"Pop!" As the bald guy with the last name Shen finished saying ’****’, a loud slap rang out. However, it wasn’t against his face but knocked his hand away. Li Yifei was being polite enough, as he wasn’t fully aware of the situation yet and didn’t know this person’s identity. Although the other party clearly had bad intentions, for now, it was enough to just knock his hand away.

Of course, this casual hit on the bald guy made him instantly grimace in pain, as if his hand was struck by a giant hammer. The sharp pain made him wince, but Li Yifei showed no kindness in his expression, saying, "Watch your language."

"Watch your damn self! Didn’t you guys see him hit me? Get him! Damn it, in Yundian City, there’s actually someone who dares to hit me!" The bald guy with the last name Shen yelled, hopping with rage. He wanted to retaliate, but unfortunately, the hand that was hit hurt too much, causing his face to turn red from the pain.

A few of his underlings were, of course, ready to act. This was their job. They immediately rolled up their sleeves and approached. However, Li Yifei paid them no mind. Instead, he leaned into the car, grabbed He Fangqing, and said, "Honey, I’m here to pick you up!"

"Hubby, I... I drank too much. Please take me home!" He Fangqing, who had already heard Li Yifei’s voice, was overjoyed and relieved at his timely appearance; otherwise, she truly would have been in danger tonight. She felt guilty, knowing she had put herself in a dangerous situation. If Li Yifei hadn’t been there, and had that bald guy tried to force himself on her... she wouldn’t have been able to face Li Yifei again.

Li Yifei pulled He Fangqing up with force, holding her with one arm, and said, "Alright, I’ll take you home to sleep!"

"Sleep, my ass! What are you standing around for? Hit him!" The bald guy, seeing Li Yifei and He Fangqing ignoring him, shouted more furiously upon hearing their conversation, finally accepting this man was indeed He Fangqing’s husband.

"Mr. Shen, have some decency! I appreciate you giving me a ride back. We can talk things over at the negotiation table, but if you dare to use force, I promise you’ll regret it!" He Fangqing, having felt a warm current soothing her body and knowing Li Yifei was helping her counteract the alcohol, harshly retorted at the bald guy, unafraid of her side coming off worse. With Li Yifei present, defeating a few underlings wouldn’t be a problem. However, this Mr. Shen was not someone to take lightly, and there was no need to fall out with him unless necessary.

Her words made the bald guy flinch slightly, as if reminded of something. His raised hand paused, then waved dismissively as he said, "He Fangqing, you’re something, daring to play me! Just you wait!"

With that, the bald guy glared fiercely at the two of them and left a parting threat: "Kid, you better really be her husband, or I’ll make sure you can never leave South Dian Province!"

"Next time we meet, mind your words, or I won’t mind teaching you a lesson on behalf of your elders!" As Li Yifei spoke, he exuded an aura of power, causing the bald guy and his underlings to suddenly feel a chill, their skin prickling with goosebumps. A sense of fear welled up in them, and when they came to, Li Yifei was already leading He Fangqing into the hotel, quite a distance away.

"Boss Long, are you okay?" A lackey hurried over to ask.

"I’m fine, damn it!" The bald guy shoved the lackey aside with his other hand, glaring daggers at Li Yifei’s back. If not for this guy’s sudden appearance, tonight would have gone his way.

Shen Kailong had always had a penchant for mature women like He Fangqing. If they were both mature and beautiful, to him, they were like poison. This obsession had started in his teens, and through the years, he had been with countless women, none of whom were younger than him. So, upon seeing He Fangqing at the dinner table today, he couldn’t help himself. He had schemed to get close to her, got her drunk, and intended to do whatever he pleased that night, but Li Yifei ruined it. How could he not be furious?

Of course, Li Yifei was unaware of Shen Kailong’s true intentions. Had he known, he wouldn’t have just walked away so easily; even beating Shen Kailong up would have been considered light.

"Look into this guy’s background for me, damn it. If He Fangqing dared to play me, I’ll have to teach you all a lesson, and your project will be doomed!" Shen Kailong growled in the car, the first part directed to his subordinates, and as he spoke the latter part, the image of that woman’s figure was still firmly lodged in his mind.

Stepping into the elevator, He Fangqing was already much more sober. She had been quite drunk, even nauseous, but with Li Yifei’s True Qi coursing through her, the drunkenness faded, and she felt refreshed. In the elevator, she leaned against Li Yifei, wrapping her arms around his waist, her face nuzzling his chest as she murmured, "Hubby, you showed up just in time. I... Otherwise, I might have..."

"Whenever you’re in danger, your husband will be there! Alright, stop worrying about it; I’m here, and I’ll take care of everything!" Li Yifei held He Fangqing tightly.

Back in the room, He Fangqing hugged Li Yifei’s waist as she closed the door with her back and pressed her lips against his. After a long kiss, she went soft in his arms. This currently oldest woman in the family was completely limp in Li Yifei’s embrace. If it were any other time, Li Yifei would have already been putty in her hands, ready to engage in a passionate bout.

But now, Li Yifei held back, uncertain of how long he must endure, but suffer in silence he must, lest he break his own vow.

He Fangqing understood Li Yifei’s predicament, so she held his hand, led him to the sofa, and briefed him on the situation. She didn’t press on how Li Yifei happened to arrive just in time, knowing he was the best thing to happen to her—he always showed up in her toughest times.

Li Yifei listened, his eyes turning cold. Through He Fangqing’s account, he not only learned who the bald guy was, but also the challenges the Li family’s project in Yundian Province was facing.

"The Zhao family again! I didn’t go looking for trouble with them, yet they dare to harass us!" Li Yifei snorted, indignant at not just the bald guy targeting any woman.

Shen Kailong’s family was based in Yundian City, the provincial capital of South Dian. They were involved in business and had certain dealings around border cities, with ties to both legal and illegal activities. Conducting such business without connections in both spheres was impossible.

This time, the Li family’s project was a government partnership. However, since it was in a border city, they inevitably had to liaise with the Shen family. Behind them stood the Zhao Clan of Southern Sky. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

The Southern Sky Province was a couple of provinces away but all part of Huaxia’s southern end. It seemed the Zhao Clan got wind of this project. So, a previously smooth partnership suddenly became challenging with their involvement. Not only did the Shen family’s attitude change, but the officials’ stance shifted too. Clearly, though the Li family’s project was more beneficial, officials appeared more inclined towards the Zhao family.

Simply put, the government chose lesser benefits to partner with the Zhao family’s project. What else could it be but deliberate obstruction?

Neither Su Mengxin nor others anticipated the Zhao family’s influence reaching South Dian Province, highlighting the severe collusion amongst southern factions, freezing the project. Recently, there was a breakthrough hinting that officials wanted to renegotiate with Li family’s representatives. Thus, Su Mengxin had relaxed and returned to the Capital City. This led to He Fangqing attending tonight’s banquet, intending to build good ties with the local Shen family, but meeting Shen Kailong, who was a constant nuisance, staring at her throughout the banquet, unable to rebuff.

There was definitely something in the drink. He Fangqing recalled not drinking that much, and her tolerance would usually handle it. Without Li Yifei, she might have been in a deeper drunken stupor.

"I’d better not encounter him again, or he’ll be made a eunuch!" Li Yifei declared fiercely.

"Alright, hubby, I was wrong. From now on, I’ll take bodyguards with me. I didn’t expect this to happen!" He Fangqing, pouting, kissed Li Yifei and added, "Please don’t be angry. He’s despicable but not someone major. He’s a grandson of the Shen family but not accomplished, and thus not highly ranked. However, if we retaliate, offending the Shen family isn’t good, since we plan on investing here and might need their channels."

"Let’s see how things unfold!" Li Yifei huffed, seeing He Fangqing was okay. He continued, "What’s with the Zhao Clan? Do they really want a confrontation with us?"

"According to mine and Mengxin’s analysis... perhaps it’s because of that Second Master Zhao you... Even though you were discreet, the Zhao clan might suspect us. Moreover, this southern region is their turf. Our intrusion would naturally be met with some pushback!"

"Backing down isn’t in our family’s nature. Heh, if they want to play, we’ll indulge them. Your man is unrivaled now, and if pushed, we’ll storm their lair and wipe them out. Let’s see them gloat then!"

"That wouldn’t be wise, hubby. The Zhao family is a formidable clan in Southern Sky. If we can avoid direct conflict, we should. Stealthy expansion is the best strategy."

"Zip!" Li Yifei playfully spanked He Fangqing’s plump behind, causing her to yelp, her face turning a slow blush, eyes sultry, fragrant breath whispering, while Li Yifei warned, "Don’t move around too much!"