Chapter 50: I Keep My Word—This Isn’t Over Between Us

Azure Moon Restaurant, the finest establishment in Tangwan Town.

Six stories tall, the first three floors were reserved for dining, the fourth and fifth for entertainment, and the sixth for lodging.

Zhang Tianfeng and his group stepped out of their vehicle, standing beneath the blazing sun as they gazed at the hotel.

"Boss, are we really eating here today? I heard a meal here costs several hundred." Qin Yuelan hesitated, reluctant.

Yesterday, she had helped out at the hospital, which ended up costing over a hundred thousand. Though it wasn't her own money, Qin Yuelan still felt the sting.

"Money’s just a passing thing—spend it, and we’ll earn more!"

According to tradition, Zhang Tianfeng, having left the house that morning, needed a bath and a hearty meal to dispel ill fortune.

His fourth uncle had already prepared the ingredients, but just as Zhang Tianfeng was about to begin, he received a call: someone from the Deep City Daily wanted to invite him to a meal and offer an apology. So he brought his people along.

Take advantage? That wasn’t his intention—he could easily afford the expense.

He was here to settle accounts. These three had humiliated him, and he intended to repay them, a hundredfold, a thousandfold.

Yes, he was petty like that.

When Jin Haijun and his two companions, waiting inside, saw Zhang Tianfeng arrive, they hurried out to greet him.

One stood out: a woman in a sky-blue, off-shoulder dress, her S-shaped figure accentuated.

"Mr. Zhang, I’m Jin Haijun. This is Liu Haizhu, a news editor at Deep City Daily, and this is Little Hu—you met her yesterday."

"Oh, so it’s you. I didn’t recognize you in different clothes."

Hu Xuelian smiled awkwardly, nodding. "Mr. Zhang, about yesterday—I'm sorry, I..."

"Let’s talk inside. It’s too hot out here—not the place for conversation."

Jin Haijun said, "Mr. Zhang, I’ve prepared the best private room and a sumptuous banquet, all ready for you."

"And my brothers?" Zhang Tianfeng glanced behind him.

"They’ll be well taken care of, don’t worry. I won’t let them be shortchanged," Jin Haijun replied through gritted teeth.

Even if these men ate them out of house and home, they had to endure it—after all, they needed something from him.

"Good. Brothers, order whatever you like. With Boss Jin footing the bill, don’t hold back."

"Yes, yes. Mr. Zhang, may we get down to business first?"

"Of course. Lead the way."

In VIP Room 305, Zhang Tianfeng sat at the head of the table, smiling as the three sat below.

"Mr. Zhang, what we did was indeed wrong, a breach of media ethics," Jin Haijun began.

"Our superiors have already reprimanded us. Both Old Liu and I have been demoted, and Little Hu’s situation is worse—if she can’t win your forgiveness, she’ll be dismissed."

He poured Zhang Tianfeng a glass of wine, his face full of ingratiating smiles. "We’ve been punished already. Please, be magnanimous and let us off."

Liu Haizhu raised his own glass, echoing, "Mr. Zhang, it was an unintended mistake. Please forgive us, or we won’t leave."

As the two spoke, Zhang Tianfeng remained silent, and the atmosphere grew awkward.

Jin Haijun and Liu Haizhu glanced at Hu Xuelian, who stood, wine in hand, and walked to Zhang Tianfeng’s side.

"Mr. Zhang~ I was wrong, can’t you forgive me just this once?"

"If need be, I’ll apologize, massage your waist, knead your legs—or you can even make some excessive requests."

The beauty beside him breathed softly, and with a slight shift of his gaze, he glimpsed a snowy expanse.

Seeing Zhang Tianfeng’s dazed look, Jin Haijun and Liu Haizhu grew agitated.

But reality was a bucket of cold water, poured from head to toe, chilling them to the bone.

Zhang Tianfeng pushed his chair back, stood, and said, "I thought you three were truly remorseful, but it turns out these are your only tricks."

"Let me be frank: from the moment you decided to act, there was never going to be a happy ending."

"No matter what you do—even if this young lady stands before me unclothed—I’ll say the same thing: mistakes must be paid for."

Turning to Hu Xuelian, Zhang Tianfeng said, "Yesterday, I told you I’d make it impossible for you to continue in this line of work. I keep my word."

"As for you two accomplices, I doubt your punishment will stop at demotion—it will likely be much worse!"

"Mr. Zhang, have mercy. You’re confronting Deep City Daily!" Jin Haijun said coldly.

"You three rotten fish and stinking shrimp think you represent Deep City Daily?"

Zhang Tianfeng sneered. "Even if you did, so what? You think I’m afraid? Let’s see who wins in the end."

With words like these, begging was useless.

Jin Haijun shook his head. "If that’s how it is, then let’s fight and see who prevails."

"Mr. Zhang, farewell—and take your friends with you. I never intended to treat them."

"Don’t worry, I won’t let you pay a cent. I won’t give you a chance to corrupt me!"

Zhang Tianfeng left, decisively, leaving Jin Haijun and his companions feeling insecure.

Their bravado had been an act; they couldn’t truly represent Deep City Daily, nor could they challenge Zhang Tianfeng. Only Xu Juncong could help them now.

"Let’s go find that bastard Xu. If he won’t give us a way out, we’ll drag him down with us!"

"And all this food—just wasted?"

"Eating? How can you think of food when disaster’s looming?"

...

On the second-floor hall, everyone was already seated.

Zhang Tianfeng looked around. "Where’s Gao Ran? Where did she go?"

"She’s watching you." Gao Ran walked over from behind, raising an eyebrow. "Impressive restraint—beautiful woman in front of you, offering herself, and you remained unmoved."

"Boss, they tried to seduce you?"

"They tried to seduce me—why are you so excited?" Zhang Tianfeng asked Red Hair, puzzled.

"She’s got a great figure. If you could win her over, that’d be quite a catch."

As he spoke, Red Hair’s eyebrows danced; his expression suggested things unfit for broadcast.

"Get lost. Isn’t Zhou Mei’s figure good? Yet you treat her like you’ve seen a ghost."

Zhang Tianfeng remained bitter about Zhou Mei, unable to let it go.

Red Hair gave an awkward smile. "Zhou Mei... is too fierce for me."

"Scram—there are ladies present, so keep your dirty jokes to yourself."

Laughing and cursing, Zhang Tianfeng said, "Let’s eat. There’s much to do later."

As the banquet commenced, lively and bustling, Xu Juncong sat alone in his villa eating boxed lunch.

He and Wang Li hadn’t exchanged money directly, nor had anyone recorded their meeting or conversation.

After spending half a day inside, he emerged.

Knock, knock, knock—

His phone rang. Xu Juncong picked up. "Who is it?"

"You finally answered, kid. I’m Jin Haijun. Something big happened. Where are you? I need to see you."

"Rosewood Forest Villa District. Come yourself."