As they walked towards the main gate of Li Hao's house, their gaze felt upon a man stood tall, his imposing figure commanding attention. His black hair was perfectly messy, framing his sharp face and accentuating his chiseled features.
He wore a loose-fitting shirt that hung effortlessly on his broad shoulders, paired with relaxed-fit pants that complemented his casual demeanor. His shoes were scuffed, but they added to his rugged charm.
A cigarette dangled from his lips, and he puffed on it with a sense of nonchalance, the smoke curling around his head.
The way he held the cigarette, the way he puffed on it, and the way he gazed into the distance all spoke of a quiet confidence and a sense of self-assurance.
He glanced at Yu Han and Yang Zi, his eyes lingering on them for a moment before he looked away, exhaling a stream of smoke.
"Here comes my entertainment source".
Shi Wang muttered to himself.
The atmosphere was tense, and the air was thick with unspoken words. Shi Wang's presence seemed to add to the complexity of the situation, leaving Yu Han and Yang Zi wondering what his role was in the events that had unfolded.
Shi Wang's eyes locked onto Yang Zi's as he took a step closer, his voice low and smooth.
"Wait," he said, his words halting Yang Zi's departure.
"Give me your contact number."
As Yang Zi frowned and ignored Shi Wang's request, a strange smile spread across Shi Wang's face. He watched them leave the house with an air of intrigue, seemingly fascinated by his indifference.
"Interesting," Shi Wang murmured to himself, his eyes fixed on Yang Zi's retreating figure.
Meanwhile, Yu Han followed Yang Zi out of the house, his mind still reeling from the events that had transpired. He glanced back at Shu Wang, noticing the enigmatic smile on his face.
"Why the hell he was asking for your contact number ?" Yu Han asked Yang Zi once they were outside.
Yang Zi shook his head. "I don't know, but I don't like it. Let's just get out of here and forget about this place."
Shi wang's gaze was lingered on the departing figure of Yu Han and Yang Zi for a moment before turning to his secretary.
"My uncle wants to have dinner at his house??" He repeated.
Shi Wang's eyes sparkled with amusement as he smirked, his plan unfolding smoothly. "Excellent," he murmured to himself, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.
His secretary, noticing the subtle change in his expression, hesitated for a moment before speaking up. "Sir, shall I confirm the dinner arrangements with Mr. Li?"
Shi Wang's smirk deepened, and he nodded. "Yes, confirm it. I'll be there. And make sure to... observe any other developments that might be relevant."
The secretary nodded and retreated, leaving Shi Wang to his thoughts. Shi Wang's eyes gleamed with calculation, his mind racing with possibilities.
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[At Yu Han and Yang Zi's home]
Both reached their home, Yu Han didn't say anything and directly paced towards his room. Yang Zi could not help and he immediately took out first aid kit and strode towards Yu Han's room.
Yu Han was lying on on the bed, with gloomy expression.
Yang Zi crouched down and took out an ointment from the kit and start applying to Yu Han's bruises, he sat quietly, offering silent support. Yu Han, lost in his thoughts, didn't protest or push Yang Zi away, allowing him to tend to his wounds.
The gentle touch and quiet presence seemed to be a balm to Yu Han's frazzled nerves, and he slowly began to relax.
Yang Zi's eyes, filled with concern and empathy, met Yu Han's occasionally, but he didn't press him to talk.
As the silence stretched between them, Yang Zi's presence became a comforting reminder that someone cared.
Yu Han's gaze drifted to Yang Zi, and for a moment, their eyes locked in a silent understanding.
After sometime, the silence was broken down by Yang Zi's words,"We should take action towards him."
Yu Han's expression turned resolute. "No, Yang Zi. Let's just drop it. I'm fine, and I don't want to stir up more trouble."
Deep down Yu Han knows how atrocious person is Li Hao, after the convience store incident and the more they intertwined with him, he will only cause harm to him and Yang Zi.
Yang Zi's brow furrowed in concern. "But they hurt you, and they could hurt others. We have to do something."
Yu Han didn't respond to him and turned his back facing away from Yang Zi's gaze.
Yang Zi's eyes searched Yu Han's face, trying to understand his reasoning.
What was driving Yu Han's reluctance to take action? He just sat there for sometime and when he realised that Yu Han is drowsy, he let him sleep without disturbance, he carefully switch off the lights and came out from his room.
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[At Mr. Li's home]
At the dinner table, Li Hao, Shi Wang, and Mr. Li sat together. The atmosphere was tense, with an undercurrent of unspoken tension between the three men. Shi Wang, seemingly uninterested in the small talk, turned to Mr. Li and asked, "Uncle, I was wondering why you invited me to dinner. What's on your mind?"
Mr. Li's expression turned serious, and he replied,
"Shi Wang, I want to discuss the deal you're working on with Mr. Korn. I'd like you to cancel it."
Shi Wang's response was immediate. "I disagree, Uncle. The deal is beneficial for our company, and I've already invested a significant amount of time and resources into it."
Mr. Li's face remained stern, but Shi Wang could sense a hint of curiosity behind his eyes. "I'm willing to make a deal with you, Shu Wang," Mr. Li said. "If you can agree to cancel the deal with Mr. Korn, I'll consider your proposal."
Shi Wang's eyes narrowed, and he seemed to be weighing his options. After a moment of silence, he spoke up. "Alright, Uncle. I'll cancel the deal... on one condition."
Mr. Li and Li Hao exchanged a glance, their curiosity piqued. "What condition?" Mr. Li asked.
Shi Wang's smile was calculated, and his eyes seemed to gleam with amusement. "I want Li Hao's Beijing branch. I want to take over the operations and manage it myself."
Li Hao's face turned red with anger, and he slammed his fist on the table. "You can't be serious, Shi Wang! The Beijing branch is one of our most profitable ventures. I'll never agree to give it up."
Mr. Li's hand shot out, and he grasped Li Hao's arm, holding him back. "Li Hao, enough. Let's hear Shi Wang out." Li Hao's anger was palpable, but he bit back his retort, his father's warning glance silencing him.
The tension at the table was thick, with Li Hao seething and Shi Wang looking triumphant. Mr. Li's expression remained neutral, but his eyes seemed to be calculating the implications of Shi Wang's proposal.
Shi Wang's smile grew wider as he leaned back in his chair, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I think it's a fair deal, don't you, Uncle?" he said, his voice dripping with confidence.
Li Hao's anger was palpable, but he bit back his retort, his father's warning glance silencing him. Mr. Li, however, seemed intrigued by Shi Wang's proposal.
"Very well, Shi Wang," Mr. Li said, his voice measured. "I'll talk to Li Hao about it later. But for now, let's enjoy our dinner."
After the dinner, they parted ways, and Shi Wang left the house, the evening air carrying the weight of unspoken tensions.
Once he was gone, Mr. Li walked over to the window, his fingers curling around a cigarette as he lit it, the flame casting a brief glow on his face.
Li Hao approached him, his voice laced with desperation.
"Mr. Li, you can't give up the Beijing branch. It's one of our most profitable ventures. I'll do anything to keep it."
Mr. Li's expression turned cold, his eyes flashing with anger. Without a word, he turned to Li Hao,and
BAMMM!!!!
his hand rising in a swift motion. The sound of his palm connecting with Li Hao's face echoed through the room, followed by the sound of Mr. Li's curses.
"You can't do anything right, Li Hao! You're always so quick to defend your own interests, but you never think about the bigger picture. You're a disappointment, Li Hao. A constant disappointment."
Li Hao stumbled backward, his face burning from the slap. He looked up at his father, tears welling up in his eyes, but Mr. Li's anger only intensified.
"Get out of my sight, Li Hao. I don't want to see you until you've learned to think about the family, not just your own selfish desires."
After being beaten by his father, Li Hao's disdain for him grew even stronger. He left his father's home and got into his car, rummaging through the glove compartment in search of a cigarette to calm his rage.
However, instead of cigarettes, his fingers closed around a packet that felt familiar. As he pulled it out, he realized it was a packet of condoms - the same ones he had mistakenly give by Yu Han.
The memory of their encounter flooded back, and he recalled the intimate moment when he had applied ointment to Yu Han's bruised face. The recollection sent a shiver down his spine, and his anger momentarily gave way to a mix of emotions.