Mad Dragon gets out of prison and marries a beautiful CEO.

Chapter 103

The two clinked glasses.

Mu Ningshuang took a sip of wine, swirled the glass, and said:

"You've been getting along really well with the Juxian Chamber of Commerce, which has drawn away some of their energy. It's rare for the Mu family to have some peace and quiet. My grandfather said that if you need any support, just let him know."

She rubbed her head and sighed:

"It's not exactly peaceful either. The Li family keeps buzzing around like flies, which is really annoying."

Chen Li asked:

"What do you mean? What happened to the Li family?"

Mu Ningshuang sighed:

"My aunt is from the wealthy Li family. She married into my family with the intention of seizing the family fortune after my grandfather passed away."

"She's still plotting against me, always causing trouble behind my back."

"You also know about Yang Muqing, the agent of Xinghai Entertainment Company under Xingyao Group. I heard that the newcomer she discovered, Lin Jie, came from an entertainment company under the Li family. The Li family was furious and directly sent people to stage a car accident."

"This family is ruthless."

Chen Li asked:

"Could there be another story behind this?"

Mu Ningshuang nodded and said:

"Of course, Du Feng, representing the Li family's hospital, actually won the right to upgrade to a five-star rating, but ended up dying from poisoning, causing the Li family to lose face."

"Knowing that the Mu family has a deep relationship with you, and that they can't do anything to you, they have no choice but to vent their anger on the Mu family."

"If someone blatantly throws a stone into my eyes, I will definitely retaliate in kind. Such ambiguous tactics are indeed difficult to judge."

"But judging from my petty, womanly perspective, that's exactly what they think!"

Chen Li realized that she must have had a purpose in saying all that;

"so……"

Mu Ningshuang wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled seductively:

"Since your business acumen is as outstanding as your ruthless methods, Xinghai Entertainment Company will be handed over to you to manage and severely suppress Li Family Entertainment Company."

"By the way, that Sister Hong has already joined the company. I heard from Xinghai's professional manager that she is very serious and outstanding in her work."

"If Sister Hong weren't an undercover agent, she would be the only one we could rely on. Xinghai is also lacking in talent like her."

Chen Li nodded and said:

"You decide what to do. I think Sister Hong should have a clean record."

Mu Ningshuang replied:

"It's up to you. Xingyao Group has enough problems already. I rarely get involved with Xinghai. Usually, Xiaowen just sends me the financial statements to take a look."

"Alright, it's late and quiet, time to get down to business."

Chen Li smiled wryly:

"So eager?"

Mu Ningshuang, straddling his lap, was alluring and said:

"I want them all."

We had a wonderful and romantic evening.

The next day, at 2 PM.

Chen Li arrived at Emerald Villa on time.

The gate was half open, and two people stood at the entrance, wearing dark gray short-sleeved shirts and with straight backs. They did not stop his car when they saw it approaching, but simply nodded slightly in greeting.

After the car drove through the gate, there were already seven or eight cars parked in the open space in front of the main building. They were of different sizes but all were clean.

A few people were standing around the car, not talking together, but leaning against the car door or under a tree, their eyes all scanning in the direction Chen Li had parked.

Ye Qinglian stood under the main building's porch waiting for him.

Today she wore black trousers and a shirt, her hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail, she had no makeup on, and there were dark circles under her eyes from staying up late.

She saw Chen Li walking over and pushed open the door behind her.

"We're here, follow me."

There is a conference room on the east side of the first floor of the main building, which Ye Zong usually uses to meet with people inside the Vermilion Bird Hall.

When Chen Li followed Ye Qinglian inside, there were already about ten people sitting on both sides of the oval table.

There were people of all ages, some in suits and some in casual clothes. Their gazes lingered on Chen Li for a moment before shifting away.

Ye Qinglian walked to the head of the long table and stood there, while Chen Li sat down to her left.

"Everyone."

Ye Qinglian spoke, her voice not loud, but clearly heard by everyone in the quiet conference room:

"You already know about your godfather's situation."

"From today onwards, I will temporarily take charge of the daily affairs of the inner hall of the Vermilion Bird Hall."

"Those who have objections can raise them now; those who don't will be considered to have accepted it."

There was silence on the desktop for three or four seconds.

A middle-aged man with graying temples spoke first, his tone neither warm nor cold:

"Qinglian, your godfather is the hall master we have followed for more than 20 years."

"We have no objection to you taking over."

"But you need to let us know how you plan to protect Suzaku Hall?"

"Master Guigu is dead, your godfather is injured, and Lu Changgeng will send people over at any time."

Ye Qinglian glanced at him:

"Uncle Wang, that's a good question."

She turned to the side and gestured towards Chen Li, introducing him as follows:

"This is Mr. Chen. Some of you may have heard of him. He was the one who destroyed Tiger Master's branch, killed Master Guigu, and rescued my godfather from the attack last night."

"I invited him here today to tell everyone that Zhuquetang and Mr. Chen are in the same boat from now on."

A few hushed whispers rose from the table; some nodded, others exchanged glances.

The middle-aged man surnamed Wang lingered on Chen Li for a moment, then slowly leaned back in his chair without saying another word.

Chen Li and the others quieted down and spoke, his voice neither hurried nor slow:

"My purpose in coming here is very simple. Lu Changgeng wants to take action against the Vermilion Bird Hall because the Vermilion Bird Hall is a disobedient piece on his chessboard."

"He thinks that now that he's crippled Master Ye, the rest will be easier to deal with."

"But he forgot one thing: Zhuquetang has a medicinal herb market in the East District. Over the years, they have accumulated connections and supply channels. These things are not something he can just take away."

He glanced around the table:

"I want to ask you all a question: are you willing to stay and work with Ye Qinglian to protect the Vermilion Bird Hall, or are you willing to disperse and find your own way?"

"I won't stop you from choosing the latter; you can leave today."

The meeting room was quiet for a moment, and no one stood up.

Chen Li nodded:

"That means they'll all stay. Lu Changgeng will make his move next, but he won't do it openly right away."

"He will cut off the Zhuque Hall's source of income first, and the medicinal herb market in the East District is his first target."

"Send reliable people to clear out the market's accounts and inventory, and make copies of all external cooperation contracts, and deliver them to Bihu Longting before tonight."

Ye Qinglian continued:

"There are several supply channels in the market. These are the secret channels through which Master Guigu used materials for his Gu arts. I'm already managing those channels, and they won't be interrupted."

Chen Li looked at her and nodded.

The people on either side of the table began to discuss in hushed tones; some took out notebooks to jot things down, while others pulled out their phones to look through their contacts.

After the meeting, everyone dispersed.

Ye Qinglian escorted Chen Li to the main building entrance and stood under the porch, watching the cars drive out of the manor gate one by one.

The afternoon sun had shifted slightly westward, casting the two shadows on the bluestone steps, one long and one short.

"What are your plans for dealing with Lu Changgeng next?"

Ye Qinglian asked.

Chen Li watched the taillights of the last car disappear in the direction of the gate before turning his gaze away.

"No rush."

"He just crippled your godfather and is now waiting for your reaction."

"If you calmly take over and quietly keep things under control, he will become suspicious."

"When he sends someone to test the waters, that's your chance to make your move."

Ye Qinglian was puzzled:

"A test?"

Chen Li nodded and said:

"He'll first send someone to the market to assess the situation, or find someone to contact your old associates. He'll talk to each of your uncles surnamed Wang one by one."

"You actually know the answer to this."

Ye Qinglian put her hands into her pockets, her gaze falling on the open space in front of her:

"I know who I need to be wary of now."

Chen Li turned around and took two steps toward the parking lot, then stopped:

"I've had a batch of warding-off poison powder sent over. Although Master Guigu is dead, the poisons you concocted before are still usable. Keep them for self-defense; don't remove them all."

Ye Qinglian paused for a moment, then responded:

"it is good."