Chapter 534

After Yan Kuan left, he did not return to the City Defense General Office, but went straight to the Du Family Estate.

His car drove through the streets of the provincial capital, passing the bustling commercial district and turning into a quiet alley.

At the end of the alley stood a huge residence.

The residence covered a vast area, with towering walls, its vermilion main door studded with copper nails, and two stone lions crouched at the gate, giving it a majestic air.

A plaque hung above the lintel, bearing two large characters.

Du Mansion!

Although the Du family ranked last among the Nine Great Families, its influence was by no means weak.

The Du family patriarch had once been the Jiangnan head of Cao Gate, the empire's largest underground faction, overseeing tens of thousands of members in Jiangnan.

It was precisely because of the patriarch's presence that, even though Cao Gate has gradually withdrawn and is no longer the empire's largest underground force, the Du family can still rely on its former glory to extend its business into every stratum of Jiangnan.

From real estate to catering, from logistics to entertainment…

In virtually every profitable industry in the city, the Du family's shadow can be seen.

Yan Kuan stopped the car, took a deep breath, pushed the door open and walked in.

He passed through the front courtyard, walked down a long corridor, and arrived at the main hall.

The main hall was spacious and lavishly decorated.

Two people were seated in the main hall.

One was Du Shaomei, Yan Kuan's wife.

Du Shaomei was in her forties, not particularly beautiful, but possessed a strong presence.

She wore a dark-colored cheongsam, her hair coiled up, adorned.

Yet her gaze was sharp, tinged with ruthlessness, making it clear she was not someone to be trifled with.

The other was Du Wei, the current head of the Du family.

Du Wei was in his fifties, dressed in a neat gray Zhongshan suit, his hair neatly combed, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, giving the impression of a refined businessman.

Seeing Yan Kuan enter, Du Shaomei lifted her head and asked lightly.

"How did things go? Are they willing to hand over Bu Ye Cheng?"

Yan Kuan's face turned somewhat pale, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

He opened his mouth, his voice sounding a little weak.

"No……"

Yan Kuan came from a poor background; at first he was merely an ordinary city defense guard, and only because the Du family's eldest daughter took a liking to him could he rely on the Du family's influence to rise step by step to where he is today.

In front of others, he is the imposing deputy director of the City Defense General Office.

But before Du Shaomei, he can never lift his head.

Hearing that Yan Kuan had actually messed up the matter, Du Shaomei's expression changed abruptly, and she spoke harshly.

"What on earth is going on? You, a high-ranking deputy director of the City Defense General Office, can't even seal off a nightclub?"

Du Shaomei's voice was loud, echoing in the main hall, causing the crystal chandelier to sway slightly.

Yan Kuan lowered his head, not daring to meet his wife's eyes.

Du Wei, on the other hand, calmly waved his hand.

"Eh, brother-in-law just got back, don't rush……"

His voice was calm, carrying a hint of reassurance.

"Brother-in-law, take your time and tell me, did something happen?"

Yan Kuan glanced at his wife somewhat panicked, then took a deep breath, striving to calm himself.

He recounted everything that had happened today at Bu Ye Cheng in full detail.

With each sentence Yan Kuan spoke, Du Shaomei's face grew a little uglier.

By the time he finished, Du Shaomei's face was as black as the bottom of a pot.

"How dare a mere Zhang Ping meddle in our Du family's affairs?"

Du Shaomei's voice was full of contempt.

"What is he? Just a messenger secretary, really thinking he's something?"

Du Shaomei stood up angrily, paced back and forth in the main hall, her high heels clicking on the marble floor.

Du Wei furrowed his brow slightly and spoke coldly.

"Zhang Ping is after all a man of Governor Xu; could this kid know Governor Xu?"

His voice was not loud, but each word carried weight.

"What else did he say?"

Yan Kuan dared not speak, head lowered, stammering.

Du Shaomei pressed him.

"Speak! What else did he say?"

Yan Kuan gritted his teeth and, forcing himself, spoke Jiang Feng's words.

"He said…… he said…… let the Du family take out eighty percent of its assets in exchange for a thirty percent stake in Bu Ye Cheng……"

Before his words had even finished, the main hall fell silent instantly.

The silence was terrifying.

Du Shaomei's face instantly turned livid.

Her eyes widened, her mouth opened, her chest heaved violently, her whole body as if struck by lightning.

Then her anger erupted completely.

"What?"

That bastard dares to say that? What the hell is he? A country bumpkin from out of town, daring to speak to the Du family like that?

She slammed her fist on the table, making the tea cups jump and spill tea all over.

I'll immediately assign an assassin squad to take care of that kid! Let's see if Zhang Ping can save his life!

Du Shaomei said, and was about to walk out.

Her eyes were full of killing intent; she truly had murderous intent.

Du Wei sat in a chair, calm-faced, watching his sister lose her temper without saying a word.

Only when Du Shaomei reached the door did Du Wei speak.

Come back.

His voice wasn't loud, but it was strong.

Du Shaomei stopped, turned her head, and looked at Du Wei.

Brother, what are you stopping me for? That brat's riding over our Du family's heads—are you just going to endure it?

Du Wei lifted his teacup, took a slow sip, then set it down, looked at Du Shaomei, and said lightly.

You haven't even clarified the situation, yet you're rushing to act—aren't you afraid of causing trouble?

Du Shaomei frowned.

What trouble? What trouble could an outsider possibly cause?

Du Wei shook his head.

Think about it: a young outsider dares to open a casino in the provincial capital, dares to openly defy the City Defense General Office, and even has a provincial government secretary speaking for him. Could such a person be ordinary?

His gaze grew deep.

First investigate his background thoroughly, then act—it's not too late.

Du Shaomei may have a violent temper, but she's not brainless.

She thought it over, felt her older brother made sense, walked back, and sat down in a chair.

Then what do you suggest we do?

Du Wei glanced at Yan Kuan and asked.

What's that young man's name?

Yan Kuan hurriedly replied.

His name is Jiang Feng.

Du Wei nodded, picked up the phone on the table, and dialed a number.

The phone rang a few times, and someone answered.

Family Head, what are your orders?

Du Wei said lightly.

Check on a person for me. Jiang Feng, from Jiangcheng, in his twenties, male, recently took over Bu Ye Cheng. I want all his information, the more detailed the better.

The other side acknowledged and hung up.

Du Wei put down the phone, leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and remained calm.

The main hall fell silent, with only the ticking of the clock on the wall.

Du Shaomei sat in a chair, biting her lip, her eyes full of unwillingness.

Yan Kuan stood nearby, not daring to breathe.

About half an hour later, Du Wei's phone rang.

He answered, listened to a few sentences, and his brows slightly furrowed.

Then he hung up, opened his eyes, and his gaze became complicated.

Du Shaomei hurriedly asked.

Did you find out? What background does Jiang Feng have?

Du Wei fell silent for a moment, then said.

I found out. Jiang Feng, twenty-five, from Jiangcheng, opened a medical hall. Half a year ago he came to Jiangcheng, later became engaged to Su Xueyan, the eldest daughter of the Su family, and recently took over Bu Ye Cheng.

Du Shaomei was stunned.

That's it? Just someone who runs a medical hall?

Du Wei nodded.

That's all.

Du Shaomei's expression changed again, from doubt to anger.

Someone who runs a medical hall dares to challenge the Du family? Is he tired of living?

She suddenly stood up and looked at Du Wei.

Brother, don't stop me. I'll have someone take care of him right now.

Du Wei looked at her, fell silent for a moment, then said.

Not urgent.

Du Shaomei grew impatient.

Still not urgent? He's already riding over our heads!