss.

Liu Meijia ignored the others. Since Wen Rui didn’t care, she cared even less.

“Rui Shao, Yutou Village isn’t really a threat. Before that brat Tang Long returned, weren’t the villagers bullied by Qiangyuan Company, acting like cowed grandchildren, not daring to utter a word?”

Liu Meijia went straight to the heart. The villagers of Yutou Village only found cohesion after Tang Long’s return; without that ‘backbone,’ they’d be scattered, unable to stir up any waves.

“Tang Long?” Wen Rui frowned, thinking for a moment. “Sister, I haven’t met this Tang Long, but the villagers and that university graduate Zhang Xiu’e are quite audacious.

I’ve even considered bringing in a team of mercenaries from abroad, to raze Yutou Village and bury it alive.

It wouldn’t cost much, and would save trouble. What do you think?”

Liu Meijia’s gaze turned cold. She hadn’t expected Wen Rui to be so ruthless, and for a moment she even considered silencing him.

Hiring foreign mercenaries to slaughter a village in China—that was a grave taboo. Never mind the cost: if even a hint leaked out afterward, everyone would be finished. This was no joke.

Hundreds of people—the state would never let it go.

Fear filled her heart, but her face betrayed nothing. She couldn’t let Wen Rui know his vicious plan had frightened her.

Was Wen Rui stupid? Unless he’d been kicked in the head by a donkey, he wouldn’t do such a thing. Killing a man, breaking a few legs—perhaps his backing could cover it up. But bringing mercenaries to massacre a village, not even twenty Rui Shaos could handle the fallout.

“Sure, that would settle everything once and for all,” Liu Meijia laughed coquettishly, her tone light and unconcerned, nodding as if it were nothing.

She accepted Wen Rui’s probe without hesitation. If he wanted to play big, let him take the lead—she’d just watch from behind.

If he wasn’t afraid of death, why should she be?

“In that case, you handle the mercenaries, I’ll cover the costs, but you’ll be responsible for cleaning up afterward!” Liu Meijia giggled.

Wen Rui’s eyes never left Liu Meijia’s face. Hearing her response, he immediately chuckled, “Heh, it hasn’t come to that yet, and there’s no rush. Didn’t you say the backbone of Yutou Village is this Tang Long fellow? If we deal with him, wouldn’t the rest be easy?”

Liu Meijia smiled wryly. “I think so, but the specifics are up to you, Brother.”

Her tone shifted to playful laughter. “We have money, manpower, and influence—how can a mere Yutou Village frighten us?”

“If Wu Zhengyao doesn’t intervene, there’s no problem. But as things stand, it’s hard to say.” Wen Rui shook his head.

“You’re afraid, Rui Shao?” Liu Meijia teased, seeing Wen Rui wavering.

Wen Rui looked at her, half-smiling. “It’s not fear—it’s a matter of whether it’s worth it.”

“Do you think it’s worth it? The lovely Xiu’e, the rare Ghost King Cave—even just selling the stalactites from Ghost King Cave would fetch a handsome price.”

Liu Meijia paused briefly, then continued with a coquettish laugh. “If you can’t make up your mind about such a small matter, you’d really be looked down upon.”

“You want me to take the lead?”

Rui Shao grinned wickedly, not following her words but throwing the question back.

Liu Meijia laughed. “We agreed, didn’t we? I’ll provide the funds. Once Yutou Village is conquered, I only want Lian Gouwa and the surrounding land.”

“Fifty million, two hundred men, leave the rest to me!” Wen Rui hesitated, his smile fading as he looked at Liu Meijia.

Liu Meijia laughed. “Fifty million is enough to hire desperadoes, Rui Shao—your calculations are sharp.”

Before Wen Rui could reply, Liu Meijia continued, “If Rui Shao takes the lead himself, fifty million isn’t out of the question.”

No passing the buck—it had to be done in Rui Shao’s name, with no connection to Qiangyuan Company. Liu Meijia only provided the funds.

If Wen Rui didn’t spread the word himself, Liu Meijia would make sure it did.