He Zenyu studied Li Ziqing's face carefully, searching for any flicker of reaction when he mentioned the Gong Group. To his surprise, there was none. She appeared entirely indifferent, as though the name meant nothing to her.
In truth, Li Ziqing was well aware of the Gong Group. It was a prominent name in China's chemical industry, but its reach extended far beyond that—hotels, luxury resorts, and exclusive private clubs. The most prestigious five-star resort in Wuhan, in fact, bore the Gong Group's emblem. In Central China, it was considered a heavyweight. While it could not rival the staggering wealth of Feng Zhaotian, it was still a formidable player.
But Li Ziqing felt no fear. Why should she? She might be a newcomer to the business world, but she possessed her own network, her own skills—and the unshakable backing of her System.
"Where are the evidences?" she asked without hesitation.
He Zenyu replied at once, "They're at my home, but…"
"But what?" Li Ziqing's tone was sharp, cutting away any hesitation.
He Zenyu shifted uneasily. "Are you… truly planning to pay him fifty million?"
Li Ziqing's lips curled in a faint, knowing smile. "Why should we pay? It's the Gong Group that should be handing over the money. All we need to do is set the trap—then it's game over."
Still unconvinced, He Zenyu pressed, "But how? I mean… I do have evidence, but it's not enough to convict him outright. To get Boss Lu arrested, we'd not only have to lure him into producing the loan agreement himself, but we will have to trap him on the spot. If I walk into the station now, the Gong Group will be tipped off instantly. Discretion is impossible."
"Leave that to me," Li Ziqing said with quiet confidence. "First, we'll collect your evidence from home. Then, I'll arrange the fifty-two million. I'll also secure police cooperation—quietly." She pulled out her phone without another word, dialing Mayor Han. In situations like this, only he could ensure a swift, silent strike.
---
Western District, Wuhan
The old bar sat in a narrow street lined with other Bars, clubs and tattered buildings. Inside, cigarette smoke hung thick in the air, curling under the dim yellow lights inside. A battered jukebox hummed softly in the corner, barely audible over the clink of glasses and low murmur of voices.
At a corner table, a heavyset man in an ill-fitting suit leaned back in his chair. His bald head gleamed under the light, and his round, fleshy face wore the benevolent smile of a laughing Buddha—but his eyes were sharp and predatory. This was Boss Lu, the man who held He Zenyu's debt.
He was sipping baijiu and chatting with two of his men when the door slammed open. A younger subordinate rushed in, chest heaving, face pale.
"Boss Lu! That lawyer, He Zenyu—he says he's ready to pay the principal fifty million and the two million interest today. He's even invited us to dinner at a restaurant in the Central District."
Boss Lu's smile froze. His expression darkened as he set his glass down with deliberate care.
"Are you certain it's him?" he asked slowly. "The man's flat broke. He can barely afford a bowl of noodles. Where would he get that kind of money?"
The subordinate nodded emphatically. "I'm sure, Boss. He even sent the restaurant's location. He specifically told us to bring the loan agreement and IOU to settle everything in one go."
Boss Lu's brows furrowed. Tang Yuze—He Zenyu's partner—had assured him that the lawyer was trapped, that he'd be at Lu's mercy until the very end. But this sudden windfall made no sense.
From the next table, another man leaned in and asked, "So what now, Boss? We were expecting to squeeze him for a much larger profit. Now he wants to settle in full before the month is even over."
Boss Lu slammed his fist on the table, making the glasses rattle. "I don't buy it. He's not paying in full. Maybe a few million at most. We'll go to the meeting and see for ourselves."
"Should we bring the loan papers?" the first man asked.
Boss Lu tapped the table, considering. "Bring them—but don't take them out until we see all fifty-two million in cash or proof of transfer. And one more thing—call that bastard Tang Yuze. Tell him to stay out of sight but close enough to watch. He Zenyu may be broke, but he's no fool. He's a damn good lawyer. We don't underestimate people like him."
With that, Boss Lu rose from his chair, adjusting his suit jacket. The laughter was gone from his face. Something about this felt wrong, and he wasn't about to walk into a trap without his claws ready.
---
"Boss Lu, I still feel something is off here. Let's just go back," Tang Yuze urged for what felt like the hundredth time, his voice low but urgent. "It's impossible for him to raise fifty million in a month. Now the law firm is completely shut down—no cases left after he lost the lawsuit. None of this makes sense."
The moment Tang Yuze had received Boss Lu's call earlier—informing him that He Zenyu had miraculously arranged fifty million and was summoning them to settle the debt—his mind had been thrown into chaos. He had calculated every step so carefully, designed the downfall with no escape route. By all logic, He Zenyu should have been finished, ruined beyond repair. And yet… he had recovered?
The doubt gnawed at him only briefly before a more sinister thought took root: it had to be a trap. That was the only explanation. Which was why he had been trying so hard to dissuade Boss Lu from going into the restaurant.
Boss Lu let out a cold laugh. "A trap? Did you forget who stands behind us—President Gong? Do you really think that penniless man could possibly touch us? If he truly has the money, we take it, sign off the agreement, and walk away richer. If he doesn't, we lose nothing."
Tang Yuze's frown deepened. "Sign off the loan agreement? What about our arrangement? You were supposed to keep him under your thumb for life! Now you're just letting him go?"
Boss Lu's eyes hardened. "That's exactly why I called you here today. I want you to witness that I did everything in my power to help you—but you still lost. He Zenyu managed to crawl out of the trap you set."
Tang Yuze's fists clenched, his nails digging into his palms. "But Boss Lu, if he can raise fifty million in a month, isn't it possible he's planning to turn the tables on you?"
"Turn the tables with what?" Boss Lu snorted. "Ambush me? Look around, my men could crush him before he gets close. Call the police? He'd need solid evidence for that—and even if he had it, President Gong would hear about it first. Stop worrying about me. Start thinking about your next scheme to sabotage him."
Without waiting for a reply, Boss Lu strode confidently into the restaurant, leaving Tang Yuze stewing in helpless fury.
Tang Yuze ground his teeth, muttering under his breath, "He Zenyu… why can't you just die quietly? Why do you insist on struggling even when your end has already been decided?" Still, he forced himself to rein in his temper and followed, taking a seat in a dim corner where he could clearly see Boss Lu and He Zenyu by the floor-to-ceiling windows.
---
Outside, a black Rolls-Royce Phantom VII idled by the curb. Inside, Li Ziqing sat composed, flanked by Li Jianping and Zhou Yichen, their eyes also fixed on the scene inside the restaurant.
Zhou Yichen than glanced at her, brow furrowed. "Miss Li, I still don't understand why you got involved in this man's mess. He was about to commit suicide—we could have simply handed him to the police. Helping him this far… you must have your own reasons."
Even Li Jianping turned expectantly to his niece. But Li Ziqing only offered a small, knowing smile. "You'll understand once you start working with him." Then, her gaze shifted to Zhou Yichen. "Mr. Zhou, I never invest my time or money unless I see a clear return—or unless I'm in the mood to collect a bit of virtue."
Zhou Yichen chuckled quietly, nodding. Li Ziqing's tone was calm, but her eyes carried a glint of calculation.
"What about the interviews?" she asked.
Zhou Yichen straightened, all business now. "Completed. We secured some experienced personnel, but as per your instruction, most hires are fresh talent. Training begins tomorrow—Madam Li Jianfang will personally oversee it. Today, we finalized junior chefs, a manager, assistant manager, waitstaff, valet, receptionist, cashier, accountant, bartender, logistics manager, plus junior logistics staff and tea art specialists. I've also contacted several security firms for quotations and will finalize a contract soon."
"Good," Li Ziqing said. "And the office space?"
"Ready for renovation," Zhou replied.
"Then renovate another one as well. I'll be needing it shortly."
He inclined his head. "Understood. Also, my Bentley Continental Flying Spur is ready. Elegant, refined—thank you for the thoughtful choice. And as for Mr. Li's Porsche Panamera Turbo, I arranged for the dealership to deliver it to your apartment in the school district tomorrow."
Li Jianping smiled in appreciation. "Thank you, Mr. Zhou. I'll handle it."
Li Ziqing's expression softened slightly. "Uncle, I think it's time we start moving into the new apartment. School will resume soon, the demolition notice will be here any day, and once the restaurant opens, things will get hectic for Mother."
"You're right," Li Jianping agreed. "I'll speak with jie. We can move within the next day or two."
Li Ziqing's gaze returned to the restaurant window just as the scene inside shifted. Boss Lu's confident smirk froze into shock as uniformed officers appeared. Within moments, he was cuffed and pulled from his seat. Another man in his late thirties was also escorted out, struggling as they dragged him past stunned diners.
From her seat in the car, Li Ziqing's lips curved faintly. The trap had been set long before they arrived—and the net had closed exactly on time.
---
Around nine o'clock that night, Gong Mutai, President of the powerful Gong Group, was entertaining several distinguished clients in the opulent private dining hall of Wuhan's most exclusive five-star hotel. The chandeliers bathed the room in warm gold, glasses clinked, and laughter mingled with the soft strains of a live piano.
Suddenly, the heavy mahogany door burst open. Gong's personal secretary rushed inside, his face pale, eyes darting nervously. He didn't utter a word, but his expression was enough to tell Gong Mutai that something had gone terribly wrong.
Without excusing himself to his guests, Gong rose from his seat. His imposing frame still carried a certain authority despite the toll years of indulgence in wine and women had taken. The boom in his voice remained undiminished. He snatched the phone from his secretary's trembling hands and stepped into the corridor.
"What do you mean you didn't know?" he barked into the receiver, his voice low but seething with fury. "Do I pay you to idle around? How the hell did that lawyer walk into the police station, file a complaint against me, and simply walk out unscathed?"
The voice on the other end stammered, "Mr. Gong, he never went to the police station. It seems… he has connections with Mayor Han. The call went straight to the top. The case was handed directly to the Chief. I only found out when I saw Boss Lu and another man being arrested. And now—" the man hesitated, "—they have evidence linking your secretary and the company. Mr. Gong, think carefully… how could that lawyer casually involve the Mayor unless he had truly solid contacts?"
Gong Mutai's grip on the phone tightened as he cut the call abruptly. The image of Boss Lu, the man he once believed to be shrewd, now looked like nothing more than a fool who had blundered catastrophically. And that insignificant "fly" of a lawyer? He had flipped the board without warning.
Initially, Gong's interest had been only to win the case. But after witnessing the young man's cunning, he had thought to crush his spirit, then leash him as a lifetime servant to the Gong Group. A talent like that was worth owning. Yet, it seemed he had underestimated the lawyer gravely.
He turned sharply to his secretary. "What's your view?"
The secretary, having regained his composure, spoke evenly. "Mr. Gong… I'm prepared to surrender."
Gong's brows knitted. "That wouldn't work. Even if you confess, that lawyer isn't a fool—he'll shift the blame onto the Gong Group for orchestrating everything. And now, with proof that this sabotage was premeditated, the opposing company will rally behind him. The only viable path now is… a private settlement." His tone was calm, but each word was edged in steel.
The secretary hesitated. "But isn't this too sudden? If he had the means to produce fifty million yuan, why deal with Boss Lu at all? He could have petitioned for an extension with the other company and paid just as he did today. And the sudden involvement of Mayor Han… if he had that connection all along, would he really have walked so willingly into our trap? You remember, Mr. Gong—when Mayor Han was first appointed here, we tried everything to approach him, but he was untouchable. Even Wuhan's Party Secretary treats him with exceptional respect. Rumor says his family in Beijing is extremely powerful."
Gong Mutai's eyes narrowed, a dangerous gleam flickering within. He gave a cold, humorless chuckle. "Find out who's helping that lawyer. So what if they have ties to the Mayor? Politicians and businessmen do not cross swords easily. At best, the Mayor will help with trivialities. But to go against me? Never. I'll make sure they regret crossing Gong Mutai."
He turned on his heel, heading back toward the private room. But the fine wine and gourmet dishes now seemed tasteless. Every step felt heavier, his thoughts clouded by the insult and the cost—bribes to the lawyer's assistant, the partnership with Boss Lu, the fifty million yuan, and now the looming price of a private settlement. Each was a stinging slap to his pride.
Yet, as his jaw tightened, his resolve crystallized. He would not simply let them walk away. They would learn—painfully—what it meant to challenge Gong Mutai.
---
He Zenyu was truly nervous now.
The case might have been resolved, with Boss Lu, Tang Yuze, and his former assistant all under arrest, but this—this was the real battle. The young woman before him had done far more than simply offer assistance; she had shifted the course of his life in the span of hours. And no one does that without a reason.
Earlier that evening, when he had walked out of the restaurant carrying a bag containing fifty million yuan and returned it to her safely, he had been quietly grateful that the money was never part of the trap set against Boss Lu. That meant one thing—he was now debt-free. But the debt of gratitude he owed to Li Ziqing was something far heavier. Without her intervention, he might still be trapped in that nightmarish mess… or worse, dead.
Now, he found himself sitting in the cramped but clean living room of Li Ziqing's home in the Northern District, surrounded by her family. The faint scent of tea leaves filled the air as porcelain cups clinked softly.
Li Ziqing, reading his thoughts with practiced ease, broke the silence. "So, Mr. He… what do you plan to do about the case?"
He Zenyu met her gaze squarely. "Gong Mutai's secretary contacted me for a private settlement. I have no intention of asking for money. I'll use the opportunity to restore my reputation—which is far more valuable to me right now. I also plan to file for the case to be reopened in court. And I'll fight it—properly, this time."
Li Ziqing gave a measured nod. "Mr. He, have you wondered why I went to such lengths to help you?"
Finally, the question he had been waiting for. He straightened in his seat. "Yes."
Her voice was calm, deliberate. "You've already met my mother—she's the president of Huiheng Group. It's a newly established enterprise, but one with potential you'll soon see for yourself. That, however, is not the main point. Now that you're free of debt, and once your case reopens, your name will be cleared. Naturally, you'll want to revive your law firm?"
He Zenyu didn't hesitate. "Yes. That's my dream."
Li Ziqing's lips curved slightly, but her tone remained businesslike. "Then here's my offer: I will invest in your firm and provide office space. I'll be the majority shareholder, which means technically you'll be under Huiheng Group's umbrella—but you'll manage the firm independently. You'll be your own boss, except when it comes to Huiheng's legal matters, which will take priority. You'll hold the title of General Manager, and aside from handling our legal work and attending annual meetings with the president, the rest of the firm's operations will be entirely yours to control."
She spoke with precision, outlining the entire proposal in one fluid breath, leaving no space for misunderstanding.
He Zenyu stared at her, momentarily stunned. That was it? No hidden catch? Why? He was, after all, just a struggling small-time lawyer still fighting to survive. Swallowing his surprise, he asked quietly, "Why?"
Li Ziqing didn't hesitate. "Mr. He, you don't owe me anything—not money, nor favors. I simply lent you my fifty million for a few minutes, and you returned it intact. I helped because I see potential in you. Huiheng Group is newly registered and we need a legal department. You, on the other hand, want your own law firm, without someone else holding veto power over it. This arrangement serves us both. I provide the investment and infrastructure; you run the firm as you see fit. My only conditions are that Huiheng's matters remain top priority, and the firm operates under the Huiheng name. Beyond that, I will not interfere."
Her clarity stripped away his lingering doubts. This was more than an offer—it was a lifeline.
Building his own law firm had always been his dream, but investment was the unscalable wall. Outside funding always came shackled with impossible terms. But here she was, offering capital, office space, and full decision-making authority. Her demand to be the major shareholder was reasonable—she was, after all, risking her money. And as long as she stayed true to her word about non-interference, it was an ideal partnership.
"This…" He Zenyu's voice steadied as his mind clicked into place. "I have no objections, Miss Li. Thank you for placing such trust in me. I'll work twice as hard to live up to it." He turned toward Li Jianfang. "Madam Li, I look forward to working under your umbrella."
Li Jianfang's smile was warm but dignified. "Mr. He, don't think of it as working under me. You'll be working with us. I need your expertise for our legal affairs. Let's build something together." She stood and extended her hand.
He Zenyu flushed slightly as he rose to take it. It was difficult not to when such a poised and striking woman smiled at you in earnest.
From the sofa opposite, Zhou Yichen leaned forward. "Then we can finalize the contract tomorrow. As for registering the law firm, it won't be an issue—Huiheng Group is already in the system. The process should take no more than two or three days. I'll handle it personally."
Li Ziqing nodded in agreement. "Renovations for Huiheng Hospitality and Huiheng Law Firm begin tomorrow. Mr. He, you're welcome to oversee the design for the law firm before work starts—it's going to be your space, after all. In the meantime, you can wrap up your previous commitments. Once renovations are complete, you can move in officially."
"Of course, Miss Li," He Zenyu replied with a rare, genuine smile. "I'll clear my current cases within the next ten days or so. Now…" he lifted his teacup, "…let's toast to our collaboration."
The porcelain cups met in quiet chimes of agreement and shared laughter, the atmosphere lightening at last. Even He Zenyu's tense shoulders seemed to relax.
That was when Li Ziqing heard it—the cold, mechanical chime of the system echoing in her mind.