Chapter Two: Sincerity

Gao Tianxiong’s face was filled with incredulity. When he first fell on hard times and came to Qing City, he never imagined himself living under someone else’s roof. Now, with three companies under his name, spanning multiple industries, a net worth exceeding one hundred million, he found himself facing a brash young man who, back in the day, had been in the same class as his son—now seeking to bring him under his command...

He picked up his wine glass, gently swirling it a few times before setting it down, a wry smile playing across his lips as he pointed at the black card. “Is this your confidence?”

Five hundred million—a staggering sum, enough to elevate a person above all others, but equally capable of drawing fatal disaster.

The key lies in whether one possesses strength to match such wealth.

A man’s virtue invites envy when he bears treasures.

Due to their difference in seniority, back in Jianghai City, Gao Tianxiong and Hong Chen had little interaction. In his memory, Hong Chen had always been timid; otherwise, he wouldn’t have silently endured his son’s frequent bullying. The brashness before him now was a far cry from the boy he remembered. Had being expelled from the Su family and drifting outside for years finally allowed him to release his true self?

Still too young, ultimately too shallow.

He lit a cigarette for himself, leaned lazily back, exhaling smoke as he spoke in a low tone: “Even if Su Guoqing were to climb out from the grave and sit before me, he wouldn’t be qualified to make me serve him. Hong Chen, to put it bluntly, the inheritance Su Qinghai left you is actually a curse.”

Hong Chen merely set his wine glass down, unfazed. “It seems, Mr. Gao, you’re not satisfied with my offer. True, the numbers on a card alone aren’t enough to show sincerity. Fine, let me give you a proper gift.”

He opened his palm. “I’ve heard from my father what you built your fortune on. Even if you’re half-disabled now, I believe you still have some strength left... Please, instruct me.”

Gao Tianxiong paused, his eyes narrowing deeply as he gazed at Hong Chen’s calm face. After a moment, his lips curved in amusement. “Interesting. Su Qinghai raised quite the promising foster son. But before I instruct you, let’s see if you’re qualified. Ale, give him a few moves.”

At his command, the gray-clad young man who had been standing motionless suddenly sprang forward, lunging with a claw-shaped hand aimed at Hong Chen’s throat. The angle was cunning, combining both speed and strength.

Hong Chen’s expression didn’t change. With a simple reverse motion, he easily swatted aside the incoming hand. Then, leaning forward at an unimaginable speed, he tapped the gray-clad youth twice with his fingers—between which, at some unknown moment, a short silver needle had appeared.

The young man’s face contorted in agony; he collapsed to the floor, convulsing violently, foam frothing at his mouth as if struck by epilepsy. In moments, he slipped into unconsciousness.

Gao Tianxiong stared in shock at the scene before him, the lit cigarette falling onto his trousers without him even noticing.

“Mr. Gao, it’s your turn.”

Only when this casual reminder sounded did Gao Tianxiong snap back. Without wasting words, he was just about to spring up, when Hong Chen moved faster, rising and pressing a palm onto his shoulder.

Bang!

Gao Tianxiong’s expression changed drastically—he felt a force weighing on his shoulder as heavy as a thousand pounds, rendering him utterly immobile. In the next instant, Hong Chen pierced a needle into his chest, draining all his strength and leaving him slumped in the sofa.

Hong Chen didn’t stop there. Circling behind the sofa, he struck Gao Tianxiong’s back.

“Ugh!” With the first strike, Gao Tianxiong’s face flushed crimson; the second, it turned purple; the third, he spat out a mouthful of blood—not bright red, but black.

He wasn’t done yet—another mouthful, and another...

Only after the final mouthful, when the blood turned bright red, did Hong Chen stop. He inserted a few more needles into Gao Tianxiong, then returned to his seat.

Gao Tianxiong’s face was deathly pale, sweat beading and trickling down his forehead as he gasped for breath. After a long while, he finally exhaled the last bit of stale air and, unable to help himself, murmured, “Ah... that’s relief.”

“My internal injury?” He stared at Hong Chen, his eyes both excited and apprehensive. Years ago, during a fight, his diaphragm had been severely damaged. He’d seen over a dozen doctors, none able to help. Eventually, an old physician provided a prescription that only slowed the deterioration. Over the years, the accumulated blood worsened, and as Hong Chen had said, he had become a half-cripple.

Now, the stagnated blood inside his diaphragm seemed to have vanished, replaced by a long-lost sense of ease and vigor. It felt as if he’d been reborn.

Hong Chen nodded with a smile. “Congratulations.”

He continued, “If this gift still isn’t sincere enough, I don’t mind adding more. If you want to return to Jianghai City and crush the Long family beneath your feet, follow me.”

That single sentence stirred Gao Tianxiong’s deep-seated hatred. He was a native of Jianghai City—forced to leave his hometown with his family, all thanks to the Long family.

“The capable deserve respect. From now on, you’re my boss. I’m with you.” Gao Tianxiong took a deep breath, raised his glass, and drained it in one go.

It had taken only a single move to subdue him, mere minutes to cure his years-old ailment—his life and death were now in Hong Chen’s hands. Add to that the five hundred million in capital and the vision of trampling the Long family.

Hong Chen had shown both benevolence and power, displaying strength and sincerity that left Gao Tianxiong with no resistance to surrender.

“A lurking tiger, a hidden dragon,” at this moment, Gao Tianxiong gave Hong Chen a brand-new definition in his heart. He recalled, during his business rivalry with Su Qinghai years ago, nearly crossing certain lines but ultimately keeping to his principles. He also thought of his son, who, after losing business to Su Qinghai, had several times threatened to use unsavory means against Hong Chen, only to be sternly forbidden by him. Cold sweat broke out on his back as he realized his good fortune.

“In Jianghai City, everyone used to call me Young Master Chen. Let’s keep that title from now on.” Hong Chen raised his glass in salute, drinking every last drop.

“Let me make it clear—I do not tolerate betrayal. Just once, and I’ll erase you from this world—your whole family.”

Gao Tianxiong’s expression grew solemn. “Rest assured, Young Master Chen. I’m no saint, but betrayal is something I’d rather die than do.”

Hong Chen smiled. “Do you know why I chose you?”

Without waiting for a reply, he continued, “My father said you’re not a good man, but you have principles. You’re ambitious, but you know how to win and lose with dignity. I trust my father’s judgment.”

Gao Tianxiong was deeply moved, though he said nothing aloud.

“I’m the man behind Hongcheng Group. For now, let’s keep this between us. Also, I need you to investigate something quietly for me.” Hong Chen produced a slip of paper and handed it over. Gao Tianxiong glanced at it, inwardly thinking, “Just as I expected.”

The list was entirely focused on the Su family—over twenty items, detailed and thorough, covering past and present. Together, they could piece together the Su family’s upheaval and the truth behind Su Qinghai and his wife’s deaths by poison.

Gao Tianxiong agreed, hesitated, then said, “I wasn’t in Jianghai City when the Su family changed, so I don’t know much, but I’ve heard some rumors. It’s best I investigate thoroughly first before reporting, so I don’t mislead you with assumptions.”

Hong Chen nodded in consent. After discussing plans for company operations, he produced a silver needle with a sleight of hand, pricking each of the unconscious managers, including Mr. Luo, one by one, leaving behind a light remark as he exited the private room.

“They’ll wake up in about a minute.”

Sure enough, within a minute—give or take three seconds—Mr. Luo and the others awoke as if from a deep dream. Gao Tianxiong watched, expressionless, but inwardly shaken.

...

A day later, Hongcheng Group was founded, with Gao Tianxiong appointed president. He merged his entertainment, agency, and trading companies into the group. After staff adjustments, average salaries increased by twenty percent, and over two hundred job openings were announced.

The following day, Gao Tianxiong personally visited two mid-sized entertainment companies in Qing City, holding private talks with their presidents for about an hour each. Soon after, both companies announced their acceptance of Hongcheng Group’s acquisition, with their clubs and KTVs renamed “Paradise.”

On the third day, Hongcheng Group held a press conference, announcing two major business moves: first, besides acquiring two clubs and four KTVs, Paradise Bar would open a flagship store and three branches, all located in prime Qing City areas, with a total investment exceeding two hundred million; second, they would inject three hundred million into a West District mall project under construction, taking a sixty-three percent stake.

With these bold moves, Hongcheng Group instantly became the focal point of Qing City’s business world. Many families grew restless, for everyone knew that any project worth over a hundred million could never be handled by a single company alone. Everyone wanted a share.