Chapter 1363 - 1339: Car Crash

Chapter 1363: Chapter 1339: Car Crash

Chapter 1339: The Collision

What surprised Hua Qingyi was that the place where Quan Xianglin invited him was actually at the Xiao Family’s residence, which made him immediately dismiss the thought of assassination.

After consulting Xiao Zhenfeng, Hua Qingyi personally went to pick up Quan Xianglin, while Shao Qinyi silently followed them into the Xiao Family’s mansion.

Xiao Zhenfeng sat comfortably on the sofa in the study room, looking as if he was waiting for an old friend, with no sense of restraint at all. On the contrary, Quan Xianglin seemed a bit uneasy upon entering the room.

Xiao Zhenfeng stood up to greet him. In Hua Qingyi’s eyes, these two looked like old friends who hadn’t seen each other in decades, far from enemies.

"Zhenfeng, you don’t mind me bringing my subordinate along, do you?" Quan Xianglin clasped Xiao Zhenfeng’s hands with both of his, patting the back of Xiao Zhenfeng’s hands repeatedly.

"Shao Junwei, how could he be considered an outsider? He has had plenty of dealings with my disappointing son. I’ve already heard you have a capable and reliable subordinate whom I deeply envy, wishing I could recruit him myself so I wouldn’t have to worry so much. Look, I’m graying already." Xiao Zhenfeng laughed heartily. Although they were competing in the shadows, they did not neglect the formalities on the surface.

"It’s been over ten years, and we’ve all grown old."

The two naturally sat on the three-seater sofa, and someone brought over some snacks. Hua Qingyi intended to take his leave but was stopped by Quan Xianglin.

"Recently, I’ve had pleasant talks with Young Master Hua. I didn’t get to enjoy a good cup of tea last time at my place, so I’m borrowing flowers to offer to Buddha today. Congratulations to Young Master Hua for successfully becoming the new head of the Hua family. If Mu Yun were here, the three of us would surely enjoy a drink." Quan Xianglin raised his glass, his words carrying no hint of sarcasm or insinuation but a genuine congratulation. Hua Qingyi smiled and returned the toast.

"I’ve already heard this matter from Mu Yun. Recently, there’s been some trouble over in the United States, which kept me busy, and I didn’t have time to arrange a celebration for the kid. Let’s make up for it today. Xiao Mu, go and fetch my stored wine." Xiao Zhenfeng ordered Xiao Mu to get the wine while inviting Shao Qinyi to sit beside him, holding his hand and sighing regretfully.

Quan Xianglin looked on, swirling the red wine in his hand, listening to the two exchange snippets of conversation, unable to find an opportunity to interject.

Shao Qinyi was quite restrained in the presence of Xiao Zhenfeng, frequently glancing at Quan Xianglin with a desire to flee. Perhaps others saw Xiao Zhenfeng’s fondness for his talent, but only he knew the feeling of being caught between the two.

"Uncle Xiao, the Chairman’s visit must involve important matters to discuss with you. It’s not suitable for us juniors to be here. Since I’ve safely brought the Chairman to you, may we go for a walk since it’s really not suitable for me here?"

Hahaha, Xiao Zhenfeng pointed at Hua Qingyi and smiled helplessly. "Look at these young people, they can’t sit still at all. If you don’t have any issue with it, let them go out. We can have our talk."

Shao Qinyi looked at Quan Xianglin, who nodded in agreement as if receiving a pardon, leaving only the two of them in the study room. The previously relaxed atmosphere no longer needed to be maintained.

The smoke wafted between the two of them, and neither was willing to speak first. Stalemates always break, but the one who did first came as a surprise.

Xiao Zhenfeng stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, interlocking his fingers across his chest, facing Quan Xianglin, his perpetually cold face growing darker.

"I don’t think it’s necessary for us to meet, but out of respect for Hua Qingyi, I’m giving you this chance." His lofty demeanor was like that of a natural king, each sentence carrying an undeniable assertiveness.

Quan Xianglin propped his head with one hand, reluctant to put down the glass of wine he savored so much, but he had to when listening attentively to Xiao Zhenfeng. "I have no other intentions, just want to see if you’re still alive."

"Now you’ve seen it. Up to this point, I’m still doing quite well, though you don’t seem to be. I heard you lost a son recently. I’m sorry I couldn’t attend the funeral." Xiao Zhenfeng responded bluntly.

"This is just the beginning, I’m not in a hurry." Quan Xianglin chuckled twice. "Without a third party, our accounts can never be settled. If it weren’t for you, I’d probably still be living as a hermit somewhere in the mountains. To be honest, I’m grateful to you; it’s because of you that I got the opportunity to have everything I have now."

"You’re still so easy to hold a grudge!" Xiao Zhenfeng remarked, his gaze shifting to Quan Xianglin with a hint of disdain. "But your plans haven’t worked out ideally. Do you think having Mu Rongyun means you can secure victory?" Xiao Zhenfeng snorted coldly. "The idea is good, but concerning those people from back then, I’m afraid Mu Rongyun isn’t only resentful towards me."

"Who he resents is irrelevant to me, but I know what he wants." Quan Xianglin raised his glass and took a shallow sip. "Fourth Master has always been searching for Xiao Lin because of the snow on his body. Your Xiao Family is truly a bizarre one, able to cultivate such a person perhaps only once in decades. In hindsight, Mu Rongyun is really pitiful; the thing he’s pursued his whole life is actually within himself. Do you regret the decisions that led to this current situation caused by a moment’s lapse back then?"

"One from the Xiao Family is enough; the rest are merely accessories." Xiao Zhenfeng raised an eyebrow. "Let’s talk about our matters today. Your dream of taking over the underworld is impossible. Even if the Xiao Family weren’t standing in your way, you still couldn’t achieve such a foolish dream. I advise you to cherish what you have now and return to Yanjing."

"Are you trying to compromise with me?" Quan Xianglin heavily placed down his glass, sitting upright, facing Xiao Zhenfeng. "Whether I want to control the underworld is my business, but whether I choose to eliminate you is another. What happened to me back then, I will repay double, you better be prepared for that, including what your son has imposed on mine; I won’t be stingy at all. I’m a generous person, whatever I receive, I will return double. That’s etiquette."

"If that’s the case, then each of us can act according to our principles. If you want to be an enemy of the Xiao Family, I don’t care. But if you’re pursuing this out of personal motives, I won’t allow you to run wild." Xiao Zhenfeng stood up from the sofa. "We both know each other very well. You can’t beat me. You should have been clear about this more than ten years ago."

"More than ten years ago, I am no longer the small intern I was back then. Don’t forget, I have the power of the military now. Can your Xiao Family compete against a regular army?"

"Regular army?" Xiao Zhenfeng suddenly burst into laughter as if he heard a hilarious joke. "Quan Xianglin, can your regular army really be used? Your power isn’t yours, whereas mine is. No one can take it away, that’s the difference between our families. If you still can’t understand the situation, don’t blame me; I definitely won’t let you off this time. I’ve been carrying this burden for you for over ten years, and it’s time it ended."

With a snap, Quan Xianglin crushed the crystal glass with one hand, glaring fiercely at Xiao Zhenfeng. If you listen closely, you could hear the sound of his teeth grinding, driven by an itch of hatred.

"Fine, fine, fine!" After repeating the word "fine" three times, Quan Xianglin said, "Xiao Zhenfeng, the grievances between us end here. I’m returning the same words to you, hoping that the one who regrets won’t be me when the time comes."

Shao Qinyi encountered Quan Xianglin at the door as he exited. He appeared very angry, his whole body slightly trembling, but upon seeing Shao Qinyi, he immediately regained his calm. "Let’s go!"

Shao Qinyi nodded and promptly went to bring the car.

Quan Xianglin sat in the back seat, the car bouncing on the road, while Shao Qinyi watched him in the rearview mirror, resisting the urge to speak up several times.

Pretending to sleep, Quan Xianglin often recalled every word Xiao Zhenfeng said, but terrifyingly, every word was true.

They were missing someone between them, and that person was the real cause. If not for considering his current status and influence, he could easily deploy the regular army, but doing so would require a suitable reason. However, here in Palermo, mobilizing the military is entirely impossible.

Xiao Zhenfeng counted on this, but similarly, he couldn’t possibly transport all forces from the United States. The Xiao Family’s strong enemies aren’t only himself.

Suddenly feeling the car veer left fiercely, Quan Xianglin opened his eyes wide. "What’s happening?"

"Chairman, get down!" Shao Qinyi shouted to Quan Xianglin through the rearview mirror, hands maneuvering the steering wheel, making the car swerve like a snake.

"An ambush?" Quan Xianglin cooperated, bending down in the back seat. "Is it the Xiao Family?"

"No, it seems unlikely." Shao Qinyi watched the car behind them, glancing around. It’s not yet ten at night, and there are still many cars on the street. If it’s the Xiao Family, they wouldn’t choose such a location.

Slamming down the accelerator, the car squeezed through two vehicles and slipped into a gap. Behind them, a red Ford surged forward and extended a gun barrel through the window, firing a series of bullets at Quan Xianglin’s car, which struck the car door with a clattering sound.

Quan Xianglin clutched his head, never daring to peek outside.

Shao Qinyi forcibly rammed the car into the side of the Ford, sparks flying from the collision, producing a squealing sound. Under the impact, Quan Xianglin instantly toppled into the gap. Shao Qinyi glanced back at the disheveled Quan Xianglin, his mouth tight, focusing all his attention forward. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)