Chapter 22: Do You Regret It?

"Sister, have you ever thought about becoming the number one figure in the Jiangcheng underworld?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhenhua’s eyes brightened. He felt even more certain that he had chosen the right person to follow. While it might not seem very masculine to work under a woman, what if that woman were the top authority in the Jiangcheng underworld? Currently, many people mocked Liu Zhenhua, but if Zhang Qi’s status were to rise, who would dare to laugh at him then?

Zhang Qi shook her head. "Little brother, I just want to hold onto my little patch of ground and have enough to eat. That’s all."

"Sister, in this world, you don't always get to choose your path. Just because you don't want trouble doesn't mean trouble won't come looking for you." Tang Xuan pointed toward Liu Zhenhua. "Isn't he a prime example? Unless your status is so high that no one dares to provoke you, you’ll always be vulnerable."

Being used as a negative example left Liu Zhenhua feeling both amused and frustrated. Zhang Qi was no fool; she understood this simple logic. However, she had very few options if she wanted to elevate her status. Building a path through her own efforts alone was nearly impossible because everyone else had powerful backers, and she did not. The only way to break through was to attach herself to the Li family or the Sun family, becoming someone else's pawn. She had already tried with the Li family, but Li Meng didn't even consider her worth his attention. As for the Sun family, they already had their own people in the underworld and certainly wouldn't groom a woman.

"Little brother, you don't fully understand the situation in Jiangcheng. It’s not as simple as me wanting to climb higher and just doing it."

Tang Xuan pointed at himself. "Don't you still have your little brother? I can help you solve any trouble."

"Forget it, forget it." Zhang Qi waved her hand. "Let's eat, let's eat. Let's not talk about such disappointing topics." She didn't want to burden Tang Xuan, nor did she believe he possessed such capability. She was already deeply grateful for his help with the Liu Zhenhua situation, but he was still so young—how could he possibly deal with major families like the Lis and the Suns?

Just then, both Zhang Qi’s and Liu Zhenhua’s phones rang simultaneously. After answering, their expressions changed drastically.

"Li Qin is dead!"
"Li Qin is dead!"

They spoke in unison, filled with disbelief. Just moments ago, the Li family had issued an obituary stating that Li Qin had passed away due to illness.

This news instantly sent all of Jiangcheng into an uproar. Everyone in the city knew that Li Qin had been crippled, but he was merely disabled; this sudden news of his death was hard to fathom.

"Li Qin actually died!"
"How could he have died so suddenly?"

Zhang Qi said with a grave expression, "This is very strange. Even if Li Qin were truly dead, Li Meng shouldn't be releasing an obituary at a time like this."

Tang Xuan asked curiously, "Why?"

Zhang Qi explained, "The Li and Sun families have been locked in a stalemate for years, and that balance has relied entirely on Li Qin being alive. Once the Sun family knows Li Qin is dead, they will inevitably strike while the iron is hot. Since losing his legs, Li Qin hasn't left the Li residence in years. Even if he were dead, no one would know as long as the Li family kept it quiet. The balance between the two families would have continued, but now, Li Meng has shattered it with his own hands."

Zhang Qi was completely bewildered; she couldn't fathom why Li Meng would do such a thing.

Liu Zhenhua said with a dark face, "Li Meng isn't a fool. He must have his own plans. He would never sit by and watch the Sun family destroy the Li family."

"But what could those plans be? Does he have an even greater backer, someone who can make him fear nothing from the Sun family?"

Zhang Qi asserted, "Impossible. Who in all of Jiangcheng could suppress the Sun family?"

"It looks like Jiangcheng is about to descend into chaos," Tang Xuan said with a smile. "Sister, this is exactly your opportunity. Heroes are forged in troubled times."

Zhang Qi quickly shook her head. "I don't want to become a sacrifice in the power struggle between major families. It's better not to get involved."

Tang Xuan patted his chest. "Don't you still have me?"

Although Liu Zhenhua knew Tang Xuan held a certain level of status, he didn't believe Tang Xuan had the qualifications to intervene in a conflict between such powerful families. "Little brother, I don't mean to dampen your spirits, but this isn't the kind of affair we are qualified to meddle in."

After the meal, Zhang Qi took Tang Xuan to her nightclub.

Meanwhile, the three Huang brothers had also received the news. The three were ecstatic. In their view, Li Qin’s death must have been an accident caused by Tang Xuan’s treatment.

"A miracle doctor? What a joke. He killed Li Qin—what kind of miracle doctor is that?"
"That guy is definitely finished. By killing Li Qin, he has only one path left: death."
"Does it even need to be said? He must be dead already."

The excitement on the brothers' faces was undisguised.

"If that's the case, the old man has no way out either!"
"Great! Once the old geezer is dead, our status in the Huang family will be secure."
"Hahahaha, that bitch Huang Ying thought she could change her destiny by finding a miracle doctor. I wonder if she’s regretting it now."
"Prepare for the old man's funeral. Even though he left the Huang family, as his sons, we should give him a grand send-off."

Huang Tianyang took out his phone and dialed Huang Ying’s number. "Li Qin is dead, and your miracle doctor is finished, hahahahaha."

Huang Ying sneered; she couldn't believe how foolish the Huang family could be. "Did you forget? I already told you Li Qin was dead."

Huang Tianyang replied, "That’s not the same thing. You were just making up stories to trick us; the fact is that Li Qin was treated to death."

"So you think the little miracle doctor is dead too?"

Huang Tianyang said with an air of certainty, "Of course he's dead. The Li family will never let him go."

Huang Ying responded flatly, "Oh."

"I know you're regretting it deeply, no need to act so indifferent."

"Yes, yes, I regret it so much."

Hearing Huang Ying say this, Huang Tianyang felt a surge of satisfaction. The three brothers drove out to celebrate properly.

When a line of beauties stood in the private room, Tang Xuan realized the situation was becoming slightly serious.

"Hello, brother. I'm from Bingcheng. I'm 163cm tall, weigh 48kg, my measurements are..."
"Hello, brother. My name is Xiaohua, I'm from..."
"Hello, brother. I..."

As each one introduced herself and leaned forward, the bottomless cleavage nearly seemed to swallow Tang Xuan whole.

"Little brother, these are the best I could find for you. Are you satisfied?"

Tang Xuan shook his head with a wry smile. "Big sister, this... I'm not interested."

"Shall I get another batch?"

Hearing they might be replaced, the women all crowded around him.

"Brother, am I not sexy enough?"
"Brother, look at me, my chest feels so tight."
"Brother, brother."

"Don't press against my face!" Tang Xuan felt like he was about to develop a fear of heights.