Chapter 067: Xu Kuangdao's Frustration, Visitors from the Chen Family

The reason for targeting the Bole Company was simply that Xu Kuangdao understood Zhang Tianfeng’s intentions. Even if he poached workers at a high price while Zhang was setting up his factory, it didn’t matter—Zhang had an employment agency under his command that could replenish staff numbers in the shortest possible time. That was his foundation. As long as the foundation remained unshaken, it would be very difficult to undermine the toy factory from within—unless one was willing to spend tens of millions, which would be far too costly.

So Xu Kuangdao chose to cooperate with Sun Xian: on one hand, he would pay Sun Xian to launch attacks against the Bole Group; on the other, he would gather dirt on Zhang Tianfeng’s relatives and friends. When the employment agency was forced to close, and the toy factory was barely surviving, he would expose the dirt. To achieve his goal: force Zhang Tianfeng to kneel and beg forgiveness, and get his own son, Xu Juncong, released ahead of time.

Now, however, this hope seemed to be slipping away.

He made several calls in succession, and only after ten minutes did the first return call come in, then the second, then the third. Xu Kuangdao’s expression grew ever darker; his grip on the phone was so tight that his knuckles turned white.

“Damn it! So that’s how you want to play?”

He stomped his foot in frustration, took a deep breath, and returned to the private room.

“Zhang Tianfeng has mobilized the media. Right now, Zhucheng Daily, Zhucheng Television, Shen City Daily, and the Shen City TV station are all broadcasting footage of my son being arrested—with the Yuanli Group’s name clearly visible. That, I’m guessing, is why your boss is backing down for now.”

“I’m already aware,” came the reply.

“How did you know?” Xu Kuangdao asked, barely containing his anger.

Sun Xian raised a hand and pointed at the television in front of them. It was airing a documentary titled “Strike Against Organized Crime—Taking Down Shady Employment Agencies,” and the protagonist was none other than Xu Juncong. The man had looked perfectly composed when he was taken away. When the host commented that Xu Juncong looked like a repeat offender, Xu Kuangdao’s face darkened with fury.

“These leaders of Zhucheng really know how to push people around!”

But it wasn’t really a matter of being pushed around; it was more that Xu Juncong had walked right into the trap, filling the hole Zhang Tianfeng had previously dug.

The first employment agency scandal had cast a shadow over all of Zhucheng—from the upper echelons to the media, down to the neighborhood police—no one dared meet their peers’ eyes. Later, Zhang Tianfeng had reflected that his actions had been a bit unscrupulous. Since he planned to put down roots in Zhucheng and develop for the long term, he needed to win over the locals, or he’d surely suffer for it in the future. So he looked for ways to make amends.

The food poisoning incident gave him a direct line to the city leaders. He expressed his remorse and apologized, but still felt it wasn’t enough. Then Xu Juncong committed a crime—coincidentally, another shady employment agency case—right in both Shen City and Zhucheng.

So Zhang Tianfeng worked with the Zhucheng TV station to produce a documentary, paying out of pocket for prime airtime, ensuring the film would be shown repeatedly. This helped dispel rumors about Zhucheng’s working environment, and the TV station quickly agreed.

As for Shen City, their Daily was still facing a lawsuit from Zhang Tianfeng. Just an hour earlier, with Jin Haijun and two others acting as intermediaries, Zhang agreed to drop the suit, in exchange for a deal: the Shen City Daily, along with its TV station and media affiliates, would give Xu Juncong’s arrest front-page coverage for the next three days, airing the story on repeat.

Sun Xian rose and said, “Mr. Xu, thank you for your hospitality today, but I’m afraid I’m not worthy of it. I’ll take my leave.”

Xu Kuangdao nodded slightly, smoking as he watched Sun Xian leave the room.

Not long after stepping out, Sun Xian heard the sound of something smashing from inside.

Ah, that old man is going to explode with rage, he thought. Still, let them fight it out; it doesn’t concern me. Better them than me.

Muttering to himself, Sun Xian jogged away.

After leaving the Cangyue Restaurant, he hailed a cab straight to Tangwan Middle Street. Once there, he walked directly into the Bole Employment Agency.

“Hello, I’d like to see Mr. Zhang. I am—”

“Come in,” said Gao Ran, cradling a blue notebook, glancing up with a flick of her eyes.

She was growing increasingly fond of her current attire, and ever more accustomed to being Zhang Tianfeng’s secretary. In her words, it felt pretty good.

Sun Xian hadn’t expected Zhang Tianfeng to anticipate his visit, but he pushed down his surprise and followed her into the lounge.

“Please, have a seat. The place is humble—not quite up to Yuanli Group’s standards, I’m afraid.”

“Mr. Zhang, you’re too modest. Anyone who can win praise from Boss Wang is just a step away from greatness.”

“Boss Wang?” Zhang asked.

“The head of Yuanli Group. He likes people to call him Boss Wang; says it reminds him of the rough days of his youth.”

Sun Xian chuckled. “Mr. Zhang, I’m here today to bring you a message from the boss. He apologizes for any offense caused earlier—he didn’t know you were a guest of the Huo family. He’s currently in the South Seas doing business, but once he returns, he’ll apologize in person.”

“But… how did he find out I was an honored guest of the Huo family?” Zhang Tianfeng frowned.

He’d already made it clear that the Huo family wouldn’t help him with this sort of thing. Surely Huo Zhigui wouldn’t look down on him over such matters?

“That, I’m not sure. But those are the boss’s words.” Sun Xian stood up. “On his behalf, please accept my bow and apology.”

“He also promised that Yuanli Group’s people will not enter Tangwan Town. As for other places, Mr. Zhang, you’ll have to rely on your own strength.”

“Thank you. I understand.”

“No need for thanks. I’ve delivered the message, so I’ll go and gather our staff to leave immediately.”

“Mr. Zhang, I hope we’ll meet again.”

“Certainly.”

After a handshake, Sun Xian departed. Zhang Tianfeng personally saw him to the door before returning.

Back in the lounge, he saw Gao Ran with her long legs propped on the table, lounging lazily in his chair.

“Boss, you never cease to amaze me! A guest of the Huo family, and now Yuanli Group’s boss sends someone to apologize.”

“I told you I know nothing about this, didn’t I?”

“Mm, I believe you.” But the look in Gao Ran’s eyes suggested otherwise.

Zhang Tianfeng smiled and shook his head. “Whether you believe it or not, I’ve decided on something.”

“What is it?”

“I’m going to open a clothing factory next, and develop some stylish safety shorts.”

“Why?”

“Because you had a wardrobe malfunction.”

Gao Ran froze, then sprang up and rushed over, face burning with embarrassment. She called him a scoundrel as she dashed out.

A scoundrel? If you keep tempting fate, I’ll show you what real mischief is.

Just you wait—if you don’t learn your lesson, you’ll see what the King of Horses is all about.

...

“What? You’re saying Wang Zicheng backed off because he had his fortune told by Old Bai?”

“All right, I see.”

In Hong Kong, there were masters of feng shui; in the South Seas, prophets of fortune. Xu Kuangdao had heard of Old Bai—he was indeed formidable, with many Hong Kong and foreign celebrities seeking his help.

The coastal regions worshiped Mazu, but though beliefs differed, Xu Kuangdao always held such people in awe.

Swallowing his anger, he braced himself to taste the bitterness of defeat. It had taken him ages to devise this plan, but with Yuanli Group suddenly pulling out, was he really going to spend his own money to build an employment agency and go toe-to-toe with Zhang Tianfeng?

Impossible—it would take far too long.

Next month was the Xu family’s ancestral rites. He wanted Xu Juncong out of prison before then.

Only by defeating Zhang Tianfeng could he achieve that goal early!

“Damn it, do I really have to be outmaneuvered by a youngster?”

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He slammed a fist onto the table, rattling the broken crockery.

The door opened, and a man in his fifties entered. “Mr. Xu, perhaps our two families should join forces.”

“And you are?”

“The Chen family of Huicheng—Chen Yuanhua. I, too, would like to see that young man brought low.”