Chapter 100: Kill the Patriarch and the Yang Family Is Finished

The server set down the food and drinks, then quickly excused themself.

Qiao Canhua said to Mu Lin as he opened a box of liquor:

"Mu Xiaoyou, it's a real shame Miss Li Xue couldn't make it."

Mu Lin said, "The company has a ton of things to take care of, so she really couldn't get away."

"How is the Li Group doing now?"

Mu Lin smiled. "Everything's fine. We had a close call, but no real danger."

Lao Wang, who was nearby, respectfully added, "The Li Group has caught the eye of the genius investor Zhu Qiyu. Its future is limitless!"

Qiao Canhua didn't follow the local financial news much, so he wasn't really familiar with this.

"Is that so? Well, that's wonderful news! Congratulations!"

With that, Qiao Canhua raised his glass and called for a toast.

After the toast, everyone sat down.

Qiao Canhua continued, "I've heard of this Zhu Qiyu. He's an interesting fellow who never takes the beaten path. A normal person would probably consider investing in the Yuelong Group first, right?"

The alcohol was starting to get to Qiao Canhua, and he was bringing up a sore subject, but Mu Lin didn't seem to mind at all.

"That's right. Mr. Zhu said that the Li Group prioritizes construction quality and safety. Although its profitability is a bit lacking, its future prospects are anything but small."

General Manager Lao Wang also said, "Mr. Zhu comes here to eat often. He's not like other people. Others like to come in through the main lobby, but he prefers the side door. He also likes to invite the hostesses to the table to drink with him... It's not that he's being a creep; he just likes a lively atmosphere."

"I've had the honor of having a couple of drinks with him! He's a really great guy!"

Lao Wang recalled this while directing the server to bring out the next dishes.

"President Wang," Mu Lin said suddenly, "you're a man of great resourcefulness in the hotel business, and you run the biggest hotel in the area. You must be very knowledgeable about local affairs, right?"

Hearing Mu Lin's praise, Lao Wang quickly acted modest. "Not at all, not at all! But I was born and raised in Anhua, so of course I'm familiar with the place. If you have any questions, as long as I know the answer, I'll tell you everything."

Mu Lin narrowed his eyes and thought for a moment. "The Yang Family and the Zhou Family... what kind of families are they?"

Lao Wang exclaimed, "Mr. Mu, why do you ask? Have you had some dealings with them?"

Mu Lin said, "We've had some... interactions. I'd like to understand them in more detail."

Lao Wang said, "Besides the Yangs and the Zhous, there's also the powerful Liu Family. These three families control all the resources in Anhua City. Anyone doing business here has to pay respects to at least one of them."

"In Anhua, they're more fearsome than the Government. The Government at least has a bottom line, but if you go against the interests of the three great families, you'll face bankruptcy at best, and at worst, your family will be shattered and ruined."

Lao Wang took a deep breath and shook his head, as if trying to shake off some terrible memory.

"Sigh. To be honest with you all, I was a rich second-generation kid myself when I was young. Unfortunately, my family was careless in business and encroached on the Yang Family's territory. The very next day, my dad got into a car accident and became a high-level paraplegic. Our family's fortune declined from then on..."

Zhao Ling'Er couldn't help but cover her mouth, her eyes growing moist.

A healer's heart is a benevolent one; she couldn't bear to see others suffer.

"It's only because we're all friends at this table that I can finally get this off my chest. I've been holding it in for so long..."

Lao Wang realized he'd gotten sidetracked and quickly steered the conversation back. "Let's take them one by one! The core of the Zhou Family is the old man, Zhou Qishan. He's an incredibly deep schemer, and the Zhou Family's entire enterprise was planned out by him alone. There are people out there who hate him so much they call him an 'old bastard who won't die.'"

"As for the Yang Family, the Patriarch is a capable man. He created a spectacular business legend back in the day. In recent years, he hasn't appeared in public much, letting his son, known as Young Master Yang, handle communications. But that doesn't mean the Patriarch has no say. On the contrary, he's the supporting force behind Young Master Yang. Without him, Young Master Yang is useless."

"Regarding the Liu Family, there's not much talk about them on the street, so I don't know what their situation is."

Mu Lin mulled this over for a moment, then said slowly, "So you're saying, if we just get rid of Patriarch Yang, the Yang Family is finished?"

What?

Everyone in the private room thought they had misheard.

Lao Wang hurriedly went to the door to check the hallway. Seeing no one there, he came back and shut the door.

"Mr. Mu, you can't say things like that, especially about the three great families! It's best to let those thoughts rot in your stomach!"

Mu Lin chuckled.

"I was just talking casually. Don't take it to heart, everyone. Just pretend I said something stupid."

Lao Wang was so scared his legs were trembling; he could barely stand.

Qiao Canhua brought a stool over from the side. "Lao Wang, have a seat. We're all friends here. It's fine to sit down, no one will mind."

Lao Wang quickly said, "I've made a fool of myself! Mr. Mu's joke was just too frightening."

Mu Lin smiled. "My apologies, Manager Wang. Let me toast you. I'm young and don't know how to speak properly. Please don't take it to heart."

Now that things were out in the open, the tension eased.

Zhao Ling'Er reached out with her chopsticks and placed a piece of meat on Mu Lin's plate.

"Brother Mu, have some meat. Let's not talk about such scary things."

The others at the table exchanged glances, their eyes holding a hint of amusement.

How could they not understand what was on Zhao Ling'Er's mind?

It was written all over her face.

An idea sparked in Lao Wang's mind. He asked with a smile:

"Ling'Er, do you have a boyfriend?"

Zhao Ling'Er's pretty face flushed red, and she looked like she wanted to bury her head under the table.

"So that's a no, then? Want me to introduce you to someone?"

Qiao Canhua, who knew the inside story, quickly waved his hands. "President Wang, what are you doing? The young lady is sensitive. You insist on saying such things. If you keep this up, watch out, I won't pay the bill."

This back-and-forth managed to defuse the situation.

At the end of the meal, everyone toasted the Qiao couple, and then the party broke up.

"Brother Mu, ride with me. I'll give you a ride home."

'Would Li Xue get jealous?' Mu Lin wondered.

'Maybe, maybe not.'

'I tried explaining last time, but it wasn't very effective. She still got jealous when she got jealous.'

'Whatever, I'll just deal with it as it comes!'

"It would be rude to refuse."

Halfway through the drive, in her small Polo, Mu Lin suddenly said, "Ling'Er, stop here. I'll walk the rest of the way."

Zhao Ling'Er found this very strange. "Why, Brother Mu?"

Mu Lin sighed. "Ah, never mind. It's too late!"

At that moment, a group of men dressed in black appeared outside. Their faces were covered with masks, making them unrecognizable.

One look and you could tell they were up to no good.

"Let Mu Lin go and you can live! Otherwise, we'll kill you all!" The leader of the black-clad men wore a helmet, obscuring his face.

Divine Doctor Zhao tensed up immediately. Connecting this to Mu Lin's questions about the Zhou and Yang clans during dinner, he felt his scalp tingle with dread.

'Mu Lin has definitely run into some trouble. Life-or-death trouble.'

'Did he offend the Zhou Family or the Yang Family?'

"Ling'Er, reverse! We'll go another way!" Divine Doctor Zhao shouted.

But another group of people appeared in the rearview mirror. The two groups had the Polo completely surrounded.

"Reverse! They're all bad guys! Even if you run them over and kill them, they'd deserve it!" Divine Doctor Zhao yelled sternly.

Zhao Ling'Er did as she was told, immediately shifting into reverse. The little Polo started moving backward.

If these men in black were foolish enough to try and block the car, they would surely be knocked down.

'And it wouldn't be my fault.'

'I've always wanted to try this!' Zhao Ling'Er thought excitedly.

But unexpectedly, the men in black behind them retreated, while the ones in front advanced toward the car, and the ones on the sides quickly kept pace.

However far the Polo reversed, the encirclement shifted by the same amount with incredible speed.

It was like an inescapable net, trapping the car within, leaving it truly unable to move.

"Stop the car. I'm getting out. These people are dangerous; don't provoke them. This is my business, let me handle it myself."

Zhao Ling'Er cried out, "Brother Mu, how can you do that?! You'll be done for if you go out there!"

Mu Lin said, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. After I get out, they'll let you drive away."

Divine Doctor Zhao said, "Mu Lin, don't act on impulse! They're here for you. If you get out, you'll certainly die."

Mu Lin replied, "Not necessarily. These guys can't hurt me. On the other hand, if you don't leave, you'll just be holding me back."

The leader of the black-clad men walked to the side of the car and took off his helmet. It was the very assassin hired by Young Master Yang.

He had been lying in wait for a long time.

When Divine Doctor Zhao saw him remove his helmet, he couldn't help but snort coldly. 'This assassin is truly arrogant.'

'He's not even bothering to hide his identity.'

"Divine Doctor Zhao, get out of the car. I only want Mu Lin's life."

Divine Doctor Zhao's gaze was sharp. "If you want to take him, you'll have to kill me first! Don't think for a second I'll surrender to you!"