Chapter 103: The Mysterious Boss

Chapter 103: The Mysterious Boss

Chu Fei’s assassination attempt did not cause any sensation. In fact, no one even knew that so many people had died in the vast mountain forests between Kunming and Donghai, many of whom were top-ranked super assassins in the world.

Everything began in silence and ended just as quietly.

Chu Fei returned to his mundane rhythm of life, occasionally trading barbs with his beautiful boss, Ximen Lu. However, he learned from Blood Fox that the entire underworld of assassins was in an uproar. The cause was not the "Big Sister’s" bounty order, but rather a woman who had gone mad—the world's seventh-ranked assassin, and the only woman among the top ten, codenamed "Bee."

Bee did not rush to China immediately; instead, she began a frantic hunt for those who had accepted the bounty. To date, over a dozen well-known assassins had been eliminated by her.

Assassins are ranked, and in the face of a woman like Bee, few besides the very top-tier super assassins could guarantee their safety. Moreover, this was only the toll among the elite; the Blood Snake organization had killed even more, with the death toll exceeding a hundred. After all, a hundred-million-dollar bounty is highly tempting, and because it was an open bounty, it attracted not only professional assassins but also mercenaries—a mixed bag of people in vast numbers.

But now, the bounty that had once made the assassin and mercenary worlds green with envy had turned into a death warrant. Everyone steered clear. Whether it was Bee or the Blood Snake organization, both were terrifying existences that commanded absolute awe. Even the top ten super assassins would never dare to face the dual threat of both. That would be suicide.

Consequently, in just two days, China had become a forbidden zone for almost all assassins and mercenaries. Even those who had originally been based in China fled abroad, fearing they might be caught in the crossfire, as few had the confidence to face Bee’s hunt. The Donghai region, in particular, became completely devoid of assassins—a total vacuum.

Chu Fei could only offer a bitter smile at this. He had never expected things to escalate to this point, triggering turmoil across both the assassin and mercenary worlds. At the same time, he was troubled by the thought of Bee coming for him. Bee was Mei’er. Although she hadn't arrived yet, Chu Fei knew she would, and that day was not far off. It might be tomorrow, the day after, or perhaps even tonight.

***

Things were quiet on Chu Fei’s side, but the neighboring city of Donghai was anything but. The most sensational event currently unfolding was the eightieth birthday celebration of the Fu family patriarch. What truly caused a stir was not merely the banquet, but the rumors that the Lin family patriarch would use the occasion to propose a marriage alliance for his proud eldest grandson. The target of this proposal was Fu Ziqing, known as the "Number One Beauty of Donghai."

Most ordinary people were unaware of the legendary status of Fu Ziqing; they only knew her as the city’s recognized beauty. Anyone who had seen her videos or photos could not help but be captivated by her aloof, noble temperament and absolutely perfect appearance.

However, those with a bit more status understood the terrifying reality of Fu Ziqing. She was no mere "vase." She was a true genius and the actual executive power of the Fu family. It was no exaggeration to say that the Fu family’s current standing—securing a place among the six great families of Donghai—was entirely due to her existence. She had single-handedly elevated a second-rate family into the ranks of the elite.

She was a monster of talent!

Similarly, the eldest young master of the Lin family, Lin Cong, was a leader among the younger generation in Donghai—a truly dazzling standout. While he might seem less prominent than Fu Ziqing on the surface, those in the upper echelons knew better. In terms of political maneuvering and intellect, this thirty-year-old man rivaled some of the old foxes, which was why he was nicknamed "Old Demon Lin."

In many people's eyes, Lin Cong and Fu Ziqing were a match made in heaven.

Only a few days ago, this marriage talk was mere private speculation, but now it had been brought into the open. The entire city of Donghai knew that the Lin family was going to propose to the Fu family. This news became the most explosive and sensational event in all of Donghai—without exception.

As the date of the birthday banquet approached, the clamor grew increasingly intense, like a tsunami sweeping through the Donghai business world. Many business moguls flocked to Donghai to attend the banquet, even those with previously strained relationships. Everyone could see that Fu Ziqing and Lin Cong were already monstrously capable on their own; if they joined forces, they would surely rewrite history and likely create a new landscape in the Donghai business world. This was not just a simple alliance of the strong; it was a qualitative shift.

No one wanted to miss the chance to get close to these two families. Once the new order was established, it would be too late to curry favor.

***

Some are happy, and some are full of sorrow.

In a square-shaped villa, a dignified, imposing middle-aged man was staring at his phone in conflict. Gritting his teeth, he grabbed the device and dialed a number etched deep into his memory.

The phone rang for a long time before being picked up. A lazy, male voice drifted through: "Hello? Who is this?"

"Boss, it’s me, Xiaohu." The middle-aged man’s voice was filled with irrepressible excitement, even trembling slightly.

"Xiaohu?" The person on the other end seemed to be searching his memory, pausing before laughing heartily: "Oh, so it’s you, kid! If you hadn’t introduced yourself, I wouldn’t have remembered."

The man who called himself Xiaohu was speechless, though he quickly regained his composure. That was just how the Boss was—he wasn't comfortable unless he was teasing someone. He had grown used to it. He chuckled and asked with concern: "Boss, how are you doing?"

"Great! Eating well, sleeping well, and surrounded by beautiful women every day. Life couldn't be better," the man on the phone replied with a chuckle.

"Boss, can we talk normally for once?" the middle-aged man muttered. He hadn't noticed his boss being this long-winded before; what was all that about?

"Am I not talking normally? What’s your problem? Doubting your boss’s taste?" The man seemed offended.

"No, that’s not what I meant," the man called Xiaohu instinctively apologized with a laugh.

"That’s more like it," the other person hummed, then asked: "Tell me, why did you call? It’s not because your wife can’t get pregnant again and you want me to help, is it?"

The middle-aged man’s expression turned bizarre. Had anyone else heard this, they would have misunderstood or been furious, but he wasn't. He knew the man wasn't trying to take advantage of him. He replied with gratitude: "No, I’m at my age now, what’s the point of having more children?"

"Are you old? I don’t think so. I remember you’re only in your early fifties—the prime of a man's life! Put in some effort and you’ll surely have a house full of kids. What’s wrong? Is your ability lacking? Do you need me to prescribe some virility medicine?" the man asked excitedly.

"Don't, I'm perfectly normal, no need for medicine," the middle-aged man said, waving his hand despite knowing the other couldn't see him. He sighed bitterly: "Boss, I’m really in good health, don’t you worry about that."

"You think I’m worried about you? I’m thinking about when you’ll give birth to a daughter so she can be a wife for my boy," the man on the phone retorted mercilessly.

The middle-aged man was used to this and didn't mind at all. He sighed again: "Boss, I already have a daughter; she’s over twenty. I even called you when she was born, and you sent a red envelope."

"Is that so? Your daughter is over twenty?" The other paused, then his voice turned suddenly excited: "Over twenty, she’s that big already? Is she pretty? Does she have a nice figure—"

"Boss, don't tell me you want my daughter to marry your son too?" The middle-aged man interrupted, his expression complex.

"What? Don't you think my boy is good enough for your daughter?" The other sounded displeased.

"That’s not what I mean, I..." The middle-aged man hesitated, thinking to himself that his boss spent all day trying to arrange marriages for his son as if he were afraid the boy would never find a wife. Wasn't he afraid of exhausting his son?

However, he didn't say it out loud. Just as he was about to steer the conversation to the main point, the man on the phone continued: "As long as that’s not what you meant, then good. Haha, what a coincidence! That boy is in Kunming right now. I’ll have him bring gifts to your place tomorrow to propose."

"What the—!"

The middle-aged man’s hand shook, and he nearly dropped the phone. Proposing tomorrow? And he just happened to be in Kunming? Could this get any more terrifying? He quickly said: "Boss, let’s set aside the proposal for a second. I called you because there’s a serious matter."

"What serious matter? Isn’t arranging a marriage for your daughter a serious matter?" the other asked in confusion.

"I—"

The middle-aged man wanted to smash the phone. *When did I ever say that? You’re the one talking to yourself!* But he didn't dare lash out. He restrained himself and said: "This matter really is about a proposal, but it’s the Lin family proposing to the Fu family. The target is that girl, Fu Ziqing."

"Is that so?" The man fell silent.

"Yes, Boss. Fu Ziqing is your designated daughter-in-law. We all know that. The Lin family doing this is clearly a slap in your face..." the middle-aged man said excitedly, his tone as indignant as if it were his own future daughter-in-law being targeted.

"Isn't that a bit much? Fu Ziqing isn’t your son’s fiancée, why are you getting so worked up?" The voice on the phone sounded strange: "Don’t tell me your good-for-nothing son has a crush on my daughter-in-law? Or are they having an affair behind my back?"

"I—"

The middle-aged man felt the urge to vomit blood again...

"Let them propose. If it’s going to rain, it’s going to rain; if a woman wants to marry, she’ll marry. No one can stop that. People have mouths, we can’t sew them shut, right?" the man said nonchalantly.

"Boss, are you really going to let the Lin family be this arrogant? You won't stop this?" The middle-aged man couldn't believe it. This wasn't the "Boss" he knew.

"Fu Ziqing is just my daughter-in-law, not my fiancée. Even if I stop it, she won't marry me. Besides, fighting my own son for a wife isn't something I’d do..." The tone was very serious this time.

"..."

The middle-aged man’s eyes widened. He realized his boss’s words actually made a lot of sense—especially the part about fighting his son for a wife. He was rendered speechless.

*Damn it, that’s not right! That’s not why I called...*

The middle-aged man suddenly realized the conversation had drifted miles off track. He was just about to ask again when he heard the dial tone—the call had been hung up.

*He hung up just like that?*

The middle-aged man stood there, clutching the phone, completely stunned, not even noticing someone standing right next to him.