Chapter 74: Demanding Wages, the Tyrant Merchant's Banquet Invitation

His gaze once again settled on Sun Peng. Upon that face, a look of melancholy lingered like autumn rain in the night, ceaseless and unending, and like the still waters of a deep pool, concealing countless waves beneath its surface.

“My old friend,” Jiang Shiren’s voice carried a hint of resignation and self-mockery, as though he were speaking to himself, perhaps confiding to the air around him. “All I did was hold back your hard-earned thirteen hundred yuan because I was short on cash. How could that drive you to such extremes—to bring in this cold-faced harbinger of doom? Is the bond between brothers really worth less than a thin stack of banknotes?”

He finished speaking and shook his head, his movements laden with complex emotions: surprise at Sun Peng’s actions, and a touch of self-reflection. Yet the matter had come to this point; regret was useless now, and he could only face it head-on.

Jiang Shiren moved swiftly, his steps urgent, as if he hoped to make up for his earlier misstep through quick action. He hurried to the side, drew two crisp thousand-yuan notes from his slightly bulging wallet, and without hesitation slipped them into Sun Peng’s trembling hand.

Sun Peng’s hand quivered, the money seeming as heavy as a thousand pounds, weighing down his heart with a mix of emotions. He gazed at the bills in his palm, disbelief flickering in his eyes, then a smile—unreal, as if conjured—slowly curled his lips. He thought to himself, “Barely a minute after stepping in, Brother Li Chao uttered just two words, and the money… is already in my hands?”

This sudden “victory” left him surprised and a little bewildered. His journey to reclaim his wages had reached its goal so easily, prompting him to ponder repeatedly: “Isn’t this… a little too simple?”

After this gesture, Jiang Shiren turned once more to face Li Chao, his face plastered with a smile meant to please. Within that smile was reverence for Li Chao’s imposing presence and relief that the matter seemed resolved.

“Mr. Li, is this acceptable?” His tone was cautious, fearful lest a word misspoken might anger this intimidating figure.

Li Chao merely gave a cold smile, devoid of warmth, as if it could freeze the air around him in an instant.

“That’s it?” His words were terse and forceful, each syllable striking Jiang Shiren’s already taut nerves like a hammer.

Hearing this, Jiang Shiren’s body involuntarily trembled, his smile freezing on his face, replaced by a nameless fear and unease. He knew well that beneath those simple words lurked Li Chao’s dissatisfaction and warning.

Jiang Shiren’s hand shook as he wiped the sweat from his brow, gritting his teeth, a look of resolve flickering in his eyes. He understood that today’s matter could not be settled merely with money, but for the sake of his own safety, he mustered his courage once more, emptied the remaining bills from his wallet, and carefully placed them on the table beside Wang Chao.

He turned to Li Chao, speaking in a tone that was both pleading and defensive: “Mr. Li, I truly didn’t know he was your friend! I admit I withheld his wages, but only because he missed work without reason, and I was following company policy. There was no malice…”

He paused, as if gathering great determination, then continued, “I’m willing to pay another ten thousand as compensation and an apology for the misunderstanding. Mr. Li, will that suffice?”

Ten thousand yuan was no small sum for any ordinary person, but for Jiang Shiren at this moment, it felt like his last lifeline.

Yet Li Chao’s reaction far exceeded his expectations. Li Chao’s eyes narrowed, his whole presence radiating unquestionable authority, and he strode slowly toward Li Fugui, each step striking a chord in Jiang Shiren’s heart. When they stood barely a foot apart, Li Chao suddenly raised his arm with lightning speed and seized Jiang Shiren’s throat.

Under Li Chao’s grip, Jiang Shiren seemed insignificant, his two-hundred-pound bulk rendered weightless, like a chick plucked up, his feet kicking in the air, his face reddening quickly from lack of breath.

“You think last night’s matter can be settled with ten thousand yuan?” Li Chao’s voice was deep and icy, each word squeezed from between his teeth, carrying a lethal chill.

“Last night?” Jiang Shiren was bewildered and terrified, not understanding at all what Li Chao was referring to. He struggled, shouting with all his might, “Last… last night… I did nothing! Mr. Li… Brother Li… let’s talk this out!”

But Li Chao’s gaze remained as cold as ice, unwavering. He stared intently at Jiang Shiren, as if to pierce through his soul, the oppressive aura nearly breaking Jiang Shiren down.

“Isn’t there some misunderstanding here?” Jiang Shiren’s voice trembled, fear and confusion flooding his eyes. His heart was in chaos, all traces of previous arrogance gone, replaced by profound panic and unease.

He began to grasp that the situation was far more complicated than he had imagined, and he might be caught in a storm beyond his control.

“Brother! I’m truly innocent!” Jiang Shiren was on the verge of tears, his hands flailing wildly in the air, trying vainly to break Li Chao’s hold.

“I’m a businessman, looking for profit, not trouble! Ever since you taught me a lesson in the village, I haven’t dared step foot there again, let alone seek revenge! Even if you lent me ten guts, I wouldn’t dare!”

Li Chao listened to Jiang Shiren’s plea, his brow twitching slightly, the pressure of his grip easing a little. He began to reassess the situation, pondering silently. Indeed, if Jiang Shiren were truly responsible, he would have fled or hidden after the failed attempt, not sat defenseless in his office.

“Could it be… I made a mistake?” Doubt flashed in Li Chao’s mind. He recalled the events of the night before and the assassination attempts against him, anger rising, but reason told him not to act on impulse.

He released Jiang Shiren’s throat, letting him fall heavily to the floor.

Jiang Shiren sat limply on the ground, gasping for air, as if he had just returned from the gates of death. He looked up at Li Chao, his eyes filled with relief at surviving, but also dread of what was yet to come.

“However,” Li Chao’s voice rang out again, laden with authority, “even if this matter has nothing to do with you, your practice of withholding wages and abusing power will not be tolerated. You must compensate Wang Chao fairly and promise never to repeat such actions.”

Jiang Shiren nodded frantically, terrified that Li Chao might change his mind and punish him again.

“Yes, yes, I’ll do as you say! Absolutely!” He scrambled to his feet, trembling as he gathered the stack of money from the table, along with the two thousand he had given Sun Peng earlier, and handed it over. “This is my compensation and apology to Wang Chao. I swear I’ll never do such things again!”

Li Chao cast him a cold glance, saying nothing more, then turned to Sun Peng and nodded, signaling he could leave.

Sun Peng looked at the money in his hands, then at the disheveled Jiang Shiren, his heart a mix of emotions. He hadn’t expected his quest for wages to be so fraught, nor for so many complications to arise.

He knew well that in this complex society, matters were rarely as simple as they seemed. Using his own resources and skills, he conducted a thorough investigation into Jiang Shiren.

He first examined Jiang Shiren’s call records, meticulously checking every number for suspicious clues, but after careful comparison and analysis, found no evidence of calls related to revenge against himself.

Then he scrutinized the company’s and Jiang Shiren’s personal financial records, knowing money often fueled conspiracies and retribution. To his surprise, Jiang Shiren’s finances appeared normal, with no unusual large expenditures or income, and no money flowing to suspicious accounts.

Lastly, Li Chao checked Jiang Shiren’s recent movements using surveillance footage and social media records, attempting to reconstruct his activities. After much effort, he found Jiang Shiren’s behavior matched his claims—since being disciplined, he had kept to himself, showing no abnormal actions.

Faced with these findings, Li Chao had to accept a disappointing conclusion: he had indeed accused Jiang Shiren wrongly, linking an unrelated assassination attempt to him.

Despite this realization, Li Chao felt no relief. He knew the real mastermind still lurked in the shadows, ready to strike again at any moment. He would have to remain vigilant, continuing his search for the truth until he found his true enemy.

Sitting in the office, Li Chao’s mood was complicated and subtle. Embarrassment aside, his mind was dominated by deep anxiety over the unknown adversary. He knew he was in danger, and every decision could mean life or death.

Yet faced with this sudden predicament, he forced himself to stay calm, determined to follow the hidden clues.

Jiang Shiren’s invitation was both a surprise and a challenge to Li Chao. He understood that businessmen value profit over sentiment, and Jiang Shiren’s warmth was likely due to his status and resources. Still, it was an opportunity—making friends meant opening new paths, and perhaps Jiang Shiren could offer useful leads or help in this critical moment.

Thus, unable to refuse, Li Chao agreed. He followed Jiang Shiren by car to Jiangnan Spring Restaurant, the most upscale venue in Kaiyuan County. Along the way, he quietly observed Jiang Shiren’s every word and gesture, hoping to catch a hint about the hidden mastermind.

But Jiang Shiren was clearly a seasoned player, his manners flawless and his words carefully chosen, leaving Li Chao with nothing to grasp.

Jiangnan Spring Restaurant stood as a three-story building on a bustling street, quietly apart from the surrounding clamor. There was no ostentatious façade, yet it exuded elegance and a retro charm that made people unconsciously slow their steps to savor its serenity and beauty.

Upon entering, a faint, delicious aroma mingled with the scent of wood greeted them, refreshing the mind instantly. Li Chao looked around—the interior was decorated with antique elegance, every piece of furniture bearing the marks of time and the artisan’s craft. He nodded quietly, gaining a measure of respect for Jiang Shiren’s taste.

The noon sun shimmered on the luxurious car bodies, turning the parking lot into a palace of pearly light. The guests passing by were impeccably dressed, their bearing unmistakably distinguished, all marked by wealth or status.

Amidst these people, Li Chao and Sun Peng’s attire appeared simple, even somewhat rustic, as though they had stepped from another world, out of place amid the opulence.

Their group walked through the carved doors, immediately struck by the scene inside. The courtyard featured winding streams and gentle bridges, as if they had entered the soft lands of the south. The corridors twisted and turned, each step echoing the rhythm of classical and modern styles entwined, the elegance and tranquility inviting them to slow down and lose themselves in the atmosphere.

Sun Peng glanced around, feeling out of place and uneasy. For him, such a high-end restaurant was unfamiliar territory; every detail spoke of luxury and refinement, making him both curious and nervous. He tried to steady his breathing, attempting to blend into the environment, but the anxiety was hard to hide.

“When it comes to business, Manager Liu really has an eye for things!” Jiang Shiren exclaimed admiringly, his tone full of respect and envy. “The decor here at Jiangnan Spring is like a work of art, unique and unforgettable. And the service is first-rate, every detail attended to perfectly.”

“In the restaurant business here in Kaiyuan County, Qingyuan Spring may claim second place, but no one would dare claim first!” Jiang Shiren spoke with pride, as if this honor belonged to him as well.

Li Chao’s brows lifted slightly, a look of inquiry in his eyes. “Who is this Manager Liu?” he asked quietly, his voice deep and commanding, hinting at his formidable presence. Clearly, this Manager Liu held a special place in the city and the industry, piquing Li Chao’s interest.

Jiang Shiren’s eyes sparkled with barely contained excitement. His words grew animated: “Who else but Kaiyuan County’s new female tycoon, Liu Lele! She’s the goddess in the hearts of countless men here!”

His tone carried boundless admiration and longing, as if just mentioning her name inspired awe.

Li Chao smiled faintly, nodding inwardly. It was her—the woman who had left a deep impression on him at the hospital. Recalling the time he treated her, a warm feeling stirred in his heart, mingled with curiosity and concern. So many days had passed; he wondered if she had recovered and been discharged.

Guided by a waitress, the three continued onward. At that moment, a tall, elegant waitress drew everyone’s gaze. She wore a perfectly tailored cheongsam, its slit cut just right, each step an interplay of classic and modern charm, attracting many admiring glances from gentlemen nearby.

“Gentlemen, are you here for a meal? Please follow me!” Her voice was gentle and melodious, as she bent slightly in a graceful gesture, leading them toward a private dining room deep within the restaurant. Her posture and manners radiated the delicate refinement of a southern woman.

Inside the private room, the scene dazzled anew. The decor was not only exceptionally tasteful but also infused with a transcendent sense of peace and harmony. In one corner, carefully cultivated bamboo swayed in the breeze, rustling softly as if telling ancient tales; the incense burners scattered around emitted a fine, curling fragrance, filling the air with tranquility; through the lattice windows, one could glimpse the carefully renovated moat, its rippling waters reflecting the blue sky and white clouds, a sight of rare beauty.

Dining in such a setting, not only were the taste buds thoroughly gratified, but even the mood seemed to be uplifted by this elegance, becoming especially serene and content.

Li Chao inwardly admired the place—Qingyuan Spring truly lived up to its reputation, every detail revealing the owner’s ingenuity and relentless pursuit of quality.