Chapter 29 Part 1

After Zhu Ran finished speaking, he left the poker room without looking back, his mood at an all-time low. Unfortunately, misfortune never came singly—he ran into Zhu Yanqing on the way back.

Zhu Yanqing’s eyes lit up as if he had discovered a treasure. In a kindly tone, he said, “What are you doing here? Didn’t you leave with Huo Boyan?”

He had indeed been keeping tabs on the relationship between Zhu Ran and Huo Boyan. Yet the incident from just an hour ago had already reached his ears, and in such an ugly light—as if Zhu Ran were a dish he had served up to Huo Boyan.

Zhu Ran felt a wave of nausea. With a cold face, he asked, “Did you take Huo Boyan’s investment? How did you get it? What did you promise him? Did you use me as a bargaining chip?”

A flash of guilt crossed Zhu Yanqing’s face before he quickly schooled his expression into a stern lecture. “Securing the investment is my skill. What do you care how I got it? Besides, you’re my only son. With father and son united, I’m doing this for our family to live a better life.”

Zhu Ran felt even more disgusted. Even though he no longer held any expectations for this biological father, hearing those words still infuriated him.

How could there be such a shameless person? Zhu Yanqing was selfish and opportunistic, willing to use his own son to achieve his goals, yet he packaged it all in such a righteous manner.

Zhu Ran wanted to expose him but felt that arguing was pointless.

When Zhu Ran was very young, Zhu Yanqing had dragged him to various social occasions, using him to curry favor with others and accomplish his aims.

As a child, Zhu Ran didn’t understand the adult world and naively went along with it. Once he grew up, he began to resist. He had tried talking to Zhu Yanqing, but the results were always disappointing, so Zhu Ran eventually gave up on communication entirely.

Zhu Yanqing wanted to raise money, and Huo Boyan wanted to invest—none of it had anything to do with him. After all, he was leaving tomorrow.

With that thought, Zhu Ran’s mood finally lightened a bit, and he quickened his pace forward.

“Where are you going? Where’s Huo Boyan?” Zhu Yanqing shouted from behind. “Don’t make him angry. Be obedient. It’s late—don’t wander around outside.”

Zhu Ran let out a cold laugh.

Even after twenty years of knowing each other, Zhu Yanqing’s mindset still shocked him. It was like an ancient father selling off his daughter—Zhu Yanqing needed to keep his pretty son pristine and pure to fetch a higher price.

The only difference was that in ancient times, they sold outright, while modern fathers like him had learned to disguise it, wrapping poison in sugar-coated paper labeled “concern.”

Zhu Ran analyzed it calmly as he headed toward the bar without looking back.

Zhu Yanqing had intended to chase after him and properly explain the pros and cons, but his phone suddenly rang in his pocket. He glanced at the name and immediately answered, nodding repeatedly. “Yes, yes. I’m just waiting for Second Master Huo’s reply. I’ll be right there.”

Five minutes later, Zhu Yanqing arrived at Huo Zhixiao’s turf, panting for breath. He pulled out his tri-fold presentation on his project PPT and repeated verbatim what he had once told Huo Boyan.

Huo Zhixiao played cards the entire time without sparing him a glance.

Only after the card game ended did Huo Zhixiao leisurely light a cigar. He said to the bodyguard beside him, “Take him down.”

Zhu Yanqing had been eagerly awaiting his chance to shine when he was suddenly forced to his knees. With his cheek pressed against the rough carpet, he said in terror, “Second Master Huo! What is this? I’m here with sincere intentions to cooperate!”

Huo Zhixiao bit down on his cigar and walked unhurriedly over to Zhu Yanqing.

The bodyguard yanked Zhu Yanqing’s hair back, and Huo Zhixiao tapped his ash onto his face, narrowing his eyes. “You’ve got some nerve. You just took Huo Boyan’s money, and now you dare come to me for a double dip?”

“I had no choice,” Zhu Yanqing wheezed, playing up his misery without daring to breathe too loudly. “Huo Boyan said he’d invest ten million, but he’s paying it out in installments. He’s only given me two million so far. That’s not even enough for equipment, so I had no choice but to come begging Second Master Huo for help.”

Huo Zhixiao showed no interest and stood up. “I could invest in you, but I have no interest in your money-grubbing scam of a project.”

Most people would have their pride ignited by such humiliation, but Zhu Yanqing showed no temper at all. Instead, he immediately said, “Then what do you want? Just say the word, Second Master Huo, and I’ll make sure it’s done perfectly.”

“Zhu Ran is so proud and lofty, yet his father is…” Huo Zhixiao paused meaningfully for a few seconds before spitting out four humiliating words: “As flexible as bamboo.”

Everyone around burst into laughter, but Zhu Yanqing’s face remained unchanged. He crawled to his feet and continued, “The kid doesn’t know any better—he was spoiled by his mother. He aims too high and doesn’t realize things are built step by step. Second Master Huo, are you saying Zhu Ran could be of use to you?”

Huo Zhixiao neither confirmed nor denied it. “I need someone planted by Huo Boyan’s side.”

How could Zhu Yanqing not understand? He had only planned to use Zhu Ran to pull investment from Huo Boyan, but now he could profit from Huo Zhixiao too. He immediately grinned. “Then Zhu Ran is perfect for it.”

“But he himself doesn’t seem to think so,” Huo Zhixiao turned away, his tone cooling. “I can invest in you, but I need to see your sincerity first.”

“I understand completely,” Zhu Yanqing said confidently. “Don’t worry, Second Master Huo. Zhu Ran is my own son, after all—I know him well. He just seems rebellious on the surface, but he still listens to me and his mother. And in this world, what son doesn’t obey his father? Just wait for the good news.”

Huo Zhixiao grew tired of the flattery and empty promises. He waved his hand, and his men chased Zhu Yanqing out.