Chapter 223 - 222: Liu Hong Falls Into the Trap (2)
However, thinking that his daughter is already his, there was no further thought. After all, no matter what Hao Shuai is like, he is still the son-in-law.
"Alright, I accept your proposal. However, this is not for me to decide alone. I still need to personally ask him and convene a gang affairs meeting to let everyone decide when the time comes," Tang Xiao said.
"Okay, then thank you in advance, boss, for all the nurturing over the years. I’m sorry... I let you down."
Liu Hong truly had no way to express his grievances. He could have continued to stay in the gang, but since Hao Shuai had leverage over him, and his position was subordinate, staying wouldn’t be of much use.
"Ah... forget it. Since you’ve already decided, just go back and take good care of your wife and children," Tang Xiao said decisively, and wouldn’t force anyone to work for him against their will.
After Liu Hong left the office, he called Hao Shuai and informed him of the result. Hao Shuai was very pleased with this outcome and vowed to keep his promise.
Two days later, the Celestial Wolf Gang held a gang affairs meeting and finally decided to promote Hao Shuai to Second-in-Command. There was some murmuring at first, but upon hearing it was personally recommended by the Second-in-Command, everyone quieted down.
"Does anyone else have any objections? If not, then Hao Shuai will be our Second-in-Command of the Celestial Wolf Gang," Tang Xiao said very seriously.
None of those present dared to voice dissent. Even if they disagreed inwardly, they thought it better not to oppose him, as Hao Shuai is the son-in-law of the Tang Family’s leader.
"Alright, it seems everyone is in agreement, very well! Then it’s settled," Tang Xiao stated firmly.
After the meeting ended, Tang Jingjing walked up to Hao Shuai and happily congratulated him, "Congratulations, Hao Shuai, on being promoted to Second-in-Command!"
"Hehe, yes, I didn’t expect Liu Hong would resign himself and leave the position to me," Hao Shuai replied with a smile.
"Right, it was quite surprising for me too, but isn’t this great? Now you’ve become my father’s right-hand man," Tang Jingjing said, clearly delighted. Now, the two most important figures in the Celestial Wolf Gang were hers, and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say the Tang Family could single-handedly dominate the gang in the future.
Hao Shuai held Tang Jingjing’s hand as they walked out. With two steps of the plan completed, the upcoming tasks would become much easier.
"Chen Tianlong, Zhao Bing, just you wait..."
Hao Shuai was thinking maliciously about his next plan.
The weekend passed quickly, and South Sea No.1 Middle School resumed its usual learning atmosphere. The campus was as sunny as ever, but the outside world had begun to stir with turmoil.
The Xu Family was set to rise, as the South Sea City’s four great family evaluation meeting would start in the middle of this month. Time quickly reached October. In the eyes of the Lin Family, there was no risk, as the Lin Family’s Lin Group was prospering with no signs of decline.
But one family’s economy was slowly declining.
That was the Mo Family.
Since the cooperation between the Mo and Hao families, not a single project had been successfully completed, causing the funds to not only fail to be effectively utilized but also to be wasted.
Just like back then, when the Hao Liu Alliance went to the Capital City to invest in a project with the Baiyun Group, but unexpectedly, Chen Tianlong intervened and snatched the pharmaceutical research project that rightfully belonged to them, causing their alliance’s funds to be abruptly cut off.
Most crucially, as the Lin Family thrived, investors and suppliers gradually turned to the embrace of the Lin Group, and even their old customers slowly shifted, plunging the Mo Family into an economic crisis.
This in turn severely crippled the Mo Family’s industry, causing its liquid assets to become non-productive and gradually turning into dead money as the projects failed to yield returns.
Moreover, the Hao Family no longer trusted the Mo Family. While there were no personal grudges between the two families, economic friction had arisen.
"Father, there are only two weeks left until the triennial four great family evaluation in South Sea City, and given our current economic situation, it’s truly..."
Mo Shaoyun was anxious, knowing everything resulted from the Lin Family’s growth and the Xu Family’s abandonment. The root cause, of course, was the failure of the last collaboration, which worsened the Mo Family’s economic situation.
Recently, Hao Family’s young master Hao Jian was imprisoned, causing Hao Dahai to be very depressed, and naturally, he had no intention of collaborating with the Mo Family again.
"Hmm, I know about this. Ah... there’s nothing I can do now, I can only keep thinking about it,"
Mo Chou sighed helplessly. His health was deteriorating as he aged, and his weak constitution worsened with all the worrying.
Mo Shaoyun sighed deeply, pained at the thought of seeing the Mo Family being expelled from the four great families. Although the four great families’ title is only honorary, it is like a celebrity effect.
When you’re famous, people will know you, will want you to star in movies, commercials, and invite you to various events. It’s free advertising.
Similarly, once the Mo Family is expelled from the four great families, the number of investors and partners joining Mo Family’s enterprises will dwindle, causing their economy to decline further.
"Shaoyun, don’t worry, father has an idea. However, I’m not sure if it will work for now. Just wait for my news..." Mo Chou suddenly remarked.
"Oh? Okay," Mo Shaoyun replied with a bit of surprise and joy.
....
Sunday morning was sunny and clear, with rays of sunshine streaming into Chen Tianlong’s villa as he lazily opened his eyes, smiling at the peaceful scene.
Suddenly, Chen Tianlong’s phone rang. He picked it up quickly and saw that it was a call from Lin Batian.
Since becoming a mysterious shareholder of the Lin Group and a standby bodyguard for the Lin Family, apart from rescuing Lin Wushuang once, he had done hardly anything, which genuinely made Chen Tianlong feel a bit guilty.
It was rare to see a call from Lin Batian, making him feel a little excited.
Although people like getting paid without doing anything, Chen Tianlong, for a boss who trusted him so, couldn’t shamelessly take money without doing the work.
Even though he wasn’t lacking in funds, once he agreed, he had to take it seriously.
"Mr. Lin, do you have a task for me today?"
As soon as Chen Tianlong picked up the phone, he asked directly.
"Haha, Chen Tianlong, you are indeed endearing. While others fear taking on tasks, you’re quite the opposite. However, you’re correct, I do have a task for you. Since today is the weekend, accompany me somewhere," Lin Batian chuckled.
"Oh? Okay, I’ll be right over."
Chen Tianlong agreed immediately without asking what the task was. As a bodyguard, whether it was the blade’s edge or hellfire, as long as the employer wanted to go, he must be willing to risk life and limb.
That was Chen Tianlong’s principle! It’s not a matter of money.
"Okay, drive to the company, and I’ll take your car." Lin Batian, after much thought, decided to go. The place could indeed be a bit dangerous.
He knew it wouldn’t be long before his whereabouts were discovered. Lin Batian strongly suspected that there were spies planted in the company, though he wasn’t sure who exactly.
The last assassination incident was clearly informed by someone, otherwise, it wouldn’t have been such a coincidence that his daughter was intercepted on the road, indicating a premeditated plan.
Lin Batian had also considered finding a way to root out the spy. Otherwise, living in constant danger daily could eventually lead to real harm.
"Alright, I’ll be there in half an hour," Chen Tianlong said.
"Hmm."
Lin Batian didn’t say much more, as this matter was best discussed in person.
After hanging up, Chen Tianlong started picking out a respectable-looking outfit from the wardrobe, a gift from the second master, Chu Yaoyao, last year — a suit and shirt.
This type of apparel was too formal, making it somewhat awkward for the young Chen Tianlong to wear.