Things are not what they used to be

After Xie Yaozong finished speaking, he slapped Gao Yan on the head.

"Hurry up and get on with it..."

Gao Yan stammered as he stood in front of Liu Wei, his expression showing constant struggle.

Looking at Gao Yan in front of her, seeing his nose bleeding profusely and his face swollen, and seeing his once-arrogant eyes now filled with timidity and cowardice, Liu Wei felt nothing but nausea.

"Liu Wei... I'm sorry, I was wrong today."

"Kneel down and say that!" Xie Yaozong wasn't satisfied, so he kicked him in the back of the knee.

Gao Yan swayed a couple of times, his face contorted in a grimace, then his legs gave way and his body sank to the ground.

"I don't need you to kneel!" Liu Wei suddenly took off the necklace from her neck and threw it at his feet. "I'm not going to the company anymore."

"Work is a piece of cake," Xie Yaozong said with a smile. "I'll take care of the arrangements."

After he finished speaking, he walked towards the tall figure to the side.

Just moments ago he had been arrogant and disdainful of everyone, but with each step he took, he became more submissive, until he was bowing and scraping before Zhang Yang.

"Open··"

Zhang Yang glanced at him and gave him a meaningful look.

In an instant, Xie Yaozong understood, and the "uncle" he was about to call out immediately became "Brother Zhang".

"Brother Zhang... thankfully your hands weren't dirty."

In front of such powerful figures, one must carefully read their intentions.

Take this incident for example... Given Uncle Zhang's status, he certainly wouldn't personally take action against someone like that, much less actively order them around.

Therefore, even a slight frown from him is enough for him to understand.

All around, gazes turned to that tall, imposing figure, whose handsomeness seemed otherworldly.

Guan Jiaqi and Liu Wei were both stunned.

"Let's go out for a walk," Zhang Yang said with a smile.

A gentle breeze caresses my face as I stand by the river railing.

Xie Yaozong parked his LaFerrari not far away.

Zhang Yang leaned against the riverside railing, her gaze dreamy, her boundless charm captivating all who beheld her.

"Why... why does he call you brother?" Guan Jiaqi couldn't help but ask.

"Didn't I tell you before, I'm rich..." Zhang Yang laughed casually, "When you're rich enough, he'll naturally call me brother."

"So, you're saying it's true you're talking about buying a house in Raffles?" Guan Jiaqi pressed.

"The rooftop is over a thousand square meters, so it's definitely true."

"Then... then you said you'd give me... you said that too, was that true?" Guan Jiaqi asked, somewhat embarrassed.

"What should I give you? Oh, you mean that?" Zhang Yang chuckled. "Of course, I can give you something even better."

Guan Jiaqi cheered instantly and tiptoed to hug Zhang Yang.

After hugging her, she became a little worried again.

"If I say that, will you think I'm materialistic?"

"Only those who have nothing but money worry about girls being materialistic. I have all the qualities that girls like, so what if I'm materialistic?" Zhang Yang chuckled.

Liu Wei, standing not far away, watched longingly.

He sighed deeply from time to time.

Did my best friend save the galaxy in her past life? How could she be so favored by her crush?

··

The next few days were filled with nothing but joy.

During the day, you can stroll through every street and alley in Yudu, visit natural scenic spots, and shop and browse in the most upscale shopping malls.

As night fell, high above Raffles City, the two of them, bathed in the night view of Yudu, enjoyed their intimate moments.

Guan Jiaqi once told Zhang Yang privately that although she is currently just a shop assistant at a bakery, her dream is to one day own her own bakery.

Therefore, the system also triggered a small event.

Baking rebate incident.

The scheme claims that if Guan Jiaqi works in the baking industry, she can get ten times her monthly losses back. Of course, there are a bunch of restrictions, such as not being allowed to cheat or make money through fraudulent means.

In this way, it can be considered a rather pleasant little incident.

Zhang Yang naturally gave Guan Jiaqi several million yuan to open a bakery.

Rent the best location storefront.

Buy the best baking equipment.

Hire the most professional baker/pastry chef.

Guan Jiaqi wanted to ask her best friend Liu Wei to help her, but Zhang Yang naturally let Guan Jiaqi decide for herself on such a small matter, without asking him.

In that case, Guan Jiaqi's shop can just keep losing money.

As the losses continue, Zhang Yang can occasionally use the cashback from these events to give her more financial support, ensuring her shop's longevity, with the losses increasing and the cashback increasing.

As for the possibility of accidentally making a profit?

Who cares?

As long as you're happy.

Besides, Xie Yaozong has also been quite sensible and understanding these days.

Zhang Yang realized that Xie Yaozong, who was willing to act as the eldest nephew, was practically born with a knack for fawning. He was an expert at reading people's expressions and moods. According to Xie Yaozong, it was because he was in such a family and had an older brother who was an excellent heir, that he had to learn to read people's expressions and moods. Over time, this became his skill.

Seeing how eager he was to get on the road, Zhang Yang was naturally willing to give him a hand.

In the past few days, he condescended to make a special trip to visit the small circle organized by Xie Yaozong, and took the opportunity to enjoy the worship of a group of young masters from Yudu.

Although they are just children, children will grow up in the future.

Besides, for some trivial matters, he doesn't want to get involved personally. It's much more convenient for him to just give an order and have these people handle the matter.

On the eve of his departure, Xie Yaozong specially hosted a farewell party.

Yachts on the river.

Zhang Yang lit a cigarette, watching the top-notch yacht girls that Xie Yaozong had specially found sway their hips and chat with Xie Yaozong.

"If you find life boring, you can go to Gango sometime."

"Africa?" Xie Yaozong was dumbfounded.

In his eyes, Africa was still a place rife with war and gunfire.

"You'll see when you get there. I guarantee you won't be bored," Zhang Yang said with a smile.

In his view, Xie Yaozong was simply tired of this life of extravagance and debauchery. He wanted to send him to Africa to fire some guns and cannons, let him experience the ruggedness and wildness of the place, and let him have some unbridled fun.

This naturally stimulates the release of hormones.

Bored? That's not true.

Seeing Xie Yaozong's curiosity, Zhang Yang generously shared photos and videos from that location.

Bullets rained down indiscriminately from the attack helicopter...

A herd of beasts fleeing in panic...

A mountain of guns and ammunition...

This sight made Xie Yaozong, a child raised in a greenhouse, feel his blood boil and tremble with excitement.

"Uncle, can you really do whatever you want there?"

"That depends on who it is." Zhang Yang glanced at Xie Yaozong and said with a casual smile, "Whether it works or not is up to me."

Xie Yaozong's eyes widened, as if he sensed something.

Although he couldn't quite put his finger on it, for a fleeting moment, he vaguely sensed from Uncle Zhang an unbridled sense of unbridled freedom and arbitrariness.

When he came to his senses, he realized that he was still the same person, but he felt as insignificant as a towering mountain or a vast ocean.

"Uncle, please take care of me." He subconsciously bent down and offered a glass of wine.

"No problem." Zhang Yang smiled, took the wine glass, clinked glasses with Xie Yaozong, and then casually opened a bottle of wine, spraying the liquid onto the beautiful yacht girls on the deck.

On the deck, the yacht girls swayed gracefully, their faces upturned with dreamy eyes.

Zhang Yang looked up at the lights on both sides of the river and smiled as he welcomed the summer night breeze of Yudu.

··

Leaving Yudu, the next stop is neither Magic City nor my hometown.

Rather, it Beijing.

During his time back in his home country, Zabol, far away in Gango, wielded unparalleled power throughout the nation.

The president's forces are holed up around Jinsa.

Zabol, however, openly and secretly controlled four provinces, holding the positions of Vice President and Commander-in-Chief of the National Defense Forces, effectively ruling over both military and political affairs, and wielding the most power among all factions in the country.

In addition, there have been growing calls within the Gango community to restart the presidential election.

The outside world generally has a positive view of Zabol.

Internationally, various forces are betting on Zabol, and some have even made early contact with Zabol, seemingly regarding him as a strong candidate for the future presidency.

If he comes to power, no one in Gango will dare to rebel.

Zhang Yang, as Zabol's publicly acknowledged confidant, already holds an extraordinary position.

As for how outsiders determine Zhang Yang's influence in Zabol, there are clues to follow, such as the mines under Zhang Yang control within the three provinces, and the scattered gold mines.

For example, in the last ambush targeting Zabol, Zhang Yang saved them from certain death.

For example, even without Zabol's involvement, Zhang Yang was still able to exert influence over the military and political affairs of the three provinces.

Everything about him proves his importance.

Besides inspecting the construction progress of the Huaying Film and Television Base, another important reason for this trip to Beijing was...

An official invitation was extended...

What makes a big shot is not just wealth, but also the profound influence their every move has on certain levels.

Above the clouds.

Inside the Gulfstream G650ER palace in the sky.

Zhang Yang leaned back in his seat, half-reclining on it, enjoying the time spent in the clouds.

When Yudu, his security detail was also on the same flight.

He was alone on this trip.

Or to put it another way, besides the captain, first officer, and a few flight attendants, he was the only other person on the huge plane...

"Mr. Zhang, here's your orange juice," the slender-waisted, long-legged flight attendant asked, bending down.

"Bring it to my living room later."

Zhang Yang got up, preparing to go into the living room for a short rest.

A blush immediately crossed the flight attendant's face.

The flight of a few hours flew by, and Zhang Yang didn't even feel like he had had enough before time was up.

The VIP's car landed at Beijing International Airport.

As soon as I stepped off the plane, a huge figure standing next to a Hongqi car in the distance immediately looked over.

It was Chen Zhang.

"Brother..." Chen Zhang rushed over and stopped in front of Zhang Yang.

"Long time no see," Zhang Yang said with a smile.

The two stood facing each other. Chen Zhang looked at the enormous Gulfstream G650ER in front of him, then at the figure in front of him, his expression incredibly complex.

At this moment, standing before him was Zhang Yang, a martial arts master, an extremely wealthy man, and a powerful figure who had made a name for himself in Gango and whose reputation was unparalleled.

Although he is from a truly wealthy family, it is clear that Zhang Yang and he are no longer on the same level.

In the eyes of those at the top, there are no secrets.

The many significant things Zhang Yang accomplished in Gango always shocked him whenever news of them reached China and reached his ears.

He knew that Zhang Yang's skills were nothing short of divine.

But he never dreamed that in Africa, Zhang Yang would use his skills to carve out such a position and influence, becoming a unique confidant of a presidential candidate.

"Don't you want to hug me?" Zhang Yang noticed the restraint in Chen Zhang's eyes.

Instantly, Chen Zhang felt a sense of relief and opened his arms with a smile.

"It's been a long time, brother! I'll treat you to a welcome-back dinner tonight!"

"Keep it small." Zhang Yang and Chen Zhang hugged.

"It can't be small!" Chen Zhang pulled Zhang Yang towards the car next to him. "I borrowed this car from my grandfather. Come on, please get in."

Zhang Yang glanced at the license plate.

With such a Hongqi (Red Flag) and such license plates, Chen Zhang is indeed quite generous. This kind of prestige is far more impressive than any Rolls-Royce fleet.

Inside the car, Chen Zhang couldn't hide his excitement.

"Good brother, you've done a great job in Gango!"

Zhang Yang blinked.

The thought in one's heart.

The truly important matters are completely unknown to anyone; what has been leaked is only what he wants to make public, what he wants people to know.

On the surface, he was a powerful figure in Gango's military and political circles, and an absolute confidant of the future president, Zabol.

In reality, however, he had already taken control of the four provinces of Gango. He had also laid out a plan throughout Gango, spreading his most trusted confidants among the military forces in Gango province, like seeds scattered across the sky, waiting to take root, sprout, and grow strong.

His future is set on becoming the most deeply hidden power behind Gango.

"Fortunately, it was a near-death experience," Zhang Yang said modestly. "I'm also lucky to have some martial arts skills, which allowed me to escape with my life."

"You say you know a little bit of martial arts?" Chen Zhang stared wide-eyed at Zhang Yang. "Do you know what version of the story has been circulating among us?"

"What version?!"

"Your convoy was ambushed, and it's said that only you and the vice president survived, while the enemy was an entire fully armed special forces team." Chen Zhang's voice couldn't help but rise with excitement. "You wiped them out completely unscathed with your bare hands. Your combat prowess is simply divine."

At this point, Chen Zhang couldn't help but gesticulate wildly, making Zhang Yang laugh inwardly.

"It's not that exaggerated."

"Even if it's not 100% true, it's probably 80% or 90% true," Chen Zhang said, shaking his head. "It's a good thing we're in the real world, otherwise I'd start to wonder if you're some kind of fictional Major General Azure Dragon or Yujiro Hanma from anime!"

"Your analogy is a bit off-topic; things aren't that mystical in real life," Zhang Yang chuckled.

"I have several friends in the military who have long admired your name and hope to... get to know you," Chen Zhang asked tentatively. "They are all outstanding military figures, rising stars. Of course, each one is ambitious beyond their years. It would be best if we could dampen their arrogance."

"The plot seems familiar. I hope they don't give me some kind of martial arts consultant or head combat instructor title later on?" Zhang Yang joked.

"If you're willing, not one will be missing," Chen Zhang laughed loudly.

As we chatted, the scenery outside the car window kept flashing by.

The understated yet luxurious Hongqi car, paired with its distinctive license plate, commands respect even from the most impressive vehicles.

The car drove straight to a private club in Beijing that was kept strictly secret.