119: 119. Almost fell into the pit

Hong Li, if I'm not mistaken, you've been with me for six years, three months, and five days, haven't you? I believe I've treated you well; your salary and bonuses have never been withheld, and when your family had troubles, I was there to help you resolve them immediately. You also know my current situation best... Tell me, why? Why conspire with outsiders against me? Against the Xu Family?

Hong Li slowly recovered from her extreme shock and stupor, her psychological defenses completely shattered.

Her face was ashen, tears and snot mixed together as she cried incoherently, "Chairwoman Xu... I'm sorry... I really... I really didn't expect it to turn out this way... I just... I just took some money... to pass on some unimportant information... I didn't expect him... for him to kill people... even I almost... almost died, boohoo..."

Only at this moment did she truly understand how terrifying the vortex she had become entangled in was.

Xu Ting closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and when she opened them again, only determination remained.

She no longer paid attention to this pathetic traitor; there were more urgent matters at hand.

She turned to Lu Feng, her voice quick and firm, "Xiao Lu, I need to return to the Xu Family in the capital immediately! There aren't many people I can trust right now, so I'll have to trouble you to arrange a car to take me to the airport."

"Sister Xu, do you still want to go back?" Lu Feng asked, frowning.

Xu Ting's eyes were incredibly firm, even carrying a hint of desperation: "I must go back! I want to confront my Old Master Xu face-to-face and get a clear explanation! If he... if he still chooses to cover for Xu Jianfang, then from now on, I will sever all ties with the Xu Family!"

Her subtext was clear: if Old Master Xu disappointed her again, she would use all resources and means, even if it took her an entire lifetime, to completely destroy this family that was rotten to its core!

Lu Feng looked at the undeniable resolve in her eyes, nodded, and said to Yu Tianxiong next to him, "Old Yu, contact Xiao Dao, and have him bring a few people over immediately to escort Sister Xu back to the capital, ensuring her absolute safety."

"Yes, Sir!" Yu Tianxiong immediately took out his phone to make arrangements.

Xu Ting gave Lu Feng a grateful look, a thousand words unspoken... Meanwhile, in a smoke-filled living room somewhere.

Xu Jianfang angrily stubbed out his half-smoked cigar in a crystal ashtray, his eyes narrowing menacingly: "You said... it failed?"

"Yes, the target was about to get into the car, but a young man pulled her away. In just a blink of an eye, the only chance was missed. Now the police have cordoned off the scene and are investigating," a man in a suit calmly stated in front of his sofa.

Xu Jianfang frowned: "Do we only have this person?"

"Yes, we've kept him for so long, and we can guarantee he won't leak any information. Of course... he doesn't know any information either, it's just a pity it failed."

Xu Jianfang recalled the secretary's message, his brow furrowed into a 'river' character. It only had a few words: Xu Ting knows the secret of Xu Hanlin's death.

How did she know? Who leaked the secret?

But no matter what, this matter couldn't be exposed, not by anyone, which is why he didn't hesitate to have someone silence her.

"Boss, the secretary might be exposed. Do we need to send someone to bring her over?"

Xu Jianfang impatiently waved his hand, his tone dismissive: "She's just a discarded pawn. If she's exposed, she's exposed. Don't waste any more energy on such a minor character. The focus now is Xu Ting! From what I know of her, after learning the truth, she will never let it go and will likely return to the capital herself to confront Old Master Xu! She must not be allowed to arrive safely!"

A fierce glint appeared in his eyes: "You immediately arrange for people to intercept her on her way to the airport, or directly at the airport! As a last resort, abduct her and dispose of her cleanly! I want her to disappear completely!"

His subordinate nodded: "I understand. I know a local underworld figure in Jiangcheng, known as 'Sang Zhong Wei' Shen Wei. Although he's gone legitimate and runs a security company these past few years, his background isn't clean; he's notoriously greedy and ruthless. He never refuses such dirty jobs. I'll contact him now to get it done."

"Mm."

Xu Jianfang added, his voice chilling: "And while you're at it, also abduct that kid named Lu Feng who messed up my plans! He's jumped out twice now; does he really think Xu Jianfang is made of mud? Money is not an issue; as long as he can help me solve this problem, I'll give him twenty million!"

The man immediately took out his phone, found a number, and dialed it right in front of Xu Jianfang.

The phone rang for a long time before it was answered. The background was very noisy, and an extremely impatient voice yelled, "Hello?! Who is it?!"

"Sang Zhong Wei, it's me, Li Xi," Li Xi said in a deep voice.

There was a moment of silence on the other end, as if recalling the name, then the tone softened slightly: "Oh... Brother Li. What can I do for you?"

Li Xi was blunt: "I have a big job for you. Are you in?"

"Brother Li, I don't do those... big businesses anymore. The company has already transitioned..."

Li Xi interrupted him directly, throwing out the fatal bait: "Twenty million in cash, and the target should be very simple for you."

"Hiss hiss hiss!"

On the other end of the phone, there was a distinct sound of a sharp intake of breath.

Shen Wei held the phone, his eyes wide.

Twenty million!!

For his current situation, this was an astronomical sum, enough to make him take a huge risk!

He subconsciously looked back at Tian Peng and the other new employees training on the field, swallowed hard, and asked in a dry voice, "...What do you want me to do?"

Li Xi's tone was calm: "You've operated in Jiangcheng for many years, you have many methods. Help me abduct Xu Ting, the Chairman of Donghai Group, and a Jiangcheng University student named Lu Feng. I can give you ten million as a deposit first. Once it's done, the other ten million will be transferred immediately. How about it? For you, 'Sang Zhong Wei,' this shouldn't be difficult, right?"

Shen Wei's brows furrowed slightly when he heard the names "Xu Ting" and "Lu Feng."

He didn't know Lu Feng, but he knew Xu Ting, so his mind immediately calmed down.

No wonder it was so much money, the difficulty was so high. If it were in the past, he would really have the means to abduct people, but now, his men were either incorporated or disbanded. How was this simple? This was practically sending him to his death!

His previous glimmer of hope and greed instantly vanished without a trace, and his tone became unusually cold and resolute: "Brother Li, you've got the wrong person. I'm a legitimate businessman now; I've long since washed my hands of those dealings. Don't come to me for such things again!"

With that, without waiting for Li Xi's reaction, Shen Wei directly hung up the phone.

On this end, Li Xi held his phone, dumbfounded, practically unable to believe his ears!

That 'Sang Zhong Wei,' who once dared to kill and set fires for a few million and was insatiably greedy, actually refused twenty million?!

And he even said something about being a 'legitimate businessman'?

He even wondered if he had dialed the wrong number?!

Next to him, Xu Jianfang's face instantly darkened, looking like it could drip water, and he stared coldly at Li Xi: "This is who you said... a greedy, ruthless local boss who never refuses an offer?"

Li Xi's face burned, extremely embarrassed: "Boss... this... I don't know what's gotten into him! He was never like this before! He..."

"Useless!"

Xu Jianfang suddenly stood up, kicked over a nearby chair, and stormed out the door, "Can't even find a useful dog! I'll figure it out myself!"

...Tian Peng frowned at him, his tone stern: "Shen Wei! Haven't I told you that phones must be on silent or even turned off during training? Are you ignoring discipline?!"

Shen Wei, at this moment, no longer had any trace of his former domineering aura. He lowered his head, feeling wronged: "Brother Peng... I'm sorry, I'll definitely pay attention next time." To think that he, once an underground overlord, now had to follow along, shouting slogans and practicing drills here. He was truly regressing!

Just then, Tian Peng received a call. After glancing at the number, his expression immediately turned serious, and he walked aside to answer in a low voice.

A moment later, he hung up the phone, turned to face all the personnel currently training, and his sharp gaze swept over everyone: "We've received an urgent mission. I will select three of you to accompany Xiao Dao in escorting the Donghai Group Chairman to the capital..."

Upon hearing the familiar name "Donghai Group Chairwoman Xu Ting" appear again, Shen Wei was completely stunned on the spot!

An indescribable sense of relief surged through his heart.

Damn it! That was close! So damn close! He almost fell into a trap!

If he had had even a sliver of greed just now and agreed to that call... now, let alone making money, he probably wouldn't even know how he died!

He was incredibly grateful that he had made the most correct choice just now!

..."Sir, news just came from Shen Wei's side. Someone named Li Xi contacted him, offering twenty million, wanting to harm Miss Xu and... you in Jiangcheng. This person used to be in the underworld; it's unclear who is behind him," Yu Tianxiong whispered to Lu Feng, who was sitting in the back, as the atmosphere in the auction hall remained lively with continuous bidding.

Lu Feng waved his hand, calmly saying: "No need to investigate, nine times out of ten it's Xu Jianfang's doing. From the moment his secretary leaked the information, this venomous snake's retaliation was expected. His actions are quick, one move after another, but unfortunately..."

A faint sneer played on his lips: "Jiangcheng, after all, is not his home turf. His reach doesn't extend that far."

Yu Tianxiong agreed profoundly: "Indeed, there's no problem in Jiangcheng, but now Miss Xu is going to the capital, which is the Xu Family's territory..."

He hesitated for a moment, then voiced his concerns: "Sir, if I may be frank, getting involved in the Xu Family's internal strife might ultimately be a thankless task, even inviting trouble upon ourselves, and the cost-effectiveness... seems low."

Lu Feng smiled, his tone gentle: "Old Yu, Sister Xu is my first true partner and friend. In our collaboration on the Xinghai City land, she was straightforward and decisive, and she helped me a lot when I needed assistance in the early stages. Now that she's in trouble, it's only right, both emotionally and logically, for me to help."

Yu Tianxiong's expression immediately became serious, and he said, "I was narrow-minded. Sir values sentiment and loyalty."

Lu Feng waved his hand and continued: "Of course, putting aside sentiment, from a commercial strategic perspective, the Xu Family... I'm also very interested."

"Although the real estate industry is in decline, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse. The office buildings, commercial complexes, hotel groups, and so on that it holds are all high-quality assets that can continuously generate stable cash flow; they are true cash cows."

"If there's an opportunity... to incorporate the Xu Family into Tingfeng's territory. At that time, we will gain a powerful industrial platform with strong self-sustaining capabilities, which will be of extraordinary significance for our future capital operations and strategic planning."

He didn't continue, but Yu Tianxiong knew what he meant.

This was not a simple act of helping, but an... investment.

At this thought, Yu Tianxiong understood: "I understand, Sir."

"Maintain the proper balance. We'll start as friends who help in times of need. As for whether we can become something more in the future... we'll observe the situation and let things take their natural course."

...Xu Jianfang knew that the root of all problems lay in his father's attitude.

Once his father wavered, believed Xu Ting's words, and reopened the investigation, he would be in danger. So he had to completely stabilize, even control, his father before Xu Ting returned.

He rushed to the Xu Family mansion and burst directly into his father's study.

Old Master Xu was leaning back in his huanghuali armchair, eyes closed, resting. Hearing the commotion, he slowly opened his eyes.

Xu Jianfang immediately put on an anxious and indignant expression, preemptively accusing: "Dad! Something big has happened! Tingting, I don't know which insidious villain she listened to outside, but now she's adamantly claiming I killed Big Brother! She's on her way back, saying she wants to confront you personally!"

"Dad, if she makes a big fuss about this, where will the Xu Family's reputation go? Do we still care about Donghai Group's stock price? It'll completely collapse!"

He tried to use family interests and group stability to manipulate his father.

Old Master Xu lifted his eyelids, his cloudy eyes showing no ripple of emotion, only looking at him coldly, his voice hoarse and tired: "If you didn't do it, why are you panicking? What are you afraid of?"

Xu Jianfang was startled, choked by his father's words, and stammered: "No... no... why would I panic... but she's crazy now! Biting people like a madwoman! Dad, we absolutely cannot let her act so recklessly! We must control her!"

He looked at his father's old eyes, which seemed to see through people's hearts, and a strong sense of guilt surged through him.

Old Master Xu sighed deeply, as if all his strength had been drained, and murmured, "Alas... paper can't cover fire forever..."

Hearing this, Xu Jianfang's heart suddenly constricted, his pupils shrunk, and his voice changed pitch: "Dad... you... what do you mean by that?"

His heart pounded wildly, and a bad premonition arose.

Old Master Xu's eyes sharpened, staring intently at his second son, his voice filled with grief and indignation: "If it weren't for the Xu Family, I'd want to beat you, you unfilial son, to death right now! But since Tingting knows, I must give her an explanation. I will talk to her clearly!"

"Dad, you... you knew?" Xu Jianfang was incredulous and terrified.

"An explanation? Dad! What are you going to do?! Are you going to hand me over?!"

He frantically rushed to the desk, saying, "Dad! I'm your only son left! Can you bear to see me go to jail? Can you bear to see the Xu Family collapse? Without us, the Xu Family will be finished!"

Old Master Xu closed his eyes, remaining silent. Of course, he couldn't disregard the Xu Family; he would make Tingting consider the bigger picture.

But this silence only made Xu Jianfang more terrified and desperate.