The male supporting character was actually myself.

They were given food and drink every day, but it was mostly cold soup and leftovers, and sometimes the food even tasted a bit sour. The thugs kept a close watch on them, and they didn't have a chance to escape several times.

Ruan Yunfei, who originally lived on the second floor, fared even worse.

That night, when the commotion upstairs started, he and his third sister, Ruan Xiaomei, were both awakened.

However, Ruan Yunfei was always pampered by his two older sisters and did nothing but eat, drink, and play all day long. He didn't learn or do anything. Even after the fire at Qinya Manor, he still didn't feel any sense of crisis. After things quieted down upstairs, he went to sleep without a care in the world.

On the contrary, Ruan Xiaomei, who had experienced her sisters' favoritism in just a few months, began to have her own ideas.

While her younger brother was asleep, she rummaged through the valuable gifts that the distinguished guests had given to her older sisters, gifts that the sisters didn't really care for. She stuffed them into her small backpack until it was full, and then, taking advantage of the lax security outside, she climbed out of the second-floor back window and disappeared into the vast snowstorm.

The next morning, when the people from the Paramount came to clean up the mess, they placed the two older sisters under house arrest; after failing to plunder valuables, a group of thugs drove Ruan Yunfei, who had been eating for free and spouting arrogant words, out of Qinxiang Xiaozhu and left him to fend for himself.

After going hungry for several meals, Ruan Yunfei, who had fallen on hard times, finally learned to beg for food. If he was lucky, he could get some leftovers; if he was unlucky, he could only pick up garbage to eat.

In the freezing winters of the northern mountains, when water turns to ice instantly, he would huddle under a broken bridge, his stomach growling with hunger. More than once, he would recall the steaming meat dumplings that had been carelessly knocked over on the ground, his mouth watering, but he would never have the chance to eat those "greasy" dumplings again...

Unlike the severe cold in the north, the temperature in the city that never sleeps is not that low at this time.

Crystal chandeliers illuminated the lavish banquet in the magnificent, flower-filled hall. The invited young talents were refined and gentle, while the ladies were elegant, graceful, and dignified.

Wearing a lotus-colored cheongsam that accentuated her graceful figure, Lin Wanyan sat in a corner, quietly watching couples dancing gracefully in the center of the dance floor. She casually put down her wine glass and her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly.

The turbulent times may not immediately shake the economy of the city that never sleeps, but their wealth depends entirely on daily necessities. In the event of war, no matter how rich they are, without solid and reliable power, they will only become fat lambs to the slaughter in the eyes of those warlords.

If the Lin family wants to establish itself and protect itself, it needs a powerful backer who won't cause any trouble.

The Anning Gang, which they previously relied on, still maintains its title as the number one gang in the City That Never Sleeps. However, in reality, they are constantly engaged in covert warfare and internal strife, and their contradictions are becoming increasingly prominent. If war breaks out, they will probably not be able to protect themselves, let alone ensure the safety of the Lin family.

However, most of the powerful and influential young men attending the banquet tonight are heroes from the world of extravagance.

Even the most talented young men valued social standing and preferred to form a powerful alliance to marry a principal wife, while also taking several concubines to enjoy the beauty of multiple wives.

As a young lady from a purely merchant family, she found herself in a rather awkward position in the marriage market of the city that never sleeps.

Unable to marry the wife of a warlord in power, yet unwilling to submit to being a concubine;

Finding a son from a similar merchant family would naturally be a matter of personal choice, but as the daughter of one of the wealthiest men in the business world, this marriage was destined to be a step down for her, as the man's wealth was not as great as that of the Lin family.

In the event of war and turmoil, given the character of these scions of wealthy merchant families that we know so far, they would probably not only be unable to protect themselves, but would also have to rely on the Lin family for protection.

If a carefree man cannot entrust his life to someone, why should he marry?

Despite her privileged background and connections with many young people in high society, Lin Wanyan couldn't find a suitable husband. Thinking of this worry, she couldn't help but sigh.

"Why is Miss Lin sighing?" Jiang Chen strolled over, holding a glass of red wine, and leaned down slightly with a smile, asking, "Do you find these social banquets too dull and boring?"

Lin Wanyan was lost in thought when she suddenly heard a deep, magnetic voice. She looked up and was stunned!

The other person was dressed in a neat and smart military uniform, with a handsome and bright appearance, and a faint smile on his face. She was startled and covered her red lips, subconsciously looking to the side warily and exclaiming softly, "Li... Li Jiangchen?! What are you doing here?"

Chapter 41 A Pleasant Conversation

"Oh? Miss Lin knows me?" Jiang Chen's smile widened. He sat down opposite her, raised his glass in acknowledgment, and took a sip of red wine.

Lin Wanyan's voice trembled slightly with nervousness as she said, "News about Marshal Li appears on the front page of major newspapers every few days. Although we've never met, I recognize his photo. However..."

She glanced at the young men from prominent families dancing gracefully or raising their glasses in conversation not far away, and asked in a trembling voice, "This is the territory of General Geng Daqi, the King of the South! You, you are the young marshal of the Li family army, aren't you afraid of being arrested for coming here?"

Jiang Chen waved his finger and laughed, "Since you dared to come, of course you're not afraid. What's Miss Lin so nervous about? Are you afraid I'll be discovered and implicate you?"

“No, that’s not it…” Lin Wanyan’s face flushed slightly for no reason. Seeing someone pass by, she changed her sitting position to block him in the corner so that he wouldn’t be discovered. Then she said softly, “I read a lot about Marshal Li’s reform measures in the newspaper. I think you are a person with ideals, ambitions and a long-term vision.”

This place is too dangerous for you. Since you are capable of dominating the north of the mountain and implementing land reforms, why not stick to your roots and proceed cautiously? Putting yourself in danger is not the act of a wise man.

He immediately became interested and asked curiously, "How did the newspapers report my reform measures? Is the information channel in this city that never sleeps so open? My land reforms must have involved the interests of many powerful families, so they should not have allowed the publicity."

"The photos and news of Young Marshal Li appearing on the front page of major newspapers are not a positive image."

Lin Wanyan covered her mouth with a handkerchief and smiled faintly: "Your reform measures have obviously touched the interests of those in power, so the major newspapers have listed your various crimes and portrayed you as a fierce and cruel warmonger."

However, many insightful individuals have privately printed tabloids that have provided detailed analyses of your land reform policies. Many of my friends, after studying them, greatly admire you, and I, too, find those policies excellent after careful review!

Ambitious people?

Has this meant they've finally found their tribe?

Rekindling the flames of hope, Jiang Chen's eyes sparkled. "Has anyone analyzed the land reform policy in detail? Is Miss Lin interested in this?"

"Of course, when I was studying abroad, I met many classmates with lofty ideals and joined the Red Revelation Society. After returning to China, I also often participated in the society's activities."

She shifted her body slightly to block others' view and lowered her voice, saying, "Although I come from a wealthy family and live in a chaotic world, I still want to use the resources at my disposal to make some contributions."

Our country has been divided for too long, and the poor people at the bottom have been oppressed for too long.

Your measures are truly excellent, getting wealthy chaebol families to voluntarily relinquish land to ordinary people, and then guiding them towards transformation. It's a very gentle reform approach, minimizing the risk of creating significant conflict.

If this could be implemented in the city that never sleeps, I would be the first to stand up and persuade my father to give up profiting from the land and return it to the farmers to cultivate. Only then will the foundation of our nation be more stable!

These are truly talented individuals who have studied abroad and seen the world!

Li Dongchen, that guy who only knows how to spend money and talk nonsense with foreign women, really tarnishes the title of "chosen one"!

Jiang Chen finally found the first confidante in this mission world with whom he could talk about reform and envision the future. This person was also a girl he already had feelings for, and his emotions immediately soared.

He spoke eloquently about a series of future expectations, from land reform plans to the transition from an agricultural society to an industrial society, and then to national unification policies, captivating Lin Wanyan completely.

Despite some slight differences, isn't the general direction exactly what the many ambitious young people of the Hongqi Society are striving for?

Unexpectedly, there are comrades with the same sincere hearts in the far north of the mountains. Moreover, Li Jiangchen has begun to gradually transform the north of the mountains by relying on his military power. Next spring, the red flowers of hope will bloom everywhere in the territory he controls!

"Never-Sleeping City and Shanbei are far apart, one in the south and one in the north. Much of the information is just hearsay. May I ask if I may ask—is Marshal Li the young master of the Li family who went abroad to study?"

Lin Wanyan felt a sense of regret for not having met him sooner, and with a sudden thought, she asked, "Two years ago, I was studying finance at Newcastle University, and I vaguely heard of a young master from the Li family who was quite talented, but unfortunately, I didn't have the chance to meet him..."

The fluffy little dumpling, who was engrossed in secretly eating cake, twitched its ears, straightened up, wiped the cream off its face, and meowed, "That was close! So last year, Lin Sanqianjin almost clashed with Li Dongchen!"

Luckily, we missed it by chance, otherwise that kid would have been immediately driven mad by lust upon seeing a beautiful woman from a wealthy family.

"Host, you should seize this opportunity! It's not easy to find someone so compatible!"

Jiang Chen smiled and shook his head, saying, "I didn't study abroad. On the contrary, my half-brother Li Dongchen spent some time at Newcastle University. I don't know if he has any talent or fame, but the name 'Spendthrift Child' is quite fitting."

After returning to China, I had hoped that he could bring back some insightful guidance, but instead he became decadent, spending his days in brothels and neglecting even family affairs.

"If I had more capable help, I wouldn't have risked coming to the City That Never Sleeps."

"Adventure?" Lin Wanyan's heart tightened. The brief exchange tonight had already won her heart with this young marshal who dared to think and act. Hearing that he was going to take a risk, she couldn't help but feel a little worried.

They were afraid that something might happen to this talented and ambitious young man.

He picked up his wine glass, downed the red wine, raised his chin, and said softly, "Look at those scions of noble families. They've all spent their prime years studying abroad and getting their resumes 'gilded,' but after returning home, they inherit their family businesses without any ambition. Instead, they squander their wealth by instigating wars and plundering the people."

While ordinary people struggle in misery, these elites indulge in extravagant lifestyles every night. This vibrant, never-sleeping city's upper echelons appear lively, but in reality, it's a stagnant pool.

I came to the City That Never Sleeps to break this stagnant state and accelerate the unification of this vast land.

Jiang Chen stared intently into the other person's eyes with her soft, bright eyes and said earnestly, "Only by breaking through the darkness before dawn can we realize our ambitions and serve our country and family. Tonight I have some plans to implement and cannot talk any longer. I will be waiting for you at Jinshui Beach at 2:30 pm three days from now. I would be extremely honored if Miss Ruolin would grace me with her presence."

Lin Wanyan smiled faintly as she looked at his sincere invitation, "Young Marshal Li, please be careful. I would also like to take this opportunity to introduce you to my friends in the club who have long admired you."

A legendary figure who can appear undetected at such a tightly guarded banquet in full military uniform will surely arrive as promised. See you at 2:30 PM three days later.

"Excuse me." Jiang Chen stood up, bowed, and then retreated into the darkness.

"As expected, he's like a dragon whose head is seen but not its tail." Lin Wanyan got up a little slowly, her high heels clicking on the wooden floor as she walked over, pretending to go to the window to look at the night view, but she couldn't find that tall figure again and couldn't help but feel curious.

Li Jiangchen? He really is a handsome guy who catches the eye!

Looking back at the young noblemen still lingering among the flowers, a slight smile crept onto her lips. "'A stagnant pool,' you say? Well said. A stagnant pool, utterly corrupt. I really want to see how you manage to stir it up, whether you can truly change its solidified, lifeless state."

Outside the window, the city lights are dim, the skyscrapers are brightly lit, the traffic is bustling and the music is lively, but not far away, hidden in the darkness, are the poor masses of ordinary people.

Some people sit in luxurious bars, talking loudly; some are smiling broadly while embracing dancers; some are engrossed in their studies; some are printing secret newspapers under dim lights; some are sitting by rickshaws waiting for customers; some are huddled in cramped rooms worrying about making a living tomorrow; some are standing in the cold wind at the dock, waiting to receive the next shipment of goods and earn a meager income.

This is the most bustling city that never sleeps, a den of iniquity but also a place brimming with opportunities.

"Newspapers for sale! Newspapers for sale! Breaking news—the young leader of the Hongyu Gang has been kidnapped! A ransom of three million silver dollars is demanded! Two copper coins for a newspaper, everyone come and take a look!"

"Breaking news! Breaking news! The young leader of the Hongyu Gang has been kidnapped and is being extorted after a banquet! The entire Hongyu Gang has been mobilized to demand his release from their arch-rivals, the Lan Gang!"

"Two copper coins for a newspaper, come and buy!"

…………

The next morning, as soon as Lin Wanyan sat down at the dining table, she heard her father ask with a serious expression, "Wanyan, did you also attend the banquet at the Chen residence last night?"

Did that kid from Hongyu's gang really drink too much and offend someone?

The morning newspapers were all about his kidnapping, with a ransom of three million silver dollars being demanded. Now the Hongyu Gang thinks the Lan Gang kidnapped him, and they've gathered their forces to start another fight… Things are chaotic these days. The world is in turmoil, so you all need to be careful. It's safest to stay home if you can avoid going out.”

The Lin family has three daughters and two sons. The eldest and second eldest sisters are now married and not at home, while the eldest brother and youngest brother are not yet married and live at home. When they heard their father say this, they all looked at her.

"Well, I did attend, that's true." Lin Wanyan shook her head, looking bewildered. "But I didn't see him get drunk and cause trouble. He left before me when the banquet ended, and he seemed perfectly fine. Logically speaking, with so many bodyguards around him, he shouldn't have been in any danger."

The eldest brother, Lin Rubin, frowned slightly. "Perhaps it's another trick they've orchestrated themselves. Those gangsters are always scheming against each other and finding all sorts of excuses to fight for territory. It's endless and really infuriating!"

"Ahem!" Lin Xubin, the younger brother, coughed lightly to remind him, "Brother, watch your words to avoid causing trouble."

Lin Rubin's expression hardened, but he didn't say anything. Instead, his father said in a deep voice, "If you can't even have freedom of speech in your own home, then you're being too restrictive."

"Our family only does business and doesn't get involved in anything else, so it's better to be careful." Lin Xubin lowered his head and drank his porridge. After quickly finishing his meal, he said goodbye, grabbed his coat, and hurriedly left.

Lin Wanyan's mind flashed back to Li Jiangchen's face, and she couldn't help but sigh that if he could establish himself steadily and surely, perhaps she could rely on him in the future.

Recalling their brief encounter last night, she was suddenly startled—Li Jiangchen seemed to have mentioned he had some other plan? Could it be that the disappearance of the young leader of the Hongyu Gang was related to him?

News kept coming in all day, and sure enough, the two gangs clashed and fought fiercely. However, the kidnapped young leader of the Hongyu Gang was nowhere to be seen.

The Lan Gang believed that their rivals were deliberately smearing them in an attempt to seize control of the dock area.

The Hongyu Gang insisted that their young leader had been kidnapped by their men and demanded that the Lan Gang hand him over.

The two sides fought from day to night, and somehow the interests of several small gangs in the surrounding area were also involved. The already unbalanced state of the entire city that never sleeps was ignited, and the war spread wider and wider, causing chaos everywhere.

Commander Geng, the Southern Tiger who controls the city that never sleeps, sits on the mountain watching the tigers fight, just waiting for the gangs to be worn down before taking them all out in one fell swoop.

Two tigers cannot share one mountain. The warlord stationed on the outskirts had long been unhappy with these deeply entrenched gangs, but had not been able to clean them up because of the potential for widespread repercussions. Now, he was taking this opportunity to give them a good thrashing!

Meanwhile, the kidnapped young gang leader was tied to the Jinshui Bridge with a rope. He was so frightened by the cold wind that he wet his pants, and the warm liquid dripped down his soaked clothes onto his face.

"How are you feeling, young master?" Jiang Chen asked, nudging him with the end of his pen. "Is there anything else you need me to write down? Your family has been the Hongyu Gang for generations, you can't possibly have this little bit of wealth, can you?"

The unfortunate young gang leader had been tied up and hung upside down for a long time. He was cold and scared, and his whole body was trembling. He even spoke with a sob in his voice, "I really confessed everything! Don't be fooled by the fact that everyone calls me the young gang leader. Actually, my father has six sons. He hasn't thought about handing over power yet, so he can't possibly tell me everything about the family!"

Please, sir! Let me go! I promise I'll never do anything bad again!