The hotel had been booked in advance, and they checked in smoothly. Of course, all the rooms were next to each other on the same floor, making it convenient to contact each other and discuss business, and also providing mutual support.
They arrived just in time; the first meeting was the next day. They wanted to check out the goods first. Although it wasn't the day for the best items to be displayed, they could still get a rough estimate of the quality and quantity of jadeite this year.
After all, this grand event will last for quite some time.
The next day, everyone got up early, packed up, and prepared to set off.
"I received a call yesterday. Although Qian Da and the others were beaten quite badly, it wasn't too serious. Some of them can still go back to work after a simple bandage."
I hadn't originally planned for them to come; I wanted them to get some rest. But Qian Da insisted. And it just so happens we're a bit short-staffed here.
"They'll be coming in a couple of days, three or four of them. Li Yang, you don't mind, do you?" Xue Tao asked, showing great consideration for Li Yang's feelings.
She was afraid that Li Yang would not get along with them, because she was used to internal strife in the company and knew from the beginning that these people were not convinced by Li Yang.
However, since Li Yang had already demonstrated such strength, he should be taken seriously. She had initially hesitated regarding Zhao Lihua's recommendation, even though they had gone through a life-or-death experience together, and Li Yang had indirectly saved her life. But Li Yang hadn't displayed any astonishing martial prowess.
After this incident, she finally acknowledged Li Yang's strength and status.
He was afraid that if he called them over, it would cause Li Yang to misunderstand and think that he didn't trust his abilities.
"Hehe...why should I care? I'm just worried that I can't handle everything by myself!" Li Yang laughed indifferently.
Damn, it's good that they came. Otherwise, if I had to handle every little thing, wouldn't I be too cheap?
For example, they could send someone to act as a pervert for Xue Tao or clear a path for him. Those incompetent fools would be perfect for that!
"Yes, broad-minded and with the demeanor of a great general!" Xue Tao said admiringly.
My chest is very flat; you can't even see any cleavage. No wonder people say you women are narrow-minded. Look at that little cleavage on your chests—it's so small and so cramped, you can't even breathe properly. How can you be open-minded?
The group walked out of the hotel in a grand procession. The driver had already brought out the car, and they bent down to get in.
With a series of slams as the car doors closed, the convoy set off in an orderly fashion, heading straight for Pingzhou.
But just as they reached the border between Tianhe and Pingzhou, and were about to enter Pingzhou territory, a huge obstacle suddenly appeared on the road ahead.
No vehicles can pass.
A perfectly good street was so congested it looked like there had been a car accident! Everyone was honking their horns like crazy, and arguing with them was pointless!
"What's going on? Why is the road blocked? Who ordered it?"
"You don't know? This is the work of Liu the Madman's men. Every year he tries to make a fortune at this time!"
"Holy crap, it's him! This is going too far! Blocking the road like that? Is the government not doing anything about it?"
"You're wrong, he has powerful connections, very strong! Nobody dares to mess with him!"
"So he's charging a toll?"
"It doesn't seem so! I wonder what kind of trick that bastard is up to this time! He's not letting any vehicles heading to Pingzhou for jade gambling pass! Maybe this bastard is planning to get involved in jade gambling this time!"
"Who knows!"
...
Many people around were discussing it. Li Yang and Xue Tao also got out of the car to inquire and learned the general situation.
"Who is Crazy Liu? Does President Xue know?" Li Yang asked comfortably, leaning back in his chair.
Xue Tao frowned, this time she was truly in a dilemma.
"Liu the Madman is the underworld boss of Tianhe District. He has a very powerful backer. It is said that he has a relative who is a powerful leader in the district government."
He monopolized almost all the prostitution, gambling, and drug industries in Tianhe District; he was practically the underground emperor of Tianhe District. No one dared to mess with him here!
Xue Tao said with some worry.
"Wow, that's awesome! I was wondering why they dared to openly block the road!" Li Yang said, scoffing.
"Hu Song! The head and CEO of Hu's Jewelry, let's see if he can go!" Xue Tao suddenly said, looking out of the car with delight.
Li Yang followed her gaze and saw a bald, fat man with thick jewelry chains and rings on his hands and neck!
No wonder they run a jewelry company! Jewelry is just so damn cheap!
"Watch closely!" Li Yang looked over as well. Song Tian'er and the secretary behind him also looked over. However, Song Tian'er kept unconsciously peeking at Li Yang, making him feel like he was about to burst out laughing.
"Brother, my name is Hu Song. This is my business card. I'm the head of Hu's Jewelry. I absolutely must attend this jade gambling convention. This is my business card. Could you please make an exception for me?"
As Hu Song spoke, his secretary behind him took a paper bag and handed it to the man blocking the road.
"Oh? It's Mr. Hu? A big, famous entrepreneur! I'll accept this, brother. Thank you for your kindness."
But our boss said no one is allowed to cross, or he'll puncture all four tires and bleed them dry! Is that what Boss Hu wants? The thug who took Hu Song's 10,000 yuan was clearly robbing Hu Song of 10,000 yuan.
But they still wouldn't let them through.
"What exactly do you want?" Hu Song's sexy female secretary, who was standing behind him, snapped angrily.
"Wow, pretty! Pretty hot, big tits and a perky ass! Boss Hu, you must enjoy fucking her, right?" The thug stared lewdly at the female secretary, then chuckled lewdly at Hu Song.
Damn it, this is utterly shameless and vulgar! I arrange my own secretary; when there's work, the secretary does it, and when there's nothing, the secretary does it—that's my work principle!
"Shameless!" the female secretary shouted angrily, her face flushed red.
"Damn it! If you dare utter another word, I'll kill you!" the leader of the thugs shouted, glaring angrily at the female secretary.