Chapter 114: If You’re Going to Do It, Do It Completely

“Good! Very good!” Wang Yongye laughed heartily as he looked at Zhou Zhengqian. “Is this what you came out today hoping to see, playing the peacemaker?”

Zhou Zhengqian hadn’t expected Lu Feng to be so stubborn. He stood up and tried to mediate. “Lu Feng, don’t be so impulsive. Let’s talk this through properly. It’s not something that can’t be resolved.”

Su Dao’an saw things were about to fall apart and quickly poured another glass of wine. “Let me toast you, Secretary Wang. Don’t take what happened earlier to heart.”

Lu Feng grabbed Su Dao’an’s arm, threw the wine back onto the table, and turned to Wang Yongye. “When you came in, didn’t you ask who I can’t stand? I’ll tell you—people like you and the things your son does are exactly what I can’t stand!”

“Excellent! Old Zhou, you see it too. It’s not that I don’t want to give you face; they just have no intention of apologizing. Fine, then let’s fight it out. Am I, Wang Yongye, afraid of some country doctor from the mountains?” Wang said, pushing back his chair and storming out.

“Lu Feng, you’re being a bit too rash,” Zhou sighed, unsure what else to say, then walked away.

…

Wang Yongye left the Emperor Hotel and slammed the car door behind him as he sat in the backseat, still fuming.

His secretary, sitting at the wheel, quietly asked, “Did the talks go badly?”

“Talks? Hah! A brat with no respect dares to bare his teeth at me! And he says he can’t stand people like me? Who does he think he is?” Wang vented.

Usually, Wang Yongye wasn’t quick to lose his temper; he was a man of deep scheming, or he wouldn’t have risen to his current position.

But in recent days, his wife had been driving him mad, his son was a disgrace causing trouble everywhere, even ending up hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.

All these stresses combined had finally pushed him over the edge.

The secretary quickly responded, “Yes, these people really don’t know their place.”

“In a few days, have the health inspectors shut down every Yun’an Wellness Center in the district,” Wang said darkly.

The secretary frowned, “On what grounds? Yun’an has always abided by the law.”

“Figure it out yourself. Find some sanitary issue or something to close them down. If they don’t get a hard lesson, they’ll think running a wellness center means they’re somebody important!” Wang snapped.

“That might work, but health code violations aren’t under our jurisdiction,” the secretary noted.

“Then find another angle. What about illegal sales? Last time there was a rumor online about Yun’an selling prohibited items. Investigate that thoroughly,” Wang ordered.

The Political and Legal Committee oversees police, courts, and prosecutors, so they can’t handle health code matters, but they do have authority over illegal sales.

The last time Kanglong Pharmaceuticals smeared Yun’an online, they fabricated claims about illegal sales, but that was enough. It gave Wang reason to dig deeper and order reforms.

The secretary didn’t start the car yet, waiting for Wang to cool down, hoping he’d retract the order. He knew Wang’s temper flared quickly but also cooled just as fast.

A few minutes later, Wang finally calmed down and didn’t withdraw the order. Instead, in his usual tone, he said, “Tomorrow, arrange a dinner with Secretary Wu of the Health Bureau and Secretary Wei of the Industry and Commerce Bureau. Tell them I’m inviting them. Pick a quiet place.”

The secretary immediately understood. This was the beginning of a crackdown. Yun’an had gone unmolested so far because it was growing rapidly and juicy. But no powerful faction had taken it under their wing yet, as multiple forces were eyeing the prize, tacitly agreeing to divide it among themselves.

Normally, Yun’an would be carved up gently, leaving a portion for Su Dao’an to continue managing, so the whole affair would be discreet, known only to those involved.

But now, conditions had changed. The secretary sensed this time the division might get ugly.

…

After leaving the Emperor Hotel, Su Dao’an was restless. He understood the situation with Yun’an better than anyone.

Yun’an wouldn’t collapse because many big players were waiting to take a bite, but who would end up in control was uncertain.

On the way home, Su Dao’an pondered whether to send his two daughters to study in another city or abroad. As for himself, he was confident that Yun’an’s operations were sound—at worst, he might lose money, but his personal safety wasn’t a concern. His worry was for his daughters.

…

Two days after talks broke down, several Yun’an wellness centers in Haizhu District were shut down and ordered to rectify, citing the sale of illegal items and the need for in-depth investigation.

Su Dao’an began discussing with his daughters whether they were willing to study away from home.

Su Muqing was indifferent, saying she’d go wherever her older sister went.

Su Muyu, however, was conflicted. Her hesitation stemmed partly from the fact that traditional Chinese medicine couldn’t be studied abroad, and partly due to matters involving Lu Feng.

…

The Zhou family tried to mediate but failed.

Zhou Fuqu invited Lu Feng to dinner to apologize.

Lu Feng didn’t think the Zhou family owed any apology and paid little mind, but he found Zhou Fuqu’s gaze towards him somewhat strange.

…

At Dingning Café, Xia Yubing called Lu Feng out to discuss some matters.

“The deal didn’t go through. Wang Huawen’s bodyguards are extremely skilled—definitely ex-special forces. I almost got caught,” Xia said.

“Then you’re still not strong enough,” Lu Feng replied.

“Don’t talk nonsense! I was attacked by two special forces operatives—two men—and I managed to get away unharmed. That’s already pretty good,” Xia retorted.

Lu Feng sipped his coffee, not quite enjoying the taste but didn’t ask the waiter to replace it.

“Do we still need to kill them?” Xia finally asked after a long pause.

“Yes. Why wouldn’t we?” Lu Feng answered firmly.

Yun’an is a shorthand for Yunshan and Su Dao’an’s names combined. Technically, Yun’an belongs to Yunshan.

Now, with the Wang family set on taking Yun’an down, it was a direct challenge against the sect.

Moreover, though Su Muyu hadn’t formally joined the sect, the old master had instructed her to address Su Dao’an as ‘senior uncle’ when she came down the mountain, acknowledging their shared identity as Yunshan disciples.

With their sister wronged, Lu Feng, as her senior brother, must capture and execute the culprit.

Xia Yubing hadn’t expected Lu Feng to go this far and frowned. “I can’t do that job.”

“I’ll do it myself. You just cooperate,” Lu Feng said.

“That’s fine, but I need to say this upfront. I’ll cooperate fully, but those two special forces bodyguards are incredibly formidable. I’m not sure you can handle them. If something happens to you—just if—I’ll have to retreat. My brother still needs me, and I can’t afford to get hurt,” Xia explained.

“Of course,” Lu Feng nodded in agreement.

As they were talking, a man approached Lu Feng and asked, “Can I have a word with you?”

Lu Feng looked up to see Guo Yanzhi, a slightly chubby high school classmate of Zhou Fuqu.