The Master and His Wealthy Fiancée

Director Zhuang looked at Zhuang Zhongjia with a worried expression. "Uncle, what should we do?"

Zhuang Zhongjia's custom dentures hadn't arrived, so all he could do was purse his lips. "Don't worry. Once we finish off that Chen Dong tomorrow, I'll handle everything else. I know Liu Qi, the materials king. When the time comes, I'll go see him. He'll definitely give me face. A few minor material suppliers will be easy to deal with."

Hearing Zhuang Zhongjia say this, Director Zhuang felt at ease. Having an uncle like Zhuang Zhongjia was a great reassurance; he wouldn't have been able to open his factory otherwise.

The Zhuang uncle and nephew plotted all night, and early the next morning, they took a group of bodyguards and went straight to Jianghua Factory.

When the two arrived at the factory gate, it was already surrounded by people, all of them material suppliers there to collect on their debts.

"Director Zhuang owes me for the stone materials. It's time to pay!" a big-bearded man at the head of the crowd was the first to shout.

This man was named Martial Hero, a sworn brother of Liu Qi. All the stone materials in Jiangzhou came from the various quarries he and Liu Qi had funded and opened.

"Boss Wu, it's not the settlement date yet, is it!" Director Zhuang protested.

These material payments were typically settled periodically. Martial Hero was breaking convention by demanding payment today, but Director Zhuang didn't dare offend him. In all of Jiangzhou, only Martial Hero could provide the marble his factory needed.

The heavily bearded Martial Hero glared at Director Zhuang. "I hear your factory has owed someone else a construction payment for two years without paying. Why wouldn't I be afraid you're going to default on my bill!"

Zhuang Zhongjia stepped forward, putting on airs. "You junior, what kind of way is this to do business? Demanding money before it's even due! I have an understanding with your boss, Liu Qi. I'll go have a word with him later and ask him what kind of people he's been training!"

Martial Hero chuckled darkly. "Don't trouble yourself. He'll be here in a moment."

As he spoke, a Volkswagen Phaeton pulled to a stop nearby, and Liu Qi, his skin a healthy bronze, got out.

Before Liu Qi had even gotten close, Zhuang Zhongjia bellowed, "Xiaoliu! This is a shady way to do things!"

Liu Qi looked at Zhuang Zhongjia with displeasure. 'This kind of old man always thinks his face is immeasurably important. I've long since detested these types who love to control people, who think that just because they're the Zhao Family's managing secretary in Jiangzhou, everyone has to bow and scrape. As it happens, the task Chen Dong gave me is the perfect chance to piss this old fart off.'

He frowned, pretending not to recognize him, and said to Zhuang Zhongjia, "And who are you?" He then turned to Martial Hero and asked, "Who's this old man?"

Martial Hero laughed. "I don't know him either. He says he knows you."

Zhuang Zhongjia was so angry he pursed his lips, wanting to clench his teeth only to remember he didn't have any.

"I'm Zhuang Zhongjia, the Zhao Family's managing secretary in Jiangzhou! Last time, you were scrambling to propose a toast to me, and now you're pretending you don't know me? You've got some nerve, Liu Qi!"

Liu Qi feigned sudden realization. "Ah, so it's Secretary Zhuang! I didn't recognize you with your lips pursed like that. My apologies, my apologies!"

Zhuang Zhongjia's face was cold, and he spoke in a frigid tone. "So you recognize me now? Then hurry up and take these brothers of yours away! I'm telling you, this factory belongs to my nephew. Owing a little money for materials isn't a life-or-death matter. One should have some perspective in life and business. You've managed to anger me today. We'll just consider the money for the materials as your apology gift. I won't hold this against you. Now hurry up and take your people and leave!"

Liu Qi was stunned for a moment. 'This old man has to be an idiot,' he thought. 'Does he really think his face is bigger than the heavens?!'

He shot a cold glance at Zhuang Zhongjia and said in a hostile tone, "You're just a secretary. Someone who didn't know any better would think you're the Zhao Family Patriarch! I'm telling you, if you don't come up with the money today, you will never get any more materials from us."

Director Zhuang grew anxious. 'Why does my uncle make things more complicated the more he handles them?' he thought. If they couldn't get marble, his factory might as well shut its doors immediately.

He hurried to Zhuang Zhongjia's side and whispered, "Why don't we just pay for the materials first?"

Zhuang Zhongjia shot his nephew a contemptuous look. "Pay for what?! A minor materials supplier daring to disrespect the Zhao Family is simply courting death! Just watch what I do!"

Zhuang Zhongjia turned his head and glared arrogantly at Liu Qi. "You dare threaten me? I'm telling you, Liu Qi, when the Qingtian Project starts, not a single pebble of your material will get in. I will personally instruct our partners that no one is to use any of Liu Qi's materials!"

In the past, these words might have actually threatened Liu Qi. But now, compared to his son's life, no amount of money was worth more.

He said in a cold voice, "Then so be it. I, Liu Qi, won't starve to death over losing the Qingtian Project. Today, it's not just about our money for the materials, but also the Li Group's construction payment. You will hand over every last cent."

Hearing this, Zhuang Zhongjia said, "Ohh, so that's the reason. Turns out you're helping the Li Group collect a debt. In that case, you can all get lost. As for the money, there is none!"

Director Zhuang said anxiously, "Uncle, without the materials, my factory..."

Zhuang Zhongjia shot him a hateful look. "Can you come up with twenty million for the Li Group?"

Director Zhuang shook his head.

"Since you can't, you might as well just shut this damn factory down! We haven't even gotten our revenge on that kid Chen Dong yet. Why the hell would we give him any money!"

Just then, a silver Ferrari came to a flashy stop right next to Zhuang Zhongjia, nearly hitting the old man. The fright sent Zhuang Zhongjia stumbling backward.

Chen Dong stepped out of the Ferrari, his gaze locking onto the Zhuang uncle and nephew as he asked grimly, "Is the construction payment ready!?"