At the same time.
In a clubhouse affiliated with a subsidiary of Jiangnan Real Estate Group, Ning Fei and a pale-faced young man were clinking glasses and drinking, both in good spirits.
This pale-faced young man was none other than Hong Xingwen, the crown prince of Qianmen.
Hong Xingwen said with a smile, "I must say, Qian Deshui has excellent taste. That woman Meng Xinran is precisely to my liking."
Ning Fei, who had also participated in this game, strongly agreed with Hong Xingwen.
Hong Xingwen turned to Ning Fei, "President Ning, what do you think Qian Deshui will do next? Will he be crazy enough to come and shoot us?"
Qianmen wanted to develop in Jiangnan and would rely on Ning Fei in the future.
After all, Ning Fei was a prominent business magnate, while they were not yet established. Furthermore, Ning Fei had provided this opportunity, so Hong Xingwen followed Ning Fei's words implicitly.
Even Hong Xingwen's father could only be considered Ning Fei's equal.
Ning Fei smiled faintly and said, "He won't."
"President Ning, why do you say that?" Hong Xingwen was puzzled.
Ning Fei said with full confidence, "If Qian Deshui still had any ambition, he wouldn't have retired from the martial world back then. After washing his hands of the business for so many years, his remaining sharpness has long since been blunted. He can only blame himself for being too deeply involved with Chen Jinzhao, which led to Meng Xinran's tragedy."
Hong Xingwen nodded.
"If that's the case, will Qian Deshui still agree to our next demands?" he asked, bewildered.
Ning Fei's answer was affirmative.
Hong Xingwen was even more confused. Earlier, Ning Fei had said Qian Deshui's ambition was blunted, and now he said Qian Deshui would agree to the challenge. Wasn't that contradictory?
"That's because you don't understand Chen Jinzhao," Ning Fei chuckled.
At this moment.
Hong Xingwen's phone rang.
After answering the call, Hong Xingwen's face lit up with a smile, and he said to Ning Fei, "President Ning, Qian Deshui already knows about Meng Xinran. What do we do next?"
Ning Fei said playfully, "Call him. Tell him to meet us in seven days."
Hong Xingwen nodded with a smile, "President Ning, your wisdom is unparalleled!"
"I'll call that old geezer Qian Deshui right now and see what his reaction is. It should be quite amusing, shouldn't it?"
Hong Xingwen found Qian Deshui's contact information in his address book and dialed. After a while, Qian Deshui answered. Qian Deshui gritted his teeth and said, "Hong Xingwen! You killed Meng Xinran, didn't you?"
From his tone alone, one could hear Qian Deshui's hatred flowing like a mighty river.
Hong Xingwen naturally denied it, "I have no idea what nonsense you're talking about. Meng Xinran, killed? I'm a law-abiding citizen, how could I do such a thing?"
Qian Deshui suppressed his anger, waiting for Hong Xingwen's next words.
"What do you want?!" Qian Deshui asked.
Hong Xingwen said with a faint smile, "Uncle Qian, you don't need to be so hostile towards me. I'm just here on my father's orders to discuss cooperation with you. I couldn't reach you earlier, which made me very anxious."
Qian Deshui growled, "Time and place!"
"Seven days from now, most likely on the high seas. I'll notify you of the specific coordinates later," Hong Xingwen revealed his fangs, this being the true purpose of his visit to Jiangnan.
"What do you want to do?" Qian Deshui guessed their intention.
Hong Xingwen said playfully, "Uncle Qian, even if you've retired from the business, you should still remember the rules of the street. You can bring a few people this time, and we'll settle this. If you lose, Qianmen will enter Jiangnan, and you mustn't obstruct us in any way. If I lose, Qianmen and its forces will not set foot in Jiangnan for five years."
Qian Deshui took a deep breath, "You know I've retired from the business for many years. If you want to come to Jiangnan, you can. Why did you have to lay hands on my woman!"
Hong Xingwen didn't hide his thoughts, "I need to use your head to make a statement, otherwise, how can I gain respect?"
"I'll be waiting for you!" Qian Deshui gritted out.
"Where is she?"
Hong Xingwen smiled faintly, "Perhaps you can try looking in the reservoir at Linxi Mountain Villa. You might find something."
Beep—
Qian Deshui angrily hung up the phone.
Ning Fei looked at Hong Xingwen, "How was it? Did he agree?"
Hong Xingwen flattered, "President Ning, your foresight is godlike. Jiangnan Real Estate Group will surely reach national status under your brilliant leadership and become one of the top three real estate giants in the country!"
"Hahaha!"
Ning Fei burst into laughter, his spirits soaring.
On the other side.
Qian Deshui couldn't wait another moment. He wanted to go to the reservoir at Linxi Mountain Villa to bring Meng Xinran home. Chen Jinzhao saw this and said, "Call the police. It will be faster with their help. You don't want to see her submerged in the cold water, do you?"
"Okay, I'll listen to Young Master Chen," Qian Deshui clenched his fists.
Chen Jinzhao called Tao Qiyue to explain the situation, and then he and Qian Deshui drove to Linxi Mountain Villa.
During the journey.
Qian Deshui relayed Hong Xingwen's words to Chen Jinzhao, adding, "I know they want to step on my corpse to rise to power. Only by doing so can they deter other forces coveting the Jiangnan region. If it were in the past, I would have turned a blind eye, even pretended not to hear! I've stayed away from the martial world, and I don't want to get involved again. But I forgot that the hearts of people in the martial world are treacherous. I must go this time!"
"Otherwise, I'll be failing Meng Xinran's spirit in heaven!"
"Young Master Chen!"
"Qianmen is well-prepared. I predict this will be a fight for survival, so you shouldn't go. If I die this time, please bury me with Xinran!"
Chen Jinzhao said sternly, "I cannot not go. Just as Ning Fei is behind Hong Xingwen, they also know that I am behind you. This is essentially a struggle between me and Ning Fei!"
"If I don't go, Ning Fei won't stop!"
"I might as well use this opportunity to kill Ning Fei on the high seas!"
Qian Deshui fell silent, his gratitude unspoken.
If he could return alive this time, he would wholeheartedly become a fierce dog at Chen Jinzhao's command! No matter what command Chen Jinzhao gave him, he would execute it without hesitation—
Even if it meant death!
The two arrived at Linxi Mountain Villa. Tao Qiyue had arrived a step ahead of them and had already begun the search and rescue operation.
Tao Qiyue's eyes were complex when she saw Qian Deshui beside Chen Jinzhao. She had wanted to bring down Qian Deshui the most. However, after her investigation in recent days, she found that Qian Deshui hadn't been involved in illicit activities for several years, making it impossible to investigate him. What made Tao Qiyue feel even more complicated was that over the past few years, Qian Deshui had donated hundreds of millions of yuan to public welfare in Meng Xinran's name.
It also made her realize that people can change.
Qian Deshui faced Tao Qiyue calmly, his eyes red, "Officer Tao, I know I'm not a good person, but Meng Xinran was definitely a good person. Please find her as soon as possible. She must be very lonely right now."
Tao Qiyue took a deep breath, "Don't worry, we'll do our best. However, you must also be prepared. This reservoir is too large. Even if we can retrieve her body, we may not be able to find the real culprit in a short time."
Qian Deshui let out a sigh, his whole demeanor turning weary.
A once formidable figure, now aged overnight!