Chapter 635: The Ruthless Zhao Li

“What should we do?”

Zhao Li sneered coldly, his eyes flashing with a chilling light: “Perfect. There’s a self-righteous fool jumping around in front of me. He’s such an eyesore. How about we make him the final straw that breaks the camel’s back? He’ll consider it an honor.”

“Kill him? Then frame the Kong Family?” Liang Huan asked. He didn’t care who the poor fool was, just whether the plan would work.

Zhao Li shook his head: “That would leave too many holes. Besides, the Kong Family, even if they wanted to kill someone, would kill us first.”

“So what’s your plan?” Liang Huan asked again.

Zhao Li gave a sinister smile: “Your thought process was correct, just needs a slight change.”

He paused briefly, took a sip of coffee to soothe his throat, then continued: “I’ll lure that fool out, arrange for someone to ‘try’ to kill me, but accidentally kill him instead. That’ll work better.”

Liang Huan nodded thoughtfully, clearly understanding the plan.

So far, only someone from the Kong Family had died, which was why the Zhao and Liang families were still sitting back confidently.

But if someone from the Zhao Family died now, and the killer seemed to be targeting Zhao Li, the blame would surely be pinned on the Kong Family.

By then, there would be no chance for negotiations.

“Alright, let’s do it. Anything you need me for?”

Liang Huan asked.

“You’ll handle the people who do the job. Make sure they’re reliable. If not, get rid of them after it’s done. Send them on their way.”

Zhao Li was even more ruthless and decisive than Liang Huan.

Liang Huan thought for a moment: “No problem. I’ve been the Second Young Master for years. I can arrange a few men.”

“It’s settled then. I’ll invite that fool out tonight. He’s been acting a bit arrogant lately. If I tell him I’m willing to treat him and bow my head, he’ll definitely accept.”

Zhao Li said with a cold smile.

………

Jiangzhou.

Chen Yu Group, Chairman’s office.

Xu Shaochen was still dealing with some work.

He rarely spent a full day at the office, so the tasks had piled up.

Usually, any urgent documents that required his approval or signature were sent directly to his home.

What he was handling now, however, weren’t particularly urgent matters.

“Knock, knock, knock…”

There came a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

Without looking up from the document, Xu Shaochen spoke.

His secretary stepped into the office again, respectfully saying, “Chairman Xu, someone from the Deng Family in the Northwest is here. They say they want to visit you.”

“The Deng Family from the Northwest?”

Xu Shaochen put down the document, puzzled. Why would someone from the Deng Family come to see him?

The Deng Family was a well-known family in the country.

Their ancestors were from the Northwest, where they took root, prospered, and truly flourished 20 years ago.

They were once called the ‘Kings of the Northwest.’

Though it was a nickname, it was enough to show how glorious the Deng Family had been back then.

Families like the Deng Family, the Ye Family of Zhongzhou, and the Yun Clan from Tanzhou…

In their areas, they dominated so much that, 20 years ago, it was said they could block out the sky with one hand.

The Deng Family had strong regional ties, managing the entire Northwest like a tightly sealed fortress.

In recent years, societal changes had weakened these regional powers, but they were still formidable.

In the Northwest, even beggars had to follow the Deng Family’s rules.

Xu Shaochen didn’t remember ever having any dealings with the Deng Family.

Seeing him deep in thought, the secretary stood quietly, occasionally sneaking glances at Xu Shaochen.

Looking at her boss now, she thought he was still quite handsome. Much more so than those so-called celebrities.

But, word was that her boss was a notorious playboy, with many women at home.

Nonsense. How could that be called being a playboy? It was called being ‘affectionate,’ wasn’t it?

The secretary’s mind began to wander. The more she thought about it, the more her face reddened, and she subconsciously rubbed her legs together.

“Who’s here?”

Xu Shaochen asked, only to see the secretary standing there shyly. Annoyed, he raised his voice, “I asked you a question! What are you daydreaming about?”

“Ah?! I…I…”

The secretary snapped back to reality, her face turning as red as if she were about to bleed, wishing the ground would swallow her up from embarrassment.

To think she had spaced out in front of her boss and been caught. This was the most awkward situation in the whole world.

“I asked, who’s here?”

Looking at her dumb, adorable expression, Xu Shaochen wanted to scold her but didn’t have the heart.

The secretary quickly recollected herself and replied, blushing: “It’s Deng Tianquan, the head of the Deng Family’s branch in Liaocheng.”

“Do you know anything about this Deng Tianquan? Sounds like he’s a direct descendant of the Deng Family.”

Xu Shaochen frowned. In the Deng Family, the younger generation followed the ‘Tian’ character, and being the head of the Liaocheng branch, Deng Tianquan was likely a direct descendant.

In such large families, direct descendants had the right to compete for the position of family head, just like Zhao Li and Liang Huan.

Why wasn’t Deng Tianquan staying in Liaocheng, working hard to impress his elders with achievements, but instead traveling across the country to meet him?

“Well… I… Chairman, sorry!”

The secretary lowered her head, on the verge of tears. Forgive her. With her ordinary status, she really didn’t have access to any information on the Deng Family.

“Invite him in.”

Xu Shaochen waved her off. Sometimes the secretary could be slow, but her work and learning abilities were decent.

No need to be too harsh on her. After all, it wasn’t as though many ordinary people had access to information about the Deng Family.

A few minutes later, the secretary led in a man who looked about 27 or 28.

The man had a slightly portly build, short hair, and wore a suit, giving off a genial appearance.

“Mr. Xu, it’s an honor. I didn’t expect you to be even younger than the stories say. Looking at myself now, it’s quite embarrassing.”

As soon as he entered the office, Deng Tianquan quickened his steps, extending his hand to Xu Shaochen.

“Likewise. Mr. Deng, you flatter me,” Xu Shaochen shook his hand and then instructed the secretary: “Go, make us two cups of tea.”

“Please have a seat, Mr. Deng. May I ask what brings you all the way from Liaocheng to Jiangzhou to see me?”

Xu Shaochen invited Deng Tianquan to sit and immediately cut to the point.

With a smile, Deng Tianquan said, “I’ve come to Jiangzhou to explain a small misunderstanding to you, Mr. Xu.”

“A misunderstanding? Mr. Deng, what do you mean by that?”

Xu Shaochen raised an eyebrow, puzzled by Deng Tianquan’s words.

It was at this moment that the secretary came in, carrying two cups of tea, temporarily pausing the conversation.