Chapter Forty-Nine: Negotiating Collaboration

Although the Liu family had been operating in Jianghai City for decades, with deep-rooted connections and immense power, they had never managed to secure a powerful backer. Now that the Wen family had become the city’s official agent, it was as if they had soared to the heavens in a single bound!

Moreover, once the Liu family managed to replace Jade Pavilion, they would reign supreme in Jianghai, raking in enormous profits—far more lucrative than the jade business had ever been.

Liu Yuanhang hurriedly pounded his chest in assurance, “Young Master Wen, rest assured, I will do everything in my power to serve the Wen family.”

Wen Hao cast him a cold glance and said, “I know you’re ambitious. But remember what I told you—no matter what means you use, you must deal with Qin Feng once and for all!”

At these words, a sinister expression flashed across Liu Yuanhang’s face. Not only was Qin Feng his nemesis, he was also the man Liu Yuanhang hated most in the world.

His hatred for Qin Feng ran so deep he wished he could tear him to pieces and grind his bones to dust. So, upon hearing Wen Hao’s command, Liu Yuanhang nodded without the slightest hesitation and promised, “Don’t worry, Young Master Wen. As soon as that brat Qin Feng falls into my hands, he won’t have a chance to survive.”

“Very good. I look forward to a pleasant collaboration,” Wen Hao replied with a faint smile.

Liu Yuanhang immediately raised his glass in a toast.

...

Qin Feng had just returned home when he received a call—the exposition hall was on fire.

A wave of foreboding surged in his chest. Without a word, he jumped into his car and sped toward the venue.

At the scene, the fire had grown fierce. Fortunately, it was late at night and no one was trapped inside.

When Qin Feng arrived, he saw Lin Wanting, her face etched with worry as she watched the firefighters battle the blaze. Noticing Qin Feng, her eyes reddened with unshed tears.

Choking up, she said, “The exposition is ruined. There’s no way we can go on.”

Qin Feng nodded, his gaze fixed on the raging flames, anger burning in his eyes and across his brow.

“Don’t worry. As long as I’m here, nothing will happen,” he gently comforted her.

Lin Wanting raised her tear-filled eyes, looking at Qin Feng’s resolute profile, a deep sense of security welling up in her heart.

“Mm.”

“Thank you,” she murmured, lowering her head and softly stroking Qin Feng’s palm.

“Silly girl, don’t cry,” Qin Feng said. Suddenly, he spotted Manager Li approaching, his face grim.

“President Lin, Consultant Qin, we’ve investigated—the fire was deliberately set. The suspect hasn’t been caught yet,” Manager Li reported, his tone heavy.

“Damn it!” Qin Feng cursed.

Gnashing her teeth, Lin Wanting spat, “It must have been the Liu family and Wen Hao behind this!”

Qin Feng sneered coldly, “Whoever it is, they’re as good as dead!”

He turned to Manager Li and ordered in a low voice, “Spread the word—starting today, Jade Pavilion suspends all jade rough sales. We’re closing for rectification.”

“Yes, Consultant Qin.” Manager Li hurried off to carry out the order.

“Wanting, you should go home. Leave things here to me,” Qin Feng told her.

Lin Wanting hesitated, then nodded. “Alright. Just be careful yourself.”

She left. Watching her go, Qin Feng shook his head.

He had a strong suspicion who was behind it, but lacked the evidence to prove it.

“Hmph! Whoever dared provoke me, Qin Feng, will pay dearly,” he muttered, turning and walking toward the fire trucks.

...

On the rooftop of a luxury apartment building elsewhere in Jianghai—

“Dad, Wen Hao’s side has sent word. But as for Qin Feng, we’ll have to handle him ourselves. Has the expert you found arrived?” Liu Yuanhang asked after hanging up the phone.

Sitting on the sofa, Liu Jun nodded. “Don’t worry. The expert I contacted is very reliable. Taking care of one Qin Feng will be no trouble.”

A ruthless glint flickered in Liu Yuanhang’s eyes, and a cold smile curled at his lips. “Good. I want that brat to pay the price!”

Liu Jun replied sternly, “Yuanhang, don’t be rash. Our Liu family is powerful, but we can’t afford to underestimate anyone.”

Liu Yuanhang nodded, though the anger in his heart was hard to contain.

The memory of being publicly humiliated by Qin Feng gnawed at him like a thousand ants—itching and painful.

“Dad, I know what I’m doing. But this time, I’ll make sure he learns what happens to those who cross the Liu family!”

Liu Jun looked at his son and sighed softly, saying nothing more.

He knew his son’s character—impulsive, but also tenacious. Perhaps this ordeal would help him grow.

...

Elsewhere, Qin Feng stood before the ruins of the exposition hall, his gaze deep and contemplative.

“If you want to play with fire, then you’ll see what it’s like to get burned,” he swore inwardly, his eyes glinting with determination.

He pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

“Hello, it’s me, Qin Feng. I need your help investigating something…”

A low, calm voice answered on the other end, unsurprised by the request.

“Go on, what is it?”

Qin Feng briefly explained the situation and added, “I want to know who’s behind this—and I want them to pay.”

After a moment’s silence, the voice replied, “Understood. I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.”

After hanging up, Qin Feng took a deep breath and left the scene.

In the days that followed, Jade Pavilion suspended operations for internal review. Meanwhile, the Liu family and Wen Hao kept a close eye on their every move.

They hadn’t expected Qin Feng to shut down so decisively, and it caught them off-guard. Still, they didn’t relent—instead, their resolve to eliminate Qin Feng only grew.

One day, Qin Feng arrived early at the exposition hall, waiting for news from his mysterious contact. But as the sun set, no word came.

He sighed, helpless, and turned to leave. No matter how clever he was, he wasn’t a fortune-teller.

After he left, a dark figure slipped through a nearby alley, perfectly evading the surveillance cameras.

Half an hour later, Qin Feng arrived at an office building. He glanced at the building’s sign, then strode inside.

Shortly after entering, a woman in professional attire approached him.

“Excuse me, are you Mr. Qin Feng?” she asked with a polite smile.

“Yes, I am,” Qin Feng replied coolly.

“Please come with me,” she said, gesturing for him to follow. She led him to an office door.

“Mr. Qin, my name is Chen Qian. I’m the project manager assigned to discuss our collaboration with you,” she said.

“Oh? How did you find me?” Qin Feng asked in surprise.