Chapter 503: Xiao Feng's Concerns

After I finished speaking, I took out a cigarette, lit it, and started smoking.

Xiao Feng looked at me,

"I didn't expect this matter to become so complicated. Now that Da Heng is gone, what are you going to do next?

You can't just retire leisurely, can you? You're only in your early forties, the golden age for a man."

"What, golden age.

I've already planned to retire back at Niushiling," I said with a smile.

"Back to Niushiling?" Xiao Feng asked, puzzled.

"Yes, really going back to Niushiling.

I'm having Shi Jinhe lead a crew to build a house.

Once the house is finished, I'll move there. Retiring at Niushiling is truly nice."

"You're doing this on purpose," Xiao Feng said.

"Yes, I'm doing it for them to see. There's no other way but to make them believe. I really want to return to a pastoral life; otherwise they wouldn't trust me," I said, sighing as I smoked.

"We worked hard and gave it our all, never expecting this outcome.

It would have been better if we had handed Da Heng over to Kong Shi and his people back then; perhaps we could have lived well too. Ah, the world is truly unpredictable," Xiao Feng sighed.

"We can't say that entirely. Back then, I was unwilling to accept it.

Now I am content.

Life, then, is just like that,

Only after experiencing can one understand many things.

We all grow through experience," I took a drag of my cigarette.

"The price of this growth is a bit too high. Never mind, since Da Heng is gone, what about Qi He Kuang? Kong Shi seized Qi He Kuang, and now Kong Shi has fallen,

it should have been returned. Have you met the new Tian Shi? What did he say?" Xiao Feng asked me.

"Regarding Qi He Kuang, I've already discussed it with Tian Shi.

He means this matter still requires the approval of the Wen Family in Sijiucheng. If they disagree, the Qi He Kuang issue can only be left in the city.

We have no way out."

"It still needs the Wen Family. Where can we argue? You poured real gold and silver into reviving Qi He Kuang, and now it's halted production.

It still needs their family's consent. On what grounds? I'm a bit resentful.

If it really doesn't work, I'll explain the situation and fight to reclaim Qi He Kuang; we can't be left without any leverage.

Once we smooth relations, after Qi He Kuang resumes production and partners with Zaocheng Mining Group, we can make money," Xiao Feng said angrily.

"We'll discuss that later. Right now I must have no improper thoughts. The Wen Family says Qi He Kuang belongs to Zao Chengshi, so it belongs to Zao Chengshi.

Xiao Feng, sometimes we must give up when we should. I've already given up Da Heng, let alone the tiny Qi He Kuang," I explained.

"You can give up, but what about the brothers at Qi He Kuang? And all my efforts there these past days—were they all wasted?

I'm not willing to accept that.

Jianqiang, you must know I've poured all my energy into Qi He Kuang.

It must be reclaimed.

If you can't even fight for this, are you still a man?" Xiao Feng became a bit impatient.

I didn't expect Xiao Feng to be this anxious.

I haven't thought much about the Qi He Kuang issue.

I kept smoking in silence.

Xiao Feng continued, "Jianqiang, you don't understand my heart.

I have nothing left now. Ye Jianming left,

We've already lost contact.

Sigh, my brother Jianjun went back in.

I feel I only have Qi He Kuang in my hands, so I haven't left,

If Qi He Kuang is gone, what else do I have in this world.

After all, both you and I have invested in Qi He Kuang here.

I'm speaking the truth," Xiao Feng said, showing a very sorrowful expression.

Hearing Xiao Feng say that,

I replied, "Xiao Feng, I understand what you mean.

I didn't realize Qi He Kuang was so important to you.

Alright, I'll do my best to fight for it.

Give you a backing.

In a few days I'll go to Sijiucheng; when I meet Wen Han, I'll explain the situation."

"No, it's not my backing, it's our backing," Xiao Feng said gravely.

After Xiao Feng finished speaking, she stared at me with both eyes.

After hearing her finish, I was at a loss for words.

I quickly averted my gaze from Xiao Feng's eyes,

I of course understood what that sentence meant.

Qi He Kuang is her concern, our backing.

I know what Xiao Feng is thinking, but I will never reveal it.

The feelings between Xiao Feng and I have already become a thing of the past.

The past can only fade away with the wind.

Our feelings have lain dormant for many years,

Then let it continue to lie dormant,

We must never let it sprout.

I took a puff of cigarette at this moment,

Then I stood up,

"No matter whose backing it is, I know in my heart. Xiao Feng, I'm going downstairs to the reception center to see if Zhou Jie has woken up, and I still need to discuss important matters with him."

"Who is Zhou Jie?" Xiao Feng asked at this time.

"How should I put it to you? He's just a spoiled rich kid. His father entrusted him to me, I must look after him well." After saying that, I hurried out of the room.

Xiao Feng stared blankly at my back at this moment, tears streaming silently from her eyes.

I certainly understood Xiao Feng's meaning then,

Actually, I wanted to tell Xiao Feng more, that my heart holds only Zhou Wei.

She is my wife, whether she is asleep or awake, forever my wife.

In terms of feelings, I will never betray my wife; this is my bottom line as a person.

I quickly returned to the reception center.

Zhou Jie was already fully awake,

Upon seeing me enter,

he burst into tears, saying: "Let me die, what meaning is there in my living."

Zhao Jianqiang, kill me.

I really don't want to live anymore."

Seeing Zhou Jie weep, I looked down even more on such a spoiled rich kid,

As long as their elders are finished, they are basically finished too.

Having lived a life of luxury since childhood, even a slight hardship is a huge blow to him.

I ignored Zhou Jie's weeping,

I said to Shi Yong and Ding Li: "You go out, I need to talk with Zhou Jie."

Shi Yong and Ding Li went out.

Only Zhou Jie and I remained in the room.

Zhou Jie lay on the bed, continuing to weep.

I smoked without speaking.

Zhou Jie cried very sorrowfully,

feeling very wronged.

like a woman without a man's affection, crying pitiably.

At this moment, I threw away the cigarette,

and shouted at Zhou Jie: "Have you cried enough? If you want to die, then die now. Tell me how you want to die, I'll help you. With a knife, or by hanging."

Hearing my roar, Zhou Jie froze, he stared

dare not sob loudly anymore.

I grabbed him from the bed and pulled Zhou Jie up,

"Zhou Jie, if you're a man today, then go die happily.

If you die, I'll have no worries.

I, damn it, am still protecting you, wasting time and energy.

Let me tell you, this is a mining area; it's easy to kill someone here.

Say it, how do you want to die.

Now I'll let Shi Yong come in and stab you to death with a knife, how about that?

If you're a man, then boldly go die.

I, Zhao Jianqiang, would then admire you as a true man,

what's the point of blubbering here like a woman?

Really damn annoying."

After hearing my words, Zhou Jie froze, looking at me,

then he pleaded: "Brother Zhao, no, Mr. Zhao, don't let Shi Yong come in."

I still want to live.

I want to live."

"If you want to live, then wipe away your tears. Look at what you've become."

After saying that, I loosened Zhou Jie's collar.

At this moment, Zhou Jie picked up some tissue from the bed and wiped his tears.