Chapter 816: Everyone Is Drunk Except Me

“Damn it! That Xu better not fall into my hands, or I’ll make sure he wishes he were dead!”

After leaving the hotel, Su Zhaoming kicked the trash can beside him, clearly enraged.

“Come on, Zhaoming. Look at the bigger picture. Bowing down to Xu Shaochen isn’t shameful. In China—no, even worldwide—how many people can stand up to him?”

A young man with a crew cut and glasses tried to comfort Su Zhaoming. Inwardly, he mocked Zhaoming: ‘Stop dreaming. Xu Shaochen won’t ever fall into your hands.’

“You’re not even on the same level. If not for the Chen family incident, you wouldn’t have had the chance to interact with him in the first place.”

He scoffed at the ongoing conflict between the Su and Chen families. To him, it was a grudge spanning generations, and it was pointless.

“Can’t everyone just develop peacefully on their own? Why fight over something that has nothing to do with you? Are you all bored or something?”

Of course, he never voiced these thoughts. He didn’t dare.

He was part of the Su Family, so he couldn’t afford to have views different from theirs.

After all, being the only sober person in a world full of drunks is dangerous.

His name was Su Zhaoqun, an unremarkable direct descendant of the Su Family.

In the Su Family, he had a good reputation. Even the collateral family lines treated him with respect. To everyone, he was a never-changing ‘nice guy.’

This was why only he had dared to counsel Su Zhaoming just now. Even Zhaoming didn’t mind listening to him.

One could say Su Zhaoqun had mastered the art of human relations.

It seemed like he could get along with anyone.

“Brother Qun, I just can’t swallow this insult. I’m Su Zhaoming! In my 20-plus years of life, when have I ever been humiliated like this?”

Su Zhaoming gritted his teeth. The more he thought about it, the angrier he got.

He recalled how Xu Shaochen had splashed wine in his face the first time, then casually on the ground the second time.

Both actions were blatant insults aimed right at him.

Su Zhaoqun smiled, a glint of something unreadable in his eyes, and said softly, “Come on, you should just let it go. What else can you do? You’re not really going to retaliate, are you? Xu Shaochen’s flying to Mg Country tomorrow. You won’t get the chance.”

“Who says there’s no chance? Isn’t there still tonight?” Su Zhaoming blurted out, clenching his fists tighter.

Su Zhaoqun’s face changed. Worried, he looked at Zhaoming, saying, “Zhaoming, what do you mean by that? Don’t do anything rash. If your uncle finds out, you’ll be in deep trouble.”

“Besides, do you really think Xu Shaochen is someone to mess with? Let’s be honest, given today’s situation, what else can you do other than endure?”

“Fine, I get it! I’m not that stupid.” Su Zhaoming waved his hand impatiently. His mind, however, wasn’t on Su Zhaoqun’s advice at all.

He only fixated on one thing Su Zhaoqun had said earlier: Xu Shaochen was leaving for Mg Country tomorrow. If he missed this chance, there would be no way to get back at him.

Su Zhaoqun hesitated as if he had more to say but ultimately fell silent, giving the others a helpless glance and shaking his head.

The others exchanged equally helpless looks. They had no idea how to handle Su Zhaoming anymore.

They all felt that Su Zhaoqun was just too nice, constantly advising and comforting Zhaoming.

But no one noticed the cold, calculating smirk that briefly flickered across Su Zhaoming’s face.

……

Later that evening.

Sun Hai and Chen Dongqiu arrived.

Both had come lightly, without bodyguards.

Xu Shaochen welcomed them at the airport.

“Xu Shao, sorry to trouble you with coming to pick us up. It’s really embarrassing for us.”

Chen Dongqiu hurried forward, shaking Xu Shaochen’s hand with an apologetic smile.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m still grateful for how you handled the situation with Long.”

After the handshake, Xu Shaochen patted him on the shoulder.

Then he looked toward Sun Hai. “Brother Sun, shall we? I’ve already booked a table. Let’s eat first.”

The three got into the car and headed to a renowned Chinese restaurant in Jingcheng.

“Welcome, gentlemen. Good evening, this way please.”

“The reservation is under Xu.”

“Ah, Mr. Xu, right this way.”

After confirming their reservation, the waiter led the three to a window seat.

“You two go ahead and order.”

Xu Shaochen handed them the menu.

Neither Sun Hai nor Chen Dongqiu hesitated. They knew Xu Shaochen didn’t mind picking up the tab.

After ordering, the food and drinks arrived, and the three began eating while chatting.

Halfway through the meal, Xu Shaochen’s phone suddenly buzzed.

“Ding~”

He had a habit—one many people had nowadays—of checking his phone the moment it pinged.

He casually took it out, opened it, and found a text from an unknown number: ‘Leave now. Su Zhaoming holds a grudge over what happened this afternoon and has arranged for people to retaliate.’

Xu Shaochen didn’t react visibly but exchanged a glance with Sun Hai and Chen Dongqiu. Then he signaled the waiter over. “Is there a back door? Show me to it.”

He didn’t question whether the message was genuine. It was better to be safe than sorry.

Even if nothing happened, he wouldn’t lose anything.

“Yes, sir. Right this way.”

The waiter was momentarily stunned, but quickly recovered and led the three toward the back door.

Sun Hai and Chen Dongqiu stayed silent, following Xu Shaochen closely.

A few minutes later, the three left the restaurant through the back door.

Xu Shaochen hailed a cab and circled around to a teahouse across from the restaurant’s main entrance, keeping an eye on the door.

Within five minutes, three Toyota cars with concealed license plates pulled up at the entrance.

Seven or eight burly men wearing hats rushed out of the cars and swarmed into the restaurant.

After searching around and asking the waiter a few questions, they left as quickly as they came.

Chen Dongqiu and Sun Hai exchanged glances. Even without saying a word, they knew those men had been after Xu Shaochen.

Xu Shaochen’s face remained expressionless. He pulled out his phone and texted the number back: ‘Who are you?’

But there was no reply. When he called the number, it was out of service. There was no way to track it.

“Xu Shao, those men…”

Chen Dongqiu glanced at Xu Shaochen.

“Dead men walking.”

Xu Shaochen coldly spat out four words.

He immediately called Chen Ju and said, “One minute ago, three cars with concealed plates were parked outside the South Country Restaurant. Pull all the surveillance footage from that street. I want those men found, no matter what.”

“If they had guns, throw them into the sea to feed the fish. If not, break one of their legs.”

“Also, find out if they’re connected to someone bigger. Follow the trail and pull them out.”