As soon as Gu Hao arrived at the company, he received a call from Feng Menglan instructing him to get ready to accompany the young lady to the investment banquet hosted by the Haoyan Consortium.
Without asking too many questions or even changing out of his security uniform, Gu Hao went straight downstairs and waited.
Before long, Feng Menglan came downstairs accompanied by Gu Yan and several project managers. Feng Menglan called out to Gu Hao, and he obediently followed Gu Yan and her group into the car.
They soon arrived at the Tianlong Hotel, where the investment banquet was being held.
The group walked into the grand banquet hall. Many representatives from various companies and enterprises had already arrived, among them Gu Lin from the Gu Family Group.
Seeing Gu Yan arrive, Gu Lin smiled and said to her, "I didn't expect you guys would actually show up."
"This isn't a den of dragons and tigers. Is there any reason we couldn't come?"
"How bold. When the investments are announced later, I hope you manage to win the favor of the Haoyan Consortium and secure the funding you need."
"You don't need to trouble your second young master self with worrying about that."
At that moment, a commotion broke out near the entrance of the hall.
Someone remarked, "The second young master of the Xiao family is here! This Haoyan investment conference really is something else—they actually managed to invite the second young master of Zhongzhou Prefecture."
"Indeed. Down here in Zhongzhou, nothing can be accomplished without the protection of the second young master."
Hearing this, Gu Hao looked toward the entrance of the hall. He saw Xiao Qing walking in, flanked by several prefectural guards.
Several company owners and corporate executives immediately stepped forward to pay their respects. "Greetings, Young Master Xiao."
Xiao Qing waved a hand. "No need."
As Xiao Qing walked further in, he caught sight of Gu Lin. Gu Lin stepped forward, and the two exchanged bows.
"Young Master Xiao."
"Young Master Gu."
Xiao Qing caught a glimpse of Gu Yan and asked Gu Lin, "Who is this?"
"Oh, she's just an outcast of my Gu Family, and the eldest young lady of Tiangu Group, Gu Yan."
"Ah, I see. She's Gu Lingyu's daughter. Not bad-looking at all. Let's get acquainted—I am Xiao Qing, second young master of Zhongzhou Prefecture."
Xiao Qing extended his hand toward Gu Yan.
Gu Yan completely ignored him and turned to walk away.
"Oho, this little lady has quite some spirit. I like it."
Gu Lin stepped forward with a lewd smile. "A woman like that isn't worth Young Master Xiao's trouble. Another day, I'll introduce a few others to Young Master Xiao—guaranteed to leave you completely satisfied."
Xiao Qing chuckled lewdly. "Then I'll have to trouble Young Master Gu."
Suddenly, Xiao Qing caught sight of Gu Hao and abruptly remembered the incident at the roadside food stall.
Gu Hao looked back at Xiao Qing with a faint, mocking smile.
"Kid, it's you? What are you doing here?"
"Why shouldn't I be here?"
Gu Lin hurried over. "Young Master Xiao, you know him? He's just a lowly security guard at Tiangu Group."
"A security guard? So you're just a little security guard at Tiangu Group. Ha! And here I thought you were some big shot. Turns out you're just scum, good-for-nothing trash."
"So what if I am?"
"So what? You'd better be on your best behavior when you see me from now on. Otherwise, I'm a ruthless person—who knows, I might just break all your limbs, and you'll have to spend the rest of your life bedridden."
"Oh? You're that formidable, are you? Fine, I'll be waiting for you to break my limbs."
With that, Gu Hao turned and walked back toward Gu Yan and the others.
"Damn it, how dare he talk back to me! Just wait, you'll get yours soon enough."
The host of the investment conference took the stage, and seeing this, everyone took their seats.
The host began, "Welcome, distinguished titans of the business and corporate worlds of Zhongzhou. Thanks to everyone's enthusiastic support, today's investment conference is being held as scheduled. On behalf of our consortium's general manager, Miss Tian Li, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to you all. For this conference, based on the preliminary project proposals submitted by various companies, we received over 130 proposals. Following evaluation by our panel of experts, 20 projects have advanced to our final review stage. Shortly, we will announce the selected projects.
Although the Haoyan Consortium was established not long ago, under the leadership of Miss Tian Li, the consortium's operations have continued to expand, now basically covering every industry in Zhongzhou. We hope that in the days to come, we can engage in sincere cooperation and achieve common development."
The host's powerful and heartfelt speech won warm applause from the crowd. Everyone had witnessed the rapid development of the Haoyan Consortium in Zhongzhou and held deep admiration for Miss Tian Li's management capabilities and business acumen.
"And now, we invite Miss Tian Li, general manager of the Haoyan Consortium, to announce the list of selected projects."
Accompanied by Lin Xiaotian and Tun Xiaotian, Tian Li walked up to the podium.
Upon seeing the three of them, Xiao Qing froze in place. "It really is you..."
Lin Xiaotian flashed a smile at Xiao Qing, leaving him so furious he was momentarily speechless.
Noticing that Xiao Qing seemed to recognize them, Gu Lin, who was sitting in the row right behind him, asked, "Young Master Xiao, do you know them?"
Xiao Qing glanced back at Gu Lin without uttering a word.
Tian Li began announcing the list of selected projects. Aside from projects proposed by the four major conglomerates, the proposals from both the Gu Family Group and Tiangu Group were also included among the Haoyan Consortium's key investment projects.
This left Gu Yan overjoyed—the funding issue for their projects had finally been resolved.
When Gu Lin heard that Tiangu Group's project had been selected, absolute rage boiled up inside him.
As soon as Tian Li finished the announcement, Xiao Qing stood up. "General Manager Tian Li, did you get the approval of Zhongzhou Prefecture before investing in these projects?"
Tian Li smiled faintly. "Zhongzhou Prefecture? It seems our consortium's operations haven't violated any laws or regulations. Why would we need the approval of Zhongzhou Prefecture?"
Watching this, Gu Hao could tell that Xiao Qing was simply looking to shake them down.
"General Manager Tian Li, since your operations are within the territory of Zhongzhou Prefecture, you must obey the orders of Zhongzhou Prefecture. I say that the projects you are investing in are illegal, and therefore they are illegal. If you want them to be legal, it's quite simple: apply to Zhongzhou Prefecture for review and approval."
"Ha! Young Master Xiao, this is the very first time I've ever heard of such a rule. We've already filed all the required declarations with the relevant departments. Do we really need to file yet another declaration with your Zhongzhou Prefecture? Whose rule is that supposed to be?"
"Naturally, it's the rule of Zhongzhou Prefecture."
Lin Xiaotian chuckled. "Oh, I get it now. Are you hinting that we should pay some tribute or offer some gifts to you folks in Zhongzhou? If that's what you want, just name a figure. Money is one thing the Haoyan Consortium is not short of."
Lin Xiaotian's words made Xiao Qing's expression turn rather ugly.
Tian Li smiled and said, "Go ahead, then. How much money do you want?"
"Tian Li, do you take Zhongzhou Prefecture for some beggars lacking money?"
"If it's not about money, then what are you after?"
"I... I..."
Xiao Qing stammered, unable to come up with an answer.
Tian Li gave Xiao Qing a look of utter disdain. "Young Master Xiao, if I recall correctly, the Haoyan Consortium did not invite you here. Since you came uninvited, you should behave yourself. If you're looking for trouble, you'll find that the Haoyan Consortium is not one to be trifled with."
"Kid, did you forget what happened the other night so quickly?" Lin Xiaotian said. "You came to our investment banquet—is it to avenge that night's humiliation and salvage your pride? Let me advise you to look after yourself."
"That's right! I came here today precisely to settle the score from the other night. Down here in Zhongzhou Prefecture, I will not tolerate your impudence!"
"Oh, really?"
Lin Xiaotian and Tun Xiaotian stepped right up to Xiao Qing.
Watching Xiao Qing confront Lin Xiaotian and Tun Xiaotian, Gu Yan wanted to step forward and stop them, but Gu Hao grabbed her arm and held her back.
Gu Yan glared at Gu Hao angrily. "Why are you holding me back?"
"Young lady, don't worry. They can handle it themselves; they don't need our help."
"But if the Haoyan Consortium and Zhongzhou Prefecture end up at odds, the Haoyan Consortium will suffer for it."
"Rest assured, the only one who's going to suffer is Zhongzhou Prefecture."
Hearing Gu Hao's words, Gu Yan was utterly bewildered. What on earth did he mean by that?
Instead of being nervous when facing Lin Xiaotian and Tun Xiaotian, Xiao Qing grew excited.
"Punk, don't think you're invincible just because you know how to throw a punch. I brought my prefectural guards with me today."
"Is that so? Then let's put it to the test."
With a sharp slap across the face, Tun Xiaotian struck Xiao Qing hard, leaving five distinct red finger marks on his cheek.
"You dare hit me?"
"So what if I hit you? Even if your old man were here, I'd beat him just the same."
Seeing Xiao Qing get struck, the martial artists he had brought with him surged forward.
Xiao Qing ordered them, "Beat them! Beat them to death!"