NOVPUB
Chapter 213: Chapter 182: Sweeping Star Wei Jun (Subscribe Please!) _1
Tang Qing did not step out of his room all afternoon. Instead, he stayed in the hotel waiting for news, mindlessly flipping through television channels without even caring what was on.
At this moment, he felt like the analysts in the Command Room, ready to deal with emergencies at any moment. However, unlike them, who would simply follow predetermined procedures and commands from Tang Yi when problems arose, Tang Qing had emotions. Tang Kai was his family. He felt a mixture of worry, curiosity, and anxiety. It was a bitter feeling. However, what could he do? The connection was rooted in blood, he couldn’t just ignore it.
He couldn’t glean any useful information from the listening device either. His uncle had also stayed in his hotel room without stepping out that afternoon, just like himself. According to feedback from the Command Room, only the sounds of his uncle smoking could be heard from his room. Tang Qing’s concern grew the longer he waited, unable to figure out what his uncle could be planning, and his time in Province City was running out.
Damn it!
He couldn’t exactly drag his uncle in for an interrogation, although he was growing increasingly anxious.
It seemed that he might have to leave the teleportation node here just in case, for reinforcements. Of course, reinforcements would mean sending someone here, as the system only saved the spatial coordinates of the service center for him. If he would appear in Province City again, his saved coordinate would be shifted to Province City, and if that happened, he would need to drive back.
"Rigid system! Bullshit settings!"
Tang Qing mentally doodled a large circle on the system icon.
This complex emotional turmoil gnawed at him all afternoon, until Sun Chao returned from shopping. Knowing that Tang Qing was a foodie, Sun Chao brought back a lot of snacks to Tang Qing’s suite for them to feast on.
Six o’clock in the evening.
Tang Qing and his group left for the banquet. There were only three of them this time: Tang Qing, Dou Jiao, and Sun Chao. Dou Jiao didn’t need to attend the banquet this time, as it was a channel and business dinner which had nothing to do with her. But she followed Tang Qing around like a puppy, claiming it was because she was worried he would drink too much.
Well, this move "touched" Tang Qing.
The banquet was held at the same place as the one yesterday. After all, it made sense for the host, Liu Qian, to host the banquet at his own place instead of outside.
However, there weren’t as many attendees this time, only two tables. One table for suppliers and another one for their entourage. Among the representatives were the bosses themselves, sales managers, deputy managers, and others with a myriad of titles.
Most of them were meeting Liu Qian for the first time, but the presence of the former president and current vice president of the Dream Melody Group reassured them. After introductions, they took their seats accordingly.
The suppliers gazed at Tang Qing with awe and surprise. Having learned more or less about the acquisition, they knew that Tang Qing had pulled out a hundred million in cash. Liu Qian having money wasn’t a surprise, but Tang Qing, being pushed to the forefront at such a young age, led their imaginations wild. They wondered which tycoon’s spoiled brat he was, and how privileged he must be. Seeing such wealth indicated power, and any family capable of giving their child a billion RMB for fun was certainly influential. Therefore, their eyes gleamed with appeasement as they looked at Tang Qing.
The fact that the Dream Melody Group had two powerful figures made them both excited and nervous. Excitement came from the idea of more business opportunities with a bigger Dream Melody Group; nervousness stemmed from the fact that dealing with such formidable figures wouldn’t be as relaxed as before. Maybe they needed to curb their greed for now and see how things would go.
However, Tang Qing didn’t pay attention to all this. Instead, he frowned in deep thought. Because he recognized someone from the crowd; it was Wei Jun, the man he had saved before. At this moment, Wei Jun was trying to entertain some of the bosses nearby, his cheerful expression seemed rather forced. Tang Qing even saw the old man who had been with Wei Jun at a nearby table.
Theoratically, considering how dark the night was, even with a night-vision sight, he shouldn’t have been able to clearly make out their faces. However, Tang Qing remembered the voice. Now, the voice and the name both matched up.
"Uncle Liu, what’s the story behind this Mr. Wei?" Tang Qing quietly asked Liu Qian. He had only heard a brief conversation between Wei Jun and a criminal from his last visit to the steel factory. It didn’t contain much personal information about Wei Jun. Besides his name and the number of his family members, he knew practically nothing about him.
"I heard that his family used to be the leaders of a small armed force overseas. They were doing business in jade, jewelry, gold, medicinal materials, and so on, quite a big business. They had dealings with almost all the major jewelers domestically. However, word is that they were recently driven out. His father was killed last month, so he’s now running the business alone. Due to the relationships developed over the years, he’s also managing to do business as a second-hand dealer in jade and jewelry. I’ve heard that he’s planning to open a jewelry company soon; we might end up as competitors," Liu Qian whispered while leaning in.
"I see. He’s had quite an unfortunate time," Tang Qing mumbled, deep in thought. It seemed that although he had saved Wei Jun last time, his father had met with misfortune. He wasn’t sure if it was Wei Jun’s brother or the money-hungry traffickers who were behind it. Considering Wei Jun’s current situation, it seemed likely the money never ended up in the hands of the criminals; otherwise, how could Wei Jun have afforded to get back on his feet?
"Indeed, however, even so, such people are very dangerous. It is said that they used to have hundreds of men under them, all of them armed. Although his family is in trouble now, I do feel a bit apprehensive about him," Liu Qian whispered.
"Hehe, uncle Liu, aren’t you being overly cautious? Now he has started a legitimate business, and he doesn’t have any underlings. Plus, this is within our country, what’s there to be afraid of?" Seeing Liu Qian’s insinuations, Tang Qing ’cooperatively’ asked.
"Well, there’s no choice, his family has lost their territory, but many of his underlings are still alive. If he’s willing to, he can find his old troops and form a considerable force. Your uncle here isn’t foolishly brave, dealing with these kinds of people does require caution," Liu Qian continued.
In front of Tang Qing, he didn’t try to conceal his fear. The act of pretense also has to consider the audience, no matter how rich he was, he would still hold a sense of awe towards the likes of Wei family.
"Hmm, You’re right." Tang Qing nodded in agreement.
Upon seeing Wei Jun again, Tang Qing didn’t intend to have much interaction with him. After all, he had his own people, money, and guns. There wasn’t much that Wei Jun could offer him. Most importantly, he didn’t want to get involved in Wei Jun’s complicated background and predicament, to avoid dragging himself into the mess.
Individuals with sensitive identities like Wei Jun were surveillance subjects within the country. Their every move was closely watched and recorded. If he got too close to Wei Jun, and those watching decided to turn their attention to him, then he would be wronged. With all the anomalies surrounding him recently, it would be very easy for anyone with the intent to investigate him thoroughly. Even Liu Qian might end up happily handing him over.
No, this isn’t a guess. Liu Qian would definitely sell him out.
No one would dare to confront the country!
Put simply, Wei Jun was a pit, a deep pit that could potentially bury him.
Having thought of this, Tang Qing was a little fearful of this ’unlucky’ Wei Jun. Throughout the feast, Tang Qing kept a respectful distance from Wei Jun during the toast and the small talk. Liu Qian was quite surprised by Tang Qing’s distinct attitude towards Wei Jun compared to others. This was not the ordinarily modest and cautious Tang Qing, who showed respect to everyone. However, the next moment, Liu Qian construed it as Tang Qing, still being young, feeling apprehensive around ’criminals’ like Wei Jun.
"I completely forgot he’s still a kid!" Liu Qian quietly chuckled to himself.
PS: Many thanks to readers 1738, Xuǎn Xuǎn línǐ shāng, bianbinking, crystal palace’s cause and effect, heavenly star and the divine monarch for their monthly tickets. Thanks also to the roller coaster of life 516 for their rewards and other friends for their votes of recommendation. Thank you for your support!
Special thanks to the rudder holder ’Hua Chen Tao’ for his generous gift.
