Chapter 144: Fu Fei of the Constabulary!

"So, it really is them!"

An Lan’s expression darkened. She whispered, "I thought that after the medicinal diet competition, they would show some restraint."

"But I never imagined they would stoop to underhanded tactics, inciting Xu Wei and Zhang Yanhong to betray the Lan family and implicate the An family. Do they not fear the repercussions from the Luo family?"

"Bastards!"

Master Tu was furious. He clenched his fists and asked, "Mr. Ye, give the order. Should we just finish them off right now?"

"I can rally my brothers immediately, including Zhang Heifa and Bi Haichao. They all follow your lead. Just say the word, and I can call in hundreds of men..."

"No need."

Ye Wushang shook his head, his voice deep and steady. "The other side came prepared, and they have banded together. If we aren't careful, we might trigger an even greater mess."

"Let’s assess the situation first and adapt accordingly. Don't call anyone until I give the word, or we’ll only be handing them ammunition."

After saying this, he stepped forward and met Pei Qinghu’s gaze. "Pei Qinghu, what exactly are you trying to do?"

"Nothing much. Just having a meal, throwing a victory banquet to celebrate the renowned pharmaceutical expert, Zhang Yanhong, joining my Pei Group."

"Although you showed up uninvited, my father feels that since we are acquaintances, we should at least sit down for a drink. Please."

Pei Qinghu stepped aside to make a gesture of invitation, yet his eyes were filled with murderous intent. The incident with the promissory note still stuck in his throat like a fishbone. Losing a hundred million wasn't the main issue; it was the fact that he had been slapped in public. Never in his life had he suffered such humiliation. If he didn't vent this resentment, how could he ever show his face in public again?

"We won't be joining. Just call Zhang Yanhong out," Ye Wushang refused.

When he heard that Zhang Yanhong had officially joined the Pei Group, he remained calm on the surface, but his heart was filled with shock. He had assumed Pei Huaide had merely bribed her, not that she had outright defected.

"You think I'll call her just because you asked?" Pei Qinghu chuckled, hands in his pockets, teasing, "As far as I know, Zhang Yanhong took the Lan Group's core data when she left, right?"

"You're here now to get it back, aren't you?"

"If you're here to beg, then show some attitude. Just get inside—why all the useless chatter?"

"Damn you!"

Master Tu cursed, glaring at him. "Pei Qinghu, stop playing the big shot. Mr. Ye is a kind man and doesn't want to lower himself to your level, but if you really push him too far, do you believe I..."

"Master Tu."

Ye Wushang stopped him with a slight shake of his head, signaling him not to act rashly. He took a deep breath and said, "Lanlan, wait for us in the car."

"Master Tu and I will go in and see what's happening."

Regardless of anything else, An Lan’s safety was his top priority.

"I’m going with you!"

An Lan instinctively tightened her grip on Ye Wushang’s arm. "I am the president of the An Group, a family under the banner of the Luo family. I don't believe they can do anything to me. If something happens, I might even be able to help you."

Just as Ye Wushang was about to refuse, Pei Qinghu suddenly interjected, "Miss An should indeed come in as well. My father said there are some matters that need to be negotiated with the An family. If she leaves now, how would this play continue?"

Forced into a corner, Ye Wushang had no choice but to agree. The core data was in Zhang Yanhong’s hands; if he couldn't retrieve it, the new medicine could not be produced. The consequences would be immeasurable.

***

Entering the hall, it was packed with people. Following Pei Qinghu to the end of the second floor, they pushed open the doors to a massive private suite. It was large enough to hold at least ten tables and nearly a hundred guests. Everyone seated was dressed in sharp suits and exuded an imposing air—they were clearly powerful socialites.

"Dad, I’ve brought them!" Pei Qinghu shouted.

In the center of the table, Pei Huaide stood up and beckoned, "Mr. Ye, Miss An. Come, sit here. We’ve left seats for you."

Ye Wushang raised an eyebrow. At the table, Pei Huaide sat in the center. To his left was Peng Haidong, the leader of the Zhanlong Gate, with Wang Xiaolong standing behind him. To his right sat a distinguished-looking middle-aged man, whose noble aura was tinged with a sinister charm. Two men stood behind him; their demeanor was clearly superior to Wang Xiaolong's, and their right hands were constantly resting on their waists, where guns were clearly holstered.

Zhang Yanhong sat at the lower end of the table, sipping red wine and clinking glasses with other guests. When she saw Ye Wushang, her expression turned mocking and filled with disdain.

"Let's go, Lanlan."

This time, Ye Wushang held her hand and walked directly toward the table. As they walked, he lowered his voice to whisper, "Lanlan, this matter is grave. Remember, stay close to Master Tu. No matter what happens, if you are told to leave, do it immediately—don't worry about me. I have my own ways. In any case, I must retrieve that core data today."

Hearing this, Master Tu patted his chest, promising, "Mr. Ye, please rest assured. Even if I, Master Tu, have to be smashed to pieces, I will never let anyone lay a finger on Miss An."

An Lan remained silent. She did not believe Pei Huaide would be insane enough to lay hands on her. Instead, she pondered that if things went south, she would have to call the Luo family immediately to intervene.

"You two, we meet again," Pei Huaide chuckled, gesturing with his hand. "Come, sit down and talk..."

"No need!" Ye Wushang interrupted, speaking solemnly. "I am here today to get the core data back from Zhang Yanhong. I know she is an employee of your Pei Group now, but the property of the Lan Group must be returned."

"In your dreams!" Zhang Yanhong slammed the table and retorted. "Didn't Lan Ruoxue tell you? Before I was hired, the agreement stated that not only could I leave at any time, but I could also take the fruits of my research with me. Who I give them to and how they are used is none of the Lan Group's business!"

Pei Huaide patted Ye Wushang on the shoulder and laughed, "Exactly. Zhang Yanhong is now an employee of the Pei Group, and these so-called core data will soon become the property of the Pei family. Isn't it a bit excessive for you to openly barge into our victory banquet to steal our things?"

"Excessive my foot!"

Master Tu was a man of passion. In his heart, Ye Wushang was his boss. Anyone who offended him was an enemy of his own. Even though the opponent was Pei Huaide, hearing his insolence, Master Tu roared and was about to strike when—

*Crack!*

Pei Qinghu grabbed a wine bottle from the table and smashed it violently against the back of Master Tu’s head! With the crisp sound of shattering glass and blood spraying, before he could even react, several other henchmen swarmed him and pinned him to the table.

"Pei Qinghu, stop!"

Seeing the situation turn dire, An Lan shouted, "Master Tu is Ye Wushang’s man, and Ye Wushang is the supervisor of my An family’s business. If you lay a hand on them, you are declaring war on the An family! Your Pei family used to be on par with mine, but you have already been kicked out of the game by the Luo family. I warn you, let them go now, or don't blame me for being ruthless!"

"Haha!" Pei Qinghu laughed, looking indifferent. "Trying to suppress me with the Luo family? Do you think we’re actually afraid of them?"

"You!"

"Young Master Hu is right."

Just as An Lan was about to scold him again, Peng Haidong rose from his seat, swirling his red wine glass. He said coldly, "The Luo family is a financial conglomerate, and indeed, we cannot afford to offend them. But they have to weigh their options as well. I don't believe that for the sake of this piece of trash, they would be willing to openly tear themselves away from both the Zhanlong Gate and the Pei family!"

"Besides, we are holding a victory banquet for Ms. Zhang here, and you are the ones who barged in to cause trouble. By all accounts, we are in the right. Don't mention that the Luo family won't come; even if they did, what could they do to us?"

Having said this, his eyes suddenly turned sharp. He smashed a wine glass and, holding the jagged, sharp end, drove it deep into Master Tu’s back!

"Agh!" Master Tu let out a blood-curdling scream as blood sprayed again. He was writhing in agony, howling in pain.

"Bastards!"

Seeing this, Ye Wushang could no longer endure it. Although he hadn't known Master Tu for long, he had witnessed his unwavering loyalty throughout their journey. Now, seeing him tortured like this for standing up for him, his rage boiled over. He was about to charge forward—

*Clap!*

The middle-aged man who had been silently eating and drinking suddenly smashed his wine glass and stood up.

"Stop right there!"

"In front of me, Fu Fei, you still want to cause trouble? Do you have no respect for the law?"

As soon as he spoke, he pulled an identification card from his inner pocket. A quick glance revealed it to be credentials from the Jinghan City Police Department. It clearly stated that this Fu Fei was none other than the Deputy Chief of the Police Bureau!

"Back off. If you take one more step forward, I will execute you on the spot for openly resisting the law!"

Following Fu Fei's order, the two men standing behind him suddenly ripped off their plain clothes to reveal police uniforms. Simultaneously, they drew their service pistols and aimed them directly at Ye Wushang. Should he dare to make a move, they would shoot to kill without hesitation.