Xu Zeqing suddenly patted You Jingqiu’s hand and said to her, "Jing Qiu, go wait for me in the car first. I want to discuss something with President Li."

You Jingqiu never inquired about Xu Zeqing’s business matters. She nodded, greeted President Li, and then turned to leave.

President Li also pinched the waist of the lady companion next to him and whispered ambiguously in her ear, "Head back to the hotel first, I’ll come find you shortly."

The lady companion nodded obediently, and before leaving, she cast a seductive glance at President Li.

After the companions had left, President Li and Xu Zeqing simultaneously withdrew the smile from their faces, adopting an exploring expression towards each other.

"President Li, shall we have a chat?" Xu Zeqing proactively invited President Li to a secluded spot for a talk.

President Li replied, "What do we have to talk about? The only person worth discussing is already dead."

Upon hearing this, Xu Zeqing’s expression instantly became dark as water.

He glanced around, suddenly stepped forward towards President Li, and spoke in a warning tone, "Everyone believes my ex-wife died in a drunk driving incident, yet they don’t know that President Li was also at that party. Nor do they know that the scar on President Li’s abdomen was left on that very night."

"President Li, what do you think people would say if they learned the truth?"

President Li laughed casually, but his words were more ruthless and merciless, "And if they found out that you, Xu Zeqing, were not only heartless enough to wed a new lover soon after your ex-wife died, but also sold your woman willingly, what would they say then?"

Xu Zeqing oddly did not get angry at what was said.

If he were prone to anger, he wouldn’t have acted as he did before.

"President Li, you and I are both stained, and all that others see is merely the image we want them to see. We’ve been brothers for several years now, a deep camaraderie. The time isn’t too late, why don’t we find a place, sit down, and have a nice chat?"

Xu Zeqing was indicating to President Li that they were inextricably linked, sharing success and ruin together.

However, he still didn’t truly wish to make an enemy of President Li.

He hoped they could cooperate to protect each other’s secrets.

"Let’s have that talk then."

Xu Zeqing led President Li to the pool area where Xiahou Zuiyue previously had a conversation with President Li.

The two sat at a table under the coffee shade, Xu Zeqing took out a cigarette and lit it personally for President Li.

President Li bit the cigarette, his expression no longer as cold as before.

"Let’s hear it, what do you want from me?" Without waiting for Xu Zeqing to explain his purpose, President Li said, "Don’t try to blackmail me, I, Li Yucheng, am never one to fall for threats. If you push me, at worst we go down together, but my loss will be much smaller than yours."

Xu Zeqing replied with a strained smile, "Brother Li, why say such things, do I seem like such a person?"

President Li sneered coldly, "You don’t look like someone who would betray his wife either."

Xu Zeqing fell silent.

He suppressed his anger, took a drag from the cigarette, and calmed his emotions before saying, "President Li, are you interested in investing in Longhu Shuilan?"

Upon hearing this, President Li appeared slightly surprised.

His mind quickly deduced where the mistake originated. "Did you eavesdrop on my conversation with Mr. Xiahou?"

"I wouldn’t say eavesdrop; I just happened to overhear while using the bathroom."

"Ha." President Li mocked him, "This place is more than ten meters from that corridor. We weren’t speaking loudly, plus there was music playing in the banquet hall. Xu Mister’s hearing is indeed sharp."

Xu Zeqing’s expression turned dark, eager to erupt. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

But remembering that persuading President Li to let him join in on this investment would mean making big money alongside Mr. Xiahou, Xu Zeqing quickly calmed down.

"My company was acquired, but I could still gather some funds. President Li, there are no everlasting friends, only eternal interests. We’ve been brothers for years, we should make money together while we can."

President Li chuckled lightly, commenting dismissively, "My brothers are scattered all over Yujiang City. When a lucrative opportunity arises, brothers multiply like cattle. Xu Mister, you’re just a mere hair among them. Without you, I still have many options."

"How can our situations possibly be the same?"

This blatant disdain is something no man can endure.

Xu Zeqing clenched the cigarette in his hand, pushing his tongue against the roof of his mouth, exerting great restraint to prevent himself from erupting.

He inhaled deeply before speaking, "Tomorrow noon, Chairman Chu and Mrs. Chu will join us for lunch to discuss the marriage matters of our two children."

Upon hearing this, the disdainful expression on President Li’s face immediately vanished.