East Lake Hotel

When they got home, Ye Lin pulled her parents over and began showing off about playing golf. Her exaggerated expressions made them burst out laughing.

"Dad, Mom, guess who I met today? Qian Zhongwen, the legendary big shot!"

Mother Ye looked at Ye Feng and asked nervously, "Xiao Feng, was Qian Zhongwen the friend you went to see today? How did you meet him? You mustn't go down the wrong path!"

Ye Feng gave Ye Lin a reproachful look and explained, "Mom, I met Brother Qian when I was buying a car. Everything he does now is legitimate business, so don't worry."

"That's right, Mom. Brother Qian was really pleasant today, refined and cultured like a professor. He wasn't at all as scary as people say," Ye Lin added.

Seeing that both her children said so, Mother Ye realized she had worried too much. The children were grown up and had ideas of their own; they would have to walk their own paths from now on.

Seeing that it was about time, Ye Feng set off for the East Lake Hotel.

The roads were clear all the way. After he parked, a young man walked over and stared at Ye Feng's car, his eyes shining.

"Bro, is that an Aston Martin One-77? It's so cool! There are only five of these in the whole country. Bro, can I take a picture?"

Looking at the young man, who acted as though they were already friends, Ye Feng generously tossed him the keys.

"Fate brought us together. Get in and take your pictures. You can take it for a spin too."

The young man thanked him over and over as he took the keys. After taking a few pictures inside the car, he started it and drove around the area.

"Bro, weren't you afraid I'd drive off with it? I have to say, this car's performance is amazing! Let me introduce myself. I'm Zhao Peng, from the Capital."

Seeing the confidence Zhao Peng exuded, Ye Feng felt that his background was certainly no ordinary one.

"Ye Feng, from Jin City."

"Brother Feng, I'll get going, then. If you come to the Capital sometime, I'll definitely treat you to a feast."

After Zhao Peng left, Ye Feng entered the hotel.

When Zhang Zhiwei saw Ye Feng appear in the private room, he laughed heartily. "Brother Ye, you're late! You'll have to drink a cup as punishment."

Qian Zhongwen chimed in from the side, "One cup won't do. It has to be three! Haha, I brought two bottles of 1976 Five-Star Moutai today. Brother, you have to drink plenty!"

Ye Feng didn't want to dampen their spirits and readily agreed. After the three sat down, the servers began bringing out the dishes.

Ye Feng filled his cup, stood up, and said to the other two, "Brothers, I'm late today, so I'll drink a cup as punishment. I'll finish mine first!"

"Good! Brother Ye, you really are straightforward. Many thanks to Old Qian and Brother Ye today. Otherwise, I would have had to sell that plot of land off cheap. I won't waste words. If you ever need me, Zhang Zhiwei, I'll never refuse. Bottoms up!"

After drinking two cups in a row, Ye Feng hurriedly ate a mouthful of food to settle his stomach. It was his first time drinking so much baijiu.

Seeing Ye Feng's discomfort, the other two slowed their drinking.

"Brother Ye, I heard from Old Qian that you'll be returning to Demon City before long. I hear the Fang Family, one of Demon City's four great families, has gone to war with the Shen Family again. Things have gotten pretty heated this time. Have you heard anything?"

Hearing Zhang Zhiwei's words, Ye Feng knew Shen Haoran had begun to act, though it was unclear whether the genius girl Shen Haoyue had made a move.

"Brother Zhang, this is the Shen Family's retaliation. They've received financial backing, and with Shen Haoyue on their side, they'll definitely bite a huge chunk of flesh out of the Fang Family this time."

"I didn't expect the Shen Family to be able to raise a sum of money, but the Fang Family is powerful. In my view, if the Shen Family can't secure more investment later, there's a strong chance the Fang Family will swallow them up." Zhang Zhiwei had spent many years in business and knew a great deal about commercial warfare, but he still didn't have high hopes for the Shen Family.

"Brother Zhang, don't worry. The Shen Family can't lose. At worst, I'll invest more in Shen Haoran. I'm also curious to see how Shen Haoyue can defeat the Fang Family."

"So it was your doing, Brother Ye. The Fang Family will have a hard time of it now, but you still need to watch out for their retaliation against you."

"Come on, you two. At such a fine time, with such a beautiful view, why are you discussing the Fang Family and the Shen Family instead of drinking and reciting poetry? Come on, let's have a drink," Qian Zhongwen said, then raised his cup and drained it.

The other two also finished a cup each. By now, Ye Feng was starting to feel the alcohol, and he greatly admired the two older men, whose complexions hadn't changed at all.

"Brother Qian, could you reserve a banquet hall at the East Lake Hotel for me the day after tomorrow? My little sister is having a celebration for her admission to school."

Qian Zhongwen smiled. "A small matter. Don't worry, Brother, I'll make sure everything is arranged for you!"

"Then many thanks, Brother Qian."

The three drank for a while longer, until Ye Feng was completely drunk. Seeing this, Qian Zhongwen arranged for him to stay at the East Lake Hotel.

At the table, Zhang Zhiwei looked at Qian Zhongwen and asked, "Old Qian, Brother Ye is no ordinary man. By a conservative estimate, he has at least 20 billion in Huaxia Currency, and it's all cash flow. He's just a little green, but he's bound to become a dragon or phoenix among men."

"Yes, that's what I saw in him too, which is why I befriended him. As for you, you got an investment from him as soon as you met."

"Old Qian, I've looked into Brother Ye too. His parents are ordinary people, and he was just an ordinary student before. Yet in the past half month, he suddenly acquired an astonishing fortune. All that money flowed in from overseas. Brother Ye's background is no ordinary one."

Qian Zhongwen stared at Zhang Zhiwei with a serious expression. "Old Zhang, let me give you a word of warning. Don't pry too deeply into other people's secrets, or you could easily bring disaster upon yourself. With Brother Ye, you just need to maintain a good relationship with him. Don't entertain any schemes. His purpose in befriending us is simply to have us look after his family. Just do that."

"Old Qian, you see things more clearly than I do. I've learned my lesson. I'll drink a cup as punishment." Zhang Zhiwei raised his cup and drained it.

The two chatted for a while, then stayed at the East Lake Hotel as well.

Morning sunlight fell across Ye Feng's face. He slowly opened his eyes, and a headache came over him. Feeling weak, he shook his head helplessly. Ye Feng tried to recall what had happened the night before, but his memories were as blurry as though the alcohol had washed over them.

He struggled to the bathroom and couldn't help smiling wryly at his pale face in the mirror. He washed his face with cold water to wake himself up a little.

After drinking a bottle of water, he returned to bed, picked up his phone and let Mother Ye know, then fell into a deep sleep again.

At the Ye home, Mother Ye was complaining about her son, while Ye Lin happily packed her things nearby. As soon as she had gotten home yesterday, she had clamored to move to the East Lake Villas. With no other choice, her parents had agreed, deciding to do some simple packing and move there first thing this morning.

"Mom, my school admission celebration is tomorrow. Have you decided where we're going?"

"You little girl, your brother just said he's already booked the East Lake Hotel for you. Happy now? Your brother spoils you too much. Hurry up and pack. I still have to tell the relatives the address for tomorrow's celebration."