Chapter 73

The two people looked at each other, and this Peony Fairy was definitely not a weak woman!

Ye Bancheng chuckled and said, "There might have been some misunderstandings in the past, but once we talk it out, everything will be fine."

Xiao Bing retracted his gaze, smiled, and looked at Zhu Mingyu, who stood behind the Peony Fairy, and said, "We seem to have met before."

Zhu Mingyu replied, "In your store."

Xiao Bing nodded slightly and looked back at Houye.

Ye Bancheng introduced with a smile, "This is Houye, the biggest figure in our Jiangcheng. Even the mayor of Jiangcheng has to give Houye some face."

Indeed, it was so.

Houye's face wore a very amiable smile, and he even extended his hand to Xiao Bing. His hand was very clean, not at all like that of a gangster. As the saying goes, a smiling face invites no punches, and considering that Houye almost had the power to overshadow the sky in Jiangcheng, he had given Xiao Bing enough face. Naturally, Xiao Bing also extended his hand, and the two shook hands. Houye chuckled and said, "Young man, you are promising. No wonder Ye Lao holds you in such high regard. Your future is boundless!"

Xiao Bing smiled and said, "I am just the owner of a small, insignificant noodle shop. Your praise is too much."

Houye laughed and said, "If an ordinary small shop owner has the qualifications to make Ye Lao invite us here, then this small shop owner must be quite extraordinary. I heard that Mr. Xiao used to be in the military?"

"Yes."

"Where did you serve? In the political circles of Huaxia, I know quite a few people."

Xiao Bing said, "I cannot disclose that."

Houye was not angry and chuckled, "I understand, I understand."

Ye Bancheng said, "Let's stop the pleasantries and have dinner first."

Xiao Bing picked up his chopsticks and subconsciously glanced at a tall, stern man standing behind Houye. Based on Xiao Bing's observation, this man was definitely not weak.

He didn't expect that such a small city like Jiangcheng would be so full of hidden dragons and tigers. No wonder Yezi had mentioned before that Houye had the strongest martial power in the entire Hei province. It seemed to be true.

Apart from these few people, no one else was present today. Inside the hall stood over a dozen female servants, and Ye Tianming and Ye Xinyi were not there, nor was Yezi's stepmother.

Ye Bancheng was the economic pillar of Jiangcheng, and Houye was the voice of the underground world in Jiangcheng. Apart from the Party Secretary of Jiangcheng, no one in the entire city would have more power than these two Jiangcheng tycoons. It was precisely because of this that Ye Bancheng had the ability to invite Houye.

Ye Bancheng, who was hosting today, naturally wouldn't just call them all here and let them solve things on their own. He raised his glass and chuckled, "My health has just started to recover, and my family doesn't let me drink, but today the Fairy has come, and Houye has given me this face. I am happy, so let me toast everyone."

Except for Yezi and the second-rate person who was eating with his head down, Xiao Bing, the Peony Fairy, and Houye all raised their glasses. They all drank a toast, and then Ye Bancheng put down his glass and chuckled, "Let's eat, everyone. Fairy, I have heard that you are the most beautiful in the world, but I have never seen your true face. When will I have the honor of seeing your face?"

The Peony Fairy smiled lightly, and even this casual smile was very alluring. She gently flicked her hair, and even with the veil, her charm was hard to hide: "To reveal my face would disappoint Ye Lao."

Houye's eyes sparkled with wisdom, and he smiled, "Ye Lao is called Bancheng, and everyone says that half of Jiangcheng really belongs to Ye Lao. Why don't we let Ye Lao give a quarter of Jiangcheng to the Fairy? A beautiful heart moves, and the veil will naturally come off."

Everyone laughed at this.

Ye Bancheng shook his head and said, "Houye, don't joke with me. Everyone knows that the daytime in Jiangcheng belongs to the Party Secretary, and the nighttime belongs to Houye. Where is the half that belongs to me, Ye Bancheng?"

Everyone laughed again. The original theme of today was the matter between Xiao Bing and the Peony Fairy. It was thought to be very tense, but these two Jiangcheng tycoons knew their limits and understood when to advance or retreat. With just a few casual words, they made the atmosphere relaxed.

Ye Bancheng continued, "To be honest with Houye and the Fairy, Xiao Bing and our Ye family have a deep connection. He is not only my savior but also has a good relationship with my daughter, Ye Xiaoxi, as you can all see. So, this time, I invited everyone here for two reasons: one, to gather, and the other, to resolve the misunderstanding between the Fairy and Xiao Bing. I have heard about your past, and it all started because of the Xie family. But now the Xie family is no more. What is the point of continuing to make things difficult for each other? Am I right?"

Xiao Bing was surprised, "The Xie family..."

Ye Bancheng said, "Xie Lun died of a sudden heart attack, his wife was sent to a mental hospital, and his son was detained for disrupting public order. Because of these events, the stock of the Xie family's company plummeted, and all shareholders went crazy, withdrawing their shares. The Xie family is facing bankruptcy, and after my research, I plan to acquire the Xie family's company. It can be said that the history of the Xie family in Jiangcheng is over."

The Peony Fairy looked deeply at Ye Bancheng. The Xie family was a complete loser in this matter. Although the Peony Fairy was not a loser, she didn't gain much either. She received a lot of money from Xie Lun, but the Heavenly King Hall was destroyed, and she lost face. Additionally, she lost several top experts, which offset the money.

According to the previous agreement with the Xie family, the branch company in Jinsha District was to be handed over to the Peony Fairy, but the procedures were not completed before the Xie family went bankrupt. The branch company was naturally acquired by the Ye family, so the Peony Fairy ended up with nothing.

The true winners turned out to be Xiao Bing and Ye Bancheng. Xiao Bing had eliminated the Xie family, who saw him as a thorn in their side, and Ye Bancheng had swallowed the Xie family's company. Thinking about it, the Peony Fairy felt frustrated. This was the biggest loss she had ever experienced since entering the field.

Ye Bancheng looked at the Peony Fairy and Xiao Bing and smiled, "I wonder if you are willing to give me this face and let this matter end here. Let's toast to peace and harmony. What do you think?"

The Peony Fairy raised an eyebrow. She was a woman who didn't like to lose. Even though the other party was influential in Jiangcheng, she was unwilling to give this face. Unless Xiao Bing admitted defeat and restored her face, she was about to speak, but Houye suddenly chuckled, and the Peony Fairy immediately looked at him.

Today's dinner, since Houye came, naturally had the intention of mediation. What made the Peony Fairy depressed was that she could refuse Ye Bancheng's face, but she had to give Houye's face. Although she could call the shots in the northern part of Jiangcheng, the true master of the underground world was still this seemingly gentle and refined middle-aged gentleman. Despite Houye's amiable and gentle appearance, the Peony Fairy knew better than anyone how terrifying he was.

Moreover, Houye had done favors for the Four Heavenly Kings, and the Peony Fairy and the other three Heavenly Kings genuinely respected and were loyal to Houye. If Houye really wanted to mediate, she couldn't go against him.

Houye's lips curved into a faint smile, and no one knew what he was thinking. He gave the impression of the sea, clear but unfathomable. Even Xiao Bing, who had seen many things, had to admit that this seemingly refined middle-aged man was more terrifying than most people he had seen.

Houye first took a light sip of wine, then looked at Ye Bancheng and smiled, "Ye Lao is right. It's better to resolve conflicts than to hold grudges. Since Ye Lao has spoken, we should give him this face. Moreover, after meeting Xiao Bing, I feel a connection with him. Young people, it's not a big deal to make mistakes. Admit and correct them. I don't think the Peony Fairy is unreasonable. If Xiao Bing is willing to apologize to the Peony Fairy, I will decide that this matter is over. Can I make this decision, Peony?"

The Peony Fairy nodded and smiled, "Since Houye has said so, I will give this face."

After saying that, she looked at Xiao Bing.

Xiao Bing thought, this Houye is indeed not to be underestimated. With just a few simple words, he took care of all the parties involved, even considering the Peony Fairy's feelings. His meticulousness and flawless speech reminded Xiao Bing of the phrase "silent nourishment."

Ye Bancheng looked at Xiao Bing and chuckled, "Xiao Bing, since Houye has said so, apologize to the Peony Fairy. You won't lose anything. You have already destroyed the Peony Fairy's Heavenly King Hall. Toast to the Peony Fairy, and let's put this matter to rest. In the future, we will all be friends, and we can consider this as a misunderstanding. What do you think?"

Xiao Bing stood up, poured himself a full glass of wine, pushed back his chair, and walked around the table, approaching the Peony Fairy. The Peony Fairy naturally had to stand up as well.

Everyone looked at the two of them. Houye and Ye Bancheng's faces wore faint smiles, and the Peony Fairy was prepared to accept Xiao Bing's apology. However, Xiao Bing raised his glass and slowly poured the wine onto the ground between him and the Peony Fairy. The Peony Fairy's face changed, Houye frowned, and Ye Bancheng looked puzzled.

"This glass of wine is for Zhang Gui and Sakura. Today... I want their spirits to rest in peace."

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