Big Data Cultivation

Chapter 193: Shocking News

Wu Limin, though still shy of twenty, had been driving for quite a while and was truly a young, experienced driver.

At a glance, he could tell that something had transpired between Feng Jun and the beautiful sales guide.

However, as much as he thought this, his face remained amiable as he spoke, “Oh, insurance, all those are just trifles.”

Hearing this, the beautiful sales guide looked at him, then turned to Feng Jun with a radiant smile, “Thank you, President Feng.”

Wu Limin’s lips twitched slightly, and he felt somewhat annoyed inside: Isn’t it my money that’s being spent here?

After this encounter, Feng Jun’s impression of Wu Limin had improved somewhat. He didn’t like owing people favors – since you’ve gone to the trouble of sucking up to me, I can be a little nicer in return.

Others might not understand his mindset. As someone who has played friendly matches with him and is not short of cash now, why doesn’t he just pay the money himself instead of letting others pick up the tab and owing them favors?

But Feng Jun didn’t see it that way. He always believed that business and personal favors should be kept separate with a clear boundary.

If he gave money to others without a reason, it could easily lead to misunderstandings. If that sparked any troubles, it wouldn’t be fun – especially since the person had expressed a desire to be friends with him.

So when Wu Limin invited him to have drinks together at the Performer Bar that evening, Feng Jun nodded with some reluctance, “Hmm… I hope you bring me some good news tonight.”

In the time that followed, he loaded two more trucks with silver dollars, and then sorted out the installation guide for the surveillance and infrared alarm system.

Feng Jun had enlisted Lang Zhen and the Deng Family Brothers to manage the installation by contacting them on his mobile phone, but these three were quite touching in their ability to comprehend Earth Realm’s high-tech products. Despite his best efforts to explain, the results were not very satisfactory.

Therefore, he found someone to translate the instruction manual into Small Seal Script, then checked it again to make sure there were no errors before printing it out. The parts that should not be known by others had to be hidden first.

As for Lang Zhen’s illiteracy? That wasn’t a problem, the Deng Family Brothers could read, and this was the perfect opportunity for Lone Wolf to pick up some culture – how could one pursue cultivation without being literate?

After busying himself with these tasks, it was nearly time for dinner. By then, Li Xiaobin had removed all the packaging and was laboriously sanding off various characters from the equipment.

Feng Jun called out to her, suggesting that it was already late and they should leave the rest for tomorrow. “Let’s go have some dinner,” he said.

However, the beautiful assistant expressed that she wasn’t feeling well today, and since she could get off work, she preferred to head back to her rented place.

What was especially rare was that knowing Feng Jun was going out tonight, she declined his offer to drive her home – previously, she always sought ways to hitch a ride with her boss.

Feng Jun thought about it and then understood: The manager seems to have a grudge against the Performer Bar, so her mood is a bit off.

But there wasn’t much he could do about that kind of thing, and he found it somewhat amusing and frustrating – after all, it was her decision to go to the Performer Bar, not something he had forced her into.

So he decided not to rush to dinner. Instead, he made another trip to the hospital to visit Li Qiang, and then informed him that Liu Hong had apparently disappeared – whether it was related to the task he had given Li Qiang or not, the man was gone.

Surprisingly, Li Qiang wasn’t shocked by the news. Instead, he gave Feng Jun a peculiar look, “Do you think Liu Hong will surface again?”

In Feng Jun’s mind, the image of “the woman from that time” resurfaced, but in the end, he firmly stated, “If you get any news about him, tell me right away… I assure you he won’t have the chance to appear again.”

After Feng Jun left, the door to the adjacent hospital room opened, and a robust woman stepped out, followed by another sturdy woman – if not Sister Hua, then who else could it be?

She gave Li Qiang a slight smile, and that smile was somewhat terrifying, “It seems like Xiao Ma is behind this… He is quite capable, isn’t he.”

Li Qiang replied with a forced smile, “Sister Hua, it may not necessarily be him… His words are as good as unsaid.”

“It’s precisely because they are as good as unsaid, that I’m certain it was him,” Sister Hua laughed heartily, “Everyone’s saying that Liu Hong might have taken off with a plane ticket from Zhang Weihong… Xiao Ma is so close to Zhang Weihong, yet why didn’t he say a word in his defense?”

Hearing this, Li Qiang sighed, “Sister Hua, you shouldn’t make such claims lightly. Do you still hold a grudge against Feng Jun?”

Sister Hua snorted, “Hold a grudge against him? I have no interest in Zhang Weihong’s plane tickets either… I’m only worried about you getting into trouble, you rascal.”

After leaving the hospital, Feng Jun saw he still had some time before the nightlife began. With nothing else to do, he thought it was a good opportunity to buy a bottle of wine and visit the old man at the street factory for a drink, to strengthen their rapport.

The old man loved drinking and taking advantage of small frugalities. They chatted until 8:30 PM before Feng Jun stood up to leave.

Wu Limin was waiting at the Performer Bar. Upon hearing that President Feng had arrived, he went out to greet him personally.

This time, their booth offered an excellent view yet was extremely private. The inside was lit, but only a little light leaked out, and the space was more spacious than the average booth.

Wu Limin had brought his entourage, but they all sat on the outside. Inside the booth, apart from the performer and waitstaff, it was just Wu Limin and Feng Jun, whose presence clearly indicated they were important figures.

After taking their seats, Wu Shao was quite attentive, immediately calling for the most expensive drinks.

Feng Jun indicated that he only drank beer, but Wu Limin said, “Let’s pour some foreign wine first, it’s no big deal if we don’t drink it— I have the intention, and you shouldn’t stop me. What if we feel like having some, wouldn’t that be convenient?”

This kind of lavish behavior was not to Feng Jun’s liking, and under his insistence, Wu Shao could only reluctantly order a few dozen beers.

Then, performers came over to sit, and Feng Jun tossed a stack of money on the table, instructing the waiter, “For everyone taking the stage, give them a garland each, but don’t have them sit next to me, I’m feeling a bit irritable right now.”

The stack of cash was about seven or eight thousand yuan, enough for everyone including the security guards at the door to get a share at one hundred per person.

Wu Limin wouldn’t take this small amount of money seriously, but hearing this, he just gave a squeezed smile, “President Feng has some anger? That can be handled. Someone wanted to introduce me to a girl a few days ago, a bona fide freshman from Communication University.”

“Forget it,” Feng Jun shook his head, picked up a beer to drink, “Drinking some beer is good enough.”

“Since you’re here, you should enjoy yourself to the fullest,” Wu Limin laughed, “A young man who isn’t frivolous is wasting his youth.”

Feng Jun glanced at him sideways, speaking indifferently, “I’m not here to wait for girls; I’m waiting for news.”

This response was quite a snub, and Wu Shao managed a forced smile, stealthily swiped his phone, and with a dry laugh, raised his beer, “Here, President Feng, let me toast to you first… Rest assured, until the news comes, I’ll keep drinking with you.”

President Feng had given a total of three days, and now two had already passed. Wu Shao was determined in his heart— what could it hurt to drink from now until tomorrow night?

“No need,” Feng Jun waved his hand, “I have things to do tomorrow, I can’t afford to waste time like this. Just make sure you’re on top of it.”

After they talked for a while, Manager Chang entered the private booth and sat down beside Feng Jun without any reservation, lifted a beer, and with a smile said, “President Feng is really generous; I thank you on behalf of those girls.”

This time, she sat unusually close to Feng Jun, and, rarely not wearing her professional attire, she was dressed in a light purple cheongsam, which was still appropriate for the lobby manager.

Thankfully, Manager Chang’s cheongsam didn’t have a high slit, but even so, it revealed a good portion of her thigh.

She had also spritzed herself with a tea-scented perfume that could charm a soul effortlessly and silently.

Feng Jun was not on his guard against Manager Chang, drank a couple of beers with her, and felt that today’s lobby was quite seductive.

After drinking for a while, he asked casually, “You’re usually busy everywhere, aren’t you free today?”

“President Feng’s arrival makes you the most important guest,” Manager Chang said with a smile, spouting flattering words effortlessly, “And considering that thing with Wu Shao, you’re giving me such face, of course I’m grateful.”

In fact, she had been instructed by Wu Limin to take good care of Feng Jun; once they got past this hurdle, Wu Shao would certainly be appreciative.

As the lobby manager, Manager Chang had already made her way up in the world. She didn’t intend to trade her charm for gain, but earnest hospitality was a must.

Other performers in the venue also occasionally came over to propose a toast, but seeing the lobby manager nearby, they didn’t stay too long.

The three of them drank for over an hour. During that time, Manager Chang got up twice to greet other customers appropriately, to avoid seeming too deliberate.

On her third departure, Wu Limin received a phone call. After he hung up, his emotions underwent a noticeable upheaval.

Feng Jun, slightly tipsy, but with keen senses, upon noticing this, spoke up, “Is there news?”

Wu Limin wanted to say no, but he was not a brave man and lacked decisiveness. His mouth opened and closed, moving twice without uttering a word, yet he couldn’t help but start trembling.

Seeing this, Feng Jun slowly put down his beer, drew a cigarette, and lit it up. Without saying anything, he just calmly watched the other person, his gaze devoid of any emotion.

He had no intention of pressuring the other man, but he was absolutely not going to utter words of consolation either.

After quivering for quite some time, Wu Limin finally swallowed and spoke with difficulty, “Xiao Luo… Xiao Luo is… dead!”

Feng Jun continued to look at him expressionlessly, and after a moment of silence, he finally spoke, “He wouldn’t kill himself.”

He had limited contact with the short man, but the fellow had left a very deep impression on him. That man was shamelessly aggressive, greedy, and utterly unprincipled—how could such a person commit suicide?

Wu Shao’s lips twitched again, “But… he did kill himself.”

(Updated, calling for monthly tickets.)