"Little Le, are you sure Chen Fei can help us?" Zhao Long was clearly taken aback. He hadn't expected his wife to suggest such a thing.

After all, his wife should be well aware of their opponent's background. Anyone who could command respect from both the district health bureau and the fire department had to be influential at the district or even city level. And although Chen Fei seemed to be doing well for himself, compared to someone of that caliber… there was probably no comparison, right?

He and Chen Fei had been good friends, so unless he was absolutely certain of success, he really didn't want to drag him into this mess. He didn't want his friend to get into serious trouble because of him.

"Well, I…" Zhao Le froze, her husband's assessment of their opponent echoing in her mind.

This was a major figure with influence at the district level, at the very least. In her mind, Chen Fei was no ordinary person either and possessed considerable power, but she had no idea just how extensive that power was. Now that she thought about it, her husband was right. No matter how influential or capable Chen Fei was, could he really surpass a big shot at the district level?

At this thought, a hint of panic entered her voice. "Then let's not tell him… Forget it, Chen Fei, this has nothing to do with you. You shouldn't get involved. It would be terrible if you got into trouble."

"Hey, the two of you are really looking down on me, aren't you?" Chen Fei said, annoyed. "What do you mean I shouldn't get involved? Art Commissioner Zhao, I'll let that slide since it's you saying it. If it were anyone else, I would have turned around and left without a second thought."

"Oh, you know I didn't mean it like that! But this business is really troublesome… Fine, if you really want to know, I'll tell you."

Zhao Le waved her hands in a fluster. Then, as if finally venting weeks of frustration, she laid everything bare. "Along's family runs a medicinal food shop. Because it's a family craft and their luck has been good lately, business has been booming. We made a lot of money and were even planning to open a new branch. But now, we've caught someone's attention…"

"Caught someone's attention? You mean someone is after Along's medicinal food shop?" Chen Fei asked, his brow furrowing slightly.

"Exactly," Zhao Long interjected. Seeing his wife had told him everything, he felt there was no reason to hide it anymore. "Someone came to me and gave me two options: sell the shop and all the recipes for one million yuan, or take three hundred thousand for a seventy percent share. It's daylight robbery! I refused, and ever since, the district health bureau and the fire department have been showing up to cause trouble every few days. We can't even do business anymore. It's infuriating!"

"How outrageous! So, why are you two here today?" Chen Fei asked, his own anger rising.

"We're here today because…" Zhao Le and Zhao Long exchanged a look, and the latter continued slowly, "they gave us an ultimatum to make a choice. We set up a table here to see if we could negotiate."

"Negotiate? You certainly should," Chen Fei said in a serious tone. "Along, Art Commissioner Zhao, don't you worry. In a little while, you just talk to them as boldly as you want. If they dare pull any stunts or if the negotiations fall through, just give me a call. I'll handle it."

He never wanted to use his abilities for illegal or forbidden acts, but if someone used such tactics to trouble his friends, he certainly wouldn't tolerate it. He didn't have to.

"Chen Fei, are you sure?" Zhao Le's face lit up. If Chen Fei wasn't joking, this would be a huge relief.

"Thanks, Afei. We'll head up first. If something happens… I'll call you." From his tone, it was clear Zhao Long was still skeptical. In his mind, their opponent had district-level influence, at least. A problem like that couldn't be solved so easily. He didn't want his old high school friend to force himself into trouble for his sake. It just wasn't necessary.

Chen Fei naturally understood what his old friend was thinking and gave Zhao Le a subtle look. She immediately caught his meaning and blinked to show she understood.

Truth be told, she was more inclined to believe Chen Fei. After all these years, she knew he wasn't the type to make empty boasts.

"In that case, I'll head up as well. Remember to call me if anything happens," Chen Fei said as he stepped into the elevator with them.

In a large private room on an upper floor of the restaurant, Huang Feng and Yang Cailing were waiting quietly by the door. Although she had already heard about Chen Fei's capabilities from Huang Feng, she couldn't help but be impressed that he dared to be so casually late for such an important occasion.

Truly, anyone her boyfriend called 'Brother' was something else! It was astonishing.

"Brother Fei, you're here!"

Suddenly, Huang Feng, who was standing beside her, broke into a warm smile and moved toward the elevator. Chen Fei had finally arrived.

"Why are you two waiting out here? My apologies, I ran into a couple of old classmates downstairs and lost track of time," Chen Fei said with an embarrassed smile, seeing Huang Feng and Yang Cailing waiting for him outside the room. He reached out to shake their hands.

"Not at all, not at all! Brother Fei, the fact that you could make it tonight will make my dad absolutely delighted," Huang Feng said with profound respect. Despite being the mayor's son, he was exceptionally humble before Chen Fei.

Seeing this, Yang Cailing couldn't help but roll her eyes, feeling her boyfriend was laying it on a bit thick. With a clever glint in her eyes, she said, "Huang Feng, shouldn't you invite Brother Fei inside? It looks strange for us to be standing here in the doorway."

"Right, right, look at me, I'm so flustered. Brother Fei, this way, please," Huang Feng said, slapping his forehead. He quickly pushed the door open and gestured for Chen Fei to enter.

Seeing the door open, everyone inside the room immediately took notice. They all rose to their feet, assuming the city's newly appointed top leader, Secretary Zhuo, had arrived. Who else in all of Northern Mountain City would dare to be late for such an important event?

But then, a very young face appeared in their field of vision, and nearly everyone froze.

What the hell is going on? Wasn't Secretary Zhuo supposed to be here? How did a young man walk in instead?!

The atmosphere in the room turned bizarre. The collective gesture of rising with glasses in hand to greet the city's top leader now seemed incredibly awkward.

However, the guests present tonight were all clever and resourceful. They seamlessly resumed their animated conversations, pretending they had stood up to toast other tables, thus avoiding any embarrassment.

But what happened next left them utterly stupefied. Upon getting a clear look at the young man's face, Huang Tao, Gao Zhinan, and Zhu Qianye all shot up from their seats excitedly and strode quickly toward Chen Fei at the door.

The three men reached Chen Fei, and Zhu Qianye, the city's Chief of Police, was the first to extend his hand. "Mr. Chen, it's a pleasure. I'm Zhu Qianye. I trust you've been well."

He shook Chen Fei's hand briefly and then stepped back. Gao Zhinan immediately stepped forward, also shaking his hand with a smile. "Mr. Chen, long time no see. It's good to see you."

At this sight, an eerie silence descended upon the entire room. Nearly everyone stared at Chen Fei as if they had just seen a ghost.

My God! That was Director Zhu, the Chief of Police, and Gao Zhinan, without a doubt the richest man in the city! And they were speaking to a young man with such a respectful tone and attitude! Some people couldn't help but pinch their own cheeks. *Hiss.* Am I dreaming?!

"Hello to you both."

However, what made their jaws drop even further was Chen Fei's response. He simply offered a faint smile. That was it? That was all?!

Who the hell does this kid think he is? How dare he greet the city's wealthiest man and the head of the public security system with such a casual attitude? Is he out of his mind?

"Uncle Huang, I'm terribly sorry," Chen Fei said next, turning to Mayor Huang with an apologetic smile. "I ran into two old classmates downstairs and we got to talking, which made me late. Let me wish you a happy birthday. May you enjoy a long, healthy life and a smooth career."

This scene stunned the crowd once more. Strictly speaking, everyone here tonight was part of Mayor Huang Tao's Direct Lineage, officials within his inner circle. Yet now, this mere youth was addressing their ultimate boss with such a casual tone, as a complete equal. How could they not be dumbfounded?

But the biggest shock was yet to come. Hearing Chen Fei's birthday wishes, Huang Tao became visibly emotional. He rushed forward and tightly grasped Chen Fei's hand with both of his own, his attitude exceptionally humble and warm. "Please, Mr. Chen, you're too kind. The fact that you took time from your busy schedule to be here tonight is already the highest honor for me, Huang Tao. Thank you so much. I am deeply grateful."

CLANG.

Someone had accidentally knocked over a glass or a piece of silverware, but at that moment, no one cared.

My heavens, what were they witnessing? They were seeing their ultimate boss, the second-in-command of Northern Mountain City, behaving with such humility and enthusiasm in front of a young man. He even used the word 'honor'…

At this point, everyone present, especially the members of Mayor Huang Tao's Direct Lineage, couldn't help but tremble. Their eyes were fixed on that young face, desperately trying to memorize it.

This was no joke. You didn't need to be a genius to know that this young man had an earth-shattering background, one far beyond anything they could possibly imagine. All they could do was pray they wouldn't accidentally provoke him in the future. No, it wasn't a matter of 'not provoking' him—they absolutely, under no circumstances, could ever offend such a person! Absolutely!

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