Chapter 130: An Epiphany

Zhou Xinquan had not expected Zhang Wenhao to be so stubborn, offering absolutely no room for negotiation. What he did not realize was that after two encounters with Zhao Meng, Zhang Wenhao was no longer willing to offer them any leeway.

However, Zhou found himself unable to bring himself to clear out room 6888 for Zhang. Offending Young Master Xu would be cutting off his own source of wealth; who would willingly turn their back on money? As he stood at a loss, Zhou silently hoped that Young Master Xu would leave of his own accord, which would resolve the matter perfectly. Yet, this hope was unrealistic, as the young man never left before one or two in the morning.

It was now past nine, and Zhang Wenhao was growing impatient. "My classmates are still waiting for my update in the suburbs. When will you give me a satisfactory answer?"

After much deliberation, Zhou gritted his teeth. Since he could not afford to lose money, he would have to offend Zhang. He prepared to offer Zhang fifty thousand yuan; whether Zhang accepted it or not, this was his final solution. If Zhang refused, he could at least claim he had tried his best with a sincere attitude. Surely, one wouldn't strike a man who was smiling at them?

However, Zhou was also anxious. Seeing the numerous lackeys lying on the ground, clearly injured, it was evident that Zhang Wenhao possessed formidable strength. He worried that if he provoked him further, Zhang might actually resort to violence against him.

Zhang Wenhao had his own calculations. Having decided to handle this matter himself today, he had no intention of asking for help. He had three paths: either the other party admitted their mistake and resolved the issue; or, if it came to a fight, he feared no one; or, even if it reached the police, he was unafraid. While he did not intend to ask for favors, he was acquainted with figures like Liu Xiping and Director Han. He did not need their help, but he certainly possessed the standing to demand absolute judicial impartiality from the authorities.

He had only fought back because they had attacked first. His self-defense was clear. If Liu Chuan were to take him in now, they would not dare twist the facts as they might have before. With judicial fairness, he was entirely in the right. What was there to fear?

Just as Zhou Xinquan was about to propose his final solution, someone rushed in and blurted out, "Wenhao, are you okay?"

Zhang followed the voice and was surprised to see Chen Feng. "Brother Chen, how did you get here?"

Seeing that Zhang was unharmed, Chen breathed a sigh of relief. "I had some business tonight and intended to meet you at the Hanlin club earlier, but you had already left when I arrived. Something felt wrong, so I asked your friend. He told me the truth, and I drove over immediately."

"Does Ruoran know?" Zhang asked quickly.

"No," Chen replied. "She is with your other classmates. No one else was around when your friend told me."

The onlookers stared at Chen Feng in stunned silence. Chen’s reputation throughout Jiangcheng was legendary; there was hardly anyone in the underworld or the professional world who did not know him. Nobody expected Zhang Wenhao to have such a connection.

Zhou Xinquan approached timidly and said respectfully, "Brother Feng, I didn't expect you to be here."

Chen frowned and asked, "Who are you?"

"My surname is Zhou, Zhou Xinquan," he stammered. "I was present at the dinner you attended with the city leaders."

"Is this your place?" Chen asked.

Zhou stiffened and replied, "Yes."

"Explain to me what is going on," Chen said coldly.

With Chen intervening, Zhang Wenhao lost interest in arguing with them. "Brother Chen, it's nothing, don't worry about it."

Hearing this, Zhou felt immense gratitude and immediately followed suit. "Exactly, Brother Feng, it was just a small misunderstanding. Please don't take it to heart. I failed to manage my staff properly; it is my fault. I will certainly tighten my management in the future."

Sensing that Zhang did not want him involved, Chen clicked his tongue. "What now?"

Zhou quickly shouted, "Zhao Meng, clear out 6888 for Mr. Zhang, now!"

Zhao Meng, already terrified, realized he had kicked a steel plate. Knowing that even his boss couldn't afford to offend Chen Feng, he scurried upstairs without a word.

Chen sighed, knowing Zhang didn't want his help. He stepped forward, draped an arm around Zhang’s shoulder, and walked him to the doorway. "You kid, you’re still so distant with me. Do you really need to draw such a clear line? I offered to arrange dinner, you refused. I offered to find a restaurant, you only then agreed. Now, when trouble arises, you don't want me to intervene. Do you have any idea how that makes your older brother feel?"

Zhang looked at him apologetically. "Brother Chen, I’m not trying to draw a line. I just find it hard to owe people favors. You were so thoughtful at the Hanlin Ecological Garden today; I am already very grateful."

"You know it's hard to owe favors? What about me?" Chen replied. "You know I owe you my life. Should I smash my head here right now to pay you back?"

Zhang waved his hands. "Brother Chen, that's not what I meant."

Chen spoke earnestly: "Life is lived through oneself and through relationships. If you have connections, you should use them. What kind of society is this? A society of relationships. Properly utilizing your network will be a huge help to you. Everyone owes favors; what matters is paying them back. That doesn't distance people; it brings them closer. Isn't that how friends interact? If you borrow money and pay it back promptly, next time you might be able to borrow five times as much. Eventually, it could be millions. If you never ask, that opportunity never grows. You understand that, right?"

Zhang nodded slowly.

Chen continued, "I have always believed you will be a thousand times more successful than me, but with your personality, you’ll struggle to achieve greatness. Those at the top aren't lone wolves; they have deep networks and strategic minds. Look at me—I owe the Madam favors I can never fully repay, but she keeps giving me opportunities to try. That is why I am willing to serve the Su family, and why we grow together. If she had your personality, neither of us would have achieved anything."

Zhang was enlightened; Chen’s words were a revelation.

Chen looked at him with profound sincerity. "Utilize every connection you have to achieve results, creating win-win situations. When you grow, don't forget those who helped you. Pull them up with you, and you will have people willing to live and die for you. Only then will you be truly powerful."

"Thank you, Brother Chen," Zhang said, nodding solemnly. "I understand now."

Chen smiled with satisfaction. "When you reach Yanjing, many challenges will await you. Before you go, you must truly mature."

"I will," Zhang promised.

Chen laughed. "I won't interfere in today's business, but I noticed something."

"What?" Zhang asked.

"I found that just showing my face and asking what's going on is much more effective than you knocking down twenty men."

Zhang had to admit, "You're right."

"So," Chen chuckled, "use your connections. A single phone call to me would have solved everything beforehand."

Zhang finally understood. It was true—a simple call would have handled it without him needing to resort to force. Yet, he had insisted on handling it himself, resulting in such a messy scene.

By then, Zhao Meng had cleared room 6888 by offering a refund to other guests and convincing Young Master Xu to move. Several waitresses were busy cleaning as Zhou Xinquan approached with an apologetic expression. "Mr. Zhang, room 6888 is ready. You may enter at any time."

Ignoring him, Zhang called Li Nan to organize their classmates. As he hung up, Chen Feng said, "I won't disturb your gathering, but I have a business proposition. Are you interested?"

"What kind of business?" Zhang asked.

Chen glanced at Zhou. "KTVs like this consume a massive amount of alcohol every day. I want to start a beverage distribution agency to supply these places. Let me tell you, the profit margins are huge."

Zhou’s face went pale, but he dared not speak. Chen looked at him and said, "Boss Zhou, from now on, the two of us will provide the drinks for your venue. How about that?"

Zhou was filled with dread but forced a smile. "Brother Feng, how could you be interested in my small place?"

"I am," Chen laughed. "I will supply you at market retail prices, and you will settle the bill in cash every time we deliver. No delays. Any objections?"

Zhou felt his heart bleeding. The profit margins on alcohol were immense. A bottle of Budweiser that cost him four or five yuan was sold for twenty. Spirits and wines had even higher margins. If Chen supplied him at market retail prices, he would lose nearly all his profit. He was being fleeced, but Zhou did not dare defy Chen. "Since Brother Feng has spoken, I have no objections."

Chen patted Zhang’s shoulder. "I know many primary distributors. I'll take you to meet them tomorrow. You can take the goods on credit, deliver them, and collect the cash on the spot. You won't even need to use your own capital."

Zhang was stunned. This was a textbook "empty-handed" play. If he could take goods on credit and get paid in cash immediately, the profits would be enormous.

Chen smiled, seeing Zhang's hesitation. "You're not doing this for yourself; you're working for me. We'll split the profits 80-20, with me taking twenty percent."

Zhang knew Chen didn't care about the money; he was creating an opportunity for him. Recalling Chen's advice, he nodded. "Alright, I'll bring a few classmates to help and earn some pocket money."

Zhou Xinquan felt like crying. This wasn't pocket money; this was the majority of his revenue. He was being robbed, yet he could only nod and accept his misfortune, not daring to utter a word of protest.