Chapter 19: The Divide Between Women

Li Meng possessed an unyielding spirit. He bore the title of head of the Li family. Yet, in the face of death, even the strongest backbone would bend. Those who often spoke of fearing no death were, in truth, the most afraid. The truly fearless would ascend to the rooftop and leap without hesitation. Silence was the sharpest weapon of such souls.

Beyond the fear of death, there was another crucial reason that made Li Meng willing to bow his head: only by living could all possibilities remain.

Accompanying Zhao Ran away from the Li family villa, Zhao Ran felt no discomfort toward Tang Xuan’s methods. Though it was her first time witnessing such grand affairs, she understood that Tang Xuan acted solely for her sake.

At the gates of the Li family villa, Tang Xuan noticed a woman kneeling. Her face stirred a familiar feeling within him.

It was Zhang Qi.

In the previous life, Zhang Qi was a notorious female boss in Jiangcheng’s underworld. Tang Xuan had met her in high school; by then, she was near forty and held considerable status in Jiangcheng.

Seeing Zhang Qi brought back some memories. The bullying he endured from classmates during high school had been unbearable, driving him to the brink of despair and even thoughts of ending his life. It was Zhang Qi’s intervention that pulled him through that painful time.

Approaching her, Tang Xuan asked, “Do you trust me?”

Zhang Qi looked up at him, puzzled.

“If you trust me, come with me. I can help you solve any trouble.”

The young man before her was barely in his twenties, yet he spoke with such brazen confidence.

“Do you understand what ‘any trouble’ means?” Tang Xuan pressed on.

“There’s nothing I can’t handle, as long as you’re willing to trust me.”

Seeing the unwavering determination in his eyes, Zhang Qi, almost against her own will, stood up.

After sending Zhao Ran home, the two went to a quiet café.

“What trouble have you encountered?” Zhang Qi asked curiously.

“Why do you want to help me?”

Tang Xuan smiled.

“If I told you it’s a bond from a past life, would you believe me?”

Zhang Qi furrowed her brow. She was beautiful, rivaling even Huang Ying in allure.

Tang Xuan wondered why a woman like her had chosen such a path.

“Is this your way of picking up women?” Zhang Qi teased.

Tang Xuan could only laugh bitterly.

Zhang Qi continued, “I may be willing to die, but my body must remain pure.”

Tang Xuan was taken aback. She dressed provocatively — black stockings, a short skirt, red-soled heels, and a tight white blouse.

“If I were willing to give my body, I wouldn’t be in the trouble I am now.”

Tang Xuan thought of Huang Ying and Liu Ling. Though they came from respectable backgrounds and held prestigious careers, their lives were completely different from Zhang Qi’s. To outsiders, the former two seemed untouchable, yet they believed that opening their legs was the way to get by with men. In contrast, Zhang Qi, who seemed so accessible, held an entirely different attitude.

“You dress like that…” Tang Xuan began.

Zhang Qi cut him off, “I dress like this simply because I like it. If you think I’m trying to seduce men, you’re gravely mistaken.”

“If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving.”

Seeing Zhang Qi rise to leave, Tang Xuan quickly said, “Rest assured, I’m not thinking what you suspect. I simply want to help you with your troubles.”

Zhang Qi doubted such good fortune could fall upon her.

“Why would you help me for no reason? And how can you be sure you can solve whatever trouble I’m in?”

Tang Xuan replied, “As I said, it’s a bond from a past life. And as for your trouble, I can help with any trouble. Remember, any trouble.”

Zhang Qi seriously suspected he was boasting.

“Such a young age and already so full of hot air?”

If it were anyone else, Tang Xuan would have ignored them. But this woman had pulled him from the abyss in their past life. No matter her attitude, he would not grow impatient. Instead, he showed unusual patience.

In the previous life, Zhang Qi held some status in Jiangcheng. But in this life, Tang Xuan was determined to make her supreme in the city.

“If you don’t try, how will you know if I’m lying?”

Zhang Qi hesitated long but ultimately shook her head.

“Forget it. I just don’t want to drag you into trouble. Regardless, thank you.”

How could two women be so different? Could it be that the more dazzling the appearance, the more rotten the core?

“What if I insist on helping you?”

“Are you trying to cling to me?”

“Yes, I’m clinging to you.”

If Huang Ying and Liu Ling knew Tang Xuan had this side when dealing with women, they might cry themselves to death.

Zhang Qi sighed and rolled her eyes.

“To be honest, I have a grudge against Liu Zhenhua.”

“You probably don’t know who Liu Zhenhua is, but his influence in Jiangcheng’s underworld is immense.”

“Someone like you, young and small-time, he wouldn’t even glance your way.”

Hearing the name Liu Zhenhua, Tang Xuan chuckled silently.

Isn’t that just the husband of that fat woman? He had imagined Zhang Qi’s trouble must be grave, but it turned out to be just a small fry named Liu Zhenhua.

Still, it wasn’t surprising. Given Zhang Qi’s current status, she wouldn’t dare provoke someone more powerful.

Seeing Tang Xuan’s silence, Zhang Qi assumed he was intimidated.

“Don’t worry, if you say you can’t help now, I won’t ridicule you.”

Tang Xuan stood up and said, “Who said I can’t help? Just take me to see him.”

Zhang Qi was stunned. This didn’t scare him off?

“Are you serious?”

“Of course I’m serious.”

Once in Zhang Qi’s car, Tang Xuan asked, “Why were you kneeling at the Li family villa gate?”

“Begging him. With Li Meng’s backing, my status in Jiangcheng can rise.”

“But Li Meng has refused to see me.”

“That’s normal. The Li family is a first-tier noble house here. Why would he meet with me?”

Tang Xuan said, “If Li Meng is rude to you, I’ll make him apologize.”

Zhang Qi slammed on the brakes.

“Sis, you want me to fly out the door?”

She said, “You better get out. I can tell now—when you open your mouth, nonsense just flies everywhere.”

Tang Xuan laughed helplessly.

“Sis, soon you’ll see if I’m really boasting.”

“I’m going to make you the most formidable woman in Jiangcheng.”

At that moment, Zhang Qi’s phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, her expression changed noticeably.

“Hello.”

“The deadline I gave you is almost up. What’s your plan?”

“Are you going to clean things up and wait for me, or should I bring people to crush your territory?”

Zhang Qi gritted her teeth.

“Liu Zhenhua, Jiangcheng isn’t your exclusive domain. Don’t get too arrogant.”

Liu Zhenhua laughed heartily.

“Jiangcheng may not be mine, but you belong to me. In front of me, do you stand a chance to resist?”