"Later, he glanced at the bottles on the table. 'Since we have such distinguished guests today, Wuliangye simply doesn't cut it.'"
"So, Fifth Master Huang specifically had me prepare a batch of five-year-old Feitian Moutai. I hope everyone enjoys it to the fullest."
With that, Yang He cast a flattering smile toward Chen Wanli, who happened to be looking up.
Chen Wanli gave a slight nod in return.
Yang He was thoroughly satisfied. He understood the philosophy of socializing well: blindly and obsequiously kissing up doesn't always win favor.
Just making a familiar face today and leaving a good impression on Chen Wanli was more than enough.
Thus, having finished his toast, Yang He took his leave.
As soon as he left, the table grew lively again, filled with all sorts of boastful chatter:
"My uncle really made it big, didn't he? Incredible! It's Zhang Hong's birthday, and a big shot sends wine this nice."
"You're kidding, our uncle is a high-ranking bureaucrat after all!"
Not long after Yang He left, Zhang Haimin and his wife He Shuya arrived after finishing their business at another banquet.
As soon as they stepped into the private room, several close relatives came over to exchange polite pleasantries.
"Uncle, you're truly amazing! The wine people send you is five-year-old Moutai!"
"Yeah, Sixth Uncle! I've been doing engineering in Jingzhou for so many years and dealt with countless earthwork bosses, but I've never seen Fifth Master be this polite to anyone. Are you getting a promotion?"
The relatives' warmth and courtesy left Zhang Haimin somewhat bewildered. How could he possibly be qualified to have Fifth Master Huang send him wine? If he sent wine to the Fifth Master, the man might not even deign to take a sip!
...
Chapter 26: Watch Your Words
Zhang Hong hurried over and whispered to her father about what had just happened. Zhang Haimin was secretly astonished that such a thing could occur.
On the surface, however, he kept his composure, exchanging polite pleasantries and taking all the credit for himself: "We've just crossed paths, we're not close, not close at all!"
Who would believe that? If you're not close, why would someone send you wine—and such fine wine at that?
Instantly, the atmosphere grew even more lively as relatives vied with each other to flatter and suck up to him.
Zhang Haimin and He Shuya raised their glasses to toast table by table. When it came to Chen Wanli's table, the relatives all stood up to offer toasts.
Even Tang Yanran stood up with a glass of juice and greeted, "Uncle!"
Only Chen Wanli merely lifted his eyelids and remained seated.
Zhang Haimin let out a displeased cold snort, prompting Tang Yanran to give Chen Wanli a nudge.
Only then did Chen Wanli sluggishly stand up.
The maternal aunt He Shuya said with a scarping tone, "Putting aside the fact that your uncle just helped you out, even if it were just an ordinary elder offering a toast, you should still stand up. You really have no manners at all."
Hearing He Shuya's words, the relatives nearby reacted as if they had heard a battle horn.
"Hah, this guy is just brain-damaged from his illness. Don't stoop to his level, lest it lowers your status."
"Young people nowadays simply lack a sense of gratitude."
Zhang Haimin waved his hand, and the crowd quieted down.
Though he was also annoyed, he didn't fly into a rage just yet, having just pocketed two million.
Zhang Haimin sneered, "So ill-bred. If you were my son-in-law, I would have thrown you out on your ear long ago..."
"You're offering a toast, why are you talking so damn much?" Chen Wanli directly interrupted with a sullen expression, then took a sip and set his glass down. "You offered a toast, I drank it, and I gave you face."
"I need to go take a piss, all this nag-nag-nag!"
To everyone's utter astonishment, Chen Wanli walked away from the banquet.
He Shuya was shaking with anger. "Yanran, this is your husband? He's completely out of line."
"If your uncle hadn't helped out, could your family be living in such peace right now?"
With a gloomy expression, Zhang Haimin said, "If it weren't for the sake of your parents, I really wouldn't want to deal with this anymore!"
Tang Yanran was also left speechless, choking back her words. She knew Chen Wanli was pissed off because Zhang Haimin had brazenly extorted two million!
Yet, after all, the matter with Fifth Master Huang had been resolved by Zhang Haimin, so it could be considered money well spent to avert a disaster.
"I apologize on Wanli's behalf! He just recovered from his illness, and his emotions are unstable. I will definitely talk to him when we get back!" Tang Yanran said, her face flushing with embarrassment.
Zhang Haimin let out a hum and said nothing more. Turning away to exchange brief pleasantries and drinks with a few useful relatives, he walked out of the banquet hall and headed straight for the restroom.
He certainly didn't want Chen Wanli bringing up the two million and blabbing about it everywhere later.
Outside the restroom, Zhang Haimin ran into Chen Wanli, who had just finished washing his hands.
Lighting a cigarette of his own accord, Zhang Haimin asked, "Chen Wanli, you seem to have a huge problem with me?"
Chen Wanli quietly washed his face with cold water, and with a half-smile, said, "Was the two million you conned out of us easy to spend?"
Zhang Haimin narrowed his eyes. "What kind of talk is that? What do you mean 'conned'?"
"Without me, could you have gotten past Fifth Master Huang?"
"Didn't you see Fifth Master Huang having someone bring me wine just now?"
"If I hadn't smoothed things over with Fifth Master Huang, do you think you'd still be alive to run your mouth at me here?"
"It's only because I'm in this position that I can still manage to send money to ask for favors. Try it yourself and see what happens. Put two million on the line to settle a score with Fifth Master Huang and see who dares to accept it! See who would dare take that money!"
"A person must know their place and understand propriety; if you can't afford to provoke someone, you have to know when to fold, or you won't even know how you died. Keep constantly bringing up that two million, and you'd better watch your words before they bring disaster."
Zhang Haimin was thoroughly convinced that after this combination of carrot and stick, Chen Wanli would definitely cave.
He had indeed pocketed the two million, and he hadn't looked for anyone either.
So what? He claimed he helped, but Fifth Master Huang didn't give him any face—what could Tang Dapeng do about it?
Even if he demanded a refund and Zhang Haimin refused to pay, could the Tang Family actually go sue him?
Just as Zhang Haimin was indulging in smug fantasies, he spotted a fierce-looking, bald man walking toward him from afar with a smile.
Zhang Haimin found the face somewhat familiar, and it suddenly hit him—that bald man was none other than Fifth Master Huang!
Why would Fifth Master Huang be here? Zhang Haimin's expression shifted slightly.
Fifth Master Huang didn't recognize Zhang Haimin at all; he walked straight up to Chen Wanli. "Brother Chen, how was the wine I had someone send over earlier?"
Chen Wanli didn't even look at Fifth Master Huang, lazily pulling a paper towel from the sink to dry his hands.
Being ignored didn't anger Fifth Master Huang in the least. Chen Wanli defeating his ace brawler with a single move had proven his capability.
Being well-informed, he already knew that Chen Wanli had treated the Song family's daughter; Song Siming would be Chen Wanli's backer from now on!
Someone with both ability and a backer, with whom he shared no conflict of interest or deep blood feud—the worst grievance between them was simply that Chen Wanli had slapped his face.
In the past, he might not have let it go so easily.
But now, with underground turf wars looming, as an old hand in the underworld, he knew very well that to pick a pointless fight out of wounded pride and thus offend both a powerhouse and the Song family was pure self-destruction.
He was a seasoned veteran; he knew when to advance and when to retreat!
Moreover, he firmly believed Chen Wanli's warning that a catastrophic misfortune was coming his way.
Beaming, Fifth Master Huang continued, "If that wasn't to your liking, I have even better ones stored around here."
"I'll have someone send them over shortly."
Only then did Chen Wanli speak up. "The five-year-old Feitian Moutai is not bad."
"It's just a pity it was all fed to dogs!"
"???"
Fifth Master Huang's chubby face was a mask of question marks.
Zhang Haimin was equally bewildered. Was Fifth Master Huang trying to suck up to Chen Wanli?
That wine earlier had been a gift for Chen Wanli, not for him!
You've got to be kidding me! Chen Wanli was a mental patient with no status and no background—by what right?
Without offering any explanation, Chen Wanli finished drying his hands, looked calmly at Fifth Master Huang, and asked:
"Weasel, someone just told me that all it would take is a single word from him to grind me into the dirt. Is that true?"
Zhang Haimin's legs turned to jelly. Did he just call Fifth Master Huang by his nickname to his face?
That name was practically a taboo throughout Jingzhou; Zhang Haimin felt that even the Director of the Security Department wouldn't dare show such a lack of respect.
Was Chen Wanli out of his mind?
To Zhang Haimin's absolute shock, however, Fifth Master Huang didn't get angry at all; instead, he smiled broadly.
"No way, it was all just a misunderstanding earlier, and I've already cleared that up."
"Sending the wine today is my way of showing my attitude."
"Brother Chen, you mustn't listen to outsiders trying to sow discord. You're Mr. Song's distinguished guest and my benefactor as well. There's no enmity between us, only friendship."
Chen Wanli nodded indifferently. "Oh! Should I believe you?"
Fifth Master Huang slapped his chest loudly. "Of course."
Chen Wanli curled his lips. "And yet, just a moment ago, someone was saying that without him, I wouldn't be able to get past you!"
"He even advised me to know my place, understand propriety, and fold if I couldn't afford to cross you, otherwise I wouldn't even know how I died!"
Fifth Master Huang's expression darkened, and he feigned anger. "Who the hell is that bastard running his mouth?"
"What an idiot! Daring to spread rumors behind my back—Brother Chen, tell me who said that, and I'll skin him alive!"
Seeing the murderous look in Fifth Master Huang's eyes, Zhang Haimin swallowed hard.
Chen Wanli gave a faint smile and patted Fifth Master Huang on the shoulder. "Don't bother, there are plenty of idiots in this world."
"I'll take your word for it. Since you're willing to bury the hatchet, I'm not the kind of person who refuses to let up once he has the upper hand. Our past business is water under the bridge."
"I appreciate today's wine. Go on and do your work, feel free to look me up for tea sometime!"
Fifth Master Huang gave a slight nod. Chen Wanli's straightforward words pleased him, and he immediately smiled, "Then I'll wait for Brother Chen to have some free time so we can share some tea together!"
Chen Wanli gave a slight nod, and Fifth Master Huang strode away, ignoring Zhang Haimin completely from start to finish.
It took Zhang Haimin a long time to snap out of his daze.
Chen Wanli was staring at him with a grin. "Cousin-in-law, you said a whole lot of things just now, but you never mentioned—was the two million you conned out of us fun to spend?"
...
Chapter 27: I Thank Your Ancestors for Eight Generations
"My dad asked me to bring a few boxes of American ginseng and dendrobium today; those were also gifts from the Weasel to me, but your daughter called them all garbage. What do you think? Should I call him back and ask why he'd send me garbage?"
Zhang Haimin's old face flushed red and then turned black. "Chen Wanli, I never expected you to know Fifth Master Huang. That really took me by surprise."
"Still, dealing with people like that without government officials backing you up will eventually get you swallowed up until not even your bones are left."
"Did you know that?"
Chen Wanli nodded in deep agreement, maintaining a "sincere" expression as he continued to watch his so-called cousin-in-law.
Seeing that Chen Wanli seemed to have taken his words to heart, Zhang Haimin grew smug once more.
In his eyes, Chen Wanli was just an ignorant mental patient. Tang Dapeng must have not only begged him for mercy but also found some other connection to smooth things over with Fifth Master Huang.
Even so, as long as he could keep Chen Wanli cowed and set up a trap, he could still smoothly swallow that two million.
In any case, money that had made its way into his pocket was never going to be spit back out!
"Look at you, sitting at home doing nothing all day, just getting mocked for living off a woman. Your cousin-in-law will point you toward a bright path!"
"Fifth Master Huang is in the earthwork business, and I can hook you up with a sand pit to make a living. You can easily rake in millions a year!"
Chen Wanli wore a deeply pensive expression. "Does it cost money?"
Zhang Haimin nodded. "That's right, two million!"
Chen Wanli frowned.
Zhang Haimin continued his pitch, "Don't worry, that's the price for outsiders! Could your family possibly be the same? The two million your father-in-law gave me certainly can't go to waste; you can get the sand pit at bare cost!"
Chen Wanli fell silent, nodding as if he finally understood. "How much money is that?"
Assuming Chen Wanli had genuinely taken the bait, Zhang Haimin grinned broadly. "Around a million or so! I know you don't have that kind of cash, so just go back and talk to your father-in-law. He can definitely cough up a million."
"If I remember correctly, the Tang Family set aside over three million to expand their medicinal herb garden. What kind of money does a herb garden make compared to a sand pit?"
"A sand pit is a fantastic business. Pour that money in, and you'll recoup your investment within a year."
Chen Wanli narrowed his eyes. So this fellow had a clear inventory of how much cash the Tang family had stashed away and was aiming to clean them out entirely?
"Uncle, having a relative like you really makes me want to thank your ancestors for eight generations on behalf of my father-in-law!"
Zhang Haimin's expression flickered. Why did that sound less like a slip of the tongue and more like a curse?
Just as he was about to stoke the fire further, Shen Hong, the Director of the Security Department, came scrolling through his phone down the hallway toward the restroom. Walking past them, he suddenly doubled back and said in surprise:
"What a coincidence! What are you doing here?"
Seeing his top boss, Zhang Haimin immediately put on a serious face. "Director, today is my daughter's..."
Without stopping, Shen Hong walked right past Zhang Haimin and firmly shook Chen Wanli's hand.
"Brother Chen, running into you here! What a massive coincidence."
Chen Wanli smiled and nodded. "Truly a coincidence."
Shen Hong said, "Are you here to eat? Come along, come to my private room."
"I mentioned treating you to a drink earlier, but I never knew when you'd have the time."
"Since I'm hosting today and brought a few bottles of twenty-year-old Moutai, the two of us and a few of my friends should knock back a few together."
Zhang Haimin was already dumbfounded, standing off to the side in a daze like a total moron.
He never could have imagined that Chen Wanli not only knew Fifth Master Huang, but also knew his own supreme boss!
And they looked so thoroughly familiar with each other, too?
Zhang Haimin couldn't help but wonder if the person in front of him really was his eldest female cousin's mentally ill son-in-law Chen Wanli. Could he have mistaken him for someone else? Was he actually the scion of some wealthy aristocratic family?
Chen Wanli nodded. "Alright!"
Seeing Chen Wanli agree, Shen Hong affectionately threw an arm around his shoulders. "Today really is a good day, what a lucky coincidence!"
Chen Wanli smiled. "Director Shen, let me ask you something."
"Does the Security Department run a business helping people set up sand pits?"
"Of course not! Who said that?"
Chen Wanli replied, "A relative of mine."
"He said that if I give three million, the Security Department can hook me up with a sand pit business to run!"
Furious, Shen Hong barked, "Absolute nonsense! Who said that? I have repeatedly issued strict orders forbidding money-for-power transactions."
"Whose gall is so massive they're courting death? Tell me, and I'll strip him of his official uniform the moment I get back!"
Having nearly reached the end of the corridor, Chen Wanli paused while handing Shen Hong a cigarette, glanced back over his shoulder, and gave Zhang Haimin a meaningful look.
Zhang Haimin felt as though he had been struck by lightning; the shock left him completely shattered.
The moment Chen Wanli and Shen Hong left, he abandoned his daughter's birthday banquet entirely.
Without a moment's hesitation, he headed straight to Tang Dapeng's house to apologize.
...
Passing the corner, Chen Wanli chuckled and changed the subject.
"Since Director Shen is hosting, everyone there must be a distinguished guest. Wouldn't it be inappropriate for me to tag along?"
Shen Hong let out a hearty laugh. "You're my distinguished guest as well, so dropping in to hang out is no problem at all!"
"I might as well introduce you to some people. You wouldn't mind, would you?"
Chen Wanli could tell that Shen Hong genuinely intended to elevate him and introduce him to a network of connections. In exchange for this reciprocity, if Shen Hong ever needed to authenticate antiques in the future, Chen Wanli would be expected to step in and take a look.
Although Chen Wanli had little interest in such social networking, as the old saying goes: you don't hit a smiling person.
"Haha, since you're showing me this much respect, Elder Brother, how could I possibly refuse?"
"Brother Chen, you turned down the chief position at Tianyuan Pavilion, so what are you up to these days?" Shen Hong asked.
"I'm a doctor. My medical skills are way better than my antique appraisal skills!" Chen Wanli laughed.
Shen Hong was slightly taken aback, then chuckled. "Then that really is a coincidence! I have a friend at the wine table who isn't feeling well; you can take a look at him later!"
"But we have a deal—if you're certain, speak up, but if you aren't sure, keep quiet!"
"Easily done, easily done!"
As they spoke, the two of them arrived at a large private dining room where quite a few people were seated.
Though dressed quite casually, their posture and presence clearly marked them as people who had held high positions of authority for a long time.
In particular, the middle-aged man sitting at the head of the table wore what looked like a very ordinary polo shirt, but behind his gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes flashed with sharp, shrewd, and capable intelligence.
"Old Shen, what took you so long? What's the matter, planning to fake a bathroom break to duck out of drinking?"
One person smiled and turned to look at the sharp and capable man. "Mayor Liu, I'm here to file a report."
"This guy Old Shen has the worst drinking etiquette; he's always finding excuses to slip away. If you weren't here today, Mayor Liu, he probably would have run off long ago."
Mayor Liu smiled good-naturedly to play along.
Shen Hong rolled his eyes. "Old Jin, your nasty habits never change, always gossiping from the shadows."
"When has your daddy here ever flinched from drinking? Let's go toe-to-toe later, whoever passes out first loses."
With that, Shen Hong pulled Chen Wanli over and introduced him to the others. "This is a younger brother of mine. He's a doctor with superb medical skills and a knack for antique appraisal; he did me a huge favor last time."
"Even Master Qi Gaoming, the chief expert at Tianyuan Pavilion, holds him in extremely high regard!"
Chen Wanli thought to himself that Shen Hong certainly acted casually, bringing a nobody like him to a gathering of this caliber. But recalling what Shu Yiyan had mentioned about Shen Hong's prominent family background, he found it easier to accept.
"Old Shen, if you're bringing a doctor to treat Mayor Liu, you ought to find someone reliable. Why'd you bring a wet-behind-the-ears kid who plays with antiques? An antique-dealing doctor—to put it nicely, he's multi-talented; to put it bluntly, he's neglecting his proper profession!"
Shen Hong burst into hearty laughter. "Get out of here! I just brought the youngster up to have some fun so you guys can find him to authenticate treasures in the future!"
Everyone could tell Shen Hong was just joking, so naturally, no one took it seriously.
Besides, Chen Wanli looked like a fresh medical school graduate, and the rest assumed Shen Hong was simply grooming a junior and brought him along to rub shoulders with the crowd.
Chen Wanli also gave a faint smile, sweeping his gaze across the gathering. After observing them for a moment, he had already sized up the major and minor ailments of practically everyone present, though he felt no rush to speak up and prove himself.
Instead, with growing interest, his gaze drifted toward the elderly man seated to Mayor Liu's right. The old man's hair and beard were completely white; he looked for all the world like a veteran practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine!
...
Chapter 28: What a Coincidence, I Just Happen to Know a Little Bit!
Jin Shikai, a senior director in the banking sector, gestured toward the white-bearded old man seated beside Mayor Liu and smiled. "I've invited the King of Acupuncture, Elder He, to examine Mayor Liu!"
Mayor Liu had come down with chronic headaches, and after running to all the major hospitals without a cure, who wouldn't want to use their connections to do a favor?
Nobody present found Jin Shikai's move unexpected.
What did surprise them, however, was that he had actually managed to invite the King of Acupuncture, He Songmang.
The He Family Clinic was a renowned institution throughout Nanbin City, boasting ancestral medical techniques spanning seven generations of doctors, including physicians who had served as imperial medical officers.
He Songmang had inherited his ancestors' true mantle, mastering an acupuncture technique so miraculous that he earned the title "King of Acupuncture" before the age of fifty.
Naturally, people with great skill tended to have eccentric personalities.