Chapter 73

Song Liang's social skills are not just about adding to the good times and helping in times of need; more importantly, he knows how to utilize every available resource to achieve his goals. Despite his high social status, he is never stingy about giving others face.

For example, halfway through the dinner, Song Liang suddenly said to Li Mu, "I'll take you to the next few private rooms to toast the brothers of Wan Jun."

Li Mu naturally could not refuse. When Zhang Wan Jun heard this, he quickly joined them, and thus they led Li Mu into the other three private rooms one by one.

In each room, Song Liang would first toast the people at the table, speaking with great respect: "Brothers, I have to thank everyone today. You've all worked hard. I'll toast you all, and I'll drink first."

The gangsters at the table were flattered, feeling a great sense of vanity and admiration for Song Liang.

Then, Song Liang would push Li Mu to the front: "This is my younger brother Li Mu. If you see him in trouble in Haizhou in the future, please help him. Also, my brother has opened a Metersbonwe store at the West Gate, which will open in about twenty days. When it opens, remember to bring your friends to support him."

Li Mu, upon hearing this, realized that Song Liang's success was not by chance. This man was very smart and knew how to use people effectively. He did not pursue superficial status and face but was a complete pragmatist.

Li Mu followed suit, toasting the crowd while thanking them for their help today. He also politely invited them to support his store when it opened, promising discounts. The gangsters, who valued brotherhood, naturally agreed wholeheartedly.

On the way back to the private room, Song Liang said to Li Mu, "I have some building advertisements available in early August. They are large-scale. How about I arrange a few for you?"

Li Mu hurriedly replied, "Brother Liang, no need to trouble yourself."

"It's just sitting there idle. I never resell my ad spaces. If I don't use them, it's a waste of resources."

Li Mu tried to decline politely, but Song Liang patted his shoulder, "It's settled."

Li Mu had no choice but to nod. He then excused himself to go to the restroom to pay the bill, but the front desk told him that Song Liang had already instructed them to charge everything to his account. Li Mu had to give up.

On the way back, Li Mu learned from Song Liang that he had shares in the ecological park, which he co-owned with a few locals in Haizhou. The main purpose was not to make money but to make it convenient for hosting guests and socializing.

Song Liang dropped Li Mu and Zhao Kang off at the entrance of the Xiling Coal Mine Community. As Li Mu got out of the car, he thanked Song Liang again. Song Liang waved it off, "It's a small matter. Don't be so formal with your big brother; it makes us seem distant."

Song Liang's casual attitude made Li Mu refrain from saying more polite words.

Before leaving, Song Liang asked, "Are you going to support the guys in the semi-finals tomorrow?"

"I probably can't make it. I have too many things to do. What about you, Brother Liang?"

"I can't go either. I have a dinner with the city government tomorrow night."

"Then let's wish them success from afar in Haizhou!"

"Ha ha, good, let's wish them success from afar!"

Song Liang left, and Zhao Kang walked with Li Mu into the community, silent for a while. Suddenly, Zhao Kang said, "Xiao Mu, how do you know so many impressive people? After the meal, I almost wet my pants trying to hold my pee."

Li Mu said, "Go to the bathroom. What if you burst your bladder?"

"I didn't dare to go. They were all impressive people; I didn't dare to move."

Li Mu, with his hands in his pockets, shook his head helplessly, "Today was just a small episode. Although they are impressive in Haizhou, our horizons shouldn't be limited to such a small place. When we go to Yanjing, you'll see that there are many more impressive people. If we have to look up to every person stronger than us, our necks will break eventually."

Zhao Kang nodded, still a bit confused.

The two parted ways at the community entrance and went home. The storm of beating up the rich second generation had temporarily subsided.

...

Back home, Li Mu did not tell his parents about the incident. However, Haizhou is a small place, and news like this would spread quickly.

Fortunately, his parents were leaving Haizhou the next day to attend a training program in Wencheng for fifteen days, which would help avoid the aftermath of the incident.

He was not sure if the matter was over. If Guo Lin was not willing to let it go, he would have to continue dealing with him.

At the city hospital, Guo Yuhang's parents had been waiting in the ward for a long time.

The hysterical Zou Hua had beaten Guo Yuhang to a concussion, with punches aimed directly at his face. Guo Yuhang's nose was broken, and several teeth were knocked out, a sight too gruesome to bear.

Guo Lin did not know what had happened. He only heard from the police that his son was beaten by a gangster named Zou Hua, who was now in custody. The confession had not yet been obtained.

His wife, Xue Guilan, was sobbing, her son's face almost unrecognizable, covered in thick bandages. The doctor said he might not wake up for a while, but the chances were higher for the next day.

Guo Lin, while feeling heartbroken for his son, was also trying to comfort his wife and calling acquaintances in the police department to inquire about the situation.

However, the more he tried to comfort her, the more she cried, almost causing a scene in the ward. She sobbed and shouted, "You only have this one son. You must stand up for him. I want that guy to suffer! That bastard, how dare he hit my son? I wouldn't be satisfied even if I chopped off his hands!"

"Are you saying the police station is mine?" Guo Lin was also getting frustrated. Women's views were so ignorant, and her words were so arrogant. What good would it do? He was just a leader in a state-owned enterprise, and although he had embezzled a lot of money, he did not dare to be too bold, always worrying about being taken down by the higher-ups. How could he have the power to take someone's life?

Xue Guilan stomped her feet in anger, "What are you going to do? Let the police detain and prosecute that guy? He goes to jail for two years, but what about my son's beating? Who will we seek revenge from?"

Guo Lin's head ached, "Can you calm down for a moment? This is a hospital, not our home. The investigation isn't complete yet. I've asked the chief of the Dongguan police station, Old Chen, to keep an eye on it. The guy who beat Yuhang is in custody, and his confession will likely come out tomorrow. Old Chen will update me when he goes to work tomorrow morning."

Xue Guilan started crying and making a scene again, "I can't wait until tomorrow! Guo Lin, you useless man, your son is beaten like this, and you don't go after the culprit, making me wait until tomorrow!"

Although it was a private ward, Xue Guilan's commotion drew curious onlookers through the glass window. Guo Lin quickly pulled the curtains and pleaded with his wife, "Stop, please. Once we know what happened, I promise to make everyone involved pay. Just stay with Yuhang and wait for him to wake up, okay?"

Xue Guilan was about to protest again, but Guo Lin added, "Although the guy who did it is in custody, his confession may not be reliable. We still need to wait for Yuhang to wake up and tell us what happened, don't you think?"

Xue Guilan, with her red eyes, stared at Guo Lin, "You said it, you must keep your word!"

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