NOVEL NEXT Chapter 36
Chapter 36 Li Zihe’s Fifteen Years of Martial Arts Practice
As is well known, Hangzhou has produced many influential entrepreneurs in the business world, including internet giants, beverage and food industry tycoons, and automotive industry moguls…
Among these prominent businessmen, some are renowned throughout the country, while others have gained international recognition, making regular appearances on various rich lists.
In comparison, Li Weifeng, a local businessman in Hangzhou, remains remarkably mysterious, low-key, and relatively unknown.
He initially started in the seafood business and ventured into the catering industry after accumulating a certain amount of capital. He expanded his business from street-side eateries to chain fast-food restaurants and eventually to hotels. His commercial empire gradually grew, encompassing an increasingly diverse range of products: food, daily necessities, textiles, clothing, crafts, wholesale and retail of seafood products, as well as the acquisition of agricultural and sideline products.
After marrying his wife, he formally established the Weifeng Group and ventured into infrastructure, transportation, and real estate.
Nowadays, the group holds full or controlling ownership of over 20 companies, including several publicly listed ones.
However, based solely on the presented information, some of these companies seem to have limited connections with him. Even within Hangzhou’s financial circles, only a small segment of the capital community truly understands him.
Therefore, a saying circulates within these small circles:
“In Hangzhou, whether it’s the mall you visit, the hotel you stay at, a certain overpass you walk across, the clothes you buy, the bottle of purified water you drink, the fish, shrimp, or cabbage you eat… There’s always something related to the Weifeng Group.”
This demonstrates the deep-rooted presence he has established in Hangzhou.
At half past five in the afternoon.
Li Weifeng emerged from a high-end sanatorium located in the West Lake district. After walking alone along a tree-lined path for seven or eight minutes, a tall and well-dressed young man strode up to him and followed closely as they headed toward a black Mercedes parked by the roadside.
Today, he had arranged a business meeting at his own teahouse, and on his way, he took the opportunity to visit several elderly people, gifting them boxes of tea and pairs of walnuts and engaging in conversation with them.
Once inside the car, just as he said, “Let’s go,” he received a call from his son.
“What’s the matter?” Li Weifeng activated the speakerphone.
The voice of Li Zihe came through the phone, “There’s something related to Ajiu, and I wanted to report it to you.”
Before his father could inquire, Li Zihe continued.
“Ajiu recently met a guy online who’s a student at Seacoast Normal University. He’s really skilled at Chinese chess. They played over twenty games on a Chinese chess app, resulting in a draw that caught her attention.
“And then today, at the Minhua District newcomer Chinese chess tournament, they coincidentally met again. He voluntarily revealed his identity, just like online, deliberately playing a match with Ajiu and tying it. After that, they jointly won the championship.”
“If that wasn’t enough, he then teamed up with Ajiu in a round-robin match against other players and won all of them.”
“But what makes me more wary is that he beat Ajiu in the last round of their blindfolded chess game…”
From the moment he heard the phrase, “Ajiu recently met a guy online,” Li Weifeng’s nerves were already on edge. Finally, when he heard that this guy defeated Ajiu in Chinese chess, he couldn’t hold back any longer: “Are you saying he beat Ajiu?”
Li Zihe replied, “Yes, Ajiu told me herself, and she didn’t seem too upset from her tone. She might even arrange to play Chinese chess with him privately in the future.”
“Get to the point,” Li Weifeng’s brow furrowed.
If there was something that could make him nervous, it was his beloved daughter, whom he had cherished since birth.
“I find it too coincidental, as if someone intentionally set up these scenarios, especially…” Li Zihe hesitated.
“Spit it out, no beating around the bush.”
“That guy knows Baiyu’s grandfather. Baiyu says they’re chess friends, and her grandfather holds him in high regard. He has praised him multiple times in front of White Jade.”
“What did you say?” Li Weifeng’s expression changed slightly. “He’s from Huang Pinghu?”
Li Weifeng had met Zhao Baiyu’s grandfather, Huang Pinghu. He knew that Huang Pinghu was an affable and amiable old man, seemingly like a friendly neighbor, yet profoundly inscrutable. He had also witnessed his seemingly opportunistic but cunning methods.
For example, he let his exceptionally talented granddaughter apprenticed under Gong Xuanzhu and became a junior sibling to his son, Li Zihe.
But if he dared to scheme against his daughter, even if he had to confront Zhao Chunjia, he would demand an explanation.
“I’m not certain. According to Baiyu, they’re just regular chess friends,” Li Zihe was somewhat startled by his father’s tone, “So, I thought of meeting him in person to confirm.”
“Leave for Azure Bay now. First, talk to Ajiu to clear things up, then wait for my message.”
“Okay.”
After hanging up the phone, Li Weifeng pondered for two seconds, then dialed another number and called Zhao Baiyu’s father, Zhao Chunjia.
Because he was calling from a private number, the call was answered promptly:
“Hey, Mr. Li, why are you calling me all of a sudden?”
“Can’t I call you for a chat when nothing’s wrong?”
“Of course you can! I couldn’t ask for more. Tell me, what do you want to talk about? I’m here to accompany you all the way.”
Li Weifeng chuckled, “Alright, I know you’re busy too, so I won’t beat around the bush. I’m asking you about someone. Is there a young chess friend of your father-in-law who got admitted to Seacoast Normal University this year?”
“Yeah, how did you know?” Zhao Chunjia’s tone held a surprise. “From my father-in-law’s hometown, his name is Qian Quan.”
“Oh, I see. Today, their school and my daughter’s school had a Chinese chess competition. It seems he won against Ajiu. She mentioned it, and it happened that Baiyu heard about that guy from your place. It felt quite coincidental, so I called to find out.”
“Oh, that’s really quite coincidental. I heard from my father-in-law and Baiyu. He’s really skilled in Chinese chess, but I never expected him to defeat Ajiu.”
“Everyone has their own strengths, and there are always people better than us.” Li Weifeng replied, “Alright then, I think I understand. Let’s leave it at that for now, and when we have time, let’s have a drink together.”
“Sure thing.”
The call ended, and both sides fell silent.
Li Weifeng didn’t detect any unease in Zhao Chunjia’s tone. He felt that he wouldn’t have been informed even if Huang Pinghu had arranged something. But was that really possible?
On the other side, Zhao Chunjia was more shocked than confused.
That guy named Qian Quan had been noticed by Li Weifeng so quickly?
His father-in-law had an uncanny ability to judge people.
Back then, his father-in-law had given his personal number to a guy named Qian Quan. He said if the guy called as soon as he arrived in Azure Bay, he could nurture him into a reliable subordinate.
If the guy never called, then if an opportunity arose, they could establish a good relationship, but it wasn’t necessary to go out of their way.
He had always trusted his father-in-law and kept this matter in mind. He never expected to hear that name from Li Weifeng today.
If it weren’t for his father-in-law saying not to go out of his way, he would have wanted to meet that guy personally.
…
Li Zihe didn’t immediately go to meet Qian Quan. Instead, he had someone drive him from Hangzhou to Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
On the way, he imagined all sorts of schemes and tricks, his anger escalating. He wished he could find Qian Quan right away and give him a beating, making his nose crooked and his mouth askew, blood splattering, leaving him with visible bruises on his face.
However, his anger and bitterness instantly disappeared when he saw his sister.
He took his sister out for a meal and once again confirmed in person the process of how she met that guy named Qian Quan.
What gave him a bit of relief was that his sister seemed to only acknowledge his Chinese chess skills, treating him as a tool to sharpen her own skills;
What made him angrier was that the other party dared to use his sister’s interests to set up a scheme. This kind of sinister method was truly despicable.
After the meal, he dropped his sister off at school. Li Zihe found a nearby hotel, rested for the night, and planned to meet Qian Quan the next day.
His father’s instructions were already clear: he could meet Qian Quan in person to probe his background, but he mustn’t act impulsively, let alone mention Huang Pinghu and Zhao Chunjia.
…
In Azure Bay, the men’s dormitory.
Qian Quan was earnestly reading the conclusion of Ding Linlang’s novel.
He had absolutely no idea that two heavyweight figures had mentioned him today.
Even less did he know that an angry brother had been thinking about him all night long.
Therefore, the next morning, when he saw Li Zihe at the doorway of his dorm room, he was still a little dazed, even after the latter introduced himself.
“So, you’re here to avenge your sister and have a game with me?” Qian Quan asked.
“What?” Li Zihe never expected him to ask this.
“Aren’t you here to play Chinese chess with me?” Qian Quan was confused.
Looking at his genuinely puzzled expression, Li Zihe had a momentary feeling that there might be some misunderstanding here.
If there was no misunderstanding, this guy was good at acting. Wasn’t his sister even more dangerous then?
“I don’t play Chinese chess. I practice martial arts.”
Saying that he walked over to a broken brick by the roadside, lifted his foot, and stomped down.
The brick shattered.
A solid stomp!
This was the first show of strength that Li Zihe displayed to Qian Quan.
Even if it didn’t make him wet his pants out of fear, it would surely give him enough shock to make him think twice before acting out of line.
“What… What are you doing?” Qian Quan was even more bewildered. “Your foot isn’t numb from that?!”
Li Zihe was about to burst out laughing, “With fifteen years of training in that one kick, you’re asking if my foot is numb?”
Hearing this, Qian Quan walked to the side and picked up a stone, placing it by Li Zihe’s foot.
Li Zihe glanced at the stone.
Li Zihe ignored the stone and said, “I didn’t come here today to showcase acrobatics. I’ve got important matters to discuss with you!”