All afternoon, Bai Zhiqing didn't return to the company to work, and Zhang Qinyao also didn't go back to school for classes. The five women just sat on the sofa absent-mindedly, each playing with their phones, not even in the mood to play cards.
"Qingcheng, where do you think Uncle went?" Chu Feifei leaned closer to Nangong Qingcheng, asking worriedly.
"I don't know. If he doesn't want to talk about something, no one can get it out of him." Nangong Qingcheng also gave a bitter smile.
"That stubborn uncle is hiding something from us again!" Chu Feifei was indignant. She wanted to call Zhu Ge Yuheng to ask about the grudge between Jiang Feng and Shi Guanlin, but decided against it. Since Jiang Feng didn't want her to know, even if she found out, Jiang Feng wouldn't be happy. She didn't want to upset Jiang Feng, so she could only stew in her own frustrations.
Nangong Qingcheng couldn't help but glance at Chu Feifei a few more times. She felt that since Chu Feifei had been rescued by Jiang Feng, her attachment to him had grown stronger, even more than before!
But on second thought, it wasn't surprising. Jiang Feng had risked his life to dive into the sea and the eye of the typhoon to save her. They had depended on each other for a few days on the island, and after returning, Jiang Feng had helped her to punish the culprit who harmed her father. Anyone who received such a great favor from Jiang Feng would undoubtedly be moved, so it was normal for her to develop special feelings for Jiang Feng.
But this situation made Nangong Qingcheng uncomfortable. Her best friend falling for her own husband was truly a troublesome matter.
At this moment, while idly browsing her phone, Zhang Qinyao suddenly received a news push from the local public account, named "Binhai Big Event." After inadvertently going through it, she was shocked: "Qingcheng, Feifei, look! Shi Guanlin is on the headlines!"
"Hmm?" Even Bai Zhiqing and Liu Shiyuan looked at Zhang Qinyao with confusion.
Zhang Qinyao didn't have time to explain much and immediately sent the public account link to the group—now, they had formed a new group with only the five present, with Chu Feifei as the group owner.
Nangong Qingcheng and the other four quickly took out their phones to browse the public account.
There wasn't a large amount of text reporting, only some necessary notes, followed by a few candid photos.
The photos depicted Shi Guanlin personally visiting North City Bridge Village, respectfully inviting an elderly man out of the village and onto a car.
Because of his renowned Ship King reputation, the news quickly sparked widespread discussion among everyone who received the public account, garnering tens of thousands of comments with more pouring in!
"Why did Ship King Shi Guanlin go to Bridge Village? Who is that old man?" someone asked in confusion.
"Shi Guanlin looks so respectful next to that old man, serving cautiously. Is there such an important figure in North City?"
"You guys upstairs are really ignorant! The only one in North City who can command such respect from Shi Guanlin must be the once preeminent master, Qiu Qianguo!"
"Qiu Qianguo? I've heard my grandfather mention him. He's the legendary old master who took down two pirate ships in Somalia by himself?"
"Oh my gosh, hasn't Qiu Qianguo retired from the martial arts world for years? For Shi Guanlin to suddenly invite him out of seclusion, something major must be happening?"
…
The hot comments kept flowing, and the news spread wildly across various channels beyond WeChat, causing quite a stir across the entire Binhai!
Qiu Qianguo coming out of retirement was no small matter indeed!
As mentioned in one of the comments, many younger generations in Binhai hadn't heard of this person, only those who lived through that era knew that Binhai actually had four great masters, with Qiu Qianguo being one of them, renowned as North City's number one!
Now, about this elder who has been dormant for over a decade—who exactly is he coming out for? What's Shi Guanlin's purpose in inviting out this old master?
"Shi Guanlin actually invited Qiu Qianguo out of seclusion, could it be for... Uncle??" Chu Feifei held her phone, her face filled not only with shock, but a stronger sense of worry!
"Is this Qiu Qianguo very powerful?" Nangong Qingcheng asked, puzzled.
"Yes!" Chu Feifei nodded emphatically: "I've only heard of Qiu Qianguo by name, never met him. I only remember hearing my father mention him when I was very young."
Bai Zhiqing and the other three looked at her, waiting silently for her to continue.
"I only remember that when my father mentioned him, he was deeply fearful!"
Chu Feifei said with a tense expression: "My father once said, North City Mr. Scar isn't that terrifying in itself; it's because he has a like-minded sworn brother that he's untouchable."
"Is that sworn brother Shi Guanlin?" Bai Zhiqing asked. Being a year or two older than the other four, she had heard about these things but not in depth.
"Yes!" Chu Feifei nodded: "But Shi Guanlin himself isn't frightening. He's just wealthy. But when people learned he had Qiu Qianguo under him, that's when he truly became terrifying!"
"My father finally concluded Qiu Qianguo with this: an old monster who is too resilient. He was already formidable before retreating; now, no one can imagine how powerful he's become."
For a moment, the entire living room was silent.
The five women's emotions were mixed, but deep down, they all worried heavily for Jiang Feng.
If Qiu Qianguo's return wasn't for Jiang Feng, that would be fortunate. But if it was, what chance did Jiang Feng have?
The answer was clear, possibly none!
...
At Zhou Group, inside Zhou Rongfa's office.
Aside from Zhou Rongfa, every major figure who attended Chu Renxiong's funeral, led by Pan Haoting and Le Zhengyi, gathered for a meeting.
They, too, had seen that public account post, and because their information sources were better than others', they learned Jiang Feng had announced he would go after Shi Guanlin's life at ten o'clock tonight. Their opinions on this matter varied, even sparking intense debate.
"If Shi Guanlin is specifically inviting Qiu Qianguo out for this, things are getting serious. That old guy has been secluded for over a decade. I don't believe he's just been fishing and catching shrimp during this time; his strength must be greater than before!" Le Zhengyi said.
"Indeed, Mr. Jiang has truly underestimated the enemy this time. He probably didn't expect the monster behind Shi Guanlin." Pan Haoting sighed.
"Young people being too impulsive isn't a good thing. If he really goes to Purple Gold Garden tonight, it might be tough for him to return alive!" Jiang Tianxing remarked.
"Damn, you guys are such downers, boosting others' morale and dampening your own! Brother Jiang is a rising star and a hero in our South City, yet you're hoping he loses to that old relic?" Jia Youcai, a little irritated, cursed.
"It's not hoping he'll lose, but he simply can't win. This disaster is of his own making, and he must bear the consequences!" Yang Wanli, although a bit sympathetic towards Jiang Feng, could only say Jiang Feng's arrogance led to his own doom.
"Damn it, I refuse to believe it! If you all don't have faith in Brother Jiang, I do! How about this, I'll bet a million dollars that Brother Jiang wins!" Jia Youcai, having a mysterious admiration for Jiang Feng, spoke angrily.
"Alright, since Old Jia wants to hand out money again, I'll take your bet. I'll put up two million dollars that Jiang Feng loses, and Qiu Qianguo wins without a doubt!" Tao Guoyi said.
"I'll put up two million as well, betting on Qiu Qianguo!"
"I'll join in for fun too, a little bet for pleasure, three million on Qiu Qianguo." Le Zhengyi, seeing such easy money, laughed as well.
Ultimately, a betting pool was formed among the bosses, with Zhou Rongfa as the house and Pan Haoting as the supervisor.
Considering the real comparison of strengths, Zhou Rongfa grudgingly set the odds at one-to-one for Jiang Feng and one-to-ten for Qiu Qianguo.
Only Jia Youcai bet on Jiang Feng to win, while ten bosses bet on Qiu Qianguo.
If Jia Youcai lost, it wouldn't bankrupt him, but it would be a significant loss.
This disparate betting pool represented the sentiment of everyone in Binhai who knew about the situation.
Almost everyone believed that tonight, Qiu Qianguo would reestablish his power, and Jiang Feng, was bound to perish!!