Banquet hall of the restaurant.

The usual tables were nowhere to be seen, replaced by one particularly long table. At this moment, dozens of people, mostly middle-aged men and women, sat on either side of it. Rarely was there anyone as young as Liu Zixuan.

Liu Zixuan glanced around and saw only a few familiar faces; most were strangers to him.

Wu Mei was sitting at the very front. Upon seeing Liu Zixuan and Crazy Zhou come in, she quickly stood up to greet them: "I thought you wouldn't make it back!"

"Wu Jie… Oh, no, I should call you Fifth Mother. I've brought Liu Zixuan here; shouldn't you thank me properly?" Crazy Zhou said with a smirk.

Wu Mei paused for a moment: "You're still the same, always with that sharp tongue!"

"Hahaha!" Crazy Zhou laughed heartily and walked over to the table, glancing at the others around him. He laughed and said, "Quite a turnout today, all old friends from way back!"

"Crazy Zhou, I thought you were dead by now!"

"You're still as crazy as ever!"

The few people nearby mumbled. It seemed they were quite familiar with Crazy Zhou.

Liu Zixuan watched all this, feeling that there was much about Ghost Wood City he didn't truly understand. He only knew Wu Mei was called Wu Jie, unaware of her other title, Fifth Mother!

"Don't mind them; they're long-time acquaintances," Wu Mei seemed to notice Liu Zixuan's thoughts and smiled. "I invited you here especially today because I need your help later!"

Liu Zixuan: "Helping is a small matter, but have you really decided to retire, Wu Jie?"

"I've made up my mind; it's been exhausting all these years. Even as a woman fighting hard, what difference does it make?" Wu Mei gave a gentle smile. "Take a seat; it's about to start!"

Liu Zixuan took a deep breath and sat next to Crazy Zhou.

Wu Mei returned to her seat but didn't sit down. Instead, she bowed to everyone: "Thank you all very much for coming."

"My Wu Family has been in Ghost Wood City for exactly one hundred years, from my grandfather's generation founding it, my father's generation solidifying its foundation, and to mine, three generations forged the current Lu Yao Group."

Wu Mei glanced over everyone and continued, "During this time, we've done many good things and bad things, met noble people, and offended many. But the past is but smoke; I just hope that after I wash my hands of this, all grudges will dissipate, and past matters will no longer be mentioned!"

"Bring the fire basin!"

"Fire basin is here!" A man in a suit placed the fire basin on the carpet beside him.

"Bring the water basin!"

"Water basin is here!" Then, he placed a water basin in front of the fire basin!

During this time, no one interrupted Wu Mei, nor did anyone stop her.

Wu Mei, in a very formal outfit, stepped over the fire basin and then the water basin. When she reached the front, two Wen Shan beauties had already placed a golden basin on the table, with toothpicks arranged beside it.

Wu Mei looked up at the crowd: "I, Wu Mei, declare here today, after the golden basin, I will no longer be part of Jianghu. Heaven and Earth are witnesses, and the sun and moon can attest. I hope the elders and peers present will acknowledge it!"

After saying this, Wu Mei stood beside the golden basin.

The middle-aged man next to her grinned: "I was hoping to spar with you for a few more years, but it seems you're retiring. Bringing up past grudges now isn't great either."

With that said, he stood up and placed a toothpick in the golden basin.

Then, the four others behind him did the same, saying a few words of blessing along the way.

One would have thought the second step would proceed smoothly, but the fifth person walked up and directly picked out all the toothpicks from the basin.

Liu Zixuan suddenly looked up. Crazy Zhou had said earlier that picking out toothpicks meant disagreeing with Wu Mei's withdrawal. In simple terms, trouble was brewing!

Before Liu Zixuan could move, Crazy Zhou grabbed his arm: "Stay calm; it's not your turn to speak yet!"

Liu Zixuan's mouth twitched a few times, and then he sat back down.

"Fifth Mother, they may choose to let bygones be bygones, but I, Zuo Tongyu, do not agree! Our Zuo Family's businesses were swallowed by your Wu Family, and my elder brother Zuo Chenggong died unjustly at your hands. Do you think you can just retire so easily?"

As he finished speaking, Crazy Zhou whispered, "This person is Zuo Chenggong's brother, but years ago, he was expelled from the family by the Zuo family head due to internal conflict. No idea why he's suddenly appeared today."

Liu Zixuan raised an eyebrow: "He probably wants to gain something from this!"

"Zuo Tongyu, you should be clear on how your brother died, so don't bring up his matters. Secondly, you should know how your Zuo Family was swallowed by us. Wasn't it because you colluded with outsiders and got your father killed?"

Wu Mei didn't indulge him and coldly laughed: "Don't think you can pressure me with these matters; I'm yet to retire. If you truly want to fight with me, then go ahead and try!"

Zuo Tongyu snorted coldly: "I don't intend to fight with you. Everyone here is clear-minded; I won't beat around the bush. Since you want to retire, I won't stop you, but give me half of your family assets! Otherwise, I certainly won't let you live in peace!"

"Do you think you're worthy of my family assets?" Wu Mei slapped the table in anger at once!

"I'm not worthy, but is he?"

Zuo Tongyu suddenly pointed at Liu Zixuan: "Don't think I don't know about your relationship with this pretty boy. They say my brother had an affair and lost your Wu Family's assets. But according to what I know, it was you and this Liu Zixuan who conspired to kill my brother!"

"You're talking nonsense!" Wu Mei was furious!

"You can say I'm talking nonsense or spouting bullshit; I don't care. I'm just a toad, if I can't kill you, I'll disgust you to death!"

Zuo Tongyu smirked shamelessly: "If you don't agree to give me half of your assets, I'll wait until you've retired and then announce everywhere that you're a wanton woman who conspired with an outsider to kill your own husband. Even if you've retired, I'll ruin your reputation!"

That's truly ruthless!

As he finished speaking, everyone's expressions subtly changed.

Wu Mei's face turned crimson with anger, and Liu Zixuan could barely restrain himself from wanting to slap him against the wall, where he could never be pried off!

Damn it, if you want the assets, just say so; why drag me into it!

Wu Mei sneered: "Zuo Tongyu, have you been waiting a long time for this day?"

"So what if I have!" Zuo Tongyu admitted directly and spread his hands: "I've been away from home, I need living expenses, right? According to seniority, you're my sister-in-law, and the elder sister-in-law is like a mother. Who else would I ask if not you?"

Wu Mei smiled and nodded, taking out a check from one side, writing a string of numbers, and tossing it to Zuo Tongyu: "This is all I have. If you think it's too little, I don't mind ensuring the Zuo Family has no descendants after my retirement!"

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