Chapter 421

This Kong Shi is such a piece of trash.

Putting all the blame on a dead person,

What would Zhang Zong think, being underground?

It's a dog‑eating‑dog matter among them.

I just smile.

In my heart I say, Kong Shi, you're only valuable for your usefulness now; otherwise, I would have killed you long ago.

Kong Shi may have seen through my thoughts.

He continued, "Jianqiang, I know what you're thinking. Even if you don't say it, I can guess it."

"Speak up, whatever demands you have, bring them forward; as long as I can do it, I will agree to all of them. On this three‑mu plot in Zaocheng, what I say is final."

Hearing Kong Shi's words, I laughed heartily,

"Kong Shi, once you say that, we still have room to talk. We've known each other for so long, we understand each other mutually.

There are some things I don't want to state plainly.

I know, you're so eager to meet tonight—could it be because Wen Han contacted you? Otherwise, you'd keep thinking of capturing me."

"Jianqiang, what you say is the truth. I don't want to hide anything either. It wasn't Wen Han who contacted me, it was Old Master Wen who contacted me.

To be honest, I'm just a petty minor official, yet I could rouse the old man and have him call personally,

I was very shocked,

He mentioned you, allowing me to provide you convenience in Zaocheng.

Old Master Wen seems to value you a lot.

You can get into such a person's sight; I admire you. Really, brother Jianqiang.

We've dealt with each other for so long.

I thought I had always known you inside and out.

I didn't expect you to be linked with the Wen family of Sijiucheng, and that Old Master Wen called me personally. That shows how great your ability is.

My previous understanding of you was truly shallow; forgive my ignorance.

Having been deceived by others,

Not seeing the situation clearly,

I even struck at my own good friend,

I was truly foolish to death; I now regret it and don't know what to do.

Jianqiang, I'm speaking the truth.

First, I was invited by Zhang Zong to the South, where I met Liu Shiru,

Liu Shiru proposed to get hold of your Da Heng Group,

He said there is a generations‑old feud between you.

Liu Shiru also suggested that I keep moving upward, because the Zhou Family behind them is supporting.

At that time I was too opportunistic, eager to gain the Zhou Family's support; I agreed to Liu Shiru's plan without a second thought.

So Liu Shiru began to scheme against you,

First he installed an eavesdropping device to capture your private remarks, and at the same time to sow discord between you and Zhao Xiaohua, making Zhao Xiaohua wholeheartedly cooperate with us.

Then Liu Shiru orchestrated a highway accident, causing you and Zhou Wei to be severely injured.

While you were hospitalized, he had Zhao Xiaohua transfer out all the company's finances, leaving you in a difficult situation after discharge, forcing you to seek loans.

I ordered all banks to stop lending to you, forcing you to borrow from Southern Bank.

Jianqiang, I don't want to talk about the rest.

Without Liu Shiru pulling the strings behind the scenes, we couldn't have reached this point.

I was wrong, I admit.

It was my greed at work; seeing how much money you earned made me envious.

I have two sons,

Kong Xiangju is a gambling failure, so I want to leave wealth to my younger son Lei Lei, so he can be carefree for life.

Jianqiang, everything I say is true.

It's heartfelt. Considering we are old friends and former acquaintances,

Regarding our matter, I beg you not to place all the blame on me.

In Zaocheng, speak up; as long as I can help you,

I can do everything.

Kong Shi began a long‑winded confession, like a child who made a mistake,

His eyes welled with tears.

I heard Kong Shi's confession, watching the tears flow from his eyes,

If it were back then, I might have believed his words.

I felt his sincerity.

Now it's different; after all that, I've seen through his true face.

I know why he confesses, why he cries—not because of the Wen family behind me.

Without the Wen family as a backing, now when Kong Shi sees me, he'll show another face.

If I kept talking, I would have already been handed over to Liu Shiru for credit.

Today, in front of me, you grandly spoke of Liu Shiru's responsibility, saying they were directing him; these words have become repetitive, as if you, Kong Shi, are a brainless child whom anyone can manipulate.

You beg me to forgive you; you're too naive and cute.

I forgive your eight generations of ancestors. Fuck your grandmother.

I cursed in my heart.

But for now, I can't make a move on Kong Shi.

Because acting on Kong Shi will trigger a chain of bad reactions.

I can only suppress and swallow my hatred.

At this moment I took a tissue from the table and handed it to Kong Shi,

"Kong Shi, today we have spoken clearly, and our misunderstanding is gone."

"We are all old friends,"

"I see your sincere tears, hear your repentant voice,"

"I understand you, frankly, you are in such a position,"

"Some people's words must be heeded; they are unavoidable."

"Liu Shiru and I have a generational feud."

"This hatred has been built up over many years."

"Our relationship is a life-and-death struggle."

"You being in the middle is really difficult."

"We should move forward, look ahead, not just begrudge these immediate gains and losses."

"Kong Shi, we are still friends; I trust you."

"Hearing me say this, Kong Shi's expression changed; he took the tissue and wiped his tears,"

"Jianqiang, you can say that; I admire you as a real man."

"Truly, being able to look far ahead, not quarrel over these petty grudges."

"You are someone capable of great deeds."

"I said the Wen Family supports you because I see you possess extraordinary power."

"Kong Shi began to praise me."

"I found Kong Shi's praise very gratifying,"

"I laughed heartily,"

"Kong Shi, please don't say that; I merely did a small favor for Wen Han. This trip to Sijiucheng has also opened my eyes and broadened my horizons."

"You say my former wealth in Sijiucheng amounts to nothing, not even dog shit."

"Others truly have money; their food and possessions are things I have never seen."

"Oh, the things we have pursued our whole lives, others live like that every day."

"Frankly, someone in your position can be dismissed with a single word from others—say withdraw and it's withdrawn. Kong Shi, do you think that makes sense?"

"Of course I believe it; what am I? In Zaocheng my words still count, but outside Zaocheng I am nothing. In their eyes I am not worth mentioning; why would I rely on the Zhou Family's great mountain, hoping they'd protect me? Yet the Wen Family's power exceeds that of the Zhou Family."

"We can only place our hopes in a stronger place." Kong Shi followed my words and said.

"It seems we are alike; since we are alike, let me say why I came to Zaocheng." I said.

"Alright, speak, Jianqiang; I'm listening." Kong Shi was truly obedient.

"Kong Shi, since you can still speak here, my first request is to ask about Shangguan Zhuren's whereabouts."

"Where is he detained now,"

"what are your plans."

"Also, Da Heng Group—I heard they made Zhao Xiaohua the chairperson."

"I'm not satisfied; Zhao Xiaohua is unprincipled, and I dislike how he does things."

"Should we replace him?"

After hearing my words, Kong Shi's face showed difficulty.

He remained silent for a long time, not speaking, just constantly smoking.