Chapter 185: Pulling Someone Out (Part 4)

Chapter 185: Pulling Someone Out (Part 4)

The group of women entered the room, their laughter filling the air. They were indeed skilled at socializing, lightly made up, their youthful natural fragrance subtly enhanced by hidden perfumes. The scent was so potent it seemed to suppress the heavy alcohol fumes in the room.

Hou Weidong felt as though a swarm of colorful butterflies had flown into the room, dazzling his eyes. He couldn’t help but let his gaze wander over their exquisite figures.

Li Jing leaned close to his ear and whispered, “Pull your eyes back. I really can’t do anything with you men.”

The room was already lively. Ji Cheng, with a hazy look of intoxication, stood up and shouted, “Old Mu, it’s time for the third round. Otherwise, we’d be wasting this beautiful night.” Zhang Mushan replied, “Let’s go. Change the venue. Let’s go to ‘Heaven on Earth’ to sing. We won’t stop until we’re drunk.”

The facilities at ‘Heaven on Earth’ were among the best in Lingxi, and naturally, the costs were equally high. The young women clapped their hands enthusiastically.

Wu Kening had been considered a beauty herself, but in the presence of these invincible youthful beauties, she seemed to fade into the background. Accustomed to such scenes, she knew better than to stay. She exchanged a polite greeting with Wu Yong and Zhang Mushan, then drifted away gracefully.

Hou Weidong was a newcomer, and with a female companion by his side, these women naturally didn’t include him in their plans. He glanced at Li Jing and said, “Shall we go?” Li Jing nodded. “With female guests here, they won’t feel comfortable. Let’s go. Let them have their fun.”

After leaving the Gaoyu Club, Li Jing reached out and took Hou Weidong’s arm, saying with concern, “You’ve had at least half a liter of wine today. You can’t drive.” Hou Weidong didn’t argue and took the passenger seat.

The car was excellent, and Li Jing’s driving skills were even better. The Crown sedan moved along the riverside road like a martial artist using lightness skill. The slow pace was merely Hou Weidong’s perception; in reality, the car was moving at around forty kilometers per hour. The Crown’s sealing was excellent, and soothing English music filled the cabin. Hou Weidong recognized the tune from his university English classes—it was likely the famous song “The Four Brothers.”

Hou Weidong stole a glance at Li Jing. She was fully focused on driving, her chin sharp and attractive.

At a viewing platform along the riverside road, Li Jing stopped the car. “Let’s get out and stand for a while.” Hou Weidong, feeling the effects of the alcohol, followed Li Jing to the platform.

A large river flowed quietly across the solid earth. From the viewing platform, it could be seen winding eastward. The dazzling lights along the bank reflected on the water, swaying gently with the waves. The river breeze blew, messing up their hair. In that moment, silence spoke louder than words. The two stood quietly, gazing at the eternal Yangtze River.

It was Li Jing who broke the silence. “Bu Gao is still pursuing your Xiaojia. He’s a formidable rival.” Hou Weidong had been immersed in the picturesque scenery, but Li Jing’s abrupt words snapped him back to reality. He asked in surprise, “How do you know about this?”

“Bu Gao is also a regular at Hanhu. A while ago, he sent people to find my employees, trying to gather some compromising material on you—specifically, photos of you in intimate contact with beautiful women.”

Hou Weidong had indeed enjoyed a romantic encounter with a beauty at Hanhu. If Bu Gao had managed to obtain this material, his marriage to Xiaojia would truly be over. Thinking of this, he broke out in a cold sweat.

“Did he get it?” Hou Weidong tried to remain calm but couldn’t help asking.

“Bu Gao has a clear line of thinking and took this matter seriously. However, his luck was poor. Xiao Qing, the woman who bathed with you, has already graduated from university and left Shazhou to work in Shanghai. The people working at Hanhu used fake names; only I knew their real identities. When they left, I paid them the agreed severance fee and burned the signed receipts in front of them.”

Li Jing continued, “He certainly won’t be able to trace your romantic affairs. You can rest assured.”

Hou Weidong breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness. Otherwise, I would have been finished.” He thought to himself, Li Jing is truly a formidable woman. I must be careful in the future to avoid giving her any leverage.

Li Jing’s tone suddenly turned cold. “If your relationship with Xiaojia is so good, why did you do that?”

At that moment, Hou Weidong felt as if he were stripped naked standing next to Li Jing. He disliked her approach and the feeling it evoked. His expression cooled, and he said, “This is my private matter. It has nothing to do with Li Xun.”

Gazing at the turbulent undercurrents of the river, Li Jing remained silent for a long time. Her eyes seemed to moisten. She said softly, “Yes, this has nothing to do with me.”

Hou Weidong felt his tone had been too harsh. He changed the subject. “That bastard Bu Gao is pushing his luck. He has been shamelessly sending people to follow me for a long time. He took photos of you and me and sent them to Xiaojia. His methods are particularly despicable.”

Li Jing was startled. “He took photos of me? What’s going on?”

“It’s all to destroy my relationship with Xiaojia.” Hou Weidong recounted the events of the previous period.

Li Jing was initially surprised, but by the end, she laughed. “No wonder Bu Gao has been calling me constantly lately. We even had a meal together. He was tight-lipped and revealed nothing. So that was his purpose.”

She repeated her earlier words, her expression angry. “You men are all the same.”

Hou Weidong remained silent, his expression tense, ignoring Li Jing’s sudden complaint.

Li Jing’s mind was racing. Hou Weidong came to Hanhu for the first time and slept with Xiao Qing. He’s no saint. Sigh, after experiencing so much, one shouldn’t fantasize about anyone remaining chaste. But just because Liu Xia Hui remained chaste doesn’t necessarily make him a true man.

Hou Weidong had no idea of the countless thoughts flashing through Li Jing’s mind. He changed the subject again. “Zhang Mushan’s Qingda Company must be quite powerful, right?”

Li Jing was still immersed in thoughts of romance and felt an unexplained sadness. She answered irrelevantly, “Bu Gao is a bachelor diamond in Shazhou. He used so many tactics for Li Jia. Li Jia must be excellent. I want to meet her and make friends with her.”

Hou Weidong rubbed his chin with a bitter expression. “Li Jing, don’t make things worse. Ever since Xiaojia saw our photo together, she has been jealous. I dare not mention our cooperative relationship, fearing she would fly into a jealous rage.” He thought to himself, In the future, even if I risk Xiaojia’s blame, I must clarify my relationship with Li Jing. Otherwise, as things develop, it will become impossible to explain.

Li Jing had seen the ugly sides of many men and had decided not to marry any of them. However, she did not resist sexual love. She had originally thought tonight would be a romantic evening, but she had inadvertently brought up a topic that ruined the mood. The romantic atmosphere cultivated in the car was now completely destroyed.

“Weidong, how much money is needed to get your second sister released from the study class? I am about to leave Shadaosi. This might be the last time I can use my position to help you get some extra money.”

“Thank you.”

“You are a major shareholder of Jinggong Group. Helping you is helping me. There’s no need for formalities.”

The two got into the car with a lukewarm demeanor. Li Jing turned on the audio system again, and the singing echoed in the car. Hou Weidong had drunk too quickly. After blowing in the river wind for a while, he began to feel dizzy. He leaned back in the car seat, listening to the music, feeling the slight vibration of the car engine, and smelling what seemed to be a high-end perfume floating in the air.

He was familiar with this scent. Xiaojia also loved this perfume, which was said to be very expensive.

When the car reached the Eaton Hotel, Li Jing nudged Hou Weidong. “We’re here. Wake up.” Hou Weidong opened his eyes, looked at the magnificent hotel entrance, rubbed his eyes, and got out of the car.

“I won the money today, so let me treat you. Jinggong Group hasn’t made a profit yet, so I should try to save for the group.” Although Hou Weidong was exhausted, he still made a joke.

After the conversation at the viewing platform, the relationship between the two had become somewhat strange.

Li Jing stood beside him, waiting for Hou Weidong to complete the check-in procedures. Once she got the room key, she told the waiter, “Send some fruit to this gentleman. Watermelon juice would be best.”

The two walked up the stairs side by side. In the elevator, Li Jing said sincerely, “Zhang Mushan’s Qingda Company is very strong. I have always wanted to connect with him. He appears enthusiastic but actually keeps people at arm’s length. Today, you hit it off with him, which can be said to have connected Jinggong Group to a big ship. I really need to thank you.”

Seeing Li Jing suddenly become polite, Hou Weidong adopted her tone. “I am part of Jinggong Group. Doing these things is for my own benefit. Besides, Zhang Mushan wants to open a cement plant, which will require a significant investment. This can also be considered a contribution to Yiyang.” He sighed, “They say the Lingxi Young Masters Circle is powerful. I just took a spin around it and gained so much useful information. I should find opportunities to come back.”

Li Jing noticed Hou Weidong walking unsteadily and gently supported him, like a virtuous girlfriend. “Actually, the Young Masters Circle has its benefits. It is also a hub for information gathering. Many things can be resolved without leaving the circle, similar to Western salons. Of course, without a certain status, one cannot enter this circle. Initially, I could only interact with these people because of my position as Vice General Manager of Shadaosi.”

“Your official identity is Deputy Mayor of Qinglin Town, Yiyang County, Shazhou City. If you tried to connect with Ji Cheng using this identity, it would be extremely difficult. Although Ji Cheng is only a Deputy Division Director, his uncle is the Deputy Secretary-General of the Provincial Party Committee General Office and the Director of the Research Office. If you build a good relationship with him, promotion would be just a matter of a word.”

Hou Weidong said, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch. It’s easy to say, but building the right relationships requires a lot of effort.” At this point, a thought occurred to him. Ji Cheng is also a good catch, yet Li Jing is not interested in him. She is going out of her way to use me as a shield. She must have other channels.

These words struck a chord with Li Jing. The effort and cost of entering this circle were known only to her. Memories flashed through her mind, and her expression became somewhat gloomy.