Chapter 89

The next day, Su Xiaoxiao and Yezi had another day of exams, while Xiao Bing called Ye Bancheng. Ye Bancheng didn't seem surprised when he answered the call and said with a chuckle, "Xiao Bing, you must have something to say if you're calling me. Do you want me to help you contact the Marquis? You know, the Marquis isn't someone you can easily meet, and I doubt you even know how to contact him."

Xiao Bing smiled and said, "Uncle Ye, you really can see through anything. Actually, if I wanted to find out the Marquis's phone number, it would be quite easy, but that wouldn't be polite, so I have to trouble you."

"Alright, what do you plan to say to the Marquis?" Ye Bancheng asked straightforwardly. "To be honest, your performance on the stage that day was indeed shocking. With your strength, once your performance that night becomes known to the outside world, all the factions will try to win you over, even at the risk of offending the Northern Heavenly King."

Xiao Bing smiled and said, "Uncle Ye, you should understand. I have no interest in that. Otherwise, why would I be running a small noodle shop here?"

"I know, but I'm just reminding you that you'll eventually have to face some things. I'll give you the Marquis's phone number. Since you've already offended the Northern Heavenly King, it would be better if the Marquis can't avoid getting involved. Although the Northern Heavenly King is hard to deal with, it's still better to offend one less person."

Xiao Bing smiled and said, "I'm not just calling to express goodwill to the Marquis."

"Oh?" Ye Bancheng asked curiously, "Do you have other intentions?"

Xiao Bing smiled and said, "Yezi and I had a good talk before. Her opinion is the same as yours, that I need to stabilize the Marquis first to have any hope of withstanding the Northern Heavenly King's next attack."

Ye Bancheng sighed and said, "I underestimated my daughter. I always treated her like a child, but in fact, she's just as excellent as her older siblings."

Xiao Bing said, "Yes."

"Then, do you have other intentions for calling the Northern Heavenly King?"

"Exactly." Xiao Bing's eyes sparkled with wisdom and a hint of cunning. He smiled and said, "I also need to lower my stance and ask the Marquis to mediate with the Northern Heavenly King."

Ye Bancheng paused for a moment, then burst out laughing. Xiao Bing also smiled, his expression sly.

"Good, good, my daughter didn't misjudge you. Xiao Bing, you not only have courage but also strategy. You're truly someone who can accomplish great things. Just by playing this move, you're not someone ordinary. Since you want to talk to the Marquis, go ahead. I'll give you his number. His phone number is... ."

Xiao Bing wrote it down and smiled, "Thank you, Uncle Ye. I'll visit you when I have time."

"Sure, sure."

Xiao Bing hung up the phone with a smile. He knew exactly what Ye Bancheng was laughing about and why he called him cunning. Yezi's idea was for Xiao Bing to temporarily stabilize the Marquis, even show weakness, to avoid a direct confrontation. This way, when the opportunity arises, he could strike the Northern Heavenly King decisively. By then, even if the Marquis wanted to help the Northern Heavenly King, it would be too late.

Xiao Bing's plan went even further. By showing weakness and giving the Marquis enough face, he would ask the Marquis to mediate with the Northern Heavenly King. In Xiao Bing's view, the Northern Heavenly King would never let him off. When the Northern Heavenly King sees that his ace doesn't listen to him, he would surely be upset.

This might not have a significant effect, but it would at least slightly stir up the relationship between the two. Ye Bancheng clearly understood Xiao Bing's intentions, which is why he spoke those words and laughed so happily.

After hanging up, Ye Bancheng quickly called back to tell Xiao Bing that the Marquis had agreed to meet him and invited him to dinner that evening, also giving him the Marquis's address.

After thanking Ye Bancheng, Xiao Bing went to check on the construction at the noodle shop, then went shopping to select a gift for the dinner. Since the purpose was to ease the relationship, he wanted to do it thoroughly.

It was hard to determine what the Marquis liked, but that wasn't important. What mattered was that the gift had to be valuable to show sincerity. Given the Marquis's status, he wouldn't lack for gifts, but it was all about the gesture.

Xiao Bing specially went to an antique market and bought a painting for about 100,000 yuan. It wasn't particularly expensive, but for Xiao Bing's current status, it was a significant expense. People like the Marquis would understand that 100,000 yuan is nothing to a billionaire but a huge amount to an ordinary worker. As a shop owner and chef, 100,000 yuan was a significant investment, more than enough to show sincerity.

After shopping, Xiao Bing checked the time. It was about an hour's drive to the Marquis's residence, the Houwang Mansion. Leaving now was just right.

The Houwang Mansion was the residence of the Marquis in Jiangcheng. Jiangcheng had three estates: the Northern Estate where the Northern Heavenly King lived, the Western Estate where the Western Heavenly King lived, and the Ye Family Estate, the largest in Jiangcheng.

The Eastern Heavenly King, Huolian, lived in a theater he built himself. The theater didn't operate publicly; the actors performed exclusively for the Eastern Heavenly King, who often performed on stage himself, with his subordinates as the audience.

The Southern Heavenly King lived in a villa on a hillside.

As for the Marquis, as the ruler of the underground world of Jiangcheng, he didn't like living in a villa or estate. He aspired to the ancient Chinese nobility, royalty, or local officials, and his residence, the Houwang Mansion, reflected that.

When Xiao Bing arrived at the Houwang Mansion, he looked up at the golden plaque with "Houwang Mansion" written in bold, dragon-like characters, feeling a sense of grandeur and ambition, the ambition to conquer the four seas.

Xiao Bing knocked on the door, and it creaked open, revealing two servants. They looked at Xiao Bing, and one of them asked, "Mr. Xiao?"

"Yes."

"Please come in." They stepped aside, and one of them led the way. "The Marquis has prepared dinner. Please follow me, Mr. Xiao."

Xiao Bing gained a higher opinion of the Marquis. Even the gatekeepers were so well-mannered, and these people didn't show any arrogance, indicating that the Marquis was a person of great character.

This was a sign of a broad-minded and dignified person. When subordinates could maintain such an attitude, it showed the Marquis's great ambition.

The mansion was large, with guards patrolling the courtyard. The servant led Xiao Bing to the living room, where the maids, who were originally busy, stopped their work, bowed, and greeted Xiao Bing. Then, Xiao Bing was led to the dining room. At the door, the servant didn't enter but knocked and said, "Marquis, Mr. Xiao has arrived."

The door opened from the inside, and a man with glasses stood there, smiling politely at Xiao Bing. "You must be Mr. Xiao. The Marquis invites you in."

Xiao Bing smiled and nodded. Even with just a glance, he sensed a danger in the eyes of this seemingly gentle middle-aged man. Despite his friendly smile, Xiao Bing couldn't help but think of a cobra, which remains still until it strikes, delivering a fatal blow.

The Marquis sat at the head of the table, with some bodyguards and servants standing around. Xiao Bing and the man with glasses also took their seats.

The table was full of dishes and high-end liquor. The Marquis smiled and said, "We were just talking and hadn't started eating yet. You came just in time."

Xiao Bing smiled and said, "I'm glad I'm not late. This is a small token of my appreciation."

A servant came over and took the painting, putting it away for the Marquis. The Marquis smiled warmly and said, "You didn't have to bring a gift. Just coming is enough."

Xiao Bing smiled and said, "It's my first visit, and the gift isn't much, just a token of my respect."

The Marquis smiled and said, "Alright, Mr. Xiao, don't be so formal. I'll accept it. Let's eat. My chefs are top-notch, hired from the capital. Try their cooking and see what you think."

Xiao Bing picked up his chopsticks, took a bite, and chewed it, genuinely saying, "Excellent cooking. The chefs in the Marquis's mansion are truly skilled."

The Marquis smiled and said, "If you like it, have more. This level of cooking is hard to find in the entire province... This chef was originally going to be a private chef for a high-ranking official, but he did me a favor and joined my mansion. Now, his monthly income is several times what it was before, and he has a car, a house, and even his own villa... I may not have many strengths, but I have a good memory. I always remember the favors people do for me."

Of course, he also remembered the favors people didn't do for him. This subtle message was clearly a warning to Xiao Bing. He had originally intended to mediate, but Xiao Bing had refused. For someone of his status, no matter how broad-minded, face was still very important.

Since Xiao Bing had a purpose for coming today, he needed to play his role well. He glanced around, picked up the wine glass, and stood up.