Then, Pan Dajun patiently sat down and explained a few things to his wife and son. He talked about the information he'd acquired through connections and Han Lie's current fame and capabilities. He also mentioned Han Lie's eloquence and wisdom, and the sacrifices he himself had made to survive this ordeal.

In the end, he gave a straightforward summary.

"At first glance, Han Lie's abilities may not seem enough to reach Dream City, but if you underestimate him at all, you're being naïve.

How many of the big shots in our province are regularly active in Magic Capital?

Any one of them could become the weapon Han Lie uses against us.

Those who make a name for themselves in private equity are different from real estate businessmen like me. I can only bring some GDP and fiscal revenue to the local government, while they can deliver huge personal profits directly to the big bosses!

You might think, given his age and how quickly he's risen, what powerful connections could he possibly have?

But the thing is, if he wants, he can turn anyone into a connection on the fly!

At the very least, before his downfall, there will be a bunch of heavyweights supporting, cultivating, and seeking him out.

If we ourselves didn't have any vulnerabilities, there'd be no need to fear anyone.

But are you not aware of our family's situation?

So, this cooperation must succeed; failure is not an option!

Shaohang, I'm telling you, if any mishap occurs because of you, I won't hit or scold you. But think hard: can you bear a life where our family goes bankrupt, I go to prison, and your mom has to pick through discarded vegetable leaves just to send you to college?

At that time, he might not be the one to retaliate against you directly, but can you even count how many other people will want to?"

Pan Shaohang immediately felt a chill run down his spine.

No other threat worked on him; only his current life as a rich second-generation heir was indispensable.

He was just nineteen years old, with so much he hadn't yet experienced. If someone were to take away his family's wealth now…

I'll fight you to the fucking end!

What? I can't win? Fine, I'll submit. Isn't that enough?

Shaohang instantly lost all bluster, responding in a dejected and irritated tone, "I get it… From now on, I'll avoid him like the plague. Happy?"

"Avoid my ass!"

Pan Dajun was so angry he bent over to grab a slipper, and once again, his wife threw herself into the fray.

"Don't hit him, don't hit him! He's just a child; talk to him properly!"

Exasperated that his son still didn't get it, Pan Dajun demanded, "You fucking know how formidable that guy is, and you think about hiding when you see him instead of immediately trying to mend fences?"

His wife caught on quickly, chiming in, "The gap between you and him will only grow wider, and there won't be many chances to meet. If you do run into him, you really should apologize properly. Try to start over, turn an enemy into a friend…"

Shaohang actually understood this logic but was just unable to process the shock at that moment.

So, while Pan Shaohang verbally agreed, in his heart he was thinking, Want me to suck up to that damn loser? Dream on! I'll stay as far away as possible!

「Back to the present.」

Pan Shaohang was numb.

He truly hadn't expected to hear news about Han Lie at a gathering within his own circle.

And the unluckiest part was, it was his own underling cursing Han Lie!

You couldn't expect this kind of talk never to leak out, and once Han Lie heard it… Shit! Right, Chen Yanfei is here too!

Shaohang glared at District Director Zheng hatefully. Fucking hell, you blockhead, good-for-nothing troublemaker!

But to maintain his image, he couldn't lash out and curse his own underling over just one sentence.

So, how should he smooth things over?

Pan Shaohang strained his brain, feeling it was harder than solving math problems. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

After a pause, he put on a show of composure and stammered, "Han Lie? Uh, our past issues have already been settled. Um, the guy's actually alright and respects me quite a bit. So let's, uh, not say things that hurt our camaraderie anymore, um…"

District Director Zheng was completely dumbfounded.

When had he ever seen Pan Shaohang like this?

This little tyrant usually resorted to kicking someone if he was in a good mood; verbally lashing out was routine. But now?

Wen Yu glanced at Chen Yanfei, thinking he understood Pan Shaohang's intention.

He then said with a smile, "Yeah, our Shaohang never babbles when he can act. If he finds some dumbass annoying, he'll just slap them right there. No need for behind-the-back mutterings, right?"

Pan Shaohang felt an overwhelming urge to flip a table. Go to hell, damn it! he fumed internally. Could you please stop screwing me over?!

Just as he was reeling, District Director Zheng, looking as if he'd had an epiphany, clapped his hands together.

"Right! Bro, that dumbass is here today! Just now, he was acting all dissatisfied and disrespectful towards you. Before you arrived, I was arguing with him!"

Pan Shaohang's pupils shrank to the size of pinpoints, and every muscle in his body, including his sphincter, tensed up.

"Bro, just give the word, and I'll handle him for you!"

District Director Zheng's voice seemed to come from far away, bringing a surreal haze that made it all feel utterly unreal.

No! This must be fake! Pan Shaohang was screaming madly in his heart. Yet, at that moment, Liao Miaochen also got caught up in the excitement—he dared not act, but he dared to stoke the fire.

"Yeah, Shaohang, there's gotta be some closure for past issues, right?"

Then Wen Yu interjected with feigned sincerity, "Let's not talk about getting physical; after all, we are all classmates. Just clearing things up would suffice…"