Chapter 9: Liang Wei
Liang Family Residence, Shu City.
The entrance was built with extraordinary grandeur, and beyond the gates lay a vast estate, displaying the full might of the Liang family. Upon entering, Ye Tianci glanced around, then pressed his foot down on the ground with a hint of force.
Wang Qing immediately complained, “You’re here for negotiations, so mind your eyes and your feet. Don’t cause trouble!”
Ye Tianci ignored him.
The three followed a servant into the Liang family’s drawing room, where they sat for over half an hour, waiting in silence. No one came to greet them, not even to offer a cup of tea.
“So much for negotiations! The Liang family deliberately keeps us waiting, making things difficult for us. This is outrageous!” Wang Qing grumbled impatiently.
He was a bodyguard hired by Lin Daonan, and the Lin family’s top fighter.
Ye Tianci spoke calmly, “Just wait. There’s nothing to complain about.”
Wang Qing shot him an irritated look and snorted, “You, a cripple, think you can teach me how to behave?”
“I don’t know if you’re just young and stubborn, or if you really have something wrong with your head—cutting off Gao Hongqiang’s hand like that.”
“Let me tell you, youthful bravado is useless, and pretending to be crazy won’t scare anyone!”
Ye Tianci replied coolly, “Then what is useful?”
Wang Qing flexed his fist, wearing an expression of pride. “This. My fist!”
Ye Tianci smiled calmly, “Really? Is your fist so powerful?”
“Other people’s fists are useless. Mine, Wang Qing’s, are the real deal! I’m not boasting—the Liang family’s bodyguards are nothing but chickens and dogs. I can drop one with a single punch!”
“If they dare show off today, I’ll let them taste the power of Iron Fist Wang!”
Wang Qing was known as “Iron Fist Wang” in the underworld, having fought in underground matches for two years. His reputation was formidable—Lin Daonan wouldn’t have hired him for high pay otherwise.
Ye Tianci’s smile was serene. “Good. I look forward to your performance later.”
Wang Qing snorted, disdainful. “Ye Tianci, don’t try your sarcastic tricks. If you get beaten up, don’t beg for my help—I won’t lift a finger.”
“Enough,” Lin Qingqian interrupted, her delicate brows furrowed as she sighed. “The four great families of Shu City—Tang, Song, Qi, and Liang—each wield immense power.”
“Liang may rank last among them, but they far surpass the Lin family. With a flick of their fingers, they could wipe us out.”
“So even if they leave us waiting on purpose, what can we do?”
“Hahaha!”
No sooner had Lin Qingqian finished speaking than a burst of triumphant laughter echoed from the doorway.
A young man in splendid attire strode in, followed by the brothers Gao Hongsheng and Gao Hongqiang, as well as a dozen men dressed in tight-fitting uniforms.
Gao Hongsheng looked miserable, seated in a wheelchair, one broken arm wrapped in bandages and resting in a sling around his neck.
Gao Hongqiang’s severed hand had undergone surgery; it was stitched up, his entire arm now immobilized against his chest, and every step brought a grimace of pain.
The young man radiated confidence and arrogance—it was none other than the third son of the Liang family, Liang Wei.
Liang Wei walked over to Lin Qingqian, his greedy gaze roaming over her.
“Miss Qingqian, it seems your sense is quite sharp. You’re absolutely right—my Liang family holds a place among Shu City’s four great clans, and we do command boundless power!”
“Since you understand this, tonight, you should know what choice to make, shouldn’t you?”
As he spoke, Liang Wei reached out to hook Lin Qingqian’s delicate chin with his finger.
Lin Qingqian dodged, retorting sternly, “Liang Wei, you’re a prominent figure in Shu City. Don’t behave so crudely.”
Liang Wei gave a sinister smile, circling her. “I see, you’re pretending.”
“Pretending to be pure, pretending to be reserved.”
“Excellent. I especially like women who can pretend.”
Lin Qingqian bit her lip. “Liang Wei, I’m here representing the Lin family to negotiate with you. Show some respect.”
“How do you want to negotiate?” Liang Wei’s tone was mocking.
“The Xishan Resort is our Lin family’s most valuable asset. It was worth ten million, and now that a hot spring has been discovered, its value is even higher. You want to buy it for just one million? That’s impossible!”
Lin Qingqian spoke earnestly.
“You want to negotiate price with me? Fine. As long as you willingly lie on my bed, I’ll pay you any price you ask!”
“You—”
Lin Qingqian bit her lip hard, shocked by Liang Wei’s vulgarity.
“What’s the matter? Not willing? If you don’t want to, then there’s nothing more to talk about.”
Liang Wei gave a sneering laugh, blowing provocatively near Lin Qingqian’s ear.
Seeing her recoil in fear, Liang Wei laughed even more wantonly.
“Lin Qingqian, the truth is, my family doesn’t even care about your Lin family’s resort. I only exaggerated a few words to my father, just to get his consent and suppress you.”
“My real aim is to get you by crushing the Lin family.”
His face was full of lewdness, his eyes glinting with desire—a sight that made one’s skin crawl.
Lin Qingqian felt a chill deep in her heart, her scalp prickling.
Suddenly, Wang Qing stood up. “Young Master Liang, it’s best we sit down and talk. We came with sincerity.”
“And what are you? Do you think you’re worthy of speaking in front of me?”
Liang Wei shot Wang Qing a cold look.
Wang Qing bowed slightly, forcing a smile. “My name’s Wang Qing. Friends on the street call me ‘Iron Fist Wang.’”
“I have many connections in the underworld. Young Master Wei, give me some respect.”
“Iron Fist Wang, is it?”
“You want me to give you respect?”
“Fine.”
Liang Wei curled his lips, beckoning with a finger toward his bodyguards. “Break his mouth first, then his hands!”
Several men in tight uniforms rushed forward, quickly subduing Wang Qing.
He didn’t even get a chance to throw a punch—let alone knock out a Liang family bodyguard.
Two men pinned him down while the others took turns slapping his face.
Slap! Slap! Slap!
The sound of blows was loud and rhythmic.
“Ah! Ouch! Stop! ... Ye Tianci, help—help me!”
Wang Qing howled in pain, unable to endure any longer, and begged Ye Tianci for help.
Ye Tianci said quietly, “Weren’t you going to knock them out with a single punch? Why are you getting beaten now?”
“If you’re so capable, why ask me for help?”
Wang Qing broke down, weeping bitterly.
Soon, his lips were swollen and bruised, most of his teeth knocked out, and blood gushed from the corners of his mouth.
Liang Wei changed his signal, and the bodyguards prepared to cripple Wang Qing’s hands.
Lin Qingqian shouted, “Stop!”
Liang Wei waved his hand, and the dozen men finally retreated, leaving Wang Qing collapsed on the floor.
“Not only is Miss Lin beautiful, but she’s also kind-hearted enough to care for her servants.”
“In that case, my yearning for Miss Lin is something you’ll surely grant, won’t you?”
He emphasized one word, making it sound especially suggestive.
Lin Qingqian flushed with shame and anger.
Liang Wei laughed uproariously, his arm reaching recklessly toward Lin Qingqian’s fragrant shoulder.
Smack!
Just as Liang Wei’s filthy hand was about to touch Lin Qingqian, his wrist was seized in a firm grip by a large hand.