Chapter 288: Eating Hotpot and Singing Songs

An unprecedented crackdown on organized crime was sweeping across Jiangzhou like a storm.

Later, people would say that during this period, Jiangzhou was so safe that people didn’t even lock their doors at night.

And the mastermind behind all this, Xu Shaochen, was currently eating hotpot and singing songs.

The hotpot participants were Xu Shaochen, Mei Liangxin, Zhang Wei, and Zhao Qing.

As for women, Xu Shaochen didn’t bring any. This was a gathering for men.

Men bond over drinks; women, Xu Shaochen prefers to bond with them in bed.

“To welcome Chairman Xu back, let me propose a toast to him.”

Zhang Wei stood up with a glass of alcohol, looking at Xu Shaochen with utmost respect.

“I’ll also toast Mr. Xu. Congratulations on your successful trip to Yunzhou.”

Not wanting to be outdone, Zhao Qing quickly latched onto Xu Shaochen.

Mei Liangxin stared at the two of them with a gloomy look. “I also just got back. Why doesn’t anyone toast me?”

It seemed Zhao Qing and Zhang Wei noticed his gaze as they glanced at him simultaneously.

Mei Liangxin understood their look in an instant.

It was like they were saying, “Don’t you recognize your own position?” “Come on, cheers.”

Xu Shaochen also raised his glass.

Mei Liangxin, who had been smiling, also raised his glass, but the trio had already clinked glasses and sat back down.

Standing there with his glass in hand, Mei Liangxin felt a rush of frustration, mentally cursing the eighteen generations of their ancestors.

“Zhao Qing, the demolition documents for that piece of land have been issued. I’ll handle the project for you, but you need to bring out the strength of your company. If you don’t manage well despite all my efforts, it’ll be my reputation on the line.”

Xu Shaochen spoke indistinctly while putting a piece of ox tripe in his mouth. The crisp and chewy texture left his mouth full of flavor.

Although his etiquette instructor taught him not to speak while eating…

…Xu Shaochen only adhered to that in formal settings. In private, he did whatever he felt like.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Xu. I won’t let you down. Let me toast you again.”

Zhao Qing, overjoyed by Xu Shaochen’s words, quickly poured himself another glass and also filled Xu Shaochen’s glass before downing it in one gulp.

That piece of land represented a big project, and it was backed by the government. If he handled it well, it would secure his name in the business world.

In the future, if another project came up, they would surely think of him first, especially considering Xu Shaochen’s support and his demonstrated ability.

“And you, work hard. Once you’ve accumulated enough experience, I’ll arrange a couple of management positions for you. That way, when you take over the Mei Family in the future, you won’t be overwhelmed.”

Xu Shaochen gave another piece of advice to Mei Liangxin. He always treated his friends equally and helped wherever he could.

“Understood.” Mei Liangxin nodded firmly.

Wasn’t it this very group who wouldn’t accept him in the Mei Family? Now, they were doing everything they could to get him back.

He intended to return—just in a different way. He’d make sure all those who looked down on him would bow before him.

“Taking over the Mei Family? What do you mean?”

Zhang Wei and Zhao Qing exchanged puzzled glances, then looked at Xu Shaochen and Mei Liangxin in confusion.

Xu Shaochen glanced at Mei Liangxin, and after seeing his nod of approval, he disclosed the matter to Zhao Qing and Zhang Wei.

After hearing it, both men looked at Mei Liangxin with complex expressions.

“Well, well, I thought you were just some poor guy, but it turns out you’re a rich young master. You really hid it well.”

“Yeah, no kidding. The Mei Family’s second young master. It turns out the two of us are the real commoners.”

Zhang Wei and Zhao Qing’s words were laced with jealousy. Life was just unfair. How could someone like Mei Liangxin be born into a wealthy family when they were genuine sons of farmers? Mei Liangxin was simply wasting a reincarnation opportunity!

“No, no, it’s nothing special, really,” Mei Liangxin refuted. He had never placed much importance on his identity as the Mei Family’s second young master, but seeing the jealous looks on Zhao Qing and Zhang Wei’s faces, he felt like he could fly and touch the sun.

“But thinking about how you’re doing so poorly, I suddenly feel much better.”

“Exactly. Thank goodness you’re not doing so well. Now we can rest easy.”

Zhao Qing and Zhang Wei changed their tune, looking at Mei Liangxin with lighthearted ease, as if they had been relieved of a burden.

The smile on Mei Liangxin’s face immediately froze. He felt an overwhelming urge to curse out loud, thinking that it wasn’t fair.

It’s one thing to hit someone, but hitting their pride is really painful.

Of course, he knew those two were joking and not actually gloating.

“Alright, enough with the sarcastic remarks. With me around, it’s only a matter of time before Mei Liangxin takes over the Mei Family,” Xu Shaochen said, seeing how pitiful Mei Liangxin looked.

As soon as he spoke, the atmosphere shifted.

Zhang Wei silently took out his phone.

“What are you doing?” Zhao Qing asked curiously.

Zhang Wei sighed, “I need to call my dad and ask if my family is just testing me. Maybe there’s actually a billion dollars waiting for me to inherit.”

“Haha, your dad would probably tell you that he’s also waiting for a call from your grandfather.” Zhao Qing rolled his eyes and didn’t hesitate to mock him.

Zhang Wei remained expressionless, “If my grandpa really calls him, my dad would probably die of fright, considering he’s been dead for three years. Besides, I wonder if there’s even cell service in the underworld.”

The three of them twitched their lips, overwhelmed by how absurd the conversation had become.

“Chairman Xu, according to what you just said, the Mei Family still hasn’t given up on taking Mei Liangxin’s organs. Doesn’t that put him in great danger?”

Setting aside the jokes, Zhao Qing looked at Xu Shaochen seriously.

Xu Shaochen nodded, “Danger definitely exists, and it’s not insignificant.”

“That’s great,” Zhang Wei blurted out.

Mei Liangxin’s gaze immediately turned murderous as he grabbed his tea cup, ready to pounce.

Zhang Wei chuckled awkwardly, “Big Brother, it’s a misunderstanding. I meant that since they’re in the shadows and we’re in the open, Mei Liangxin is at much higher risk. We might as well use him as bait to lure them out. Then, we can accuse them of kidnapping and send them straight to the police. Afterward, the Mei Family would surely send someone to Jiangzhou to negotiate for their release. Wouldn’t that put us in control?”

“What do you think?” Zhao Qing looked at Mei Liangxin.

Mei Liangxin rolled his eyes, “I use my eyes to see.”

“Get serious. Don’t you care about your own safety?”