PDLP Chapter 2056 A Hand in Hand
Chapter 2056 A Hand in Hand
The public toilet outside the alley was renovated after the Zeng Xiaobao incident, becoming spacious and bright. It was thoroughly cleaned by the neighbors before the Li family's wedding banquet, and now it is filled with a smell of disinfectant mixed with years of grime.
Qian Houjin clutched his stomach and practically fled from the suffocating west wing of the Li family's house to this place.
After relieving himself, he stood by the sink and splashed his face with cold tap water, trying to clear his confused and panicked mind.
The icy water stung my skin, but it couldn't quench the anxiety in my heart.
Zong Wangshan's furious face, Song Cijiu's eyes that seemed to see through everything, and Li Xiangnan's seemingly gentle yet meticulously planned arrangements... all swirled in his mind like a revolving lantern!
He knew he had failed this time, completely and utterly.
Acting on one's own not only brought no benefit, but also made one the target of public criticism, leaving one pleasing neither side!
What should we do now? Go back and face Zongwang Mountain's wrath again? Or...?
He shook the water droplets off his hands, took out a handkerchief and slowly wiped them, his gaze blankly fixed on the gray sky outside the toilet.
The winter wind blew in through the door, making him shiver and wanting him to stay outside a little longer, even if it was just to breathe in some more air that wasn't so stuffy.
"Third Master Qian?"
A slightly hoarse voice with a local accent rang out from the side.
Qian Houjin subconsciously turned his head and saw a man in his early thirties, wearing a new cotton-padded jacket, with an ordinary appearance, standing at the toilet door, holding a cigarette in his hand, with a smile on his face that was common among ordinary people when they met important figures, a smile that was a mixture of respect and curiosity.
Is this one of Li Xiangnan's henchmen? Or a neighbor or friend?
Qian Houjin quickly went through it in his mind, but couldn't recall anything.
He was in a bad mood and had no interest in dealing with such a minor character. He just nodded perfunctorily, snorted an "Mmm," and turned to leave.
"Third Master Qian, can I borrow a light?" The man took a step closer, flicked his cigarette, and smiled as before. "Judging by your demeanor, you must have a good lighter in your pocket!"
Qian Houjin frowned, a wave of annoyance rising in his heart.
Even though he's in trouble today, he's not someone that just some Tom, Dick, or Harry can casually try to get close to!
However, out of respect for Li Xiangnan, he patiently took out a gold-plated kerosene lighter from his pocket, lit it with a click, and handed it over, his actions clearly showing impatience.
The man was Sun Jie, but he didn't rush to light a cigarette. He looked at Qian Houjin intently by the flickering flame before leaning in to light it, taking a deep drag, and exhaling a thin layer of smoke.
He didn't return the lighter immediately. Instead, he held it in his hand, weighed it in his hand, and clicked his tongue twice: "Good stuff, imported, right? Just like the pair of gold-inlaid jade ruyi scepters that you gave me today, Master Qian, they're both exquisite items!"
Qian Houjin felt a chill run down his spine. This person mentioned the jade ruyi; could it be that he was sent by Li Xiangnan?
He couldn't help but take a closer look at Sun Jie.
This person was indeed dressed plainly and had an ordinary appearance; you would never find him in a crowd. But his eyes... seemed casual, yet deep within them was an indescribable calmness and understanding!
"Who are you?" Qian Houjin's voice turned deep and became wary.
“Me? Sun Jie! I’ve been good friends with Dr. Li for many years!” Sun Jie grinned, his tone casual as if he were chatting with a family. “Hey, Xiang Nan has been so busy today, he specifically told us friends to take good care of our distinguished guests! Especially… families like Third Master Qian, who were the first ten to come and congratulate his daughter, that’s a special kind of relationship!”
He deliberately emphasized the first few words, "ten families," with a half-smile in his eyes.
Qian Houjin's heart skipped a beat.
There's a hidden meaning in those words!
The impatience on his face quickly faded, replaced by a look of surprise and uncertainty. He took the lighter back from Sun Jie, his fingers unconsciously stroking the cold metal casing, without immediately replying.
Sun Jie wasn't in a hurry. He smoked his cigarette, glancing towards the courtyard as if chatting casually: "This wedding banquet is really lively. I grew up in the alleys and have never seen such a grand affair! The Song family, the Jiang family, the Yu family... wow, even the Qin family is here! Xiang Nan, that kid, is really something!"
With each name he mentioned, Qian Houjin's face paled a little more.
These are Li Xiangnan's visible backers, and also the source of the immense pressure he and Zong Wangshan feel!
"However," Sun Jie chuckled, then lowered his voice, his tone carrying a heartfelt sigh, "the bigger the tree, the more the wind blows. While it's lively, trouble follows! Some guests aren't genuinely here to offer congratulations; they've come with ulterior motives! Xiang Nan knows this perfectly well!"
Qian Houjin's breathing suddenly became rapid, and his palms began to sweat.
He stared intently at Sun Jie, trying to glean more information from his unremarkable face.
Sun Jie seemed oblivious to his nervousness, flicked his cigarette ash, and continued, "For example, today, besides you, Third Master Qian, I heard... of the ten families of Yanjing, five are from the fake family, and later there are also people from the Liu family, the Hou family, and the Yan family. It seems they're coming too? What a coincidence! Are the ten families of Yanjing going to hold a big meeting in our little courtyard?"
"How...how did you know?"
Qian Houjin blurted out, his voice dry and hoarse!
The Liu family, the Hou family, the Yan family... these are the other families among the ten families, both upper and lower, who are preparing to step forward next!
The timing and the order were all planned!
How could Sun Jie, a friend of Li Xiangnan, know so much?
unless!
Unless Li Xiangnan already knew!
Not only do they know, but they even know the exact timing?
Although he and Zong Wangshan had mentioned this matter in the west wing, He Shun and the Li family were not in the room at all, so they would not know this information!
A tremendous fear gripped Qian Houjin instantly!
He felt like he was invisible, with all his schemes and actions under Li Xiangnan's watchful eye.
Sun Jie looked at his face, which turned deathly pale, and sneered inwardly, but his face remained as casual as ever.
"How would I know? Hey, Xiang Nan mentioned it to me, saying there are a lot of guests today, and asked us to keep an eye out for them! Old Cui and I are here to greet the guests today! Don't neglect them! Especially the Liu family, they said they'd arrive at 8:40? The Hou and Yan families seem to be a little later? I can't remember exactly! Anyway, that's the gist of it! Xiang Nan even said, these gentlemen coming together, are they trying to raise money for his daughter to make a good impression? Haha!"
8:40!
The Liu family!
Next came the Hou family, and then the Yan family!
The time Sun Jie casually mentioned was like three cold awls, piercing Qian Houjin's heart!
Exactly!
This is exactly the time they agreed upon!
Li Xiangnan even knows this?!
So their plan... the so-called main family stirring up trouble, while other families seize the opportunity to force their way into the backyard...
Qian Houjin felt his legs go weak and he almost lost his balance, so he quickly grabbed the cold brick wall next to him.
The winter chill crept up the wall and onto him, but he felt his back was covered in cold sweat.
“Brother Sun…” Qian Houjin’s voice trembled violently, and he forced an ugly smile, his posture extremely humble, without a trace of his previous arrogance, “Xiang Nan…Doctor Li…what else did he say?”