Solving Middle Age Crisis by Intelligence System-Chapter 377 - 254: Let’s Weigh Their True Worth (Double-Length)
"Last night, you said you had connections here. Could you help me out?" Qi Yun spoke concisely.
The person on the other end sobered up a bit, "Ran into trouble?"
"Yeah." Qi Yun didn’t hold back, "They’re threatening me through my friend."
There was a pause on the line, then the voice came again, "To what extent do you want this handled?"
"Until he kneels down and begs." Qi Yun bit down his words.
It seemed Brother Xiong had really pissed him off this time.
"Alright, I’ll personally stand by you tomorrow." The voice on the other end was casual, "He’s just a puppet; we’ll definitely sort it out for you."
"Thanks." Qi Yun replied.
After hanging up, Shi Feng approached, about to speak when a knocking sound came from outside the door.
"Knock knock knock."
Qi Yun glanced at the door, knowing Brother Xiong’s little brother had arrived, he instructed Chen Wei, "Bro Wei, give the things from the safe to the person outside."
Chen Wei nodded, went to the safe, entered the password, and took out the Buddha Head from inside.
In the hallway, a crew-cut young man, who’d been beaten in the restaurant earlier, stood outside. Upon seeing Chen Wei open the door, he instinctively shrank his neck, "Uh... the boss asked me to collect the item."
Chen Wei handed over the Buddha Head without expression, without uttering a single word.
After the underling left with the item, about two minutes later, Qi Yun dialed Lao Wai’s number.
"Wai Brother, did they leave?"
"Just left." Lao Wai sighed, knowing Qi Yun was forced to compromise because of him, he continued apologetically, "Brother, earlier I really couldn’t help it, Brother Xiong was using my wife against me, I..."
"Don’t blame yourself." Qi Yun interrupted, "This wasn’t related to you; I dragged you into this."
"Apologize to your wife for me. After handling things tomorrow, I’ll treat you both to dinner."
"Alright." Lao Wai acknowledged, having heard Brother Xiong and Qi Yun’s conversation, he cautioned, "Brother Xiong’s backed by Mr. Ji, be very careful."
He initially wanted to advise Qi Yun and the others to leave directly, but Qi Yun clearly had his plans, so he couldn’t say more.
"Sure, I’ll be careful; talk later."
After ending the call, Qi Yun returned to his chair, sat down, took out a cigarette pack, and lit one, "Nothing to worry about with Lao Wai’s side." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞
Shi Feng nodded, exhaling a deep breath, then sat up, "I heard you call for support just now?"
Qi Yun simply nodded without explaining, "They don’t see me as a person, so I have to see what they’re really made of."
The next morning, after breakfast at the hotel, Shi Feng brought two large boxes to Qi Yun’s room.
"I’m going to deliver some goods to Lao Wai. Want to come?"
Qi Yun shook his head, "You go. I’ll be heading to the airport to pick someone up."
"Alright." Shi Feng responded, carrying the boxes out.
Qi Yun checked his watch for the time, instructing Chen Wei, "Bro Wei, go rent a car from the hotel, and let’s head out."
"Okay."
...
At eleven in the morning, a flight from Beijing landed at Shanghai airport.
A middle-aged man in a suit walked out from the gate, smiling as he greeted Qi Yun.
The visitor was none other than Li Yaohua, Fu Wentao’s trusted operative.
Qi Yun had few connections in Shanghai, so after the restaurant clash with Brother Xiong yesterday, he was a bit uneasy. He called Li Yaohua to ask if there was anyone he could rely on locally.
After all, the Mr. Ji mentioned by Lao Wai held significant sway in the official circles, and he didn’t want to end up in a mess.
Li Yaohua replied with two words: "Smooth sailing!"
Qi Yun relaxed upon hearing that, explained the local trouble he encountered, and said he might need some help.
He didn’t feel embarrassed about it; relying on one’s elder brother was, after all, to have backing when needed.
"Why so tanned?" In the business car, Li Yaohua sipped water, chatting casually instead of addressing serious issues.
Qi Yun pulled out a cigarette pack, handed him one, "Yeah, went for a tour around Lop Nur a few days ago."
Li Yaohua lit up a cigarette, took a puff, and relaxedly crossed his legs, "Ah, you’re living the life, huh? I’ll probably head back to Africa by the end of the month."
"Finished with your business in Beijing?" Qi Yun asked companionably.
"Yeah, basically nothing left for me." Li Yaohua nodded, continued, "This year’s performance pressure is heavy; if you come across any good projects, make sure to think of me."
Qi Yun laughed, waved his hand, "I’m just dabbling in some small stuff, can’t compare to the projects you’re handling."
"Hey, don’t say that, even a small mosquito is meat..."
After chatting a while, they returned to the hotel.
The room next to Qi Yun, initially vacated by Chen Wei, was extended for two more days in the morning, just in time for Li Yaohua’s stay.
Inside the room, Li Yaohua washed his face, finally started on serious matters, "Later, I’ll take you to meet an old friend who can handle this matter for you."
Qi Yun nodded, "Alright."
"This is a personal connection, make sure you repay this favor later, haha." Li Yaohua joked half-seriously.
"No problem, I’ll jot it down in my little book." Qi Yun replied jokingly.
"Let’s go, it’s about time." Saying this, the two headed downstairs, and sat in the business car at the hotel entrance.
Seeing Li Yaohua empty-handed, Qi Yun grinned and said, "Looks like your relationship is solid, no need for any gifts."
"Of course, I’m straightforward; friendships are built on genuine sincerity, none of that superficial stuff." Li Yaohua took out his phone, texting, "He’s not among the most powerful here, let’s see how his move works first."
"If it doesn’t, call the boss, and I’ll take you to meet a real heavyweight; a mere puppet will kneel with just a sneeze."
This showed Li Yaohua’s smooth and measured approach.
When Qi Yun contacted him last night, he was inquiring about personal connections in Shanghai, not the Fu Family.
Thus, Li Yaohua didn’t take the liberty to report the issue to Fu Wentao, nor enlist the Fu Family’s network, but instead handled it through his personal connections.
Should future support from the Fu Family’s influence be needed, Qi Yun must first communicate with Fu Wentao, Li Yaohua wouldn’t act independently.
The car weaved through skyscrapers, drove for half an hour, and finally arrived at a discreet tea room.
Li Yaohua confidently led Qi Yun through the lobby, opening the carved wooden door of the private room on the second floor.
Inside the room, with sandalwood incense wafting, a middle-aged man in a white shirt was steeping tea with a purple clay teapot, a badge adorning his chest.
Upon hearing the commotion at the door, the middle-aged man looked up, "Yaohua, finally you’ve kept me waiting."
"Haha, traffic was a bit heavy." Li Yaohua walked in first, greeted Qi Yun to sit down, "Haven’t seen you for a while, Brother Chen; this is my friend Qi Yun."
Qi Yun greeted, extending his hand to the middle-aged man, "Hello, Brother Chen, nice to meet you. Look forward to your guidance."
Brother Chen set down the purple clay teapot, lightly shook Qi Yun’s hand, eyes scanning his face with a scrutinizing smile, "Brother Qi, you’re too kind. Yaohua’s friend is also my friend; it’s all about mutual support."
Qi Yun sensed from his aura and dress that he was likely from within the system.
A system insider saying such straightforward words implied a solid bond with Li Yaohua.
Li Yaohua chimed in, "Old Qi, Brother Chen is the most reliable; we’ve been close for many years. If you face any grievances here, speak with Brother Chen, he’ll surely back you."
"Haha, you rascal, compliments from you usually mean trouble." Brother Chen chuckled, shaking his head.
After the three took their seats, Brother Chen skillfully poured three cups of tea.
