Chapter 107 – The Fu Family’s Schemes

My Rebirth Legend, No Ads

"I'm sorry, Xiao Qiang. I truly didn’t know my grandfather would do such a thing..." After an unpleasant dinner at the Fu family’s home, amidst the ambiguous glances of their members, Fu Ming, Chu Qitong, and I stepped out of the military district compound and took a taxi back to the hotel. I looked somewhat sullen, and Fu Ming, with a face full of grievance, said, "I really didn’t mean for this to happen. I only told my mother, but I never expected she would tell grandfather. That old stubborn man insists on meddling once he’s set his mind on something. You can just ignore him; after all, once we finish the competition, we’ll return to City C, and he won’t be able to control us there..."

"No, I’m not angry about that," I replied. "It’s just that your grandfather always carries that aura of authority, as if wielding his official power to intimidate others. Are ordinary people not human? How can he threaten people without reason..." I spoke with some displeasure but stopped when I saw tears welling in Fu Ming’s beautiful eyes. I sighed softly, "It’s not your fault. Anyway, you’re right—perhaps you won’t see your grandfather again. There’s no point in dwelling on it."

"Yeah, as long as you’re not upset," Fu Ming nodded, wiping away tears and forcing a faint smile. "Actually, it’s nothing serious. I just mentioned to my mother how you helped me on the bus and beat me in the computer competition, and maybe when she introduced you to grandfather, she brought it up..."

At that, her face flushed slightly.

"Hey, Fu Ming, if you like someone, you like them. Don’t make excuses just to brush it off," Chu Qitong suddenly remarked sharply from the side. "You have to fight for your own happiness. Some so-called great lovers only care about their beloved girlfriends and have no idea about the longing of other women. Fu Ming, I really envy you for having a grandfather who dares to stand up for his granddaughter, unlike my own father..."

A cold sweat broke out on my forehead. This little devil always knew how to hit the sore spot. Her words were clearly about herself! I could only smile wryly and say, "Alright, alright, everyone should get some rest. Tomorrow is the competition. Hopefully, we’ll all do well."

Fu Ming, flushed red from Chu Qitong’s words, was eager to leave. When I said I was going to rest, she quickly pulled Chu Qitong out of my room to stop her from saying more. I lay back on the white sheets, sighing inwardly.

Since my rebirth, everything had been proceeding smoothly, yet why was my love life growing increasingly complicated? Between Zhang Jing and Chu Qitong, I already had enough troubles; now Fu Ming was added to the mix... In my past life, I never had such romantic entanglements. Why did rebirth bring such a tangled mess?

Fu Ming’s grandfather’s incident made one thing clear: I must have my own strength to stand tall in front of others. Beijing was no small City C; here, even the smallest stone thrown could hit a third-rank official. Officials were densely packed in the capital. I couldn’t be too conspicuous, but that didn’t mean I was afraid. One day, I would have Beijing under my feet!

I called Li Dabiao. That guy was busy expanding the Sky Eagle Security Company and barely had time for anything else. With the substantial funds I provided, Sky Eagle’s growth was rapid. After hanging up satisfied, I called Su Xin and Zhang Jing. Since they lived together, I called their shared number; both answered.

Zhang Jing had been closely monitoring the Xia Wang Construction Group’s old city renovation project—all part of our plan. News from Chu Zhengsheng indicated that Su Guohui had begun his moves. Everything was set, the east wind had arrived. Once I acted, City C would undergo a massive reshuffle.

"Hmph! Once I finish my business here, Xia Jianren and his father are finished!" I hung up, muttering coldly. "Fu Ming’s second brother, Fu Huiran, might be worth knowing—more friends are better than more enemies. Especially with Song Jie as a formidable enemy, no one can take Su Xin away from me!"

Military District Compound, Haiding District, Beijing, No. 12

Fu Rong sat peacefully in his bedroom chair, leaning on a sandalwood cane carved with an eagle spreading its wings. His eyes fixed on a man standing before him in military uniform—a colonel with two four-star insignias on his shoulders, about forty years old. His posture was erect and disciplined.

Fu Rong smiled and nodded, "Xiao Wang, I’ve led soldiers for many years, and you are my proudest protégé. Seeing your perfect military posture, I dare say no officer of your rank can match you."

"Heh, Commander, you flatter me. As soldiers, our bearing is the most visible example. Whether a unit is strong or not can be seen clearly in an officer’s every word and action. That was your teaching, Commander Wang Ming, and I’ve never forgotten it." The colonel named Wang Ming saluted Fu Rong formally. "I will never forget the nurturing and education you gave me, Commander."

Fu Rong laughed happily and gestured for Wang Ming to lower his salute. "Xiao Wang, you’re like family to me. The young man you investigated is impressive—not only a technological talent but also a martial arts expert. Such a young man will surely not be ordinary in the future..."

"Commander? That kid, Xiao Qiang, can fight? No way! After you asked me to investigate him, I collected all his information, but how could..." Wang Ming trailed off in thought. "I remember now, my subordinates mentioned a conflict he had with the Axe Gang in City C, but that was supposedly done by his underlings. Could it be...?"

"Yes, this young man is indeed not simple despite his age." Fu Rong nodded, frowning. "If I hadn’t deliberately snubbed him to provoke his temper, we might have been completely deceived. He’s a serious underestimate of City C. Not only are the Su and Chu families involved, but a young figure like him has also emerged. If not for some secret lines in the City C government, we might have missed him entirely."

He smiled suddenly. "It was thanks to your extra attention to my granddaughter that I found a chance to make contact with this kid. Looks like Ming’er left with her parents to..."

Wang Ming nodded in agreement, "It was a coincidence that I discovered the connection between Xiao Ming and Xiao Qiang. That kid showed his face clearly at the City C police station that day, which caught my attention. Otherwise, how could I have secretly investigated him? Xiao Qiang is only seventeen yet already the behind-the-scenes CEO of Sunshine Group. Even more terrifying, Sunshine Group has acquired Chu Zhengsheng’s Royal Dynasty Group, and Chu Zhengsheng’s father, Old Chu, apparently agreed to it secretly. This likely means the Chu family wants to ally with him."

"Old Chu is a crafty old fox. If he’s willing to bow his head, it can only mean he wants to curry favor with Xiao Qiang," Fu Rong said with a cold smile. He picked up a document from the tea table and read quietly: "Selling the patent for the Japanese Paradise Group’s GBA game console, establishing Sunshine Group, merging over a dozen companies, and launching multiple high-tech products within a month. If these technologies truly sprung from his mind, he’s a treasure—a delicacy every power wants a share of!"

"I think so too. Xiao Qiang’s rapid expansion means he won’t be content staying in small City C. Once he leaves, he’ll need to cooperate with influential families. Whoever allies with him will grow significantly. Commander, what should the Fu family do?"

"What should we do? What else!" Fu Rong’s expression turned grave. "This world is survival of the fittest, the strong rule the weak. If the Fu family wants to survive in this fierce competition among clans in China, we must surpass others! That kid seems to fancy the girl from the Su family. The Su family is currently in decline and hasn’t noticed him—that’s good. If Old Chu allowed his son’s company to be acquired by Xiao Qiang, then Chu Qitong must be sent to get close to him. Our only bargaining chip now lies in Ming’er’s hands. We must snatch him away before the Su or Chu families do!"

"What if... what if that kid really likes the Su girl and wants to ally with the Su family?" Wang Ming asked cautiously.

Upon hearing this, Fu Rong’s eyes flashed with killing intent. Coldly, he said, "Those who serve me are for the prosperity of the family. Those who do not serve me are traitors and must be eliminated!"

"Understood, Commander. I will keep a close watch on this kid," Wang Ming said, snapping to attention with a salute, his eyes shining with unwavering resolve and a hidden ruthless gleam.