Chapter 2357: Chapter 2421: Zhao Family Repelled by a Word

"Sis... sister!" Hu Yu’er repeated, feeling a bit dazed. She was shocked by Li Yifei’s identity—able to frighten the middle-aged man beside her so much, it was clear his identity was not simple. And at the same time... this call of ’sister’ left Hu Yu’er a bit at a loss. With Li Yifei around, any huge problem could be easily solved, and even the middle-aged man with such a big background was afraid of him.

But this ’sister’... if things went on like this, it meant she would also have to acknowledge this relationship. Hu Yu’er felt a twinge of bitterness, but she still took a step forward. If Li Yifei had such a status, then the gap between them was even greater, much greater than when she previously thought of Li Yifei as an ordinary person while she was worth millions.

The Hu family’s feelings were mixed. Seeing that Li Yifei had an even greater background than those people, so much so that it silenced them, they felt quite relieved, as if their injuries hurt a little less. But soon, they began to recall whether they had offended him before.

Seeing Hu Yu’er walk over, the middle-aged man didn’t dare to stop her and could only hope that Li Yifei would show mercy; otherwise, there was no way for him to escape. Faced with such frightening power, he didn’t dare to run.

That day, when Li Yifei caused a big scene at the Zhao family, the middle-aged man was present. In fact, he was one of Old Master Zhao’s sons, but not born to the main wife, so his status was not considered the highest in the Zhao family.

Of course, even if he wasn’t the highest, with the family name and some capability, along with backing from the Zhao family, as long as he wasn’t a fool, he could enjoy endless riches and dominate all his life.

"Have you been wronged?" When Hu Yu’er reached him, Li Yifei reached out to tidy her bangs and said gently.

"No!" Hu Yu’er calculated in her heart, her eyes heated up, tears began to fall. Li Yifei noticed and said, "Don’t worry, I’ll avenge you, sis!"

"Th-thank you!" Hu Yu’er hesitated before responding.

"Why thank me, we were fated to meet anyway, and we share a deep connection!" Li Yifei replied.

They completely ignored everyone else. After saying this, Li Yifei patted her shoulder, motioning her to stand back, then looked at the middle-aged man.

This guy was likely ten years older than Li Yifei, but at this moment, there was no mental advantage. As soon as Li Yifei looked over, his body couldn’t help but tremble.

"What’s your name?"

"I... I’m Zhao Weiguo!" the middle-aged man replied.

Li Yifei smiled and said, "Illegitimate son Zhao Weiguo, 42 years old, ranking in the top ten in the Zhao family’s pecking order, but far behind the top few. Holds dual master’s degrees and studied for a PhD in the United States. However, due to his background, he’s always been low-key in the Zhao family, avoids conflict, appearing mediocre but actually controls numerous businesses worth over a billion. So, appearing is just an appearance; he’s also skilled at playing dumb to take advantage."

Li Yifei was quoting from the investigation report on Zhao Weiguo, which placed him barely in the tenth position; his rank was only possible because he was Old Master Zhao’s illegitimate son.

When that information was initially gathered, it was to understand the enemy and win battles easily. Unexpectedly, Li Yifei directly confronted them, went straight to the source, making the information unnecessary.

As soon as Zhao Weiguo heard Li Yifei recite his details, his face turned ashen. He had planned to play the weak to make Li Yifei spare him, but didn’t expect the opponent to know his details so clearly.

He trembled, bent his waist, and said, "Mr. Li, I... I’m really sorry. I apologize to Miss Hu. I really didn’t know she was your sister. This was indeed my mistake."

"A big family must take responsibility!" Li Yifei seemed to not hear Zhao Weiguo’s words and said instead, "If you do something wrong, you don’t have to apologize!"

"Ah?" Zhao Weiguo was stunned, cautiously watching Li Yifei, hearing him continue, "Either put up a brave face to the end, act to the end, or when news gets out, it’s more disgraceful."

"I don’t dare, I don’t dare!" Zhao Weiguo repeatedly said. At this point, how dare he think about disgrace or not. Forget disgrace, even losing face was acceptable. The opponent had rushed into the house, even the Grand Elder and Second Elder couldn’t handle him, both were beaten to death, and now the Zhao family had closed their doors to guests, all main family members ordered by Old Master Zhao to stay home and not leave the province.

This was to avoid confrontation, as the Zhao family could not provoke Li Yifei and had to resort to avoidance. The Grand Elder and Second Elder’s identities were too special; if the top warriors knew, it would implicate the Zhao family, and over the years, to keep these Elders, the Zhao family had also done some evil deeds, meaning they risked misfortune if investigated thoroughly.

In these circumstances, Zhao Weiguo ran into Li Yifei, and with such actions, how could he not be scared? Li Yifei had already said, with dual master’s degrees and a PhD, surely he wasn’t brainless.

"Tell me, how did things go down?" Li Yifei truly didn’t know the full truth, so he turned to Hu Yu’er.

Seeing Li Yifei so intimidating, Hu Yu’er didn’t hide anything and told him everything.

But truly, Zhao Weiguo was not stupid. In fact, there weren’t many complete ’Second-Generation Heir’ fools like Second Master Zhao in the Zhao family, as the elite selection in such families made it hard for truly foolish people to survive long. Nonetheless, the scheming among heirs never ceased. Old Master Zhao was aging, and his successor was not determined, leaving legitimate children fiercely competing.

As an illegitimate child, Zhao Weiguo dared not get involved in such battles; the slightest mistake would be disastrous for him. Therefore, in the Zhao family, he remained a low-profile figure who seldom voiced opinions or fought for anything. What was his, he would take; what wasn’t, he wouldn’t reach out for.

Of course, this was only on the surface. His siblings didn’t acknowledge him; hence, most of his billion-dollar assets were amassed on his own, without competing with others but building his fortune.

After seeing Hu Yu’er at a gathering, Zhao Weiguo was amazed by her beauty. Upon understanding her wealth, he was tempted. A little bit of calculation would gain wealth and beauty, and her business was highly profitable. In Zhao Weiguo’s hands, through family connections, it could rapidly expand into a significant economic arm.

Furthermore, he could also win over a beautiful woman. It was a win-win situation. After all, businessmen prioritize profit. If a slightly unethical move could bring so much gain, Zhao Weiguo was willing to make it.

Hu Yu’er indeed couldn’t resist. When her parents were alive, they had good relations with certain officials, allowing her to seek help. However, with her parents gone, those connections weakened considerably, leaving her with nowhere to seek help, no one willing to offend the Zhao family by stepping in to save her. Even those willing, Hu Yu’er dared not reach out, fearing they’d have ulterior motives or be unreliable—chasing away a wolf only for a tiger to arrive.

Therefore, under Zhao Weiguo’s ultimatum, she could only attend the Hongmen Banquet, gambling on his character—even if it cost her a hefty sum, she would’ve accepted. However, she never expected Zhao Weiguo to be so despicable, directly detaining her to force compliance.

Of course, there were some leverage points since her business wasn’t entirely clean, with smuggling and such being inevitable. Once caught, these issues could be amplified infinitely, causing her assets to fall into others’ hands after much turmoil.

Most importantly, Hu Yu’er didn’t dare to resist because it would cause trouble for the Hu family. Many people in the family were her father’s old followers, retired but stayed with them out of loyalty; she couldn’t harm them,

Besides, Zhao Weiguo offered a ’candy’ by proposing marriage to Hu Yu’er, suggesting a merger to grow their business.

Thus, the earlier scene unfolded. But from Zhao Weiguo’s words, it was evident that even if Hu Yu’er agreed, waiting for her would be losing both money and lover, as she became Zhao Weiguo’s wife, only to end empty-handed.

Luckily, Li Yifei appeared at this moment, descending like a god, suppressing Zhao Weiguo at his strongest point.

You have status and background? Well, mine is higher and stronger, what can you do about it?

Li Yifei quietly listened to Hu Yu’er’s recount. Without exaggeration, the details alone made Zhao Weiguo break into cold sweat, his spine bending more, soon rendered incapable of any upright posture.

The people accompanying Zhao Weiguo naturally didn’t understand. They hadn’t experienced the battle at the villa, and its news was strictly sealed, so they couldn’t understand why Zhao Weiguo feared him so much. Yet lack of understanding didn’t grant them a say; they couldn’t decide for Zhao Weiguo.

"Indeed the Zhao way of doing things!" Upon hearing everything, Li Yifei commented with a smile.

This was hardly praise, Zhao Weiguo’s forehead sweat gathered, dripping to the ground, making his heart thud ever faster.

"Mr. Li, I know my mistake. I won’t dare again!" Zhao Weiguo pleaded.

Yet Li Yifei shook his head mockingly and said, "An apology is useless."

"Ah?" Zhao Weiguo was taken aback, then said, "I’ll compensate, I’m willing to compensate. Please, Mr. Li, spare me this time!" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"How much can you offer?" Li Yifei asked.

"I..." Zhao Weiguo hesitated, recognizing the man before him was terrifying. He had no doubt if Li Yifei were displeased, he could simply raise a hand and kill him. But... how much compensation was enough?