Huang Mu'en was the first to object. "We didn't leave Yongchang County together, and Hou Cunjin has had limited dealings with us over the years. It couldn't be him."
"I also don't think it could be Master Hou. After all, our families share over a century of ties. Even if our relationship isn't as close as before, there's no way he would kick us while we're down." Li Cong shook his head. "Such suspicions are completely groundless."
"You're still speaking up for him," Wu Nanping sneered. "He latched onto Gu Wenheng ages ago. Why would he even put us in his eyes anymore?
"Over the years, you've all seen his business grow larger and larger, suppressing all of ours. His interactions with us recently have been nothing but superficial pleasantries."
Huang Mu'en shot back, "Mr. Wu, you are the last person in here who should be saying something like that.
"If Master Hou hadn't helped you navigate things back then, would you even be standing here today?
