At night, Xu Qingyang conveyed the news that had spread through the worldly society: Ye Tian and Zheng Xinru conspired to kill Chen Pingrui and were discovered by the Liu Family. Now the Liu Family suffered another hit; first, Liu Laogou was murdered, and Liu Hao’s dead body was found in a villa at Fengyue Lake. The Chen family has completely violated the underworld’s code of ethics. The Liu Family and Chen family have completely broken up.
When Ye Tian received the news, he was in a cottage with Liu Zhongshi and Zhang Kai, eating hotpot around the stove.
"Has Liu Hao’s body been dealt with?" Ye Tian put a piece of cooked beef into Old Mr. Liu’s bowl and asked indifferently.
"It’s been dealt with."
"There shouldn’t have been anyone who came forward to stop it, right?"
Xu Qingyang shook his head.
"Hmph, even when a blood brother is killed, they can act ; there’s nothing the Liu Family’s dog wouldn’t dare to do. Don’t publicize it, don’t retaliate, and don’t make any moves. Let him shout if he wants to shout, let him curse if he wants to curse."
Ultimately, any competition comes down to a battle of money. Though the Liu Family is causing trouble now, a camel, even when starved, is still bigger than a horse. If they want to compete with the empire built by Chen Pingrui, they really need to weigh their own strength. Ye Tian was certain that the idea to dispose of his own brother’s body couldn’t have come from Liu Ping; it must have been a vicious trick conjured up by Liu Liyue.
To set foot in Tianhe’s market, one needs to first throw down a stepping stone; as Mr. Mao says, lack of experience is not a problem, just ’feel the stones to cross the river,’ and after several attempts, one understands. However, Liu Liyue’s gesture is indeed grand; the first stone thrown is a major force in Tianhe.
Looking at Ye Tian, who was silently chewing his beef in the firelight, Xu Qingyang was somewhat stunned and asked, "Is this really okay?"
"What’s wrong with it?"
"A cornered dog will jump over a wall."
Hearing this, Ye Tian paused for a moment, then looked at Liu Zhongshi and noticed Old Mr. Liu was also looking at him while smiling.
"Qingyang, do you know? I’m also a dog, once forced to jump from behind the wall with a gun pointed at my head. It’s just one person dead, he can’t be desperate. He’s not like me, even if he dares to jump over the wall, the person behind him will break his dog legs."
Xu Qingyang, not versed in such affairs, always preferred hands-on tasks over mental ones—complex issues were not beyond his comprehension, he just preferred not to engage with them. He shook his head and turned to leave.
Liu Zhongshi watched his departing figure, as if talking to himself yet also possibly warning Ye Tian, "A sharp knife also fears cutting one’s own hand."
"That’s still better than having no knife in hand."
"I’m old and can’t assist you much; just be careful in all matters."
Ye Tian took each word of Liu Zhongshi to heart; this was his comrade’s grandfather, and his own grandfather, whom he respected above all others.
The next day, Zhang Kai accompanied Li Jing to the hospital. After a consultation with specialists, a detailed treatment plan was established for Li Ruoshui. Since Li Jing insisted on undergoing dialysis for his sister, the overall situation was more beneficial than harmful. However, Li Ruoshui was physically weak and required a prolonged period of recuperation, after which further treatment could proceed, but ultimately, she still needed a kidney transplant.
Li Jing carefully listened to the chief doctor’s introduction, frequently asking questions related to the illness. A prolonged illness turns a patient into a doctor; Li Ruoshui’s sickness was fundamentally Li Jing’s primary concern, his understanding of nephropathy was even more detailed and comprehensive than some non-professional doctors. However, the most comprehensive issue was still the cost. According to the doctor, it would cost at least five hundred thousand a year, of which conservative treatment alone would account for half. If, following Li Jing’s wishes to "use the best medicine," the annual cost would then reach eight hundred thousand, nearly a million. More severely, if no kidney source was found during this period, this would have to continue indefinitely, turning into a huge bottomless pit.
Worried about the cost, Li Jing was a bit distracted.
"We have prepared three plans here. Mr. Ye suggests proceeding with plan one and has also prepaid the fees for one year. He said for you to first take a look, and if dissatisfied, you could choose any other plan. Of course, plan one is the most ideal, you may consider it."
"How much does it cost?"
Li Jing lowered his head and said nothing.
It wasn’t that he thought Ye Tian was particularly good, but he felt that selling his life for a million seemed somewhat unworthy.
As usual, Li Ruoshui went to the hospital for dialysis twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays. Li Jing wouldn’t accompany her every day. He also knew that no business runs at a loss; this guy named Ye Tian wouldn’t be so kind as to cover his medical fees and choose the best hospitals and medicines without motive. It was merely to gain his trust. Sending Zhang Kai certainly wasn’t out of concern, perhaps reminding him to quickly fulfill his due responsibilities.
Li Jing didn’t blame Ye Tian; if it were himself, he would probably do the same.
After settling Li Ruoshui, Li Jing turned off the lights in the courtyard, gave Zhang Kai a few instructions, took the address he provided, and hailed a taxi at the door. It was indeed convenient; Ye Tian had put a lot of effort into finding this place for him.
By eight in the evening, the prelude to nightlife just began, with all signs of revelry present here.
Born into a prestigious family, he never really enjoyed the days of a wealthy young master, but the profound family rules ingrained to his bones constantly reminded Li Jing not to disgrace the Li family, not to tarnish the Li family’s integrity. Loyalty, propriety, righteousness, and intelligence, Li Jing dared not forget. Yet, having experienced so much, Li Jing also had a new understanding of the purity preached by the elders; purity serves as the wicked’s fig leaf, the truly pure are always tainted black, dirtied by the muddy waters of the secular.
When thousands of years of tombs are emptied, a bar means nothing.
Getting off the car, Li Jing didn’t hesitate and plunged into the slow rock bar.
Sure enough, calling me here meant no good.
As soon as he entered the bar, he could see Ye Tian. It wasn’t that Li Jing had particularly good eyesight, but because Ye Tian stood out conspicuously, surrounded by several brawny men, wearing a gold necklace thick as a finger around his neck and covered with large patches of green tattoos. Judging by his attire, he seemed to be the one managing the place.
Ye Tian surveyed the suspicious-looking fellow in front of him with a smiling face; he was the boss here, also considered an old subordinate of Chen Pingrui. However, according to the information Xu Qingyang relayed, this fellow was the fastest defector in the Chen family’s camp, having secretly contacted the Liu family more than ten times, and according to information from the bank, this guy was transferring money from his account in batches into various accounts, all overseas, apparently planning to seek refuge abroad.