What choice should a wise man make? Shen Shichang asked himself. The answer wasn’t difficult, so he quickly said, "Clan leader Li, our two families have no prior grievances. At first, I didn’t want to make things difficult for the Li family, but the Zhao family is too strong. As the clan chief living so close, it’s indeed inconvenient for me to make a choice!"

Another coward, thought Li Yifei. But getting a clan chief to speak to this extent wasn’t easy. Li Yifei certainly didn’t believe that Shen Shichang was of this character; it’s not easy to be the most powerful family in a province. However, seeing he was backing down, Li Yifei couldn’t push too hard either.

"In that case, Clan Leader Shen can remain a bystander," said Li Yifei.

This was exactly what Shen Shichang was waiting for. If Li Yifei had been more aggressively demanding, refusing to compromise, even if he decided to side with the Li family, it would likely have been just lip service, not sincere. After all, compared to the Li family thousands of miles away, the nearby Zhao Clan of Southern Sky was the more formidable opponent.

With a sigh of relief, Shen Shichang smiled and said, "Clan Leader Li, you are generous. The Shen family can’t do much, but... I’ll say this here today: as long as the Li family can take the project, the Shen family will ensure a smooth journey for you, guaranteeing that the port operations stay unimpeded."

Who wouldn’t add icing on the cake, thought Li Yifei, giving a faint smile as a nod.

Shen Shichang continued, "But I must remind Clan Leader Li, the Zhao Clan of Southern Sky is truly formidable. In these provinces and cities, the Zhao clan’s reputation is like diamond, while our provincial riches are merely iron!"

"Blessings or disasters come from within, wouldn’t you say?"

"In that case, I won’t say more. If Clan Leader Li isn’t in a hurry to return, I’d like to host a banquet tonight to show some local hospitality." Shen Shichang straightened up and said.

A businessman, one moment fighting to the death, the next they sit down and toast for profit, there’s no shame in it, especially for Shen Shichang.

Li Yifei shook his head and said, "Forget the dining and drinking. My wife is waiting at home. She was frightened by that bald guy last night and still feels unwell today... Speaking of which, I must remind Clan Leader Shen to strictly discipline your descendants, not to be too arrogant and provoke those they shouldn’t. Otherwise, with my capabilities, killing him on the spot last night would have been a mere flick of a finger."

"Alas, sometimes I think, let the grandchildren find their own paths, but clearly, I can’t do that. As long as I’m alive, I must restrain them." Shen Shichang sighed deeply. Perhaps this statement had 70% sincerity.

Behind him, Shen Kaifeng remembered this line, gradually gaining a high position within the family in the coming days, eventually taking over as clan chief of the Shen family decades later. Even then, he often reflected that if not for today’s encounter, which made him realize there are always stronger people, promoting kindness over harm, who knows when he might have lost his life.

As for the bald-headed Shen Kailong, of course, he wouldn’t heed Li Yifei’s words. Even after being severely punished by Shen Shichang, once released, he remained the same. Three years later, he was hacked to death at a street corner, killed on the spot, and even his head was chopped off. The Shen family did their utmost to investigate, but the perpetrator was never found. Pressuring the police led to an investigation, revealing that three to four hundred people had grievances with Shen Kailong, all potential suspects. What was the point of searching then? The case had to be dropped; Shen Kailong was eventually reduced to ashes...

With the matter tentatively settled, Li Yifei didn’t linger. However, as he rose to leave, from the moment he stood, to stepping out of the hall, he released his full might. It was the first time he unleashed his aura fully.

At that moment, most people in the Shen family estate felt an overwhelming pressure as if Mount Tai was weighing down on them. It was like an invisible boulder weighing over a thousand jins was suddenly placed on everyone’s head, making many involuntarily stoop and their legs feel heavy.

Shen Shichang and the others intended to see Li Yifei off, but upon suddenly feeling this heavy pressure, even standing was difficult for Shen Shichang, who had to hold onto a table for support, while Shen Kaifeng couldn’t even move his feet.

Heaven and earth, Shen Kaifeng always thought he was quite capable, able to exchange a few blows even with some masters, only to find himself unable to walk under Li Yifei’s aura, someone only a few years younger.

"Phew!" Once Li Yifei walked away, the pressure gradually lifted and dissipated. The few people in the hall could finally relax. Shen Shichang exhaled heavily, whispering, "Today’s events, no one is allowed to spread them. Keep it all to yourselves!"

"Yes!" Several people responded hastily.

Shen Kaifeng also breathed a long sigh of relief. If that pressure had continued a bit longer, he feared he wouldn’t have been able to keep from kneeling. He said, "Grandfather, I... I’ll help you back!"

"Kaifeng, you did well today. Be steady in the face of challenges, not arrogant. This Li Yifei is indeed capable. Remember, even when you reach a high status, in any situation, steady your actions, and maintain balance," praised Shen Shichang. Shen Kaifeng nodded quickly, "Grandfather, I remember."

"Hmm. Our Shen family cannot afford to get involved in such matters, so don’t get involved. Pass on my message: all major family members should return tonight; those in the province must be present, and those out of province should take a flight if possible!"

"Yes, Grandfather, I will notify them immediately!" Shen Kaifeng said.

Shen Shichang added, "Have this fool confined, not allowed to go out for a year, make him reflect well!" 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

The "fool" was naturally referring to Shen Kailong, but the latter did not dare to refute and could only accept his fate. After all, yesterday he almost...

How the Shen Family held their meetings or made decisions, Li Yifei didn’t know. In fact, he wasn’t afraid of the Shen Family saying one thing and doing another. So what? I’m powerful and formidable now, this was just a show of force today, a warning as well; we’re polite first, then strong. If the Shen Family insists on being stubborn, the next visit won’t be so courteous.

Shen Shichang understood this point, so he held no grievances at the moment, pressing down any he might have had, watching the Zhao Family and Li Family fight it out. After all, whoever partners with them is making money.

Li Yifei returned to the hotel. Just as he knocked, He Fangqing opened the door, and upon seeing him, embraced him.

Li Yifei pinched a round and firm spot, slapped it twice, and said, "You didn’t even ask who it was before opening the door. What if it was a bad person?"

"No way, I recognized your voice. As soon as I heard the footsteps, I knew it was you returning!" He Fangqing said.

"Goodness, you’ve turned into having dog ears now!" Li Yifei said.

He Fangqing laughed even more happily, pulling Li Yifei inside and, after he sat down, went over to massage his shoulders, asking, "Did things go smoothly?"

"It went alright, we tested each other’s waters!" Li Yifei briefly described the process. He Fangqing bit her lip and said, "Honey, did you really ruin that bald guy?"

"Why leave him be? So he can continue harming others?" Li Yifei said.

"Then let’s ruin him, with those thieving eyebrows and shifty eyes, he’s clearly not a good person!" He Fangqing said.

"He’s inherently no good!" Li Yifei held He Fangqing’s hand, resting his head in the softness, enjoying the pleasant aroma.

"With your help, things are good. It was stuck before, but once you stepped in, everything turned around. As long as the Shen Family doesn’t mess things up, it won’t be too hard to handle; we can even control the public opinion. If the government insists on choosing the Zhao Family, we’ll put it online and see what they do."

This government is at the city level rather than higher, so we’re not afraid to create a stir.

Upon hearing this, Li Yifei nodded and said, "After seeing the Shen Family, you’ll be much safer. Next, I’ll have to meet the Zhao Family. Speaking of which, I haven’t met them yet, nor do I know if Zhao Family Master is three-headed and six-armed!"

"Hehe, that’s hard to say. I heard that the master of the Zhao Family of this generation was chopped off a hand by the Japanese in his early years, or blown off. Of course, it might not be true!" He Fangqing said.

Li Yifei then said, "So, having one less hand, he shouldn’t be so combative, better to spend old age at home. Why be against us at such an age!"

"Honey, let me remind you, we’re in the south here, so we need to be discreet, otherwise, it’ll be bad if things escalate!" He Fangqing said.

"I know this, rest assured!" Li Yifei said, though his mind wandered to today’s events. He indeed stirred up quite a commotion, anyone else would’ve had the Shen Family up in arms today.

As they spoke, each felt stirred, Li Yifei deliberately leaned back, while He Fangqing warmly responded, soon giving Li Yifei a more pleasant experience...

As things got intense, suddenly footsteps were heard outside the door, not passing by, but stopped right in front of the door. Li Yifei clearly heard an awkward voice say, "1, 2, 3, open the door!"

The sound was faint, but Li Yifei heard it clearly, so he immediately released He Fangqing, pulling her clothes up while saying, "Someone’s coming in!"

This hotel is quite high-class, so only two kinds of people might enter – residents or cleaning staff. But with people already inside, He Fangqing hadn’t requested cleaning, and suddenly several people ran over from outside, wanting to come in...

Li Yifei let He Fangqing sit down, walked to the door, and as soon as there was a click, the door was opened and pushed forcefully. A few uniformed people rushed in immediately.

Seeing that people indeed rushed in, fortunately, Li Yifei was there, otherwise, she would have been frightened. But Li Yifei directly blocked the doorway, and seeing several uniformed police rushing in, he straightened his leg and kicked the one leading inside.